England In Big Trouble

England were battling hard to stay in the second Ashes Test on Friday after Australia dismissed both openers in a fiery spell under lights on day two to leave the visitors in deep waters.

Australia declared their first innings on a commanding 473 for nine in Adelaide, leaving England to face a trying 40 minutes against a swinging pink ball. They crumbled under-pressure Rory Burns lasting just three balls against a rampant Mitchell Starc, edging a rising delivery to Steve Smith at second slip after making just four.

Haseeb Hameed hung on slightly longer before Michael Neser who was replacing the skipper Pat Cummins pulled out of the Test at the last minute over a Covid scare bagged his maiden Test wicket.

England are once again heavily relied on their skipper Joe Root, who was unbeaten on five alongside Dawid Malan on one as they reached stumps at 17 for two after lightning forced an early halt.

England lost by nine wickets in the first Test at Brisbane and could go 2-0 down in Adelaide the Ashes are as good as gone with Root’s men needing to win all three remaining Tests.

Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with a magnificent 103 while David Warner (95) and Smith (93) provided vital support after Australia resumed from their overnight 221-2. Ben Stokes was the pick of the England attack with 3-113, while Jimmy Anderson took 2-58.

“It was nice to get that hundred, obviously got a few chances there but that’s how it goes sometimes, you ride your luck,” Labuschagne said.

“It feels like you have to grind for every run that you’re out there.”