Ashes 5th Test Day 2 highlights : Smith’s Heroics Propel Australia – Can England Stage a Comeback?

Ashes 5th Test Day 2 highlights : The thrilling Ashes 5th Test between England and Australia continued with a nail-biting Day 2 at The Oval in London. The action-packed day witnessed Steve Smith’s brilliant innings steering Australia to a crucial lead. As the match unfolds, England faces a challenging task to make a comeback.

Let’s have a look into the highlights of Day 2 to see how the teams fared: Ashes 5th Test Day 2

Smith’s Masterclass

Steve Smith showcased his class once again, playing a crucial knock of 71 runs off 123 balls. His partnership with Usman Khawaja (47 runs off 157 balls) helped Australia post a total of 295 in their first innings, securing a lead of 12 runs.

England’s Bowling Efforts

Chris Woakes was the standout bowler for England, claiming three important wickets. Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, and skipper Joe Root also contributed with two dismissals each. However, the bowling attack faced the challenge of containing the Australian batsmen effectively.

Ashes 5th Test Day 2 highlights : Smith’s Heroics Propel Australia – Can England Stage a Comeback?

Cummins and Murphy’s Resilience

Pat Cummins displayed resilience, scoring 36 runs off 86 balls, supporting the batting effort. Luke Murphy’s 34 runs off 39 balls added crucial runs to the Australian total. Their partnership kept the pressure on England.

Wickets Tumble for England

England’s batting effort on Day 1 was commendable, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett forming a strong opening partnership. However, the team faced a collapse, losing three quick wickets for just 11 runs. Later, Moeen Ali and Harry Brook rescued the innings with a partnership of 111 runs.

Anderson’s Struggle

James Anderson, the veteran England pacer, had a challenging time on Day 2, remaining wicketless. Nasser Hussain expressed concerns over Anderson’s performance and hoped for a resurgence from the experienced bowler.

Ashes 5th Test Day 2 highlights : Smith’s Heroics Propel Australia – Can England Stage a Comeback?

Australia’s Upper Hand

With Australia ending Day 2 at 61 runs for the loss of one wicket, the visitors have gained an advantageous position. Khawaja (26*) and Labuschagne (2*) will resume batting on Day 3, and England will be eager to make early inroads.

England’s Comeback Challenge

As the match progresses, England faces an uphill task to stage a comeback against a resilient Australian side. The host’s bowling unit will need to come up with a game plan to break through Australia’s batting order and restrict their lead.

Day 3 Expectations

Day 3 promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Ashes 5th Test continues. England will aim to strike early and limit Australia’s lead, while the visitors will look to build a substantial advantage. The match remains evenly poised, and both teams will be determined to gain the upper hand.

Ashes 5th Test Day 2 highlights : Smith’s Heroics Propel Australia – Can England Stage a Comeback?

Ashes 5th Test Day 2 witnessed Steve Smith’s brilliance leading Australia to a vital lead. England’s bowlers displayed their skills, but the Australian batsmen fought back tenaciously. As the match progresses, England’s comeback challenge lies ahead, and fans can expect another intense day of cricket on Day 3. The battle for Ashes glory continues, and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the next exciting chapter of this riveting series.

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