AUS VS ENG 2ND TEST

That ends the coverage from the second Test match of the Ashes. Australia have taken a 2-0 lead in the series and are favorites now to retain the urn. But England cannot be ruled out yet. They will look to fighback and give their rivals a hard time. The third Test match will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26th of December from 10.30 am local (11.30 pm GMT, previous day). Do join us for that match. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Marnus Labuschagne, Player of the Match, says that credit to Warner was batting so well. Mentions that he tried to absorb the pressure but says that when one has Warner in a team, it becomes easier. Tells that he congratulated himself on how he played. Adds that to get the win is very special and it is important to not get the foot off the pedal. Tells that playing with Neser and Richardson is brilliant and they are both unique and are brilliant in their own forms. Says that all his wishes are coming true and mentions that getting his first Ashes ton is special but is disappointed that he didn't make it into a big one despite getting a few chances.

Steven Smith, the skipper of Australia, says that he was not nervous and he enjoyed himself out there in the middle. Mentions that Jos Buttler played really well out there, he showed some resilience along with Woakes and Ollie Robinson. But they had to stay calm and wait for the right ball to get the wickets. Mentions that, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne's partnership set things up for them and Mitchell Starc led the attack very well. He hit the right lengths and kept attacking the batsman. Also, he adds, Cameron Green was not supposed to bowl today as they had to manage his workload, but had to bowl a few overs because the situation demanded. He further adds that, Marcus Harris has been in the nets and should not overthink it and should just trust the process. Concludes by saying that, they have entertaining people in these difficult Covid time as the protocols are very high and says that they will go about doing their business as good as they can.

Joe Root, the England skipper, says that it was a rough day yesterday. Adds that they did not bowl the right lengths in the first innings and they had to bowl fuller, which they did in the second innings and managed to get wickets. Adds that it was disappointing because they made the same mistake four years ago. Mentions that they need to be better and they still have a chance to come back in the series. Further adds that they are confident and have to be confident and they will be hoping not the repeat the same mistakes again. On being asked about Buttler's innings, Joe Root, says that they need that kind of attitude, and mindset throughout the series.

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Earlier, Australia set the tone in the first innings itself by posting 473 runs on the board where David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Alex Carey made significant contributions whereas the lower-order too made handy runs before Steven Smith decided to declare. England faced collapse as they went from 150-2 to 236 all out where only Dawid Malan and Joe Root scored the bulk of runs for them. Steven Smith didn't enforce the follow on and his side added another 230 runs giving England a target of 467 runs. England faced the same issue as they lost wickets in heap and except Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, no one showed grit and determination and in the end they lost by 275 runs.

It looked like Australia would quickly wrap things up in the second session as they needed just 4 wickets to win but they had to toil hard to get the remaining wickets. With the new ball too, the bowlers didn't get much out of it until Jhye Richardson bowled a peach of a delivery to dismiss Chris Woakes. The bowlers were made to work very hard to get the wickets and only got one more wicket before Tea. With just 2 wickets needed in the final session, it was always easy for them to get it as they had to bowl it under lights and only had Jos Buttler as a challenge in front of them but he himself made it easy for them by knocking himself out and then Jhye Richardson made his day special by scalping the final wicket, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket and giving Australia a victory.

Drawing the Test match was always an improbable task for England but credit to Jos Buttler for showing such grit, temperament, determination and an impressive rearguard. He faced 207 balls to give his side a chance to draw this Test but all the hard-work ended as Buttler hit the wicket himself. Chris Woakes too batted brillaintly and built a 61-run stand with him but got out. Ollie Robinson too showed a bit of a fight but Nathan Lyon had him before the Tea break and England had only 2 wickets in their tank especially with final session being played under the lights. Once Jos Buttler fell, it was just a matter of time for the Australian pacers to get the final wicket.

There it is! Australia have scalped those 2 wickets in no time. It fits perfectly as well as Jhye Richardson bags a fifer to his name. He is the man of the hour at the moment. Maiden five-wicket haul for him in Test cricket. Got a chance to prove himself with Hazlewood and Cummins out of this Test, he showed his worth and how. Australia have conquered Gabba and Adelaide now and have a 2-0 lead in the series.

OUT! That's it! This ends England's fight! Jhye Richardson gets the final wicket of James Anderson and gets his 5-wicket haul. A short delivery, on the body. James Anderson jumps and gets a thick outside edge towards gully. Cameron Green there holds on to that comfortably. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 275 runs!

And again! A back of a length, around off. Stuart Broad jumps again and defends it out on to silly point.

Short of a length, on the body. Stuart Broad jumps snd blocks it out.

Back of a length, on the pads. Stuart Broad tucks it towards short fine leg.

A length ball, outside off. Stuart Broad stands tall and pushes it to point. Nathan Lyon dives and makes a good stop there.

Short of a length, over middle. Stuart Broad ducks under it.

FOUR! Mitchell Starc serves a good-length delivery, outside off. Stuart Broad manages to get an outside edge past point all the way for a boundary.