Ben Stokes' 5-wicket haul resricts Australia to 241/7 at stumps on Day 2 of the Ashes 2015 Test at Trent Bridge
Australia still trail by 90 runs with three wickets in hand.
Ben Stokes was the star of the England bowlers in the second innings © Getty Images
Australia manage to go to stumps at 241 for 7 at stumps on Day Two of the fourth Ashes 2015 Test at Trent Bridge. Australia still trail England by 90 runs to avoid follow-on. Ben Stokes was the star for England as his five-wicket haul really knocked the stuffing out of the Australian batsman. Adam Voges is still unbeaten on a half-century, but he has not anyone to support him at the other end. Australia started the session at 138 for 4 after they had lost a flurry of wickets just ahead of the Tea break. Chris Rogers and David Warner scored a half-centuries. Australia lost their skipper Michael Clarke for just 13 and after fighting it off for a long time, Peter Nevill too succumbed to pressure and was finally dismissed. Broad became the fourth highest wicket-taker for England, surpassing Fred Trueman. Full updates: England vs Australia, 4th Ashes 2015 Test, Day 2
Clarke too had a milestone to his name as he managed to go past Matthew Hayden to become his nation's fourth highest run-scorer. That was the only joy the Australian skipper had as he could not end his torrid run of form. England bowlers were right on the money as well. Stokes along with Stuart Broad and Steven Finn were troubling the batsmen throughout.
England had declared on 391 for 9, thereby securing a lead of 331 after a magnificent spell from Mitchell Starc. England looked set to get to a huge score but Starc's six wickets managed to restrict England's hopes of running away with the match. Australia still have a humongous task ahead of them. They will have to bat much better than they did in the first innings, else they will lose by a huge margin. Joe Root was the first man to be dismissed for a well made for 130, who was caught behind. His wicket was soon followed by Mark Wood, who came in as a night watchman, but scored 28. Full scorecard: England vs Australia 4th Ashes 2015 Test at Trent Bridge, Day 2 here
England then kept losing wickets in a hurry as wicket keeper Jos Buttler was dismissed for a quickfire 12 and his wicket soon was followed by that of Ben Stokes for just five. Moeen Ali was then joined by Stuart Broad, who looked to take on the bowling. Broad was looking to carry on from his form with the ball. Moeen and Broad took on the bowling, targeting especially Josh Hazlewood, who was bit for a couple of lusty blows. Moeen was then dismissed for an excellent 38 and it took an excellent diving catch by Steve Smith to dismiss him, giving Mitchell Johnson his first wicket of the match.
On Day One, broad had ripped Australia apart after he registered his career best figures of 8 for 15 as the visitors were bowled out for just 60 in 18.3 Overs. England then piled on the runs and ended the day's play in a commanding position from where they can consolidate on Day Two and that's what they did. This after England had won the toss on Day One and elected to bowl first. Both teams made a change each. England got fast bowler Wood back in place of James Anderson and Australia got Shaun Marsh into this game in place of Mitchell Marsh.
Brief scores:
Australia 60 (Michael Clarke 10, Mitchell Johnson 13, EXTRAS 14; Stuart Broad 8 for 15, Mark Wood 1 for 13, Steven Finn 1 for 21) & 241 for 7 ( Rogers 52, David Warner 64; Stuart Broad 1 for 36, Ben Stokes 5 for 35) trail England 391 for 9 decl. (Alastair Cook 43, Joe Root 130, Jonny Bairstow 74; Mitchell Starc 6 for 111, Josh Hazlewood 2 for 97) by 90 runs.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
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