Adelaide: England lost both its openers before bad light forced early stumps on the second day of the second Ashes Test against Australia here at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. The visitors are trailing by 456 runs.
England’s Rory Burns (4) edged straight to second slip off Mitchell Starc, while Haseeb Hameed (6) was caught at mid-on region off Michael Neser. England are 17/2 and will start the third day 19 minutes early to make up for the time lost.
Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped on 95 on day one, registered his sixth Test century off 287 balls on the second day. However, he was soon dismissed by Ollie Robinson for 103. The right-hander got leg-before off the English pacer.
Travis Head joined Steve Smith in the middle and took Australia past 250. The stand-in captain Smith welcomed his fifty from 135 balls. The right-hander tried to smash it through mid on but the ball went over wicket-keeper Jos Buttler for a boundary. Just when Head (18) looked to settle in, Joe Root struck for England. The England captain bowled Head, who played a match-winning century in the first Test in Brisbane.
In no time Ben Stokes joined the party as he bowled Cameron Green. Alex Carey and Smith comfortably took Australia past 300 before the lunch. After resumption, Carey and Smith continued milking for Australia.
James Anderson denied Smith his century as the batter got leg-before for 93, leaving Australia at 385/6. However, Carey got to his maiden Test fifty on the first ball of the 140th over at his home ground.
Anderson struck again for England as he got rid of Carey for 51. The wicket-keeper batter played the ball to cover region where Haseeb Hameed caught him at the stroke of tea. Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc kept frustrating England. Stokes finally got the better of Neser (35). However, Starc (39*) kept on going before Smith declared at 473/9.
