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After more than 150 fatiguing overs in the field, England got their chance to bat on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval. But it was soon ruined as the hosts, who left no stone unturned in making a big score, continued the supremacy with the ball as well to completely dominate the day.
Before a flash of lightning forced the early close of play, the Aussies had the perfect start as Mitchell Starc and debutant Michael Neser picked up one wicket each to damage England. While Starc removed Rory Burns in the third over of England’s first innings, Neser bagged his maiden Test scalp in the form of Haseeb Hameed in the seventh over. England only managed 17/2 in 8.4 overs at stumps.
Earlier, Australia displayed mastery in batting and declared their first innings at 473/9. Marnus Labuschagne, who was at 95 on Day 1, completed the century and solidified his number three position in the team.
Although, England made a comeback after dismissing Labuschagne (103), Travis Head (18) and Cameron Green (2), but stand-in captain Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey responded strongly with a crucial 91-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Just like David Warner, Smith also missed out on scoring a ton after he fell seven runs short of the three-figure mark when English pacer James Anderson trapped him on front. Soon Anderson got rid of Carey as well, who scored a vital 51.
As England were approaching to pack Aussies’ innings, the combination of Starc and Neser frustrated the visitors with a 58-run stand for the eighth wicket. While Starc remained unbeaten on 39, Neser made 35.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Marnus Labuschagne 100. Loved the celebration! A great innings so far where he has utilised chances. More runs to come I hope! 🔥 #Ashes
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 17, 2021
That thunder and lightning you heard and saw at the Adelaide Oval as Michael Neser ran in to bowl was the official arrival of a superhero #Ashes
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 17, 2021
12 for 2 & the skipper has to walk out again far too early .. Pretty much every aspect of this Test team isn’t working so far on this tour .. but let’s be honest it’s been the same story for a long time against the better teams .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 17, 2021
Another Test century for Marnus Labuschagne! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/CHg56U4mHK
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2021
Marnus Labuschagne's first innings scores since being subbed in for Steve Smith at Lord's:
74
67
48
185
162
143
63
215
47
48
91
108
74
103#Ashes— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) December 17, 2021
Reminder: While a lot of people like to call Marnus a run machine, it's actually pronounced 'run ma-scagh-nay'. #Ashes
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) December 17, 2021
The happiest man in Australia right now. Correction, second happiest. Forgot about @beastieboy07 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/OTCjEyYs1w
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) December 17, 2021
I don’t think I’ve seen the entire Australian team so delighted for one of their own. Michael Neser, what a story. The heartbeat of the team, always the fringe dweller, finally takes centre stage. #Ashes
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 17, 2021
What a dramatic capture on stump cam! #Lightning #thunderstorm #Ashes #Adelaide #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/MVPTT4DzZO
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 17, 2021
Burns's nightmare tour continues as he fiddles Starc to Smith at second slip for four. England 7-1.
— Brett Simba 🦁 (@BretltSimba) December 17, 2021
We are 17/2 at stumps on Day 2.
Scorecard: https://t.co/HZEmCYfsVU#Ashes | 🇦🇺 #AUSvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/KeRAISktxB
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 17, 2021
The batters have put Australia in a commanding position.
Scorecard: https://t.co/v503e4SBBJ#AUSvENG #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Hll9JGBmKh— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 17, 2021