England take handy lead after Aussies collapse in Perth
Oliver Caffrey |
England have claimed a 40-run lead after skittling Australia for 132 early on day two of the first Ashes Test in Perth.
Starting Saturday reeling on 9-123 after their extraordinary collapse late on day one, debutant Brendan Doggett and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon dug in for six overs and added nine runs.
Lyon was caught in slips off Brydon Carse (3-45) to end the innings.
After Mitchell Starc’s career-best 7-58 skittled England for 172 in a remarkable start to the series, Australia’s batting failed woefully against one of the quickest pace attacks to have travelled Down Under.
The 19 wickets to fall were the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909 when 20 tumbled at Old Trafford.
Jofra Archer (2-11) set the tone with a mesmerising first spell, taking the wickets of debutant opener Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne.
Captain Ben Stokes (5-23) then charged in for a stunning six-over spell late in the day for the sixth five-wicket haul of his Test career.
Starc will again need to produce magic if Australia are to get back into the match.
Without captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc is the clear leader of the pace attack.
Doggett impressed on debut with 2-27, but 2021 Boxing Day hero Scott Boland was attacked by England’s Bazballers and went at 6.2 runs an over on Friday.
England are pushing for their first Test match win in Australia since January 2011, having been smashed 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 during their past three tours.
AAP
