Second test

Last updated on August 8th, 2017 at 04:53 pm

168 runs required off 35 overs. Australia can win this.

UPDATE. The BBC reports:

Australia won the second Ashes Test by six wickets and went 2-0 up in the series after bowling England out for 129 on day five in Adelaide …

No team in history has lost after declaring on a higher total than England’s 551-6 batting first in a Test.

UPDATE II. The Guardian’s Vic Marks:

It is one thing to lose a match when you have been outplayed session after session, as England were in Brisbane, another to dominate the game for so long and yet be annihilated on the last afternoon … The architect of victory was, inevitably, Shane Warne, who mesmerised all the English batsmen, sowed the seed of doubt, which sprouted and then ran riot through the tourists’ dressing room.

UPDATE III. The Independent’s Myles Hodgson:

The shock triumph gives Australia a 2-0 lead in the series and effectively ends England’s hopes of retaining the Ashes as no side in the 123-year history of the compeition has ever come back to level the series after going two behind.

UPDATE IV. The Guardian’s Lawrence Booth:

If England had scored only an extra single per over, the game would have been completely beyond Australia’s reach. Even if they had managed half a run more per over, they might have been safe. Instead, they managed three boundaries in two sessions, a tally Australia matched within five overs of their reply.

UPDATE V. England captain Andrew Flintoff:

“This is going to hurt, this game,” he said, his face white with shock.

UPDATE VI. Andrew Bolt commenter Phil Gee, following England’s first innings:

Don’t write off McGrath and Warne yet.

UPDATE VII. Guardian commenter Argyll:

I woke up this morning and thought I heard something garbled on the radio, like “England slide to defeat”. I thought, ‘surely not’ and put it down to being half asleep. Now fully awake and wishing I wasn’t, I realise the awful, unfathomable truth.

UPDATE VIII. Pics from the Australian:

Pietersen was bowled around his legs by a Warne delivery that almost missed off stump. This defies all known physical laws.

UPDATE IX. Guardian commenter AussieWill:

It’s not all bad for England. I reckon if they promote that bloke Extras up the order he’ll do OK. He made 11 today – better than most of his team mates.

UPDATE X. Sydney’s Michael Bernard:

Finally, the memory of Headingly 1981 has been avenged. How do you feel now Botham?

UPDATE XI. Guardian commenter Junglehero:

Personally I think Harmison should be shot or hung for cowardice.