England fall in a heap as Australia put one hand on the Ashes

Australia is all but certain to retain the Ashes after forcing an epic collapse by the hosts - rolled for 67 - on day two at Headingley, a five-wicket haul for Josh Hazlewood and a third-straight 50 for Marnus Labuschagne key wrecking balls on a day of carnage. 

Australia is within touching distance of retaining the Ashes after an unforgettable second day at Headingley on which a humiliated England outfit fell to a 71-year low.

A beyond belief bowling performance from Josh Hazlewood (5-30) and Pat Cummins (3-23) rolled the home team for just 67 on a sunny Leeds day which was supposed to be England’s chance to get back in to the series.

In an unforgettable few hours England instead managed a 27-over, 167-ball disaster, with just one batsman, Joe Denly reaching double-figures as the home team recorded its lowest Ashes score since 1948.

England handed Australia an unimaginable 112-run first innings lead.

At stumps that had grown to a hard-to-get 283, with Australia 6-171 after an epic 15-over spell from Ben Stokes as Jofra Archer was forced off the field late in the day with what was described as cramp.

Marnus Labuschange rode his luck, dropped twice and caught behind off a no-ball, to make a third straight half-century and was 53 not out at stumps with James Pattinson on two.

A third Test victory would give Australia a 2-0 lead and the Ashes, with only a first winning series in England in 18 years left on the tourist’s to-do list with two more matches to come.

Josh Hazlewood took 5-30 as Australia ripped through the English batting order.

It was a stunning day of cricket which began with expectations the home team, with the Ashes on the line and chasing Australia’s below-par score of 179, would bat and bat to keep the series alive.

Instead they wilted in a manner beyond despairing, but also not uncommon in light of other recent efforts.

It was the third time this year England had been bowled out for less than 100, including once against Ireland just last month.

Australia had England 6-54 at lunch, after Josh Hazlewood (5-30) bowled 11 first session overs that was equal to anything Jofra Archer dished up the day before.

England opener Rory Burns was one of three cheap victims claimed by Pat Cummins.

James Pattinson didn’t even get a bowl until the 15th over, and removed danger-man Ben Stokes with just his third ball, and Joe Denly three overs later.

The big Victorian had 2-9, and England’s match-hopes were in tatters after just 24 overs.

But the best was yet to come as Cummins removed Chris Woakes first ball after lunch to start a 3.5 over demolition that left England in complete tatters.

David Warner took a string of fine catches to back up his first innings runs.

With Hazlewood in the action again, the pair took the final four wickets for just 13 runs which sent everyone scurrying for the record books.

England’s score was:

-          Its lowest Ashes total since 1948

-          Its lowest total ever at Headingley

-          Its fourth lowest score ever on home soil, from 519 Tests.

-          Fourth time dismissed for under 100 since March 2018

-          Joe Denly’s 12 runs was the lowest high score in any completed English innings

No-one stood up for England, not even captain Joe Root who was out for a second-successive duck, one of four brilliant catches taken by David Warner at first slip.

Marnus Labuschagne struck his third Ashes half century in a row.

Root has lasted just three balls in his two innings, and adding insult to injury, he then dropped Marnus Labuschagne when he was on 14 as Australia batted again.

“Oh that’s a good ball” Labuschange said as edged to Root at first slip, off Ben Stokes.

A second-ball duck for Warner was one of two lowlights for Australia, as he was out to veteran England seamer Stuart Broad for the fourth time in the series.

The second was captain Tim Paine, also out for a second ball duck, caught at gully after reviewing an LBW decision which found he had hit it.  

On a tense day full of banter the incident included an exchange between the two skippers.

"I'm not out lbw. I hit it," Paine said to Root who replied, "Well if you did hit it you're out. He caught it."

Despite Root winning that battle, as Paine’s batting woes continued, the England captain needs to find something special to not lose the war. 

Originally published as England fall in a heap as Australia put one hand on the Ashes