CRICKET
Here's the Day 2 report of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Alastair Cook completed a sparkling century in a stellar return to form as England savoured a rare day of domination in the fourth Ashes Test against Australia on Wednesday.
Cook raised his 32nd Test ton with a pull-shot to the fence in the final over before stumps, and strode off the ground unbeaten on 104, having pushed England to 192 for two on day two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His successor as captain, Joe Root, was 49 not out, the pair having reduced Australia's lead to 135 runs.
English cheer has been in short supply this series after Australia took back the urn by winning the first three Tests but Wednesday's fightback thrilled sun-baked Britons in the raucous crowd of 67,882. Stuart Broad, another Englishman under the microscope after playing a negligible part in the first three Tests, captured 4-51 as Australia's day one resistance melted in the morning heat.
The hosts started the day in a position of strength at 244 for three but were bowled out for 327, losing their last seven wickets for 67 runs. After labouring on a slow and flat pitch on day one, England's bowlers were transformed in the morning, with debutant paceman Tom Curran proving the unlikely catalyst.
The 22-year-old Surrey seamer bowled Steve Smith for 76 with the second ball of his first spell, having the skipper drag a wider, short delivery onto his stumps. It not only secured Curran his first Test wicket but ended Smith's unbeaten reign at the MCG since his last dismissal in the Boxing Day Test against India in 2014.
It was also a huge relief for Curran, who had opener David Warner caught on 99 on day one but missed out on the wicket for over-stepping his mark.
Smith was one of three Australian batsmen out chopping onto the stumps, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (nine) and wicketkeeper Tim Paine (24) falling in the same fashion. Shaun Marsh dug in to raise his third half-century of the series before being trapped leg before by Broad for 61, the wicket awarded after the bowler demanded a review.
James Anderson bowled Paine for his 520th Test wicket, pulling past West Indies great Courtney Walsh to fifth on the all-time list, and grabbed a third victim for the innings by dismissing Nathan Lyon lbw for a duck. Broad capped off a dominant morning for England by trapping tail-ender Jackson Bird lbw for four and having Pat Cummins caught at slip for four after lunch.
England's rookie top order batsmen Mark Stoneman (15) and James Vince (17) fell cheaply but Cook carried the fight to Australia, riding his luck when Smith dropped him on 66 in the slips. He and Root combined for a 112-run partnership to give England hope of mowing down Australia's first innings total and taking a substantial lead.
Starting England's response after lunch, Cook and Stoneman fended off Australia's opening pace salvo before Lyon intervened with a brilliant caught and bowled. The off-spinner coaxed a leading edge from Stoneman and leaped high to pull down a one-handed catch, reviving memories of his acrobatic dismissal of Moeen Ali during the second Test at Adelaide Oval.
Vince was given out lbw when paceman Josh Hazlewood sent a full, straight ball thudding into his pads. He neglected to review the decision and would have regretted it later, with the 'snicko' technology showing he had nicked the ball with his bat.
Root and Cook then frustrated Australia for most of the final session, the hosts' task made heavier with sickly seamer Pat Cummins hampered by a stomach ailment.
Another absolutely beautiful day in Melbourne. Predictions for Day 2? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/dcEx2Wlkks
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
View from the Southern End of the MCG #Ashes pic.twitter.com/1REDno8kHn
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
The calm before the storm #Ashes pic.twitter.com/XIJxuGX9Ka
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
He's good: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/mTA64ew5mM
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Getting the world's best Test batsman as your maiden wicket #ohwhatafeeling#Ashes @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/dXhA7k16qT
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
SHOT! Paine finds the boundary to move to 8: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/PD2KGYeFY5
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
Stuart Broad gets the big wicket of Shaun Marsh with the help of the @Specsavers DRS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/1mJWApb2y5
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
The Richies were loving the work of Shaun Marsh on his way to a half-century this morning! #MastercardMoment#Ashes @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/6rIR2PMzlf
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
A brilliant crowd once again on another cracking day for Test cricket at the 'G! https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/omzXTmixaz
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
Oh dear... No review from Vince on that lbw call #CloseMatters @Gillette pic.twitter.com/9rxNUb8WhQ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2017
(Inputs from Reuters)
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani to shut down these outlets under Reliance Retail due to...
Watch viral video: This MP stole Bill and ran away with intention to...
US comedian's hilarious imitation of Donald Trump goes viral, watch video here
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: CSK legend MS Dhoni and wife Sakshi cast vote in Ranchi - Watch
LoP Rahul Gandhi rides Kerala's longest zipline in Wayanad to boost tourism after landslides; watch
Nita Ambani stuns in floral ensemble as she poses with Anupam Kher at NMACC
Anil Ambani's company makes HUGE profit in 3 months, market cap now reaches Rs...
Is Space Travel Safe: Surprising ways Space affects human body
Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif lost this blockbuster franchise of Rs 600 crore, were replaced by...
'Can't believe...': Woman dresses up as ghost in viral video, here's what happened next, WATCH
HURRY UP! Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad, tickets to go on sale from...
Chhath Puja turns scary! Venomous snake turns towards woman performing rituals, then…
Meet man who left college at 18, earned Rs 1200 crore at 20, is CEO now, has net worth of Rs...
Radhika Merchant changes name, shares thoughts on work and marriage
Renewable Energy: Power generation expert Shahroz Anjum leads way in solar optimisation
Meet man, Indian-origin VP, who uses vacations to determine if he's hired right people, he is...
Ricky Ponting hits back at Gautam Gambhir's 'minding own business' advice, says, 'He is…'
Decision between renting and owning: Krupa Goel's perspective on what's shaping choices today
SC pronounces verdict on 'bulldozer justice': 'Having a home is a longing that never fades...'
Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church of England sex abuse scandal
Why world's most valuable company Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang doesn’t wear a watch, know here
Renowned Yoga guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Know date, time and significance of festival
DSP tracks down vegetable vendor after 14 years, reason will leave you surprised
Chennai Rain Alert: Heavy showers expected today, IMD issues warning to 11 districts
Ankur Warikoo shares details about his annual salary, reveals he earns Rs...
Donald Trump chooses Elon Musk to lead THIS new Department, it is...
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 LIVE UPDATES: Voting for first phase begins
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh on verge of scripting history, need 8 wickets to achieve THIS massive feat
Bulldozer justice: SC to pronounce verdict today on pleas for guidelines on demolition of properties
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Russia plans to boost birth rate with 'Ministry of Sex', here's how
Jharkhand HC issues notice to MS Dhoni in business deal case, asks him to...
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs South Africa match
Meet IAS officer, aka 'Collector Bro', who cracked UPSC exam in 2007, now suspended due to...
Here’s why Chunky Panday wouldn’t stay in Shah Rukh Khan’s house in London
Yash's Toxic in trouble? FIR filed against producers of KGF star's upcoming actioner for illegal...
Meet Dr Priti Challa, Kangana Ranaut film director Krish Jagarlamudi's second wife, she leads...
Yaariyan actor Himansh Kohli ties the knot with mystery girl in Delhi temple, first wedding pics out
‘Sometimes I wish I was more tough, more thick-skinned,’ says Aishwarya Rai in viral video
KL Rahul sweats hard in Perth nets ahead of BGT series, WATCH video here
Shahid Kapoor, wife Mira Kapoor rent out their Rs 580000000 luxury Mumbai apartment for Rs...
South Korean actor Song Jae-rim dies at 39 in Seoul apartment
Viral video: Thar SUV gets stuck on railway track after man tries to shoot reel, watch here
Elon Musk's new X post claims Putin must not be blamed for Russia-Ukraine war, instead names…
Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives fame Shalini Passi reveals 'Mom used chilli powder in my...'