Australia all out for 132, England chase 175-run target in see-saw Boxing Day Test
The tourists need 175 runs in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Australia disintegrated from a position of strength on Saturday.
New Delhi: England bowled out Australia for 132 in their second innings before tea on day two of the Boxing Day Test to brighten hopes of their first win in an Ashes match Down Under in 15 years
The tourists need 175 runs in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Australia disintegrated from a position of strength on Saturday.
Resuming the day at four for no loss with an overall lead of 46 after a wild opening day where 20 wickets fell on a grassy pitch, Australia lost their last four wickets for 34 runs.
They were reduced to 98 for six at lunch even after England seamer Gus Atkinson hobbled off with a hamstring strain, having removed nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind for six in the sixth over of the morning.
In his absence, Brydon Carse led England's bowling with 4-34, while captain Ben Stokes took 3-24. Carse and England’s first innings hero Josh Tongue claimed two wickets each in the morning session to trigger Australia’s collapse.
Carse sent back Travis Head, bowling the opener for 46, before keeper Alex Carey was caught off his bowling in the slips for four.
Tongue accounted for No.3 Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught in the slips for eight and then had No.5 Usman Khawaja caught with a miscued pull-shot to fine leg for a duck.
Steve Smith ran out of partners to remain not out on 24 as Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc departed for ducks.