A familiar battle between fast bowler Jofra Archer and batsman Steven Smith resumed, as England took command on day two of the fifth and final Ashes series Test at The Oval in London on Friday.
Resuming on 271-8 overnight, England were unable to reach the 300 and beyond targeted by half-centurion Jos Buttler – and instead slipped to 294 all out. Seamer Mitchell Marsh added the dismissal of tail-ender Jack Leach to Thursday’s four wickets to finish with Test career-best innings figures of 5/46. He had previously managed 4/61 against the West Indies in Melbourne in 2015.
Australia’s reply was characteristically spearheaded by Smith, who top-scored with 80. The former captain, who struck twin tons in the series opener at Edgbaston and a double-ton in last week’s fourth Test at Old Trafford, now has 10 successive scores of 70 or more against England in the longest format.
Archer, who concussed Smith with a vicious short delivery in the second Test at Lord’s, again impressed. Playing a mere fourth Test, he collected a second six-wicket haul, but was again unable to dismiss Smith. Seamer Chris Woakes, instead, removed the prolific right-hander late in the day.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 225, to which the hosts replied with 9-0 – for a 78-run lead. The home side would have lost one wicket, had slip fielder Marcus Harris held a relatively straightforward catch offered by opener Joe Denly. Harris was evidently blinded by the early-evening sun in fumbling the opportunity.
Opener Rory Burns, too, survived a chance. He was given out lbw by umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Burns referred the decision, though, and television replays soon revealed seamer Josh Hazlewood had pitched the ball outside the leg-stump.
Australia retained the Ashes title on the back of victory in Manchester. They also won the 2017-18 series. They are 2-1 up in the current series.
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