Australia beat England by 120 runs in Adelaide, take 2-0 lead in Ashes 2017-18 series

Mitchell Starc picked up 5/88 as Australia defeated England by 120 runs in the Pink Ball Ashes 2017-18 Test in Adelaide to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

cricket Updated: Dec 06, 2017 11:35 IST
Mitchell Starc’s 5/88 helped Australia beat England by 120 runs in the first-ever Pink Ball Ashes Test as Steve Smith’s side took a 2-0 lead in the series.
Mitchell Starc’s 5/88 helped Australia beat England by 120 runs in the first-ever Pink Ball Ashes Test as Steve Smith’s side took a 2-0 lead in the series. (REUTERS)

Australia wrapped up a 120-run win over England in the second Ashes Test after needing less than two hours on Wednesday to take six wickets in Adelaide. (AUSTRALIA vs ENGLAND 2nd Test Day 5)

For all the expectations of a thrilling finish at Adelaide Oval, Australia secured a relatively comfortable win and 2-0 series lead.

With the dismissal of England captain Joe Root (67) went the tourists’ chances as they were all out for 233 before the tea break.

Josh Hazlewood (2-49) stepped up with two early wickets, while Mitchell Starc (5-88) and Nathan Lyon (2-45) also took scalps on the final day.

England resumed at 176-4, needing another 178 runs for an improbable win, but Australia made a dream start to day five.

Chris Woakes (5) edged Hazlewood through to Tim Paine off the second ball of the day and was given out, his review failing after Snicko showed a noise but nothing came up on Hot Spot.

Removing the nightwatchman was a start, but the crucial wicket of Root followed, the England captain edging Hazlewood behind without adding to his overnight score.

Moeen Ali (2) was the next to go, trapped lbw by Lyon as he fell to the Australia off-spinner for the fourth time this series, his review also failing.

Cameron Bancroft dropped Craig Overton (7) but his luck only lasted until the second new ball, Starc trapping him plumb in front with an in-swinger.

Stuart Broad (8) edged Starc behind and the left-armer had Jonny Bairstow (36) play on to complete the win.