The Ashes, Adelaide Test (D/N): England trail by 456 runs
What's the story
Australia outplayed England on Day 2 of the ongoing 2nd Ashes Test (Day/Night) at the Adelaide Oval. A defiant ton by Marnus Labuschagne headlined the first session, while Steven Smith led from the front in the following session. Vital contributions from Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Michael Neser helped Australia post 473/9 d. England lost two quick wickets before stumps.
Day 2
How did Day 2 pan out?
Australia resumed from their overnight score of 221/2 on Day 2. Labuschagne departed after reaching his century, while Smith took the hosts past 350. The latter shared a 91-run stand with Carey, who smashed his maiden Test half-century. Starc (39*) and Neser (35) powered Australia to 473/9. England finished on 17/2 before umpires called stumps due to the threat of a lightning strike.
Labuschagne
Labuschagne slammed his sixth Test hundred
Top-order batter Labuschagne slammed his sixth hundred in Test cricket on Day 2. The 27-year-old got to the three-figure mark in the opening session. This was Labuschagne's first century in the Ashes. The former went on to smash 103 (305) with the help of 8 fours. He was dismissed by Ollie Robinson. Earlier, he became the fourth-fastest batter to complete 2,000 Test runs.
Do you know?
Labuschagne completes 500 runs in D/N Tests
Labuschagne is one of the three batters to have scored 500 runs in Day/Night Tests (592). David Warner and Steven Smith are the other two to have reached this landmark.This was Labuschagne's third hundred in Day/Night Tests, the most by a batter in pink-ball Tests.
Smith
Smith missed out on his 28th Test ton
Steven Smith, who is leading Australia in place of Pat Cummins, led the charge with a 93-run knock on Day 2. Although Smith missed out on his 28th Test century, he overtook Steve Waugh in terms of runs as captain. Smith fell short of his 16th Test ton as captain. He could have surpassed Allan Border and Waugh (15 tons each while leading Australia).
Bowlers
Starc and Neser struck in the final session
The likes of Starc, Jhye Richardson, and Neser made the most of the pink ball after the twighlight period. Starc, who exhibited sheer pace right from the first ball, dismissed Rory Burns in his second over. Meanwhile, Neser scalped his maiden Test wicket off his second ball in the format. Although Richardson couldn't strike, he moved the ball with precision.