Australia continue to sweat over Test captain Pat Cummins’ fitness ahead of the second Ashes Test starting Thursday (Dec 4) at the Gabba in Brisbane. While England named their starting XI for the Pink-Ball Test, making one change to their line-up, the hosts will take a final call on theirs by Wednesday afternoon following pitch inspection. The stand-in captain, Steve Smith, did not name the side for the second game during the pre-game presser, saying the selectors will take the call later in the day, keeping the doors open for Cummins to make a shock return to the Test team.&nbsp;Though they have to make a forced change to their winning XI, with opener Usman Khawaja getting ruled out with a back spasm, Australia could bring in Cummins for specialist spinner Nathan Lyon for this lone Day/Night Test this Ashes.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-is-the-best-country-england-captain-ben-stokes-on-enjoying-life-down-under-amid-crushing-ashes-start-1764734758202">‘Australia is the best country…,’ Stokes on enjoying life Down Under amid crushing Ashes start</a> &nbsp;"A whole heap of things I think are on the table," Smith said on the sidelines of the second Test. "We'll wait and see what the wicket looks like, and from there we'll determine a playing XI." &nbsp;Speaking on Cummins’ chances of making a comeback to the side despite not being named in the final 14 for this Test, Smith said he has bowled impressively in the nets, and that the ball is in the selectors’ court to decide on his inclusion. &nbsp;"He looks pretty good to me the way he's bowled in the nets," Smith said of Cummins’ fitness and chances of him breaking into the playing XI. "Obviously, games are a different intensity, for sure, but he's tracking really nicely. He knows his body well, and yeah, we'll wait and see." &nbsp;Although the seasoned seamer could also replace newbie Brendan Doggett in the XI, the chances of that happening are bleak, given Cummins hasn’t played any competitive cricket since July this year, and the selectors could be careful in managing his workload. So, having an all-pace attack, like how England had in the series opener, looks likely to happen should he be declared fit and ready.&nbsp; &nbsp;Smith also sounded unsure about Lyon’s place in the side for the second game, considering he missed out on Australia’s last pink-ball Test in the Caribbean.&nbsp; &nbsp;"I'm not sure," Smith said. "We'll look at the surface, as I said, and we'll sum things up from there. And I think here's a place where Nathan's done really well in the past. He's a quality bowler. But we'll weigh up the options, and we'll see how we go." &nbsp;Meanwhile, Australia lead this five-match series (1-0), having won the Perth Test inside two days.&nbsp;

While Australia is yet to name the playing XI for the second Ashes Test, the visitors named theirs on Tuesday (Dec 2), bringing in Will Jacks for Mark Wood.

Australia continue to sweat over Test captain Pat Cummins’ fitness ahead of the second Ashes Test starting Thursday (Dec 4) at the Gabba in Brisbane. While England named their starting XI for the Pink-Ball Test, making one change to their line-up, the hosts will take a final call on theirs by Wednesday afternoon following pitch inspection. The stand-in captain, Steve Smith, did not name the side for the second game during the pre-game presser, saying the selectors will take the call later in the day, keeping the doors open for Cummins to make a shock return to the Test team. Though they have to make a forced change to their winning XI, with opener Usman Khawaja getting ruled out with a back spasm, Australia could bring in Cummins for specialist spinner Nathan Lyon for this lone Day/Night Test this Ashes. Also read | ‘Australia is the best country…,’ Stokes on enjoying life Down Under amid crushing Ashes start "A whole heap of things I think are on the table," Smith said on the sidelines of the second Test. "We'll wait and see what the wicket looks like, and from there we'll determine a playing XI." Speaking on Cummins’ chances of making a comeback to the side despite not being named in the final 14 for this Test, Smith said he has bowled impressively in the nets, and that the ball is in the selectors’ court to decide on his inclusion. "He looks pretty good to me the way he's bowled in the nets," Smith said of Cummins’ fitness and chances of him breaking into the playing XI. "Obviously, games are a different intensity, for sure, but he's tracking really nicely. He knows his body well, and yeah, we'll wait and see." Although the seasoned seamer could also replace newbie Brendan Doggett in the XI, the chances of that happening are bleak, given Cummins hasn’t played any competitive cricket since July this year, and the selectors could be careful in managing his workload. So, having an all-pace attack, like how England had in the series opener, looks likely to happen should he be declared fit and ready. Smith also sounded unsure about Lyon’s place in the side for the second game, considering he missed out on Australia’s last pink-ball Test in the Caribbean. "I'm not sure," Smith said. "We'll look at the surface, as I said, and we'll sum things up from there. And I think here's a place where Nathan's done really well in the past. He's a quality bowler. But we'll weigh up the options, and we'll see how we go." Meanwhile, Australia lead this five-match series (1-0), having won the Perth Test inside two days.

While Australia is yet to name the playing XI for the second Ashes Test, the visitors named theirs on Tuesday (Dec 2), bringing in Will Jacks for Mark Wood.

Ashes, Gabba Test: Pat Cummins' shock return on cards as AUS delay naming XI

England have named their playing XI for the second Ashes Test starting Thursday (Dec 4) at the Gabba in Brisbane. The visitors have made a forced change to their side, which lost the series opener in Perth inside two days, roping in all-rounder Will Jacks for injured seamer Mark Wood. Jacks, also an off-spinner, leapfrogged specialist Shoaib Bashir for that one spot in the Day/Night Test – a third of its kind at the venue.<h3>Here is England’s playing XI for the second Ashes Test –</h3>Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/day-night-ashes-tests-here-to-stay-cricket-australia-hits-back-at-joe-root-criticism-1764655050602">Day/Night Ashes Tests here to stay: CA hits back at Joe Root’s criticism</a> &nbsp;Will Jacks last played a Test three years ago during the away Pakistan tour in 2022, where he impressed on his debut in Rawalpindi, returning for six for 161 in the first Test. Having played as second fiddle in his two contested matches, Jacks will be the lone spinner at the Gabba, with England already down (0-1) in this five-match series. &nbsp;More of a part-timer in white-ball cricket, having picked nine wickets in 50 combined appearances across two formats, Jacks played just five first-class matches in the past two seasons; he picked up as many wickets in three County games this time, while averaging 38.80. &nbsp;Meanwhile, considering Nathan Lyon’s numbers in the pink-ball Tests (43 wickets at 25.62 in 13 D/N Tests), England was forced to change their all-pace attack strategy for the second Test, bringing in an off-spinner for their injured premier quick in Wood. &nbsp;They, however, have retained their core for the second match in this series, with Crawley and Duckett to open, followed by Pope and England’s best batter, Root, at number four. Brook and captain Stokes will come in next, with England bolstering their lower order with Smith and Jacks’ presence at seven and eight, respectively. &nbsp;The three quicks, Carse, Atkinson and Archer will make up for the pace attack, as England gear up for a comeback after Perth howler.

Wood was never touted to play all five Tests this Ashes, having missed out on selection for the second game through injury. 

England have named their playing XI for the second Ashes Test starting Thursday (Dec 4) at the Gabba in Brisbane. The visitors have made a forced change to their side, which lost the series opener in Perth inside two days, roping in all-rounder Will Jacks for injured seamer Mark Wood. Jacks, also an off-spinner, leapfrogged specialist Shoaib Bashir for that one spot in the Day/Night Test – a third of its kind at the venue. Here is England’s playing XI for the second Ashes Test – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer Also read | Day/Night Ashes Tests here to stay: CA hits back at Joe Root’s criticism Will Jacks last played a Test three years ago during the away Pakistan tour in 2022, where he impressed on his debut in Rawalpindi, returning for six for 161 in the first Test. Having played as second fiddle in his two contested matches, Jacks will be the lone spinner at the Gabba, with England already down (0-1) in this five-match series. More of a part-timer in white-ball cricket, having picked nine wickets in 50 combined appearances across two formats, Jacks played just five first-class matches in the past two seasons; he picked up as many wickets in three County games this time, while averaging 38.80. Meanwhile, considering Nathan Lyon’s numbers in the pink-ball Tests (43 wickets at 25.62 in 13 D/N Tests), England was forced to change their all-pace attack strategy for the second Test, bringing in an off-spinner for their injured premier quick in Wood. They, however, have retained their core for the second match in this series, with Crawley and Duckett to open, followed by Pope and England’s best batter, Root, at number four. Brook and captain Stokes will come in next, with England bolstering their lower order with Smith and Jacks’ presence at seven and eight, respectively. The three quicks, Carse, Atkinson and Archer will make up for the pace attack, as England gear up for a comeback after Perth howler.

Wood was never touted to play all five Tests this Ashes, having missed out on selection for the second game through injury.&nbsp;

Ashes, Gabba Test: England name XI for Day/Night tie; all-rounder replaces Wood

Australia ground down a battling England to win the second Test in Adelaide Monday and go 2-0 up in the&nbsp;Ashes&nbsp;series, leaving the visitors' dreams of winning back the hallowed urn in tatters.

England resumed day five of the pink ball Test in deep trouble at 82 for four chasing a massive 468 to win, realistically needing a miracle just to salvage a draw.&nbsp;

They gamely hung on into the final session, fighting a desperate rearguard action until ultimately crumbling to be all out for 192, crashing to a 275-run defeat.

Jhye Richardson was the pick of the attack with 5-42.

England slumped to defeat by nine wickets in the first Test at Brisbane and the loss this week means their hopes of winning back a trophy they last secured on Australian turf in 2010-11 are all but over.

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Joe Root's men will head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test starting Sunday knowing that the only instance of a team coming from 2-0 down to win the&nbsp;Ashes&nbsp;was Donald Bradman's Australia way back in 1936-37.

<h2>'It's frustrating'</h2>

"The reason it's disappointing is because we made the same mistakes. I think we could have bowled a lot fuller, and with the bat we need to be better, make bigger scores and apply better," said Root.&nbsp;

"The second innings is the attitude and desire we need. It's frustrating because we know we are better. Lessons learnt, we have to be better in the next game."

With Root, the world's number one Test batsmen, removed by Mitchell Starc in the final over on Sunday evening, England's hopes appeared to rest with allrounder Ben Stokes.

The 30-year-old has so often rescued his team, with memories of his match-winning exploits against Australia at Headingley in 2019 to keep that series alive still fresh.

But trying to nurse England's batting through 90 overs against Australia's relentless bowling was too big a task, even for him.

He put his head down and lasted 77 balls for 12 runs before Nathan Lyon struck. The umpire initially gave the lbw shout not out, but Australia reviewed and it was shown to be plumb in front.

Ollie Pope lasted only seven balls, edging to Steve Smith at slip off Starc, out for four to go with his disappointing first innings' five.

But Jos Buttler (26) and Chris Woakes (44) dug in, frustrating Australia in a 61-run stand before Jhye Richardson clattered Woakes' stumps.

Ollie Robinson made a dogged eight before Smith took his sixth catch of the match to dismiss him off Lyon, then Buttler incredibly fell after surviving nearly 35 overs by stepping on his own stumps.

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"I wasn't nervous. I think Jos played very well, and played over 200 balls, so it was good resistance along with Woakes and Robbo," said interim Australian skipper Smith.&nbsp;

"We wanted to stay calm because we knew it would take a couple of good balls and a couple of wickets to get the win.

"I had fun this week, enjoyed it," he added. "The guys played well, controlled the game from the first day."

<h2>Wrong picks</h2>

England's chances of victory had been nigh on impossible -- no team had ever posted such a big fourth innings score to win in Test cricket history, with the West Indies' 418 for seven in beating Steve Waugh's Australia at St John's in 2003 the highest.

Their problems stemmed from losing seven wickets for 86 runs as they collapsed to 236 all out in the first innings in reply to Australia's 473 for nine declared, with only Root (62) and Dawid Malan (80) showing any backbone.

They also blundered by leaving out Jack Leach, ignoring the warnings of Adelaide Oval's head groundsman before the game that it would be a mistake to not play a specialist spinner.

Bowling coach Jon Lewis admitted they erred in picking an all-pace attack, conceding they misjudged conditions, expecting&nbsp;more swing and less spin.

"In hindsight, you might say we should have picked a different side," he said, with returning veteran seamers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad claiming just five wickets between them.

While England struggled, Australia excelled under Smith after Pat Cummins was ruled out hours before the start over a Covid scare.

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Workhorse Marnus Labuschagne again reinforced his status as one of the world's premier batsmen, slamming 103 in the first innings and 51 in the second.

In contrast to England's batting, Australia showed more depth with five of their top six scoring fifties. Opener Marcus Harris was the only failure.

And even with pace spearheads Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missing, Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser ably complemented Starc and Lyon, along with fast-improving all-rounder Cameron Green.

Australia ground down a battling England to win the second Test in Adelaide Monday and go 2-0 up in the Ashes series, leaving the visitors' dreams of winning back the hallowed urn in tatters.

Australia ground down a battling England to win the second Test in Adelaide Monday and go 2-0 up in the Ashes series, leaving the visitors' dreams of winning back the hallowed urn in tatters. England resumed day five of the pink ball Test in deep trouble at 82 for four chasing a massive 468 to win, realistically needing a miracle just to salvage a draw. They gamely hung on into the final session, fighting a desperate rearguard action until ultimately crumbling to be all out for 192, crashing to a 275-run defeat. Jhye Richardson was the pick of the attack with 5-42. England slumped to defeat by nine wickets in the first Test at Brisbane and the loss this week means their hopes of winning back a trophy they last secured on Australian turf in 2010-11 are all but over. ALSO READ: WATCH: Ricky Ponting left in splits as Joe Root struggles to run after being hit on the box during 2nd Test Joe Root's men will head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test starting Sunday knowing that the only instance of a team coming from 2-0 down to win the Ashes was Donald Bradman's Australia way back in 1936-37. 'It's frustrating' "The reason it's disappointing is because we made the same mistakes. I think we could have bowled a lot fuller, and with the bat we need to be better, make bigger scores and apply better," said Root. "The second innings is the attitude and desire we need. It's frustrating because we know we are better. Lessons learnt, we have to be better in the next game." With Root, the world's number one Test batsmen, removed by Mitchell Starc in the final over on Sunday evening, England's hopes appeared to rest with allrounder Ben Stokes. The 30-year-old has so often rescued his team, with memories of his match-winning exploits against Australia at Headingley in 2019 to keep that series alive still fresh. But trying to nurse England's batting through 90 overs against Australia's relentless bowling was too big a task, even for him. He put his head down and lasted 77 balls for 12 runs before Nathan Lyon struck. The umpire initially gave the lbw shout not out, but Australia reviewed and it was shown to be plumb in front. Ollie Pope lasted only seven balls, edging to Steve Smith at slip off Starc, out for four to go with his disappointing first innings' five. But Jos Buttler (26) and Chris Woakes (44) dug in, frustrating Australia in a 61-run stand before Jhye Richardson clattered Woakes' stumps. Ollie Robinson made a dogged eight before Smith took his sixth catch of the match to dismiss him off Lyon, then Buttler incredibly fell after surviving nearly 35 overs by stepping on his own stumps. ALSO READ: 'He is ordinary and unlucky': Australia legend calls Joe Root poor captain as England struggle in Ashes "I wasn't nervous. I think Jos played very well, and played over 200 balls, so it was good resistance along with Woakes and Robbo," said interim Australian skipper Smith. "We wanted to stay calm because we knew it would take a couple of good balls and a couple of wickets to get the win. "I had fun this week, enjoyed it," he added. "The guys played well, controlled the game from the first day." Wrong picks England's chances of victory had been nigh on impossible -- no team had ever posted such a big fourth innings score to win in Test cricket history, with the West Indies' 418 for seven in beating Steve Waugh's Australia at St John's in 2003 the highest. Their problems stemmed from losing seven wickets for 86 runs as they collapsed to 236 all out in the first innings in reply to Australia's 473 for nine declared, with only Root (62) and Dawid Malan (80) showing any backbone. They also blundered by leaving out Jack Leach, ignoring the warnings of Adelaide Oval's head groundsman before the game that it would be a mistake to not play a specialist spinner. Bowling coach Jon Lewis admitted they erred in picking an all-pace attack, conceding they misjudged conditions, expecting more swing and less spin. "In hindsight, you might say we should have picked a different side," he said, with returning veteran seamers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad claiming just five wickets between them. While England struggled, Australia excelled under Smith after Pat Cummins was ruled out hours before the start over a Covid scare. ALSO READ: Salman Butt on chances of Rohit replacing Kohli as Test captain: Will be clear, there is tension between them Workhorse Marnus Labuschagne again reinforced his status as one of the world's premier batsmen, slamming 103 in the first innings and 51 in the second. In contrast to England's batting, Australia showed more depth with five of their top six scoring fifties. Opener Marcus Harris was the only failure. And even with pace spearheads Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missing, Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser ably complemented Starc and Lyon, along with fast-improving all-rounder Cameron Green.

Ashes, 2nd Test: Hosts Australia beat England by 275 runs in Adelaide, lead series 2-0

Joe Root fell in the final over of the fourth day Sunday to leave England in deep trouble at 82 for four chasing a massive 468 to win the second Ashes Test, needing a history-making miracle to avoid slumping 2-0 down in the series.

No team has ever posted such a big score in a fourth innings to win in the history of Test cricket -- with the West Indies' 418 for seven in beating Steve Waugh's Australia at St John's in 2003 the highest.

It is an even harder task at the Adelaide Oval, where Australia's 315 for six to defeat England in 1902 remains the best fourth-innings run chase.

England's problems stem from being bowled out, after a batting collapse, for 236 on Saturday in reply to Australia's 473 for nine declared.

They reached the close on day four with ailing skipper Root out in the last over of the day, leaving Ben Stokes not out three.

England are still 386 runs adrift, facing the near impossible task of batting out three sessions on the final day to salvage a draw with only six wickets remaining and the world's number one ranked Test batsman back in the pavilion.

The hosts resumed their second innings at 45 for one and declared on 230 for nine midway through the second session, giving their bowlers a crack at England with the pink ball as twilight loomed.&nbsp;

They immediately made inroads with Jhye Richardson steaming in to Haseeb Hameed and the ball flying off his glove to wicketkeeper Alex Carey without scoring.

Dawid Malan, who hit 80 in the first innings, was dropped by Steve Smith, but only lasted three more balls before debutant Michael Neser trapped him lbw for 20.&nbsp;

Opener Rory Burns was desperate for a big score after a lean spell and managed 34, but was then beaten by Richardson's sheer pace, edging to Smith at slip.

Root hurt his abdomen during a warm-up that saw him miss the opening 85 minutes while he went for a scan.&nbsp;

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He appeared mostly untroubled while batting but late in the day took a nasty blow in the same area from Mitchell&nbsp;Starc&nbsp;that left him writhing on the ground in agony.

Root gingerly got up, but in a huge blow was out for 24 in the final over, caught by Carey off&nbsp;Starc. &nbsp;

With England crashing by nine wickets in the first Test at Brisbane, their hopes are all but over of going into the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne in a week's time only 1-0 down.

A 2-0 defeicit in the five-match series will mean the Ashes are as good as gone. The only instance of a team coming from 2-0 down to win the urn was by Australia in the 1936-37 series.

Hero and villain Buttler

Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head both made 51 for Australia, steadying the innings after England took three quick wickets for seven runs to start the day.

Interim skipper Smith could have enforced the follow-on late Saturday, but opted to send in his batsmen to build an unassailable advantage.

Marcus Harris resumed Sunday not out 21 with nightwatchman Neser on two after they lost David Warner to an amateurish run-out the previous evening.&nbsp;

Neser only survived seven balls before a full-length Jimmy Anderson delivery rattled his middle stump, and Harris departed to a blinding catch from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler after getting a nick off Stuart Broad.

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Buttler's celebrations were short-lived when he incredibly missed a regulation catch off Smith the very next ball, in a blunder reminiscent of the two sitters he put down from Labuschagne in the first innings.

But he soon went from villain to hero again by taking another fine diving catch to remove Smith for six off Ollie Robinson.

Head played at a rapid clip to reach an eighth Test half-century from 49 balls, but then pulled Robinson to Ben Stokes in the deep.

Labuschagne took 96 balls to reach his 50 but also holed out to Stokes, becoming part-time spinner Malan's first Test wicket, before late cameos ahead of the declaration.

Joe Root fell in the final over of the fourth day Sunday to leave England in deep trouble at 82 for four chasing a massive 468 to win the second Ashes Test, needing a history-making miracle to avoid slumping 2-0 down in the series.

Joe Root fell in the final over of the fourth day Sunday to leave England in deep trouble at 82 for four chasing a massive 468 to win the second Ashes Test, needing a history-making miracle to avoid slumping 2-0 down in the series. No team has ever posted such a big score in a fourth innings to win in the history of Test cricket -- with the West Indies' 418 for seven in beating Steve Waugh's Australia at St John's in 2003 the highest. It is an even harder task at the Adelaide Oval, where Australia's 315 for six to defeat England in 1902 remains the best fourth-innings run chase. England's problems stem from being bowled out, after a batting collapse, for 236 on Saturday in reply to Australia's 473 for nine declared. They reached the close on day four with ailing skipper Root out in the last over of the day, leaving Ben Stokes not out three. England are still 386 runs adrift, facing the near impossible task of batting out three sessions on the final day to salvage a draw with only six wickets remaining and the world's number one ranked Test batsman back in the pavilion. The hosts resumed their second innings at 45 for one and declared on 230 for nine midway through the second session, giving their bowlers a crack at England with the pink ball as twilight loomed. They immediately made inroads with Jhye Richardson steaming in to Haseeb Hameed and the ball flying off his glove to wicketkeeper Alex Carey without scoring. Dawid Malan, who hit 80 in the first innings, was dropped by Steve Smith, but only lasted three more balls before debutant Michael Neser trapped him lbw for 20. Opener Rory Burns was desperate for a big score after a lean spell and managed 34, but was then beaten by Richardson's sheer pace, edging to Smith at slip. Root hurt his abdomen during a warm-up that saw him miss the opening 85 minutes while he went for a scan. ALSO READ: WATCH: England pacer Ollie Robinson wows fans, turns off-spinner in 2nd Ashes Test against Australia He appeared mostly untroubled while batting but late in the day took a nasty blow in the same area from Mitchell Starc that left him writhing on the ground in agony. Root gingerly got up, but in a huge blow was out for 24 in the final over, caught by Carey off Starc. With England crashing by nine wickets in the first Test at Brisbane, their hopes are all but over of going into the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne in a week's time only 1-0 down. A 2-0 defeicit in the five-match series will mean the Ashes are as good as gone. The only instance of a team coming from 2-0 down to win the urn was by Australia in the 1936-37 series. Hero and villain Buttler Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head both made 51 for Australia, steadying the innings after England took three quick wickets for seven runs to start the day. Interim skipper Smith could have enforced the follow-on late Saturday, but opted to send in his batsmen to build an unassailable advantage. Marcus Harris resumed Sunday not out 21 with nightwatchman Neser on two after they lost David Warner to an amateurish run-out the previous evening. Neser only survived seven balls before a full-length Jimmy Anderson delivery rattled his middle stump, and Harris departed to a blinding catch from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler after getting a nick off Stuart Broad. ALSO READ: Mitchell Starc becomes first bowler to pick 50 wickets with pink ball in Day-Night Test Buttler's celebrations were short-lived when he incredibly missed a regulation catch off Smith the very next ball, in a blunder reminiscent of the two sitters he put down from Labuschagne in the first innings. But he soon went from villain to hero again by taking another fine diving catch to remove Smith for six off Ollie Robinson. Head played at a rapid clip to reach an eighth Test half-century from 49 balls, but then pulled Robinson to Ben Stokes in the deep. Labuschagne took 96 balls to reach his 50 but also holed out to Stokes, becoming part-time spinner Malan's first Test wicket, before late cameos ahead of the declaration.

Ashes 2nd Test, Day 4: Richardson, Starc strike to put Australia in closing distance of another big win

England were spared the ignominy of the follow-on but Australia appeared on course for victory after dominating day three of the day-night second Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Spearheading Australia's pace attack, depleted by the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc combined with spinner Nathan Lyon to bundle out England for 236.

The hosts, who had declared their first innings on 473-9, finished the day on 45-1 for an overall lead of 282 and looking primed to go 2-0 up in the five-test series.

Marcus Harris was batting on 21, having featured in a mix-up that resulted in opening partner David Warner's run out for 13.

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Debutant Michael Neser, replacing Cummins who missed out for being a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, was on two in his nightwatchman's role.

The day had begun so brightly for England with Joe Root and Dawid Malan sharing an unbeaten 138 during the first session but the wheels came off their innings soon after the dinner break.

Cameron Green broke the stand when he had Root, who made 62, caught by Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith at first slip.

It was a ball Root could have left and the England captain was furious with himself as he walked off after falling short again of his first century in Australia.

It soon got worse for England as Malan, who scored 80, slashed a Starc (4-37) delivery that he should have left with Smith taking that catch too.

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Ollie Pope (five) survived a review but squeezed a Lyon (3-58) delivery to Marnus Labuschagne fielding close in and, moments later, Jos Buttler fell for a duck to Starc.

Lyon also dismissed Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson as England, cruising at 150-2, lost their last eight wickets for 86 runs.

Failure to take more than one wicket in the late night session, considered a pace bowler`s best time in a pink-ball test, only compounded England’s misery after an abject batting display.

England were spared the ignominy of the follow-on but Australia appeared on course for victory after dominating day three of the day-night second Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

England were spared the ignominy of the follow-on but Australia appeared on course for victory after dominating day three of the day-night second Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Spearheading Australia's pace attack, depleted by the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc combined with spinner Nathan Lyon to bundle out England for 236. The hosts, who had declared their first innings on 473-9, finished the day on 45-1 for an overall lead of 282 and looking primed to go 2-0 up in the five-test series. Marcus Harris was batting on 21, having featured in a mix-up that resulted in opening partner David Warner's run out for 13. ALSO READ: KL Rahul to be India's vice-captain for South Africa Test series in Rohit Sharma's absence - Report Debutant Michael Neser, replacing Cummins who missed out for being a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, was on two in his nightwatchman's role. The day had begun so brightly for England with Joe Root and Dawid Malan sharing an unbeaten 138 during the first session but the wheels came off their innings soon after the dinner break. Cameron Green broke the stand when he had Root, who made 62, caught by Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith at first slip. It was a ball Root could have left and the England captain was furious with himself as he walked off after falling short again of his first century in Australia. It soon got worse for England as Malan, who scored 80, slashed a Starc (4-37) delivery that he should have left with Smith taking that catch too. ALSO READ: Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi, Sachin Tendulkar to be named most-admired sportsperson in the world Ollie Pope (five) survived a review but squeezed a Lyon (3-58) delivery to Marnus Labuschagne fielding close in and, moments later, Jos Buttler fell for a duck to Starc. Lyon also dismissed Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson as England, cruising at 150-2, lost their last eight wickets for 86 runs. Failure to take more than one wicket in the late night session, considered a pace bowler`s best time in a pink-ball test, only compounded England’s misery after an abject batting display.

Ashes 2nd Test, Day 3: Hosts in full control after Starc and Lyon wreak havoc to bundle out England for 236