Ashes 2017-18, 2nd Test, Day 2 - 5 Talking Points

It was a phenomenal performance by the home side as Australia declared their innings on 442/8 after Shaun Marsh scored his fifth Test hundred and first since his comeback. England failed to get Marsh out and some strong partnership in the middle for the hosts kept them busy in the field. The advantage is strongly with Australia, now that they have sent back Mark Stoneman before the end of day’s play.

England finished on 29/1, and Alastair Cook will come out to bat tomorrow along with James Vince. Cook is unbeaten on 11 while Vince will look to open his account tomorrow morning. Let’s put our heads down and take a lok at the five talking points from today’s play.

Australia puts on massive numbers

To everyone’s surprise, Joe Root sent Australia to bat after winning the toss yesterday. It was only the second occasion when a side that has won the toss, elected to field in Adelaide. England restricted the hosts to 209/4 yesterday but they failed to wrap up the rest of the batters as Steve Smith’s men went on to post 442/8 on the board before declaring the innings.

The hosts will look to shoot England out tomorrow and enforce a follow-on in order get into a convincing position. On the other hand, the tourists will try their best to survive the morning session and take the game from there on.

Marsh stamps his authority

A lot was said when Shaun Marsh’s name was included in the squad for the first two Test matches of the high-voltage series. Marsh hit a fifty at the Gabba and has now scored a scintillating hundred since his ninth return to the Australian squad.

The left-hand batsman found the ropes on 15 occasions and smacked a maximum. He faced 231 balls and top-scored for the home team. His unbeaten 126 helped Australia reach the 400 mark and we also need to thank Pat Cummins (44 runs) for taking his batting seriously.

Tim Paine cracks a much needed fifty

Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine did a good job behind the stumps but many of the critics wanted him to show his potential with the bat. It was the right moment for Paine to make an impression on his return. A 90-odd run stand with Marsh frustrated the English bowlers as they looked to strike time and again.

James Anderson failed to bag any wickets today while Stuart Broad finished with figures of 2/72. Paine’s 57. courtesy six boundaries and a six will be discussed once the selectors sit together to name the squad for the next Ashes Test.

Overton impresses on debut

Craig Overton isn’t wild anymore. He has that natural aggression which brings out the best in him. After knocking Smith over yesterday to register his maiden wicket, Overton dismissed Paine, who looked solid after reaching his fifty.

He then went on to send back Pat Cummins, who irritated the English bowlers, as he batted for 90 balls, scoring seven boundaries in his knock of 44. Overton finished with 3/105 from his 33 overs

Stoneman departs before the close of play

England would have been happy to back to the pavilion at stumps without losing any wicket. But Mitchell Starc dismissed in-form English batsman Mark Stoneman for 18 just before stumps. The southpaw must be kicking himself, as he failed to see off the remaining overs.

Stoneman has been in good touch and the visitors would have wanted him to stay and help England post a strong reply. Australia clearly took the honours today leaving the visitors much to ponder over.