Twitter Reactions: Australia win the 2nd Test after running through England on the final day

The final day of the second Ashes Test started with England batting at 176/4 and needed 178 to win. For the first time, in the ongoing series, the Lions looked convincing for a win on the back of some incredible bowling performance the last night.  The hosts were bowled out for a measly 138, with James Anderson claiming his first five-wicket haul in this country. He was backed up by Chris Woakes’ 4-36 and some excellent catching as no home batsman managed to pass 20.

The tourists’ momentum continued to build as an opening stand of 53 between Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook brought Australian frustration and English optimism. The penultimate day eventually concluded with England posting 176-4 on the scoreboard in their chase of 354.

With the game evenly poised, the final day looked promising for something special. And it didn’t disappoint. England was full of hope heading into the final day of play, but it only lasted two balls before the Aussie quicks began to put the tourists to the sword. Hazlewood claimed two wickets on the final day and Mitchell Starc ripped through the lower order to finish with a five-wicket haul as Australia claimed a famous 120-run Test victory.

Mitchell Starc claimed three wickets in 14 deliveries after taking the new ball to run through England’s tail to deliver a famous Aussie win in the Second Test.

Starc knocked over Jonny Bairstow for 36 runs with a ball that snuck in between the keeper’s bat and pad.The wicket gave Starc a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5/88. It left Jimmy Anderson stranded on zero and gave Australia a 120 run win.

England’s fifth-day collapse has again turned the spotlight on England captain Joe Root’s disastrous decision to send Australia in to bat on day one after winning the toss. Australia has now taken a 2-0 series lead in the Ashes and will aim to extend their dominion and seal the urn by winning the deciding 3rd Test.

Here are a few selected tweets of the day

The winning moment for Australia! #Ashes#ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/WjUpq0aIBE

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 6, 2017

Great decision by Smith! ?? Bowlers looked refreshed and got it done. Great work boys ???? @CricketAus #Ashes

— Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) December 6, 2017

Well done Australia #ashes17 Great test match, look forward to seeing a fast bouncy Waca to finish off Eng #2-0 #5nilonthecardsagain

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 6, 2017

Hey @OJSpenny here’s my face. You will have to ask for Smithy’s face but I reckon his smile will be bigger #2-0 #ashes17 #australia pic.twitter.com/syKW1PY0Si

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 6, 2017

A ruthless Day 5 display from Australia sees them bowl England out for 233 to win the 2nd #Ashes Test by 120 runs to go 2-0 up in the series.https://t.co/1ovusdpH52 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/NbtndJUcue

— ICC (@ICC) December 6, 2017

Quality cricket ?✅always great to see two top teams competing ? at its best #Ashes congratulations @CricketAus 2-0 https://t.co/giWcT4zhcs

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 6, 2017

In pain ??? #ashes

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 6, 2017

Terrific test match under the lights here in Adelaide. Pretty even these two teams but England just got it horribly wrong at the toss when they sent Aust in & they declared at 8/442. The next 3 innings of the match were 227,138 & 233 ! Aust now 2-0, England need Wood & a miracle

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 6, 2017

Aussies win by 120 runs ?
The bowling unit Starc. Hazelwood, Cummins and Lyon too good ?
They took 6/57 today?#WicketTakers #Ashes2017

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 6, 2017

Australia deny themselves the chance to bowl under lights. More odd game management from Smith, whose captaincy looks increasingly untenable.

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) December 6, 2017

Great win Australia!! ??????
Great Test! Day night Test cricket is here to stay! Drama.. with big ratings.. get used to it! #loveit

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 6, 2017

You little beauty Australia! ??????#cmonaussie #2-0

— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) December 6, 2017

England teased us all yesterday. What a difference a day makes!
The toss – ?! #Ashes

— KP (@KP24) December 6, 2017

Memo to WACA curator .. please prepare a fast bouncy traditional WACA wicket for the 3rd Test. Not the dribble dead crap you have served up over the last 4 years or so!

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 6, 2017

Good grief, this has been some session of bowling to remember by Australia so far. #Ashes

— ian bishop (@irbishi) December 6, 2017

DOOMED ……. #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 6, 2017

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— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 6, 2017

Q: what sort of agent do you have Jonny Bairstow when you come to an Ashes without a bat sponsor? #badmistake

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 6, 2017