Twitter Reactions: The Oval Test poised as Australia gain slender lead

The Day 2 of the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 was full of action as Australia resumed their innings on 61/1 with Marnus Labuschagne (2*) and Usman Khawaja (26*) at the crease. Australia got off to a rather slow start to the day as Labuschagne was extremely cautious at the crease. His long vigil of 9 off 82 came to an end following a bizarre plan by Stuart Broad, who changed the position of the bails before Labuschagne edged off the very next ball.

Khawaja also departed soon after scoring 47, falling prey to Broad in the second session. The seamer continued his habit of picking wickets in quick succession as he made Travis Head (4) edge to Jonny Bairstow in his very next over. James Anderson and Joe Root got the scalps of Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey respectively to leave England reeling at 170/6. Wood then dismissed Mitchell Starc to further pile on the agony at the hosts on 185/7.

Steven Smith was Australia’s last hope as he held the innings together along with Pat Cummins. The duo got involved in a crucial 54-run partnership to help their side get closer to England’s total.

Todd Murphy and Pat Cummins help Australia take a slender lead

However, Smith got dismissed late in the day as he got a leading edge against Chris Woakes and was caught by keeper Bairstow for 71. Australia were still trailing by 44 runs when Todd Murphy joined captain Cummins and the duo got involved in a spectacular 49-run stand off 68 balls to earn Australia a slender lead of five runs. Murphy scored a quick-fire 34 off 39, smashing two fours and three sixes as Cummins held one end.

Their stand was broken with just a few more overs left in the day as Woakes trapped Murphy in front of the stumps. Josh Hazlewood walked in as the last batter for Australia and added six runs to the total before Cummins (36) was dismissed by Root to end the Australian innings. As a result, Australia got all out for 295, taking a 12-run as stumps were called on Day 2.

Here are some of the Tweets:

What a way to finish the day! 😮

A stunning grab from the captain brings Day 2 to a close 👏

Australia lead by 1️⃣2️⃣ at the end of the first innings...#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/EdsUjrfmk7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023

A ben-tastic milestone 😍#WhistlePodu #Ashes🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/AnA5hJpptq

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 28, 2023

This angle 😍#Ashes pic.twitter.com/BdttHJ6tNp

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 28, 2023

Third umpire "I can see a spike"
Crowd boos loudly
Third umpire "there's no bat involved"

🤷#Ashes

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) July 28, 2023

Negativity from the Aussies costing them here … England have bowled beautifully but will also be delighted with the Aussie approach … #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 28, 2023

What’s with the Ashes and substitute fielders. #ashes2023 #ashes2005 #garypratt #georgeeahlam

Have to applaud Nitin Menon for making the right decision 👏👏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 28, 2023

#ENG in their 1st innings were 184/3 and went on to score 283 .#AUS in their 1st innings were 185/7 and went on to score 295.
This was a Classic collapse from England and Classic rebuild from Australia. #Ashes2023

— Vashish (@thISmevashish) July 28, 2023

#BenStokes often gives a feel of being a bit uninterested and then comes up with some epic stuff be it with the bat,ball and field. #Ashes #Ashes23 #Ashes2023

— movieman (@movieman777) July 28, 2023

Another tail ender all rounder! Murphy gets more runs then
(He conceded)
Warner
Labuschagne
Head
Marsh
Carey
And Starc!

And Pat showing up when he’s needed once again. Let’s go aus!! #Ashes2023

— Ella (@tafn_e) July 28, 2023

#Ashes2023 is like a thriller series which force viewers to stick to screen untill stumps.. and no one can predict what will happen sometimes it's on #Aussies side and some time on #England ..!
But must say both are first class cricket teams🔥
May the best one win#AUSvENG

— Sweet Tooth 🦷 (@Pradnya97001704) July 28, 2023

Tomorrow Big Day for Both Australia & England. #Ashes2023 #Ashes If it doesn't rain.

— Monirul Ibna Rabjal 🇧🇩🇫🇷 (@In2Monirul) July 28, 2023

Masterclass at throwing away advantage from the Test champions, again! Can't see how they can win it from here. An away ashes series victory eludes Australia, second time in a row. #Ashes2023

— Sahil Prakash (@sahil_prakash) July 28, 2023

Game nicely poised after two days of play and one innings each and just a difference of 12 runs...
pretty weird as #Eng batted just 54.4 overs out of it.#Ashes #Ashes2023

— movieman (@movieman777) July 28, 2023