Ashes 2017 | Talking points from Day 2 of Perth Test

England maintain their fatal batting collapse in WACA

Though Australia have dominated every aspect of the game in the series so far, one of the biggest differentiators between the sides has been the Kangaroos’ ability to forge partnerships at crucial stages in the game. Whether it be Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh’s 99-run stand in the first innings at Gabba, when Australia were reduced to 76/4 in 25 overs, or Marsh senior’s unbelievable solo effort at Adelaide, when he took the likes of Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine and Pa Cummins with him to steer Australia from a paltry 161/4 to 442/8, Australia have always found a way to turn the tables.

WACA was no different. After ending Day 1 on a decent score of 305/4 with both Malan (110*) and Jonny Bairstow (75*) perfectly settled at the crease, 500 looked the perfect score for the visitors in a series they are trailing 2-0. However, as soon as Malan was dismissed by Nathan Lyon after adding 63 runs to the scoreboard, he was followed by Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Overton and Broad in the next 35 runs. Consequently, they could muster just 95 runs on the second day after ending the previous day with six wickets and two settled batsmen.

The typical Steve Smith innings saw the right-hander hitting fourteen boundaries and a six as he ended the day at 91*. By the time of drinks, England had already sensed that their only way for a breakthrough would come from Usman Khawaja’s end as they were not getting Smith by anyway. The magnificent cover drive that brought up his fifty off Chris Woakes’ delivery, reflected the mood he was in today. WACA’s flat pitch that saw the ball coming to bat very comfortably also helped his cause massively.

Though bringing in Overton and Woakes, soon after, did the trick with the former getting two quick wickets of David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the lack of lateral movements on the WACA strip didn’t help the bowlers in any way whatsoever. To further compound pressure on the bowlers, Joe Root missed an absolute sitter in the slip as Khawaja’s edge was well carried from Woakes’ ball. And at the fag end of the day, wicketkeeper Bairstow missed another to give Smith a lease of life. Smith and Khawaja looked extremely comfortable in putting up the 100-run stand before the left-hander had to return to the pavilion following a dicey call by the third umpire. With the new ball seen off safely, it was hardly a challenge for Australia now as Smith and Shaun Marsh ended the day at 203/3.