Ashes Day 2: Head, Labuschagne steady Australia after Root’s century
Travis Head’s unbeaten 91 guided Australia to 166/2 at stumps on Day 2 of the Ashes Test in Sydney, replying to England’s 384 built on Joe Root’s 160. Australia trail by 218 runs with Head and Neser unbeaten
Sydney: Travis Head’s unbeaten 91 and Marnus Labuschagne’s 48 propelled Australia forward as the hosts reached 166/2 at stumps on Day 2, responding to England’s 384 in the Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.
Head, within touching distance of a 12th Test hundred and his third ton of the series, combined with Labuschagne for a rapid 105-run partnership in the evening session. Australia still trail England by 218 runs, with Head and nightwatcher Michael Neser (1*) unbeaten at the close.
England were bowled out for 384 in 97.3 overs. Joe Root scored his 41st Test century, equalling Australian great Ricky Ponting. Root, 72 not out overnight, went on to make a fine 160, helping England post their highest total of the series.
Resuming at 211/3, England lost Harry Brook early for 84, ending his 169-run stand with Root. Brook fell 16 runs short of his maiden Ashes hundred. Soon after, captain Ben Stokes was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc for the 14th time in Tests, edging to Alex Carey after a successful review.
Root reached his century off 146 balls with a firm punch down the ground. Jamie Smith had a reprieve when Cameron Green overstepped after he was caught at cover. But Labuschagne’s short-ball ploy worked as Smith miscued to Scott Boland, breaking a 94-run stand as England reached 336/6 at lunch.
After lunch, Root and Will Jacks added quick runs, with Root reaching 150. Australia struck back after drinks, with Michael Neser and Green triggering a collapse. Neser dismissed Jacks, Green removed Brydon Carse, and Neser produced a brilliant caught-and-bowled to dismiss Root before sending back Josh Tongue two balls later. England lost their last four wickets for just nine runs.
Brief Scores: England 384 (Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84; Michael Neser 4-60, Scott Boland 2-85) lead Australia 166/2 (Travis Head 91*, Marnus Labuschagne 48; Ben Stokes 2-30) by 218 runs.
