5 Game changing moments from the second Ashes test

5 Game changing moments from the second Ashes test: After being defeated in the first test, the Australians were itching to bounce back in the Ashes and they managed to do it quite convincingly as they managed to beat England by a margin of 405 runs. This stood to be the ninth largest victory in the history of test cricket. Right from the first session of the first day, Australians dominated over the English line up thoroughly and their urge in the field showed that how desperate they were to make things squared in the Ashes. Now, after the first two matches, the Ashes stands 1-1 and the final 3 tests will judge the winner. Meanwhile let us glance back to rediscover the 5 Game changing moments from the second Ashes test: 1. Gigantic partnership between Smith and Rogers in the first innings: Steve Smith Chris Rogers. (© Getty Images) In the first innings, Australia made a brilliant start as the openers struck in a partnership of 78 runs when Warner was dismissed. For the second wicket, Smith and Rogers contributed a total of 284 runs when Rogers was dismissed for a score of 173. Smith went onto score his maiden test double hundred after getting dismissed in 190s on two occasions earlier. Smith scored a total of 215 runs in the first innings. That partnership literally shattered England’s hopes to get something fruitful in the test and as it happened, the Australian middle order carried on with the momentum and managed to put on a gigantic total of 566 runs on the board in the first innings. 2. England’s early collapse in the first innings: (© Getty Images) In reply to Australia’s gigantic score of 566 runs in the first innings, England were put on the back foot right from the start of their first innings. In fact, things went worse when their opener, Adam Lyth was dismissed right in the second ball of the innings and England were 0/1. Also, as many as 4 wickets fell under the score of 30 runs in the first innings. This worsened the prospects for them and derailed their chances to somehow make an impact in the game. 3. Australia’s decision to not enforce follow on: (© Getty Images) When England were bundled in the first innings, they lagged the Australian score by 254 runs. Yet, the Australian captain declined to enforce follow on upon the English batsmen. This happened to be the fourth time when the Aussie skipper could enforce a follow on but he didn’t. This turned out to be a great decision as the bowlers got the required amount of rest and came back even stronger in the second innings. Also, England were over-burdened by such a high target. 4. Mitchell Johnson’s spells: Mitchell Johnson. (© Getty Images) After failing to perform in the first test, the Australian speedster, Mitchell Johnson fought brilliantly in the second test at Lord’s and managed to clinch 6 wickets in the match. Also, he stood out to be the highest wicket taker in the match. Whenever, he was introduced in the attack, he managed to provide breakthroughs and also amplified the pressure upon the English batsmen. In fact, two of the first 4 wickets of the England innings, were taken by Johnson to ensure Australia’s cruise control in the game. 5. Joe Root’s misery with the bat: Mitchell Johnson celebrates as he takes wicket of Joe Root. (© Getty Images) After scoring 194 runs in the first test, England did have huge expectations from Joe Root as he was supposed to be the pivotal character for them in the batting line up. But Root failed to score in both the innings and managed to score just 18 runs in the 2 innings combined. This stood out to be one of the important causes for England’s terrible batting display.