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