By Matt Burrows
England must mount a huge comeback to avoid defeat in the fifth Test after collapsing to end day two on 107-8 – still 374 runs behind Australia.
Australia had earlier set up an imposing total of 481 in captain Michael Clarke's final Test, after Mitchell Starc and Adam Voges made it to half-centuries and Steve Smith scored a sublime 143.
Nothing went right for England on day two at The Oval, with Peter Siddle and Mitchell Marsh vindicating their recall to the Australia squad by bagging their share of the wickets.
The Australians looked in the mood to gain revenge on their fiercest rivals after what has been a disappointing series for them – but not every wicket came as a result of their tenacity and aggression.
Opener Adam Lyth and the explosive Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes played mindless, frenzied shots to get themselves out, leaving Michael Clarke with a smug grin on his face in the slip cordon as he prepared to retire with a win under his belt.
Alastair Cook top-scored for his side, but he could hardly be happy with his efforts as a wonderful piece of bowling from Nathan Lyon saw him fall for a paltry 22 runs.
England will know they are on the verge of defeat and – barring a miraculous turnaround – they will end what has been a largely successful Ashes series on a sour note.
3 News
