Internet Desk: England’s hope of a miracle win was shattered on Wednesday by Aussie quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazzlewood at the Adelaide Oval. Requiring 178 runs to win on the final day, Hazzlewood struck in the third over of the day, getting rid of England captain Joe Root. Mitchell Starc, who took yet another five-for (88/5) finished off the tail in the first ever day-night Ashes test. Shaun Marsh was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant 126 runs in the first innings.
Holders England will now face an uphill task to comeback in the series on a bouncy track at Perth. England’s record at WACA is poor to say the least having lost their last seven test matches at the venue. Last time England won a test match in Perth was in 1978.
England started the final day on 178/4 with Root (67*) batting with night watchman Chris Woakes (5*).
Hazzlewood gave Australia the first breakthrough of the day, getting Woakes caught behind to the second ball of the day. The Aussie quick next got the huge wicket of Root, getting him caught behind for 67. England was 177/6 at that stage.
Nathan Lyon got the wicket of fellow off-spinner Moeen Ali for the fourth time in the series, leg before wicket as he attempted to sweep when on two.
That left England staring towards a huge defeat on 188 for seven after 45 minutes of play on the final day.
Craig Overton stayed around for 39 minutes before given out lbw to a Starc inswinger for seven with the first delivery of the second new ball.
Starc had Stuart Broad caught behind for eight and finished off the Test just before tea bowling Jonny Bairstow for 36.
The hosts lead the series 2-0 with the third test beginning at Perth from Sunday.
Australian captain Steve Smith credited his teammates for the win.
“We always had the faith in the team and the belief,” said Smith at the post match presentation ceremony.
“We thought if we could come out and bowl well this morning, hit our lengths and get one or two wickets then things can happen quickly.”
England Captain Joe Root looked visibly shattered.
“Disappointing. I don’t think we did ourselves justice,” said Root.
He added, “We’re still massively in the series. We showed that from the way we played yesterday.That has to be the benchmark how we approach the rest of the series.”