England lose early wicket on rain-curtailed day
Adelaide: England lost an early wicket before rain forced play to be abandoned on day two of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval here Sunday after Australia declared their first innings on 442 for eight.
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Mitchell Starc struck in the seventh over, trapping Mark Stoneman (18) leg before, to leave the tourists on 29 for one at stumps. Giving company to Alastair Cook (11 batting) was Ashes debutant James Vince (0 batting).
Shaun Marsh (126 n o, 231b, 15×4, 1×6) earlier notched up his fifth Test century as Australia tightened the screws on England, making captain Joe Root pay for sending the home side in to bat. Steve Smith called a halt to Australia’s first innings shortly after the dinner break after Pat Cummins (44, 90b, 7×4) was dismissed by Craig Overton who picked up three wickets on his debut.
The eighth-wicket pair of Marsh and Cummins put on 99 runs to add to England’s woes. Marsh had earlier been associated in an 85-run stand with Tim Paine (57, 102b, 6×4, 1×6) after England had got rid of Peter Handscomb on the third ball of the day.
England suffered further indignity just before the dinner break when Cook and Vince collided going for the same catch off Marsh in the gully and the chance off Chris Woakes went begging.
Marsh and Paine both vindicated their contentious Test recalls as Australia took charge. Marsh, in his eighth recall to the Australian team, backed up his 51 in Brisbane to strengthen Australia’s position. Paine also took a couple of painful blows on his right index finger, but he dished out great courage to frustrate the visitors. He was caught on the boundary pulling Overton.
Brief scores: Australia 442 for 8 (Shaun Marsh 126 n o, Tim Paine 57, Craig Overton 3/105); England 29 for one. Match to continue
