Steve Smith future captain in waiting

Smith 143 and England collapse gives Australia total control

 

Marsh double maiden wicket
Marsh double maiden wicket
SPD Smith 143
SPD Smith 143
Ali hit on the head
Ali hit on the head
Steve Smith future captain in waiting
Steve Smith future captain in waiting

Day 2

Australia tour of England and Ireland, 5th Investec Test: England v Australia at The Oval, Aug 20-24, 2015

Australia 481 all out (125.1 ov) David Warner 85 off 131 balls , 11 fours, SPD Smith 143 off 252, 17 fours and 2 six, ST Finn 90-3, Ben Stokes 133-3,  MM Ali 102-3

England 107-8 ( 40 ov) AN Cook 22 off 21,  4 fours, AN Lyth 19 off 42 4 fours MR Marsh 18-3, PM Siddle 18-2  NM Lyon 32-2

England won the toss and elected to field and trail  by 374 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

Steve Smith’s 143  helped Australia to notch  up 481, and then there was dreadful England batting collapse. A double wicket maiden for Marsh who has excellent figures of  5-2-8-3.

England have already regained the Ashes  with an unassailable lead of 3-1 with victories at Cardiff, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge. But a heavy defeat in the final test would dampen their spirits and give Australia a huge boost at the end of a difficult series.