Australia closing in on 2-0 Ashes lead

Adelaide, Dec 8 (IANS) Australia are four wickets away from taking a 2-0 lead in the Ashes after England, chasing an improbable 531, were struggling at 247 for six at stumps on day four of the Adelaide Test here Sunday.

Michael Clarke decided to declare Australia’s second innings at their overnight score of 132 for three, giving England two full days to save the game.

England started their chase badly, losing captain Alastair Cook (1) and Michael Carberry (14) with 20 runs on the board.

Joe Root (87) and Kevin Pietersen (53) steadied the ship with a 111-run stand but wickets began falling at regular intervals after their departure.

Mitchell Johnson, who took seven wickets in the first innings, added one more scalp to his match tally. Peter Siddle (2/21) was the pick of the bowlers.