The Ashes 2013: England thrash Australia, take 2-0 lead

London – Joe Root played a starring role in the second innings scoring a brilliant 180 and taking two wickets as England thrashed Australia by 347 runs in the second Test here Sunday, taking a 2-0 lead in the Ashes Series.

Graeme Swann (4/78) was the instigator once again, taking his match tally to nine wickets, as Australia’s batting crumbled for the second innings running. The visitors were bowled out for 235 after England had declared on 349 for seven.

Root added to an already memorable Test by dismissing Usman Khawaja (54) and Michael Clarke (51), the two batsmen who had strung together a partnership of 98 runs for the fourth wicket.

Australia’s hopes of a fightback disappeared within the space of 21 balls as they lost Clarke, Khawaja, Steven Smith and Ashton Agar for just 20 runs.

Brad Haddin (7) went seven overs later with the Australians staring at their second consecutive defeat within four days.

Peter Siddle played out 62 balls for his 18 managing to delay the inevitable.

James Pattinson (35) and Ryan Harris (16 not out) further frustrated the English bowlers but Swann caught Pattinson plumb in front of the wickets in the last over of day.

James Anderson and Tim Bresnan took two wickets apiece.

Earlier, England started the day at 333 for five but could add only 16 runs before losing both the overnight bastmen.

Jonny Bairstow (20) edged one to wicketkeeper Haddin becoming Ryan Hariss’ second victim.

Root was the final English player to be dismissed in the morning session as the hosts declared at 349 for seven, setting the Aussies a mammoth target of 583 runs.

Brief Scores:

England- 361 all out and 349 for seven decl. (Joe Root 180, Ian Bell 74, Tim Bresnan 38; Peter Siddle 3/65, Ryan Harris 2/31)

Australia- 128 all out and 235 all out (Usman Khawaja 54, Michael Clarke 51, James Pattinson 35; Graeme Swann 4/78, James Anderson 2/55, Tim Bresnan 2/30, Joe Root 2/9)