(Info4now, December 20, 2021)- Things didn’t change for England as they lost the AUS vs ENG 2nd Test without causing so much hindrances for the opposition. An injured Joe Root got out at the end of Day 4 and they had only six wickets to deny Australia’s victory. England’s middle order showed the same display of fragile defence and crumbled in the very first session of the final day. 

Steve Smith back as Australian Captain: AUS vs ENG 2nd Test

Pat Cummins misses out just before the opening day’s play as found to have closeness to a Covid positive citizen. Terrific reader of a test game, Steve Smith, gets back to his former role of leading the side. So both Team Australia and Pat Cummins were very relaxed except the missing of a fast bowler. 

Steve Smith chooses to bat straight away and England start their attack with four seamers. England suffer the absence of a regular spinner as they don’t pick Jack Leach in the AUS vs ENG 2nd Test. Jack Leach went for runs in the first contest of Ashes 2021/22 and it was not easy to include the left-arm orthodox in the playing XI. On the other hand, Australia have great numbers of left hand batsmen who would just unsettle him. Still Jack Leach should have been there in the playing side.

As Australia never looked okay in the top order, conventional on-field mistakes from the English players let them have a go. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne got settled and started taking away the game in their favour. Then a champion Steven Smith plays a special knock to put his team on top. 

English batting looks extremely unsettled: Ashes 2021/22 

In the batting department, nothing worked for England in both innings. Ben Stokes recovered a bit. But the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins was handled well by Smith. Mitchell Starc was consistent with the pink ball. Other pacers support him well. As the ball starts losing swings, Nathan Lyon takes over the charge.

In response to Australia’s 473, England lost their openers very quickly and got all out trailing by huge 237 runs. Australia declared again in the second innings and set a target of 468. With an expected draw at Adelaide Oval, England made it really improbable with Joe Root down at the end of fourth day’s play. England got all out and Jhye Richardson enjoyed his return with a five-wicket haul.

To Conclude 

Steve Smith was very tactical in changing his bowlers and his calculation of the declaration. Apart from that, he was very sharp on the field taking numerous catches. So the poor on-field works and the lack of spinning option decide the game for England in the AUS vs ENG 2nd Test.