Champagne day for Labuschagne

Manus Labuschagne takes a flying catch to end England’s innings as follows it up with a half century

Australia piled on the runs after bowling out England for 334 on the second day of their day-night pink ball Ashes second cricket Test at Brisbane yesterday ending the day at 378 for 6 scoring at over five runs an over.

It did not take long for Australia to wrap up England resuming of 325 for 9 as Manus Labuschagne fielding at deep mid-wicket pulled off a magnificent airborne catch diving to his right to get rid of Joffra Archer.

The manner in which the catch was taken showed how desperate the home team was to pluck the last England wicket that realised 70 runs while Joe Root in the process remained unbeaten on 138, his first century on Australian soil in 30 appearances down under.

England however did not have the desired start in defending their first innings total as Australian openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald put on 77 runs in just 13.1 overs.

But the dismissal of Head for 33 did not bring any respite for England as the home team’s batting unit kept the scoreboard ticking after Archer trapped Weatherald leg-before for 72.

Labuschagne (65), Steven Smith (61) and Cameron Green (45) made sure England had no opening to get back on track as the trio consolidated the innings further as Australia went on to take a vital first innings lead of 44 runs with four wickets in hand and wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey unbeaten on 46 in an unbroken stand of 49 runs for the seventh wicket with Michael Neser (15 not out).

Australia’s batters did not have much of task in going after the England bowlers as they collectively struck as many as 46 fours and five sixes to pile on the pressure against the visiting team who are already one down in the five-match Ashes series.

Except for paceman Brydon Carse who accounted for three wickets, the rest of the England bowlers were put to the sword with skipper Ben Stokes conceding 93 runs in 17 overs although he accounted for the scalps of Labuschagne and Josh Inglis (23).

Scores:

England 334 (Zak Crawley 76, Joe Root 138 not out, Joffra Archer 38, Mitchell Starc 6 for 75)
Australia 378 for 6 (Travis Head 33, Jake Weatherald 72, Manus Labuschagne 65, Steven Smith 61, Cameron Green 45, Alex Carey 46 not out, Brydon Carse 3 for 113, Ben Stokes 2 for 93)