Smith celebrates after scoring his 11th Test century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England were left reeling at the end of the second day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval as they lost eight wickets in almost no time at all after Australia batsman Steven Smith scored 143.
Starting out the day on 287/3, Smith and Voges began where they left off as the duo converted their 101-run partnership into a 146-run stand, during which Voges brought up his half-century, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Ben Stokes.
Voges decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the stumps. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Voges’ fantastic knock of 76 came off 130 balls and included 12 boundaries.
Voges played some brilliant shots during his knock of 76
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Following Voges’ dismissal, Australia lost Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson in quick succession.
However, Smith and Mitchell Starc stemmed the bleeding with a 91-run partnership, during which Starc registered his half-century, before Smith was clean bowled by Steven Finn for 143 off 252 balls, which included 17 boundaries and two sixes.
Starc ended up making 58 off 52 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and a six, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Stokes.
Starc hammered nine boundaries and a six during his innings of 58
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Just like Voges, Starc opted to review the decision, but failed to get it overturned as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and crashing into leg stump.
Australia were eventually dismissed for 481 when Peter Siddle was caught by Adam Lyth at gully off the bowling of Finn for one run.
Finn, who picked up his 100th Test wicket, Stokes and Moeen Ali took three wickets apiece, while Mark Wood chipped in with one.
Trailing by 481 runs, England never got out of the starting blocks as Australia’s bowling attack sliced through their batting line-up with the utmost of ease.
With captain Alastair Cook being the only batsman to surpass the 20-run mark, England were left in a serious spot of bother at 107/8 when stumps was called.
Marsh was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Siddle and Nathan Lyon snapped up two wickets apiece and Johnson claimed one.
England ended day two on 107/8 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 10:00 GMT.