Ashes 2017/18: Twitter Reacts as Australia Thrash England in Adelaide to Go 2-0 Up –
What was being tipped to be a thrilling day turned out to be a rather unexciting one, as Australia made light work of England’s remaining batsmen in the first session of the final day to seal the second Ashes Test in Adelaide by 120 runs?
Hopes were high that England would give the hosts a run for their money on the last day of the game after dismissing Steven Smith & Co. for just 138 in the second innings. However, the hopes disappeared within the first 45 minutes on the fifth day after Australia claimed three wickets including the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root.
The visitors began the day at 176 for four in pursuit of 344 with Root and Chris Woakes at the crease. And it took Australia just two balls to draw the first blood, as their pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood removed Woakes caught behind.
And even before the visitors could recover from the early setback, Hazlewood all but sealed their fate by making Joe Root edge one to the wicketkeeper. The skipper could not even add a single run to his overnight score of 67. Any slim hopes of reviving the chase were further ended, when Nathan Lyon trapped Mooen Ali LBW for two, leaving the visitors reeling at 188 for seven.
Australia soon took the second new ball and it did not take Mitchell Starc long to strike with it. The left-arm pacer sent back Craig Overton, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow to fire the hosts to a 2-0 lead.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the action:
Quality cricket ?✅always great to see two top teams competing ? at its best #Ashes congratulations @CricketAus 2-0 https://t.co/giWcT4zhcs
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 6, 2017
Terrific test match under the lights here in Adelaide. Pretty even these two teams but England just got it horribly wrong at the toss when they sent Aust in & they declared at 8/442. The next 3 innings of the match were 227,138 & 233 ! Aust now 2-0, England need Wood & a miracle
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 6, 2017
When you go 2-0 up in the #Ashes pic.twitter.com/tf4HY0IHU1
— Dan (@DannyMac40) December 6, 2017
Aussies win by 120 runs ?
The bowling unit Starc. Hazelwood, Cummins and Lyon too good ?
They took 6/57 today?#WicketTakers #Ashes2017— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 6, 2017
Never forget.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/oMZXsE6qjS
— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) December 6, 2017
What changes if any we looking at for Perth? For me Jonny can’t be batting at 7 don’t care…3rd best batsmen in the team has to bat higher IMO #ashes
— Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) December 6, 2017
Australia deny themselves the chance to bowl under lights. More odd game management from Smith, whose captaincy looks increasingly untenable.
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) December 6, 2017
You little beauty Australia! ??????#cmonaussie #2-0
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) December 6, 2017
England teased us all yesterday. What a difference a day makes!
The toss – ?! #Ashes— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) December 6, 2017
Great win Australia!! ??????
Great Test! Day night Test cricket is here to stay! Drama.. with big ratings.. get used to it! #loveit— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) December 6, 2017