AUSTRALIA RIP THROUGH ENGLAND TO LEAD SERIES 2-0

Tourists collapse on morning of day five

England’s hopes of a record-breaking chase at Adelaide were swiftly dashed as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc blew the tourists away.

2nd Test | Australia 442 for 8d & 138 beat England 227 & 233 by 120 runs

England’s resistance got off to the worst possible start when Hazlewood had Chris Woakes caught behind with the second ball of the day.

But their real hope of pulling of a heist rested with the captain. When Hazlewood repeated the trick in his next over to see Joe Root off, those hopes were sliding off the face of a cliff.

Nathan Lyon trapped Moeen Ali lbw - the fourth time in four innings the Australian has claimed the wicket of the England spinner - before Mitchell Starc took control of the second new ball and finished the job. Overton, Broad and Bairstow all fell to the left-armer in quick succession as England were all out for 233, adding just 51 to their overnight total, giving Australia a 120-run victory and 2-0 series lead.

For Steve Smith, all the anxieties of his decision-making through this Test will be lifted from his shoulders.

For Joe Root there is much to ponder but the skipper remains positive, claiming that his team can come back from 2-0.

More reaction and player ratings to follow.

"I fully expect those guys to take ten wickets on the first day."

Joe Root has no regrets over his decision to bowl first...

Justified in what he is saying?#Ashes pic.twitter.com/tQgfmmULR4

— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 6, 2017