The Ashes Round-up: Marsh leads Australia into winning position
Shaun Marsh scored just a second century on home soil as Australia dominated England on day two of the Adelaide Ashes Test.
Australia has their sights set on victory in Adelaide after Shaun Marsh's century capped a dominant second day of the day-night Ashes Test.
Marsh scored an unbeaten 126 in Australia's 442-8 declared, with England closing on 29-1, the damage perhaps limited by the last hour of play being lost to rain.
HEADLINES
- Shaun Marsh's fifth Test ton takes the first innings away from England, Tim Paine (51) and Pat Cummins (Test-best 44) serving as able deputies.
- Marsh hits unbeaten 126 from 231 deliveries, vindicating his surprise selection at number six, as England's attack runs out of ideas again.
- Mark Stoneman falls for 18, but England's top order rescued from sterner examination by the weather.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Marsh looked for all the world out on 29 when he was rapped on the pad by James Anderson. Umpire Chris Gaffaney agreed and raised his finger, but Marsh called for a review, which showed the ball was just sneaking over the stumps and the left-hander made the most of the reprieve.
OPTA FACTS
- Today was the third time in Ashes history that Australia declared after being sent in. Both previous occasions saw them score 601 and go on to win (601/8d, Brisbane, 1954-55; 601/7d, Leeds, 1989).
- Anderson had seven unsuccessful lbw appeals in the Australia innings. Nobody else had more than two.
- From the 12 England innings since the start of the 2015 Ashes series, Mitchell Starc has taken the first wicket seven times.
- Each of Australia's top seven has made at least one score of 35+ in the series.
FROM ZEROES TO HEROES?
Alastair Cook and James Vince conspired to drop Marsh late in his innings but they are tasked with leading England's resistance on Monday afternoon.