The Ashes 2023: England and Australia locked in tight battle

The Ashes 2023: England and Australia locked in tight battle

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Fifth LV= Insurance Ashes Test, The Kia Oval (day two of five)
England 283 (Brook 85, Duckett 41, Starc 4-82)
Australia 295 (Smith 71, Woakes 3-61)
Australia are 12 runs ahead
Scorecard

England’s final Ashes Test against Australia hangs in the balance after a compelling battle for control on the second day at The Oval.

With Australia almost devoid of any intent to score, England gradually made inroads in a superb bowling display to reduce the tourists to 185-7.

Marnus Labuschagne set the tone by taking 82 balls over his nine, but after he was spectacularly caught by Joe Root at first slip, England struck at regular intervals.

Steve Smith, who continued his fine record on this ground with 71, reversed the momentum and set Australia on course for a slender advantage.

Smith added 54 with Pat Cummins, with the skipper himself then sharing a vital 49 with Todd Murphy, who made an enterprising 34.

The final act was a wonderful boundary catch by England captain Ben Stokes to dismiss Cummins for 36,…

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