Perth, Nov 22 (UNI) Scot Boland starred with the ball as England were bowled out for 164 in their second innings at Tea on Day 2 of the first Test at Perth Stadium, setting Australia a target of 205 runs to win. The visitors had earlier posted 172 in the first innings, giving them a slender first-innings lead of 40 runs.
England’s second innings began cautiously after Zak Crawley was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc in the very first over. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steadied the innings with a second-wicket partnership of 50 runs in 56 balls. Duckett showcased fluent strokeplay, including drives past the bowler and edges through the slip cordon, while Pope contributed aggressively with a boundary off Doggett.
Duckett also successfully reviewed an LBW decision in the 14.6th over, overturning the on-field call and reinforcing England’s composure. At lunch, England were 59/1 in 15 overs, with Duckett on 28 and Pope on 24.
Australia’s pace attack struck regularly after lunch, and England’s innings collapsed to 88/6 in 24.4 overs, with Jamie Smith making 11 and Gus Atkinson 2. England reached 100 runs in 26.2 overs, including 12 extras. An Australian review in the 27.1st over for Smith’s dismissal was upheld, further asserting their control.
The lower order showed some resistance through a 50-run eighth-wicket partnership between Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) in 20 balls. Despite their efforts, England were bowled out for 164 in 34.4 overs, with Mark Wood adding 4 runs. Extras contributed 12 runs.
Boland was the star for Australia, finishing with impressive figures of 4/33 in 11.4 overs. Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett also picked up three wickets each, applying relentless pressure on the English batsmen.
Carse and England’s pacemen, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, who had earlier claimed wickets in Australia’s first innings, will look to exploit the chase and make the hosts work for their target of 205.
