It was a day that belonged to the Austrlians who racked up a commanding first innings total, declaring on 492 for 9.

Steve Smith playing in his 12th test, continued to be defiant with his unorthodox technique. Starting the day on 72 he racked up his maiden test century with a classy six over long on, stating that the nervous 90's were not going to disrupt him.

Smith was looking unfazed throughout the day, never looking like getting out, it was a perfectly placed innings showing great temperament and maturity.

Rain halted Australia’s progress at the start of Day two in the final ashes test, an early lunch was taken and play eventually began at 14.30.

When the players eventually came out it looked as though the England seamers were bowling on a new pitch to day one. The ball zipped around, seaming and swinging both ways; all the English pace bowlers were looking threatening, even Chris Woakes.

James Anderson was again the pick of the bowlers at the start of play cleaning up Siddle with a full swinging delivery.

However when the early movement had disappeared, the Australian batsman began to settle down again. Timing the ball was proving a difficult task for the Australian batsman, but taking wickets was looking just as tough.

Brad Haddin was again proving to be a thorn in England’s side looking dogged in defence but graceful in attack, but he then fell to part time bowler Jonathon Trott.

Trying to guide the ball down to third man he proved the architect of his own downfall, dragging the ball onto his stumps for 30.   

The Australian debutant James Faulkner was not affected by nerves playing an array of flamboyant shots we are more accustomed to seeing in the one-day format.  

He and Smith were looking very busy at the crease, hitting boundaries frequently and running hard between the wickets.

But Faulkner’s cameo ended up coming to an abrupt finish, caught on the boundary off the bowling of Woakes, giving the English debutant his first test wicket.

The attacking shots did not stop their though as Mitchell Starc came out in twenty-twenty mode, carving the ball around The Oval square, proving to be a very handy lower order batsman.  

The Visitors were clearly upping the run rate in the final session to make up for the time lost at the start of the day.

On came Graeme Swann who broke the partnership, cleaning up Starc after the 23 year old looked to hit him into Space with a slog across the line.

When the sun finally broke through at 5.30pm Australia were in a commanding position at 450-8.

Ryan Harris added a brisk 33 before he was out caught and bowled by Anderson; this was followed by an Australian declaration at 492-9. Steve Smith was left on 138 not out, a superb effort from the tourist. 

This gave the hosts a tricky period to bat in the final session.

That evening period was negotiated with little fuss from Alastair Cook and Joe Root. Bad light eventually stopping play with England on 32-0, Root on 13 and Cook on 17.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Oliver Barnes
I currently attend university, studying a BA(Hons) in Sports Journalism. I live in Brighton and am an avid follower of sports; mainly Golf, Football, Tennis and Cricket.