Australia
claim convincing Ashes victory
London, July 22:
Australia beat England by eight wickets on the fourth day of the
second Ashes Test here at Lord's on Sunday. Needing just 14 for
victory after bowling out England for 227 they lost two early
wickets before Matthew Hayden, six not out and Mark Waugh not out
nought, saw them home in the fourth over.
Earlier
England lost their last six wickets for 39 runs after resuming on
163 for four. Jason Gillespie had five for 53 but man of the match
Glenn McGrath did most of the damage Sunday with three wickets for
four runs in 11 balls.
Australia
now lead the five-match series two-nil and England have never won an
Ashes contest from this position.
Their
second innings ended with Mark Waugh claiming an outfielder's world
record 158th Test catch to dismiss Darren Gough off Gillespie for
one. Craig White was 27 not out.
In
the sixth over of the day, McGrath charging in from the Pavilion End
had Alec Stewart 13 not out overnight, plumb lbw for 28, England 188
for five and still 26 short of avoiding their second successive
innings reverse against Australia.
He
shared a partnership of 42 with brother-in-law Mark Butcher. Next
ball Stewart's Surrey team-mate Ian Ward steered McGrath to the
waiting slip cordon. Ricky Ponting, moving across from third slip
claimed a fine catch as Mark Waugh at second slip took evasive
action.
New
batsman White, in on a pair, survived the hat-trick ball but worse
was to come for England.Their hopes of making Australia bat again
rested with Butcher.
The
Surrey left-hander, 73 not out overnight, had survived one close
call against fast bowler Gillespie, the ball just dropping short of
Mark Waugh at second slip.
However,
to the next delivery, Butcher cut wildly and was caught behind by
wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist for 83 off 159 balls including 12
fours. England had now lost three wickets in 10 balls for no runs.
Dominic
Cork did not last long caught at first slip by Shane Warne off
McGrath for two, England 193 for eight. McGrath had taken three
wickets for four runs in 11 balls.
They
still needed 21 to ensure Australia had a second innings and thanks
to some blazing hitting from White and Andrew Caddick they at least
managed to retrieve a small measure of self-respect.
But
on seven Caddick was caught behind off Gillespie for seven and at
225 for nine England were only 11 ahead. England started Sunday on
163 for four, 51 behind and were confronted by the unusual sight of
occasional off-spinner Mark Waugh opening the bowling from the
Nursery End.
Gillespie
had bowled Saturday's final over hence Waugh's introduction with
McGrath favouring the opposite, Pavilion End. Waugh's first over was
a maiden but Stewart struck him for three fours second time around.
But once the heavy artillery returned it was a different story for
Australia - and England.
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