England closed day two of the second Ashes Test on 29/1 responding to an imposing first-innings total from Australia of 442/8 declared.
Shaun Marsh scored 126 not out for Australia as the Three Lions struggled in the field, taking only three wickets before the hosts declared.
England's openers were put into bat for a tricky evening period and lost Mark Stoneman for 18 before rain brought an early end to the day's play.
Close of play on day 2 as rain calls an early halt to proceedings.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 3, 2017
Full scorecard here: https://t.co/JIiycZ4STj#Ashes pic.twitter.com/WtElKZqeqe
Afternoon Session
England made a perfect start to the day when Stuart Broad trapped Peter Handscomb lbw – and the seamer made no attempt to hide his delight in his celebrations.
The tourists bowled with aggression with the new ball and consistently beat the bat without getting the rewards.
James Anderson twice thought he had claimed the Three Lions' second wicket of the day when Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine were given out lbw, only for the decisions to be reversed on DRS.
Paine reached fifty before being dismissed pulling Craig Overton to Moeen Ali in the deep.
Evening Session
England again made a strong start to the session as Mitchell Starc top edged off Stuart Broad and James Anderson took a comfortable catch.
But Australia consolidated with a 99-run partnership between Marsh and Pat Cummins.
Marsh reached his fifty and then went on to pass his his century from 214 balls as the hosts went in at dinner on 409/7.
Night Session
Australia came back for a quick blast after dinner and despite Cummins being dismissed by Overton for 44 before their captain Steve Smith declared on 442/8, with Marsh finishing 126 not out.
That brought England out to bat under the lights and gave Australia the opportunity to launch a high-intensity attack to claim top order wickets.
It worked when opener Stoneman was trapped in front of the stumps by Starc for 18 as the Australian paceman reached speeds in excess of 93mph.
But rain prevented any further damage before stumps and England closed on 29/1 with Alastair Cook on 11 not out and James Vince yet to score.
He Said
Stat of the Day
Pat Cummins took 37 balls to get off the mark – the longest it has taken an Australian in Test cricket since 1991.
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