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Australia piled misery on England as they dislodged two of their opening batsmen before the close of Day 2 of second Ashes Test as rain came to the rescue for the Englishmen on Friday (December 17).
Marnus Labuschagne once again proved his mettle with the willow and carved couple of records to his name when he followed his 1st Day's unbeaten 95 to a cracking 103 as Australia declared their first innings to a commanding 473 for the loss of nine wickets. The 27-year old now owns a record of most centuries struck by any player in a day-night Test match. He has surpassed Pakistan's Asad Shafiq with his career's third century.
The South African-born Australian, who walloped his sixth century in Tests, also completed a feat of 2000 runs in mere 34 innings in Tests. Only Don Bradman, George Headley, Herbert Sutcliffe and Mike Hussey have reached 2,000 runs faster than him. Bradman achieved his 2,000 runs in 22 innings, Headley in 32 and England's Sutcliffe and Australia's Hussey in 33
Australia kept up their first day's momentum even after Labuschagne's 305-ball innings, who was sent to pavilion by Ollie Robinson. However, the stand-in captain Steve Smith rose to the occasion and anchored the Australian innings in between.
He smashed a responsible 93 off 201 balls and once again looked in great touch until James Anderson found him leg before wicket.
The lower-order batters too contributed as wicketkeeper Alex Carey scored a half ton (51 off 107), Mitchell starc shone with unbeaten 39 and the debutant Michael Neser made a quick 35 off 24 balls for Australia.
England's bowling didn't look effective throughout barring Ben Stokes, who was their pick of the bowlers, as he scalped three wickets while conceding 113 runs. James Anderson, who was left out in the first Test, snared two wickets in his spell of 29 overs.
Australia will look to wrap up the English innings quickly to force a follow on and shoot their chances of leading the series 2-0.
