Overseas signing Marsh puts Australia in charge in Adelaide

3 Dec 2017 | Cricket
Glamorgan\'s new overseas signing Shaun Marsh stuck a century on day two of the second Ashes test in Adelaide to put Australia in charge at the close of play.

Marsh scored 126 not out for Australia, his fifth Test match hundred and first against England as the Three Lions struggled in the field, taking only three wickets before the hosts declared on 442/8. 

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.

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.

*Article first published on ECB website