Follow UsAustralia endured a day to forget in this Ashes tour as the home team smashed 384 runs for the loss of four wickets on the second day of the fourth Test in Manchester to take complete control of the game.
Zak Crawley smashed 189 runs off 182 deliveries to lead England's charge in the first innings and helped the team take a 67-run lead in the game. Along with the opener, Joe Root scored 84 off 95 deliveries before being bowled by Josh Hazlewood.
Australia were dealt with a massive blow as Mitchell Starc walked off the field after landing heavily on his left shoulder. While he was back on the field in the following over, the speedster was not able to throw and was visibly in a lot of pain.
"The shoulder, we saw what happened in the field, he's currently got some ice on it, and we're pretty confident it will be right tomorrow, Daniel Vettori, Australia's assistant coach, stated.
"He's one of those guys who doesn't like to spend too long off the park. But he got straight into a hot spot, and three balls in a row came to him in the field, and he didn't quite feel comfortable throwing it. I haven't actually spoken to him, but that's what it looked like. We're all pretty confident he can bounce back tomorrow."
England scored at a run rate of over six runs per over in the afternoon session that titled the gave in favour of them with Crawley going all guns blazing.
With the forecast of rain on the last two days of the Test, England will try and force a result as they aim to draw level in the series and get back the urn in the final Test.
"It all leads to batting exceptionally well in the third innings. That's what will set up the rest of the game as well as how well we bowl tomorrow."
"We won't have a chance to have a say on the result unless we do the next day well. England are in control, but if we can come in and get those final wickets for as few runs, then it sets up for that final innings, and the weather may play a part in that, Vettori concluded.