Australia have clinched a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with a 120-run win at Adelaide Oval, where Josh Hazlewood crushed England's slim hope of comeback victory during his opening spell on day five of the pink-ball Test.
England resumed at 176-4 on Wednesday, needing a further 178 to achieve a national record fourth-innings run chase for a win that would level the Ashes series at 1-1.
That scenario relied heavily on England skipper Joe Root, on 67, posting a big score on day five at the Adelaide Oval.
But after watching night watchman Chris Woakes (5) feather a catch off Hazlewood’s bowling to wicketkeeper Tim Paine on the second ball of the day, Root was also out caught behind in the Australian paceman’s next over without adding to his overnight score as England slumped to 177-6.
From then on it was only a matter of time, and not even much of that. Moeen Ali was trapped lbw trying to sweep Nathan Lyon on 2, and the rest of the damage arrived with the new ball.
The third test starts Dec 14 in Perth, where England is in danger of surrendering the urn after winning the Ashes on home soil in 2015.
Australia swept the Ashes 5-0 the last time the series was played, reports AP.