All-round Starc leaves England reeling in second Ashes Test

BRISBANE: Mitchell Starc backed his anchoring half-century with two wickets to strengthen Australia's command on the second Ashes Test against England here at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on Saturday.

At the stumps on day three, the touring side were reeling at 134/6, needing 43 more runs to avoid an innings defeat.

England had a relatively decent start to their second innings as their opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put together a blistering 48-run stand inside eight overs.

Scott Boland eventually broke the opening partnership on the fourth delivery of the over by cleaning up Duckett, who mustered 15 off 18 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Crawley, who was the core aggressor of the opening stand, was then involved in another crucial partnership for England when he knitted 42 runs for the second wicket with Ollie Pope before both fell victim to Michael Neser in quick succession.

Crawley remained the top-scorer for England in the second innings with a 59-ball 44, while Pope made 26 off 32 deliveries.

The back-to-back dismissals sparked a middle-order collapse, which saw England lose three more wickets at an alarming rate and consequently slip to 128/6.

England captain Ben Stokes, however, stood his ground firmly during the collapse and will resume their second innings on the penultimate day alongside Will Jacks.

For Australia, Starc, Boland and Nesser have taken two wickets each thus far in the second innings.

Earlier in the day, the hosts resumed their first innings from 378/6 in response to England's 334 all out and went on to finish at a mammoth 511 in 117.3 overs, courtesy of Starc's half-century down the order.

Australia had a contrasting start to the eventful day as Stokes and Gus Atkinson dismissed overnight batters Neser and Alex Carey inside 10 overs, exposing their batting tail.

Carey remained a notable run-getter for Australia with a 69-ball 63, comprising six fours, while Neser made 16 off 41.

Following their dismissals, Starc took the reins of Australia's batting expedition and put the hosts within touching distance of the 500-run mark by top-scoring with 77 off 141 deliveries, studded with 13 fours.

Lower-order batter Scott Boland and Brendan Dogett, 21 not out and 13, respectively, also made handy contributions to Australia's total and frustrated the English bowlers.

Brydone Carse led England's bowling charge in the first innings with a four-wicket haul, followed by skipper Stokes, who picked up three, while Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Will Jacks chipped in with one apiece.