England miracle fails to materialise as Australia go 2-0 up in the Ashes

• Scoreboard from the second Ashes Test at Adelaide 

• Nightwatchman:  Craig Overton's body blows and some Steve Smith humility

• ​Second Test player ratings

• Australia win by 120 runs to go 2-0 up in the Ashes

• Mitchell Starc finishes with 5-88

It is very difficult to win a Test match in Australia. As England now know, competing either on first innings as in Brisbane, or on second innings as in Adelaide, is nowhere near enough.

In all England have won nine Tests in Australia since 1980, and this is their tenth Ashes series. Take away the three Tests England won in 2010-11, and they have not been winning even one Test per series on average.

Were the third Test to be staged at Brisbane or Adelaide again, it is conceivable that England could win it and cling on a while longer to the urn. As it will be the last Test to be staged at the WACA in Perth, before international cricket moves to a sparkling new stadium a mile up the Swan River, it is almost impossible to conceive of any outcome other than England losing the Ashes there.

In their warm-up game England batted well enough against a Western Australian team that was so young they could hardly be classified as the state’s second XI, but the clay that makes the WACA differ from all other Test grounds has had a whole month to bake since then, and the bounce can have only become steeper - bounce such as England's cricketers have not experienced since Old Trafford was realigned.  

But whatever the conditions and result in Perth, England have to retreat in good order. From the moment Ben Stokes was arrested, it was unrealistic to expect England to retain the Ashes. But it is realistic to expect them to compete strongly enough here to lay the ground for winning the next series in 2021-2, when Joe Root will be aged 30 and far more battle-hardened.

Australia’s pace attack has been too good for England on two relatively slow pitches so provided Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins do not get carried away by the sight of their short balls whizzing past startled helmets, their superiority will only be enhanced at the WACA, with the fast-medium allrounder Mitchell Marsh to add his local knowledge. That is before Nathan Lyon increases his own dominance over England’s offspinner Moeen Ali.

It was only in the context of their batting in Brisbane that England’s loss of their last six wickets for 57 runs, to lose by 120 runs, was not reckoned a collapse: in Brisbane their last six wickets had gone down for 56 in the first innings, their last four wickets for ten in their second. But yet again England’s tail was blown away and even such a brave, proficient tailender as Craig Overton only survived a short ball from Cummins because he was wearing a chest protector.

To climb to the summit of 354, everything had to go perfectly for England: no wicket in the last 18 overs before the second ball, or that of Chris Woakes at most; and a century for Root, which would have been the third of his captaincy; and a riotous counterattack by Moeen Ali - in the same dashing mode as when he was number eight in the 2015 Ashes - and Jonny Bairstow; and at least one of the Australian bowlers breaking down.

None of these scenarios happened. So it was perhaps merciful the obsequies were brief. The chief complicating factor was that on an almost hot afternoon Australia’s pace bowlers, having re-grouped overnight, all started to make the old ball reverse-swing - and England’s batsmen could do nothing to reverse Australia’s reverse, whether they blocked or bashed.

Hazlewood nipped out Woakes and Root in his first two overs. Even the Barmy Army were silenced. Hazlewood hits a deck harder than any of England’s bowlers and on a fifth-day pitch, no matter it was a drop-in, he got some movement off the worn surface: for Woakes the ball moved away, for Root it not only came back but kept low and took the bottom edge. Yet such was the speed - 148 kph - it still carried to Tim Paine.

From this standing, or stumbling, start Moeen and Bairstow could hardly switch from all guns muzzled to all guns blazing. Bairstow cover-drove but Moeen was still stuck, on two after 19 balls, when he went to sweep Lyon and missed - and Moeen is the only England lefthanded batsman, out of six, to have played any shots at him.

The strongest straw for England to cling to is that they have out-caught Australia. It might not be fair to compare Bairstow and Paine, because Paine has had to take an offspinner who has made the ball bounce extravagantly. Simply when comparing the ten out-fielders of each country, Australia have dropped five chances and England only one, when Mark Stoneman missed a ball at long-leg that would at some stage have come out of a background of lamps along the roofs of Adelaide’s stands.

Given that they dropped 16 chances in three Tests against West Indies, England’s higher success-rate in catching is a tribute to Paul Collingwood, who surely has to be lured away as soon as possible from the captaincy of Durham. In title Collingwood is England’s fielding coach, but he will also oversee the bowlers for the rest of this series now that Shane Bond has completed his temporary assignment; and Collingwood’s input was no doubt integral to England matching Australia in Adelaide sledge for sledge.

More than that, a side’s fielding is always equated with their morale. England’s fielding is sound - as it has been all tour - and, accordingly, they must still be sound of heart. But they have yet to reach the WACA in Perth,  their most unsuccessful Test ground.

7:42AM

Missed any of the key moments?

Look no further than the Nightwatchman for day five.

7:10AM

Staying true to form

6:42AM

Boycott: 'Moeen in trouble'

Could England move on from Ali in Perth? Here are Geoffrey Boycott's thoughts.

6:20AM

Batting changes?

Vince taking plenty of criticism for his efforts in the second innings but England actually changing things around doesn't seem to be part of Trevor Bayliss's thought process at this stage. Should England chop and change?

6:00AM

Shaun Marsh named Man of the Match

"Huge credit to our bowlers for how they performed this morning. It's a fantastic win. You saw under the lights when it started swinging around that it was hard work."

5:46AM

England coach Trevor Bayliss

"In both Tests we have competed for a couple of days but to win here we have to compete for longer than that.

"The batting is a concern. We have to score more than 220 in both innings. Our players have shown at points so far that they can bat, we just have to do it for longer.

"The follow-on decision was not a surprise. They will want all of those bowlers to play in all five Tests.

"We don't need to panic [regarding changes]."

5:42AM

That will do it

5:40AM

Steve Smith's thoughts

"It's phenomenal to be 2-0 up. England fought back really hard last night. We always though today with 18 over until the new ball that with a couple of early wickets things would be in our favour.

"Last night I was a little bit nervous at times if I'm being brutally honest, but it was just about having a bit of faith.

"Would I do the same again [with the follow-on?] I'm not sure."

5:33AM

Joe Root speaks

"Those two early wickets really did cost us. The way we responded in the second innings with the ball and then last night with the bat was outstanding. Credit where credit is due, they bowled very well."

5:22AM

Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood all too good

Superb stuff this morning from that quick trio. Cummins looks such a talent and Starc finished things off within 4.2 overs.

5:18AM

WICKET!! Bairstow 36 b Starc - England all out for 233, AUSTRALIA GO 2-0 UP IN THE ASHES

Quality cover drive by Bairstow. Just needs to add about 30 more. Not going to happen! Starc clatters Bairstow's stumps and that will be that in Adelaide.

Outstanding bowling display this morning from Australia's bowlers, killing off any hopes of a historic English day early on.

Starc also finishes with five wickets, three coming off the new ball today.

5:15AM

OVER 84: ENG 229/9 (Anderson 0* Bairstow 32*)

Bairstow still fighting (of course), adding four there through the covers. Next stroke is a bit less controlled with a top edge as he gets one, keeping the strike.

5:09AM

WICKET!! Broad 8 c Paine b Starc

Starc gets a fourth and a second with the new ball! Swinging away and Broad edges it through to the keeper. It's nearly over... FOW 224/9

5:04AM

OVER 82: ENG 220/8 (Broad 4* Bairstow 27*)

Huh, that was odd from Hazlewood. Second delivery pitching well wide down the leg side for four byes. Hazlewood persisting down that line as Broad adds two and a single.

Bit straighter from Hazlewood to end the over and Bairstow clips that square. Nine runs off the over for England. Hope! (A smidgen of the stuff.)

4:59AM

OVER 81: ENG 211/8 (Broad 1 Bairstow 25*)

That's nice as well from Starc, getting some swing which is just what England's tail need...

Broad off the mark after another warm reception from the local crowd. Punched down the ground by Bairstow for four! Best shot of the day, nicely timed. Ducks the final bouncer as Bairstow moves to 25.

4:53AM

WICKET!! Overton 7 lbw b Starc

First delivery with the new ball and Overton gone! Late swing catches the new man out as he swings his bat in frustration walking off. Australia knocking on the door now as England's 18-run partnership comes to an end. FOW 206/8

4:52AM

OVER 80: ENG 206/7 (Overton 7* Bairstow 21)

Overton conveniently gets his 6ft 5 frame in the way of a possible direct hit. Well-timed dive, that, for a single. Bouncer to finish off from Cummins. 

The second new ball is now available and out it comes. Starc to get a first crack with it.

4:47AM

OVER 79: ENG 205/7 (Overton 6* Bairstow 21)

One to mid on for Bairstow off Lyon. Overton then squeezes another one past him down the ground as well, as the total drops under 150.

4:44AM

OVER 78: ENG 203/7 (Overton 5 Bairstow 20*)

Oh that was nice from Bairstow. Straight down the ground for two, although Overton has to get sprinting to avoid a run out. Followed by a single to the covers.

Tough chance but one none the less! Overton trying to get after one but it drops just a bounce short of Khawaja, who might decide to shuffle forward a little bit.

4:39AM

OVER 77: ENG 200/7 (Overton 5 Bairstow 17*)

Single for Bairstow brings up the 200 mark for England. Chase now 154 as Overton blocks out the rest of the over.

4:37AM

OVER 76: ENG 199/7 (Overton 5 Bairstow 16*)

Nicely cut away by Bairstow but the sweeper is out there, and he slips at the non-striker's end as well keeping that to one run.

Edged and dropped! Bancroft puts Overton down at third slip. Bouncer up next as Overton survives, just about. Cummins absolutely lethal throughout this Test, the whole series really.

4:34AM

OVER 75: ENG 198/7 (Overton 5 Bairstow 15*)

Overton back up and about, good to see. Bairstow starts Lyon's over with a single before Overton survives the rest of the over. 

Run rate unsurprisingly is not flying, currently at 2.64 an over.

4:28AM

OVER 74: ENG 197/7 (Overton 5* Bairstow 14)

Edged but safe for Overton! Four runs there as it flies past Smith's right-hand side to the rope. Next ball catches Overton and he takes a knee, and no wonder, getting himself all twisted as Cummins catches his on the ribs. That will tickle a bit.

4:23AM

OVER 73: ENG 193/7 (Overton 1* Bairstow 14)

Struggling to remember a single bouncer to be honest this far. Singles for Bairstow and Overton, the latter getting off the mark. 

Well-timed off the last by Bairstow for two, through to cover.

4:20AM

OVER 72: ENG 189/7 (Overton 0 Bairstow 11*)

So in comes England's top scorer from the first innings (41) in Overton. On strike after a Bairstow single. Whatever happens today, and it might get ugly, he should be proud of his effort on debut.

Eight overs until the new ball.

4:12AM

WICKET!! Ali 2 lbw b Lyon

Lyon in for Hazlewood. That should get Ali purring. Definitely some turn there too. Ali on the last goes the sweep and is given out! He'll review... umpire's call! Ali never got scoring and went for the big shot on the last ball of the over. England in a hole. FOW 188/7

4:09AM

OVER 70: ENG 188/6 (Ali 2 Bairstow 10*)

Cummins into the action for Starc and he unloads a couple of beauties, the pace flying the ball past Bairstow's outside edge. Starc cuts off a single at mid on as Cummins gets a maiden.

4:05AM

OVER 69: ENG 188/6 (Ali 2 Bairstow 10*)

Not a whole lot of swing out there from Hazlewood, a touch of reverse maybe. His length though has been spot on. Nicely played by Bairstow, leaving it late before cutting the last for a single through the off side.

4:00AM

OVER 68: ENG 187/6 (Ali 2 Bairstow 9*)

Chance drops short! Nice ball from Starc which Bairstow edges, albeit short of the cordon. It trickles away to four back at third man. 

Single off the last for Bairstow as he retains the strike.

3:56AM

OVER 67: ENG 182/6 (Ali 2 Bairstow 4*)

Ali a little bit loose, can tell he's desperate for some runs. Patience, Moeen. You have all day. Maiden for Hazelwood.

Not a bad shout below.

3:52AM

OVER 66: ENG 182/6 (Ali 2* Bairstow 4)

Single from Ali before Bairstow gets off the mark in style with a fine drive through the covers. Right out the middle of the bat. 172 to win now, by the way...

3:48AM

OVER 65: ENG 177/6 (Ali 1* Bairstow 0)

Big round of applause for Hazlewood and rightly so, sensational start to his day. You sense Bairstow will be England's last chance to really win this.

3:44AM

WICKET!! Root 67 c Paine b Hazlewood

That could be the Test! That could be the Ashes! Hazelwood on fire as Root edges a straight one back through to Paine. Perfect length, a little lower than Root must have been expecting. Huge moment, Root walks back with his shoulders slumped. FOW 177/6

3:40AM

OVER 64: ENG 176/5 (Ali 0* Root 67)

Starc bowling to Root then, the England captain aiming to settle things down. Spot of bother with a leading edge although that drops short of any real danger. Maiden.

3:36AM

OVER 63: ENG 176/5 (Ali 0 Root 67*)

Takes a couple of replays but you can hear a feather of a knick with the sound up. Superb start for Australia striking with just the second ball. In comes Ali who blocks out the over. Quality bowling from Hazlewood.

3:30AM

WICKET!! Woakes 5 c Paine b Hazlewood

The players are out and straight away Hazlewood thinks he has Woakes with an edge! England review... nothing on Hotspot but there's a spike onsnicko, Woakes is gone! FOW 176/5

3:23AM

History boys

Here are the top chases at Adelaide, which England would surpass if they do win, and the all-time run chases. Success here would see England move into the tenth spot.

3:18AM

If you are awake

Fire any thoughts to @bencoles_ on Twitter or ben.coles@telegraph.co.uk - can England really pull this off? How do they pull it off? Who helps Joe Root out? Tons of questions.

3:16AM

Smith under pressure

More here from Paul Hayward on the woes that have faced Steve Smith in the second half of this Test, from the decision to not force England to follow on to spurning both of Australia's reviews on day four.

3:14AM

Word from Adelaide

Scyld Berry has been in touch with an interesting weather report, notably that this looks set to be the hottest day of the Test so far. Here is his verdict from Tuesday.

No December chill today for England's cricketers.

3:09AM

Spotlight on Pat Cummins

The great Alan Tyers spent some time after yesterday's  action assessing the qualities of one of the Australian quicks.

3:04AM

Welcome!

Morning/afternoon/evening everybody! This is going to be fun.

England out of nowhere have brought this Test match back to life, although you would not want to be Steve Smith come the end of today if the series is level at 1-1.

Should that happen, he will join this man in the history books.