ASHES DAY TWO, FIFTH TEST – SESSION BY SESSION: Australia take a slender lead after a…

Australia narrowly surpassed England by 12 runs, finishing their first innings at 295 all out on day two of the fifth Ashes Test.

Marnus Labuschagne took 82 balls over his nine before being caught by Joe Root. Steve Smith then made a crucial 71 to give Australia a slender advantage. 

The final action of the day saw England captain Ben Stokes dismiss the tourists’ captain Pat Cummins with a superb boundary catch. 

England will start their second innings on Friday behind but the final Test remains well in the balance. 

Mail Sport’s LAWRENCE BOOTH breaks down each of Friday’s three sessions. 

Morning session – shared 

Australia decided to grind it out against an England attack still missing the injured Moeen Ali. 

In 26 overs before lunch, they added a painstaking 54 for the loss of Marnus Labuschagne, who was brilliantly held at slip by Joe Root after making nine off 82 balls. 

By the break, Usman Khawaja had faced 152 balls for his 47. 

Australia decided to grind it out against an England attack still missing the injured Moeen Ali

Afternoon session – England  

Stuart Broad removed Khawaja in the first over of the session, then quickly added Travis Head, and England never ceded control, taking five Australian wickets in all for 71. 

Jimmy Anderson’s luck finally changed when Mitchell Marsh played on, and Root suckered Alex Carey, before Mark Wood bounced out Mitchell Starc.

Stuart Broad removed Khawaja in the first over of the session, then quickly added Travis Head

Evening – Australia

Had third umpire Nitin Menon ruled Steve Smith run out for 43, Australia would have been 194 for eight, and in danger of conceding a big lead. 

But Smith went on to make 71, before Pat Cummins and Todd Murphy, who pulled Wood for three sixes, made useful thirties, handing Australia a slender but priceless lead of 12.

Smith survived a run out scare when Jonny Bairstow took the bails while short of his crease