Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 2 - England's Fix Only Temporary, It Would Appear

It's a disturbing trend that shows no signs of changing; England put on a strong batting performance one day, then collapse into a heap the next. In Adelaide we saw Joe Root put England into a position where they might be able to chase down a total before sleeping on it and coming out to fall over on the final day. In Perth, we saw a superb Dawid Malan hundred with Jonny Bairstow aiding and abetting and they looked to be continuing nicely on day 2 as they added another 63 onto their record 5th wicket partnership v Australia (237).

Jonny Bairstow brought up his maiden Ashes hundred, and celebrated with the emotion of a man who has been through a lot, not least losing his father as a youngster. In a tongue-in-cheek nod to the controversy after Brisbane, he headbutted his England helmet. It clearly meant a lot to the Yorkshireman, and the importance of taking his country past 400 and beyond was clear to all. However, this is where England are so adept at throwing it away. Shortly after, Dawid Malan was deceived by Nathan Lyon, drawn out of his crease to loop up a catch, well taken by diving substitute Peter Handscomb.

From there, the collapse began. Moeen Ali fended his second ball to Smith at slip, Woakes helped Hazlewood around the corner to be caught at fine leg, Bairstow inexplicably played across the line to be bowled when a straight bat may well have brought him the boundary he was trying to hit, and suddenly England were in peril. Craig Overton succumbed to a well directed bouncer from Hazlewood, only able to fend off to short leg. A little entertainment from Stuart Broad was nice to see, clearly not willing to stand there and take a pummelling. Moving around his crease, at one stage he launched a massive 104 metre six out of the ground. But when trying to repeat the feat he unluckily got a toe end of the bat to one and once again Short Leg was there to take an easy catch. England were all out for 403, having been 368-4. Losing 6 wickets for 35 runs is not the way to get yourself back into the series.

David Warner has a fantastic record at the WACA, averaging in the 90's. Michael Clarke put the mockers on him, telling Channel 9 viewers that he was looking in the zone for a hundred. Shortly after the drinks interval after a solid start, Craig Overton found the edge and Warner was gone for 22. Overton also picked up Bancroft lbw soon after, but not without having to review. From then, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja looked to take the game to England. Smith set off at a terrific rate as England struggled to contain him. His one moment of danger came when 6ft 5in Craig Overton got one to really jump out of nowhere, smash into Smith's glove and helmet before dropping very close to the stumps. After a little treatment, Smith was on his way again and went to the close unbeaten.

Usman Khawaja fell lbw to Woakes late in the day, but not before a century stand with Smith. Shaun Marsh saw Australia to the close with his Captain, Smith unbeaten on 92, Australia 200 behind with 7 wickets in hand.

Australia are in a great position but we have seen how quickly wickets can fall on an increasingly wearing pitch. The Smith conundrum hasn't been solved with the red ball for England, they need to work it out or they will be looking at a first innings deficit. With Moeen Ali so ineffective at the moment, you wouldn't bet against Australia reaching 500 on Day 3 and putting England back in. The destiny of the Ashes rests on Saturday's play.