Australia win second Test

Australia won the second Test by eight wickets with more than a day-and-a-half to spare on Sunday to take a 2-0 Ashes series lead after pace bowlers Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie instigated another England slump.

The home team, saddled with a 214 first-innings deficit after being bowled out for 187 on Friday, resumed the fourth morning on 163 for four and were back in the pavilion one hour later, contemplating another crushing defeat, as their last six wickets fell for 39 in the space of eight overs.

Three of them went within 10 balls without a run added as England collapsed to 193 for eight before avoiding an innings defeat with a gesture of defiance. They were finally bowled out for 227.

Australia, needing 14 to win, then knocked off the runs in the fourth over after Michael Slater was caught by Mark Butcher at second slip off Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough trapped Ricky Ponting lbw with the scores level.

McGrath had begun the England slide with three wickets for four runs in 11 balls.

Butcher and Alec Stewart had put on 25 runs in the first five overs, courtesy of Steve Waugh's decision to open the bowling with his brother Mark's occasional off-spin.

Stewart, after lashing three fours off a Waugh over on his way to 28, was trapped lbw as he snuggled back to a McGrath off-cutter.

Next ball, Ian Ward edged and Ricky Ponting completed a fine catch, moving to his right across first slip, making the score 188 for six.

The hat-trick avoided by all-rounder Craig White, Butcher then threw away his wicket with a rash cut at Jason Gillespie next over, the edge ending in wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist's gloves. Butcher made 83, having batted for three hours and 49 minutes and hit 12 boundaries.

Dominic Cork was then caught at first slip by Shane Warne off McGrath to make it 193 for eight, four wickets falling for five runs in 17 deliveries.

White responded with four fours off Gillespie's next over, following that up with a top-edge hook for four off McGrath.

SAVED England saved themselves from a second consecutive innings defeat.

Gillespie ended with five for 53 while McGrath took three for 60.

England have now failed to beat Australia at Lord's since 1934, with just one victory in 105 years and 26 matches. They have also lost their last nine matches in a row -- three Tests and six one-dayers. Australia have won 18 of their last 20 Tests, as well as the last six Ashes series.

The third of the five-match series begins at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on August 2.

Australia won the first Test by an innings and 118 runs.

Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor