England defeat on second inning collapse

An England collapse for 129 has handed a six wicket victory to Australia in the second Ashes Test.

Instrumental in the Australian win was the bowling of Shane Warne who took 4-49 with key batsmen playing poor shots in a dry spell of play that saw England manage only 60 in 43 overs for nine wickets.

The enormity of the defeat was driven home by the fact that no Test Cricket team has ever lost after declaring on a total of 551 for 6.

In the Adelaide heat, Warne took two of the four wickets that fell in the morning session, while Brett Lee coaxed reverse swing out of a relatively fresh ball to keep Flintofff and Jones from finding much batting form.

Andrew Strauss was dismissed for 34 by Warne from a ball off the pad after an appeal to umpire Bucknor.

England then sought to attack, but Bell on 26 faltered during a call for a quick single. Pietersen decided to try sweeping Warne and was out for 2 on the fifth ball he faced.

The pressure was on Flintoff to stop the rot but his footwork let him down as he too left for just 2.

Geriant Jones chipped the ball to gully and was cleanly fielded for 10. The lower order managed 24, but the day had swung dramatically to Australia.

With Australia at the crease, Ricky Ponting took 49 and Michael Hussey 61 to take Australia to 116 for three wickets. By the time Flintoff dismissed Martyn, Hussey was on stride and hit the winning runs.

England 2-0 down look unlikely to retain the Ashes as play moves to Perth next week.

(SP/KMcA)