England thrash Australia to win second Ashes Test

LONDON: England thrashed Australia by 347 runs to win the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Sunday with more than a day to spare.

Victory saw Ashes-holders England go 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Only once in Ashes history have a side come from 2-0 down to win a series when Australia, inspired by Don Bradman, cricket's greatest batsman, triumphed 3-2 on home soil in 1936/37.

Australia, set a mammoth 583 to win Sunday, were bowled out for 235 on the fourth day after Joe Root, who earlier made 180 in England's second innings 349 for seven declared, sparked a collapse with his occasional off-spin.

There were just three balls left in the day's play when off-spinner Graeme Swann, who took five for 44 in Australia's meagre first innings 128, ended James Pattinson's two hours of resistance by having him lbw for 35.

Swann finished with innings figures of four for 78 for a match haul of nine for 122. Last man Ryan Harris was 16 not out after defying England for more than an hour.

No side have ever made more to win in a fourth innings of a Test than West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia at St John's in 2002/03.

The third Test at Old Trafford starts on August 1.

Brief scores:
England: 361 (I Bell 109, J Bairstow 67, J Trott 58; R Harris 5-72, S Smith 3-18) and 349-7 dec (J Root 180, I Bell 74; P Siddle 3-65)

Australia 128 (G Swann 5-44) and 235 (U Khawaja 54, M Clarke 51; G Swann 4-78)

Result: England won by 347 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-0
(AFP)