Another batting calamity leaves England on brink of series defeat

first ball after the break. Even when Jos Buttler connected firmly with his drive, the ball landed in Usman Khawaja’s hands at short cover.

Everything the Aussies did worked a treat while inept England had a nightmare.

It was their lowest total at Root’s home ground in 120 years of Test cricket, while Denly’s 12 was the lowest-ever top score in an English innings.

By the time Australia reached the close of day two, their lead had extended to 283. To say this was a bad day at the office would be like suggesting the 1981 Ashes Test here was a bit of a turnaround. And that is precisely the kind of miracle England are likely to need to stop Australia completing the win they require to retain the Urn with two games to spare. Unsurprisingly, pace ace Jofra Archer is struggling with cramp after being given just 27.5 overs to put his feet up. Perhaps Root can ask Stokes to be the hero again? Three times he thought he had Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket and three times he was foiled, twice by dropped catches and once by a no-ball. Stokes, left, did remove Travis Head and Matthew Wade, but the mountain England must climb is frighteningly steep.

All because their batsmen played a collection of drives and misjudged shots either side of lunch that belong in the powder-blue World Cup kit many of them are used to wearing, rather than the whites of Test cricket.

Some of them are learning, others should know better, either way the Ashes are still disappearing fast.