Australia reopening ‘scars’ with England collapse

LEEDS, United Kingdom: Josh Hazlewood said Australia were beginning to reopen some old Ashes wounds after they bowled England out for a woeful 67 in the third Test at Headingley.

Fast bowler Hazlewood led the way with 5-30 as England were dismissed inside 28 overs, with only Joe Denly (12) reaching double figures.

Australia then ended Friday’s second day on 171-6 in their second innings, a commanding lead of 283 runs.

Marnus Labuschagne was 53 not out, his third successive fifty after replacing the concussed Steve Smith in the drawn second Test at Lord’s, with his first-innings 74 in this match seven more than England managed between them.

Victory in this match would see Australia retain the Ashes at 2-0 up with two to play in a five-Test series and Hazlewood said: “I guess we might be starting a few scars there.

“I don’t think many teams are winning if one of their innings is 60 or 70 runs,” he added with England having skittled Australia out for 60 on the way to an Ashesclinching win in Nottingham four years ago.

“Sixty is hard work to come back from during a Test,” said Hazlewood, who played in that infamous 2015 match at Trent Bridge. “If we start well they might think ‘here we go again’ so it’s about creating that doubt in the mind. I can’t remember a day like this to be honest, it was a great day...simple as that.”

Hazlewood started and finished Australia’s rout of England.

His impressive haul included the key wicket of captain Joe Root, out for a second-ball nought with what England batting coach Graham Thorpe said was an ‘absolute beauty’ of a delivery.