NEW DELHI: England secured a 40-run first-innings lead after bowling Australia out for 132 early on the second morning of the opening Ashes Test in Perth on Saturday.
The Australians resumed at 123 for nine, still 49 runs behind England's first-innings total of 172, following a chaotic opening day of the series.
Test debutant Brendan Doggett and Nathan Lyon faced punishing pace from Mark Wood, who, alongside Gus Atkinson, spearheaded England's attack on Day 2.
The last-wicket pair resisted for six overs before Brydon Carse (3-45) replaced Wood and wrapped up the innings with his second delivery, having Lyon caught by Ben Duckett in the slips for 4. Doggett remained unbeaten on 7.
Alex Carey was Australia's top scorer with 26.
After all the hype leading up to the Ashes, the first test has reached the second innings in a rush.
Ben Stokes won the toss and aimed to pile up runs, going away from his usual tendency to bowl first. It appeared to backfire when England was out by the second session of the series, but Stokes ensured the touring team retained the upper hand.
His five-wicket haul on top of Jofra Archer and Carse's two wickets apiece helped England's pace attack take a first-innings ascendancy that few expected when Mitchell Starc took a career-best 7-58 earlier in the day for Australia.
The milder conditions should mean a less hectic day for the scorers Saturday, contrasting the 19 wickets that tumbled for 295 runs in 72 overs on Day 1.
The touring fans known as the Barmy Army was in full voice at the start of the second morning. Another crowd of 50,000-plus is expected at Perth Stadium.
(With AP Inputs)
