(Cricket news) Australia are 343/7 at the end of day 2 as they lead by 196 runs. Travis Head, David Warner and Marnus were the stars of the show. It was a very exhausting day for the England bowlers who had to bowl 84 overs. Ollie Robinson was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 3/48 in 18 overs.

Australia walked into bat after England managed only 147 in the first innings. Ollie Robinson broke through early as he produced an edge of Marcus Harris which was caught by Dawid Malan at 3rd slip. David Warner started the innings in classic Warner fashion, hustling for quick singles and looking to take on the bowling. He had a couple of body blows from Mark Wood and Ben Stokes along with a few edges that didn't carry. The big moment came when he was cleaned up by Ben Stokes but the third umpire called it a no ball for overstepping. Marnus Labuschagne had more than his fair share of plays and misses but managed to survive. Both the batters consistently put bad and overpitched balls to the fence. The pair also attacked Jack Leech as soon as he was brought into the attack. 

Luck was completely on David Warner's side as Joe Burns dropped a simple catch at 2nd slip off Robinson's bowling just after lunch. Haseeb Hameed at short leg made a mess of a clear run out chance when Warner slipped and was way out of his crease. Jack Leech finally got the breakthrough in the 47th over as he dismissed Labuschagne at 74. Mark Wood was awarded for his fiery bowling as he got rid of the dangerous Steve Smith early. Warner was unbeaten on 94 at tea but was dismissed straight after tea by Robinson's slower ball. Cameron Green walked into bat and decided to leave the first ball which crashed onto the top of off stump. Green's misjudgement meant that Robinson was on a hat-trick with debutant Alex Carey on strike. The keeper did survive the hat-trick ball but fell to Chris Woakes shortly after. 

Also read: Every angle of BCCI's decision of appointing Rohit Sharma as ODI captain after sacking Virat Kohli

After a nervous start, Travis Head got into his groove thanks to a very poor over of looseners by Stokes. Pat Cumminns edged Joe Root's ball to leg slip just 4 overs before the 2nd new ball was due. Head continued firing and reached his 3rd Test ton in just 85 deliveries. Australia didn't declare despite having a healthy and ended the day at 343/7 with Head and Mitchell Starc at the crease. 

There were a few times where England could've capitalized and got back into the game. Despite having a few good moments it was a tough day for England. The bowling wasn't up to the mark especially from Woakes and Leech despite both of them picking up wickets. Leech has an economy of 8.64 in his 11 overs. Root had to bring himself into the attack towards the end of the day and bowled much better. Woakes on the other hand didn't look dangerous at all with the new ball which was a crucial period of the game. Mark Wood bowled his heart out in those 20 overs and deserved more than one wicket. England's fielding wasn't anywhere near international standard with dropped catches, missed run-outs and sloppy work on the fence.

It would be very difficult for Australia to not win this match from here. It would be possible with big innings from a couple of England batters. Joe Root will be looking to bounce back after his duck in the first innings. Haseeb Hameed played well for his 25 in the first innings and would look to make it big in the 2nd innings.