The China Mail - Khawaja adds to England's Ashes agony after Starc strikes in 2nd Test

Ashes-holders Australia were 81-1 in their second innings at tea on the third day, a lead of 172 runs.

Conditions for batting, with the floodlights switched on to counter the gloomy skies in London were challenging.

But Khawaja, whose painstaking hundred at Edgbaston last week helped Australia go 1-0 up in the five-match series, held firm to reach 45 not out at the interval.

Khawaja and fellow left-handed opener David Warner, who made an unusually restrained 25 off 76 balls, were content to defend in traditional Test-match fashion against the moving ball.

And when Stuart Broad overpitched, Khawaja stylishly drove him through cover-point for four.

Australia's approach was in marked contrast to the aggressive 'Bazball' style several England batsmen took to absurd lengths while gifting their wickets.

Khawaja, however, was reprieved on 19 when he pulled fast bowler Josh Tongue to James Anderson at forward square only for the ball to go through the hands of the England veteran, who did not appear to pick up the ball early enough.

England eventually broke through after repeatedly beating the outside edge when Ashes debutant Tongue nipped one back to have Warner lbw, leaving Australia 63-1.

Marnus Labuschagne was given out lbw for just three, only for the decision to be overturned on review.

- England collapse -

Earlier, Starc led Australia's charge as England collapsed to 325 all out.

The home side, who had resumed on 278-4, added 47 runs in 15.2 overs as the wickets tumbled, with Australia 91 runs ahead after making 416 in a first innings featuring Steve Smith's 110.

Starc, the only change to the Australia XI that enjoyed a thrilling two-wicket win at Edgbaston, took 3-88 in 17 overs.

Several England batsmen, including opener Ben Duckett, who was out for 98, fell into a blatant hooking trap late on Thursday.

And England suffered a further setback off just the second ball of Friday's play when captain Ben Stokes fell for his overnight 17.

A delivery from left-arm express quick Starc leapt off a length and took the outside edge, with Cameron Green holding a sharp catch at second slip.

It was a morale-boosting start to the day for Australia, bidding for a first Ashes series win in England in 22 years, after off-spinner Nathan Lyon was unable to take the field after suffering a calf strain.

England rising star Harry Brook, 45 not out overnight, completed a 63-ball fifty.

But his determination to attack at all costs proved his undoing.

Brook backed away from a short Starc ball yet still tried to flat-bat the delivery down the ground, only to slice to extra-cover, where Australia captain Pat Cummins held a simple catch.

At 293-6 England were left looking to Jonny Bairstow, the last of their specialist batsmen, to get on level terms.

Bairstow, however, had only managed 16 when he chipped fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to Cummins at mid-on in a tame dismissal.

Part-time spinner Travis Head, filling in for Lyon, took two wickets in five balls, a charging Ollie Robinson caught behind, before Broad, previously shaken up a Green bouncer, was lbw.

Q.Moore--ThChM