Ben stokes Australians’ Ashes debacle on second day

The touring side, bowled out for 60 on the first morning, took five England wickets for 119 runs before the hosts declared shortly before lunch on 391 for nine.

Australia’s innings was wrapped up in just 18.3 overs – the quickest any team has ever been bowled out in the first innings of a Test – during a stunning 94 minutes’ play.

Joe Root departed for 130 – adding just six runs to his overnight score – when he was caught behind prodding at Starc.

The Nottinghamshire bowler was unstoppable as he took eight for 15 on his home ground of Trent Bridge as Australia were quickly skittled for only 60.

Clarke took the unusual step for a Test skipper who hasn’t enjoyed a major personal performance of fronting up to the media after the first day.

With the third Test at Edgbaston finishing on the third day and this match looking set to go the same way, Starc struggled to recall the last Test match to last all five days.

Broad ran through the visitors’ innings to celebrate a day he began by claiming his 300th Test victim with the wicket of opener Chris Rogers. “Extras” in Australian inning remain top scorer followed by Mitchel Johnson with 13 runs.

Stokes was part of the England team that were whitewashed 5-0 down under in 2013-14.

And, while his bowling figures stole the show, Stokes was keen to praise the collective bowling effort in the absence of the injured James Anderson. Stokes along with Stuart Broad and Steven Finn were troubling the batsmen throughout.

However Clarke, trying to remain as upbeat as possible, said: “We can still find a way to save the Ashes…There’s still a lot or time left in this Test. We’ve just got to play out of our skins”.

Broad became the fourth highest wicket-taker for England, surpassing Fred Trueman.

Playing without pressure following Australia’s collapse on Friday, Buttler dealt exclusively in boundaries during his brief stint before Stokes clipped Josh Hazlewood (2-97) to Peter Nevill prior to the new ball.

Yet England found their progress much harder-earned and did not always help themselves either, Warner dropped in the slips on 10 and 42 by Cook and then Ian Bell.

“Our goal was to come here and try and have some success”, Australia captain Michael Clarke said at the presentation ceremony after announcing that he will retire at the end of the final test in the series.