Ashes: Play Suspended Abruptly After Australia Strikes Twice, England Score 17/2

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Heavy lightning and thunder abruptly ended day 2 of the second Ashes Test after Australia declared their innings on 473/9 and removed both England openers. 

Resuming the day at 221/2, Marnus Labuschagne finally reached the triple-figure mark with an edge that went between the slips and gully. It probably summed his lucky innings where he was already dropped twice, including one on 95 yesterday. 

Ollie Robinson finally got the edge of his bat that was carried and grabbed cleanly by Jos Buttler but Labuschagne was still riding on luck as it was called a no-ball. However, he finally ran out of luck as Robinson finally struck Labuschagne in front and got him out on 103. 

But the pitch was still batting friendly and Steve Smith still at the crease. He, along with Travis Head, added 50 runs off 78 balls for the fourth wicket. Head was looking good with 18 off 36 but he misread Joe Root's drifter that turned more than expected and crashed onto his stumps. 

Cameron Green couldn't make most of the batting conditions as he missed a straight one from Ben Stokes as Australia lost their fifth wicket. 

In the next session, Smith and Alex Carey were in a free-flowing mode. The ball did a little for them to get uncomfortable. They were helped by sloppy England fielders as well. 

The duo added 91 runs in 166 balls for the sixth wicket to frustrate the English bowlers. Smith was looking all set to reach his 28th Test century but James Anderson got enough movement off the pitch to beat his defence. The ball struck in front of the pad and Smith got adjudged LBW on 93. 

Mitchell Starc arrived at the crease to join Carey, who reached his first maiden test fifty. However, Anderson struck again to get Carey out for 51 as Tea was called. 

The third session saw Australia come in with an aggressive approach. While Starc remained not out on 39 from 39 with the help of five fours, debutant Michael Neser smashed 35 off 24 balls including five fours and a six. 

Jhye Richardson smashed nine from three balls. As soon as he got out, Smith declared the innings with the score reading 473/9. 
England's innings began as usual with Rory Burns getting out against Mitchell Starc. Soon Haseeb Hameed, too, handed a simple catch to Starc at mid-on to give Neser his first test wicket on his second ball only. 

In the eighth over, the weather became too bad for any cricket to happen with lightning and thunder around the stadium and the play was called off. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Australia - 473/9D in 150.4 overs 
England - 17/2 in 8.4 overs