England trounce Australia in second Ashes test

England have beaten Australia by 347 runs in the second Ashes test at Lord’s to take open up a 2-0 lead in the series.

Graeme Swanne wrapped up proceedings in the final over of Sunday by trapping James Pattinson lbw.

Australia were dismissed for 235 after scraping to a woeful 128 in the first innings.

England had declared early on Sunday a massive 582 runs ahead on 349 for seven.

With the most successful chase in Test history standing at 414, Australia were always unlikely to get close to that total, and the top order batsman showed little stomach for a fight.

But the Australian tail end almost dragged the game into a final day with a spirited stand.

Pattinson (35) and Ryan Harris (16 not out) put on a last-wicket stand worth 43, occupying 131 balls and batting out for almost all of the extra half-hour’s play England had called for in a bid to finish off their opponents.

Swann finished with four for 78 to add to his first-innings five-for, while centurion Joe Root added two important scalps of his own on a pitch that provided plenty of turn.

Root, having made 180 for a maiden Ashes century, followed his maiden Ashes century by outing at HQ by dismissing Australia’s top-scorers Usman Khawaja and Michael Clarke.

Alastair Cook’s men need to win just one of the next three matches to take the best-of-five series, while even a draw at Old Trafford in the next Test would see them retain the Ashes.