AUS VS ENG - 2nd Test, The Ashes, 2017-18

If you aren't devastated by this anticlimactic finish, get yourself a heart. Australia rode roughshod over England, who really had a shot at usurping Australia at home. Someone probably whispered that to Hazlewood, and look at what transpired. Australia are 2-0 up, and if you pore over the past scorecards, you'll know that there isn't a way back. Cricket continues in Delhi, but let that not mask how mesmerizing this Adelaide Test has been. Join us back at Perth for the Ashes. It should be another beauty. This is Pratyush Sinha taking leave on behalf of Sreenivas. Until the next time, bask in the glory of Test cricket, the best thing since big bang .. ta-ta!

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Some numbers from Deepu:

- England's record in Australia since 2000: Tests 22 | Won 4 (3 of them in the 2009/10 series) | Draw 1 | Lost 17

- Teams opting to field first at the Adelaide Oval: Instances 9 | Won 1 | Draw 1 | Lost 7

- The last time before today a team won an Ashes Test after getting bowled out for less than 150 in their second innings - Australia at the MCG in 1904, 113 years ago

- Anderson's figures of 5/43 is his first ever five-wicket haul down under. He became the second English quick to take a five-fer at the Adelaide Oval in the last 50 years after Matthew Hoggard (7/109 in 2006)

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Here's the match summary: This Test was about one captaincy goof-up being less functional than the other. But you could see why the captains did what they did. Root opted to bowl in the most English conditions Adelaide will ever dish out while Smith's fragile bowling line-up, which has three more Tests to get through, made him averse to the follow-on - as tempting as it was to send England in under lights. Both teams paid for their diffidence though: Australia stuttered to a 138 all-out in their second essay, thanks to Anderson's first ever five-fer down under, and gave England an outside chance in a 354-run chase, while England were subjected to a humiliating declaration at 442/8, that was configured by Marsh (126) and Paine (57). England's batting in response tried to imitate the intent and fell prey to Australia's fuller lengths, something England just couldn't do on the first morning. And when Cummins picked Malan late on the fourth day, Australia were back as favourites, much like Hazlewood showed with the wickets of Woakes and Root in his successive overs today.

Smith - captain, Australia: "Was a little bit nervous last night but we always had the faith in the team. We thought if we got our lengths right today, things can happen quickly. We weren't too far from the new ball, which was exciting. Credit to the boys for showing some character. It is a top class attack. Really proud of their achievements. Shaun was phenomenal. The way he played in the 1st innings after being sent in, I think it was an incredible hundred. I haven't thought too much about the follow-on call. Would have had we lost. A lot of people have been asking that question (chuckles). Fortunately we won the game, so doesn't make much of a difference now. Day-night Test cricket is a fantastic product. The support we had, here, was amazing. And the Barmy Army have been pretty amazing too. A terrific Test match."

Marsh - Player of the Match: "Unbelievable feeling. To get a hundred was a great feeling. The way the bowlers came out and finished the job was amazing. Very happy overall. Looking forward to playing at hometown Perth. Few days to recharge and we'll have a crack at Perth."

Root - captain, England: "We had high hopes. The way we went about yesterday has to be the benchmark for the rest of the series. We showed a lot of character. The way our senior players stood up and bowled them out for what we did, and then go on with the bat, was excellent. Today is disappointing. We are massively in the series. We showed that in the way we played yesterday. You can say that now (on his decision to bowl first). If you look at the conditions and the way the ball moved around, we were massively in the game. We couldn't take the wickets early. Credit to Shaun Marsh, who played really well. The support we have had over the last few days has been outstanding. Barmy Army and everyone's who followed us - as a team, we can't thank them enough."

Time for the presentations..

Lyon: "Unbelievable win. We were rewarded for our efforts from last night. Very proud of the bowling group. Adelaide is the best venue out there in the world. Australia's public comes out there and supports us. There's a lot of belief and confidence in the changing room. We know England will come back hard at Perth. They have a good young captain and a world-class bowling attack. Feeling very good (about my own bowling)."

Hazlewood: "I didn't think it'll happen that quickly. Joe Root's wicket set us up for six wickets in the session. He is a class player and key to that batting side. We put the ball in the right areas and had a little bit going for us, with the ball reversing. I think there were a few nerves for each individual. Fielders took their chances. We look forward to Perth now. Starc is pretty lethal with that new ball. Takes a couple (of wickets) at the top and a couple at the bottom. Nathan has gone from strength to strength. Cummins bowled beautifully; we are working well as a group."

We'll leave you with a few sideline interviews

15:48 Local Time, 05:18 GMT, 10:48 IST: It has ended so quickly on day 5. Hazlewood set the tone with a wicket second ball, dismissing Woakes and when he picked Root, the home side were more than halfway there. Still the dangerous duo of Mo and Bairstow were there, but Lyon got the former out. Overton hung around for a while, but first ball with the second new ball did the trick and Starc finished off with a five-for. England came with high hopes when the day began but Australia were top draw with the ball and thoroughly deserved to win. From here, it gets almost close to impossible for England to come back. But one has to remember that they just need to draw the series to retain the Ashes. That will take some doing as well. Hang around for the summary, interviews and the post-match presentations. My colleague - Pratyush Sinha will now take over. He is a master at this end-game stuff. Over to him now...

Starc to Bairstow, out Bowled!! Clatter and that's Australia going 2-0 up. Starc has a Michelle as well! Was too close to dab it down, was on off-stump on a short of length, cramped for room was Bairstow. The inside edge takes the middle stump out and the celebrations begin. One has to feel for Bairstow. There's only a certain amount he can do. Bairstow b Starc 36(57) [4s-5]

Starc to Bairstow, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Starc to Bairstow, FOUR, what a shot. There are fielders in the deep, there's a deep point, but he is a spectator. As everyone opine, Bairstow shouldn't be batting so low down in this batting order. Pitched up and outside off, creamed through the off-side. Spanked and it scooted off the middle of the bat

Hazlewood to Bairstow, 1 run, that's good from Bairstow. Swatted it from outside off and got it over square leg, takes just the single and will keep strike

Hazlewood to Bairstow, FOUR, pitched up outside off, Bairstow gets forward and drives, into the gap at cover. Raced away. The bat turned on impact, but still the cover region was vacant

Hazlewood to Bairstow, no run, loose from Bairstow. Went to punch a short of length delivery outside off and did so half-heartedly, beaten!

Win or lose, the Barmy Army are up and singing again. They are a great bunch.