England collapse to 67 all-out in disastrous Ashes innings

England have collapsed to 67 all out after a calamitous Ashes innings on day two of the third Test against Australia at Headingley.

The top scorer was Joe Denly who made 12 – the only player to make it to double figures – as the Aussies ripped through England in just 27.5 overs.

It’s the team’s lowest Ashes score since 1948, and marks a huge missed opportunity to capitalise after the Aussies were dismissed for 179 in their first innings.

The tourists go into day three 283 runs ahead with four second innings wickets remaining after closing on 171 for six.

England desperately need to win the Test after losing the first match and drawing the second. If they lose, Australia, the holders, retain the Ashes.

Even Ben Stokes, who hit an unbeaten century in the last Test, could only manage eight as an England horror show played out at the Leeds ground.

Seam bowler Josh Hazelwood inflicted most damage, taking five wickets for just 30 runs.

It’s many years since England have performed so badly in a single innings.

• It is more than 70 years since England made a worse Test score against Australia.
• Today’s 67 is not far off their worst ever against the Aussies – 45 back in 1887 in Sydney, which was also their lowest Test innings score of all time.
• Against all opponents, the 67 is England’s fourth lowest home Test innings of all time.

The collapse was all the more disappointing as it came a day after star bowler Jofra Archer put England in a seemingly commanding position after taking 6-45.

With the bat however, the fast bowler couldn’t save his team, adding only seven to the scorecard.

Captain Joe Root continued his run of low scores, falling to his second successive duck as his side fell apart in the Yorkshire sunshine.

Australia began their second innings with a lead of 112 – scarcely credible at the start of the day – and Friday’s action ended with them enjoying a big lead in a low-scoring match.

It looked more promising for England early on as they took three early wickets in Australia’s second innings.

Marcus Harris, David Warner and Usman Kahwaja were all dismissed by the time the score reached 52.

But an unbeaten 53 from Marnus Labuschagne prevented a second collapse.

(c) Sky News 2019: England collapse to 67 all-out in disastrous Ashes innings