The Ashes: Marnus Labuschagne falls to sensational Joe Root catch ...

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Joe Root took a sensational catch to give England due reward for a disciplined morning’s work on day two of the Fifth Ashes Test.

Having resumed on 61 for one in reply to England’s 283 all-out, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja were in watchful mood, four consecutive maidens setting the tone at the top of the day.

The pair had added only 30 runs to the overnight score in almost an hour-and-a-half of play when England’s pressure finally told, Labuschagne edging Mark Wood behind. The catch ought to have been Jonny Bairstow’s, but the wicketkeeper did not move, Root instead diving across from slip to take a stunning left-handed grab, Labuschagne on his way having made only nine from his 82 balls.

Only with Steve Smith’s arrival at the crease did the tourists begin to move the scoreboard, Australia reaching lunch on 115 for two, 168 behind.

The breakthrough was timely for England, who are having to make do without Moeen Ali’s bowling for the second day in a row.

The all-rounder suffered a groin strain while running between the wickets on the opening day and the injury could prove a problem for England later in the Test, with Ben Stokes’s side due to bowl fourth on a pitch expected to take spin.

The 36-year-old shared a century stand with Harry Brook to steady the home side after a mini-collapse of three for 11, but required physio treatment in the middle of his innings of 34, throwing caution to the wind with a series of big hits before being bowled by Todd Murphy.

While England have not yet ruled Moeen out of batting in their second innings, even if fit the he will have to move down the order on account of his time spent off the field, providing a renewed headache over who bats at No3.

Beyond the end of the series, Moeen is due to captain Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, which starts next week, though England are yet to confirm the availability of their men’s players for that tournament, with several expected to take time off at the end of a gruelling Ashes schedule.