Scott Boland has turned the momentum Australia’s way after lunch on Day 2, picking up his second wicket in quick succession to dismiss Ollie Pope for 33. England, who resumed aggressively through Ben Duckett and Pope, suddenly find themselves at 76/3 in 18.3 overs, leading by 116 runs.
The breakthrough came when Boland, who found his rhythm before the interval, pushed one wider outside off. Pope—after getting a start again—reached out for a drive with minimal footwork. The ball took the outside edge and Alex Carey completed a straightforward catch behind the stumps.
Moments earlier, Boland had removed Ben Duckett with a sharp rising delivery that took the shoulder of the bat and was successfully taken low by Steven Smith at second slip after a brief third-umpire check.
England’s partnership between Root and Pope had moved to 11 runs before the dismissal, and Australia now sense an opening with the ball seaming and bouncing at Perth Stadium.
More updates to follow.
