Ashes 2013-14: England facing whitewash against Australia as batting top order implodes once again

Close of play report – day two, Sydney

Brad Haddin made his fifth consecutive first-innings score of more than 50 (Getty Images)

The latest dreadful batting display of this Ashes tour has left England facing a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia.

Once more, the tourists’ top order imploded against the Australian attack, with Alastair Cook, Michael Carberry, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen contributing only 12 runs between them in England’s first innings.

In reply to Australia’s 326, England were bowled out for 155. At the close, the home side were 140 for four in their second innings, a lead of 311 which, on the evidence of this series, is likely to be more than enough for their bowlers to delivery another victory. England surrendered the Ashes before Christmas and things have gone downhill from there.

No England player managed to reach 50, with Ben Stokes, who took six for 99 on day one, the top scorer with 47, and Stuart Broad, who came in at No10, contributing an unbeaten 30.

Resuming on eight for one, England were soon on the back foot when Cook tried to leave the second ball of the morning and was plumb lbw to Ryan Harris. Bell was dropped next ball by Shane Watson at first slip but this error did nothing to halt Australian momentum.

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Nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson was struck on both hands by Mitchell Johnson and was eventually caught at second slip off the same bowler. Pietersen drove limply at Harris and this time Watson made no mistake, and Bell was caught behind when Peter Siddle found some movement through the air. At that stage, England were 23 for five.

Test debutant Gary Ballance and Stokes guided their side to lunch but soon afterwards, Nathan Lyon defeated Ballance with extra turn and bounce and had him caught behind. Jonny Bairstow chipped Siddle to short straight mid-on – posted specifically for the shot – and Stokes was bowled shouldering arms to Siddle.

Scott Borthwick, another debutant, made only one before Harris had him caught in the cordon. Broad and Boyd Rankin dragged England past the follow-on target and Rankin competed well on debut before falling to a Johnson yorker.

England’s weary bowlers deserve praise for the way in which they set about their task in the second innings. Anderson removed David Warner and Watson, Broad picked up Michael Clarke and Stokes had first-innings centurion Steve Smith caught by Cook at first slip.

They made no more breakthroughs and sadly for England, their work is likely to prove irrelevant. They have been humiliated since this series began and they can expect more of the same when Australia bowl again in this match.