Australia vs England, 2nd Test at Adelaide, AUS v ENG, Dec 16 2021 - Match Result

8.51pm Well that's the end of that. Heroic though England were in isolation today, they were still bowled out for 192, the 11th sub-200 total this calendar year. It's a pretty grim indictment of their current status - the admirable Joe Root notwithstanding. He of all the England players has earned himself a restful Christmas. And Merry Christmas to the rest of you too. We'll see you right here in six days' time for the Boxing Day Test, but from Miller, Alex, Venkat, Alan and the team, cheers for joining us, see you next time!

The Player of the Match is Marnus Labuschagne. "I think we just stuck it out, certain periods it was really tough. Davey [Warner] batted exceptionally well, he put pressure back on, I tried to absorb it, it's a good combination for batting. I talk to myself out there, a bit of reinforcement to keep me switched on and focused and in the game. To get the win is very special, we drove the Test match and didn't let England in. My first Ashes ton, nice to convert one but disappointed not to make it a big one after a few chances."

Steve Smith: "I wouldn't say nervous, Buttler showed some resistance, he's normally a bit of a dasher, but plenty of time and we thought a couple of good balls, a couple of wickets. I had fun this week, enjoyed it, and the guys played well, controlled the game from the first day, and declared where we wanted to declare, and bowl where we wanted to bowl. Mitchell Starc was exceptional and led the attack really well. He summed it up quickly, not a great deal of swing so bashed a good length, across the right-handers, in great rhythm and proud of how he went about his business.

"Cam Green, the guys inside didn't want him to bowl at all, manage his workload, held him back as long as I could. Ideally we wouldn't have bowled him today." Intriguing. Not injured as such, just being looked after, mid-Ashes. That's an interesting reflection on the gap between the teams!

8.21pm Nearly time for the presentations. A word too for the poor beleaguered Root. He's talking to BT Sport:

"The reason it's disappointing because we made the same mistakes. I think we could have bowled a lot fuller, and with the bat we need to be better, make bigger scores and apply better. The second innings is the attitude and desire we need. It's frustrating because we know we are better. Easy to look at selection and tactics, but we'll address those ahead of the next game. You try to find what you think will exploit the conditions, it's not just the wickets, the ball under lights. We thought there would be more movement. A stat saying least amount of movement at the ground, which was remarkable. We weren't brave enough at times to get the ball up there and get them driving. Lessons learnt, we have to be better in the next game.

"Heartbreaking to see [Buttler] get out like that, it showed the desire you need out here. His mentality in particular was outstanding."

8.13pm Handshakes all round, there's a glimmer of pride to take forward to Melbourne, and some valuable time at the crease for Jos Buttler in particular. But a 275-run winning margin says its own story. More runs in deficit than England managed in either innings. They need centuries, they need partnerships. They need someone to stand up and be counted.

As for Australia, a magnificent achievement given the chaos of the first morning, with Pat Cummins their captain ruled out, along with their other senior seamer Josh Hazlewood. Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser stepped forward with aplomb, while Mitchell Starc assumed the senior seamer status with habitual pink-ball tekkers. Nathan Lyon was a crucial menace in both innings too, while their batting centred once again around their main men David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, whose century had some luck maybe, but also highlighted the importance of toughing it out.

Raghu: "You don't win Ashes with only 2 batsmen, 4 non-incisive bowlers and a limping all-rounder." Also true. Mark Wood will be back for Melbourne, and he will doubtless provide a cutting edge. But there's no immediate answer to their spin crisis. Joe Root cannot do it all for this team!

Cricfanalways: "Man of the match? probably Starc, but they will give to Marnus as its a batsman's game" Standard!

Kishan Iyengar: "England need something special from here on to bounce bank in this Ashes series. Aussies are in control even without Hazlewood and Cummins. Will need something special from English team management to pull this one back from here on."

Trevor Jones: "Broad roars past Hick into 41st on the England all time runs list. Small victories!" Well now!

Azhar: "any England fan at adeilade go mess with floodlight system" Almost every technology going broke at the Gabba, so it's a chance...

Ned: "What has happened to broads batting? He was a genuine all rounder at one point but now he can't seem to stay in behind the ball. " Varun Aaron happened to Broad's batting

John: "Anderson never gets out, does he?" 100 times no...

Malli: "Buttler redeemed himself with batting, England can consider him as pure batsmen and get Foakes" Well now, it's a thought...

Sheldon Smith: "So it is up to the best bowling pair to become the heroes of batting. If they pull it off it will go down in cricket folklore" For the second innings running, it's Broad and Anderson under the floodlights, but not in the manner they had hoped

Greg: "That Buttler wicket is the fault of everyone who had started to hope…" You, yes, you. And you. And you. You are all to blame...