Cardiff was a stunning setting to watch Moeen Ali's heroics- BUMBLE AT THE TEST
- Umpire Marais Erasmus was well within his rights to review his decision on Adam Voges' catch
- Head coach Trevor Bayliss wants his England team to play with enjoyment in an attacking way
- Jimmy Anderson has dismissed Michael Clarke nine times in Test cricket
- But it was Moeen Ali who got the Australia captain on Thursday
- Mark Wood has bowled the fastest ball so far at 92 miles per hour
- READ MORE: Paul Newman's day two report from Cardiff
- MARTIN SAMUEL: Moeen Ali takes strength from his faith
On a captivating second day of Ashes cricket, Moeen Ali starred with bat and ball to give England the upper hand in the first Test.
Ali, who had helped his side to 430 with a heroic batting display on day one, dismissed Steve Smith and Michael Clarke to leave Australia 265-5 at the end of play on Thursday.
Sportsmail columnist and Sky Sports pundit David Lloyd looks back on an eventful second day of Ashes action involving umpire decisions, water taxis, an encounter with Trevor Bayliss and England's surprise package.
Umpire Marais Erasmus was well within his rights to review his decision even though he had given Stuart Broad out caught by Adam Voges. He may have received a word in his ear from TV umpire Chris Gaffaney or he may have seen something on the screen.
Either way the way it was handled was exemplary and I’ve got no problem with Voges claiming the catch. He wouldn’t have been sure.
Umpire Marais Erasmus was well within his rights to review his decision on Adam Voges' catch on day two
Voges claims a catch to dismiss Stuart Broad but the decision was reviewed and given not out
Moeen Ali is congratulated by his England team-mates after he bowled out Australia skipper Michael Clarke
I took an unusual mode of transport to the ground on Thursday morning – a water taxi. I decided to pop down to Cardiff Bay for a coffee and a croissant before play and it’s an absolute must if you are in the area for this Test. The sun was shining and it’s full of shops, bars and restaurants. A gorgeous place – I’ll be going again.
A throng of Australia supporters fill a portion of Swalec Stadium during the second day of the Ashes
I caught up with Trevor Bayliss after the first day’s play and he seems a thoroughly decent, thoughtful, quiet man.
Make no mistake he is a cricket man through and through and he wants his England team to play with enjoyment in an attacking way and very much making sure the player is his own man. He likes a bit of character in his teams, too.
England coach Trevor Bayliss (left) watches on from the players' balcony during play on Thursday
Even if you are No 1 batsman in the world with a reputation as a destroyer of spin you can still become unstuck. Steve Smith came dancing down the wicket and clipped Moeen Ali to mid-wicket but crucially there was no run.
Two balls later he does the same thing and Moeen saw him coming. Smith was all over the place. Then Moeen did Michael Clarke with flight. Two up to the off-spinner.
Australia's star batsman Steve Smith is caught out for 33 off the bowling of Ali during a dramatic day in Cardiff
Jimmy Anderson has dismissed Clarke nine times in Test cricket and it’s uncanny that they have all been gained the same way. You could throw a handkerchief where the ball pitched slightly outside off-stump at a tantalising length and he nicks or misses it. But it was Moeen who got the captain on Thursday.
David Warner (left) lives to bat another over as Jimmy Anderson's appeal for lbw is overturned
I thought after tea, with Clarke in, that Alastair Cook would throw Anderson at him but it was Mark Wood and Stuart Broad to target Chris Rogers and they gave him a tough time. It was sustained hostility, particularly from Broad, that unsettled him before Wood got him and they worked him over as a pair.
England bowlers Mark Wood (left) and Stuart Broad worked Chris Rogers over as a pair
All the talk before the game was that England would be blitzed by Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson but who has bowled the fastest ball so far?
Wood at 92 miles per hour. As Steve Harmison said in the build-up to the Ashes, echoing Bachmann Turner Overdrive, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet!’
Mitchell Johnson posted the worst figures by an Australian seamer since Geoff Lawson in 1985 on Thursday
- Conor McGregor looking wild and ready at fierce UFC weigh-in
- Gareth Bale reports back to Real Madrid for training
- Gatlin clocks 9.75s in Diamond League win over Gay and...
- Louis van Gaal confirms Matteo Darmian arrival at Man United
- Memphis Depay: It's a dream come true to play for Man United
- 7 year old Miah Davis dazzles on the pads with Floyd's Uncle...
- UFC 189: Conor McGregor vows to defeat 'novice' Chad Mendes
- Steve McClaren leads Newcastle squad in pre-season training
- Liverpool fans rejoice... Daniel Sturridge back kicking a...
- Solar cycle: The sun's 11-year heartbeat explained
- Beach goer captures aftermath of beach explosion
- First look behind the scenes: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Manchester United set to sign Bastian Schweinsteiger as...
- Bastian Schweinsteiger set to join Manchester United as...
- Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes clash during weigh-in ahead...
- Transfer news LATEST: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea,...
- Wimbledon live! Serena Williams claims sixth Wimbledon title...
- Iker Casillas agrees Porto transfer as Real Madrid confirm...
- UFC stars gather in Las Vegas for pool party as the...
- FIFA front covers through the years after Jordan Henderson...
- Manchester United complete Matteo Darmian signing from...
- Robin van Persie and Louis van Gaal were all hugs and...
- The Ashes 2015 DAY FOUR recap: England vs Australia cricket...
- Sergio Ramos back in Real Madrid training despite interest...