Australia v England Adelaide

Australia beat England by 6 wkts

ENGLAND suffered a dramatic batting collapse to lose the second Test and deal a body blow to their hopes of retaining the Ashes.

Australia completed a six wicket victory in Adelaide on the final day of the match after England had been on top for much of the previous four days.

But all of England's previous good work was undone as they lost nine wickets for just 70 runs to leave their opponents a relatively easy run chase to go 2-0 up in the five match series.

Resuming the final day at the Adelaide Oval 97 runs ahead on 59 for one, England slumped to 129 all out and Australia, chasing a victory target of 168, reached the total for the loss of four wickets with 19 balls remaining.

The shock triumph gives Australia a 2-0 lead in the series and effectively ends Englands hopes of retaining the Ashes as no side in the 123-year history of the compeition has ever come back to level the series after going two behind.