Australia take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series after an eight wicket win yesterday at the Gabba.

It wasn’t sealed without a bit of feist from the Australian caretaker captain, with him and English pace bowler Jofra Archer exchanging words during the final few overs before Smith secured the win with a six.

The Australian selectors’ decision to drop spinner Nathan Lyon on home soil paid dividends, showing off Australia’s depth in it’s pace bowling.

Speaking on SportFM, former Australian test captain Kim Hughes said the selectors made the right choices given the pink ball.

“I thought that because it was a day/night test match under lights, maybe seamers were gonna be of more value,” he said.

“I know the selectors sometimes cop a bit of pounding but as it turned out it was an unbelievable decision.”

Hughes is sure Lyon will be selected for the next test match in Adelaide, with Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser potentially being dropped if Australian test captain Pat Cummins proves fit for the third test.

“I really do think Nathan Lyon will definitely come in, particularly in Adelaide and for the last 3 test matches because the wickets will deteriorate and he will be a very important person for us,” he said.

Short batting terms at the crease for England’s batsmen has meant their bowlers have little to no rest between innings, and the fatigue is proving to be an issue during the third and fourth innings.

Hughes highlighted the important role bowlers play test cricket as opposed to batsmen.

“Batsmen don’t win matches, bowlers win matches,” he said.

“They’re [English bowlers] not match fit, it’s as simple as that.

“The difference between them on the first day and the second day was chalk and cheese, and that cost England significantly.”

He said a lack of match practice could be a key difference in the performance on the field between Australia and England.

“Match practice is out in the middle, not in the nets, they’ve got to be out in the middle for 3 or 4 day games against a good opposition and they’re not gonna get that,” said Hughes.

Despite the disappointing result for England Joe Root made his bid as one of the best test cricket batsmen, hitting 135 off 202 balls – his first test century on Australian Soil.

Hughes compared him to the likes of Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, calling him a ‘world class batsmen in any era’.

Australia are looking to retain the Ashes with a win in Adelaide, with the third test kicking off on December 17. 

IMAGE: Cricket Australia