Ashes 2017: 2nd Test: 5 things we learnt from Day 5

England were bowled out inside the first session, ending any speculation of levelling the Ashes with a breathtaking come-from-behind victory. The fate of the game was decided within 3 overs of Day 5, when Josh Hazlewood sent Chris Woakes and Joe Root on their way soon after the start of play.

Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali are important parts of England's batting line-up. But Nathan Lyon got the vital scalp of Moeen Ali. Then Mitchell Starc, handling a new pink ball, ripped apart the lower order to end England's resistance. In the end, England lost by 120 runs, conceding a 2-0 series lead to Australia.

#5 Joe Root crumbles under pressure

Root was England's sole hope before day 5

England had hoped to run Australia close after they got into a fine situation by the close of play on Day 4. Root had fought his way to 67 in 114 balls, and was expected to play the anchor role as England looked to turn their Ashes fortunes around. However, he lost his partner, Chris Woakes - not just a night watchman but also a pretty handy batsman, early in the day.

Root still had Moeen Ali and Johnny Bairstow to bank on, but two overs later, Josh Hazlewood, with a spring in his step, eked out an edge off the England captain's bat. With Root's dismissal, the England innings suddenly lost direction and the target, which had appeared attainable, now looked miles away.

Root played really well but, as harsh as it might sound, he has once more failed to convert a fifty into a century

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) December 6, 2017

#4 If Starc and Cummins doesn't get you, Hazlewood will

Josh Hazlewood is a menace when he gets going

The Australian pace attack was all that was talked about prior to the start of the Ashes. Led by the mercurial Mitchell Starc and ably supported by the zippy Pat Cummins and immaculate Josh Hazlewood, it was a daunting battery to face regardless.

While Starc and Cummins had, at separate times, showed their value, Hazlewood hadn't quite got into the groove just yet.

That changed, however, on the most crucial session of the series. With England looking ripe for a win, Hazlewood sent Chris Woakes on his way off the second ball of the day before removing the lynchpin in the England line-up, Joe Root.

#3 Lyon wins the battle of the offies

Lyon further sunk the visitors with the wicket of Ali

England, even after Root's dismissal, hoped that Bairstow and Moeen Ali could resurrect the innings and give the hosts a tough fight. But they did not account for the outrageous series that Nathan Lyon has been having. The off-spinner has been all over the English ever since they set foot in the country for the tournament.

Aside from talks in the press, he has effected crucial run-outs, plucked out sensational catches and bowled outstanding, long spells. If anything, he has been better than the pace battery that Australia boast of.

However, his counterpart, Moeen Ali, the English off-spinner, has been less than impressive. On Day 5, Lyon once again sent Moeen on his way when he attempted a sweep and was trapped in front.

#2 Starc sizzles with new ball

Australia's Mitchell Starc ended all hopes of a resuscitation from the visitors

Mitchell Starc is a beast of a bowler. "When the going gets, the tough gets going" applies perfectly to Starc, who has had a terrific career thus far. On Day 5 though, Starc needed to do little after Josh Hazlewood had made big holes in the England batting line-up early on.

However, as the eighty over threshold was crossed, Starc had a brand new pink ball in hand and a few tail-enders to aim at. Craig Overton was the first to go, undone by a late in-swinger from Starc that struck him right in front of the stumps.

Stuart Broad followed soon after, edging a full ball on off-stump to the keeper to leave Bairstow with the no.11, James Anderson.

#1 Hype of a cracking day ends in first session

Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne had hoped for a great day of Ashes

The game was right in the balance at the end of Day 4. A wicket here or a boundary there could have altered the course of the match, and maybe even the series. From the end of Day 4 to start of Day 5, Twitter was abuzz with expectations of one of the best days of Test cricket. After all, Day 4 was enticing and produced edge of the seat stuff.

Not a cloud in the sky!Aussies with an old ball!Set you alarms, England fans!Something special today! ??????????????????#Ashes

— KP (@KP24) December 5, 2017

Words were fired back and forth and the whole scenario of what could happen on Day 5 was discussed in detail by all and sundry. However, fate turned out not to be in the favour of England, who succumbed to a 120 run defeat inside the first session of Day 5.