A free-wheeling Nathan Lyon has lifted Australia to a total of 303 on day two of the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart.
Lyon struck three sixes off the bowling of express paceman Mark Wood, including one thunderous blow that sent the pink ball whizzing out of the ground.
Wood bent his back throughout a spell full of short balls, leading the way for England’s depleted attack as momentum continued to shift in the day-night Test.
Lyon and Scott Boland’s final-wicket stand of 23 boosted Australia’s score past 300, a mark that Travis Head nominated as being significant on a green pitch.
The hosts resumed at 6-241 on Saturday, having collapsed to 3-12 on day one before seizing control thanks to Head’s century.
Wood, who copped the brunt of Head’s aggression during a momentum-shifting knock of 101, bounced out Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Wood also struck Cummins on the arm, extending his short-ball ploy that was rewarded with the scalp of Cameron Green for 74 on Friday.
But Lyon was unperturbed, with the highlight of his knock of 31 coming in the form of consecutive sixes during the 70th over.
Lyon was eventually bowled trying to clatter a boundary off Stuart Broad, while Boland finished 10 not out.
Alex Carey, unbeaten on 10 overnight, added 14 runs before chopping one to Chris Woakes.
Ollie Robinson, who was recalled for the series finale as one of five changes to England’s XI, was restricted to just eight overs on Friday because of a back spasm.
Robinson was still unable to bowl on Saturday, while gun allrounder Ben Stokes will not be able to roll his arm over in this match because of a side strain.
Wood, who has been the visitors’ most impressive and consistent threat throughout this five-Test series, finished with 3-115 from 18 overs.
Broad’s frustration bubbled over in his 20th over, although it was directed at broadcasters rather than either of the batters.
“Stop moving the robot!” Broad raged, having pulled out of his delivery stride after the Fox Rover camera caught his eye.
-AAP
