England melt in 40C furnace

Stokes' Ashes dreams left on life-support

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Scott Boland celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Will Jacks, caught by Alex Carey.

(REUTERS)

A pumped-up Australia ripped through England's fragile batting yesterday to leave the tourists staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat with their Ashes campaign on the brink, barring a miracle.

At stumps on a sweltering day two, the visitors had ground to 213-8, trailing by 158 after Australia added 45 to their overnight 326-8 as temperatures soared to 40C.

A gutsy Ben Stokes was a weary not out 45 after facing a marathon 151 balls in searing heat with Jofra Archer on 30 in a Test England must win and on a pitch ideal for batting.

"He's worn out as you can imagine," said England batting coach Marcus Trescothick of Stokes.

"Lots of cramping, he's struggling to get the fluids in. He's struggling to get the carbohydrates in as he says he feels pretty sick.

"He's pretty broken in there at the moment."

The captain's mood was not helped by another suspect decision by the Snicko technology, but at least his brave knock — including a blow to the helmet off Mitchell Starc — helped his side avoid the follow-on.