England declares 391-9, 1st-innings lead of 331 in Ashes

Australia’s Mitchell Starc, second from left, celebrates after bowling England’s Jos Buttler for 12 runs during day two of the fourth Ashes Test cricket match, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015.

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NOTTINGHAM, England, Aug 7: England strengthened its grip on the fourth Ashes test by advancing its first-innings lead to 331 runs before declaring on 391-9 on Friday, with Australia paceman Mitchell Starc claiming a career-best 6-111.

Starting the second day on 274-4 in search of a series-clinching victory, England lost Joe Root for 130 — adding just six runs to his overnight score — when he was caught behind prodding at Starc.Nightwatchman Mark Wood (28) smashed 25 runs off the misfiring Mitchell Johnson before losing his leg stump to a yorker by Starc. Jos Buttler departed in the same fashion for 12.

Moeen Ali struck seven fours and a six for 38 off 24 balls, with his 58-run stand with Stuart Broad (24 not out) piling misery on Australia.

England scored 117 runs in 20.2 overs on Friday.

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