Australia lead by 362 runs at stumps; in complete control of 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s
Australia lead by 362 runs at stumps; in complete control of 2nd Ashes Test at Lord's
Australia are well on top at the end of Day Three of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, London. Coming out to bat after bowling England out for score of 312, both openers David Warner and Chris Rogers saw off the new ball and runs flew for Australia after the new ball got softer. They currently lead by 362 runs and will be hoping to bat aggressively and set England daunting target going into the last two days of the Test. Australia are 108 for no loss at the end of 26 overs. It capped off a brilliant day for the visitors and they are firm favourites going into the final two days of this Test. Live cricket updates: England vs Australia, 2nd Ashes 2015 Test, Day 3
England were poor with the ball and Adam Lyth gave Warner early life, dropping him when the latter was yet to get off the mark. Warner went onto score his 16th Test fifty and will want to continue in the same vein tomorrow. Australia might look to bat out for a session add around 100 runs in a session and then have five sessions to bowl England out as they are 0-1 down in the series and will need a win to comeback in this series.
England were bowled out for 312 but they were under early pressure as Australia had reduced them to a score of 30 for four late on Day Two. It took a 145-run stand between Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes to revive them and give their total some respectability. Stokes was positive early on Day Three but missed out on scoring his fourth Test ton when he chopped one onto his stumps to get out on 87. Read: Ashes 2015: England’s top order a major issue
Cook was looking good at the other end and he brought up his 43rd Test half-century. He was dropped on 63 by Steven Smith when the former was trying to pull one but found Smith at backward square leg. The ball flew quickly to Smith and he dropped the chance. He though went into an overdrive to get closer to his ton. Marsh though again came on to deny Cook his 28th Test ton.
The lower order hit a few blows with Moeen Ali playing a handy cameo but Australia kept taking wickets at regular intervals to not allow England to have any hopes of getting the deficit below 200. Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets apiece as Australia bowled out England for 312; gaining a lead of 254 runs. Australia will be delighted with the work of their bowlers on this flat deck and gave them a much deserved rest by not enforcing the follow-on. Catch live cricket scores and updates of England vs Australia 2nd Ashes 2015 Test at Lord’s, Day 3 here
Earlier, Australia put up a mammoth score of 566 for eight declared. David Warner departed early for 38 but the 284-run stand between Chris Rogers (173) and Steven Smith (215) put Australia in the driver’s seat. Smith did not miss out on his maiden Test double and became the first player after Bill Brown to hit double at Lord’s. Read: Australia end Day Two in command against England in 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s
On Day One, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia made a couple of changes, bringing in Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill for Shane Watson and Brad Haddin. England went into the game unchanged from the previous Test.
Brief scores:
Australia 566 for 8 decl. (Chris Rogers 173, Steven Smith 215; Stuart Broad 4 for 83) & 108 for no loss (David Warner 60*, Chris Rogers 44*) lead England 312 (Alastair Cook 96, Ben Stokes 87; Josh Hazlewood 3 for 68, Mitchell Johnson 3 for 53) by 362 runs.
(Nikhil Popat is cricket lover and a PotterHead. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)