Ben Stokes scored a fine half-century © Getty Images
England have comeback nicely in the second Ashes 2015 Test at Lord’s, London. The 145-run stand between Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes has steadied England after they were struggling at 85 for four at the end of play yesterday. Stokes in particular was very impressive and kept the scoreboard ticking while Cook at the other hand has been content on playing through like he always does. England are 181 for five and still 385 runs behind Australia at lunch and will want to come out and continue their good work of keeping the Australian bowlers at bay. Live cricket updates: England vs Australia, 2nd Ashes 2015 Test, Day 3
Stokes missed out on his fourth Test ton when he inside edged one from Mitchell Marsh back onto his stumps for a score of 87. Stokes will be disappointed with his dismissal just at the stroke of lunch. Cook though is still going strong at the other end. It remains to be seen if Australia enforce the follow-on, if the situation arises given how many overs his bowlers are bowled in the game.
England then were in trouble when they were huffing and puffing at 30 for four at one stage late on Day Two. Mitchell Starc dismissed Adam Lyth in the first over, Gary Ballance survived as much possible but was cleaned up by Mitchell Johnson. Josh Hazlewood then got through Ian Bell and Johnson had the better of Joe Root to put England under severe pressure. Read: Australia end Day Two in command against England in 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s
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 a double at Lord’s. Catch live cricket scores and updates of England vs Australia 2nd Ashes 2015 Test at Lord’s, Day 3 here
Earlier 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) lead England 181 for 5 (Alastair Cook 55*, Ben Stokes 87; Mitchell Johnson 2 for 31) by 385 runs.
(Nikhil Popat is a cricket lover and a PotterHead. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)