AUS VS ENG TESTS

Right then, that is it from this Second Ashes Test where Australia reigns supreme again to take a 2-0 lead. They will look to retain the series in the third Test while the hosts will hope to get back in the series. The 3rd Ashes Test will start on July 6th, Thursday at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), but you can always join us early for the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Pat Cummins, the victorious skipper of Australia says that it was a wonderful game of cricket and went to the wire again. Tells that Stokes gave them a bit of a scare again. Mentions that they learned to be patient with that Test from Headingley and kept their cool at all times. Says that it was a fair dismissal of Bairstow as it is in the rules of the game, but there may be different opinions. Adds that they lost Lyon due to injury but everyone else stepped up and the batters were good too under the lights on Day 1 which helped massively. Informs that Lyon's injury seems to be serious and he may not be available anymore in this series, but they have Todd Murphy to replace him.

The captain of England, Ben Stokes says that it was good to lock back and have a game plan, having been in such games before. Mentions that he changed his approach after Australia changed their plans. Shares that it is a tough pill to swallow after getting so close. On being down 2-0, he says that they have won 3-0 against New Zealand and Pakistan and feels that they can do it again. On Jonny Bairstow's dismissal, he asked the umpires if they called it over and they said no. Shares that if the shoe was on the other foot, he would have to think about the spirit of the game. Also says that it is important to restrict sides after winning the toss. Reckons that the number of times, they beat the bat was frustrating. Adds that there are a lot of positives despite the loss. On Josh Tongue, he says that he has been brilliant and credits him for taking responsibility. Ends by saying that it is a quick turnaround and all they are thinking is 3-2.

Steven Smith is the Player of the Match for his brilliant hundred in the first innings. On the dropped catch of Ben Stokes, he says that it was a bit of deja vu for sure. Adds that Stokes is an unbelievable player and some of the things he can pull off. Mentions that Stokes was targeting one side of the wicket and the first one he tried to hit from the far end, went up the chimney. Shares that it is difficult after giving players like him chances. Reckons that it was important to put a total on the board and adds that they also wanted to bowl first on Day 1. Feels that it was a two-paced wicket and also had variable bounce. Also says that it was not easy in terms of pace and bounce and hence, it was important to build as many runs in the second innings. Mentions that England plays a dangerous brand of cricket and credits Nathan Lyon for showing great courage which got them vital runs.

Presentation Time...

England faced a daunting target of 371 runs after Australia's innings. The third session of Day 4 saw Australia's bowlers, particularly Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, made a strong impact. Starc dismissed Zak Crawley and delivered an exceptional delivery to bowl Ollie Pope, while Cummins removed Joe Root and Harry Brook in the same over. Despite the early setbacks, Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett launched a counterattack, scoring runs quickly and providing England with hope. However, Duckett survived a controversial decision late in the day when Starc caught him at fine leg, but the umpires ruled that he had dragged the ball along the ground during the catch. England managed to avoid further dismissals, but they faced the challenging task of scoring 257 runs on the fifth day with six wickets in hand. It was an incredible Day 5 where Ben Stokes almost pulled off something special but Pat Cummins and Co. remained patient and finally got over the line in the end.

Australia's dominance on the 'Moving Day' of the Test match was evident as they gained a significant advantage over England. Mitchell Starc's early dismissal of the opposition captain set a positive tone for them. Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Josh Hazlewood also contributed to Australia's success by taking wickets, leading to the hosts being bowled out in the first session. Their openers performed solidly, with Usman Khawaja continuing his impressive form and Marnus Labuschagne providing valuable support. Despite losing David Warner early in the second session and Labuschagne too, Australia's batting remained steady with Khawaja and Smith frustrating the English bowlers. Rain interrupted play in the third session, halting Australia's momentum. On the other hand, England had a forgettable batting performance in the first session, losing six wickets for a mere 47 runs and conceding a significant lead to Australia. Their bowling effort showed determination, with Stuart Broad troubling Marnus Labuschagne, although he failed to take a wicket. James Anderson managed to dismiss Labuschagne, and Josh Tongue delivered a brilliant delivery to dismiss Warner. However, luck did not favor England, as they sought a fresh start on the fourth day of the Test match.

On Day 1, after Ben Stokes won the coin toss and put Australia into bat under overcast conditions, Usman Khawaja and David Warner were watchful in their approach and gave a good account of themselves. The English pace quartet made good use of the favourable conditions but without much luck. Playing in his maiden Ashes Test, Josh Tongue stuck on either side of the Lunch break and dismissed both openers. However, Australia kept scoring at a good rate in the second session with Steven Smith leading the charge. He forged stands with Marnus Labuschagne first and then Travis Head to put Australia in firm control at the end of opening day. On the second morning of the Test, Smith notched up his 32nd Test hundred but it all went downhill for Australia after his dismissal. At one stage, they were well placed to reach 500 but the English bowlers showed great fight to bowl out the visitors for 416. In reply, Zak Crawley was quick to get off the blocks for England and stitched a brilliant opening stand with Ben Duckett. The hosts were going along nicely at 188-1 but found themselves struggling at 221-4 at the end of Day 2.

It was close, but not close enough for England! Despite remarkable innings of 155 runs by captain Ben Stokes, the hosts couldn't secure a victory. Apart from Stokes and Duckett, other batters failed to contribute significantly. Duckett's dismissal just after drinks in the first session on Day 5 was followed by Bairstow's quick departure due to a lapse in concentration. Stokes, however, played aggressively, smashing a century and hitting several sixes before eventually holding out to Josh Hazlewood. His performance earned him applause from both English and Australian spectators and opposition players as well. Steven Smith was the most relieved man as he dropped Stokes on 114 earlier in the second session. Following Stokes' wicket, England's batting order collapsed, with the visitors reducing them to 301-9. Although James Anderson and Josh Tongue resisted for a while, England ultimately fell short of the target by 43 runs.

'AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE, Oi Oi Oi'! A famous win for Australia at Lord's as they take a 2-0 lead in the series. The conditions were tough for them and the injury to Nathan Lyon did not help them one bit, but they overcame every difficult situation and held their nerve to get over the line. However, they had to dig hard for it as Ben Stokes almost pulled off a Headingley 2019, but the visitors survived that scare and takes one step closer to retaining the Ashes.

OUT! TIMBER! Mitchell Starc finally pitches it up and uproots the leg stump! Comes from over the wicket and goes full, on leg stump, Josh Tongue moves leg side to go through the off side. He misses and sees his leg stump go for a walk. Mitchell Starc wraps England's innings and finishes with 3 wickets. Australia win by 43 runs and go 2-0 up in The Ashes!

Continues to bowl short, Josh Tongue backs away and flat bats it down the ground. Pat Cummins gives the chase and keeps it to two.

Back of a length, outside off, James Anderson hops and pushes it past silly point for a single.

Leg bye! Back of a length and at the pads, James Anderson looks to turn it away. Gets it off his thigh pad for a leg bye.

Short once more, on middle, Josh Tongue gets on his toes and drops it on the off side for a single.

Into the wicket again, outside leg, Josh Tongue shuffles and leaves the ball alone.

Slower and short way down leg, Josh Tongue moves across a bit too much and lets it go.