England’s Ashes hopes are hanging by a thread after Australia bossed a crucial day three of the second Test at Lord’s.
Australia secured a first-innings lead of 91 after taking six wickets for 47 runs this morning, before Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten fifty guided the Ashes holders to 130-2.
Victory at Lord’s would put Australia 2-0 up in the five-match series, with Pat Cummins’ side only needing to draw the contest to reclaim the Ashes.
Australia’s top-order then extended the lead and, while David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne departed for 25 and 30 respectively, Khawaja stood firm and will resume tomorrow with Steve Smith, who is six not out.
With the lead currently standing at 221, England have a mountain to climb to avoid a defeat that would put Australia on the brink of another Ashes victory. Only once in history has a team won the Ashes from 2-0 down.
Stokes and Harry Brook aimed to cut into Australia’s lead this morning but England’s captain was removed off the second ball of the day, Cameron Green taking a sharp catch at gully after Mitchell Starc found the edge.
Brook, erratic and fortunate to survive on day two, began more sedately here but gifted his wicket away shortly after reaching fifty, an ugly upper cut landing in the hands of Cummins.
England’s last recognised batsman departed when Jonny Bairstow tamely chipped Josh Hazelwood to mid-on and the tail failed to waggle as Travis Head burgled two wickets, the hosts bowled out before lunch for 325.
Desperate for early wickets after a dismal collapse, England were frustrated by Australian opening pair Warner and Khawaja, who reached a 50-run partnership without too many scares.
Warner uncharacteristically dropped anchor, scoring just nine from his first 50 balls, while Khawaja was slightly more fluent and the beneficiary of a drop by James Anderson on 19.
Ashes debutant Josh Tongue, buoyed by three first-innings wickets, dismissed Warner for the second time in the match when he trapped him lbw for 25.
Marnus Labuschagne survived three big appeals before tea before slapping Anderson to point as the clouds darkened at Lord’s.
The hosts were keen to stay out there in favourable bowling conditions but play was abandoned, allowing Australia to reflect on another positive day and leave England wondering whether the Ashes are already slipping away.
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