LONDON, July 19:
Rampant Australia reduced England to 64 for five to move within sight of a crushing victory at tea on the fourth day of the second Ashes test at Lord’s today.
Adam Lyth (seven), Alastair Cook (11) and Gary Ballance (14) edged catches to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill to leave the hosts, chasing 509 for victory, in deep trouble at 42 for three.
Lyth nicked a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, Cook wafted loosely at Mitchell Johnson and Ballance edged a snorting ball from Mitchell Marsh as England’s top order collapsed once again.
Ian Bell, on 11, was caught off bat and pad by substitute fielder Shaun Marsh at short leg and Ben Stokes was run out for nought in schoolboy fashion, failing to run his bat into the crease and beaten by Johnson’s direct hit. Joe Root, peppered with short balls by Johnson, battled through to the interval on five not out with Jos Buttler unbeaten on 11.
The touring side had declared on 254 for two after piling up 146 runs in the morning at the home of cricket to set up a commanding position from which to secure a series-levelling win.
The only concern for Australia was the retirement of Chris Rogers on 49 after the opening batsman suffered a dizzy spell.
The left-hander had added five runs to his overnight score when he signalled to the dressing-room that he was feeling unwell and, looking groggy, he was led off the field by medical staff. It did little to disrupt the momentum of the Australians, however, as David Warner and Steve Smith made hay in the sunshine.
Warner struck 12 fours and was closing in on a century when he was well caught at short cover by Cook off spinner Moeen Ali. Smith, who made 215 in the first innings, plundered 58 off 48 balls including nine boundaries to continue his remarkable run of form.
The right-hander came up with some outrageous improvised shots and hit Stuart Broad for three successive fours before he charged down the pitch to Moeen and was bowled. Michael Clarke (32 not out) and Marsh (27 not out) lashed a few more boundaries before the declaration. Cook and Lyth safely negotiated three testing overs before lunch but the Australian pace bowlers soon made inroads in the afternoon. (Agencies)
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