Ashes 2023, 2nd Test: Australia won the second Test match against England at Lord’s in a dramatic and disputed contest, taking a 43-run series lead. Due to the controversy over Jonny Bairstow’s stumping, Ben Stokes scored an incredible century throughout the game.
With emotions running high and a tense atmosphere dominating the famous cricket ground, the last day proved to be a hard-fought battle.
With a target of 257 going into the fifth day, England was dependent on the partnership between Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes, who put up a strong fifth-wicket stand of 132 runs.
Stokes, who found his form and took control of the match. On the other side, Duckett (83) was unfortunate to have been caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey excellently falling agonizingly short of a century.
The crucial turning point in the controversy happened when Bairstow (10) left his crease before the ball had stopped moving, which led to Carey breaking the stumps and Australia appealed for the dismissal. The third umpire upheld his decision, infuriating the English players and fans.
The crowd’s ill-treatment doesn’t affect Australia’s Prowess
The game proceeded in an electrifying atmosphere as the crowd continued to boo Australia and MCC members were warned about their conduct.
In spite of the difficult conditions, Stokes unleashed a ferocious attack on Australia’s bowlers, resulting in an incredible partnership of 108 runs with Stuart Broad. Although, Stokes gained a lifeline, When Steven Smith missed a chance at deep square leg with Stokes on 114.
However, the momentum changed as Stokes (155) edged a Josh Hazlewood ball, leading to his dismissal with 70 runs still needed. Ollie Robinson and Broad both fell while attempting hooks into the deep as the bottom order struggled against the short ball.
In the end, England’s pursuit was unsuccessful as they were bowled out for 327. Broad’s exceptional bowling performance, included four crucial wickets. Also, Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood made a contribution with three wickets each.
The controversial stumping incident, the rowdy atmosphere at Lord’s, and Stokes’s stunning century will undoubtedly remain in memory for this game. Australia’s victory gave them a 2-0 series lead in the Ashes.
England vs Australia 2nd Test Brief scores:
Australia:
- 1st Innings: 416 (Smith 110, Head 77, Root 3-19)
- 2nd Innings: 279 (Khawaja 77, Broad 4-65)
England:
- 1st Innings: 325 (Duckett 98, Brook 50, Starc 3-88)
- 2nd Innings: 327 (Stokes 155, Duckett 88, Cummins 3-69)
Australia won by 43 runs.
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