Ashes 2019: England collapse as Australian bowlers headline Day 2
Australia’s ploy of bringing in Josh Hazlewood reaped rich dividends as England once again slumped to a familiar first-innings collapse on Day 2 (essentially Day 1) of the second Test. Twin fifties from Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow saved face for the hosts but England would’ve liked to add a few more runs to their 258. In response, Australia ended the day on 30/1, with Stuart Broad dismissing the dangerous David Warner thrice in a row.
As the sky cleared up for a bright day of play, Lord’s wasn’t the only one that turned red. Australia captain Tim Paine won the toss and rightly elected to bowl. A decision he would’ve been happy about after England were reduced to 26/2 in the first 10 overs.
Lord’s turned red today for the Ruth Strauss Foundation ? pic.twitter.com/skoGmwPmed
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2019
Aussie bowlers light up Lord’s
It took all of three balls for Hazlewood to make an impact. A short-of-a-length ball outside off forced Jason Roy (0) to nick one to Paine in just the second over. Once again, Roy’s faulty technique exposed his shortcomings as a Test batsman. Hazlewood then trapped the England captain plumb in front with a full delivery. Joe Root (14) hit three fours and was looking set for a big innings when the Aussie pacer got him. Putting up a 66-run stand with Burns, Joe Denly (30) showed promise but Hazlewood didn’t seem to be in a forgiving mood and had him caught behind.
Cummins then showed up to dismiss a set Burns, further derailing the hosts’ fragile batting order. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes didn’t do much to get England out of the hole they were digging for themselves. Buttler once again got stuck in the crease, a situation he’s beginning to find himself in quite often. Surprised by the turn Lyon’s deliveries were generating, Stokes tried to play a paddle sweep but instead ended up being LBW. Bairstow (52) and Chris Woakes (32) then started the rebuilding process, getting the team to a respectable total.
Lyon joins Lillee
As the fast bowlers continued to feast on the subdued Englishmen, Nathan Lyon carried his red-hot form from Edgbaston. The surface at Lord’s offered him plenty of turn and ‘Gary’ made the most of it. With his three-wicket haul, he joined fellow countryman Dennis Lillee to become the joint-third wicket-taker for Australia (355 Test wickets).
Broad gets Warner, again
Australia came in to bat at an extended final session under lights. Negating a tricky hour, they lost Warner (3) early on, as he got stuck playing in a defensive mode. For the third time in this series, Broad got the better of Warner, coming round the wicket with a ball that nipped back in to take the leg stump.
You beauty ?pic.twitter.com/sYqMNExxIi
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) August 15, 2019
Jofra Archer was impressive in the 6 overs he bowled, combining pace and accuracy to rattle the Aussie batsmen. But Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja made sure the visitors didn’t lose another wicket at the close of Day 2.
