Ashes 2019: 2nd Test – Dramatic Day 4 sets up exciting Lord’s finish
On what looked like an ordinary fourth day of a Test match, the Jofra Archer-Steve Smith battle made spectators at Lord’s sit up and boggle their minds. At early stumps (interrupted by rain, of course), England walked back with a lead of 104 but it is the Aussies who’d like to believe they’re in with a good chance in the second Ashes Test.
With the sun shining brightly over the Home of Cricket, Australia resumed their innings at 80/4. Stuart Broad came all guns blazing and picked Wade off a thick edge in the slips right away. But it was Steve Smith, whom his team once again relied on, and his grinding 92 that took centre stage as Australia finished with 250 on the board, just eight runs short of the English total.
Archer vs Smith: A battle to remember
At one end, a batting great in his purple patch was making one of his most important comebacks. At the other, a fiery Test debutant was waiting to unleash his destructive self. It was always going to be an intriguing contest. By lunch, Smith had scored his fifty in the company of the Australian captain, Tim Paine. But once both teams walked out after lunch, Archer looked like a bowler possessed. He quickly got rid of Paine (23) with a nip-backer at short leg.
As though it was his life’s mission, he then peppered Smith with a bucketful of bouncers, one of which struck Smith on the forearm. But the Aussie didn’t relent and continued to bat. The second time, Archer’s nasty 90 mph delivery hit Smith on the neck behind his left ear, leaving the batsman down and out. Smith decided to retire hurt and as he made his way to the long room, Lord’s stood up and applauded his courageous act.
Superman Smith, 8 runs short
England continued to exploit the second new ball with no Smith return in sight. Just when they least expected, Australia’s Superman walked out to bat amid boos from the same crowd. It was as if he had gulped down a magic potion. With the Lord’s Honours Board on his mind, the batsman quickly moved to his nineties. But this time, Chris Woakes stood in the way of his third hundred of the series. In one of his million attempts to leave the ball, Smith left erroneously one that hit straight on his pads on 92. So close, yet so far.
Cummins, Siddle wreck England
After posting 250 with the bat, the Aussies came back to haunt England with the ball. Once again, the hosts’ fragile top order succumbed to the heat of the Australian pacers. Pat Cummins caught Jason Roy (2) off his own bowling and followed it up with a first-ball dismissal of Joe Root (0) on consecutive deliveries. Opener Rory Burns and Joe Denly then dug in with a 50-run stand. But Peter Siddle struck just in time to break the partnership, catching Denly (26) off his own bowling. In his next over, he got rid of Burns (29) by forcing him to poke at one through to the keeper. England were 71/4 when Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler began the resurrection of their woeful batting. Both batsmen safely negotiated the rest of the day, not allowing the visitors to make further dents.
Australia’s day was hindered by their fielding mishaps and their refusal to review umpiring decisions that could have benefitted them. David Warner first dropped Denly on 7, and later spilled Ben Stokes on two occasions in a Nathan Lyon over. Stokes was also out LBW on 6 off Lyon, but the visitors did not review it, gifting Stokes a lucky reprieve.
