Ashes 2nd Test: Ben Stokes’ century goes in vain as AUS racks up 2-0 lead
The exhilarating action continued in the second Test of the Ashes 2023 at Lord’s as England resumed their innings on 114/4 with Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) at the crease on Day 5. The duo extended their stand to 132 runs and frustrated Australia. However, Josh Hazlewood brought his team back into the game by dismissing Duckett (83).
Jonny Bairstow walked in next but got run out in a controversial manner by Alex Carey. Following his dismissal, Ben Stokes unleashed his beast mode on Australia and quickly raced to his hundred smashing 38 runs in 16 balls. He further breached the 150-run mark and added 108 runs for the seventh wicket with Stuart Broad to keep England’s hopes alive.
However, their partnership was broken with Ben Stokes getting a leading edge to Hazlewood which was safely taken by Carey. Following his dismissal, no other batter could stand tall against Australian seamers as England got bundled out for 327 and lost the match by 43 runs.
Let’s take a look at the talking points from the action-packed day:
1. Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal
The incident took place in the 52nd over of the innings as Bairstow strolled out of his crease after leaving a delivery by Cameron Green. However, sensing an opportunity to run him out, wicketkeeper Alex Carey hit the stumps and all players went up for a run-out appeal. The third umpire ruled in England’s favour considering the ball was not yet dead, leaving Bairstow and Ben Stokes befuddled. The Australians did not choose to withdraw the appeal and were booed by the Lord’s crowd as Bairstow dejectedly moved towards the pavilion.
2. Ben Stokes’ magnificent counter-attacking hundred
Needing 178 runs to win with just four wickets in hand, Ben Stokes launched a counter-attack on Australia and started hitting short balls for boundaries. He quickly raced from 62 to 155 in 88 balls and turned the game on its head. Stokes clobbered nine fours and nine sixes in his breathtaking knock to keep England’s hopes alive. However, he was dismissed with his team requiring another 70 runs to win with three wickets in hand.
3. Australia continue their phenomenal record at Lord’s
Australia once again got the better of England at Lord’s and ended up beating them by 43 runs to go 2-0 up in the series. It was their 18th Test win at the venue out of 40 matches played while they have lost seven.
4. David Warner-Usman Khawaja altercation with an elderly fan in Long Room
The controversial Bairstow dismissal had understandably led to flaring of tempers between the players as Stuart Broad and others were seen sarcastically asking the umpires whether they could leave the crease on certain occasions after the event. However, the antics did not stay just at the field as an elderly fan present in the Lord’s Long Room “verbally abused” the Australian pair of David Warner and Usman Khawaja as both the teams departed for Lunch. Cricket Australia and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have issued a clarification in the aftermath of the unprecedented event.
