Ashes 2nd Test: Day 4 Talking Points – England stare at successive defeats
The second Test of Ashes 2023 continued to progress on Day 4 at Lord’s as Australia resumed their innings on 130/2 with Usman Khwaja (58*) and Steven Smith (6*) at the crease. The duo continued their innings and added 64 runs for the third wicket as the England bowling looked lifeless.
However, there was a sudden change of tactics by England as they decided to attack Australia with a barrage of short balls. The plan immediately worked as Australian batters got out trying to get the scoreboard moving and build on their lead. Australia were bundled out for 279, leading by 370 runs in the second innings.
In reply, chasing a target of 371, England were undone by Mitchell Starc’s new-ball magic, who reduced them to 13/2 after 4.2 overs sending Zak Crawley (3) and Ollie Pope (3) back to the pavilion.
Captain Pat Cummins also joined the party and got the prized scalps of Joe Root (18) and Harry Brook (4) to leave England in a spot of bother at 45/4. Following the early blows, Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) took England to stumps on 114/4, requiring another 257 runs to win on Day 5.
After an action-packed day, let’s take a look at the talking points from Day 4:
1. Australia given a taste of their own medicine
After looking lifeless for the first hour, England quickly shifted the momentum by attacking Australia with the short ball strategy. The change of plans worked wonders immediately as Australian batters got out trying to put runs on the board and get ahead in the game.
2. Nathan Lyon walks out to bat on one leg
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon showed great fortitude as he walked out to bat at number 11 to help his side add some crucial runs and extend their second innings lead. Lyon scored a boundary in his innings as he pulled Stuart Broad for a four. Lyon (4) added 15 runs for the last wicket with Mitchell Starc and helped Australia reach a lead of 370 runs.
3. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins run through England’s top order
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins got their team off to a perfect start as they gave four early blows to England. Starc first got Zak Crawley strangled down the leg side and later castled Ollie Pope with a magical inswinger. On the other hand, Cummins got the big wicket of Joe Root getting him dismissed with a surprise bouncer and three balls later got rid of Harry Brook by hitting the top of his off stump.
4. Mitchell Starc’s controversial catch of Ben Duckett
During the third-last over of the day bowled by Cameron Green, Ben Duckett played an uppercut straight to Mitchell Starc at fine leg. The England opener was given out on the field and was making his way back to the pavilion. However, he was asked to stop as the on-field umpires referred to the third umpire. The replays showed that Starc had made the ball get in contact with the ground after taking the catch without getting his fingers underneath. As a result, the decision was overturned and Duckett got a reprieve on 50.
