LONDON: Australia seized a commanding position in the Ashes series after securing a 43-run victory against England in a fiery and contentious second Test at Lord’s on Sunday. With this win, Australia now holds a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
England captain Ben Stokes played a remarkable innings of 155, while controversy marred the match when Jonny Bairstow was given out stumped in a contentious decision on the final day. England fought hard but ultimately fell short, getting bowled out for 327 while chasing a challenging target of 371. Australian captain Pat Cummins spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming 3-69.
However, it was the dismissal of Bairstow just before lunch on the final day that ignited the tensions and fueled the anger of the typically composed Lord’s crowd. Bairstow, the last specialist batsman for England, fell in a peculiar manner for 10 when he strayed out of his ground after ducking a bouncer from Cameron Green.
The alert wicketkeeper Alex Carey under-armed the ball onto the stumps, catching Bairstow off-guard. Bairstow believed he had regained his ground by tapping his bat behind the crease. Cummins had the option to withdraw the appeal, but the decision was referred to third umpire Marais Erasmus, who adjudged Bairstow stumped, leaving England at 193-6.
The spectators at the renowned ‘Home of Cricket’ responded with fury, chanting “Same old Aussies, always cheating,” a taunt that echoed throughout the remainder of the day’s play.
England will rue their missed opportunity to capitalize on winning the toss under overcast conditions, as Australia posted a solid first-innings total of 416, anchored by batting maestro Steve Smith’s impressive knock of 110. Despite England’s promising position at 188-1 in reply, several batsmen, including Ben Duckett on 98, carelessly surrendered their wickets while falling into the trap of blatant hooking deliveries.
The only instance of a team winning a Test series from a 2-0 deficit occurred in 1936/37 when the Australian side, inspired by the legendary Don Bradman, staged a remarkable comeback to secure an Ashes victory of 3-2.
Australia vs England Brief Scores
Australia 1st Innings: 416 (S Smith 110, T Head 77, D Warner 66; J Tongue 3-98, O Robinson 3-100)
England 1st Innings: 325 (B Duckett 98, H Brook 50; M Starc 3-88)
Australia 2nd Innings: 279 (U Khawaja 77; S Broad 4-65)
England 2nd Innings: (B Stokes 155, B Duckett 83; P Cummins 3-69, M Starc 3-79, J Hazlewood 3-80)
Result: Australia won by 43 runs
Series: Australia leads the five-match series 2-0
