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Once again, it did not go in England’s way but Ben Stokes reminded fans of his Headingley heist. In the unsuccessful run chase at Lord’s, Stokes’ dominating 155-run knock went in vain as Australia won the by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in Ashes 2023.
Game poised well in first hour
The run chase of Day 5 started with an overnight score of 114/4. After a defensive approach on Day 4, Stokes took the attack to the position finding boundaries often. Stokes got to his half-century from 99 deliveries. The fifth-wicket partnership was going strong but just after the drinks break, Josh Hazlewood got rid of the opener. The short ball ploy worked and Duckett got a top-edge which was taken easily by Alex Carey. Duckett scored 83 runs from 112 balls including nine fours.
The controversial dismissal
Jonny Bairstow got off to a positive start but fell to a controversial dismissal. Bairstow ducked a short delivery from Cameron Green and walked towards Stokes without ensuring whether the ball is dead. Carey was thinking quick on his feet and with an underarm throw hit the stumps. Bairstow got run out and there were heated discussions in the middle but Bairstow was eventually given out.
Stokes lets loose
After Bairstow's wicket, Stuart Broad was promoted up the order. Broad did not try to adopt the 'nighthawk' role. Then Stokes upped the ante and hit Green for three consecutive sixes and a four in a single over. Riled up by the Bairstow display, he got to his century with the third six of the over. He took 142 deliveries to reach three figures. Before the first session was over, England had 243/6 on the board, still needing 128 runs to win.
As Hazlewood bowled after the lunch break, he was hit for a six off the second ball of the over. Then Steve Smith dropped Stokes' catch to rub salt on the wounds. In Hazlewood's next over, Stokes hit two more sixes. Broad hit the first boundary of his innings in the same over as well. Australia clearly missed the services of Nathan Lyon who could not take the field due to an injured calf injury. The onslaught continued. Mitchell Starc was brought back into the attack and Stokes hit him for two consecutive sixes. Stokes completed his 150 from 197 deliveries.
Hazlewood – the partnership breaker
Second over after the drinks break, Australia got the prized wicket of Stokes. The in-ducker from Hazlewood got the better of Stokes as he played it too early. Stokes was left stunned as he had to take the long way back with 70 runs still needed to win. But he had to and Smith, Cummins, Khawaja applauded him for the marvellous knock under pressure. He scored 155 runs from 215 balls including nine fours and as many sixes.
Tail did not wag enough
Ollie Robinson did not last long at the crease and got caught by Smith trying to hit Cummins for a boundary. Hazlewood then ended Broad's patient knock. The top-edge carried to Green at fine leg. He scored 11 runs from 36 balls including two fours. With three quick wickets falling, Josh Tongue and James Anderson could only delay the inevitable for a few overs to entertain the crowd. Starc wrapped the proceedings by uprooting Tongue’s leg stump as England got all out for 327.
What happened on first four days?
In Australia's first innings, England bowlers disappointed as they failed to take advantage of overcast conditions. David Warner, Travis head scored their respective half-centuries whereas Smith brought up his 32nd Test century to help Australia post 416. England in their first innings, posted 325 on the board. Duckett missed his century by just two runs. Also Brook scored a half-century.
In Australia's second innings, Khawaja scored 77. Other contributions helped them post 279. Broad stood out of the lot with a four-fer. Earlier on the run chase on Day 4, England were reduced to 45/4 in the last session. Duckett scored his half-century but got a second life after Starc's catch was deemed illegitimate.
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