Ben Stokes’ 155 increases tension, but Australia holds nerve to claim second Ashes Test by 43 runs
The run out of England's Jonny Bairstow by wicketkeeper Alex Carey sparked angry scenes at Lord’s. Photo: AP
Australia has taken a 2-0 lead in the Ashes after completing a dramatic 43-run defeat of England in the second Test at Lord’s.
On a fiery final day in London, Ben Stokes threatened to lead England to victory with a superb innings of 155 before the hosts were eventually bowled out for 327 in pursuit of 371.
It means Australia can win an Ashes series in England for the first time in 22 years with victory in the third Test at Headingley, starting Thursday.
On a drama-charged final day at Lord’s Australian players were abused by fans and endured constant booing after a controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow before lunch.
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Jeers continued until Australia bowled England out for 327 just before tea, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead and needing to win only one of the three Tests to take the series.
But this match will long be remembered for a dismissal that has the potential to ignite the rest of the tour.
With England 5-193 in pursuit of 371 for victory, Bairstow (10) walked out of his crease almost immediately after ducking the last ball of a Cameron Green over.
Alex Carey threw the ball back at the stumps and dismissed the star England batter, prompting immediate fury from both the Lord’s crowd and home team.
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Cricket Australia has since claimed players were abused and copped physical contact by Lord’s members during the lunch break, after having to walk through the public in the famed long room.
The drama also acted to fire up Stokes, who threatened to pull off a repeat of his Headingley heroics from 2019 and hit England to victory.
England’s captain produced a blazing 155, hit an Ashes record nine sixes and dominated a 108-run seventh-wicket stand with Stuart Broad to give the hosts a hope.
Stokes hit 46 from the first 21 balls after the drama, and regularly held onto the strike as the runs required continued to drop in fours and sixes.
And, as at Headingley four years ago, Australia also fell victim to the chaos.
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Pat Cummins dropped a very tough caught-and-bowled chance when Stokes whacked a ball back at him on 77.
Then Steve Smith and Carey both put Stokes down on 114, no doubt bringing back more reminders of Headingley 2019 and England’s one-wicket victory.
But with 70 more runs needed for victory, the pressure eventually told for Stokes.
Australia was able to slow down his scoring, and when he skied a short Josh Hazlewood ball, England’s chances were crushed and the tail fell soon afterwards.
Hazlewood ended up with three wickets in the win after also having Ben Duckett well caught by Carey on 83 earlier in the morning, while Pat Cummins took 3-69 and Mitchell Starc 3-79.
Notable too was the fact Australia was able to claim the final-day victory without injured spinner Nathan Lyon, who is likely to be replaced by Todd Murphy for the third Test at Headingley on Thursday.
-AAP
