E
ngland should full the second-highest run chase of their historical past to degree the Ashes after being set a goal of 371 within the Second Test at Lord’s.
In a exceptional passage of play, Nathan Lyon defied a critical calf damage to assist Australia lengthen their lead on the fourth afternoon, the vacationers ultimately bowled out for a second innings complete of 279 as Stuart Broad completed with 4 wickets.
Lyon had been compelled off the sphere earlier within the match and is a serious doubt for the remainder of the sequence having arrived at Lord’s on crutches on Saturday morning. Australia had already confirmed the spinner would play no additional half with the ball on this Test and would solely bat if completely required.
When Josh Hazlewood was the ninth wicket to fall with the lead already at 355 runs, even remaining batter Mitchell Starc appeared to assume the innings was over. However, Lyon hobbled down via the Long Room to take his guard to a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd, along with Starc happening so as to add one other 15 runs that would but show important.
Lyon’s lack of ability to run between the wickets led to farcical scenes, with England fielders posted throughout the fence and Australia’s batters successfully working a boundary-or-bust coverage.
The exception got here when a Starc pull shot regarded set to clear the rope till a sensational piece of labor from substitute fielder Rehan Ahmed clawed the ball again and left Lyon hobbling via on one leg to offer away the strike.
Earlier, England had adopted Australia’s lead in counting on a relentless short-ball plan because the vacationers discovered fast scoring inconceivable, dropping eight wickets for 149 runs throughout two prolonged periods on day 4.
Ben Stokes bowled a mammoth bouncer spell of 12 overs straight via after lunch, whereas Ollie Robinson’s nine-over stint included six maidens and two wickets for the price of simply seven runs.
England’s batters had been as a result of begin their chase initially of the night session. If profitable, it will eclipse their pursuit of 359 at Headingley 4 years in the past as their highest in Ashes cricket and fall behind solely final summer season’s 378 towards India at Edgbaston of their Test historical past.
