Ashes 2019, Australia vs England: Second Test drawn at Lord's
The second Ashes Test between England and Australia ended in a draw at Lord's. The rain-hit Test match saw Ben Stokes score a stunning century in the second innings. England set Australia a 267-run target on the final day. Australia managed to survive and force a draw. The visitors maintain a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series. Here's more.
Lord's Test revolved around injured Steve Smith
Smith suffered the first injury when a rising ball from Jofra Archer struck his forearm. He was writhing in pain and had to bandage his arm. Despite continuing, a few moments later, Archer's short ball hit Smith. The right-handed batsman was lying flat on his back before getting up to applause from the crowd. He couldn't continue though and retired hurt.
Valiant Smith misses out on a ton
Smith returned back to the field after Peter Siddle was dismissed for nine. The supporters were on their feet applauding the batsman as he entered the field. Smith came in and smashed two successive boundaries off the second and third ball he faced after coming on. He was dismissed by Chris Woakes. It was an absolute classy inning from the consistent run-scorer.
Smith notches a host of records
This was the seventh successive score of fifty-plus for Smith against England in Tests. His scores in the last seven innings read 239, 76, 102*, 83, 144, 142 and 92. He also went past 6,500 runs in Test cricket (6,577). The star cricketer also amassed his 25th career Test fifty. Smith now has 2,404 runs in Ashes. This was his seventh career Ashes fifty.
2nd Test: Smith ruled out of the final day
Smith was ruled out of the final day of the second Ashes Test after being diagnosed with a concussion. All-rounder Marnus Labuschagne replaced Smith. This marked the first use of a concussion substitute in international cricket. The replacement comes under the new regulations that came into effect from August 1. Labuschagne batted at number four and scored a valiant 59.
Broad surpasses Anderson, Aussie pacers Cummins and Siddle excel
Stuart Broad was once again amongst the wickets. He now has 105 career Ashes Test wickets and went past James Anderson (104). Broad also raced to 454 career Test scalps. Pat Cummins took six wickets in the game. He now has 107 career Test scalps. Peter Siddle is now the seventh-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests (219).
Stokes notches seventh career Test century
Ben Stokes (115*) notched his seventh career Test hundred. He smashed 11 fours and three sixes. This was also his second career Ashes ton. England captain Joe Root notched his sixth career duck in Test cricket. Rory Burns scored 53 in the first innings. This was his third Test fifty in 2019. It's also his maiden fifty in Ashes after a ton at Edgbaston.
Archer shines for England in his first Test
Archer, who made his Test debut for England, claimed a total of five wickets in the match. After claiming 2/59 in the first innings, Archer took three more scalps in the second.
How did the match pan out?
England scored 258 in the first innings with Burns and Jonny Bairstow scoring fifties. The Aussie pacers claimed seven scalps between them. Australia rode on a fine 92 by Smith to post 250. England batted well in the second innings and managed 258/5 before declaring. Stokes denied the Aussies with a superb ton. Australia lost quick wickets but held on to force a draw.
