Tuesday, July 21, 2015

England v Australia, 2nd Test, Lord's, Day 3, 18/07/15

As on the first 2 days, England ended day 3 very much on the back foot in the Lord's Test as Australia bounced back as strongly as you'd expect after their uncharacteristically lackluster performance in Cardiff.

Having watched the visitors amass 566-8 declared over Thursday and most of Friday, England got rather shaken up by the pace of Mitchells Johnson and Starc and also Josh Hazlewood on Friday evening as the home side subsided to 29/3.

In fairness, Saturday brought some better resistance from England as Alistair Cook dug in for 96 before dragging one onto his stumps and being cruelly denied a first home Ashes ton.

Sadly, England finished way behind Australia after being all out for an inadequate 312.

As is the modern fashion Australia didn't enforce the follow on, choosing instead to press home their advantage by setting England a ridiculous and unlikely 4th innings target, closing Day 3 on 108/0 in the face of some insipid home bowling.



Sky's Ricky Ponting, David Gower and David Lloyd preview the days's play


Josh Hazlewood in front of a packed Nursery End


Alistair Cook gets Mitchell Johnson away


The view from the Grandstand....


...and towards the pavilion


Nasser Hussain, Gower and Ponting chew the fat at tea


Moeen Ali at deep fine leg


No finer cricket ground


Australia start to build a huge lead late on day 3


Footnote - Australia continued to pile on the runs, declaring on 254 for 2 before lunch on Day 4, setting England an improbable 509 to win. England pathetically managed only 103 all out. Hence the series is tied at 1-1 as the sides move on to Edgbaston for the 3rd Test.

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