The Ashes 2015 – Second Test, Day 2: Australians dominate at Lord’s

 

The talk of the day is not when will England get Australia out but when will Australia declare? That is what everyone is thinking about the wicket.

Renowned for being able to get into just about any open door at a sporting venue around the world I found my match today.

Wanting to have a look at the Middlesex County Shop I approached the steward at the door. Showed him my pass. Only to be told “members only.” Explaining that I just wished to observe the equipment for sale I was then told in no uncertain terms members only. An MCC member standing near me could not believe it and offered me his card. I refused it but am determined this is not the finish. Stay tuned tomorrow.

Despite better bowling from Anderson and Broad both batsmen continued to drive and cut splendidly.

It came as a surprise when Rogers on 173 played on to Broad. Broad had attacked from the outset and if you are an English supporter you would have been delighted. Broad was easily the best bowler yesterday and the wicket was just reward.

The 284 run partnership of Rogers and Smith is the highest ever by Australia at Lord’s. A wonderful performance.

The bowlers have contained the batsmen this morning and it has been a good fightback by them after such a disappointing day yesterday.

Clarke is struggling for form and the Englishmen are making the most of it. He is flashing outside the off stump a bit like Travis Cloke shooting for goal. Just hoping for the best.

He hopes for the best, hooks at Wood and it goes straight down Gary Ballances’ throat. He is badly out of touch. Clarke caught Balance bowled Wood 7.   3/383

Well done England a storng comeback.

At last a review. A good one as it was very close for Adam Voges.

Essendon up at half-time and The Punter, Sidds and Mitch Marsh not very happy.

Wood’s little spell was excellent 5 overs, 12 runs and a one wicket. Amazing how a player’s form can change overnight.

Voges has started in fine style. Yet another player who has honed his craft playing with Middlesex. His first three fours were excellent shots.

Made it on to the BBC Test Match Special at last not live but giving the team some information about cricketers who have batted in glasses. Aggers and The Pidgeon also gave Mildura a good wrap. Who is on your (glasses) list?

Saw Blowers before and I give up. I’ll never supplant him in the sartorial stakes. I wonder how many pairs of colourful shoes he has. Guarantee more than my alter ego Dane Swan.

At lunch Australia 3/424 with Smith 168 and Voges 24.

Don’t know what is in the lunch pack but it certainly knows how to take wickets and Voges (25) tickles a good one from Broad and England are continuing their good form of the morning session. Australia 4/426.

Mitch Marsh comes in with all his family in attendance including his next door neighbours Scott and Patrick and gets off the mark with a magnificent straight drive for 4. Meanwhile Steve Smith continues the permanent captain against New Zealand and West Indies at the end of the year.

North get up and win after Essendon gave them a run for the money in the first half.

Roo supporter Mitch Marsh (12) won’t be happy though. He gets an inside edge off the irrepressible Broad on to his stumps. 5/442 Smith 173 not out Broad continues to revel against Australia.

Like Marsh, Peter Nevill on debut is quickly of the mark and moves into double figures with some fluent stroke making.

Steve Smith reaches his 200 with a fine shot backward of square. He is only the fourth Australian to make 200 at Lord’s. The others are Billy Murdoch, D.G. Bradman and W.A. Brown. A classy trio. His double century came from 336 balls with 24 fours and one six.

The Victorian Nevill batted beautifully on debut and was a great foil to Smith. In fact he out batted Smith during their partnership. All-out attack now from the batsmen.

Smith tried a backhanded sweep and was given out despite referring the decision. Joe Root was the bowler. Australia 6/533.

Nevill’s attacking innings comes to a close when he lofts Root to Ali at mid-off. His 45 was a good start to a Test career. Australia 7/536.

Australia decides to play carefully before tea so there is no indicators that a declaration is in the offing.

Well how wrong can you be. Ten minutes of wasted time after the interval Johnson (15) gets out to Broad and Clarke declares at 8/566. Starc not out 12. Broad easily the best of the bowlers with 4/83.

Let’s hope Peter Nevill’s dad made it to the ground today from Perth where he was on business. He would have been delighted with his son’s start to Test cricket. A fine 45 and a catch behind the wicket second ball. A tired shot from Lyth gave Nevill his catch of Starc. England 1/0

A bit of trivia for you. Peter Nevill has created a record for a wicketkeeper on debut with a catch off the second ball.

Four overs from Starc and Mitchell Johnson comes on from the Pavilion end.

Ballance (23) looked good until Johnson got one through him. England 2/28.

Clarke’s declaration is looking like the work of a genius. Mind you the change in the weather conditions has changed with heavy cloud overhead.

Hazlewood joins in the action and bowls Bell for 1.   England in tatters at 3/29.

The tatters become one of Cinderella’s dresses as Root (1) feathers one through to Nevill. 4/30.

This is fast bowling at its best. Are the Poms on the back foot? Are they ever?

Cook and Stokes are fighting for their lives and defying everything that the Australian trio can throw at them.

One thing about Ben Stokes that I admire is that he is a fighter. No matter what he is doing on the ground he gives his all. Would make a great Australian. A bit of mongrel in him.

He plays some top shots and he takes to Lyon when he is brought into the attack hitting him for a four and a six in his first over.

A great fight by the 2 batsmen through to stumps. At the close of play on Day 2 England are 4/85 with Alistair Cook 21 and Ben Stokes 38. The Lion is 481 in arrears with three days to go.

A good day’s play for Australia again and full credit to England for some fine bowling particularly in the morning session.