Jubilant Jofra’s joy

IT was a case of the empire strikes back last night, and former Hobart Hurricane Jofra Archer (above) started the rot. England fought its way back into the second cricket Test at Lord’s, reducing Australia to 4-80 at lunch, with Archer removing Cam Bancroft.

AN unbeaten Steve Smith was yet again left with the burden of saving Australia, which crashed to 4-80 at lunch last night after an eventful start to day three of the second Ashes Test.

The tourists resumed at 1-30 and made a bright start under dark skies and the Lord’s lights, only to lose 3-11 in a collapse ignited by debutant Jofra Archer.

Smith held on to be 13 not out, from 40 deliveries, at lunch.

Tasmanian Matthew Wade, fresh from a century in his Test recall at Edgbaston, was yet to get off the mark but also showed great composure while facing 23 balls. Bookmakers suggest the draw remains the most likely outcome; day one was washed out without a ball being bowled and further rain delays are forecast. Light rain fell irregularly last night but play never stopped until lunch was called midway through what would have been the final over of the session.

A magnificent opening spell from Archer boosted England’s hopes of a series-levelling victory. Archer, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes snagged a wicket each in bowler-friendly conditions on day three but failed to unsettle Smith.

Smith, the difference between the rivals during Australia’s series-opening win in Birmingham, did well to negotiate a particularly tense opening burst from Archer and Woakes.

Australia scored a single run in a six-over stretch that featured the dismissals of Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja, who departed in the space of four deliveries. Smith exhibited sheer determination rather than the free-scoring style of his preceding ton.

There was an exaggeration to Smith’s tics that hinted at the match being in the balance, with the former skipper swishing his bat when shouldering arms and bounding around the crease.