Ruthless Australia secure crushing victory
RAMPANT Australia ripped out England for 103 to seal a crushing 405-run win in the second Ashes test at Lord’s yesterday and level the series at 1-1.
After setting the hosts 509 for victory, the Australian pace attack carved through the top order to leave England in tatters on 64 for five at tea on the fourth day.
Adam Lyth (seven), Alastair Cook (11) and Gary Ballance (14) edged catches to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill to put the hosts in deep trouble at 42 for three.
Lyth nicked a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, Cook wafted loosely at Mitchell Johnson and Ballance edged a snorting ball from Mitchell Marsh as England’s top order collapsed once again.
Ian Bell, on 11, was caught off bat and pad by substitute fielder Shaun Marsh at short leg and Ben Stokes was run out for nought in schoolboy fashion, failing to run his bat into the crease and beaten by Johnson’s direct hit.
Johnson removed Jos Buttler for 11 with the first ball after tea and Moeen Ali for a duck in the same over.
Buttler edged another catch to Nevill, his fourth of the innings, and Moeen was caught at short leg by Shaun Marsh as he fended off a short delivery.
Stuart Broad clubbed a few boundaries to get to 25 before swatting Lyon straight to Adam Voges at extra cover.
Joe Root, on 17, was bowled by Josh Hazlewood, the ball keeping low and jagging back, and the tall pace bowler repeated the trick to dismiss James Anderson for a duck and spark wild celebrations from the jubilant Australians.
The touring side had declared on 254 for two after piling up 146 runs in the morning at the home of cricket.
The only concern for Australia was the retirement of Chris Rogers on 49 after the opening batsman suffered a dizzy spell.
The left-hander had added five runs to his overnight score when he signalled to the dressing-room that he was feeling unwell and, looking groggy, he was led off the field by medical staff.
Smith, who made 215 in the first innings, plundered 58 off 48 balls including nine boundaries to continue his remarkable run of form.
The right-hander came up with some outrageous improvised shots and hit Broad for three successive fours before he charged down the pitch to Moeen and was bowled.
Michael Clarke (32 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (27 not out) lashed a few more boundaries before the declaration.
The third test at Edgbaston starts on July 29. – Reuters