ASHES DAY ONE, SECOND TEST – SESSION-BY-SESSION: Australia claim the honours after a difficult day for Ben Stokes’ side

England suffered one of their worst days of the Bazball era as Australia romped to 339 for five on the opening day of the second Test. 

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Ben Stokes’ side failed to deliver the full-throated firepower they have made their speciality at Lord’s and ideal conditions for bowlers were squandered as Australia built up a steady haul. 

After the openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner were dismissed by Ashes’ debutant Josh Tongue, former captain Steve Smith made impressive partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. 

Joe Root sought to save England’s blushes at the last, taking the wickets of Head and Cameron Green in a magical single over, but even this flash of brilliance leaves England with much to do to save the Test. 

Here, Mail Sport’s LAWRENCE BOOTH runs through the day session-by-session. 

Ben Stokes will have to take wickets and quickly on Thursday to restore terms at Lord's

Ben Stokes will have to take wickets and quickly on Thursday to restore terms at Lord’s

England ended the day on an optimistic day but Australia were confident throughout opener

England ended the day on an optimistic day but Australia were confident throughout opener

MORNING SESSION (England won the toss and bowl)

Australia (1 point)

Inserted in perfect conditions for England’s swing and seam bowlers, Australia’s openers mixed skill with luck. Khawaja was missed by Root off Anderson, a tough low chance at first slip, and Warner by Pope at Broad, an easier one at fourth. 

Warner brought up a rare half-century in England by pulling Tongue for six, before Tongue bowled Khawaja, playing no shot, in the last over of lunch.

Ashes debutant Josh Tongue's claiming of David Warner's wicket was the play of the day

Ashes debutant Josh Tongue’s claiming of David Warner’s wicket was the play of the day

AFTERNOON SESSION

Australia (1 point)

Tongue knocked over Warner for 66 with another beauty, but there was a grim inevitability about the way Labuschagne and Smith settled in against curiously insipid English bowling. 

The cloud cover lifted slightly, but it seemed like another missed opportunity as Australia added 117 runs for the loss of only one wicket in 26.5 overs.

Steve Smith was a sturdy presence in Australia's top order and ended the day 85 not out

Steve Smith was a sturdy presence in Australia’s top order and ended the day 85 not out

EVENING SESSION 

Australia (1 point)

Yes, England took three wickets, including two in an over for Joe Root. But Smith moved ominously from 38 to 85, and Australia added 149 in 33 overs, thanks to the impetus provided by Travis Head during his aggressive 77 off 73 balls. 

A total of 339 for five after being put in was a triumph for the tourists.

VERDICT: Honours go to Australia 

Despite Joe Root's strong showing to dismiss Head and Cameron Green, England remain on the back foot

Despite Joe Root’s strong showing to dismiss Head and Cameron Green, England remain on the back foot

Play of the day

Josh Tongue had already bowled Usman Khawaja before lunch with a beauty that swung in as Australia’s opener shouldered arms. 

But he trumped that with a delivery after the break to David Warner, who could do nothing with one measuring 87mph that swung in to the left-hander, then jagged in off the seam to knock back the top of leg stump. Unplayable.



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Post source: Daily mail

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