Australia took a giant stride towards levelling the Ashes series as they racked up a huge total before removing England’s top order on the second day of the Lord’s Test.
Steve Smith’s career-best 215 underpinned Australia’s 566-8 declared and laid a platform from which to attack with the ball.
In an electrifying spell of fast bowling, Mitchell Johnson took two wickets in seven balls as England lost their first four wickets for 30 runs.
On a pitch that remains slow, Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes spared England further loss with an unbroken 55-run stand but they closed on 85-4, still 481 runs in arrears.
England’s deficit reflects two days of Australia dominance in response to losing the first Test in Cardiff by 169 runs.
After the conclusion of the second Test, Australia will travel to Derby for the start of the thee-day Bell & Co Tourist Fixture, starting on Thursday 23 July.
Bell & Co Tourist Fixture
Derbyshire vs Australia
Thursday 23, Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July
Derbyshire welcome Australia to Derby in the Bell & Co Tourist Fixture. Buy your matchday tickets in advance & save £4 per adult ticket purchased. Watch international stars including Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and David Warner in action at Derby.
Hospitality is also still available. Click HERE
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