Australia emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter at Lord’s in London, defeating England by 43 runs in the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series. Despite a heroic performance from England’s captain Ben Stokes, the ꧃home team fell short as Australia took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Stokes took center stage as England seemed to be cruising towards victory. However, the Three Lions’ hopes were dashed after Stokes was dismissed following a masterful knock of 155 runs. With England’s last pair of James Anderson and Josh Tongue add🗹ing 25 runs for the final wicket, they managed to delay the inevitable for a brief period.
Reminiscent of his iconic 2019 Headingley knock, Stokes reached his century with a flurry of three consecutive sixes off the bowling of Cameron Green. The English skipper, fueled by Jonny Bairstow‘s controversial run-out on the final day, unleashed an onslaught on the Australian attack. Stokes, who was on 62 off 126 balls when Bairstow departed, unleashed a barrage of boundaries in the following overs, targeting Green in particular. He struck three fours in Green’s over, followed by a first-ball four and three consecutive sixes in the next over, eventually reaching his 13th Test century.
Aside from Stokes, Ben Duckett played a crucial role, scoring 83 before becoming the first dismissal of the final day with the team score at 177. Stuart Broad contributed 11 runs and provided vital support to Stokes, as the duo shared a crucial 108-run partnership for the seventh wicket. After Stokes’ departure, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood each took a wicket, finishing with three wickets apiece. Mitchell Starc also made his presence felt 💙with three🐻 scalps, including the final wicket of Josh Tongue.
W𓄧ith Australia now holding a 2-0 lead in the series, England faces an uphill battle to stage a comeback in the remaining matches. The Ashes rivalry continues to captivate cricket fans globally, and the third Test promises another enthralling battle between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
I wasn’t joking about calling Ben Stokes the most competitive bloke I’ve played against. Innings o✃f the highest quality but Australia is too good at the moment 👍
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli)
A gutting end to another sensational Test match…
Australia lead 2️⃣-0️⃣ in the series. |
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
A 43-r♔un win for Australia after an enthralling𝔉, spiteful and exciting day five.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Australia just need to win 1 match to win the Ashes in England for 🔯the first time in 22 years𝄹.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Headingley 2019 to Lord's 2023.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
//twitter.com/GNexhipi/status/1675523691604774913
Australia won the Lord's Test and took a 2-0 lead in the
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
The amazing run continues at Lord’s for AUS
It’s 127 y🀅ears since they last lost batting first
🏏
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn)
2-0.
Better team won.
Stokes was excellent.
Great drama.
— PK (@paulkak)
What a Match.. 🔥
What a Innings by stokes.😍
Test Cricket at its best.. ❤
Well played England.. 👏👏
Congratulations Australia.. 👏👏
Koi nahi yaha se bhi Eng 🐻3-2 se jeꦅet sakta ha.. ❤❤— Hสᴍzส ᴍehสℝ🇵🇰🇵🇰 (@Hamza___56)
Surprising amount of outrage from those that💙 were “onl𝐆y concerned about the entertainment, not the result”….😂
— Ed (@terkey76)
Highest Score in 4th Test Inn🔴ing at eacܫh batting position
1 – Gavaskar (221)
2 – J Darling (160)
3 – G Headley (223)
4 – Babar Azam (196)
5 – Nathan Astle (222)
6 – 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀 (155)
7 – Gilchrist (149)
8 – D Vettori (140)
9 – M Johnson (61)
10 – T Southee (77)
11 – S…— Cricbaba (@thecricbaba)
Australia go 2-0 up 😊
— Ahsan Awan (@Pharmacist_awan)
2-0. Got closer than what it should’ve though.
— Samuel Power 🇦🇺 (@SamuelPower68)
