Ashes 2023: Australia hold strong in second Test

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London . The Australian bowlers wreaked havoc with the ball in the morning session to take a 91-run lead over England. After this, Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten 58-run innings helped Australia to tighten their grip on the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Friday.

It was a poor morning session for England. England started the game at 278/4, but in front of 90 minutes of excellent bowling, England lost all their wickets for only 47 runs.

England were all out for 325 in the first innings, giving the visitors a significant 91-run lead. Australia then ended the third day at 130/2 with a decent lead of 221 runs.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc on the England batsmen. He took 3 wickets for 88 runs. Starc had England captain Ben Stokes caught at third slip for 17 in the first over of the morning.

Starc then followed it up with a well-planned short-ball strategy, dismissing a dangerous-looking Harry Brook for 50. Brook scored his fourth Test half-century before being dismissed. Wickets continued to fall for England, with Josh Hazlewood removing Jonny Bairstow for 16.

Travis Head, acting as Australia’s frontline spinner after Lyon injured his right calf, dismissed Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad in quick succession. Captain Pat Cummins took the final wicket by dismissing Josh Tongue with a superb bouncer.

In reply, Australia got a strong opening partnership of 63 runs, with David Warner and Usman Khawaja batting in the second session. But in the same season, Warner became the victim of Josh Tongue for the second time in the match.

Top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne narrowly escaped the decision of LBW. He and Khawaja batted fiercely in the second session. After this, Khawaja continued his impressive performance in the series and completed his 23rd half-century in challenging conditions amidst dark clouds hovering over Lord’s.

James Anderson finally got Labushen caught out on 30. Bad light and rain forced the players off the field, with Khawaja unbeaten on 58 and Steve Smith unbeaten on six. At the same time, the end of the third day’s play was announced.(IANS)

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