Australia's bowling attack roared back to life on day two of the second Ashes Test at Lord's, with returning stars Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins delivering a masterclass to leave England's hopes hanging by a thread. The hosts finished the day at 4/278, still a daunting 138 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 416.
Seamless Returns from Lyon and Cummins
The much-anticipated comebacks of off-spinner Nathan Lyon and captain Pat Cummins could not have gone more smoothly. Lyon, playing his 100th consecutive Test match, struck a critical blow just before the close of play, dismissing the dangerous Ben Duckett for a well-made 98. The left-hander's dismissal, caught smartly by Cameron Green at gully, was a massive momentum shift for the tourists.
Captain Pat Cummins was equally impactful, removing England's talisman, Joe Root, for just 10 runs. The dismissal, a sharp catch by David Warner at first slip, broke a promising partnership and put Australia firmly in the driver's seat. Cummins's pace and precision were a constant threat throughout his spells.
England's Fight Led by Pope and Duckett
England's innings was built on a spirited fightback from Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett. The pair put on a 97-run partnership for the second wicket, counter-attacking against the Australian quicks. Pope looked in sublime touch, racing to 42 from just 57 balls before falling to a brilliant piece of bowling from Mitchell Starc.
Duckett continued to anchor the innings, displaying patience and aggression in equal measure. His knock of 98 was a mixture of classical strokes and inventive sweeps, taking the attack to Lyon before his late dismissal. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 45 at stumps, with captain Ben Stokes not out on 17, setting up a pivotal third day.
Australia's Commanding Position
The day's play has left Australia in a commanding position to push for a vital victory and take a 2-0 series lead. The early wicket of Zak Crawley, caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for 48, set the tone. The combined efforts of the pace trio and the ever-reliable Lyon have exposed England's middle order.
With a lead of 138 runs and six English wickets still to take, Australia will be aiming to wrap up the innings quickly on day three. The pressure is now squarely on the home side, who must find a way to erase the deficit and build a substantial lead to have any chance of levelling the series. The performance of Lyon and Cummins has proven to be the decisive factor, showcasing Australia's depth and resilience in the face of a determined English challenge.
