Ashes news daily: England clawed themselves back into the second Ashes Test match before suffering a startling collapse in the wake of an injury to Nathan Lyon.
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Day Two of the second Test was action packed as England took the remaining five Australia wickets of their first innings before lunch. After Tea, however, they lost three quick wickets to relinquish control of what could’ve been a match-winning session.
But, the most significant moment of the day was when Nathan Lyon limped off the field with an injury to his right calf. Lyon had already bowled 13 overs in Australia’s innings and they could face the rest of the game – and maybe even the series – without him.
England collapse
Ben Duckett put England in a fantastic position after lunch. Zak Crawley played well for his 48, while Ollie Pope also made an assured start. But, as Duckett closed in on a century, Australia adopted a short ball ploy which England fell for hook, line and sinker. Pope was the first to succumb, holing out to Smith in the deep, before Duckett was out two runs short of his hundred, also on the pull. Joe Root did not capitalise off a no-ball wicket reprieve from Cameron Green, popping a catch up to Smith at backward square-leg. It took Ben Stokes and Harry Brook to bring some calm to proceedings and see that England ended the day with two recognised batters still in the middle.
Nathan Lyon injury
A huge moment for the game and the series could have taken place today. Running in after an aerial pull-shot from Duckett, Lyon tweaked something in his right calf. It wasn’t immediately obvious whether he was suffering from cramp or something more serious, but as he was supported off the field by the team physio, the latter became obvious.
Cricket Australia have since issued an update the Lyon would be further assessed after the day’s play.
Ollie Pope’s shoulder recovery
Pope left the field yesterday after suffering an injury to his right shoulder while fielding. He did not take the field this morning either but was fit to bat as soon as he was needed at No.3. He looked uninhibited when he batted, implying the injury won’t be troubling him for the rest of the game.
Cameron Green oversteps
Joe Root was almost out the second ball of his innings today, as he gloved a ball from Cameron Green through to Alex Carey. However, Green had bowled a no ball, the fifth of his spell, to give Root a reprieve. It wasn’t to be a damaging mistake from Green, however, as Root was dismissed for ten by Mitchell Starc shortly afterwards.
Red for Ruth success
Lord’s turned red today for the culmination of this summer’s Red for Ruth campaign. Commentary teams donned red blazers while many wore red bucket hats to support the charity, which was founded in the memory of Ruth Strauss, who died from lung cancer in 2018. The players also walked out in red caps before the start of play and Andrew Strauss rung the ceremonial bell along with his two sons before the start of play.
