'I definitely think it’s going to be ramped up' - Ben Stokes predicts spike in intensity as Ashes action proceeds to Headingley

Australia set England a mammoth 371-run target in the fourth innings in the second Ashes Test at Lord's. Pat Cummins and Co. were given a major scare by England captain Ben Stokes, who played a breathtaking knock of 155, hitting nine fours and nine sixes in the process. The visitors eventually won the match by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.

One of the major talking points from Day 5 turned out to be Jonny Bairstow's stumping off the bowling of Cameron Green. On the last ball of the 52nd over, Bairstow safely negotiated a bouncer from the tall Aussie all-rounder, allowing the ball to go through to Alex Carey.

England's wicketkeeper-batter started walking towards Ben Stokes at the non-striker's end, thinking that the ball was 'dead' in cricketing terms. However, Carey under-armed the ball and hit the stumps to find his opposite number short of the crease. Bairstow was out stumped.

This caused serious discontent among the English fans as they felt it was against the spirit of cricket. England captain Ben Stokes also expressed displeasure at the incident. Stokes feels that the intensity of the series will only rise going into the third Test and for the rest of the series.

”I definitely think it’s going to be ramped up. Australia have had their past and have come here a few times since and I think they’re all used to the English crowd," Stokes was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket.

“When we go to Australia we get lambasted as well. Look, I think that‘s part of the sport we play. You get thousands of people who want their team to win and they’ll just jump on something. We get it in Australia: 90,000 Australians at the MCG all cursing at you. It’s part of the job.”

I think we’re still amicable: Pat Cummins

Australian captain Pat Cummins, who came out in defence of his teammate Carey, said that some drama or the other generally pops up during the Ashes. Cummins stated that his team is "still amicable" despite the stern words they have received from fans as well as their opposition.

“It seems like every Ashes has some drama to it – even one-sided Ashes in the past, things get stoked up halfway through a series,” Cummins said.

“It just feels like you’ve got two old rivals who are playing against each other. Is it going to change anything? I don’t think so. I don’t think it’ll change anything for us. I think we’re still amicable, so we’ll see how it plays out. Being up two-nil is something we should be really proud of. I don’t feel like this series needed any more attention because there’s a lot going on – but maybe there is some more.”

Notably, Stuart Broad took a dig at Carey during his innings on Day 5. The experienced pacer apparently told the wicketkeeper that he would be remembered for the way he dismissed Bairstow.