Smith's double, bowlers put Aussies in a commanding position on Day 2 of the 2nd Ashes test

Smith’s double, bowlers put Aussies in a commanding position on Day 2 of the 2^nd Ashes test: It’s a super comeback by the visiting Australian team after the Cardiff test to dominate the preceding at the end of day 2 of the second Ashes Test in Lords. Led by a spectacular double hundred by the new Aussie poster boy Steven Smith; followed by the bowlers wrecking the English top-order on the last session of the second day.

After taking the early in-roads on day 1, Australians maintained the momentum on the next morning courtesy Steven Smith’s 215 and veteran Chris Rogers 173 before declaring with a huge 566 under their kitty. Stuart Broad was the lone silver lining for the hosts with the pacer claiming four out of eight Aussie wickets.

The Australian pacers didn’t waste much time to wrack the England top order to leave them tangling at 30 for 4. But, skipper Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes combined together to form a late English fight back with 85 for 4 at the end of day 2.

Left arm quick Mitchell Starc first got into the arc while edging opener Adam Lyth to wicket-keeper Peter Nevill on the second ball of the inning. Gary Ballance then formed a little 28 run partnership with skipper to keep the scoreboard moving. The introduction of Mitchell Johnson paid dividends for the visitors as the pacer bowled Gary Ballance for 23. Adding to that two wickets in next two overs which left England in a huge trouble. Experienced Ian Bell was undone by young Hazlewood to kiss his stumps on the way, while first game’s hero Joe Root became Johnson’s second scalp of the inning.

England was struggling largely and needed a big partnership to keep their hopes alive further in the game. Skipper Alastair Cook started the rescue work with all-rounder Ben Stokes. Cook looked compose for his unbeaten 21 showing determination to bat long and take the England’s fight back forward. He was arguably supported by Stokes who played some attacking shots and was watchful at the same time in his innings of 38* including five boundaries and a six.

Early on starting the day at 337 for 1, Australia suffered an early blow with last night’s hero Chris Rogers (173) fell short of a double hundred, his magnificent knock coming to an end when he dragged a ball from Broad back onto his stumps.

Smith started off slowly in the morning but soon changed his gears to play some brilliant strokes. He continued to march on by playing a wide array of shots. Meanwhile, Australia also lost the wicket of Michael Clarke. Clarke looked all at sea at the crease and was eventually dismissed by Mark Wood.

At the run of play, Steve Smith launched up his first double ton in his short test career. It brought to a close a brilliant display by the world’s No.2-ranked batsman, who became the first Australian to score a double century at Lord’s since Bill Brown in 1938.

Smith was out for 215 a short while earlier after being given out LBW attempting a reverse sweep off the bowling of Joe Root. The dismissal was reviewed and while Hawkeye was unconvincing in portraying the ball as hitting the pad in line with the stumps, the decision was upheld.

Earlier, England had experienced a minor revival thanks mainly to Stuart Broad, who removed Adam Voges (25) and Mitch Marsh (12) after lunch. While, Peter Nevill followed shortly after for 45, the debutant looking right at home under the glare of the Test cricket spotlight.

Mitchell Johnson who scored a quick fire 77 in the fourth innings of the first game was dismissed for 15 while holding out to Anderson off Broad. Eventually, Australia declared with the score reading – 566 for 8.

Stuart Broad was the most successful of English bowlers with 4 wickets. Joe Root claimed two while Wood and Moeen Ali got a wicket each.

Brief Scores:

Australia- 566 for 8 decl. (Steve Smith 215, C Rogers 176, S Board 4-83)

England- 85 for 4 (Ben Stokes 38*, Alastair Cook 21*, M Johnson 2-16) trail by 481 runs.