The second day of the Lord’s Ashes Test ended on a thrilling note as Australia put up a mammoth 416 on the board after losing the toss and England posted 278 for four. While Ben Duckett missed out on his maiden Ashes century by two runs, it was a day steve smith With both bat and field.
Smith began the day with his 32nd Test century, equaling former Australian captain Steve Waugh’s century and is now second only to Ricky Ponting in scoring the most centuries by an Australian in the longest format of the game. are on Smith was dismissed soon after completing his century but ensured that Australia’s score crossed 400.
If that was not enough, he also produced one of the most important moments of the game which could have a big impact later in the Test match. England were cruising at 188/1 with two set batsmen before Australia employed the short-ball plot to full effect. Pope and Duckett lost quick before Joe Root A no-ball by Cameron Green saved him from being dismissed.
However, a few overs later, Root got Mitchell Starc for his first wicket in front of a never-ending barrage of short balls from Australia. Root tried to play the pull shot but the bouncer quickly climbed over him as he could not find the required timing. He went wrong towards backward square fielder Steve Smith, who had to run fast, dived and took the catch brilliantly.
However, just like Cameron Green’s catch Shubman Gill In the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the ball touched the ground despite Smith’s fingers being under the ball. As this was the case, the third umpire once again ruled in favor of the fielding side and the spectators were immediately reminded of Gill Out.
Watch the dismissal here (from 12:47)
Root’s dismissal meant England went from 188/1 to 222/4 before captain Ben Stokes and Harry Brook taped a leaking tap and put on an unbeaten 52-run partnership. England still trail by 138 runs and will hope to bat and regain the lead till tea on the third day.