Joe Root's double strike lifts England in second Ashes Test but unbeaten Steve Smith has Australia on top
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Published 28/06/2023 at 19:08 GMT+1
Australia looked like they were going to finish the first day of the second Ashes Test in a very strong position until Joe Root took two late wickets in an over. Root's double strike slowed Australia's charge and saw them finish on 339/5. Steve Smith remains at the crease on 85 as he looks for a century at Lord's. Josh Tongue took two wickets while Travis Head scored 77.
Joe Root (L) celebrates
Image credit: Getty Images
Joe Root took two wickets in an over to lift England after Australia had dominated the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's.
Steve Smith (85*) and Travis Head (77) looked as though they were set to put Australia in a commanding position as they took the score to 300/3.
However, Root had Head stumped and then Cameron Green caught for a duck three balls later.
Australia finished the day on 339/5.
Despite Root's double strike, England will likely feel they did not make the most of the conditions after putting Australia into bat under grey clouds.
Josh Tongue was their standout seamer after bowling Usman Khawaja (17) and David Warner (66).
Play started on time despite gloomy overhead conditions but it was soon disrupted as two Just Stop Oil protesters got onto the field.
One was carried away by England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow while the other was blocked by England captain Ben Stokes.
The protesters did manage to spread orange powder on the pitch but it was soon cleared up.
With clouds above and the floodlights on, England were expected to make early inroads.
There were some plays and misses - and a drop at slip by Ollie Pope - but Warner scored freely and Khawaja was patient as they saw off the new-ball threat.
It wasn’t until the stroke of lunch that England got the breakthrough when Khawaja was bowled after leaving a ball from Tongue.
Warner fell soon after lunch, bowled by a brilliant ball from Tongue, which brought Smith to the crease along with Labuschagne.
The pair were dismissed cheaply in both innings at Egbaston but this time looked fluent as they scored quickly.
There were two reprieves – Smith reviewing a caught behind decision and Labuschagne an lbw call – as Australia reached tea at 190/2.
Eventually Ollie Robinson had Labuschagne caught behind for 47 to give England a boost, but Smith and Head flayed the attack in the evening session to push Australia past 300.
Head had scored 77 from just 73 balls when he was stumped after coming down the pitch to Root.
Root then claimed the wicket of Green to give England a much-needed lift late in the day.
Australia lead the five-match series 1-0.
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