Australia declared on 566-8 thanks to Steve Smith’s 215, before England collapsed to 85-4, as Australia dominated on day two of the second Test match at Lord’s.
The Baggy Greens began the day on 337-1 as Chris Rogers and Smith made the English toil on a pitch difficult for the bowlers, and the tourists kept going thanks mainly to the exploits of Smith, before an England collapse left the Australians firmly in charge.
It was already a record Australian partnership at Lord’s between Rogers and Smith, and they kept plugging away at the English in the morning session, before Stuart Broad finally found the breakthrough, bowling Rogers for an excellent 173.
The hosts showed a lot more purpose with the ball on day two, and found wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Michael Clarke fell for seven and Adam Voges could only muster 25. Broad then picked up his third wicket of the match to remove Mitchell Marsh for 12.
Smith played a different game however, and he eventually brought up a double century, and with that his highest score after falling one short of a maiden double ton against West Indies in June. He went into the match ranked second in the world behind AB de Villiers, but it is highly likely he will regain top spot in what has been an incredible year for the 26-year-old.
He eventually departed for 215, so too did debutant Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson, as Clarke called the declaration on 566-8.
England then had it all to do to match the Australians, but it was all too much for Adam Lyth, who played at one he could have left in the second ball of the innings, Mitchell Starc the man to cause the damage. The onslaught didn’t stop there, as Mitchell Johnson removed the furniture in his first over. The out of sorts Ian Bell only lasted two balls himself.
England’s demise was fully realised with the departure of Joe Root. He knicked one off the bowling of Johnson to walk back for just one, as England reeled on 30-4.
It was up to Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes to rectify the damage, and they did a good job of it, as Stokes played a counter-attacking innings which saw him close the day on 38. Cook will go into day three on 21, with England trailing by a huge 481 runs. All to do for the hosts going into Saturday.
