Australia bounce back in style, crush England to level Ashes series

A ruthless Aussie attack provided little respite for the English side as they were bowled out for a mere 103 at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’. England could never really recover from the shock they had endured at the start of the match; by all means Australia had dominated proceedings for the four days of cricket that was played here.

Resuming from their overnight score of 108, Australian openers David Warner and Chris Rogers played with assurance before the latter suffered a concussion and had to retire back to the pavilion. Warner looked set for his maiden Lord’s hundred but fell seventeen short, failing to put up with a Moeen Ali delivery.

In-form batsman Steven Smith scored 58 with an array of boundaries. The New South Wales man equaled Don Bradman’s record of scoring a double-century and a fifty at Lord’s.

The Australian batsmen scored their runs quickly as Michael Clarke chipped in with a 34 balls 32 and Mitchell Marsh hit a 27 of 19 deliveries. Marsh’s innings was marked by 2 sixes and a four.

Australia set up a target of 509 by virtue of their second innings score, 254 for the loss of 2 wickets. Both of which were picked by Moeen Ali who gave away 78 runs. The rest of the English bowlers bowled without any success.

England lost their opening wicket for twelve runs; there was no looking back since. One after the other, they came and went. Joe Root (17), England’s most prolific batsman in the last 2 years watched in despair the parade that took place on the other end.

Adam Lyth (7), Alastair Cook (11), Gary Balance (14), Ian Bell (11) could not stand up to the challenge as Mitchell Johnson and co. wrecked havoc on the English camp. They were in a precarious position, 64-7, when Stuart Broad entered the field. The wide shouldered Broad and Joe Root tried denying the Aussies an early victory by posting 37 runs for the 8th wicket, the best in the innings.

Broad’s 25 off 17 balls knock came to a close as he scooped one to Adam Voges, trying to play a back foot drive to a ball that was pitched short by Nathan Lyon. Hazlewood pegged back Joe Root’s stumps to end all hope for the hosts.

Johnson picked up 3 wickets for 37 runs apart from dismissing Ben Stokes through a run-out. He was ably supported by Josh Hazlewood (2-20), Mitchell Starc (1-16), Mitchell Marsh (1-8) and Nathan Lyon (2-27).

Steven Smith was adjudged the Man-of the Match for this batting exploits.