Australia are 2-0 up with three to play
Thanks so much for all your correspondence today, apologies I couldn’t get through them all (I will). My inbox was groaning for most of the day – especially after Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal and during Ben Stokes’ incredible innings.
What a game. England made a great fist of it today but ultimately the game was lost earlier in the Test match. Anderson, Broad and and co were flat with the new ball in helpful conditions on day 1 and then failed to press home their advantage with the bat when they found themselves 188-1 in their own first innings.
Australia are such a fine side that you don’t need to give them a helping hand in any department yet that is what England have done during key passages of play at Edgbaston and again here at Lord’s. There’ll be lots of talk about their ‘process’ and the bones of this game will be picked over laboriously. It’ll be remembered for a long time too.
The facts speak for themselves – Australia hold the Ashes and are 2-0 up in this series. England need to win the three remaining matches in order to reclaim the urn. Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult.
Time for me to depart. Ali’s report from Lord’s will be along shortly. We’ll be back to do it all over again in a few days. Phew.
Updated
An MCC spokesperson said: “The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the Pavilion is very special. After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members.
We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian team and will deal with any member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon’s session.”
Simon Burnton has more on this breaking story here:
