*Official* Second Test (Lord's, London) 28 June–2 July

[TheJediBrah]

Horrible Test match. Australia did very well to win having all the worst of the conditions and losing Lyon

 

[Spark]

concerning that haze has gone at 4.5 an over almost for the match

Yeah he wasn't great. Though to be fair he did get the truly important wickets today.

 

[Bahnz]

Lol punter, without those “few little moments of spice”, England would’ve been bowled out for 247 and nobody would remember this game for anything but the short ball weirdness.

 

[Prince EWS]

Stokes came in 4 wickets down, was 7th man out, and he scored half the runs. One man band

Feels like he hit a double ton including the winning runs.

 

[Burgey]

First ball at the stumps does it.

Dominant really, lost their most important bowler, sent in on day one in bad batting conditions, bowled in good batting conditions and still won without Lyon.

4-0 well on track now. Would bring in Boland for Haze, and possibly Ness for Starc depending on how he pulls up. Great effort Stokes to get England as close as he did when they were basically bent over for four days.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Also Andrew Strauss looks like a big red bowling ball

 

[Coronis]

Athers 100% right about Australia’s first innings and the England collapse in the first innings. You just know everyone will whinge about the Bairstow dismissal though.

 

[morgieb]

I seriously hope now England are down 2-0 they actually produce wickets that do something. The short ball tactic only became a thing because pitching it up was cannon fodder (well it was for Australia).

 

[chris.hinton]

Does it feel like you're 2-0 up?

Oh yes

 

[Spark]

I seriously hope now England are down 2-0 they actually produce wickets that do something. The short ball tactic only became a thing because pitching it up was cannon fodder (well it was for Australia).

It was for both sides - it's not like England had any success bowling normally either. Smith and Khawaja looked very very comfortable before they went to the short balls.

 

[Lefty]

Match figures of 6/167 for Starc, he takes wickets and that is why he is in the team.

 

[artvandalay]

Lol punter, without those “few little moments of spice”, England would’ve been bowled out for 247 and nobody would remember this game for anything but the short ball weirdness.

Made this game almost unwatchable tbh seeing the continuous spamming of short balls.

 

[Prince EWS]

It was for both sides - it's not like England had any success bowling normally either.

What did you think of the pitch this time?

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

First ball at the stumps does it.

Dominant really, lost their most important bowler, sent in on day one in bad batting conditions, bowled in good batting conditions and still won without Lyon.

4-0 well on track now. Would bring in Boland for Haze, and possibly Ness for Starc depending on how he pulls up. Great effort Stokes to get England as close as he did when they were basically bent over for four days.

Only 4? Why so bearish burgey

 

[kevinw]

If it wasn't for the fact that Anderson desperately needs a rest, I'd drop Robinson for his mouth and his appalling attitude when batting. The other three bowlers were willing to protect their wickets and get hit. He took the coward's way out.

 

[Darwin Award]

Also Andrew Strauss looks like a big red bowling ball

He went bald very quickly... I used to remember him with a full head of hair.

He went the Prince William route with a whimper.

 

[morgieb]

It was for both sides - it's not like England had any success bowling normally either. Smith and Khawaja looked very very comfortable before they went to the short balls.

Yeah I felt like it was England's Plan C too, but wasn't as sure there as I was for us.

 

[ripper868]

Also Andrew Strauss looks like a big red bowling ball

Maybe google Ruth Strauss.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Hopefully Aus shake up the bowling for next game. This was very ordinary and short turnaround could facilitate it. Neser and Boland to come in, don't particularly care who for.

 

[Prince EWS]

Made this game almost unwatchable tbh seeing the continuous spamming

Sorry.

... of short balls.

Oh right, nevermind.