Australia in control of second Ashes Test against England

However, Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, opted not to enforce it, with two days still to play.

If there is one way in which Stokes, when he bats, reveals that he is an all-rounder rather than a specialist batsman, it is in defence when his bat is not always straight. Josh Hazlewood all too efficiently swung one down the slope to pin Moeen after his brisk 39, and seamed one up the slope to bowl Mark Wood. “We batted exceptionally well and then we were able to work in partnership as a bowling unit”. Last year, India and Sri Lanka tamed them although they bounced back spectacularly against New Zealand recently with a facile win in the first Test. There is a lot at stake for the English, whose are still transitioning after a disastrous World Cup and a spate of bad results, backroom changes and dressing room infighting.

It was a couple of big hundreds that enabled Australia to post such an imposing first innings total earlier in the day.

Australia have moved further into control of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s instinct was that a clean catch had been taken, but third official Chris Gaffaney saw enough evidence on video replay to convince him the ball had brushed the turf after initially going just on the full into Nevill’s right glove.

England face a mammoth task to avoid defeat in the second Ashes Test after Australia turned the screw on the third day at Lord’s.

The sheer extra speed of Australia´s fast bowlers made talk of a ´docile´ surface all but redundant as England slumped to 30 for four inside 11 overs.

“We’re just going to have to get our head round batting time”.

Buttler edged Mitchell Johnson (three for 53) behind, and Peter Nevill pulled off a brilliant diving take barely an inch off the ground.

England can still save the second test, Broad said.

But his hopes of breaking that 85-year-old Australia record ended in very modern fashion when he was lbw trying to reverse-sweep part-time spinner Joe Root.

Whether he would have been given out, or confirmed on review, was unclear – and, in the circumstances, academic.

Paceman Johnson summed-up: “It’s a nice picture to have on day two”.

The moment came in mid-afternoon with a clip past midwicket off Moeen Ali for his 24th four from the 336th ball he had faced.

Australia (1st innings): 566/8 decl.

Then he took three wickets for 200 runs, and was at the helm as England marched to an opening stand of 196.

Rogers, who missed Australia´s preceding Test series win in the Caribbean after suffering concussion while batting in the nets, needed several minutes´ on-field treatment.

He received treatment from England medical staff but batted out the rest of the session.

England’s rewards for improved bowling were relatively meagre before lunch.

Rogers lasted for 300 balls, and hit 28 fours.

“We didn’t get off to the best of starts yesterday but me and Cooky tried to carry on our partnership”, Stokes told Sky Sports.