Ben Stokes:
“Having experienced something like that before, it was good to look back at that and have a game plan. But unfortunately it wasn’t enough today. Yeah, it got to the point where Australia changed their plans, and I changed my approach as well. Tough one to swallow, to get so close. We’re 2-0 down but we’ve won 3-0 against NZ, 3-0 against Pakistan, so we know we can do it. [Bairstow] Quite a lot of factors. I asked the umps if they called over, they said no. End of the day it’s out.
If the shoe was on the other foot, I’d have to have a think around spirit of the game. It’s happened, it’s out, we’ve got to move on. [Conceded 400 bowling first] When you win the toss and bowl you always want to restrict them. The lads got a bit of criticism but the amount of times we went past the bat was frustrating. The efforts we put in, bowling short for hours on end [in the second innings], the efforts can’t be faulted. It’s tough when you have lost but a lot of positives.
Reckless is an easy word to use. We’ve given everyone clarity about what they want to do. The dressing room backs people to play the way they want. [Tongue] Been brilliant. Didn’t know him too well for Ireland game, but the way he’s bowled and taken on responsibility this week, he’s been a great find for us and will have a great future in an England shirt. [Headingley in three days] Quick turnaround, but three games left so all we’re thinking about is 3-2.”
Pat Cummins:
“Another wonderful game, right down to the wire. Few heart-stopping moments, the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Been a good day. [Headingley] A world-class player like Ben, at the top of his game, you start thinking the boundaries look pretty small. Not a lot in the wicket, it was tough, but I thought the way we navigated through it was good. Glad to have 200 on the board rather than 100 like at Headingley. Tried to stay patient, have the fields out for a bit. We stuck with it, happy to go at two an over.
[Bairstow dismissal] Carey saw it happen previously, it’s in the Laws, totally fair play. That’s how I saw it. [Worst of conditions?] Losing Lyon, those games are set up for him on day five. To win without him is huge. The batters under lights, too. Huge win. [Lyon batting] Wasn’t particularly happy but he was keen to get out there, did an amazing job and those 15-20 runs looked pretty important at the end. [Done for series?] Imagine so, we’ve got Todd Murphy here.”
Player of the Match is Steven Smith:
[Stokes onslaught] “Bit of deja vu for sure, he’s an unbelievable player. The way he went about it, targeting that side [towards the Mound and Tavern Stands]. Probably the first one he tried to hit from the other side and it went up the chimney. [Drop] I didn’t pick it up, was difficult square of the wicket. Difficult giving guys like that lives, we’ve seen it numerous times. Fortunately he hit one up the chimney but an incredible knock. [Hundred] Important to put a total on the board, we were looking to bowl day one as well.
To navigate our way and get a total helped us out. [Short stuff] Bit two-paced, bounce was variable as the ball got older. Wasn’t a great deal on offer as you pitched it up. One way was to shut the scoreboard down and it worked for both sides. [Lyon batting] They play a dangerous brand, they like chasing. There wasn’t a great deal in the surface. He showed great courage and got as a few more runs. They were vital at the end there.”
England vs Australia Highlights today. Sunday 2-7-2023, The Ashes 2023 2nd Test, Lord’s, London.
Toss: England chose to field.
England team: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 James Anderson
Australia team: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Head to Head In test’s: 357
England Won: 110
Australia Won: 151
England test Rankings: 3rd
Australia test Rankings: 2nd
Form guide
(Last five matches, most recent first)
England LWLWW
Australia WWDWL
Match Timings: 10:00 AM GMT | 11:00 AM Local
Umpires – Ahsan Raza, Chris Gaffaney
TV Umpire – Marais Erasmus
Match Referee – Andy Pycroft
Reserve Umpire – David Millns
Match number – Test no. 2508
