Ashes 2019: Australia hold on as England fall short in dramatic final day at Lord’s
The match was drawn to leave Australia 1-0 up heading to Leeds for the third Ashes Test
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Follow the latest updates live from the final day of the Ashes Second Test where both England and Australia harbour faint hopes of a victory.
Ben Stokes’s century has given England an outside chance of victory after he smashed his way to three figures, with Nathan Lyon taking the bulk of the punishment. The call came soon after Stokes reached his century to declare on 258-5, setting Australia an appetising 267 to win and 48 overs remaining in the day.
Australia also lost star batsman Steve Smith to a concussion, after he was struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer ball yesterday, and he will also miss the third Test at Headingly under the new ICC laws that rules players out for at least six days following a head injury. Follow the live updates below.
When is it?
The second Test takes place on 14-18 August at Lord’s.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports The Ashes and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on each day’s play.
Odds
England to win: 14/1
Australia to win: 15/4
Draw: 1/2
Prediction
Draw: With rain expected to washout most – if not all – of Wednesday and Saturday and severely hamper the rest of the second Test, it’s difficult to look beyond the draw and Australia maintaining their 1-0 advantage.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the final day of the Second Ashes Test, where England will restart their second innings on 96-4 and a lead of 104.
The weather forecast does not look good for the hosts, with rain in the air this morning at Lord's, but even if there is a delay play should get underway in the early afternoon as the skies should clear up.
England will look to score quickly with Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler at the crease, but Australia are not yet out of the Test and could look to chase down a low total if they can skittle English wickets early.
There will be a pitch inspection in five minutes or so at 11:40am.
There were slim hopes of a result today anyway, but surely there are no hopes now.
BREAKING
Play to start at 12:10pm!
Lunch will then be at 1:30pm.
Jofra Archer has revealed England’s plan was to get Steve Smith “rattled” during an intense battle on day four of the second Ashes Test.
The fast bowler hit the Australia batsman on the neck with a bouncer leading to him retiring hurt, before returning to make 92.
England struggled to contain Smith during the first Test, with the batsman making two centuries to inspire victory at Edgbaston.
But Archer thrived on his Test debut at Lord’s, consistently bowling north of 90 mph to give the hosts a new dimension to their bowling attack.
Steve Smith has been ruled out of the fifth day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's and the entire third Test due to concussion.
The Australian batsman was hit on the neck by a bouncer from England bowler Jofra Archer on day four, forcing him to initially retire hurt before returning to make 92.
But now Smith has been diagnosed with concussion and will not be allowed to train or play for six days - meaning he will be unavailable for the third Test at Headingly, which starts August 22.
Rain has delayed the start of day five at Lord's, with England 104 runs ahead in their second innings on 96/4. Australia lead the five-match series 1-0.
England 111/4, lead Australia by 119 runs
Lovely shot from Stokes, just a push that runs down the slope and past the man at mid-on for four.
Stokes moves to 29, with Buttler at the other end on 12.
England 113/4, lead Australia by 121 runs
Hazelwood thinks he's got Stokes lbw... They review, but UltraEdge shows a big spike, Stokes hits the ball and his bat.
It pitched outside leg regardless.
England 118/4, lead Australia by 126 runs
What a beauty! Lyon sends one down that pitches on middle and off but spins viciously, beating Stokes' edge and landing in the gloves of Paine.
Stokes beaten all ends up there.
50 partnership for Stokes and Buttler!
Buttler, who has faced 70 deliveries, contributing just 15 is a dogged innings.
Stokes now on 36 from 79 and put up 30 of the partnership.
50 for Ben Stokes!
Decent knock by Stokes, defence, attack when permitted and absolute concentration.
England now lead by 154 with 10 minutes before lunch.
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