Related Links : Australia Tour of England 2013 – The Ashes | Scorecard of 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s
On a sub-continental type of pitch at the Mecca of Cricket – Lord’s, England demolished the struggling Aussies by 347 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the 5-match Ashes Series. The gap between the two teams has widened like anything following a dominating win from hosts England. It was only the first day of the match that saw Australia in any sort of control of the game. One can safely write off the Aussies looking at the way their present batting line-up is, which is of course low on confidence and perhaps even in the skill levels, wonder if any cricket betting tips are required to predict an easy Series win for England this time around.
Coming to the Lord’s Test, England slipped to 28 for 3 batting first after winning the toss. The hosts from that shaky situation were steadied by a half century from Jonathan Trott (58). Ian Bell who had a crucial stand with Trott, went onto score 109 before he was dismissed in the final session. Bell also had a fantastic partnership with Jonny Bairstow (67) to build a sound platform for England. The hosts lost their way though as part-time leggie Steven Smith got the ball to turn away sharply to take three key wickets. England were bowled out early on Day 2 for a healthy looking total of 361 with no.10 Stuart Broad and no.11 Graeme Swann putting up a valuable partnership of 48.
Ryan Harris, who had come in for Mitchell Starc in this Second Test claimed a third five-wicket haul for the tourists. Australia put up a shocking batting display to get bowled out for just 128 in 53.3 overs. The tourists batted themselves out of the contest by conceding a massive first innings lead of 221 runs. Graeme Swann tormented the visitors extracting sharp turn out of the abrasive surface to take 5 for 44. The 34-year-old claimed his 16th five-wicket haul.
England didn’t take the follow on surprisingly and what was more surprising that they kept on batting on batting despite the leading growing well over 500. Australia at one point of time had England at 30 for 3 before resigning to the fate of the game. Joe Root cashed in big time to score a career-best of 180 (from 338 balls). Ian Bell with a slice of luck scored 74. England eventually declared its second innings at 349 for 7 to leave an impossible target of 583.
Australia didn’t show much fight in their second innings and folded to 235 all out by the end of the extended fourth day’s play. Usman Khawaja (54) and Michael Clarke (51) were the only batsmen to come up with any promising stuff for the Aussies with the bat. Once again, it was Swann causing the destruction taking 4 for 78 while the other bowlers did their part as well. Joe Root was adjudged as the Man of the Match.
