Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s unlikely bowling hero as he saw off dangerman Ben Stokes to maintain his country’s grip on the second Ashes Test at Lord’s yesterday.
It had seemed England, who had collapsed to 30-4 on Friday, might get through the third morning without losing a wicket, but Marsh — called up after fellow medium-pace all-rounder Shane Watson was dropped after Australia’s defeat in the first Test in Cardiff last week — succeeded where the frontline bowlers had failed by bowling Stokes off the inside edge for 87.
At lunch, England were 181-5 in reply to Australia’s 566-8 declared, a deficit of 385 runs and still needing a further 186 to make the Ashes-holders bat again.
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Captain Alastair Cook was 56 not out and Jos Buttler was unbeaten on five.
Cook and Stokes checked Australia’s progress with a fifth-wicket stand of 145 after coming together following a top-order collapse in the face of hostile fast bowling led by Mitchell Johnson.
After Friday’s play, which ended with England 85-4, Johnson had tried to goad Stokes by questioning whether he would still continue to bat in the “aggressive” fashion that has been England’s watchword under new Australian coach Trevor Bayliss.
However, Stokes showed good judgment after resuming on 38 not out. The left-handed batsman deliberately uppercut Johnson over the slips for a boundary.
Stokes then completed his 50 when he off-drove Johnson for the eighth four of his innings, which also included a six.
Cook, 21 not out overnight, attacked when given the chance.
He pulled a short ball from Hazlewood for four and drove off-spinner Nathan Lyon straight for another boundary.
At press time last night, England were 256-6.
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