England vs Australia LIVE: Cricket scorecard and Ashes updates from day four at Lord’s
Michael Vaughan blasts England approach as ‘silly and stupid’
Michael Vaughan criticised England’s “silly and stupid” ploy to keep attacking Australia’s short-pitched bowling after they ended the third day of the second Ashes Test with a 221-run deficit.
Former England captain Vaughan told BBC’s Test Match Special: “When you’ve got that field Australia set, if you go at two or three an over and stay in, that is better.
“I am intrigued, not just with Harry, but with all of the batters trying to constantly take it on. It’s silly, it’s stupid, it won’t have constant success.
“I actually thought they (England) bowled well. The seamers bowled nicely and the conditions were perfect. They could easily have got a few more wickets, a couple of reviews didn’t quite go the way they would have liked.
“I don’t think it is the bowling you can point the finger at – it is all the batting and the Bazball way isn’t it? The mistakes they made with their batting is the reason why they are in the position that they are.”
PA
Michael Vaughan took aim at England’s batters after a costly day three of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s (John Walton/PA)
Ashes likely over for Nathan Lyon after ‘significant’ injury confirmed
In case you missed yesterday’s news – Nathan Lyon’s chances of playing any further part in the Ashes look slim after Australia confirmed he had suffered a “significant” calf strain.
Lyon had arrived on the third morning at Lord’s on crutches after he had to be helped off the pitch on Thursday evening after pulling up with a calf problem during his fielding stint in the deep.
The Australia spinner, playing his 100th consecutive Test, looked distraught as he hobbled around the boundary edge and, when he joined his team-mates at the ground on Friday morning, his reliance on crutches raised alarm bells over his chances of being fit for the last three Tests of the series.
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England assistant coach Jeetan Patel on yesterday’s “crazy” batting display:
“We’ve seen some amazing things from this team, some crazy things.
“This team is about breaking records. They want to set new standards and sell out grounds.
“A way to do that is to bowl them out and set the crowd alight, then chase whatever it is down.”
England coach offers Ollie Pope update
England batter Ollie Pope is likely to continue playing in the second Ashes test at Lord’s despite hurting his shoulder again during the third day’s play on Friday, spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel told reporters.
Vice-captain Pope hurt his right shoulder diving to stop a ball on the first day and left the field to ice it. He then came out and batted in England’s first innings, showing no signs of lasting damage.
On Friday when England emerged for Australia’s second innings, Pope was told by officials that he had to play on, only to hurt himself again when diving to stop another ball.
“He is sore but he should be OK again to bat tomorrow,” Patel said. “He’s never going to turn down an opportunity to bat for England, and with an opportunity to win a game I can’t see Ollie Pope ever saying no to that.”
Reuters
England are watching the second Test slip away
Facing Australia was always going to be a different challenge for “Bazball” England, and on Friday afternoon of the second Ashes Test, it felt like the side that had demolished so many bowling attacks was watching the game slip away.
While Australia’s bowlers had wrapped up England’s remaining six wickets for just 47 runs in the morning session, the home attack lacked the same bite and pace, despite the overcast conditions.
England’s desire to play attacking cricket at times appears almost reckless, and on the morning of the third day it arguably went slightly too far.
By Sonia Twigg at Lord’s
England face pivotal Ashes moment as second Test starts to slip away
Australia are 130-2 in their second innings, holding a 221-run lead over a team that are verging on reckless
Good morning!
Good morning – well, it is unless you’re an England cricket fan at least.
Australia have a commanding lead of 221 runs over going into the fourth day’s play at Lord’s after another impressive display on Friday. Depsite Nathan Lyon being confirmed to miss the remainder of the test match due to a calf injury the tourists skittled England in morning session and opened up a lead of 91 heading into their second innings.
With overcast conditions potentially helpful to England’s bowling unit, Australia’s openers were watchful and composed. Usman Khawaja collected a third score of 50+ in four innings to finish 58 not out at the close while David Warner (25) and Marnus Labuchagne (30) chipped in handy runs as the Aussies built their lead.
Wickets for Jost Tongue and James Anderson could not swing the momentum England’s way though and with Steve Smith is also not out overnight the tourists have a wonderful platform to increase their lead. They start today’s action on 130-2 and will look to set a mammoth total for England to chase.
Follow today’s blog to see if England can respond – it’s much, much needed.
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