Australia enters day two of the second Ashes Test after their most dominant day of the sequence to date.
Sent in on an English seamer, the vacationers completed the day 5-339 – with Steve Smith unbeaten on 85 – in a disastrous opening day for the house facet.
They’ll face new, however acquainted, challenges on Thursday after being met with a moist London morning.
Follow the dwell motion, and the climate updates, in our dwell weblog under.
8PM: RAIN CLEARS, AUSTRALIA EYE HUGE TARGET
After a morning of rain and gloom, I’ve the magic phrases for you: we’ve began on time.
The skies do look mildly terrifying – darkish and thick with clouds. That’s terrifying each within the sense that, for Steve Smith and Alex Carey, they’re bowler-friendly but in addition as a result of rain doesn’t appear too far-off.
But Jimmy Anderson will begin to Smith to open day two.
And after that? How many runs do Australia want from right here? Another 150 runs would push Australia proper on the cusp of 500, a mark that might be extraordinary having been despatched in on a seam-friendly wicket.
They’d definitely take it, however even a primary goal of 400 could be firmly of their sights on this morning session, climate allowing.
7.45PM: SMITH ON CUSP OF (MORE) GREATNESS
Stop us if you happen to’ve heard this earlier than, however Steve Smith isn’t any simply extremely good at cricket – he’s additionally on the cusp of a bit of bit extra historical past.
I’ll let CODE Sport’s Jacob Kuriype take it from right here, to run you thru a number of the milestones in entrance of Smith within the first session of play right this moment.
“Another 15 runs to his overnight score will see Smith move to equal second for the most Ashes centuries ever, level with England’s Jack Hobbs (12) and behind only the incomparable Sir Don Bradman (19).
“If he does get there, Smith’s 12 Ashes tons would have come across 34 Tests and 59 innings, markedly quicker than Hobbs who played 71 innings across his 41 Ashes Tests.
“The century would also be Smith’s 32nd in all Tests, taking him to equal second for Australians alongside Steve Waugh and behind only Ricky Ponting (41).”
7.30PM: WEATHER CLEARING, CLOUDS REMAIN
Whisper it… however there might be some optimistic indicators at Lord’s. They wish to begin on time.
The groups are out within the center for a much-needed warm-up within the chilly circumstances, and whereas the hover cowl stays subsequent to the pitch, there’s a way of optimism, regardless of the ever-present risk of rain.
There is, nonetheless, loads of cloud cowl hanging over the well-known floor – one thing which must be trigger for concern for Australia’s unbeaten pair, Steve Smith and Alex Carey.
Batting appears to be like prefer it might be higher this afternoon… but when Smith and Carey are nonetheless within the center by then, England can be in a deep gap.
7.00PM: BIZARRE THEORY BEHIND ENGLAND’S LORD’S SHAMBLES
Australia loves Lord’s – at this level that’s only a bonafide truth.
And it’s not simply Steve Smith, who’s unbeaten on 85 and already owns a Test double-century on the floor.
Australia has misplaced simply three Ashes Tests towards England for the reason that 1800s – two previously 15 years, and a 3rd in 1934.
Outside of these events, the Home of Cricket has been a barren floor for England towards Australia.
And the BBC’s Henry Moeran has a concept: as a result of it’s too quiet.
Essentially the polar reverse of the opening Test venue, Edgbaston, the place the raucous Hollies Stand creates a hostile environment throughout al 5 days, the Lord’s crowd is way extra sedate.
England fan group the Barmy Army historically has a trumpeter to guide its chants, however devices are banned from the bottom, making a far totally different environment.
And it performs a task.
“With a generally quieter atmosphere (no instruments allowed, for example), is the Lord’s experience too comfortable for visiting sides?” requested Moeran.
6.30PM: GRIM FORECAST FACES AUSSIES
After a dominant opening day, Australia could be eager to twist the knife early on day two at Lord’s.
Unfortunately, the English climate Gods have totally different concepts.
It’s moist and dreary in London proper now, with regular rain falling all through the morning, and extra precipitation on the radar.
Steve Smith will resume on 85, with a thirty second Test century in his sights, alongside Alex Carey (11 not out).
4PM: SECOND TO BRADMAN: SMITH’S RAREFIED AIR
By Jacob Kuriype
After the rarest of dual failures within the sequence opener, Steve Smith is again in acquainted territory on the cusp of Ashes historical past.
Smith will resume play on day two of the second Test on 85, reverse Alex Carey (11), with the Australians on the right track for an enormous first innings whole at 5-339.
Another 15 runs to his in a single day rating will see Smith transfer to equal second for probably the most Ashes centuries ever, degree with England’s Jack Hobbs (12) and behind solely the incomparable Sir Don Bradman (19).
There is each probability the Australian should anticipate his probability to carry up the century, with showers anticipated via the morning.
If he does get there, Smith’s 12 Ashes tons would have come throughout 34 Tests and 59 innings, markedly faster than Hobbs who performed 71 innings throughout his 41 Ashes Tests.
The century would even be Smith’s thirty second in all Tests, taking him to equal second for Australians alongside Steve Waugh and behind solely Ricky Ponting (41).
At stumps on day one, Smith’s profession Ashes run tally sat at 3151. That makes him the fifth highest run-scorer in Ashes historical past, however he may leapfrog Waugh (3173) and Allan Border (3222) to 3rd if he carries on his type from in a single day.
The match has already seen the Australian nice have a good time one vital milestone as he went previous 9000 profession Test runs. In phrases of innings performed, solely Kumar Sangakkara (172 innings) has reached the landmark faster than Smith (174).
Smith is at present Australia’s fourth best Test run scorer, behind Waugh (10,927), Border (11,174) and Ponting (13,378).
Sent out to bat, the Australians made probably the most of ill-disciplined bowling and sloppy fielding from the hosts, with David Warner (66) and Travis Head (77) each making half-centuries.
Originally printed as Ashes 2023 dwell: Steve Smith eyes Test century at Lord’s
Source: www.news.com.au
