The Ashes 2023 LIVE: Cricket result and reaction as England suffer defeat after Ben Stokes heroics

Ben Stokes produced another astonishing Ashes performance at Lord’s, but his dazzling century was not enough to save England from defeat as Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal sparked fury in the second Test.

The England captain embarked on a six-hitting rampage after Alex Carey pulled off a deeply-divisive stumping of Bairstow, making 155 as he sought to fashion an unthinkable sequel to his 2019 miracle at Headingley. But this time a finish line of 371 was too far away –England finished 327 all out as they went down by 43 runs to trail 2-0 in the series with three to play.

But this gripping fifth day finish will live long in the memory, not just for Stokes’ classic, but the unprecedented anger on show at the home of cricket. Lord’s is renowned as one of the most polite sporting venues in the world – half arena, half artefact – but Carey’s opportunistic decision to throw down Bairstow’s stumps while the Englishman treated the ball as dead drew a visceral response.

A 32,000 crowd, who had snapped up day five tickets at £25, erupted in boos, jeers and repeated choruses of “same old Aussies, always cheating”. Things even turned nasty in the Long Room, where Marylebone Cricket Club members exchanged heated words with the Australians as they walked off at lunch. An apology followed from the MCC, but Cricket Australia requested an investigation into the incident.

Relive all the action from Lord’s as England fell agonisingly short in mammoth run chase:

England vs Australia

• England fall to 42-run defeat on dramatic day at Lord’s to slip 2-0 behind in Ashes

• REPORT: Stokes heroics and Bairstow controversy define all-time great Ashes day

• ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’: Fans fuming after controversial Jonny Bairstow wicket in Ashes

• OUT! Tongue b Starc 19(26) - Australia take 2-0 lead in the series

• OUT! Broad ct Green b Hazlewood 11 (36) - Broad is out trying to hook (Eng 302-9 - target 371)

• OUT! Robinson ct Smith b Cummins 1 (6) - Robinson falls to the short ball trap (Eng 302-8 - target 371)

• OUT! Stokes ct Carey b Hazlewood 155 (214) - Stokes departs with England needing 70 (Eng 301-7 - target 371)

• 150 UP! Ben Stokes continues incredible innings to move England closer to target (Eng 296-6 - target 371)

• DROP! Steve Smith puts down Stokes with the England captain flying along (Eng 249-6 - target 371)

• 100 UP! Stokes spanks Cameron Green for 24 runs in an over to bring up a century

• OUT! Bairstow st Carey b Green 10 (22) - A stupid mistake costs Bairstow his wicket (Eng 193-6 - target 371)

• OUT! Duckett ct Carey b Hazlewood 83 (112) - Australia get breakthrough after drinks (Eng 177-5 - target 371)

• NOT OUT! Ben Stokes given out lbw but overturned on review (Eng 138-4 - target 371)

• England resume on 114-4, requiring 257 more runs on the final day for victory

Stokes heroics and Bairstow controversy define all-time great Ashes day

16:56 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes stood unmoved with head bowed, leaning over his bat, devastated. Alex Carey had the ball in his gloves and England’s hopes of another miracle were dashed as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.

The England captain had produced a herculean effort with bat in hand to try and drag his side over the line – as he has done time and again for his country – scoring 155 runs as they tried to chase 371 to win, but the hosts eventually fell 43 runs short.

No one can fault Stokes’ performance, he took the hits, pulled out some massive sixes and for a brief window made England fans believe that the impossible was within reach.

A man for the big moments, Stokes already has a coveted place in Ashes folklore for his match-winning 135 on 25 August 2019, as England chased down their then-highest-ever winning total of 362-9 at Headingley.

Stokes heroics and Bairstow controversy define all-time great Ashes day

More from Brendon McCullum to Sky Sports:

17:20 , Mike Jones

“Ben Stokes is a freak of a player, he writes some scripts, he’s our captain and leader and the faith that he has with the players and the way he carries himself, his morals, we are so lucky to have him and that’s why we go into the third Test still believing.

“Results are important, we all want to win, we know everyone wants to be on the winning side, we don’t question that. What we are trying to do is bounce off each other.

“We aren’t going to be throwing it out because we are two nil down.

“This isn’t our ceiling, we’ve been challenged by it but it shows that we want to get better.”

England’s coach Brendon McCullum speaking to Sky Sports:

17:16 , Mike Jones

“We’ve always spoke about trying to soak up the pressure.

“I don’t think we’re far away, we just have to adapt to the conditions better and hopefully our commitment will take us a long way.

“When you get out it is never going to look good, the plan for Australia was very good and they were able to challenge us in different ways. We tried to challenge them and the key for us is about being courageous enough to say where you’re going to make the strokes and how you’re going to play.

“We don’t want to be in a position where we want to doubt ourselves.

“It was a great cricket wicket and presented differently challenges, we will make sure we will adapt.

“Duckett was good, we believe he is a very good player when you play against an attack like this and Zak Crawley too, they have shown us some great batting ability.

“Sometimes we’re very judgemental on how we’re dismissed, Brook will be thinking about what his method. For us, it’s about allowing yourself to make a decision about how you are going to bat and then you live and die by that decision and you’re able to invest in it 100 percent.”

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has his say on Jonny Bairstow dismissal

17:01 , Mike Jones

Australia captain Pat Cummins speaking after his team’s win: “Another wonderful game, right down to the wire. Stokesy gave us a few heart stopping moments and the crowd seemed to enjoy it.

“Having a world-class player like Ben on the top of his game, you start thinking ‘that boundary looks short’ - I was glad to have 200 on the board rather than 100 like Headingley.

“Just trying to stay patient, have the fields out. He did well to keep getting himself on strike but we were happy with them going at two an over.

“I think Carey saw it happen a few balls previous [Bairstow leaving his crease early], there was no pause. Catch it and throw at the stumps. I thought it was totally fair play. I know some people disagree but it’s like the catch yesterday. That’s how I saw it.

“Losing Nathan Lyon, those games are set up for him on day five. So to lose him and still win is huge. A huge win. I wasn’t particularly happy [that he went out to bat] but he was pretty keen to get out there. He did an amazing job and those 15-20 look pretty important at the end.

“I’d imagine [he’s done for the series]. We’ve got Toddy Murphy here, who played in India and did a great job so he’ll be sticking around.”

Ben Stokes’ post-match interview with Sky Sports

16:58 , Mike Jones

Here are the thoughts of the England captain:

More from Ben Stokes

16:53 , Mike Jones

“When you win the toss and bowl you want to restrict a team to below 350,” he said, “The lads got a bit of criticism but the amount of times it went past the bat was frustrating. The efforts that we put into this week, the spell of bowling short for hours, it cannot be faulted.

“Reckless is an easy word to use. What we have managed to do is give everyone complete clarity about what they want to do. If you want to go in a certain way you have the backing of the dressing room to to that.

“He [Josh Tongue] has been brilliant. I didn’t know him too well before the game against Ireland but the way he has taken responsibility, he has a mighty fine engine on him, he has been great find for us.

“2-0 down with three games left. All we are thinking about is 3-2.”

Ben Stokes speaking at the post-match presentation

16:50 , Mike Jones

“Having experienced something similar before you look back at things like that and have a game plan. I did look back at Headingley but unfortunately is wasn’t enough,” said the England captain,

“I got to the point where Australia changed their plans so I changed mine as well. It is a tough one to take getting so close but being involved in a great game is awesome. We are 2-0 down but we have three games left. We beat Pakistan and New Zealand 3-0 so that is how we have to look at it.

“There’s lots of factors [to Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal]. I would ask the umpires whether they had called over. The made a move towards the end of the over. But at then of the day it is out. If the shoe was on the other foot I would have had a think about the whole spirit of the game. But is has happened. It was out. We have to move on.”

Reaction from Australia’s Steve Smith

16:40 , Mike Jones

“It was a bit of Deja vu, for sure [to eadingley 2019 when Ben Stokes was batting]. He’s an unbelievable player, some of the things he can pull off. The way he went about it, he was pretty much just trying to hit one way. He’s a freak,” said Australia’s player of the match, Steve Smith.

“I dropped him so I was glad we got him in the end. I didn’t pick it up initially, it’s hard square of the wicket when he’s going hard. The way he plays, chasing totals, he gets it done. It was just an incredible knock.

“It was important to put a decent total on the board. We were looking to bowl with the overheads and grass on the pitch. It was a great game of cricket in the end.

“[The wicket] was two-paced, variable bounce as the ball got older. It wasn’t easy and there was not a lot on offer when you pitched it up. It was the one way to get wickets because people on both sides kept playing it.

“We played it the same [as England] in the second innings. It wasn’t easy with the pace and bounce off the wicket, especially when the ball got older. We wanted to keep the scoreboard ticking and build as many runs as we could.”

Ben Stokes reacts to Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal

16:36 , Mike Jones

Speaking to the media after the game, England’s captain Ben Stokes was asked his thoughts on Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal.

“I think if the shoe was on other foot I’d have had to have a deep think about the spirit of the game,” he said, “Would I want to win a game in that manner? For me the answer is no.”

Former England captains have their say on Jonny Bairstow controversy

16:35 , Mike Jones

The so called Jonny Bairstow controversy will be a big talking point from this test match. Anyone with a brain knows that he was out but there’ll be a few people arguing that the dismissal went against the ‘spirit of cricket’.

Here are the views of former England captains, Eoin Morgan and Andrew Strauss:

Reaction from former England captain Michael Vaughan

16:32 , Mike Jones

Michael Vaughan says there are many areas England can look to as to why they lost the game and pinpoints the first innings batting as a big opportunity missed.

Speaking on Test Match Special he said: “I think there will be many things people focus on. Ben Stokes’ remarkable innings. A player that seems to take on the impossible more than anyone I have ever seen.

“They will be focusing on England’s batting in the first innings. Bairstow’s wicket will be focussed on. To be bowled out in 76 overs and with Nathan Lyon off the field, that’ll be spoken about.

“There’s elements of the professional game that should be focused on, the batting in the first innings really cost themselves.”

Steve Smith wins player of the match

16:30 , Mike Jones

Steve Smith’s 110 runs in the first innings of the game set Australia up to win the test match and for those efforts he’s been awarded the player of the match.

“I think it was important to put a decent total on the board. For us to navigate the overheads and put a good total on the board really helped us out in the game,” he tells Michael Atherton.

Controversial dismissals as Jonny Bairstow stumping creates Lord’s furore

16:28 , Mike Jones

England’s Jonny Bairstow was dismissed in controversial circumstances on the final day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Chasing 371 to win and level the series, England were 193 for five when Bairstow ducked under a bouncer from Cameron Green, tapped the crease and began to walk down to prod the pitch.

However, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey sent an under-arm throw in after catching the ball, leaping for joy as he hit the stumps and the visitors proceeded with a deeply divisive appeal as Bairstow was given out stumped.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some other controversial dismissals in the history of cricket.

Controversial dismissals as Jonny Bairstow stumping creates Lord’s furore

Usman Khawaja confronts MCC member after controversial Jonny Bairstow dismissal

16:23 , Mike Jones

Australia star Usman Khawaja confronted a member of the MCC as he left the pitch at lunch on the final day of the second Ashes Test after a controversial morning session.

Australia were booed off and subjected to chants of “same old Aussies, always cheating” by a furious Lord’s crowd following the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

As they walked off to a barrage of abuse, video showed Khawaja stopping to confront an MCC member in the Lord’s Long Room as the Australian batter appeared to take offence at a comment from the man in question.

Usman Khawaja confronts MCC member after controversial Jonny Bairstow dismissal

Australia win by 43 runs and take 2-0 lead in the Ashes

16:18 , Mike Jones

Australia win by 43 runs and take 2-0 lead in the Ashes

16:13 , Mike Jones

That’s the end of another brilliant Ashes Test Match. England are now on the brink of losing the Ashes, they’re two down in the series with three games left to play.

Wicket! Josh Tongue b Mitchell Starc 19 (25), England 327 all out

16:12 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc finally bowls full and straight. Josh Tongue backs away and misses the ball. The leg stump goes flying and Australia win the game!

They triumph by 43 runs and take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.

England 327-9 (81.2), Anderson 3, Tongue 17, Starc 2-79 (21.2), target 371

16:10 , Mike Jones

James Anderson fends off a short ball and beats silly point. He sprints through to the other end and collects one. Josh Tongue then whacks the ball over Starc’s head but gets two more.

England 324-9 (81), Anderson 3, Tongue 17, Green 1-74 (13), target 371

16:08 , Mike Jones

Josh Tongue is moving all over his crease as Australia continue to pepper him with short bowling. He takes a single to bring Anderson on strike but Jimmy dinks one into the legside and scampers to the other end.

It’s a good over for England who need 47 runs to win.

England 322-9 (80.2), Anderson 2, Tongue 14, Green 1-72 (12.2), target 371

16:05 , Mike Jones

Four runs! Cameron Green comes into the attack and drags one down to Josh Tongue. Tongue leans back and works the ball down to fine leg for four runs.

He then steps outside leg and whips him to square leg for two more.

England 316-9 (80), Anderson 2, Tongue 10, Starc 2-75 (21), target 371

16:03 , Mike Jones

Jimmy Anderson survives and the new ball is available for Australia. England only need 55 runs to win now. These two batters have stuck in well. They’re showing a bit of fight.

England 316-9 (79.4), Anderson 2, Tongue 10, Starc 2-75 (20.4), target 371

16:01 , Mike Jones

Josh Tongue slaps Mitchell Starc away for a single to bring James Anderson back on strike. Starc pins Jimmy on the shoulder with a short one. When they’re aimed at his body Anderson isn’t handling those bouncers well.

Australia haven’t got him out yet though.

England 315-9 (79), Anderson 2, Tongue 9, Hazlewood 3-80 (18), target 371

15:59 , Mike Jones

No they haven’t! The ball hits Anderson on the glove as it flew through to Alex Carey but Anderson’s hand wasn’t on the bat and he survives.

England 315-9 (78), Anderson 2, Tongue 9, Hazlewood 3-80 (17), target 371

15:57 , Mike Jones

Josh Tongue gives himself room as Josh Hazlewood continues. He works the ball over mid-on and takes two runs. A punch through mid-off then brings him three more.

Jimmy Anderson is on strike and has to deal with more short stuff. Two balls go by before Australia appeal for a caught behind.

The umpire isn’t interested so Pat Cummins sends it upstairs. Have Australia won the test match here?

England 310-9 (78), Anderson 2, Tongue 4, Starc 2-75 (20), target 371

15:53 , Mike Jones

Jimmy Anderson is tested once more with a short ball and fends the ball away, managing to find the gap on the offside. Another short one if gloved down the legside as Anderson gets in line of the ball.

He survives the over.

England 310-9 (77.3), Anderson 2, Tongue 4, Starc 2-75 (19.3), target 371

15:47 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins turns to Mitchell Starc to try and get this final England wicket. Starc hits Tongue on the hip but England sprint through for a leg bye.

Starc will be waiting for the right time to fire in his yorker. He’s got the skills to be uproot the stumps of both these batters.

Anderson charges down the wicket as Starc bowls a bouncer. It rises sharply and pins Anderson on the grill. He falls to the ground in a heap and needs to be checked over by the physios.

England 309-9 (77), Anderson 2, Tongue 4, Hazlewood 3-75 (17), target 371

15:43 , Mike Jones

Josh Tongue is starting to get to grips with the short stuff as he stands up and defends another one from Josh Hazlewood. He doesn’t manage to flick one off his hip despite the attempt but is still hanging in there.

Tongue wants to get after Hazlewood who bowls a no-ball and gives England another run. Hazlewood goes full and straight but Tongue works him into the offside for one more.

There’s no way through for Australia.

England 307-9 (76), Anderson 2, Tongue 3, Cummins 3-69 (25), target 371

15:38 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins brings the field in as he bowls to Jimmy Anderson. Anderson looks awkward as he fends the ball into the turf. He manages to flickm the ball down to fine leg and takes another run.

Tongue then punches the ball off the back foot and collects three.

England 303-9 (75), Anderson 1, Tongue 0, Hazlewood 3-72 (16), target 371

15:33 , Mike Jones

James Anderson strides to the crease and pushes the ball into point for a single to get off the mark. Hazlewood comes around the wicket to Josh Tongue who prods the ball into the but somehow finds a gap between the bowler and short leg.

Wicket! Stuart Broad ct Cameron Green b Josh Hazlewood 11 (36), England 302-9 (74.1)

15:30 , Mike Jones

Broad goes now! He tries to pick up where Ben Stokes left off and hooks Josh Hazlewood away to the fine leg boundary. Cameron Green is waiting for the ball and clings onto the catch leaning forward.

England 302-8 (74), Broad 11, Tongue 0, Cummins 3-65 (24), target 371

15:27 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins shakes up Josh Tongue who is England’s new batter. Tongue is smoked right on the grill and needs a check up before the game can continue.

England 69 runs. Australia need two wickets.

Wicket! Ollie Robinson ct Steve Smith b Pat Cummins 1 (6), England 302-8 (73.1)

15:22 , Mike Jones

It’s another one! England are floundering now that the captain has gone. Ollie Robinson slaps the ball into the legside despite Australia setting a field for short bowling. He picks out Steve Smith who clings onto the ball this time to leave the tourists on the brink of a famous win.

England 302-7 (73), Broad 11, Robinson 1, Hazlewood 2-72 (14), target 371

15:19 , Mike Jones

England still need 70 runs to win. That’s a huge ask for the likes of Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and the rest of the bowling unit. Ben Stokes has given his team a chance of victory but it’s a slim one.

Robinson goes after a couple of short balls but misses both of them. He eventually gets off the mark with a single to fine leg.

Wicket! Ben Stokes ct Alex Carey b Josh Hazlewood 155 (214), England 301-7 (72.1)

15:16 , Mike Jones

Huge moment! Josh Hazlewood sends one down at a good length and Ben Stokes decides to go for it. He unleashes a long swipe across to the legside but only top edges the ball into the air. Alex Carey comes running around and clings onto the ball.

Stokes has gone and so have England’s hopes, probably.

England 301-6 (72), Broad 11, Stokes 155, Cummins 2-65 (23), target 371

15:13 , Mike Jones

Cummins was very animated at the drinks break when speaking to his players. He was probably explaining more tactics and what he wants from his team. The first two deliveries are sent wide of off stump with Stokes swiping the ball away into the offside.

England’s 300 comes up when Stokes takes one, Broad has two more balls to face. One of them is a wide so England get another run.

The next delivery is a short one that Broad ducks underneath. The final ball of the over keeps low but Broad keeps it out and survives once again.

England 299-6 (71), Broad 11, Stokes 154, Cummins 2-63 (22), target 371

15:08 , Mike Jones

The drinks break comes and goes. Stuart Broad has been batting for over an hour and a half with his captain now. It’s been a fantastic partnership but needs to go on if England are to pull off a miracle.

They need 72 more runs to win so Pat Cummins brings himself back into the attack.

England 299-6 (71), Broad 11, Stokes 154, Hazlewood 1-71 (15), target 371

15:04 , Mike Jones

England need 72 runs to win as the over comes to an end. Stuart Broad pulls Josh Hazlewood to fine leg but the batters decide against a run and Ben Stokes keeps the strike.

England 299-6 (70.4), Broad 11, Stokes 154, Hazlewood 1-71 (14.4), target 371

15:02 , Mike Jones

Change of bowler now as Josh Hazlewood returns for the Australia. Stokes turns the first ball into square leg but remains in his crease. A wider one outside the off stump is cut away but still Stokes turns down the run.

He then pushes the ball into mid-on and takes one with two deliveries to go.

England 298-6 (70), Broad 11, Stokes 153, Starc 2-75 (19), target 371

14:59 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc targets the stumps once more as Ben Stokes shuffles across. He whips the ball over to the legside but can’t beat the boundary fielders. A bottom edge smacks Stokes on the outside of his knee and he hobbles away in pain rubbing his leg.

Stokes takes one with two balls in the over to go. He defends the first one before cutting the ball away and screaming for two. Ben Stokes is rooted to the spot though and it’s a dot ball.

England 297-6 (69), Broad 11, Stokes 152, Green 1-66 (12) target 371

14:54 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins brings the fielders in with a couple of balls left in the over. Stokes picks out the fielder at midwicket with the first one but pushes the ball down the ground to collect one and keep the strike.

England 296-6 (68.2), Broad 11, Stokes 151, Green 1-65 (11.2) target 371

14:51 , Mike Jones

Cameron Green continues. He goes short and wide but Stokes turns down the run after cutting the ball away to point. The next delivery is better placed as he guides it finer. Stokes calls Broad through for two runs and brings up his 150 when sprinting back on strike.

England 294-6 (68), Broad 11, Stokes 149, Starc 2-74 (18) target 371

14:48 , Mike Jones

WinViz is currently at 50-50. It cannot call who will win this match. Ben Stokes hooks a full toss away but doesn’t take the run. A potential yorker is squeezed out and Stokes takes one this time.

Broad defends a full one and excites the crowd to end the over.

England 293-6 (67.2), Broad 11, Stokes 148, Starc 2-73 (17.2) target 371

14:45 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc goes short to Stuart Broad who drops onto the back foot and looks to attack the bowler. He misses ball and there’s no run.

Broad then goes again and inside edges the ball into his own chest before it flies down to third man for one. That brings up the 100 partnership.

England 292-6 (67), Broad 10, Stokes 148, Green 1-63 (11), target 371

14:43 , Mike Jones

Green starts with a bouncer that Stokes fends into the legside. There’s no run there for the England captain. Green has seemingly been tasked to really hit the deck and put Stokes in trouble.

With one ball left in the over Pat Cummins brings the field up. Four men come into what would be the circle and Green floats it well wide of the wicket.

It’s a maiden but more importantly Stuart Broad is on strike.

England 292-6 (66), Broad 10, Stokes 148, Green 1-63 (10), target 371

14:38 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins can’t bowl forever and takes himself off. Cameron Green returns and will bowl to Ben Stokes who took the attack to him before lunch.

England 292-6 (66), Broad 10, Stokes 148, Starc 2-72 (17), target 371

14:37 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc continues and Ben Stokes continues to club the ball away to the boundary where the fielders are well placed. Stokes is happy to wait for a bad ball he can get after. Starc goes for an 88mph yorker but doesn’t get it to land and Stokes whacks it to deep square leg for none.

A slower ball from Starc is picked up by Stokes who lauches it into the stands for a six! That was a huge hit!

Stokes goes again and gets another one over the ropes! Absolute chaos. Stokes takes one to leave Broad with the last ball of the over.

Starc goes full but his line is off. England need 79 runs to win.

England 279-6 (65), Broad 10, Stokes 135, Cummins 2-63 (22), target 371

14:32 , Mike Jones

Cummins bowls short to Stokes who hooks him away and turns down the runs. Stokes goes for another hook shot but finds the fielder. Australia still have everyone out on the edge of the boundary.

Another delivery sees the ball move away from Stokes and goes safely through to Alex Carey. Stokes then tips the ball to point and takes one.

Broad is left with two balls to face. He survives the bumper barrage again!

England 278-6 (64), Broad 10, Stokes 134, Starc 2-59 (16), target 371

14:28 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc is pulled into the legside by Ben Stokes who wants a single. There’s a bit of indecision though and they turn down the run.

Eventually Stokes gets off strike and Broad is left with one delivery to defend. A bouncer from Starc pins Broad on the chest but he gets through the over.

England need 93 runs to win.

England 277-6 (63), Broad 10, Stokes 133, Starc 2-58 (15), target 371

14:24 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc comes into the attack for Australia and replaces Josh Hazlewood. He’s a great bowler of yorkers and got the ball to swing earlier on.

If Australia want to break this partnership quickly Starc could be the man to do it.

England 277-6 (63), Broad 10, Stokes 133, Cummins 2-62 (21), target 371

14:22 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes can’t get Cummins away to the ropes but happily takes one with two balls left in the over. Cummins will need to start targeting Broad’s stumps as well as getting the bouncers in.

He goes short and Broad defends to a chorus of applause.

Broad flicks the ball into midwicket but there’s no-one there. He survives.

England 276-6 (62), Broad 10, Stokes 132, Hazlewood 1-70 (13), target 371

14:18 , Mike Jones

On Sky Sports commentary Ricky Ponting is wants Australia to bowl wide to make it more difficult for Stokes to clear the ropes. Stokes scoops a full ball into the offside and calls Broad through for two runs.

He then takes a single off the fourth ball of the over and leaves Broad with two balls to face. England need 99 runs to win, the target is under 100 which excites the Lord’s crowd.

Broad goes after a short ball and top edges it over the wicketkeeper for four! Broad then charges Hazlewood and drives into the offside but turns down the run.

England 269-6 (60), Broad 6, Stokes 129, Cummins 2-61 (20), target 371

14:13 , Mike Jones

Stuart Broad survives! He blocks put a yorker and theatrically remains in his crease to wind up the Australian fielders. England need 102 runs to win. Australia need four wickets.

England 269-6 (59.3), Broad 6, Stokes 129, Cummins 2-61 (19.3), target 371

14:11 , Mike Jones

This gameplan is slightly perplexing. Australia are obviously trying to stop Stokes from scoring but in trying to clear the ropes he’s chipped a few into the infield which potentially could have been caught.

With everyone on the boundary Stokes can pick his spots. He cuts the ball through point and takes one run. Stuart Broad has three to face from Pat Cummins.

England 268-6 (59), Broad 6, Stokes 128, Hazlewood 1-63 (12), target 371

14:08 , Mike Jones

Another maximum! Josh Hazlewood is too short and Stokes mullers him over to the short legside boundary and into the stands. The England captain stands his ground once more and helps the ball down to fine leg for six more!

With three balls left in the over Stokes takes a single and leaves Broad with two to face. England need 107 runs to win.

Hazlewood goes short to Broad who fancies it and pulls the seamer away for a boundary of his own. What a shot!

England 251-6 (58), Broad 2, Stokes 115, Cummins 2-60 (19), target 371

14:05 , Mike Jones

Dropped! Another chance goes down for Australia but it’s really difficult. Pat Cummins bangs one in to Stokes who looks to hook it round the corner.

He gloves the ball behind where Alex Carey leaps across to the right and gets a hand to the ball but can’t cling on.

Broad survives the last ball of the over.

England 250-6 (57.1), Broad 2, Stokes 114, Cummins 2-59 (18.1), target 371

14:01 , Mike Jones

Broad gets off strike, luckily. Cummins tests him with a bouncer and Broad flicks the ball into square leg. It almost reaches Steve Smith but bounces just wide of him.

England’s 250 comes up.

England 249-6 (57), Broad 1, Stokes 114, Hazlewood 1-46 (11), target 371

13:59 , Mike Jones

Six runs come from the over but Ben Stokes can’t get back on strike and Pat Cummins will have six deliveries to bowl at Stuart Broad.

England 249-6 (56.4), Broad 1, Stokes 114, Hazlewood 1-46 (10.4), target 371

13:59 , Mike Jones

Dropped! Ben Stokes goes for another big shot and cloths the ball into the legside. Steve Smith comes flying in from the boundary and gets to the ball easily.

He gets both hands to it but is off balance and the ball comes out.

What drama.

England 249-6 (56.3), Broad 1, Stokes 114, Hazlewood 1-46 (10.3), target 371

13:57 , Mike Jones

Six! Hazlewood goes full and Stokes stands still before smoking the ball over long-on for a maximum. He looks to go deep once more but scuffs the ball into the legside and turns down the run.

Afternoon session: England 243-6 (56.1), Broad 1, Stokes 108, Hazlewood 1-40 (10.1), target 371

13:55 , Mike Jones

There are boos for the Australian players as they head back onto the field for the afternoon session. Ben Stokes is on strike as Josh Hazlewood has the ball in hand.

Australia have all their fielders on the fence and Stokes isn’t interested in getting singles.

Lunch: England 243-6, target 371

13:48 , Mike Jones

Jonny Bairstow’s dismissial was the controversial moment of the morning session but Ben Stokes’ counter-attack was the most watchable.

He’ll need to continue that onslaught if England are to get close to Australia’s score of 371.

Lunch: England 243-6, target 371

13:34 , Mike Jones

England need a further 128 runs to win this test match but you feel all their hopes lie with Ben Stokes. He’s 108 not out and was just starting to get going when the lunch break arrived.

Stokes will need to score the majority of the next 128 runs if England are to win. In Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson he’ll have partners who can stick around for a while but Australia will target his partners when play resumes.

‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’: Fans fuming after controversial Jonny Bairstow wicket in Ashes

13:30 , Mike Jones

Lord’s is usually filled with a quiet hum and polite applause, but it took a darker turn on the final day of the Test match when Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped and the boos rang out.

While there was little debate about whether the batter was out, it was a bizarre series of events.

Bairstow ducked a bouncer, which went straight through to Alex Carey behind the stumps, paused for a moment then went to speak to his batting partner Ben Stokes, just as the wicketkeeper threw the ball at the stumps and appealed.

The decision was made after an umpire review and a furious Bairstow had to make his way back into the pavilion.

‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’: Fans fuming after controversial wicket in Ashes

Lunch: England 243-6, target 371

13:23 , Mike Jones

The Australian players were accosted by some of the members of the MCC in the Long Room as they headed back in to the changing rooms.

‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’ rings out across the ground at the interval.

Lunch: England 243-6 (56), Broad 1, Stokes 108, Cummins 2-58 (17), target 371

13:15 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins comes round the wicket to Ben Stokes and bowls on a good length. Stokes moves outside the leg stump and smashes his counterpoint down the ground for four!

He then scuffs another attempted pull but calls Stuart Broad through for two runs. With three balls left in the over, Stokes pushes the ball into the offside and takes the single leaving Broad two balls to face.

He defends both and England make it to lunch.

England 236-6 (56), Broad 1, Stokes 101, Green 1-63 (10), target 371

13:09 , Mike Jones

Cameron Green continues and Ben Stokes whacks him to the boundary at long on for four despite an athletic effort from Josh Hazlewood to keep it in.

Another short ball is right in Stokes’ arc and he hits this one even harder. Marnus Labuschagne watches the ball go over his head at deep midwicket for six!

Oh my word! Stokes continues to swing, he pulls one to fine leg where Mitchell Starc almost takes the catch, he spills it though which brings Stokes another six.

Stokes then goes to his hundred with an incredible pull into the stands! 24 runs come from the over with England’s captain truly into his stride now.

England 212-6 (55), Broad 1, Stokes 78, Cummins 2-50 (17), target 371

13:05 , Mike Jones

Stuart Broad is chatting to pretty much every Australian. He’s already told them all what he thinks of the Jonny Bairstow dismissal and isn’t pleased with how they’re bowling bouncers.

Broad is playing up to the crowd too. Making sure he’s in the crease whenever the ball passes the bat.

England 211-6 (54.2), Broad 1, Stokes 77, Cummins 2-50 (16.2), target 371

13:01 , Mike Jones

Having seen Ben Stokes take the short ball on, Pat Cummins puts four men on the legside boundary to catch the ball. Stokes goes down the ground and smashes it back at the bowler.

Dropped! Cummins looks up in time to get a hand to the ball but can’t cling onto it. That would have been a brilliant catch.

England 210-6 (54), Broad 1, Stokes 77, Green 1-39 (9), target 371

12:58 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes decides that the time is right to take on Cameron Green. He knows that the bowling is going to be short and decides to smash the short stuff.

He spanks two pull shots in between the fielders on the legside before hooking Green away for four more. There’s also a no-ball and a single from the over.

England need 161 more runs to win.

England 196-6 (53), Broad 1, Stokes 64, Cummins 2-49 (16), target 371

12:53 , Mike Jones

The crowd aren’t happy with the decision to send Jonny Bairstow back to the pavilion. They’re booing the Australians and giving them a bit of stick.

Mark Taylor makes a good point on commentary that the Bairstow dismissal is similar to Mitchell Starc’s catch yesterday, by the laws of the game Bairstow is out, just like by the laws of the game Starc’s catch wasn’t complete.

Stuart Broad is the new batter and is welcomed by a couple of bouncers from Pat Cummins. One of them pins him right on the helmet and another hits the chest pad.

Broad eventually gets off the mark with a glove down to fine leg for one. Stokes ends the over with a single of his own.

Sonia Twigg at Lord's

12:47 , Sonia Twigg

There are loud boos ringing around Lord’s and chants of ‘cheats’, not something that you normally find at the home of cricket, but that was a bizarre stumping for Bairstow.

It is likely to be examined long after the day’s play finishes, and England’s already slim chances have all but dwindled into nothing.

Wicket! Jonny Bairstow run out Alex Carey 10 (22), England 193-6 (52)

12:47 , Luke Baker

It’s a stupid mistake from Jonny Bairstow and it’s cost him his wicket. The replays are crystal clear that he’s left the crease with the ball still active.

The bails are dislodged and Bairstow has to go.

England 193-5 (52), Bairstow 10, Stokes 62, Green 0-25 (8), target 371

12:45 , Mike Jones

What has gone on here? Cameron Green bangs a short ball in to Jonny Bairstow who ducks under the ball. He thinks the over is done and walks out of his crease.

Alex Carey throws the ball at the stumps and hits them. The umpires send the decision upstairs to review.

England 193-5 (51.2), Bairstow 10, Stokes 62, Green 0-25 (7.2), target 371

12:41 , Mike Jones

Cameron Green returns to the attack and comes around the wicket to Ben Stokes. There are three men out on the legside for the hook shot which tends to suggest he’ll be banging the ball into the pitch.

The first delivery is a bouncer and goes over Stokes’ head, then second is pulled away for one by the England captain.

England 192-5 (51), Bairstow 10, Stokes 61, Cummins 2-46 (15), target 371

12:39 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes has retreated into a zen-like bubble where he seems determined to not get out. He’s still collecting singles here and there but isn’t taking any unnecessary risks.

Pat Cummins continues to challenge Jonny Bairstow. There’s a delivery that catches the outside edge and bounces short of gully before a bouncer flies over Bairstow’s shoulder.

This is a delicate period of play.

England 191-5 (50), Bairstow 10, Stokes 60, Hazlewood 1-40 (9), target 371

12:36 , Mike Jones

England are going through a period of rebuilding once again. The wicket of Ben Duckett came too soon for their liking and Jonny Bairstow needs to get settled at the crease.

Just one runs comes from Josh Hazlewood’s over.

England 190-5 (49), Bairstow 10, Stokes 59, Cummins 2-45 (14), target 371

12:31 , Mike Jones

That’s lovely from Jonny Bairstow. A short ball from Pat Cummins is pulled away to the midwicket boundary for four. Bairstow got on top of the bounce and played the ball down. It fizzes across the turf and hits the ropes.

England need him to get into his stride here and bat for a long time.

England 186-5 (48.3), Bairstow 6, Stokes 59, Cummins 2-41 (13.3), target 371

12:29 , Mike Jones

Ouch! Pat Cummins gets the ball to jag back into Ben Stokes who’s troubled by the pace. The ball clips Stokes’ elbow and castles the England captain.

In response Stokes turns the ball away for one and gets off strike.

England 185-5 (48), Bairstow 6, Stokes 58, Hazlewood 1-39 (9), target 371

12:26 , Mike Jones

Like Cummins, Josh Hazlewood is looking to test Jonny Bairstow’s pads early in his innings. A couple of deliveries are pushed in towards his legs but the England wicketkeeper is up to the task and smokes Hazlewood through the legside twice. The first time brings him a boundary but he has to settle for one off the next ball.

Ben Stokes continues to accummulate runs and collects a run.

England 179-5 (47), Bairstow 1, Stokes 57, Cummins 2-40 (13), target 371

12:23 , Mike Jones

Cummins’ return yields two runs for England as Ben Stokes continues his watchful vigil. England fans will take heart from how similar this innings feels to the one he played at Headingley in 2019. There’s still a mammoth task to achieve here but Stokes will firmly believe he’s in with a chance of winning.

England 179-5 (46.3), Bairstow 1, Stokes 57, Cummins 2-40 (12.3), target 371

12:21 , Mike Jones

The wicket has convinced the Australian captain to bring himself back into the attack in an attempt to unsettle Jonny Bairstow. Ben Stokes takes a single to bring Bairstow on strike and Cummins immediate sticks in two slips and a gully.

He bowls a good length but Bairstow is confidently onto the front foot and pushes the ball into the offside for one to get off the mark.

England 177-5 (46), Bairstow 0, Stokes 56, Hazlewood 1-33 (8), target 371

12:18 , Mike Jones

This is a massive moment in the game now. Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes are the two remaining recognised batters for England who still require 194 runs to win.

This partnership has to reach 100 at the least. Australia’s WinViz percentage is up to 89% after that wicket.

Wicket! Ben Duckett ct Alex Carey b Josh Hazlewood 83 (112), England 177-5 (45.4)

12:16 , Mike Jones

That’s the breakthrough for Australia. Josh Hazlewood angles a beautiful bouncer in at Ben Duckett who looks to take it on. He goes for the pull, gets a top edge and loops the ball through to Alex Carey behind the stumps!

England 177-4 (45.2), Duckett 83, Stokes 56, Hazlewood 0-33 (7.2), target 371

12:14 , Mike Jones

Josh Hazlewood hasn’t been at his best in this test match but is still a fantastic and dangerous bowler. He comes over the wicket to Ben Stokes who shimmies down the pitch and pushes the ball to mid-on. He calls for a run as Pat Cummins is a little slow to react. It’s a risky run but the batters get through for one.

Ben Duckett then rolls his wrists over the top of a short ball and finds a gap in the in-field. It looks to be heading for four but Travis Head is quickly across the turf to keep the ball in play.

Sonia Twigg at Lord's

12:10 , Sonia Twigg

First hour successfully navigated, England have looked alright but there’s still a mountain to climb and Stokes and Duckett will have to play a big role if the home side are going to keep their slim chances alive.

England 174-4 (45), Duckett 81, Stokes 55, Green 0-24 (7), target 371

12:09 , Mike Jones

Excellent running from England as Ben Duckett blocks the ball into the offside and is called through for a single by Ben Stokes. A short ball from Green is pulled away and brings another run but can’t beat the fielder on the deep midwicket boundary.

A couple more runs come from the over and England make it to drinks without losing a wicket.

England 170-4 (44), Duckett 79, Stokes 53, Hazlewood 0-30 (7), target 371

12:04 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes shuffles down the wicket to Josh Hazlewood and drives him through the gap at gully for two runs as Usman Khawaja sprints along the boundary to keep the ball in play.

England 168-4 (43), Duckett 79, Stokes 51, Green 0-20 (6), target 371

12:01 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins has made a good change to the field and Steve Smith has come 30-yards closer at backward square leg. He’s now in a catching position as Cameron Green peppers Ben Duckett with short balls. There are five men on the legside for this short ball tactic.

Green is too short and bowls a wide as the ball flies over Duckett’s head.

Duckett then turns the ball through backward square leg for four more runs to end the over on a high for England.

England 163-4 (42), Duckett 75, Stokes 51, Hazlewood 0-28 (6), target 371

11:55 , Mike Jones

Eight runs come from Josh Hazlewood’s first over as England seem to be in control of the short ball for now.

England 159-4 (41.1), Duckett 73, Stokes 50, Hazlewood 0-24 (5.1), target 371

11:50 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc’s spell comes to an end too as Pat Cummins calls on Josh Hazlewood. The first ball is dragged down and Ben Duckett smokes away a pull shot, square of the wicket, and collects four runs.

England 154-4 (40.5), Duckett 68, Stokes 50, Green 0-14 (4.5), target 371

11:49 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins makes the first bowling change of the day and replaces himself with Cameron Green who will be asked to bang the ball into the deck and try to upset the England batters.

Ben Duckett works him away for one but Ben Stokes takes on the short ball. He gets it wide of Steve Smith at square leg but Mitchell Starc sprints around to save two.

Stokes pulls another one away to the boundary for a single and goes to fifty! He receives a lound round of applause from the crowd but there’s a minimal celebration as he knows that there’s plenty of work still to do.

England 150-4 (40), Duckett 67, Stokes 47, Starc 2-58 (15), target 371

11:44 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc continues and will look to mix up his lines and lengths to try and maximise this early swing. Ben Duckett turns him down to fine leg for one before Ben Stokes drives one straight to the fielder at mid-off.

Ben Stokes then goes after a short ball. He swings powerfully but controls the shot and rattles it across the floor to the fielder at deep midwicket for one.

The last ball of the over is whipped away for another single by Duckett to bring up England’s 150.

England 147-4 (39), Duckett 65, Stokes 46, Cummins 2-38 (12), target 371

11:39 , Mike Jones

Following a no-ball bouncer from the Australian captain, Ben Stokes dances down the pitch to Pat Cummins but checks his aggressive movement and guides the ball down to the vacant third man for four runs.

That shot also brings up the 100 partnership for these two.

England 141-4 (38.3), Duckett 64, Stokes 42, Cummins 2-32 (11.3), target 371

11:36 , Mike Jones

Ben Stokes dabs Pat Cummins into cover and takes a single to tick over the scoreboard. With Ben Duckett back on strike Cummins goes short but the opener gets on top of the bounce and pulls the ball into midwicket for one.

Stokes continues to rotate the strike with a flick into square leg for another single. Three runs from three balls in this over so far.

England 138-4 (38), Duckett 63, Stokes 40, Starc 2-55 (14), target 371

11:34 , Mike Jones

Take a breath England fans!

Ben Stokes is given out as Mitchell Starc traps him on the pads but immediately reviews the decision. The first replay shows a massive edge before the ball struck the pads and the England captain survives. That was a nervous moment but there’s a huge cheer from the watching fans as the verdict is shown on the big screen.

Stokes then takes one from the last ball of the over.

England 137-4 (37.3), Duckett 63, Stokes 39, Starc 2-54 (13.3), target 371

11:31 , Mike Jones

There isn’t as much swing for Pat Cummins as there is for Mitchell Starc. Starc would seem to be the more threatening bowler from the orthodox perspective. Full, straight, swinging and trying to get the slips and lbw in play.

England 137-4 (36.3), Duckett 63, Stokes 39, Cummins 2-29 (10.3), target 371

11:26 , Mike Jones

Cummins sends a man out to patrol the square leg boundary as he persists with a short ball tactic to Ben Duckett. Only the odd one has bounced high enough to trouble the opener who pulls it away for a couple of runs.

England 135-4 (36), Duckett 61, Stokes 39, Starc 2-54 (13), target 371

11:24 , Mike Jones

There’s movement for Mitchell Starc.

He’s getting some late swing and the ball is going both ways. One comes back and hits Stokes on the pads and another swings away just missing the outside of the bat as Stokes looks to get on the front foot. If this keeps up things could get messy for England in a hurry.

England 135-4 (35.3), Duckett 61, Stokes 39, Starc 2-54 (12.3), target 371

11:22 , Mike Jones

Mitchell Starc has a very solid yorker in his arsenal and he pulls it out to Ben Stokes. A fizzing delivery drills Stokes on the pads and gets the Aussies excited as they appeal for lbw.

The umpire turns them down and after a quick discussion they decide not to review believing the ball to be sliding past leg stump.

England 135-4 (35), Duckett 61, Stokes 39, Cummins 2-27 (10), target 371

11:19 , Mike Jones

Pat Cummins tests Ben Duckett out with a few short balls in this over. His bowling action makes bouncer harder to play as he bangs the ball into the wicket from a straight angle and they rise sharply. If directed well, they can be a nightmare to face.

Conversely, if the short ball doesn’t get up high enough they’re easy enough to pull away with Duckett short arm jabbing the last ball of the over away for four more runs!

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