England's batting continues to bring worry and threatens to be the decisive factor in the outcome of the Ashes, says chief sports writer Tom Fordyce.
If it made the difference in thealong with the contrary indomitability of Steve Smith, it threatens to be the decisive factor in the outcome of the series.
Australia have a fine pace attack and Josh Hazlewood bowled beautifully in the first hour. But he and his team-mates were given openings and opportunities from too many English batsmen: Joe Root, trapped bang in front; Jos Buttler hanging his bat outside off; Joe Denly, driving with eager hands at a wide one that required circumspection and nicking off once more.
Jonny Bairstow batted as well on Thursday afternoon as he has in Test cricket for some time, his half-century the difference between a poor total and one that may yet be competitive. He is still on a pretty chastening trot in Tests in 2019: 12, 30, 52, 14, 2, 0, 0, 8, 6, 52. Often in those he was batting lower, or will have run out of partners. But it does not suggest habitual accumulation, and his time at the crease since the World Cup ended does not suggest a man close to finding his form any time soon.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ashes 2019: England v Australia second Test, day one – live!Over-by-over report: Will England level the ledger at Lord’s or can Australia stamp their authority on the series? Join Geoff Lemon for updates
Read more »
Ashes 2019: England v Australia second Test, day one – live!Over-by-over report: Will England level the ledger at Lord’s or can Australia stamp their authority on the series? Join Geoff Lemon for updates
Read more »
Jonny Bairstow rescues England after afternoon mid-order collapseRory Burns and Jonny Bairstow make half-centuries but England’s batsmen miss out at Lord’s in the second Test against Australia
Read more »