The all-rounder failed to ground his bat, or foot, behind the line as he took evasive action to avoid Johnson’s throw at the stumps, leaving England teetering at tea on 64-5. We need big runs from the top order.
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The jubilation at England’s fine victory in last week’s opening test at Cardiff seemed a distant memory, contrasted with this humiliation in the London sunshine, a punishing defeat which has raised some serious questions for the England selectors.
“Jonny Bairstow is waiting in the wings and it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw him at some point during this series“, Pietersen said. “The intent from our batsmen through the second innings was great and the execution from the bowlers was spot on”. Australia’s fast bowlers are appreciably quicker than their England counterparts and sheer pace was responsible for several wickets as the home side suffered the latest in a long line of top-order slumps.
“Eight times in the last seven tests England has been 50 or less for 3 after 15 overs”, said ex-captain and opener Mike Atherton, pointing out a problem that threatens to cripple England.
The 37-year-old, who has said he plans to retire after the Ashes, missed Australia’s recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean with concussion after being hit on the head while batting in the nets.
Clarke’s men produced a near-ideal display to level the five-match series at 1-1 after their 169-run loss, also inside four days, in the first Test in Cardiff.
“England skipper Alastair Cook has described their performance in their second Test defeat to Australia as ‘unacceptable”.
Smith, who made 215 in the first innings, plundered 58 off 48 balls including nine boundaries to continue his remarkable run of form.
Ian Bell had already been dropped by the time he perished for 11, caught at short leg off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon, while Stokes was run out before getting off the mark.
“At the end of the day there’s been the same wickets since the five Tests in 2013 and the first two here have been exactly the same”, Lehmann said.
“Defying the attempts to stunt his impact in this northern summer with the production of boring pitches Johnson was at his devastating best as England, as if transported back to their summer in Australia 18 months ago, folded in their second innings”.
He did not field on the fourth day at Lord’s but was seen talking to team-mates on the Australian dressing room balcony.
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Australia captain Michael Clarke was delighted with his team’s response, after their setback in Wales.
