Reside
David Warner’s first Check half-century in six months has helped lay the platform for Australia to go to tea at 2-190 after a dramatic begin to the second Ashes Check at Lord’s.
On a day the place play has been stopped for 2 transient rain delays and a trio of protesters coming into the sphere, Warner scored 66 in attempting situations for Australia in opposition to England’s quicks.
It helped the vacationers navigate a troublesome opening session on Wednesday, earlier than Steve Smith (38no) and Marnus Labuschagne (45no) took benefit of higher gentle earlier than tea.
Each look set to make amends for his or her double-failures within the collection opener at Edgbaston, whereas additionally dealing with Stuart Broad with much more confidence.
Smith hit the primary two balls he confronted from the English seamer for 4 by means of the covers, earlier than Labuschagne adopted it up with three boundaries within the veteran’s subsequent over.
The pair have placed on 94 for the third wicket, and largely have Warner to thank for it after he and Usman Khawaja put within the onerous yards in a 73-run opening stand in attempting overcast situations earlier than lunch.
Khawaja virtually acquired by means of your entire session unscathed, solely to be bowled for 17 on the final ball earlier than lunch, attempting to go away a supply from Ashes debutant Josh Tongue.
Warner was additionally bowled by Tongue after the break, crushed between bat and pad by a ball that seamed again in at him after surviving a detailed name the earlier supply .
Nonetheless, it marked an vital innings for Warner.
The opener’s half-century was his first in 9 innings, and his second rating past 50 in 20 knocks.
Additionally it is the primary because the 36-year-old introduced his plans to retire in January, hopeful that he might keep within the facet for lengthy sufficient.
Australia will identify its squad for the remainder of the Ashes collection after this Check, however Warner now seems to be set to carry his spot on the prime of the order.
He appeared in good contact on Wednesday morning, cover-driving James Anderson for 4 within the first over the day and mentioning his 50 by hooking Tongue for six.
It was additionally clear Warner wished to unsettle England’s bowlers.
He slog-swept Ollie Robinson for 4 after earlier making an attempt the identical shot off Broad, earlier than later strolling down the wicket on the England veteran.
Making issues worse for England was the actual fact he ought to have been caught on 20 after edging Broad to Ollie Pope, who spilled an easy likelihood at fourth slip.
Warner’s innings additionally included a defence of the Lord’s wicket when two Simply Cease Oil protesters charged in direction of the pitch after the opening over, making an attempt to spray it with orange powder.
Jonny Bairstow caught and carried one protester all the best way again to the boundary, whereas Warner and Ben Stokes helped cease one other.
-AAP