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David Warner’s first Take a look at 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 Take a look at at Lord’s.
On a day the place play has been stopped for 2 transient rain delays and a trio of protesters getting into the sector, Warner scored 66 in attempting circumstances 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 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 circumstances earlier than lunch.
Khawaja virtually obtained by the complete 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, overwhelmed 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.
It is usually the primary for the reason that 36-year-old introduced his plans to retire in January, hopeful that he may keep within the facet for lengthy sufficient.
Australia will identify its squad for the remainder of the Ashes collection after this Take a look at, however Warner seems 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 citing 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 trying 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 a simple likelihood at fourth slip.
Warner’s innings additionally included a defence of the Lord’s wicket when two Simply Cease Oil protesters charged in the direction of the pitch after the opening over, trying to spray it with orange powder.
Jonny Bairstow caught and carried one protester all the way in which again to the boundary, whereas Warner and Ben Stokes helped cease one other.
-AAP