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Ashes 2019: Lord’s Test poised after day of drama

One of the most incredible days of Test cricket in memory ends with match in the balance.

Peter Lalor and Adrian McMurray
15 min read
6:51AMAugust 18, 2019.
Updated 2:10AMAugust 19, 2019
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Steve Smith of Australia walks from the ground after being dismissed on a day of high drama at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith of Australia walks from the ground after being dismissed on a day of high drama at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images

England are 4-96 at stumps on day four, holding a 104-run lead in the second Ashes Test. See how one of the most incredible days of Test cricket unfolded below.

Peter Lalor 4.05am: Test in the balance after day of drama

England are 4-96 — a lead of 104 — and lucky to not be in worse shape going into the final day of the second Test.

They invented T20 cricket because Test cricket was, apparently, boring.

Tell that to anyone who was at Lord’s on Saturday.

Jofra Archer bowled one of the most hostile spells witnessed in a Test since Mitchell Johnson ran amok in the 2013-14 Ashes.

Steve Smith on the ground after being struck by a delivery from Jofra Archer. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith on the ground after being struck by a delivery from Jofra Archer. Picture: Getty Images

He struck Steve Smith a nasty blow on the arm and then laid him out with a sickening blow to the neck after the lunch break.

Lord’s held its breath until they saw the batsman move and sucked in nervous gulps until he stood up and made his own way back to the pavilion where he was tested for concussion.

The blow was in the vicinity of the one that killed Phillip Hughes and caused medical staff from both side to run to Smith’s aid.

There was concern for Steve Smith as he fell to the pitch. Picture: AFP
There was concern for Steve Smith as he fell to the pitch. Picture: AFP

He was not wearing a neck protector and still wasn’t when he came back out to bat again 45 minutes later having cleared the concussion protocol. He was on 80 at the time but was out three boundaries and nine balls later for 92 having padded up to a ball from Chris Woakes.

Smith did put on an arm guard after being struck there and was cleared of bone damage when taken for scans later in the afternoon. He had not been batting with one in the first instance.

Helmets are mandatory for batsmen facing fast bowling but the neck protectors developed in the wake of Hughes’ death are not and have not been assessed by the standards authorities.

Elements of the crowd still found it in them to boo Smith when he left the field for treatment, returned to it and then left it again eight runs short of being one of

Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates on day four. Picture: Getty Images
Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates on day four. Picture: Getty Images

four batsmen to score three consecutive Ashes centuries.

The vast and more decent majority stood and applauded his bravery and skill.

Australia was dismissed for 250 — eight runs short of England’s first innings total.

Two wickets in two deliveries had the home side 2-8 but Pat Cummins was denied the hat trick.

Jason Roy (2) and Joe Root (0) were back in the dressing room and eventually joined by Rory Burns (29) and Joe Denly (26).

Ben Stokes (16no) should have been out but David Warner failed to get a hand to one chance, or hold another and then Australia failed to call for a review when the batsman was in single figures.

Lyon was the bowler on each occasion.

Warner had earlier dropped Denly off the bowling of Siddle, who has had three catches put down in this match, but took matters into his own hands when he caught and bowled the batsman sometime later.

Australia has twice failed to call for reviews which would have had batsmen out, the incident with Stokes following an earlier one with Denly from Lyon’s bowling.

The visitors did the same twice in the first Test.

Adrian McMurray 3.58am: Stumps on day four

That’s stumps on day four, with some rain about and poor light. Buttler (10no) and Stokes (16no) did well to guide England through to stumps when it looked like a collapse was on. England finish the day 4-96 with a lead of 104 runs. That was one of the best days of Test cricket I can remember. We’ll be back to do it all again later tonight. Can you see a result for either side?

Adrian McMurray 3.32am: Positive news for Smith

Some good news from the Australian camp.

England are 4-78, leading by 86 runs. Buttler 4no, Stokes 8no.

Adrian McMurray 3.13am: Siddle rolling

Stokes survives after another drop from Warner. Lyon found the edge, but the man at first slip put it down … moments later Siddle strikes again! WICKET! Burns nicks it to Paine and is on his way for 29. This has been quite the day … what else is going to happen? Still around 50 minutes left. England 4-74.

Adrian McMurray 3.02am: Siddle does it himself

WICKET! Great reward for Siddle. Denly attempts the drive down the wicket, but it popped up to Siddle’s left and he took the catch. I’ve lost count now over the series how many times his teammates have put them down, good to see him pull through. So Denly is out for 26, brining Ben Stokes to the middle. England 3-64.

Adrian McMurray 2.42am: England living dangerously

Jeez, a fairly lucky period for England. First Denly is dropped on 7 by Warner. He pulled out late, edging low to Warner’s right in the slips, but he couldn’t wrap his hands around it.

The next over, Lyon appears to have trapped Burns lbw! But umpire Aleem Dar doesn’t think so. Replays suggest they should’ve sent it for review. Justin Langer doesn’t look happy! England 2-42.

Peter Lalor 2.11am: England top order crumble, Smith update

Steve Smith isn’t out on the field for England’s innings, Rory Burns and Joe Root were briefly, but are now back in the dressing room.

Pat Cummins removed Roy (2) and Root (0) for a golden duck in his second over to have England reeling at 2-8.

Australia's Pat Cummins, right, celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Picture: AP
Australia's Pat Cummins, right, celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Picture: AP

Smith has been taken away to have scans on his arm which was struck by Jofra Archer before he was hit in the neck and had to leave the field.

“Steve Smith is off the field because of his sore left forearm and has been taken for a precautionary x-ray of that arm after being struck there during his innings,” a spokesman said.

He is being monitored for further effects from the second hit, but passed a rigorous earlier concussion test while in the dressing rooms.

“I was over in the dressing room and he seemed OK,” spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said.

“He obviously wanted to bat.

“He came into the dressing room. He had his arm iced, people spoke to him, he sat down in a chair.

“He probably sat there for between five and ten minutes before the wicket fell.”

Around 45 minutes passed between Smith being struck and him returning to bat.

He had apparently asked to stay on the field when he was hit.

Brian Murgatroyd, press spokesman for the Australian Cricket Team, briefs members of the media on Steve Smith's injuries. Picture: AFP
Brian Murgatroyd, press spokesman for the Australian Cricket Team, briefs members of the media on Steve Smith's injuries. Picture: AFP

“The doctor told me ‘Steve said ‘I feel fine and I would like to continue’’,” Murgatroyd said.

“The doctor said ‘look, as a precaution I’d like to take you off’ and he was amenable to that.”

He was hit in a similar region to Phillip Hughes and was not wearing neck guards developed as a response to that fatal incident. They are not compulsory.

“He’s never worn one, and that’s his preference,” Murgatroyd said.

“He has tried it, he tried it in the nets a few years ago when it first came out and he didn’t find it very comfortable.”

Adrian McMurray 1.58am: Cummins takes two

WICKET! Roy gone for 2,caught and bowled Cummins! The Aussie quick strikes early in the innings, a short-ish delivery culminating in a leading edge straight back to Cummins.

The very next ball … WICKET! ROOT GONE GOLDEN DUCK! He edges to Paine, Cummins on a hat-trick!

Denly faces the hat-trick ball … and he survives, just, as it hits him across the top of the pad. England 2-9. Wow, what a day!

Australia's Pat Cummins, right celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Picture: AP
Australia's Pat Cummins, right celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Picture: AP

Smith, meanwhile, has been taken for a “for a precautionary X-Ray” to his left arm after the first Archer blow.

Adrian McMurray 1.30am: Third session begins

So Smith, understandably, won’t be out to field in the final session. Marnus Labuschagne will take his place in the field. Burns and Roy out in the middle now, Cummins to begin for Australia.

Peter Lalor 1.20am: An extraordinary session

Australia all out 250 which leaves them 8 runs behind on the first innings.

That was one of the more extraordinary sessions of cricket you will ever see. Archer bowled 16 balls that were over 90mph.

He hit Smith twice, the first resulting in the batsman needing treatment to his arm, the second struck him on the neck and caused him to leave the field.

Smith hit three boundaries form nine deliveries after returning at the fall of the next wicket before leaving a ball from Woakes which trapped him LBW.

Australia's Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 92 runs. Picture: AFP
Australia's Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 92 runs. Picture: AFP

Emotions are high. People seem outraged about all manner of things including Archer being seen to smile at the top of his mark, sections of the crowd booing Smith when he left the field, re-entered it and left it again following the incident and other assorted trivia.

Probably time for everyone to have a cup of tea and a moments reflection.

It’s never pleasant to see a player hurt like Smith was and particularly awful for those who were there when Phillip Hughes was hit in 2014.

Adrian McMurray 1.12am: Australia all out for 250

WICKET! Broad cleans up the tail, Cummins gloving it to Bairstow. The tourists trail England by eight runs at tea on day four. Phew — what a session that was!

On the booing of Smith, Nine’s Ian Healy said it was “disgusting”. “Lord’s won’t be having any of that, there’s a ‘no yobbo’ element,” he said.

Adrian McMurray 1.04am: Lyon out

WICKET! Lyon departs for 6, given lbw off the bowling of Leach. The Australian reviews it, but it was about as plumb as you can get. Hazlewood is out there now, taking Australia to 9-250.

Peter Lalor 12.56am: More drama as Smith departs

There’s never a dull moment with Steve Smith.

Having recovered from a sickening blow to the neck that left him prone by the pitch, the batsman returned on the fall of Peter Siddle’s wicket, struck three fours and was then dismissed in extraordinary circumstances.

Smith smacked the second and third balls he faced for boundaries to move to 88, but Chris Woakes had the last when he trapped him in front in his next over.

Smith was 92 when he, bizarrely, shouldered arms to a delivery that nipped back and trapped him in front. He was given out immediately but made a futile call for the DRS while walking away.

Steve Smith walks from the ground after being dismissed. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith walks from the ground after being dismissed. Picture: Getty Images

Had he scored eight more runs he would have been just the fourth batsman to score three consecutive Ashes centuries. He is the only one to score seven consecutive half centuries.

Australia were 8-234 at the fall of wicket.

Sections of the crowd booed Smith back onto the ground and off it — as they had done when he left to receive treatment.

Cricket Australia put out a statement after he was dismissed.

“Steve was hit on the neck below the left ear. He was assessed lying on the pitch at the instructions of team doctor Richard Saw. Dr Saw made the precautionary decision to remove Steve from the field of play to have him further assessed under Cricket Australia’s head impact protocol. Steve then passed his assessments and will now be monitored on an ongoing basis, as is routine.”

Australia are now 8-243, with Cummins 20no and Lyon 3no.

Adrian McMurray 12.35am: Smith’s incredible innings ends

Smith moves into the 90s, but on 92 … WICKET! Woakes strikes, Smith trapped lbw. He reviews, but as soon as he does, begins walking back to the pavilion. Review shows the original decision was correct, and an incredible innings comes to an end. He’s dismissed for 92, and Lyon runs out there now to join Cummins (14). Australia 8-234, trailing England by 24.

Adrian McMurray 12.25am: Smith returns, goes ballistic

WICKET! Siddle (9) departs, Woakes does the damage, the outside edge falling to Bairstow. Now, who’s in next? Smith to resume! Extraordinary scenes. And on his second ball back out there Smith finds the boundary over mid-on. Huge shot! The very next ball, another four! He moves to 88, Cummins is still there on 14. Australia 7-226. Things have just picked up!

Peter Lalor 12.01am: Scary moment as Smith hit

Steve Smith has left the field after receiving a shocking blow to the neck from the bowling of Jofra Archer.

Lord’s fell silent as the Australian fell face forward after being struck by the bowler who was in the middle of a hostile spell of fast bowling after the lunch break.

Australia's Steve Smith lies on the pitch after being hit in the head. Picture: AFP
Australia's Steve Smith lies on the pitch after being hit in the head. Picture: AFP

Smith lay still, his helmet off before eventually rolling onto his back. Medical staff from both teams raced to the middle as a concerned group of players surrounded Smtih.

The blow was close to the area where Phillip Hughes was struck when he was killed by a short ball in 2014.

Smith eventually got to his feet, but appeared unsteady and eventually left the field.

The members rose to applaud him as he walked off accompanied by medical staff.

Steve Smith leaves the pitch to a standing ovation. Picture: AFP
Steve Smith leaves the pitch to a standing ovation. Picture: AFP

Archer had reached 155km/h in a display of short pitched bowling after lunch that had clearly unsettled the batsman who was 80no when he was hit but the short all.

Smith had been struck on the arm when he tried to duck under a bouncer and received treatment a few overs earlier and looked to be all at sea to the short deliveries that followed.

One shot flew over short fine leg’s head, another landed nearby and another caught a top edge and went for four.

He has retired hurt and is being assessed in the dressing room to see if he can continue.

Smith had scored his seventh consecutive Ashes half century before leaving the field.

Australia trail England’s first innings by 42 runs and the home side has taken the new ball

Updates to follow.

Adrian McMurray 11.44pm: Smith retires hurt

Archer is coming in hot. Serious pace from his deliveries, hitting up to 155km/h. Smith’s been hurt — this time a short ball to the head. He’s down … this doesn’t look good at all.

Steve Smith lies on the pitch after being hit. Picture: AFP
Steve Smith lies on the pitch after being hit. Picture: AFP

Medical staff from both sides are out there now, and he’s back on his feet. He’s not 100 per cent though … and has retired hurt. Replays show that struck him around the neck, just to the side of the grille. Nasty, nasty stuff. Right decision to take him off.

Archer appeared to be laughing with a teammate while Smith was down receiving attention … you’d like to think they were just sharing a joke to lighten the mood. Just bad optics if nothing else.

Jofra Archer appeared to laugh after Steve Smith was knocked to the ground by his bouncer. Picture: Nine.
Jofra Archer appeared to laugh after Steve Smith was knocked to the ground by his bouncer. Picture: Nine.

So Smith retires hurt on 80, and Siddle joins Cummins (13no) in the middle. Australia 6-203.

Adrian McMurray 11.24pm: Drama, review howler

So Smith continues, but Archer has him on the ropes, as Peter Lalor explains …

The crowd are up and about, cheering nearly every Archer delivery to Smith. They got a bit too excited however when there was a shout for caught behind. Late appeal, not given but they opt to review … and it missed Cummins completely! Shocker of a review. There’s a bit happening now! Smith 75, Cummins 8, Australia 6-193.

Adrian McMurray 11.15pm: Smith hurt by Archer bouncer

Ouch! Archer hits Smith, as the Aussie batsman crouches and takes the short ball to the forearm.

Jofra Archer did plenty of damage to Steve Smith's arm with a bouncer. Picture: Nine
Jofra Archer did plenty of damage to Steve Smith's arm with a bouncer. Picture: Nine

It’s blown up straight away, and the medical team are out there testing for a break … they call for perhaps the biggest arm guard you’ve seen in your life, and he’ll bat on. Huge moment in this Test — and the series. Let’s see how he fares. He’s on 70, Cummins 7, Australia 6-186.

Steve Smith received treatment for an arm injury. Picture: Nine
Steve Smith received treatment for an arm injury. Picture: Nine

Adrian McMurray 10.53pm: More Paine for Australia

The players are back out in the middle, Broad with the first over after lunch. Can Smith get another ton? He makes a promising start to the session, smacking Broad right down the wicket for four. Archer re-joins the attack, and … WICKET! The last ball of the over, Paine departs for 23. It nips back at the Aussie skipper, an edge bouncing off his pad and into the waiting hands of Buttler at short leg. Cummins is out there now. Smith 58no, Australia 6-162.

Peter Lalor 10.07pm: The view from Lord’s at lunch

How sick of Steve Smith must England be?

At lunch the brilliant batsman is 53no, Tim Paine 21no and Australia 5-155 in reply to the home team’s 258.

Smith has now made a half century or more in his past seven Ashes innings. He is, reportedly, the only batsman to have achieved this feat.

Steve Smith celebrates his half-century during play on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test. Picture: AFP
Steve Smith celebrates his half-century during play on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test. Picture: AFP

Starting in Perth and moving through single innings in both Melbourne and Sydney before moving to this series, he has scores of: 239, 76, 102no, 83, 144, 142 and today’s continuing knock.

Australia will be happy with a return of 1-75 in a morning session that started under cloud before the sun broke through.

Steve Smith and Stuart Broad of England react during day four. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith and Stuart Broad of England react during day four. Picture: Getty Images

Smith and Paine have put on 53. The highest of the innings.

Smith brought up the half century by lofting Jack Leach to cow corner. His two crisp cover drives earlier in the morning off Stuart Broad were the shots of the day.

Adrian McMurray 9.55pm: Fifty up for Smith

There’s 50 for Smith! He dances down the wicket and belts Leach over mid-wicket for a boundary. That’s of course his third time he’s passed the half-century this series … he moves to 53, Paine 20. Australia 5-154.

Adrian McMurray 9.45pm: Rage against the “machine”

Nasser Hussain says in commentary England have to change up their bowling plan within an over to trouble Smith. Describing the Australian No 4 as a “machine”, the former England captain says if they stick with the same strategy, Smith won’t be troubled.

Let’s see if variation works for the hosts. They’re certainly causing him headaches right now.

Leach begins with a maiden, Stokes gives Archer a break at the Pavilion End. There’s a mild shout for lbw in the ensuing Leach over, but there was an inside edge. Smith 41no, Paine 20, Australia 5-141.

Adrian McMurray 9.32pm: Smith, Paine hold on

Jeez, Smith and Wade are clinging on here. An Archer knuckle ball almost claims the coveted scalp of Smith. It has him fooled, but drops away to the slips. Archer’s not only posed a threat, but has been very frugal, just 28 runs from his 21 overs. Time for some spin then, Jack Leach introduced at the Nursery End. Smith 35no, Paine 20no, Australia 5-135.

Peter Lalor 9.10pm: Could be better, could be worse

Australia are 5-120 at drinks.

The first session of the third day looks the most critical of the Test and Australia escaped from the first hour of it with 1-40. They’d have liked not to lose a wicket (Wade 6) but they would not be too unhappy.

Tim Paine stands as the last line of defence before the tail.

Smith continues at 33no. His extraordinary array of post-delivery movements even stretching to a kick toward cover.

Conditions aren’t great with cloud over head and the lights on, but they are not abysmal.

Adrian McMurray 9.05pm: Chances, but no result

A couple of chances for Broad and Archer.

First, Broad to Smith. The England quick is getting some swing, and the former skipper glances it to fine leg for a single. That was dangerous, and Smith knows it.

Big shout from the slips for lbw on Paine a few overs later, but Archer wasn’t interested. Australia move to 5-120 at drinks.

Peter Lalor 8.38pm: Wade gone

And that is Matthew Wade done by his own impatience and England’s economy.

The hard-hitting Australian batsman had only managed 6 runs from 45 deliveries (Steve Smith had 27 from 61) and 4 of them had come from a Jofra Archer misfiled.

The keeper turned specialist held his nerve for 30 minutes before swinging hard at one which he edged to third slip where Rory Burns held on to a sharp catch.

Australia would have been happy to see blue skies overhead when they arrived at the ground but by the time the morning started a blanket of clouds hung over Lord’s.

The lights are now on and Tim Paine is in.

Archer has started sluggishly, bowling 5km or so slower than yesterday but appears to be working up to top speed. Australia 5-102.

Adrian McMurray 8.31pm: Australians go to work

The Aussie batsmen go to work as they try and chase down England’s first innings lead. Wade brings up 1000 Test runs with four runs, a nice drive gets past Archer at mid-off.

That man is brought in for his first spell today, and his work with Broad bowling from the other end limits the Australians to just four runs in three overs. You feel like the tourists could be in strife if a wicket falls soon, particularly if the man all of England are seemingly obsessed with is sent on his way. Australia 4-102.

Adrian McMurray 8.10pm: Play resumes

And we’re back underway. First order of business: Stokes to finish his over from yesterday. Wade and Smith pick up a single each, Broad to resume at the other end. And we’ve got the first boundary of the day, finding four through point. More Smith antics to end the over which gets a bit of a chuckle from the crowd. He’s up to 18no, Wade 1no, Australia 4-87.

Adrian McMurray 7.20pm: Set for play on day four

G’day folks, welcome to day four. Thankfully the skies over St John’s Wood look far clearer today, and we’ll get a whole lot more play in than we did yesterday (and on the abandoned day one, for that matter).

Australia's Steve Smith. Picture: AP
Australia's Steve Smith. Picture: AP

Smith (13no) and Wade (0) will return to the middle for the Aussies. Today looms as a great challenge for the former skipper after the top order was picked apart.

All signs point to a draw, but with 196 overs to be played today and tomorrow, can either side sneak to victory?

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