Aussies charge towards win in 2nd Test

Australia require five wickets from four sessions as they surge towards a series-levelling victory in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes was run out, having committed the schoolboy error of not sliding his bat, in a shambolic collapse of 5-40 from England on day four.

Debutant wicketkeeper Peter Nevill snared three catches to help reduce England to 5-65 at tea on Sunday.

Michael Clarke declared at 2-254 shortly before lunch, setting England a target of 509.

Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth survived three overs to make it to the meal break, after which the carnage started.

Lyth and Cook both fell in the space of six overs after lunch, dismissed by Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson respectively.

Both openers could have left the deliveries they edged to Nevill.

Gary Ballance never looked comfortable, lasting 33 balls before he prodded at a rising delivery from Mitch Marsh to give Nevill another regulation catch.

Ian Bell was dropped on 10 in the 21st over, with first slip Adam Voges doing well to get a hand to the ball.

It only cost Australia one run.

Nathan Lyon removed Bell five overs later when substitute fielder Shaun Marsh snaffled a straightforward catch at short leg.

Stokes was then run out in unbelievable circumstances.

Johnson threw down the stumps with a direct hit, with Stokes foot hovering above the crease.

“It’s one of the first lessons you’re given, just get your bat in,” stunned former England captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports.

Joe Root is on five, while Jos Buttler is 11 not out.

The highest fourth-innings Test total at Lord’s is Australia’s 406 in 2009, while the West Indies’ 1-344 in 1984 is the highest successful chase.

The tourists added 146 runs in an entertaining and enterprising session of batting on day four.

Australia resumed at 0-108 on Sunday, with Clarke, Marsh, David Warner and Steve Smith all scoring freely and quickly.

The only concern was veteran opener Chris Rogers, who retired hurt due to a sudden bout of dizziness.

Rogers remained on the Lord’s balcony when England started their second innings, having changed out of his whites.

Warner could have had his name on the Lord’s honours board, but adopted a team-first approach as Australia upped their run-rate.

The pugnacious opener fell for 83, smacking a ball from Moeen Ali to Cook at extra cover.

Smith added 58 runs in 48 balls with some astonishing strokes and fancy footwork.

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