England closing on Australia total after manic day in Ashes second Test

England opener Ben Duckett fell two runs short of his century at Lord's on Thursday as the home side closed in on Australia's first innings total.

Australia were bowled out for 416 – losing their last seven wickets for 100 runs – as Steve Smith scored his 32nd Test-match century.

And while England started their reply superbly, with Zac Crawley and Duckett putting on 91 for the first wicket, they fell from 188-1 to 222-4 playing reckless shots against short balls.

It took Ben Stokes to come and steady the ship as the England captain finished the day 17 not out alongside Harry Brooks whose unbeaten 45 off 51 balls was quick if not exactly convincing.

England will start Day 3 138 runs behind Australia who suffered a huge injury blow when spinner Nathan Lyon had to helped off the field with a calf injury.

The game, and possibly the series, could be over for Lyon who has bowled beautifully so far in the two matches, helping Australia win the opening Test at Edgabaston.

“I'm gutted but I'd have taken that at the start of the day,” said Duckett. “I'm gutted as well as happy.

A moment of fortune for England and Joe Root…#Ashes2023pic.twitter.com/NLl9TczRsQ

“It felt like it was probably my best knock so far. I'm just gutted Marnus [Labuschagne]hit the stumps the over before [when it could have gone for overthrows] – it was just meant to be after that I think.

“It's a shame, I was just backing the way I was playing and I felt comfortable on the short ball, just ticking over and scoring off most deliveries. That one rushed me a bit and unfortunately it went straight to [David] Warner.”

England, so flat on Wednesday, had begun Day 2 much more purposefully as Australia resumed on 339-5 with Steve Smith on 85, as Stuart Broad and