England vs Australia, 2nd Ashes Test, Day 2: Australia Stay In Game As England Gift Wickets

Australia preyed on England's determination to stick to aggressive 'Bazball' cricket as several batsmen fell into a hooking trap during the second Test at Lord's on Thursday. England, enjoying the best batting conditions of the match, were well placed at 188-1 in reply to Australia's first innings 416, with the visitors' spin bowler, Nathan Lyon, off the field with a calf injury. But England slumped to 222-4 as Australia bowled bouncers with as many as four men deep on the legside -- a tactic that could scarcely have been more obvious had it been signalled in neon lights.

However, at stumps on the second day they had recovered to 278-4 following an unbroken stand of 56 between Harry Brook (45 not out) and captain Ben Stokes (17 not out).

The pair had come together after England lost three wickets for 34 runs.

England vice-captain Ollie Pope holed out off towering all-rounder Cameron Green after a brisk 42.

Ben Duckett had batted superbly to move to within sight of a maiden Ashes hundred.

But having had a few near misses with risky hooks, the left-handed opener fell for 98 when he pulled Josh Hazlewood straight to David Warner.

Joe Root, the world's top-ranked Test batsman, could have been out caught behind on one when gloving a hook off Green, only to be reprieved by a no-ball.

But he fell for 10 when suckered into pulling a short ball from express quick Mitchell Starc, with Steve Smith taking a low running catch.

Smith had earlier returned to form with a well-made hundred after managing just 22 runs in two innings during Australia's thrilling two-wicket win in the first Test at Edgbaston.

His 110 was the 32nd Test century of the 34-year-old's brilliant career, his 12th in the Ashes and eighth in England.

England,