Steve Smith begins day two of the second Test at Lord’s on the brink of more Ashes greatness, needing only a few decisive strokes to bring up his 32nd Test century — and 12th against England. LIVE FROM 8PM AEST!
Australia will resume batting on Thursday at 5-339, with Smith on 85* and Alex Carey on 11.
With 15 more runs, Smith will become just the third player ever to score 12 centuries in Ashes Tests, and the first since Sir Donald Bradman reached the mark in 1937.
England’s Jack Hobbs is the only other player to have 12 or more Ashes centuries, while Bradman retired with 19.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs England, second Test, day two, live scoreboard
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Smith’s ability to reach the mark early on day two could be hampered by rain with London’s Thursday forecast a gloomy one.
There was plenty of rain overnight and early in the morning but the BBC reported the precipitation would be “most likely gone by 10am – but could hang on until 11am so the possibility of a delayed start”.
It’s hoped there’ll then just be cloud cover allowing for plenty of play.
Aussie broadcaster Adam White shared a video from a wet London on social media.
“The current scene close to Lord’s in London. There’s been a lot of rain overnight and early this morning but the weather is starting to improve. And the forecast is encouraging the longer the day goes,” he wrote.
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On day one, Australia lost the toss and was sent in to bat, before making England pay for its sloppiness in the field.
Four of Australia’s top five batters scored more than 45 runs, including Travis Head who blitzed his 77 runs off just 73 balls.
Joe Root salvaged something for the hosts late in the day with his two wickets in four balls leaving Australia five-down at stumps.
Nonetheless, danger man Smith remains unbeaten, along with in-form No.7 Carey.
TEAMS
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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