Australia dealt England a humiliating Ashes defeat at lord’s on Sunday, winning by 405 runs to level the five-match series and deliver a wounding defeat from which England may struggle to recover.
The match ended more than a day early after Australia dominated every session since Thursday’s start. First, Australia batted and amassed 566-8 declared thanks to major innings from Chris Rogers and a double century from Steve Smith, and then bowled England out for 312. The tourists declared just before lunch on Sunday after a quickfire 254-2 in their second innings to set England a massive 509 runs to win. It was clear England would struggle, but the team collapsed in ignominious fashion to 103 all out as Australia’s rampant bowling attack exposed serious flaws in England’s batting.
Mitchell Johnson was the standout Australia bowler, taking three wickets in each innings with his fierce, short-pitched left-arm deliveries.
First the hapless Adam lyth edged a fast delivery from Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill in a repeat of his first innings dismissal. lyth managed 7 runs — 7 more than his first innings dismissal — and England are still struggling to find a successful opening partner for Cook.
With Starc, Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh bowling hostile short-pitched sessions, England’s batsmen looked scared and wickets tumbled.
Gary Ballance, his feet trapped inside the crease, was the third wicket for Australia with Marsh’s first delivery. Ian Bell is in dreadful form and it showed as he struggled against the pace attack.
The wickets tumbled even more quickly as the tail was exposed, with only Stuart Broad showing any defiance with 25 runs.
Brief Scores
Aus: 566/8 declared & 254/2 declared (Warner 83, Smith 58) beat Eng: 312 & 103 (Broad 25; Johnson 3-27) by 405 runs.