Duckett and Pope put England on top

There was a definite sense of the opening session of the Ashes’ second day being after the Lord Mayor’s Show.

After 19 wickets fell on the first day, the second got off to a sedate start with the loss of just two wickets prior to lunch and England establishing a 99 run lead.

The tourists were able to safely wrap up the Australian first innings for the addition of just nine runs (132), before Nathan Lyon edged Brydon Carse’s second delivery of the day to Ben Duckett in the slips.

This was despite a slightly wayward start from Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, which England managed to overcome in establishing a 40 run first innings lead.

However, their second attempt with the bat got off to the worst possible start, with lightning striking for the third time in the match as the batting side fell to 0 – 1 in the first over once again.

Zak Crawley’s (0) hapless start to the series continued, as he chipped a Mitchell Starc delivery back down the track, only for the left-armer to throw himself across the pitch and claim a stunning one-handed caught and bowled.

From the moment that Crawley dragged himself from the pitch after the completion of his pair though, the remainder of the morning session went perfectly for England.

Duckett (28*) and Pope (24*) showed rare restraint for the most part in guiding the visitors to 59 – 1 and a very welcome 99 run lead.

As there always is with England these days, there were moments of apprehension when Duckett attempted to use his fee and Pope flirted outside off stump, but they were able to get through to the break unscathed.

The final act of a quieter session saw the Decision Review System overturn umpire Adrian Holdstock’s decision to give Duckett out LBW, due to Scott Boland’s delivery pitching outside leg. and Pope flirted outside off stump, but they were able to get through to the break unscathed.

So far, so good for England and clear signs that Australia are missing the injured duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

One of many criticisms that has often been levelled at England under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has been their inability to seize such moments though and provide the final knock-out blow, when their opponents are on the ropes.

Will they be able to do so this time around and take the initiative heading into the backend of day three?

Don’t forget that you can follow the action along via our ball-by-ball broadcast on YouTube, by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/E2kEcj4O0LY?si=jXKo5v2D21b1s3cl