Australia being played out of Lord's Test

Joe Root has eased his way past 50 as England slowly grind Australia out of the second Test at Lord's.

Australia are suffering a slow and painful death at the hands of Joe Root and England at Lord's on day three.

England took a 347-run lead into lunch, meaning a floundering Australia would need to obliterate a Lord's run-chase record if they're to win the second Test.

A shocking batting collapse on day two shapes as the moment that cost Australia the Ashes.

Going 2-0 down at Lord's means a miracle will be required to avoid a third-straight series loss against England.

Root was 63 not out and Tim Bresnan 32 not out, with England 3-114 after adding 83 to their overnight score.

Australia's bowlers failed to make a breakthrough in the opening session, but tried hard.

The reality is they were never a chance of rectifying an inept batting performance on day two that saw Australia skittled for 128.

Peter Siddle (3-28) rushed through three wickets the previous evening, but couldn't keep the momentum going when play resumed.

The highest successful run-chase at Lord's was 344 from West Indies against England in 1984, and this Australian line-up looks in no shape to be breaking records.

Australia were left to rue a botched wicketkeeping effort from Brad Haddin on day two, that gave Root a life when the opener was on eight.

Root edged a regulation chance to the right of Haddin that was a keeper's catch any day of the week.

But Haddin half went at it, before pulling out - completely throwing first slip Michael Clarke, who couldn't react in time.

Clarke sent daggers at Haddin as he turned and chased the ball to the boundary.

Australia needed to come out on day three and roll England by lunch to be any chance of staying in the match.

Instead, they've gone wicketless and it's death by a 1000 cuts.

Root has been outstanding driving down the ground, with his timing brilliant.

Australia had the 22-year-old's measure for the first three innings of the Test series, but now he's been played into form.

Bresnan took 30 balls to get off the mark, but the nightwatchman has done a sterling job after coming in at 3-30 late on day two.

Ashton Agar has struggled in his second match and Australia might look to recall Nathan Lyon for the third Test.


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3 min read

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Source: AAP


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