In the second Test of the ongoing Ashes 2023, Australia was coming off a two-wicket win at Edgbaston. They need to win in order to create further pressure on the home side, England. On the other hand, the Three Lions needed to win in order to level the series. Meanwhile, after winning the toss, the home team elected to bowl first.
However, the decision proved horribly wrong as the Aussies finished 339/5 on the first day. They went on to get 416 all-out in the first innings. In reply, the European team got a great start as they were 188/1 at one stage. However, they collapsed badly against the Aussies' short-ball tactics. England managed to get only 325 runs. With this, the Kangaroos got a lead of 91 runs.
In the second innings, the Ben Stokes-led side bowled better but couldn't stop Australia from setting them a daunting target of 371. Australia was bowled out for 279 runs in the second innings.
Ben Stokes tried his best but failed to recreate Headingley's 2019 magic
In the second innings, England had a horror start as they lost four wickets for 45 runs. They would have lost the fifth wicket on Day Five. However, Mitchell Starc managed to shell Ben Duckett's catch which divided the internet. Meanwhile, Duckett and Stokes put together 132 runs for the fifth wicket.
However, just like the first innings, the former missed out on another Test hundred. After a while, Jonny Bairstow was run out by Alex Carey which divided the internet. However, that led to Stokes starting an onslaught against the Aussies. In the last five overs before Lunch, he scored 50 runs with Stuart Broad. In the afternoon session, Ben Stokes threatened to take the game away as he took the team to 300 plus with four wickets in hand.
Josh Hazlewood removed Stokes which pretty much finished the game. The team was bowled out for 325 runs, losing the game by 43 runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
Congratulations Australia on going 2-0 up ๐๐ฝ What a series this has been so far. Results being decided late into day 5 with some scintillating cricket throughout. Terrific advert for Test Cricket! Love it! #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/v1qj9mKsNT
โ Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 2, 2023
Banned Stokes #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/CTOP2K1j8h
โ Rashid Latif | ๐ต๐ฐ (@iRashidLatif68) July 2, 2023
ODI WC Final
โ Kamran Muzaffer (@krick3r) July 2, 2023
T20 WC Final
Cape Town Test
Headingley Test
Lord's Test
There is no bigger showstopper in World Cricket at the moment than Ben Stokes @benstokes38 #Ashes23
What a nail-biter at Lords! ๐
โ Vicky Singh (@VickyxCricket) July 2, 2023
Australia's (๐ฆ๐บ) unwavering composure prevailed as they clinched a hard-fought victory, triumphing over Ben Stokes's (๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ) remarkable innings.
With this win, Australia takes a commanding 2-0 lead in the Ashes 2023. ๐#Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/7bwC1AYHPQ
It is the most compelling Test Cricket at Lordโs! The England Captain has the most apt surname. Non-one stokes Englandโs fire ๐ฅ or emotions quite like @benstokes38 #Ashes23 #ENGAUS
โ Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) July 2, 2023
Cumball - 2
โ Azan Ahmad (@azanahmad257) July 2, 2023
Bazball- 0#Ashes23 | #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/z91UgLJlGa
Be honest, how many of you read the first line of Virat Kohli's tweet as behench** not ben stokes ๐คฃ#Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/K4IIvB3Yfg
โ Akshat (@AkshatOM10) July 2, 2023
Australia field placement against two greatest clutch player in the history of Cricket.#Ashes23 #ENGvsAUS
โ Akshat (@AkshatOM10) July 2, 2023
Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes ๐ค pic.twitter.com/fJUvMm1JM7
Players with three 4th-innings Ashes 100s: Herbert Sutcliffe, Don Bradman, Ben Stokes.
โ Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) July 2, 2023
England players with three 4th-innings Test 100s: Sutcliffe, Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch, Stokes.#Ashes23
Mike Atherton "England have nothing to complain about, it was a dozy bit of cricket from Jonny Bairstow" #Ashes23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Jm0h8HZ7th
โ Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) July 2, 2023