Saturday, 17 August 2019:

Lords

Steve Smith has chiselled England's lead down to 103 runs at lunch on day four of the second Ashes Test, withstanding some inspired bowling while guiding Australia to 5-155.

Smith, whose twin tons were the difference between the rivals during Australia's series-opening win at Edgbaston, once again looked a class above in his unbeaten knock of 53 at Lord's.

It is Smith's seventh consecutive Ashes knock of 50-plus, a record he now holds outright after bettering Mike Hussey's achievement of passing 50 in six straight digs against England.

The battle between Smith and the hosts' attack is likely to decide whether Australia complete their first Ashes series win in England since 2001.

Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes enjoyed more success bowling to Smith on Saturday than they did in Birmingham, while Jofra Archer also had his moments.

An inside edge, swish at a wide ball and rearing delivery that struck Smith's glove all drew excited gasps from Joe Root and an exasperated slips cordon.

Smith was made to work for most of his runs, with the exception of a couple of sloppy misfields.

But the former skipper remained in what Broad dubbed "his batting bubble", fidgeting furiously and leaving fastidiously when the match was in the balance.

Tim Paine, who debuted alongside Smith at the home of cricket in 2010, is 21 not out after standing up alongside his predecessor as captain.

Paine and Smith's unbeaten partnership is already worth 53 runs, making it Australia's biggest stand of the match.

Broad removed a stubborn Matthew Wade, who scored six from 45 balls, with the help of a sharp catch from Rory Burns at third slip.

But the veteran, who declared England will most likely need to skittle Australia before Saturday's meal break if they are to level the series, couldn't ignite a collapse.

Broad was on his haunches at one point during the morning session, overcome with utter disbelief that Smith managed to get a tickle on a delivery that was incredibly close to trapping him lbw.

Smith gave Broad a tap on the back to say well bowled as he completed the resultant single but continued to defuse every plan that Root and his attack hatched.

Jack Leach was billed as England's secret weapon in their mission to dismiss Smith, whose record against Rangana Herath and Ravindra Jadeja prompted some pundits to suggest left-arm spinners are his kryptonite.

Root waited until the 58th over to bring Leach on.

But Leach created more nervous moments for Paine than Smith, who brought up his half-century by hoiking one of the tweaker's deliveries over midwicket and to the rope.

AAP