England vs Australia, 2nd Test at London, The Ashes, Jun 28 2023 - Match Result

4.45pm: They'll be cracking open the tinnies in the sheds, and I think we've all earned a quiet, Sunday afternoon drink after that. This Ashes series is bending inexorably Australia's way, but Baz and the boys still have a sniff - they'll need to follow up the trail in Leeds, with the third Test starting on Thursday. You can read all abaht it in Andrew McGlashan's report, and then stick around for more from our team at the ground. From myself and Alex, as well as Venkat, Chandan and the scorers, thanks for keeping us company. We'll be padding up again in a few days. Cheerio!

4.25pm: Presentations coming right up. Player of the Match is Steven Smith for his first-innings hundred (some booing as he comes up): [Stokes onslaught] "Bit of deja vu for sure, he's an unbelievable player. The way he went about it, targeting that side [towards the Mound and Tavern Stands]. Probably the first one he tried to hit from the other side and it went up the chimney. [Drop] I didn't pick it up, was difficult square of the wicket. Difficult giving guys like that lives, we've seen it numerous times. Fortunately he hit one up the chimney but an incredible knock. [Hundred] Important to put a total on the board, we were looking to bowl day one as well. To navigate our way and get a total helped us out. [Short stuff] Bit two-paced, bounce was variable as the ball got older. Wasn't a great deal on offer as you pitched it up. One way was to shut the scoreboard down and it worked for both sides. [Lyon batting] They play a dangerous brand, they like chasing. There wasn't a great deal in the surface. He showed great courage and got as a few more runs. They were vital at the end there."

England captain Ben Stokes: "Having experienced something like that before, it was good to look back at that and have a game plan. But unfortunately it wasn't enough today. Yeah, it got to the point where Australia changed their plans, and I changed my approach as well. Tough one to swallow, to get so close. We're 2-0 down but we've won 3-0 against NZ, 3-0 against Pakistan, so we know we can do it. [Bairstow] Quite a lot of factors. I asked the umps if they called over, they said no. End of the day it's out. If the shoe was on the other foot, I'd have to have a think around spirit of the game. It's happened, it's out, we've got to move on. [Conceded 400 bowling first] When you win the toss and bowl you always want to restrict them. The lads got a bit of criticism but the amount of times we went past the bat was frustrating. The efforts we put in, bowling short for hours on end [in the second innings], the efforts can't be faulted. It's tough when you have lost but a lot of positives. [Second-day collapse] Reckless is an easy word to use. We've given everyone clarity about what they want to do. The dressing room backs people to play the way they want. [Tongue] Been brilliant. Didn't know him too well for Ireland game, but the way he's bowled and taken on responsibility this week, he's been a great find for us and will have a great future in an England shirt. [Headingley in three days] Quick turnaround, but three games left so all we're thinking about is 3-2."

Australia's Pat Cummins (loud booing): "Another wonderful game, right down to the wire. Few heart-stopping moments, the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Been a good day. [Headingley] A world-class player like Ben, at the top of his game, you start thinking the boundaries look pretty small. Not a lot in the wicket, it was tough, but I thought the way we navigated through it was good. Glad to have 200 on the board rather than 100 like at Headingley. Tried to stay patient, have the fields out for a bit. We stuck with it, happy to go at two an over. [Bairstow dismissal] Carey saw it happen previously, it's in the Laws, totally fair play. That's how I saw it. [Worst of conditions?] Losing Lyon, those games are set up for him on day five. To win without him is huge. The batters under lights, too. Huge win. [Lyon batting] Wasn't particularly happy but he was keen to get out there, did an amazing job and those 15-20 runs looked pretty important at the end. [Done for series?] Imagine so, we've got Todd Murphy here."

4.15pm: Bonkers cricket. Australia were having flashbacks to Headingley 2019 through a crazy hour or so either side of lunch, but they held their nerve in the end. Ben Stokes threatened another great escape with his 155, but once he fell to Josh Hazlewood, reality quickly kicked back in. England won the toss, inserted Australia, saw them lose their spinner, conceded a 91-run lead, bounced their way back into it... and nearly pulled off one of the great run chases, fuelled by Stokes' sense of occasion and the indignation at Jonny Bairstow's dismissal. Only one team has ever come from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series (Bradman's Australia in 1936-37), and it will take a helluva Bazballing for England to do the same from here

McEnroe: "Are England going to come away feeling like they won this game as well? They played to win and that's all that's important "

Turpin: "the romantics can scoff and boo but I can't help but admire Australia, hearts of steel, veins of ice "

Tom: "England need to employ a hypnotist whose sole job is to convince Stokes every time he bats that he's in a tough run chase against the old enemy."

Dhaval: "I believe that puts an end to Starc vs Boland debate. Starc has to play all the Tests!!! At least till they retain the Ashes!!"

"Pleased by the fight shown by these 2," grouses Ken. "Less pleased by Robinson's. He has the ability to be a genuine No8 but he seems hellbent on slogging every time he bats"

Starc continues with the old nut

"Australia know they're allowed bowl at the stumps as well, right?" huffs Brendan. "This last wicket partnership has now quietly knocked off a third of the target they had when the started."

Australia can take the second new ball... but they won't for now. Cam Green to bowl

"Would interesting to see what the pitch map looking like for the Aussie bowlers today," chirps Toby, "yorker to knock the stumps to finish the game would be nice..."

"Come on bowl at stumps," yips Mohan