After reaping the rewards of a bouncer barrage that was almost medieval in its delivery, England were tasked with producing an Ashes miracle in this second Test. They bowled Australia out by tea on the fourth day through an exclusive diet of bouncers and had their equation: a target of 371 runs in four sessions to level this series at 1-1.
This represents what would be a record at Lord’s and the second highest successful run chase in England history after knocking off 378 against India last summer. But add memories of Headingley 2019 to the mix, and the fact that Nathan Lyon had been crocked since day two, and a team that has been high on its own supply this past year or so would have been speaking only of victory at the change of innings.
