Eight days into an Ashes series scheduled for 25 and England are already staring down the barrel. The question now, for a team that has built a reputation for escapology under Ben Stokes, is whether they can wriggle out of Australia’s increasingly vice-like grip.
At stumps on the third day at Lord’s, called at 5.45pm once rain and bad light stopped play, the mood among the local supporters was as bleak as the picture out in the middle. Australia, scarcely believing their luck when the hosts largely self-immolated to the tune of 325 all out first thing, had reached 130 for two from 45.4 overs. With it an ominous lead of 221 runs had already been established.
