Ashes: Australia cling on to draw despite Archer, Leach heroics
The exceptionally talented Jofra Archer and left-arm spinner Jack Leach gave Australia a real scare before Travis Head and Pat Cummins held on to a draw in the high-octane clash, after Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion on Day 5 of the rain-affected second Ashes Test at Lord”s here on Sunday.
Ben Stokes hit a brilliant 115 off 165 balls, his innings laced with 11 fours and three sixes, to put England in a strong position and set Australia a target of 267 after resuming the day on 96/4 after rain — which had already washed out five sessions in this match — delayed the start by over an hour.
In the final innings of the five-day contest, the Aussies — playing without batting mainstay Smith — were reduced to 47/3 inside 14 overs before Head (42 not out) and Cummins (1 not out) made sure they did not lose in fascinating fashion to end the match on a stalemate.
