BUMBLE AT THE TEST: A breakdown of Steve Smith’s technique after another century in the Ashes

Having taken the final five Australian wickets for 77 runs at the start of a promising day two, England chipped away at the visitors’ total to finish the day on 284 for four, 183 shy of the 416 set earlier in the day. 

After Steve Smith brought up his eighth century on English soil – the second most for an Australian – England then put on a brilliant opening partnership of 91. 

Zak Crawley fell for 48 before Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett continued the onslaught, only for the vice-captain to depart on 42 for a tame dismissal with the hosts seemingly on top. 

Ben Duckett then went just two shy of a century, before Joe Root mistimed a shot to go for 10, leaving Harry Brook and Ben Stokes to guide the home side to the close, but only after Nathan Lyon left the field injured. 

Here, Mail Sport columnist David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd takes you through some of the stories you may have missed from the home of cricket.  

England ended a thrilling second day at Lord’s on 278 for four after three quick late wickets

Ben Duckett departed on 98 – just two shy of only his second ever Test century on home soil

Harry Brook put on an entertaining 45 from 51 to close the day, hitting four fours in the process

Ring it, don’t bring it! 

One of our strange rituals in cricket is ringing the bell before play but it was lovely to see Andrew Strauss’ children ring the bell here on Red for Ruth day. 

With the bell on the outfield, it reminded me of an occasion at Old Trafford, where we have an enormous bell. 

It’s a huge brass thing and back in the 1960s, our coach was a chap called Stanley Worthington. 

One day he told the 12th man to go and ring the bell. Five minutes later, this young man staggered into the dressing room carrying the bell. 

To which Stan responded: ‘I told you to ring it, not bring it!’

Andrew Strauss’ (left) children rang the bell on Red for Ruth day on Thursday to start the day’s play

Deliveroo had their chance 

After some great soul-searching, I’ve decided to change from Deliveroo to Just Eat.

The last few have just not been any good unfortunately. My lamb tikka was cold and a bit like chewing someone’s flip-flops! 

Deliveroo have had their chance and now it’s over to Just Eat for my nightly curry. 

More of an update on the food situation from Leeds next week!

Breaking down one of the game’s iconic techniques

Let’s break Steve Smith’s method down. He kicks off with his superstitious mannerisms, touching various parts.

He then stands stiff-legged at the crease, bending his knees slightly and at the point of release, his right leg goes back and across towards off stump. 

The bat is then lifted up towards gully in almost Bradman-esque fashion and the critical thing is that his head position is absolutely still and in complete control when he plays the ball. 

Regardless of all those bits and bobs before, Smith is perfect at the moment of impact and that’s why he has 32 Test hundreds. An exceptional player.

Steve Smith completed his 32nd century – and eighth in England – on Thursday morning

Smith’s is one of the more iconic techniques in the game but it has not prevented him becoming an exceptional player

A sobering thought… 

Just a sobering thought. The last time a team batted first at Lord’s, scored 400 plus and lost the Test was back in 1930 when England, captained by Percy Chapman scored 425 after winning the toss. 

Don Bradman scored 254 on his own in reply as Australia declared on 729 for six in 232 overs and then England were bowled out by Clarrie Grimmett who took six wickets, before Australia knocked the runs off. 

The Don only scored one in the second innings though!

Is it Mr Meat or Mr Loaf? 

Many cricket grounds now double up for pop concerts but Lord’s has always resisted that. 

I do recall though when Lt Col John Stevenson was the secretary of the MCC and he had an approach to stage a concert on the outfield by a singer. 

He remarked that he didn’t know how to address the chap in question and whether it should be Mr Meat or Mr Loaf!

England fell for the short ball ploy with Mitchell Starc (right) taking the big wicket of Joe Root

England fall for the short ball ploy 

Late in the afternoon, Australia turned to the short ball tactic with the field set accordingly and England obliged. 

They became happy hookers with Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Joe Root all throwing away their wickets. You have to work out the percentages. 

If it’s above head height, you have no control over the shot. Australia were cock-a-hoop. 

They just tried it after Nathan Lyon’s injury and would have been delighted with the way England went about things.