The two Bens — Duckett (50 batting) and captain Stokes (29 batting) — did a pretty decent job late on Saturday at Lord’s to put up a fightback for England, sending a message across to Australia who were running away with the game in the final session of Day 4.'

From a horrible 45/4 in pursuit of a 371-run target, Duckett and Stokes took England to 114/4 at stumps on the penultimate day of this second Ashes Test.

England certainly had a far better final hour, thanks to the duo’s proper execution of Bazball. However, it’s still Australia who appear to be the favourites as England need another 257 to win and square the series.

Bazball will certainly instil confidence in this English camp. But the Australian bowlers, even without injured off-spinner Nathan Lyon, have countered Bazball quite well so far in this Test. So confidence-wise, Pat Cummins and his teammates will also be well placed.

Besides, England have only one recognised batsman in the form of Jonny Bairstow to follow. So Duckett and Stokes still have a lot more to do.

Duckett though was fortunate to survive. Towards close of play, his attempted upper-cut off Cameron Green was taken well at fine leg by Mitchell Starc, only for the third umpire to rule it in favour of Duckett as the catch wasn’t clean.

Replays showed that Starc, after catching the ball, had brushed it on the turf.

Green, Starc and the rest of the Australians were obviously not amused with the decision, but it certainly was a lucky escape for the English opener.

Australia, after reaching 279 in their second essay, struck early through Starc, who dismissed Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. Skipper Cummins then bowled two brilliant deliveries to send Joe Root and Harry Brook back, till Duckett and Stokes resisted.

Earlier, England took eight wickets for 149 with their relentless short-pitched bowling after Australia began the penultimate day in command on 130/2. Overnight batters Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith looked set as they moved the lead towards 300 in the morning session.

Smith, after his first-innings century, looked dangerous again, placing James Anderson excellently for three boundaries in an over. But both Khawaja and he were out for 77 and 34, respectively, falling to England’ short-ball trap.

Travis Head was out for seven fending off a well-directed short ball by Stuart Broad to leave Australia on 222/5 at lunch. Australia’s scoring rate dried up to a trickle in the afternoon as England’s ploy to bombard them with one bouncer after another to a leg-side field made matters a tad difficult for the visiting batsmen.

Broad finished with four and Ollie Robinson took two wickets. However, the 35-year-old Lyon deserves credit for his commitment, braving the pain and going out to bat, adding 15 runs for the last wicket with Starc.

Written with Reuters inputs