Opener Ben Duckett hit 98 as England raced to 278/4 in another Bazball batting display to continue their Ashes fightback on Day 2 of the second Test at Lord’s after bowling Australia out for 416.

England enjoyed their best Ashes opening stand in 12 years and scored at almost five an over on Thursday. However, the counterpoint of their approach meant they also gifted key wickets when well-set batsmen refused to back down in the face of Australia’s somewhat desperate short-pitched bowling.

England, flat on Wednesday, began the day much more purposefully as Australia resumed on 339/5 with Steve Smith on 85. Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson quickly removed Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc, respectively.

However, Smith, who became the fourth Australian to cross 9,000 runs on Day 1, pressed on to secure his 32nd Test century before finally departing for 110 with Duckett taking a fine catch at second slip to give Josh Tongue his third wicket.

England set about their reply at their now customary speed, and Duckett and Zak Crawley’s 91-run partnership was their best opening stand in the Ashes since Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook put on 98 in Sydney back in 2011. Crawley looked particularly dominant until he was stumped for a run-a-ball 48 after what looked a pre-meditated advance to Nathan Lyon.

Ollie Pope came in and maintained the momentum as Australia’s attack struggled for any sort of penetration. However, Pope couldn’t resist a Cameron Green bouncer, hooking it straight down the throat of Smith — one of three men placed on the leg-side boundary for exactly that gift — to depart for 42.

Joe Root, thereafter, was caught behind swinging wildly at the second ball he faced, only to be recalled as Green had over-stepped. Root didn’t last long though as the wayward Mitchell Starc banged one in to have him taken on the on-side by Smith.

Australia’s ploy to pitch it short worked as Duckett was the next to pay the price, caught off a top-edged hook two short of a place on the Lord’s honours board. England then were lucky again as Harry Brook, also trying to pull a short ball, was dropped by Marnus Labuschagne at square leg.

Lyon injury

Brook (45 batting) and captain Ben Stokes (17 batting) kept Australian bowlers at bay in the final hour. But Australia certainly missed the services of off-spinner Lyon, who could bowl only 13 overs owing to a calf-injury suffered during Thursday’s final session.

Will he be able to bowl again in this Test? That will be known on Friday morning. Lyon’s availability could be crucial for the visitors, especially in the second innings.

Written with Reuters inputs

Today's play

■ England vs Australia, Day III of second Test, 3.30pm IST, live on Sony Sports Network