It may be the home of English cricket but often Lord’s has been the scene of a major reality check for the hosts in Ashes contests.
The fact that between 1934 and 2009 England were winless at the London ground against Australia tells its own story of the countless disappointments they have endured there.
From being bowled out for 77 in the second Test in 1997 after they had won the first Test, to being reduced to 21 for five in 2005 after bowling out the Australians for 190, Lord’s has a history for giving England a comeuppance after a high.
It was almost a surprise that England had won the past two encounters with the Australians, in 2009 and 2013, but normal service appears to be resuming for the tourists after a superb display Friday with both bat and ball put them in charge of the second Test.
All the momentum and delight that Alastair Cook’s men had built up with their surprise victory in the first Test in Cardiff last week has dissipated in the past two days and they face a tall order to save the match when they resume Saturday on 85 for four.
All the talk of the Lord’s pitch having no life in it and being “a road”, according to descriptions on social media as Australia’s batsmen racked up runs relatively untroubled, were quickly forgotten as England’s top order was swept away in the closing two hours of the day.
A pitch that, Stuart Broad apart, England’s attack had struggled to get any life out of was suddenly full of life as Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson all found movement off the wicket.
It made for challenging but not impossible conditions, but England’s batsmen were found wanting with poor footwork and shot selection leaving them deep in trouble.
This was in complete contrast to the excellent batting of Steve Smith (215) and Chris Rogers (173), who showed great patience in playing each ball on its merit as they helped Australia to an imposing 566 for eight declared.
The problem with victory is that while it is a wonderful thing, it can also cover up problems.
Despite victory it was clear that England have three batsmen, in opener Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Ian Bell, struggling for form and all were out cheaply again Friday.
In seven innings this summer, including the two Tests with New Zealand, England have only once reached the hundred mark with two or fewer wickets down – something that was always likely to catch up with them.
Joe Root’s hundred rescued England in Cardiff and turned a potential crisis into a match-winning situation, but that is not going to happen every time and it did not here as Root was caught behind off Johnson for one.
England’s problems are they have few options outside this side in terms of batting so they are stuck with a case of better-the-devil-you-know rather than making wild changes.
All England can do now is fight hard.
With three days and 270 overs to play a draw would be a superb result.
The immediate aim is to target 357 and avoid the follow on. There are no demons in this wicket, patient batting is rewarded so this is not an impossibility.
Lord’s has once again brought England back to earth from the heights of joyous victory.
The challenge now for England is to find a good response to adversity.
More is often learnt about a team when they are on the backfoot and how good this England side is should be a lot clearer by Monday evening.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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