OTD | Australia recorded their third-biggest win in terms of runs in Ashes history in 2015 

On the 19th of July 2015, Australia registered their third-biggest win in the history of the Ashes in terms of runs. The visiting side won the second Test of the series at the home of cricket by a mammoth margin of 405 runs. A collective team effort helped Australia to level the series 1-1. After winning the first Test by 169 runs, the home side was outplayed by the visiting side in all facets of the game. 

Australia batted first and posted a massive total of 566/8 before declaring their first innings. The duo of Chris Rogers and Steve Smith batted well in Lord’s. While Rogers scored 173 runs in 300 balls, Smith scored an impressive 215 in 346 balls. David Warner and Peter Neville were handy with their contributions. England seemed to be on the back foot right from the word go. It did not help the confidence of the batters against the Australian bowlers.

England, in their first innings, managed to score just 312 runs, handing over a massive lead of 244 runs. Alastair Cook batted well at the top and scored 96(233). In the lower middle order, Ben Stokes was impressive with his 87(128). Others couldn’t step up which resulted in a low score from England on a good batting surface. The Australian pacers were brilliant on a surface like Lord’s. 

Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson claimed 3 wickets each. While Mitchell Marsh claimed a couple of wickets, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc claimed a wicket each. In the second innings, Australia batted with good intent and looked for some quick runs. They indeed got them, thanks to a collective effort from the batting unit. Warner was the pick of the batters with his 83(116). Rogers scored 49 in 77 and Smith shined again with a quick-fire 58(48). 

England was given a mammoth target of 509 runs. The huge pressure to chase a big total was visible in the way the home side batted. They collapsed like a pack of cards. The Australian bowlers were collectively good. Johnson was the pick of the bowlers again with his 3/27. Hazlewood and Lyon claimed a couple of wickets each while Starc and Marsh claimed a solitary wicket. It ensured Australia beat England by 405 runs. 

Also read: Australia pacer Dennis Keith Lillee was born in 1949

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