Warner’s half century keeps Australia in strong position

Australia have made 129 for 2 in the second session of the play in the Lord’s Test. After the departure of both openers, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were on the crease, and both batters were playing confidently. Smith was looking aggressive, and he was batting at 24 in just 16 balls when the news was last written. Smith and Marnus were unbeaten at 24 and 9, respectively.

England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field first against Australia in the second match of the Ashes series 2023 at Lord’s in London on Wednesday.

A half-century by David Warner helped Australia make a solid start, but pacer Josh Tongue struck just before the first session ended to make sure England headed to lunch on a high during the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.

Josh Tongue got the wicket of Usman Khawaja, cleaning up his stumps to give England a breakthrough. He was batting 17 off 70 balls. Khawaja smashed two boundaries.

At lunch, Australia was 73/1, with David Warner (53*) unbeaten at the crease. Put to bat first by England, the opening duo of Usman Khawaja and Warner started off solidly. Warner, in general, looked in good touch, smashing some boundaries and hitting a six. In the 18.1 over, Australia’s 50 came up with Usman Khawaja batting on 12 and David Warner on 38.

In the 21st over, Warner reached his 35th half-century. His knock had six fours and a six.

Earlier, an ugly incident took place when three people were nabbed after protest action at Lord’s saw Australia and England players dramatically restrain ground invaders to stop them from damaging the second Ashes Test pitch on Wednesday morning.