Rampant Archer leaves Australia 46-2 in 2nd Ashes test

By Associated Press 19 August 2019, 12:00AM

LONDON (AP) — Jofra Archer took two wickets and damaged a batsman's helmet in a devastating spell of pace bowling to leave Australia on 46-2 at tea and battling to save the second Ashes test on Sunday.

Set a victory target of 267, Australia is simply looking to salvage a draw at Lord's to preserve its 1-0 lead in the five-match series with 34 overs still to face on Day 5.

Archer might have something to say about that.

A day after flooring Steve Smith with a vicious 92 mph delivery into the neck, the Barbados-born quick removed David Warner for 5 — his fourth straight single-figure score this series — and then Usman Khawaja for 2 to catches behind the wicket.

Cameron Bancroft (16) and Marnus Labuschagne (17), a concussion substitute for the groggy Smith , were in the middle but being peppered with missiles from Archer, who had figures of 2-16 off six overs.

Labuschagne, only told this morning that he'd be playing after Smith woke with a delayed concussion and was withdrawn, was hit on the grille of his helmet by Archer on the second ball he faced. After getting some medical treatment, he needed a new helmet.

Given what happened to Smith on Saturday, it was another worrying incident as Archer continued to wreak havoc. England fielder Jos Buttler went straight up to Labuschagne to check he was OK.

Earlier, Ben Stokes brought up his seventh test century before England declared its second innings on 258-5.

Stokes was unbeaten on 115 after hitting 11 fours and three sixes at the ground where he helped win the Cricket World Cup for England barely a month ago. Jonny Bairstow was not out on 30.

England resumed Sunday on 96-4 in its second innings and added 162 runs before declaring midway through the second session.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 19 August 2019, 12:00AM
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