Second Ashes Test, Lord's, 14-18 August.

[yuppie]

Damien Martyn as well

Yep. He was a joy to watch. Hugely underrated due the players around the team at the time.

Australia inching themselves to safety at present.

50 for Smith. Played and missed a few this morning, so he is human.

[yuppie]

Just been said Smith has had 7 consecutive ashes 50. No wonder England has had enough of him.

[yuppie]

Australia will be very happy with that. Plenty of help for the bowlers, and with a bit of luck England could have had a few more wickets. If Australia can bat another session then they should be safe.

Shout out to Paine as well.

[alfie]

Fine session for Australia

Wasn't always easy. But they've got through for just the loss of Wade. Paine has been great support for Smith...very important with a bit of a tail later.

Still bemused by the odd (mis) use of Woakes. Seems to be fourth seamer on a ground where he has a superb record ? Archer keeps a lid on the scoring rate ; but so far he's not exactly looking the cutting edge...not sure his length is the best for this surface.

Leach arrived late...may be busy after lunch. Tidy and controlled ; but doesn't look too menacing. Lot being left to Stuart Broad.

England have to stay focused after lunch. If they let it drift they could yet be under pressure tomorrow...

[yuppie]

Smith has come to the wicket in this series at 17, 27 and 60.

All pressure situations.

[alfie]

Broad and Archer after lunch. Smith not bothered. Still collecting easy runs ...you'd think any chance of getting him out short of 120 is gone...

But Paine is gone ! Good lifter from Archer and he's snaffled at short leg...

An end open ?

[yuppie]

I would think so. Paine has done a great supporting job.

Can Australia reach 200, an bat for another 15-20 overs.

[yuppie]

Australias tail is not as strong as it was in the first test.

[alfie]

Archer strikes me as being most dangerous moving in to the right hander. Should always deploy a short leg catcher , I think. So far hasn't displayed the same threat outside their off stumps.

England must certainly keep trying to get Smith out - no repeat of the Edgbaston first innings folly ! But imperative they don't let him milk leg side runs easily...

Archer owes Cummins a few short ones , no ?

[alfie]

The more I watch this the more it appears there are twenty one good cricketers playing this match ...and one magician. Smith just seems to be on another planet from the rest of them. He just doesn't look like getting out.

That said , I'd have a short leg in for Archer for him. He's copped that on the arm..hurt him , too. So he is mortal...

[Arthur Crabtree]

When a wicket goes down I momentarily wonder if Smith is out. But he never is. But...

Smith's average in SA on the sandpaper tour- 23.6. Highest score, 56.

[alfie]

Archer really charging at them now...going at both bats with the short ball...fast and fierce ! Batsmen survive...Smith in pain but not giving an inch.

Lively bit of play.

That was an odd appeal and review. They all heard something but not sure what as it was nowhere near the bat...or anything else.

Think Archer has a couple more overs in him. Needs to make them count.

[alfie]

Ouch !

Archer has nailed Smith with one to the head...down instantly. This looks nasty...

Everyone looking anxious...up now thank heavens. But surely he's got to go off ?

[ianp1970]

That was a brute of a delivery!

[alfie]

Common sense and safety concerns as Smith retires hurt...

Trust he will be OK. But would be foolish to stay out there after that blow. He's a tough lad and he will be back...his bowlers will want to give him some recovery time now !