Ashes 2023: 'Imperfect' England leave fate of second Test fascinately undecided

It may have contained 75% more chaos than any of the five at Edgbaston, but England and Australia once again served up an absolutely engrossing day of Ashes cricket on Thursday.

Day 1 at Lord’s had felt almost exclusively one-sided, Australia’s success with the bat all the more galling for England given they had won the toss and were expected to make the most of helpful bowling conditions.

By contrast Day 2 was altogether more egalitarian with its successes and failures, England no doubt the happier of the two sides with their performance but imperfect enough to leave the fate of the match still fascinatingly undecided.

The day started with England desperately needing to make better use of the second new ball than they had with the first. With Steve Smith eyeing a hundred and Australia an imposing first innings total, quick wickets were the order of the day.

England 278-4 at close on day two of the second Ashes Test and trail Australia by 138 runs