Ben Stokes’ gutsy knock was the highlight of the absorbing action till Tea on Day 2 of the Headingley Test as England kept the deficit down to 26 in the first innings. No slouch with the bat, Mark Wood contributed 24 off 8 balls to prop England up after regular wickets had given the advantage to Australia. Pat Cummins led from the front, picking up six wickets to ensure the visitors gained the lead.
Cummins had struck on the second ball of Day 2 to send dangerman Joe Root packing. He tried to guide a delivery behind and ended up edging it to first slip. Headingley was stunned into silence as Jonny Bairstow went for a flashy square drive at his own peril. The thick outside-edge flew to Steve Smith at second slip, leaving the hosts in a spot of bother at 87/5. A nice little partnership was brewing between Moeen and Ben Stokes before the Australian skipper clipped the alliance.