Butcher holds up Australian victory charge

England were battling to avoid another crushing defeat in the second Test against Australia on Saturday, 21st July, as the home side, 214 behind after the first innings, closed the third day on 163 for four.

Left-hander Mark Butcher led the resistance, ending on 73 not out after adding 96 for the fourth wicket with Mark Ramprakash. Alec Stewart was 13 not out at the close, with the hosts still trailing by 51 runs.

Butcher's innings provided a rare high point for England.

Thrashed in the first Test, they were bowled out for 187 in the first innings at Lord's, then produced a comedy-of-errors fielding performance as Australia amassed 401 in reply, Adam Gilchrist providing Saturday's fireworks with 90 as he fell just short of a second successive Ashes century.

Butcher stabilised the innings after England, facing an innings defeat within three days, lost Marcus Trescothick early, edging Jason Gillespie behind, then slumped to 50 for three at tea as captain Michael Atherton and Graham Thorpe fell within the space of three runs.

Ramprakash, on 40, was trapped lbw shortly before the close by a Gillespie delivery which jagged back at him.

In the morning, Australia, resuming on 255 for five, hammered 123 off 28 overs before being dismissed shortly after lunch.

England's butter-fingered fielders dropped wicketkeeping all-rounder Gilchrist four times, while pace bowler Andrew Caddick completed figures of five for 101.

England have beaten Australia just once at Lord's in 105 years and 25 matches, while the tourists have won 17 of their last 19 Tests, as well as the last six Ashes series.

Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor