A nice little partnership was brewing between Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes but the Australian skipper breaks through with a not-so-threatening delivery. Pitched on a shortish length, Moeen wanted to whack the ball but only manages a top edge and gets caught. England are in a soup at 131/6 as Chris Woakes joins his captain at the crease and this is the last recognized pair.
If the lower order can deliver the goods, England will target a first innings lead. However, if they fail to make an impression, Australia will prance into the ascendancy.
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.
🚨 WICKET 🚨
A simple catch for Steve Smith, and Moeen Ali is GONE ❌ pic.twitter.com/aoxSJ2Bp8J
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 7, 2023
