Weekend Review: Aussies go 2-0 up in Ashes despite Stokes’ batting heroics
England went 8/13 just before Stokes’ dismissal as the tourists edged a feisty second Test by 43 runs during a captivating afternoon at Lord’s
Australia (evens) took a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with a 43-run victory on an incident-filled final day at Lord’s on Sunday.
England had begun the day as 5/1 shots with 257 runs needed for the win, yet Ben Stokes put his side right back in contention with some magical batting – including three consecutive sixes off Cameron Green – on the way to a century.
However, Stokes was on 155 when he edged another attempt to find the boundary and was caught in the outfield, in effect ending England’s chances of taking the win.
Nevertheless, the skipper’s heroics at the crease meant he left the field to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.
There was also controversy, though, when England’s Jonny Bairstow ducked to avoid a bouncer and was given out when a quick-thinking wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball at the stumps after Bairstow had left his crease.
The way he was dismissed sparked loud boos around the ground and even led to the Aussies having to be separated from angry spectators in the Long Room as the players went for lunch.
Reflecting on the thrilling final day’s action, bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “While the whole of the country was cheering on England, we had seen the liabilities build as Ben Stokes started to work his magic.
“The Aussies had lengthened from 1/7 to 5/4 with Stokes smashing it all over Lord’s. However, they were back at odds-on, 1/5, when he fell to Hazelwood and the rest is history in what was a thrilling second Test.”
In fact, forward-thinking punters latched onto the possibility of a seemingly impervious Stokes winning Sports Personality of the Year while he was smashing the Aussies for six, resulting in his odds tumbling to 5/1, Freeth noted.
Elsewhere, there was U21 Euro play-off action, with England (evens) beating Portugal 1-0 thanks to Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
France (8/13) went 1-0 up against Ukraine, yet the away side showed great spirit to run out 3-1 winners and give the war-ravaged country something to cheer about, while Spain needed extra time to beat Switzerland 2-1.
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “France losing 3-1 to Ukraine topped the weekend’s turnover chart and left the traders here happy as margin was healthy on that one.
“England beating Portugal and Spain beating Switzerland also captured punters’ interest, and both left a nice result for the book. With the semi-final lineup now set, England face Israel for a place in the final and a chance at some international silverware.”
Meanwhile, there was top-grade racing action over in Ireland, the highlight being the Irish Derby at the Curragh.
English Derby winner Auguste Rodin went off the 4/11 favourite as jockey Ryan Moore looked to claim his first Irish Derby victory.
And that’s exactly what happened as the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old outlasted stablemate 33/1-shot Adelaide River in what wasn’t a totally convincing performance.
O’Brien, who has now won the race on 15 occasions, also trained the third and fourth home: Covent Garden (80/1) and Peking Opera (66/1).
However, it was a bittersweet victory for Ballydoyle after San Antonio broke down during the race and suffered a fatal injury, with jockey Wayne Lordan unseated when going at a strong gallop.
“It is terrible for San Antonio and everyone who looks after him. Wayne is okay,” O’Brien told the media afterwards.
Finally, one bet365 customer had jockey Jamie Spencer aboard favourite Via Sistina at the Curragh to thank after scooping £100,000 on the operator’s free-to-play predictor game.
This was the first time anyone has selected six winners from six, although the punter was made to sweat for the win with a nervy stewards’ enquiry.
The 6 Horses Challenge game, which pays out for correctly predicting four, five or six winners from six chosen races, awarded £155,000 in cash prizes on Saturday.
A bet365 spokesman said: “Congratulations to one lucky bet365 customer who combined shorter-priced favourites, with a couple of 11/1 and 14/1 shots, to correctly predict the winner of all six races, and deservedly pick up the £100,000 jackpot.”