BUMBLE AT THE TEST: A breakdown of Steve Smith’s technique after another century in the Ashes

After taking the last five Australian wickets for 77 runs at the start of a promising day two, England improved the visitors tally to finish the day at 284 for four, 183 short of the 416 earlier in the day.

After Steve Smith grew up on English soil in his eighth century – second most for an Australian – England put on a brilliant opening partnership of 91.

Zak Crawley fell for 48 before Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett continued the attack, only for the vice-captain to leave on 42 for a tame dismissal with the hosts seemingly on top.

Ben Duckett then went just two shy of a century, before Joe Root mistimed a shot to go for 10, leaving Harry Brook and Ben Stokes to guide the home side to the end, but only after Nathan Lyon went off injured.

Here, Mail Sport columnist David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd takes you through some of the stories you may have missed from the birthplace of cricket.

Ben Duckett left at 98 – just two shy of only his second ever Test century on home soil

Harry Brook made an entertaining 45 from 51 to finish the day hitting four fours in the process

Call it, don’t bring it!

One of our odd rituals in cricket is ringing the bell before play, but it was lovely to see the kids of Andrew Strauss ring the doorbell here at Red for Ruth.

With the bell on the outfield it reminded me of an occasion at Old Trafford where we have a huge bell.

It’s a huge brass thing and in the sixties our coach was a guy called Stanley Worthington.

One day he told the 12th man to ring the bell. Five minutes later, this young man stumbled into the locker room with the bell.

To which Stan replied, “I told you to call him, not bring him!”

Andrew Strauss’s children (left) rang the bell on Red for Ruth day on Thursday to begin the game of the day

Deliveroo has had its chance

After some soul searching, I’ve decided to switch from Deliveroo to Just Eat.

The last few have unfortunately just not been good. My lamb tikka was cold and a bit like chewing someone’s slippers!

Deliveroo has had its chance and now it’s over to Just Eat for my late night curry.

More news about the food situation in Leeds next week!

Breaking one of the game’s iconic techniques

Let’s break down Steve Smith’s method. He kicks off with his superstitious mannerisms, touching various parts.

He then stands stiff-legged at the crease, bends his knees slightly, and at the point of release his right leg swings back and forth toward the stump.

The bat is then lifted to the trench in an almost Bradman-esque fashion and most importantly his head position is absolutely still and in full control when playing the ball.

Regardless of all that trinkets before, Smith is spot on at the moment of impact which is why he has 32 Test hundreds. An exceptional player.

Steve Smith completed his 32nd century – and eighth in England – on Thursday morning

Smith’s is one of the more iconic techniques in the game, but it hasn’t stopped him from becoming an exceptional player

A sobering thought…

Just a sobering thought. The last time a team batted first at Lord’s, scored over 400 and lost the Test, was in 1930 when England, captained by Percy Chapman, scored 425 after winning the toss.

Don Bradman single-handedly scored 254 in reply, as Australia stated on 729 for six in 232 overs and then England were knocked out by Clarrie Grimmett who took six wickets, before Australia knocked off the runs.

However, De Don only scored once in the second innings!

Is it Mr Meat or Mr Loaf?

Many cricket grounds now double for pop concerts, but Lord’s has always resisted that.

I do remember, however, that Lieutenant Colonel John Stevenson was the secretary of the MCC and approached him to host an outfield concert by a singer.

He commented that he didn’t know how to address the chap in question and whether it should be Mr Meat or Mr Loaf!

England fell for the short ball trick with Mitchell Starc (right) taking the big wicket from Joe Root

England falls for the short ball trick

Late in the afternoon, Australia turned to short ball tactics with the pitch set up accordingly and England obliged.

They became happy whores with Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Joe Root all throwing away their wickets. You have to calculate the percentages.

If it’s above head height, you have no control over the shot. Australia were cock-a-hoop.

They just gave it a try after Nathan Lyon’s injury and would have been happy with the way England handled things.