Australia have taken a 2-0 lead in the 2023 Ashes series courtesy of a controversial 43-run victory in the second Test at Lord's.
The Baggy Greens went into the final day as overwhelming favourites to make it two wins from two in this summer's series, with England needing 257 to win having ended day four on 114-4.
However, Ben Stokes's presence at the crease kept hope alive for the hosts, and the England captain produced another innings for the ages to bring what would have been a record run chase - England's biggest ever in an Ashes match, and the biggest ever in any match at Lord's - within sight.
Stokes's 155 was the highlight of the day, but by no means the only talking point of a tempestuous, fiery showdown at Lord's which saw players clash with each other, the umpires and fans.
The fuse was lit when Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Alex Carey, with the England batsman believing that the ball was dead and therefore leaving his crease only for Carey's throw to hit the wicket.
© Reuters
The umpires ruled that Bairstow was legally out, but Australia's decision not to withdraw their appeal ignited the atmosphere at Lord's.
The arrival of Stuart Broad did nothing to ease the tensions, with the fast bowler making a big show of staying in his crease at every opportunity, much to the delight of the raucous crowd.
That crowd got louder still when Stokes, who to that point had been relatively reserved and methodical in his approach, clubbed three successive sixes over the boundary to bring up another brilliant Test century.
Indeed, Lord's was as frenzied as it has perhaps ever been as the two sides went in for lunch, and there were remarkable scenes in the Long Room as a number of spectators confronted Australian players on their way back into the pavilion - something which prompted the Aussies to call for an investigation.
Lunch did little to slow Stokes down as he bludgeoned a six and then was incredibly dropped by Steve Smith, whose uncharacteristic misfield from an easy chance looked to be all the more damaging as Stokes continued to build his total.
© Reuters
With every fielder on the boundary, Stokes dealt solely in sixes unless he was trying to get on strike for the next over, with Broad providing a disciplined and battling partner for his captain out in the middle as he soaked up Australia's aggressive bowling when needed.
Australia did finally find a way to slow Stokes's run-rate down, though, and his epic innings - one to rival Headingley from 2019 - finally came to an end on 155 when he miscued a Josh Hazlewood bouncer, allowing Carey to catch him out.
Adding another legendary knock to his ever-growing list, Stokes's nine sixes were a record for a single Ashes innings, while he also hit nine fours on his way to 155 from 214 deliveries.
With 70 needed to win, England had been deemed favourites with Stokes at the crease, but the pendulum swung firmly back in Australia's favour as soon as the long tail was exposed.
© Reuters
Ollie Robinson quickly followed for one before Broad joined him on 11, and despite a stubborn 10th-wicket stand by Josh Tongue and Jimmy Anderson, Australia finally wrapped up the thrilling victory when Mitchell Starc took Tongue's leg stump out of the ground.
Before the main drama unfolded, Ben Duckett made it to 83 before being caught behind by Carey off the bowling of Hazlewood, but it was Bairstow's dismissal which really stoked the atmosphere both on the pitch and in the stands.
The ill-feeling it caused may yet run through to the third Test at Headingley, which is now a must-win for England if they are to win the Ashes, while victory for Australia would seal their first Ashes series triumph on English soil since 2001.
Barney Corkhill
