London:Ben Stokes recorded a fantastic century on day five at Lord's, but his efforts were not enough to push England to ictory in the second Test.
The draw means Australia maintain their 1-0 lead, and the home side now must avoid defeat at Headingley in the third bout to maintain
a chance of winning the series.
Steve Smith did not take to the field on day five after taking a blow to the neck just a day prior, when Jofra Archer caught him painfully with a searing bouncer. Marnus Labuschagne replaced him in Test cricket's first ever concussion substitution. The rule, which changed on 1 August, means that the player who is brought in can bat and bowl in the match.
A battling effort from Travis Head (42*) and Labuschagne (59) ensured honours were even for this one, the pair quelling the threat of Archer and co with some impressive, diligent batting. A late wobblealmost looked perilous for Tim Paine's side, but England were four scalps short at the finish.
Stokes and Jos Buttler began day five well, adding to their side's overnight score of 96/4 with a sensible approach early in the day.
England's Cricket World Cup final hero then began to accelerate after having reached his half-century in a more measured manner, while Buttler fell for 31, top-edging Pat Cummins to long-leg. It was a
innings of real determination and class from England's all-rounder, the 28-year old blasting 11 fours and three maximums on the way to an impressive seventh Test hundred.
