England were unable to force an unlikely victory at Lord's
England were unable to force an unlikely victory at Lord’s (Picture: Getty)

England were unable to force an unlikely victory over Australia as the second Ashes Test at Lord’s ended in a draw.

At the start of day five, it appeared Australia were the only team who had a chance of winning the match, with England leading by 104 with six second-innings wickets remaining.

Ben Stokes scored a brilliant century, however, to bat Australia out of the game and give England an opportunity to put the tourists under pressure in the final session.

Test debutant Jofra Archer took two quick wickets as England reduced Australia to 47-3, but Marnus Labuschange (59) – who replaced Steve Smith after he was ruled out with concussion – and Travis Head (42*) helped the Ashes holders secure a draw with four wickets remaining.

After Australia won the opening Test at Edgbaston by 251 runs, England remain 1-0 down in the five-match series going into the third match at Headingley, which starts on Thursday.