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Australia have gone 2-0 up in the Ashes after a thrilling and controversial contest at Lord's where Ben Stokes tried to mount an incredible comeback.

Stokes managed 155 runs on the final day of the second Test before he was bowled by Josh Hazlewood as he went for the ropes once more.

Stokes gave a heroic display at the crease to give England hope
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Stokes gave a heroic display at the crease to give England hopeCredit: AFP
The England fans showed their appreciation for Stokes after he was dismissed
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The England fans showed their appreciation for Stokes after he was dismissedCredit: Getty

As he left the Lord's pitch, the England captain was given a standing ovation from every corner of the ground - including from the Australia fans.

The Aussie players also ran over to congratulate Stokes on a remarkable innings that ended in disappointment after going to pull one shot and finding the top-edge instead.

Having found huge success against Hazlewood earlier in the day, this time he clipped the ball high into the air and Alex Carey was able to pluck it out of the sky to end England's hopes of an unlikely win.

A controversial wicket against Jonny Bairstow looked like it was curtains for England as Stuart Broad made his way to the crease.

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With the scores at 193-6, Stokes stepped up and put on a truly heroic display as he led from the front, smashing nine sixes in the process.

But even his Herculean effort was not enough to stop the Aussies, who have one hand on reprising the Ashes after going two up in the Series.

Stokes was congratulated for his impressive 155
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Stokes was congratulated for his impressive 155Credit: Getty
Stokes pulled out 155 runs at a time when England needed it but it was not enough
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Stokes pulled out 155 runs at a time when England needed it but it was not enoughCredit: Getty

In truth, England were always up against it from the first day after a lacklustre display with the ball after winning the toss and putting Australia in to bat.

After underachieving in their first innings, the contest looked all-but over before the Aussies fell apart themselves when their second innings ended 279 all out.

But ultimately, Australia's first innings worth 416 has led them to victory as it proved a bridge too far for England.

They could have really done with one of their other batsmen to step up after Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all went for single figures.

However, the pivotal moment came before lunch on the final day when Bairstow was controversially stumped by Carey.

After Pat Cummins bowled the final ball of the over, Bairstow immediately started walking towards the other side of the wicket as the ball found Carey at wicketkeeper.

Having left his stumps and the umpires not calling the over, Carey had a simple task of throwing the ball at the stumps and thus taking his wicket.

It led to loud boos from around Lord's for the perceived lack of sportsmanship.

Bairstow was controversially stumped
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Bairstow was controversially stumped

It even saw some altercations in the Long Room including some of the members with Usman Khawaja and David Warner being pulled away by security.

The scenes are unheard of at Lord's, where the atmosphere is usually more serene.

But Bairstow's wicket stirred the crowd and made them hostile, greeting the Aussies with loud jeers and boos at every opportunity.

Nevertheless, no rules had technically been broken while it was the third time that Bairstow had left his wicket so hastily at the end of an over.

Australia won the Test with Josh Tongue being bowled out by Mitchell Starc.

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