Australia pacer Peter Siddle has hailed England batsmen for their brilliant batting performances on the third day of the second Ashes test at Lord's. The Three Lions started the day with the overnight score of 31/3 before ending the day with 333 for the loss of five wickets.

Peter Siddle
Reuters

England opener Joe Root was the star for the hosts after he reached a milestone of his second test century. The centurion became the youngest English player to score a century at Lord's at the age of 22. He is still unbeaten at 178 at the end of the third day's play and is accompanied by Jonny Bairstow.

Root was well accompanied by Tim Bresnan as they put on 99 runs partnership before the latter was first of the two batsmen to be dismissed on day three. Ian Bell joined Root in the middle as the duo kept the scoreboard ticking before the middle order batsmen becoming Steven Smith's first victim of the innings at 74.

"A lot of credit goes to their batters. I think they summed up the conditions well, took their time early on and just made us keep bowling and bowling. Obviously that last session they cashed in a little bit on the tired bodies that were out there," Siddle told Sky Sports.

"We could have been a little more consistent and patient. We were for most of the time but when we did lose that they capitalised and made the most of us lacking in concentration," he added.

England take a lead of 566 runs after the end of day three and with two days of play left in the match, Australia has a huge task to avoid second defeat in the Ashes series.

Siddle believes it is an uphill task for the visitors to get any result from the Lord's test and is hopeful to have a positive start during the morning session on Sunday.

"It's going to be hard work, that's the truth that's behind it all. It depends what happens tomorrow morning. We have got to bowl well and hopefully get a few early wickets or at least tie it up and keep it tight," Siddle said.

"Then for how long we have to bat for, we bat. We just have to do that well and obviously see what happens come the end of day five," Australian bwoler concluded.