Today's back pages: England ready to bounce back at Lord's, Chelsea star racially abused

Bouncer battle brewing

A battle is brewing in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after England’s were bundled out for 258 on the second day of the match after the first was washed out. But Australia lost David Warner before the close to finish 30-1 at stumps.

Joe Root’s side were undone in part by a bombardment of short bowling, and the third day could be interesting after opener Rory Burns, who top scored with 53, suggested England’s bowlers could return the favour.

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The Sun, for one, is excited by the prospect. England were “roughed up”, but “Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad want revenge against Australia after England succumbed to a bouncer barrage,” it says. “Archer didn’t take a wicket in his first six overs of Test cricket but will be dangerous on Friday.”

But there was more to think about than cricket at Lord’s says the Daily Telegraph. “Perhaps it was appropriate that what was in effect the opening day of the Lord’s Test belonged to both England and Australia. It was dedicated to the Ruth Strauss Foundation, and the best part of half a million pounds was raised in memory of one who was Australian by birth and English by adoption.”

Ugly face of racism

Meanwhile in the Premier League racism has reared its ugly head once again after Chelsea striker was abused online after missing a vital penalty as the Blues lost to Liverpool in the Uefa Super Cup final on Wednesday.

“The striker’s saved effort handed the Super Cup to the Reds and gave trolls an excuse to bombard him with offensive tweets on social media,” says the Mirror. Anti-racism watchdog Kick It Out condemned the messages and called on Twitter to take action against racists and bigots.

“Blues boss Frank Lampard has backed Abraham while the club have given the youngster their full support,” adds the paper.