England and Australia draw second Ashes Test

Pat Cummins of Australia and Travis Head of Australia walk of the field at the end of play with the match a draw

LONDON, AFP: The second Test between England and Australia ended in a draw at Lord's on Sunday.

Australia, set an unlikely 267 to win in a minimum of 48 overs after England captain Joe Root's declaration, finished on 154-6.

A draw always looked likely in a match that saw five whole sessions lost to rain and Australia's Steve Smith ruled out with concussion on Sunday after being hit on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer during his innings of 92 on Saturday.

Four wickets after tea gave England hope of what would have been a stunning win.

Ashes-holders Australia, bidding for their first Test series win away to England in 18 years, remain 1-0 up in the five-match campaign following their 251-run victory at Edgbaston last week.

Th e t h i rd Te s t a t Headingley star ts on Thursday.