Australia's coach says a dramatic second Test has showcased the game in all its glory ... with the best perhaps still to come on day five
It's game on: Langer thrilled by gripping Lord's affair
Australia coach Justin Langer says the second Ashes Test is "game on" with a thrilling fifth and final day on the cards at Lord's.
At stumps on day four, England hold a lead of 104 runs at 4-96 with Ben Stokes (16no) and Jos Butter (10no) at the crease and 98 overs to be bowled on Sunday.
Despite losing five sessions to rain, all four outcomes are still possible after a pulsating day four that saw momentum swing multiple times.
More runs from Steve Smith had Australia inching towards a first-innings advantage until debutant Jofra Archer produced one of the fastest spells of bowling the 'Home of Cricket' has ever seen to strike Smith twice and force the Australian run machine to retire hurt from a nasty blow to the neck.
Smith returned but was out for 92 as England claimed an eight-run first-innings lead, but in the space of two balls Pat Cummins gave Australia the ascendency by removing Jason Roy and Joe Root in consecutive balls, the first time the England skipper has been dismissed for a golden duck in his Test career.
The visitors reduced England to 4-71 but it could have been better had they held their catches – with David Warner missing two chances – and referred two lbw decisions that would have been overturned with third umpire intervention. Stokes could have been out twice on six.
The prospect of a run chase in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd at Lord's on Sunday has Langer brimming with excitement.
"This is why we love Test cricket so much," Langer said after play on Saturday.
"Who would have thought, we're playing at Lord's, we've lost nearly a couple of days to rain and it's absolutely game on tomorrow.
"We probably went searching a little bit after a great start today, we went searching a little bit on this wicket.
"It's tough to bat on, which I don't mind, and it's going to be a great day's Test cricket tomorrow.
"I guess the only issue is there's only one day left in it so there's lots of scenarios that can play out here but it's game on I reckon."
History would suggest any total is reachable on day five, with the highest successful run chase at Lord's achieved by the West Indies in 1984, when legendary opener Gordon Greenidge smashed an unbeaten 214 to see his side to a target of 342 with nine wickets in hand.
More recently, England chased down 282 to win in 2004 to beat New Zealand, while the hosts made 5-193 against the Windies in 2012 for a five-wicket win.
The weather forecast is cloudy but fine for all of Sunday which should ensure all 98 overs are able to be bowled if required.
England seamer Chris Woakes believes it is anybody's game heading into the final day.
"Incredible game so far, and of course I think we can win the game but all three results are still possible," Woakes said.
"It's a great game to be a part of; when I envisaged Test and Ashes cricket as a child, this is what I envisaged it being like. It's pretty much in the balance."
Should Australia need any more incentive to push for victory, a telling statistic highlights just how decisive it could be.
Only once in the history of the Ashes has a team won a series after trailing 0-2.
That team was Australia in 1936-37 in Don Bradman's first Test series as captain – after losing the opening two Tests in Brisbane and Sydney, the new skipper peeled off scores of 270, 212 and 169 to drive his side to a famous series win.
Should Langer's side make it 2-0 at Lord's, history indicates they will be firm favourites to retain the Ashes and perhaps win their first Ashes series in England since 2001.
But there's a potentially thrilling day five to be played first.
2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England
Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.
First Test: Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston
Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's
Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley
Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31
Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford
Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval