The Ashes 2015 live: Latest score from the second Test at Lord's as England face Australia

The live blog will appear above from 1030 ahead of the fourth day

"We spoke briefly in the changing room there at the end and we've got to get our heads round the fact we're probably going to have to bat 150 overs to try to save the game," he said.

"You've probably got to look at it and rein it in. If we ever do get the chance where we have a sniff of winning the game, we might have to change.

"But the most likely thing we're going to have to do is bat the 150 overs and make sure we don't lose the 10 wickets.

"The way you start an innings is the biggest and most crucial thing.

"We're just going to have to get our head round batting time. It's pretty much over to the batters for the next two days."

That is a tough ask anywhere in the world but Stokes believes the lack of unpredictable bounce and negligible spin on show at the home of cricket can work in the hosts' favour.

They were reduced to 30 for four late on day two, but England have steadfastly blamed batsman error for that.

"If there's ever a wicket to do it on, it's this one," he said.

"I probably only need one word for it - flat.

"There's no real demons in it, not too much pace and not too much turn.

"Looking back we've just got to assess 'did we choose the correct shots, and did we execute what we wanted to do?'.

"We probably didn't, but it's something to learn from."

Australia will be hoping to put a few extra miles in English legs in the morning session, with David Warner 60no having been dropped on nought by Adam Lyth and Chris Rogers six away from his ninth 50 in the last 10 Test innings.

But the game will really begin when the tourists take to the field.

Mitchell Marsh, who celebrated his recall with the key scalps of Cook and Stokes, said: "We've got ourselves in a great position now to drive the game, hopefully we bat well and put England under some pressure in the afternoon and on day five.

"I think over the next two days it will be (tough to bat). It was nice to get those wickets like that, doesn't matter how you get them, I'll take a few more chop ons in the second innings, I'd be happy to have them.

"I'm sure Michael (Clarke) has got a declaration total in mind. I'm not sure but I imagine it will be around the 450 to 500 mark if we bat well.