-
Matt Skilton
-
The Fourth Ashes Test Highlights
Day Three Recap
Australia looked to pull away from England on day 3 of the fourth test. Openers Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed survived overnight leaving England at 0/13 as the tourists tried to chip into the 403-run deficit left for them.
· England faced 71 dot balls in a row, losing 3/0 during that run
· Scott Boland won over the SCG, picking up 2/0 in his first 4 overs
· Stokes and Bairstow put up a 100-run partnership to steady the England ship
· The English tail has wagged for the first time as England try to limit the deficit
· Bairstow scored his 7th century in 80 tests on the stroke of stumps
· England still trail by 158 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the first innings
It was all happening for Australia at the SCG after a lengthy rain delay that saw play start after 11 am local time. Starc created a chance early, finding Hameed’s edge but Carey could only put a glove on the ball. Crawley endured a tough body-line spell from the left-armed pacer, but Hameed couldn’t as Starc produced a jaffer that crashed into the batsman’s middle stump. As the approach to lunch began, Australia produced brilliant bowling, Scott Boland won over the SCG crowd just like he did at the MCG. It didn’t take long for the Victorian to leave a mark, forcing Zak Crawley into a drive which resulted in the ball rattling his off stump. Boland didn’t take long to strike again, find Joe Root’s edge with the catch being taken by Steve Smith. Cameron Green closed out an outstanding session for the Aussies, by sending Dawid Malan back to the pavilion on the second last ball before lunch. England was left reeling at 4/36 heading into the second session after they lost 3/0 in the final 53 balls of the session.
After facing 71 dot balls in a row, England finally got going again which led to the visitors producing positive strokes through the session. Stokes put in a gutsy effort, battling through injury, and put up 50 as he led the England resurgence with Jonny Bairstow alongside. The session didn’t go without its drama, Stokes rounder was dropped on a caught and bowled opportunity by Cummins and a few overs later, Cameron Green hit the stumps but the bails failed to dislodge. It led into a crazy moment on the ground, where the Aussies appealed and to everyone’s shock, umpire Paul Reiffel gave Stokes out. Stokes reviewed and the baffling decision was overturned. The pair survived for a 6th wicket stand of 99 but England was a long way from safety as they headed into the final session of the day at 4/135.
Stokes and Bairstow brought up their 100 partnership early on, but Stokes would eventually fall on 66 after being trapped in front LBW by Nathan Lyon. Australia looked to roll through the rest of the English after picking up Buttler for a duck, – with Cummins dismissing the English keeper for the 6th time in test cricket – but Mark Wood stood up for the English tail, blasting 39 off 41, before he edged the ball onto his helmet from a Pat Cummins bouncer, with the catch being taken by Khawaja. Jack Leach came in at nine with the intent to survive and walk out to the crease on day 4. Jonny Bairstow continued in a positive manner, scoring his 7th test century in 80 matches during the final over before stumps as he leads the England resurgence into day 4. England will head into the morning session at 7/258 and still trail the Australians by 158 runs. For Australia, the day started perfectly but English stubbornness will test their patience as they will look to take further control tomorrow.
Score Summary:
TEAM LINEUPS:
Australia XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon
England XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Matt Skilton is a multimedia sports journalism graduate and covers all of your sports needs at ThePyrrhic.com. Keep watching for recaps, analysis, trade news, and more!
Follow Matt on Twitter @MSkilton16
Want more from The Pyrrhic? Check out these:
Show your love for thepyrrhic.com with this sweet branded t-shirt