Australia tightened their grip on the Ashes after ripping through England’s batting on day two of the third Test on Thursday. The visitors ended the day in deep trouble and now face the risk of another defeat unless something special happens.
At stumps, England were 213 for 8. They still trailed by 158 runs. Earlier, Australia added 45 runs to their overnight total of 326 for 8 before being bowled out for 371. The heat was intense, with the temperature touching 40 degrees Celsius.
Ben Stokes fought hard for England. The captain was unbeaten on 45 after facing 151 balls in punishing conditions. Jofra Archer was with him on 30. England must win this Test to stay alive in the series, and the pitch offered good conditions for batting.
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick spoke about Stokes after play. “He’s worn out as you can imagine,” Trescothick said.
“Lots of cramping. He’s struggling to get the fluids in. He’s struggling to get the carbohydrates in as he says he feels pretty sick. He’s pretty broken in there at the moment.”
Stokes was also unhappy with another decision involving the Snicko technology. Still, his brave innings helped England avoid the follow on. He even took a blow to the helmet from a Mitchell Starc bouncer and carried on.
Australia lead the five match series 2 0. They will retain the Ashes if they win or draw this Test after easy wins in Perth and Brisbane.
England started their reply with some calm. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley survived the early spell from Starc and Pat Cummins. But the resistance did not last long. England lost three wickets for five runs in just 15 balls.
Cummins struck first. He had Crawley caught behind by Alex Carey for nine. It was the Australia captain’s first Test since July after recovering from a lower back problem.
Cummins then turned to Nathan Lyon. The off spinner had been left out of the second Test but made an instant impact. Lyon took two wickets in his first over. Ollie Pope flicked to Josh Inglis for three. Duckett was then bowled for 29.
“Nice to contribute and finally get into the series,” Lyon said. “I just had to bowl good balls and do the basics well.”
Lyon also admitted he was unhappy about missing the second Test. His 564th Test wicket moved him past Glenn McGrath into sixth on the all time list.
Joe Root had an early scare when he edged Scott Boland, but a review showed the ball did not carry. Root failed to make the most of the chance. He was out after lunch, edging Cummins to Carey. It was the 12th time Cummins has dismissed Root.
Stokes then showed great fight. He stood tall even after being hit on the helmet by Starc. But wickets kept falling at the other end. Cameron Green removed Harry Brook, caught by Carey. Jamie Smith made 22 before being given out caught off Cummins.
Snicko showed a small spike, though there was a gap between bat and ball. Stokes shook his head as Smith walked off.
The technology had already been under focus. Carey’s century on day one came after a Snicko error when he was on 72. England failed to overturn the decision. Carey later admitted he likely edged the ball, and the operator accepted a mistake.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg criticised the system before play.
“In my view it’s not good enough,” he said.
“We’re hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won’t happen again.”
Boland then removed Will Jacks for six and Brydon Carse for a duck. Archer and Stokes batted out the final overs to close the day.
Earlier, Starc hit five quick fours before Archer bowled him for 54. Lyon and Boland added 23 runs for the last wicket before Lyon was trapped lbw for nine. Archer finished with five for 53 as Australia posted 371.
