| 4.5 : 4.5: M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! First boundary of the day! Starc goes too full on the pads in search of the swing. Doesn't get any desired movement and all he does is give away runs there. He spears this full on the pads, Stoneman gets some bat on this one with his flick. Well, he gets more than enough on that. The ball races away through the outfield and into the fine leg fence for a boundary. There was a man in the deep who was running to his right, but he couldn't do much. |
| 6.1 : 6.1: M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! Glorious stroke that. Starc spears it full on middle, Stoneman doesn't move his feet much but pushes it down the ground. The timing is so good on that, that the ball races down the fence for a boundary. Although that stroke looked good, Bill Lawry observes that the footwork isn't the best from the southpaw there. |
| 7.5 : 7.5: Pat Cummins to Stoneman, FOUR! This is much better. This is on a length outside off, width on offer as well. Stoneman has enough for him to free his arms there. Stays back and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 9.2 : 9.2: Pat Cummins to Stoneman, FOUR! Nicely punched. Cummins bowls it on a length around the middle and off stumps. Stoneman gets behind it and pushes it down the ground. The timing is good enough to take it past the ropes. |
| 9.5 : 9.5: Pat Cummins to Stoneman, OUT! Cummins draws first blood! The Aussie seamers were probing their way around and now have finally struck. Cummins had beaten the bat on the previous ball with a delivery angled in. Here, the line is the same, just outside off, but the length is a touch shorter. The ball climbs a bit more as well. Stoneman goes on the back foot and hangs his bat out at that. This time the ball doesn't miss the outside edge of the bat. It takes that part of the willow before settl |
| 11.3 : 11.3: Pat Cummins to Cook, FOUR! Beautiful! Cummins overcooks this one, it's on the stumps, Cook stays inside the crease and brings his bat down at the right time to bunt it down the ground. Warner from mid off gives it a chase but the ball still wins the race. First boundary of the day for Cook. |
| 18.1 : 18.1: M Starc to Vince, FOUR! That's cracked through the off side! Starc from over the wicket, slants it away on a length outside off. Vince with no foot movement goes after it and as a result he laces one through covers for a boundary. No need to run for those! 50 comes up for England. |
| 18.6 : 18.6: M Starc to Vince, FOUR! Up and over! Starc once again goes short and offers width as well. James Vince is quick to rise on the toes and carve it over point for a boundary to end the over. Loved the intent from James here. |
| 20.6: M Starc to Vince, FOUR! Boom! Vince isn't afraid to go after Starc. We saw him hitting one through the off side in Starc's previous over and does one again. Starc angles it away on a fuller length outside off, Vince bends his back knee, leans forward a touch and flays it over backward point for a boundary. |
| 26.4 : 26.4: Pat Cummins to Vince, FOUR! Nailed it! What a shot to bring up the 50-run stand! England have recovered well after that initial stutter. Cummins bangs in a short ball that lacks venom and Vince doesn't miss out on that. He rocks back in a flash and murders the pull over mid-wicket by getting on top of it to fetch himself a boundary. Superb! |
| 27.5 : 27.5: N Lyon to A Cook, FOUR! Cracked it! Lyon drops it short and serves it outside off, Cook is tempted to go after it. He missed out on the first ball of this over but not this one. Cuts it square of the wicket on the off side and away she whistles to the fence. |
| 27.6 : 27.6: N Lyon to Cook, FOUR! And again! Back-to-back boundaries and Cook is looking really solid now! Lyon once again is guilty on dropping it short, Alastair takes on the bait. He camps back deep inside the crease and slaps it through backward point for another boundary. |
| 28.5 : 28.5: Pat Cummins to Vince, OUT! Edged and Vince throws it away! A wicket right after the drinks break and it's that man again, Pat Cummins! It isn't a wicket-taking delivery by any means more of batsman being lazy. It's a length ball outside off, Vince sans any movement goes chasing after it but there is the extra bounce which comes into the picture. It takes a thick edge and flies into the mitts of Paine who accepts a regulation. Just like Stoneman, Vince fails to kick on. Australia are deligh |
| 30.2 : 30.2: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, FOUR! Superbly done! Something Vince should have! Cummins bowls it on a similar length which he bowled to Vince, it's a touch short this time. What does Root do? He gets on top of it and moves across to hit it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. Vince opted to stay inside the crease and that brought his downfall. |
| 32.3 : 32.3: J Hazlewood to Cook, OUT! Three Reds shows the Ball Tracker and Alastair Cook has to make a long way back to the pavilion. Excellent use of the review from Australia and they are absolutely pumped up. Josh Hazlewood strikes immediately after he is brought into the attack. He steams in from over the wicket and keeps it nice and full on the stumps. Cook looks to work it away on the leg side but misses and nearly falls over while doing so. The ball hits him on the pads and the loud appeal fo |
| 36.4 : 36.4: Hazlewood to Joe Root, FOUR! Top edgeeee but safe! Fortunately for Root he gets it finer otherwise there was a man patrolling the fine leg region. Hazlewood drops it short and gets the extra zip off the surface which surprises the English skipper. Joe swivels to pull but gets a top edge instead. He gets it away from the man in the deep and picks up a boundary. |
| 41.4: N Lyon to D Malan, FOUR! Lovely shot! Sees the flight and Malan decides to cash in on it. Leans forward and drills it off the meat through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 47.2 : 47.2: M Starc to Root, FOUR! Glorious from Root and that will release some pressure! After 25 dot balls in a row, England score! Starc slants it full and a bit wide outside off, Root leans nicely into it and drives it elegantly through extra cover to find the fence. |
| 50.2: J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Nicely done! Short and outside off, Root stands tall and hits it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 52.1 : 52.1: J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Superbly done! Just using the pace of Hazlewood! It's short and it's outside off, Root gets on top of the bounce to steer it through backward point. Finds the gap and brings up the 50-run stand as well. |
| 54.1: J Hazlewood to D Malan, FOUR! Easily done! Hazlewood bowls a short ball on middle and leg, it comes up at a good height too. Malan swivels inside the crease and then pulls it along the ground through backward square leg to find a boundary. |
| 55.5 : 55.5: N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Good shot! But wait, what happened to Khawaja there? Tossed up delivery outside off, Dawid Malan makes room and drives it through covers. Usman gives it a chase and just when he tries to pull the back, his left knee gets stuck in the turf and the ball rolls away further towards the boundary rope. |
| 58.6 : 58.6: M Marsh to Joe Root, FOUR! Consecutive fifties for skipper Joe Root, his 36th in Tests. He has looked very comfortable at the crease so far and for once, he would love to put all that talks of conversion rates to rest. This is full outside off, Root leans into it and drives it crisply through covers. The ball trickles away to the ropes. |
| 60.6: M Marsh to Malan, FOUR! Marsh doesn't get away this time. He bowls it full and outside off, Malan gets his stride out and drives it through the gap between gully and backward point for a boundary. Spoils what could have been a decent over. |
| 76.1 : 76.1: M Starc to D Malan, FOUR! Straightaway we know what Starc is aiming for. He runs in and bowls it full outside off. A hint of reverse seen as the ball comes in a touch. Nothing doing for Malan though, who gets his stride out and drives it nicely through covers for a boundary. |
| 80.1: M Starc to Root, FOUR! The new ball appears and disappears! Starc hurls it full on off and middle, Root drives it back down the ground. Such is the timing that the ball speeds away to the fence. |
| 80.2 : 80.2: M Starc to Joe Root, FOUR! Is he gone? No! This is bowled full around off, in fact very full. Root just about manages to bring his bat down on time. The ball takes the inside edge and goes very close past the leg stump and races to the fine leg fence. The fielder there couldn't do much and a boundary results. |
| 80.3 : 80.3: M Starc to Root, OUT! Mitchell Starc erupts, Australia erupt, the Sydney Cricket Ground erupts but Joe Root is down on his haunches! Oh dear, dear! What has the English skipper done yet again? Starc runs in and delivers it full at 140 kph. Talk about injured heels and calfs. All that can be done another time. Root thinks it to be yet another delivery which he'll flick and collect runs. Plays the shot but finds Mitchell Marsh at square leg. He dives to his right and pouches that to spark o |
| 81.1 : 81.1: J Hazlewood to Bairstow, FOUR! Beautifuly stroke. Hazlewood overpitches this outside off, Bairstow strides forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. Nice looking shot that. |
| 81.4 : 81.4: J Hazlewood to Bairstow, OUT! Another one departs! Where was this Aussie side that we know? Or even other way, perhaps this is the England side that we have grown familiar with in this series. Often one brings two and here is the second. Josh runs in from over the wicket and delivers it on a length just outside off. These are the areas which you never want to get as a batter any time, let alone in the closing stages of the day's play. Bairstow looks to drive this one but the ball straighte |
| 87.4: N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Booming drive! Lyon gives a lot of flight and serves it outside off, Malan reaches out to that one and drills it through extra cover to find the fence. |
| 88.2 : 88.2: M Starc to Ali, FOUR! Edgyyyy and it's through! Fuller in length and shaping away after pitching, Ali reaches out to that one and gets it off the edge past Khawaja at gully. Lyon from backward point gives it a chase but the ball still wins the race. |
| 88.4 : 88.4: M Starc to D Malan, OUT! What a stunning catch! Steven Smith, that's a screamer! He dropped one yesterday which looked relatively easy but boy, what about this? Given the standards that he has created for himself, we expect him to take everything, don't we? Anyway, Starc gets his second and the dangerous Malan walks back. Mitchell drops it on a short of a length and it moves away just a bit to square Dawid up. The batsman pokes at it away from the body and gets an outside edge which flies |
| 88.5 : 88.5: M Starc to Curran, FOUR! Uppishhhh! Fuller and sprayed wider outside off, Curran crouches low and squeezes it uppishly past backward point to pikc up a boundary. |
| 94.2 : 94.2: J Hazlewood to Curran, FOUR! In the air... wide of Jackson Bird at cover! Hazlewood hurls it fuller outside off, Curran is quick to go for a booming drive. He does so uppishly and Bird at cover dives with his left hand outstretched but the ball is too far from his reach. A boundary results. |
| 95.1 : 95.1: N Lyon to Curran, FOUR! Good use of the feet! Lyon tosses it wider outside off, Curran knows that there is no one on the off side so he decides to make the most of it. He comes dancing down the track and drives it through the cover region to find the fence. |
| 96.5 : 96.5: J Hazlewood to M Ali, FOUR. |
| 102.4 : 102.4: Pat Cummins to Ali, OUT! That's it for Ali in this innings. He is yet to shrug that run-drought off and may have to find another occasion to do so as this one ends. Credit to Cummins though. He has been involved in a dropped catch, seen a catch go down off his bowling and to come back with the same energy to pick one up speaks volumes about this guy. He continues bowling from round the wicket and bends his back to bang this a touch short. Ali goes back to defend but ends up fending it. T |
| 103.1 : 103.1: M Marsh to Curran, FOUR! Streaky runs but England won't complain. Marsh delivers it on a length outside off, Curran backs away and flashes at it. Would have gone to a third slip if he would have been there. His absence results in a boundary. |
| 104.6 : 104.6: Pat Cummins to Broad, SIX! 'You fight fire with fire,' screams Michael Slater on air seeing this shot from Broad. Cummins bowls it short from round the wicket, Stuart uses all his might and plays the pull shot. Makes nice contact on that to get the ball sailing over the deep square leg fence. There were two men in the deep but they just could do nothing but watch the ball sail. |
| 105.1 : 105.1: M Marsh to Curran, FOUR! Curran's intents are as clear as a crystal. He is throwing his bat at every possible opportunity and so far it's coming off. Sees width on offer on this length delivery outside off, he makes room and just cuts it past backward point for a boundary. The score moves to 314 and his personal tally goes up to 33. |
| 105.6 : 105.6: M Marsh to Curran, FOUR! Another one in the over, Curran having some fun. Marsh bowls it on a length, Curran pulls it in front of square on the leg side. Such is the timing and power on that that he gets a boundary. Tom is nearing his maiden fifty in Tests as he moves to 38 now. 10 runs off this over. |
| 106.1 : 106.1: Pat Cummins to Broad, FOUR! Now this is getting too predictable from Australia. They continue persisting with the short-ball stuff against Broad and he continues to make merry. Cummins delivers this one and Broad, waiting in anticipation, just thwacks it through mid-wicket for another boundary. The partnership between him and Curran is already 30 and it has taken just 21 balls so far. |
| 106.3 : 106.3: Pat Cummins to Broad, SIX! Short, runs, repeat! This has been the sequence of action for sometime now. Cummins again bangs it short, Broad goes for the full-blooded pull. The ball flies over the long leg fence for half a dozen. |
| 108.4 : 108.4: Pat Cummins to Tom Curran, OUT! The breezy 41-run stand comes to an end now. Cummins perseverence with the short ball finally helps him get the breakthrough. He serves this in line of the stumps on a back of a length. It is angled in to the batsman. Curran goes back to defend but the ball hits him high on the blade and lobs straight into the waiting hands of Bancroft at short leg. The 36-ball stand ends and would be interesting to see how long England go from here. |
| 111.4: N Lyon to S Broad, OUT! You live by the sword and die by it. Broad here is guilty of playing one shot too many. Lyon floats it just outside off from round the wicket, enticing the big stroke from Stuart. He gets down to play the slog sweep and that's his undoing. Ends up getting a top edge and the ball flies towards short third man. Smith, standing at first slip, backtracks and takes it easily. The end is nigh now. Lyon gets one in his wickets column. A good little cameo from Stuart Broa |
| 112.3 : 112.3: Pat Cummins to Crane, OUT! That's it for England. When two lower order batters are out in the middle, a run out cannot be far off as they often end up speaking different languages, figuratively. Anderson tucks this length ball straight to short fine leg and sets off for a run. Marsh there fields the ball and returns it to Bancroft who whips off the bails at the striker's end and appeals. Crane appears to be short of the crease and the umpire Kumar Dharmasena raises the dreaded finger righ |
| 1.2 : 1.2: S Broad to Bancroft, OUT! Broad strikes straightaway and gets his 399th Test wicket in style. He runs in from over the wicket to Bancroft and hurls it on a fuller length around off. The opener looks to drive this down the ground but gets beaten on the inside due to the nip back on that. The ball goes through the gate and disturbs the pink-coloured wood work behind. He has to walk back for a duck and England are up and running. On further looks, Bancroft's bat seems to come down in the dire |
| 5.3 : 5.3: S Broad to Warner, FOUR! Not a bad ball but still put away. Broad lands it on a length in line of the leg stump, Warner hops a touch and plays the flick. The ball takes the inner edge and goes off the thigh pads towards the fine leg fence. It has enough legs on it to roll away to the fence, in spite of Bairstow chasing it down. |
| 12.3: M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Well played. The key to play against spin is to make good use of the feet and that is exactly what Khawaja has done here. He sees the tossed up ball on offer and gets down the track. Blasts it past Ali. The mid off fielder is pretty wide and has no chance of preventing the boundary. |
| 13.3: Tom Curran to D Warner, FOUR! Curran isn't being disciplined with his stuff so far. Overpitches this outside off, Warner leans ahead and drives it through covers for a boundary. Wonderful balance maintained by him there. |
| 13.4 : 13.4: Tom Curran to Warner, FOUR! Now this is overcorrection. On the previous ball, he had given enough width to the batsman, now he straightens his line a bit too much. All Warner has to do is get some bat on that, which he does with a flick. There is no protection in the deep on the leg side and the ball goes away to the fence. |
| 13.6 : 13.6: Tom Curran to Warner, FOUR! Three boundaries in four balls to end the over. Warner is on the charge and the young Curran bears the brunt of that. This is bowled on a length around off, Warner punches it through mid off. The fielder there puts in the dive but fails to get any hand to that. 12 runs off this over, Warner moves to 30. |
| 26.1 : 26.1: M Ali to D Warner, FOUR! Beautifully done! Amazingly timed as well! Ali tosses it up outside off, Warner makes room and drills it exquisitely to beat the dive of the man at extra cover. Away she races for a boundary and Warner moves to 48. |
| 28.2 : 28.2: M Ali to D Warner, FOUR! Warner has flayed this one! Ali drops it short and it's wider outside off. David doesn't miss out on this as he rocks back in a jiffy and cracks it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. |
| 31.4 : 31.4: J Anderson to Warner, OUT! Got him... Yes gone! No hundred for David Warner, shouts an excited Mark Taylor on air. What a classical delivery from Anderson to break this stubborn stand. He has his one hand up as he races towards the slip cordon. He smartly tires an off cuter, pitches on middle and off and dangling away with a slight turn. Warner is not fully forward nor backward and in the end has a tame poke at it. Gets a feather and it travels to Bairstow behind who accepts the catch. A s |
| 32.4: M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! There to be hit! Ali throws it short, it's wider outside off, enough room for Khawaja to pounce on it. He jumps back and slaps it a bit squarer on the off side to pick up a boundary. The commentator on air jokes saying that this is the tough time for any batsman in this Ashes as most of them have departed in the mid 30s. |
| 35.2 : 35.2: J Anderson to Khawaja, FOUR! Look at the Hot Spot to see where Khawaja got it on the bat. Absolutely middled that one. Anderson lands it on a length around middle, Khawaja pulls it with some authority through square leg for a boundary. |
| 36.4 : 36.4: M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Brilliant use of the feet here. Khawaja has walked out from the break with a positive mindset. He charges down to this one and whips it past mid on for a boundary. |
| 38.4: M Ali to Khawaja, SIX! Down the track and banggggg! That's some shot to bring up your fifty! Khawaja will be itching to get a big one now. This is his third fifty in the series,, 11th overall. Ali bowls a flighted ball around middle, Usman wears his dancing shoes, gets to the pitch of the ball and smacks it straight down the ground for a biggie. Superb! |
| 40.6 : 40.6: M Crane to U Khawaja, FOUR! That has to be a boundary! Good effort from Curran though! Fuller delivery outside off, Khawaja leans forward and drives it through square of the wicket on the off side. Tom in the deep runs across to his right, puts in a dive but makes contact with the rope when he had the ball in the hand. Replays confirm the same. Usman moves to 55. |
| 46.2 : 46.2: M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Thumped! Khawaja makes good use of the feet to this flighted ball and goes bang down the ground for a boundary. |
| 48.5 : 48.5: M Crane to Smith, FOUR! That's a gift wrapped with red ribbon on it! A juicy full toss on middle, Smith murders the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 51.1 : 51.1: S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! More agony for England! Here is another edge from the willow of an Australian that doesn't go to the hands of an English fielder. Broad bowls it full outside off, Smith goes for the full-blooded cover drive. Gets a thick outside edge past the second slip fielder for a boundary. Smith stands on 24 runs, 5998 Test runs to his credit. |
| 53.2 : 53.2: S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! Another edge, another boundary, more agony! Broad runs in and delivers a leg cutter around off, the ball straightens after pitching, Smith offers a dead bat in defense but the movement on the occasion means that the outside edge is taken. It flies down low towards first slip but doesn't carry to Cook there. Bairstow realises this early and puts in the dive but it is far for him as well. The ball races away to the fence behind after going in between the two of the |
| 66.1 : 66.1: Joe Root to Khawaja, FOUR! Almost seems like the moment Cook notched up his hundred at the MCG. It was the last over of the day then, Smith came and offered him freebies to help him. Here Root comes in and bowls it short around off. Khawaja goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Moves to 91 now. A century tonight? |
| 68.4 : 68.4: M Ali to Smith, FOUR! Nicely struck. Ali tosses this wide outside off, Smith reaches out to this and whips it through covers. Yes, he whips it - one of his typical wristy shots through covers. The fielder from covers chases it down, slides and seems to have done well. The umpire goes upstairs just to be sure and finds that the player was in contact with the ball and the ropes at the same time and this it is a boundary, the first one of the day. |
| 72.2 : 72.2: M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Not the best of balls this. Ali serves this short and wide outside off, Khawaja stays back and cuts it powerfully in front of square. The ball speeds away to the fence to take UK to 98. |
| 73.1 : 73.1: S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Textbook, sit back and enjoy, says Bill Lawry on this one. Hardly do we see back foot drives being played in this modern era and here is Smith with the same. Gets a delivery that is relatively full outside off, he gets his back leg across and drives it through covers. Result, a boundary. |
| 81.3 : 81.3: S Broad to Khawaja, FOUR! Poor line that. Broad strays on the pads with this length ball, easy pickings for Khawaja. He just tickles it away and the ball goes to the fine leg fence in a trice. Nice way to bring up the 150-run stand with his skipper. Also, he aggregates 2000 Test runs. |
| 84.1 : 84.1: J Anderson to Khawaja, FOUR! Round the wicket comes Anderson and goes too straight. It's drifting on the pads, Khawaja moves inside the line and clips it fine down the leg side for a boundary. Deft! |
| 85.4 : 85.4: S Broad to U Khawaja, FOUR! That's as good as anything! Broad overcooks it, serves it just outside off. Khawaja presses forward and caresses it off the meat. Pierces the gap at extra cover and picks up another boundary to his name. |
| 87.2 : 87.2: S Broad to U Khawaja, FOUR! Controlled, along the ground, says Clarke on air! Broad once again bowls it short but without much venom behind it. It comes up at a good height as Khawaja stays rooted inside the crease and with a minimal swivel he pulls it really well to send it across the mid-wicket fence. Gets appreciation from Smith too. |
| 91.2: Tom Curran to Khawaja, FOUR! Finesse! Curran comes from around the wicket and angles it in on the pads, Khawaja comes across a touch and flicks it neatly through mid-wicket. Made amazing connection as the ball races away to the fence. |
| 93.1 : 93.1: Ali to Smith, OUT! Caught and bowled! Ladies and Gentlemen, England have got rid of Steven Smith! He misses out on a ton at his home ground and is fuming with himself as he walks back. Boy, Moeen Ali is amongst wickets! Stop the press! Ali from around the wicket bowls a loopy delivery on middle and leg, Smith comes down the track to drive it against the spin but ends up getting it off the inner half back to the bowler. Ali crouches really low to pluck it just inches above the ground. He ta |
| 95.5 : 95.5: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Whips it away! Ali tosses it up on the stumps, Marsh comes dancing down the track, takes it on the full and whips it cleanly through the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary. Good positive intent from Shaun Marsh. |
| 98.2 : 98.2: M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Nailed it! Crane tosses it up generously, Khawaja gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it off the sweep spot. Goes on the bounce to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 109.1 : 109.1: M Ali to U Khawaja, FOUR! Edgyyy! Ali bowls it flatter outside off, it's not that short but Khawaja feels the other way. He looks to cut but gets an outside edge past slip. Anderson at backward point fails to stop that one. |
| 109.2 : 109.2: M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! 150 up for Usman Khawaja! Ali floats it up on middle and off, Usman Khawaja dances down the track and flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket. He is to the pitch of the ball which is why he got time to free his arms. Gets a huge cheer from the crowd. March on, Uzzie. Make a double ton is what his side would be hoping for. |
| 109.5 : 109.5: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! No one there! Ali bowls it on leg stump, Marsh sinks low and sweeps it with disdain towards fine leg for a boundary. Third one of the over. |
| 115.5: Tom Curran to Marsh, FOUR! Curran misdirects this one and pays the price. Angles it on a length on the pads, Marsh just works it away off the pads. The ball races away through the backward square leg region. The fielder in the deep gets to his left, puts in the slide but takes the ball with him to the ropes. Also, the Khawaja-Marsh stand crosses 50. |
| 121.5: S Broad to Khawaja, FOUR! Know how much margin for error is available here? Not much! Broad was bowling it tight all through out but gives some width on this occasion. What else does Khawaja require? He just works it past backward point and collects a boundary. Australia are just two runs behind England's first inning total now. |
| 122.1 : 122.1: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Taking a lead over the opposition signifies the authority that one side has over the other. Marsh takes his side ahead with a stroke full of authority here. Ali flights this up generously outside off, Shaun slinks down quickly and goes inside out through covers. A boundary results and the HOSTS ARE AHEAD by a couple of runs now. |
| 125.3 : 125.3: J Anderson to Marsh, FOUR! Gets to 49 now, does Shaun Marsh! Anderson gives some width on this length delivery, Marsh just guides it through the vacant gully region for a boundary. |
| 125.4 : 125.4: J Anderson to S Marsh, FOUR! Now Shaun Marsh joins the half century bandwagon! Only Cameron Bancroft has missed making merry in the fair. Gets an overpitched delivery outside off, Shaun strides forward and square drives this for a boundary. He began slow but has settled in nicely. For the record, this is his 10th fifty in Test cricket. |
| 128.2 : 128.2: M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Khawaja is growing in confidence against the spinners with more time in the middle. Sees some air on this one, slinks down the track and takes it on the full. Trashes it past mid off who was wider and earns a boundary. Moves to 170, four shy of his Test best. |
| 128.6 : 128.6: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! A couple of hundreds on this delivery! Crane floats it outside off, Shaun gets down the track and cracks it through covers for a boundary. The 100-run stand between the duo is up and also a 100 is up against Mason's name on the scorecard. The lead goes up to 28 now. |
| 130.4 : 130.4: M Crane to Khawaja, OUT! Finally, finally a spinner beats Khawaja's bat after he comes down the track and the marathon knock ends at last. Khawaja, as he has done on most occasions, premeditates and charges down the track against the spinner. Seeing this, Crane hurls it flatter, wider and quicker. Usman had to adjust by getting quickly to the right but the ball spins in and he gets beaten on the inside. He was long way down the track and that gave Bairstow ample time to collect it and whi |
| 132.1 : 132.1: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Nice, very nice. Khawaja came down the track and lost his wicket. Shaun Marsh shows how it is done. Sees the flight and charges down in the direction of the ball and drives it down the ground. Well timed and a boundary results. |
| 140.5 : 140.5: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Drilled it! Crane gives too much flight and seeing this Marsh's eyes light up. He takes a stride forward and bashes it through cover to find a boundary at last. |
| 140.6 : 140.6: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! And again! That's the way to go Mitchell! Crane drops it short on middle and off, Marsh camps back and murders the pull through mid-wicket to find back-to-back boundaries. No stopping that. |
| 141.3 : 141.3: S Broad to Marsh, FOUR! Three in three for young Marsh! Broad strays it on the pads, Mitchell moves inside the line and gets enough on it send it down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. He's getting a move on now. |
| 145.2 : 145.2: M Ali to Marsh, SIX! That's gone all the way! Ali tosses it up outside off, Marsh comes dancing down the track and belts it with sheer power over long off for a maximum all the way. If Marsh gets going, he can hurt you. |
| 145.4 : 145.4: M Ali to Marsh, SIX! A flat biggie! How on earth do they manage to hit those? Have tried a lot to do this in gully cricket but never got enough. Massive power Mitchell boy! Another tosses up ball, Mitchell skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and goes bang over mid off. That's gone all the way again. Bring up the 50-run stand as well between the two brothers. |
| 145.5 : 145.5: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Changes the angle but Marsh still finds a boundary! Ali goes around the wicket and fires it full outside off, Marsh makes room of his own to crash it through the covers this time. Runs coming thick and fast! |
| 146.5: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Drilled it! Mitchell Marsh is in the zone! Crane flights it outside off, Marsh leans forward a touch and powers it through cover. There was a man there who I think got a hand to it but the ball still goes to the fence. |
| 147.5: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Another boundary! Tossed up ball on the stumps, Marsh comes down the track and tonks it down the ground for a boundary. |
| 148.1 : 148.1: Joe Root to S Marsh, FOUR! Easy for Shaun! Root serves a loopy full toss outside off, Marsh takes a stride forward and drills it through extra cover for a boundary. The lead touches 100 for the hosts. |
| 151.3 : 151.3: Tom Curran to M Marsh, FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length delivery, close to the off stump line. Marsh arches back a touch and cuts it squarer on the off side. a boundary results. |
| 152.1 : 152.1: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Into the 90s goes the elder one! Ali drops it short and outside off, Shaun Marsh goes deep in the crease and slaps it through point to find the fence. |
| 153.6 : 153.6: Tom Curran to M Marsh, FOUR! Crunched! Fuller in length and outside off, Mitchell Marsh bashes it along the carpet through covers to end the over with a boundary. |
| 155.5 : 155.5: Tom Curran to Marsh, FOUR! Flayed! 100-run stand comes up! What a way, what a hit! Shortish and outside off, Mitchell Marsh cuts it powerfully through point for a boundary. |
| 157.5: M Ali to S Marsh, FOUR! There it is! A century for Shaun Marsh! He takes the helmet off and lets out a huge roar! Gets a hug from his skipper, looks upwards and then sinks in all the applause on offer from the packed SCG crowd! Ali tosses it outside off, Shaun uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and eases the drive through cover. Away she races for a boundary. Second Ashes ton for the elder Marsh brother, his 6th overall in Tests. Well played! |
| 157.6 : 157.6: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! That had to be put away! Ali bowls it short and serves it outside off, too much time for Shaun to jump back and slap it in front of point for back-to-back boundaries. You'll see more from him as he has reached the milestone now. |
| 158.2 : 158.2: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Full toss and dispatched! Crane serves a loopy full toss outside off, Mitchell stays leg side and drills it through extra cover to find the fence. Third boundary of the day already. Intentions pretty clear from the Aussies. |
| 164.3 : 164.3: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Nicely done! Shaun Marsh sees the flight and decides to use his feet. He takes it on the full and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The stand is worth 133 and the lead is 162. |
| 165.2 : 165.2: J Anderson to S Marsh, FOUR! Edged and through! Cook should have gone for it but maybe he wasn't ready. Anderson angles it away on a length outside off, gets it to shape away further. Marsh hangs his bat out and the ball takes the edge. It flies towards the slip cordon and goes right between Cook (wide first slip) and Root (second slip) there. The latter dives full length to his right to take it but it was far from his reach. A boundary results! |
| 166.2: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! That's rubbish, reckons Ian Healy on air. Ali bowls it short and down the leg side and it's begging to be hit. Mitchell Marsh goes back and makes the most of it. Pulls it hard and it just evades Cook at leg slip before racing away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 169.2: S Broad to Marsh, FOUR! Frees his arms does Mitchell Marsh! It's short and with width on offer. Mitchell Marsh stands tall and cracks one through point. Doesn't even bother running after that one. |
| 169.3 : 169.3: S Broad to M Marsh, FOUR! Good effort in the deep but still the end result is a boundary! Broad pulls his length back on middle, Marsh swivels inside the crease and pulls it along the ground through backward square leg. Moeen Ali at deep square leg puts in a dive to his right but the ball brushes his fingers and still goes to the fence. The stand is worth 153 now and the lead is 182! |
| 171.5 : 171.5: S Broad to Marsh, FOUR! Picked the length early there! Short delivery on middle, Marsh stays back footed, rides the bounce and pulls it well in front of square on the leg side. Made sweet connection as the ball races away to the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 171.6 : 171.6: S Broad to M Marsh, FOUR! Up and over! Mitchell Marsh is on 99 now! Gets a fuller ball outside off, stays rooted inside the crease and then the gymnasium takes over. Hits it powerfully over mid off to pick up another boundary. |
| 173.2 : 173.2: Tom Curran to M Marsh, OUT! An anticlimax! Celebrations the previous ball and disappointment in the next. Curran delivers it on a length outside off, it jags back in viciously after pitching. Marsh was on the back foot for the punch on the initial angle of the ball. But he was undone by the inward movement and the low bounce. It goes on to peg back the stumps and end Mitchell's stay at the crease. The 169-run stand between the Marsh brothers gets broken, Australia are two short of a 200- |
| 174.2: M Crane to Paine, FOUR! Paine gets into the groove now. Sees this flighted ball outside off and drives this through covers. The ball goes all the way to the fence. |
| 178.6 : 178.6: M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Nicely driven. Marsh slinks down the track to this one and caresses it through covers for a boundary. The fielder gives a valiant chase to this one but comes second best. |
| 179.6: Tom Curran to S Marsh, FOUR! When Bill Lawry cries 'Awww, fine shot,' you have to admit that it is a quality shot. Overpitched outside off, driven nicely through the point region for a boundary. Looked nice to watch. |
| 180.5 : 180.5: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Moeen Ali has alternate days of goodness and adversity, it seems. Yesterday he looked better with the ball but today he has dished a lot of short ones. Shaun Marsh goes back and slaps it through covers for yet another boundary. In the race to 150, Moeen Ali beats Shaun Marsh! |
| 184.3 : 184.3: M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Use of the feet against a spinner for the umpteenth time in this innings. Marsh does so to get down the track and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 185.1 : 185.1: S Broad to Paine, FOUR! Well stroked. This is on a length that is a bit fuller and outside off. Paine leans into it and drives it through the cover region. The point fielder gets to his right and dives yet fails to get a hand onto it. The ball rolls away to the fence. 50-run partnership between Marsh and Paine up. |
| 185.6 : 185.6: S Broad to Marsh, OUT! What an end to a knock that was largely without a blemish! This is on a fuller length around off, Paine taps it towards covers and calls Marsh for a single. There was a slight hesitation from the latter but he went on with it. Stoneman gets ahead from the region and nails the stumps down at the striker's end. The batter seems to be short of the crease there but the umpire takes it upstairs. The replay shows that he is not even in the frame and that's it. No real ce |
| 188.3 : 188.3: M Ali to Starc, SIX! Always on the cards, wasn't this? We have seen Starc do this even to Ashwin when he had been to India and does so to Ali this time. Gets down to this tossed up ball and belts it for a 102-metre long biggie over deep mid-wicket. Meaty stroke that. |
| 188.4 : 188.4: M Ali to Starc, OUT! Gone next ball! A shot too many? Starc aims to clear the fence yet again and fails in the attampt. Ali is brave enough to toss this one yet again. Mitchell gets down and looks to go big. Ends up slicing it high up in the air towards mid off. Vince there settles under it nicely and pouches that safely. The southpaw knew he hadn't made good contact and hangs his head down as he crosses to the other end while the catch was being taken. Are Australia on course to get bow |
| 190.3 : 190.3: M Crane to Cummins, FOUR! Half-tracker on middle, Cummins goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket. The crowd signals four and so does the umpire, says Ian Healy on air. |
| 190.4 : 190.4: M Crane to Cummins, FOUR! And another one! Cummins lofts this one over mid on and this one almost goes the distance. Lands just in front of the ropes and trickles away. |
| 191.6 : 191.6: S Broad to Cummins, FOUR! He looks to hit this straight down the ground but does so to the opposite end, says Ian Healy to this one. You can call is a straight drive to fine leg. Full ball around middle and leg, Cummins gets it off the inner edge towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 192.5 : 192.5: M Crane to Cummins, FOUR! Another juicy full toss on offer, Cummins gets down to sweep and does so aerially. The fielder in the deep, Stoneman probably, gets ahead but fails to cover the line of the ball. It lands just in front of him and goes over the fence. The lead now leapfrogs 300. |
| 2.6 : 2.6: M Starc to Stoneman, OUT! England lose Stoneman and a review as well! Starc bowls it on a length in line of the stumps, Stoneman hops and looks to clip it away but fails to do so. Gets struck on the front pad and that is enough for Starc and the Australians to yell in appeal. They get the umpire's nod. Mark talks to his partner and takes it upstairs but the Hawk Eye upholds the original decision. This is how difficult life can get. Stoneman was under the lid at short leg the whole day yest |
| 3.6: J Hazlewood to Vince, FOUR! Bad line, punished. Hazlewood strays on the pads and pays the price. Vince just helps it away and the ball goes to the fine leg fence quickly. Gets off the mark with that. |
| 5.5 : 5.5: Lyon to Cook, OUT! Gone! Big wicket for the tweaker, considering the aura of the batsman. Lyon strikes in his first over. Lyon darts this one at 96 kph around middle and off. Cook goes back to negotiate this one but is beaten by the away turn as well. That spells his doom as the ball makes contact with the off stump behind. The staid look on Cook's face couldn't be more evident. He knows how important it was for him to be out there. To be fair to him, the crumbling track made it spin a tou |
| 20.6 : 20.6: Pat Cummins to J Vince, OUT! Edged, almost fluffed but eventually taken! Cummins runs in and launches this on a length at 141.2 kph just outside off. James Vince has always been troubled in this series in that channel of apprehension. Looks to punch that with hard hands and that's that. The ball flies off the outside edge and goes straight to Smith at widish slip. He takes it on the second attempt and then makes an expression of a kid caught copying in an examination. End of Vince's tour |
| 33.4 : 33.4: N Lyon to Malan, OUT! Clipping the wickets, umpire's call! Dawid Malan has to walk back. Big thing for Australia, all of their bowlers, Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and now Nathan Lyon has picked up 20 wickets in the series. Big, big feat this! After bowling a few bowls outside off, Lyon slides one in at 93 kph. Malan goes back and is done in by the pace. Misses and seems to have hit the pad first. Australians appeal and umpire after taking his time, raises the dreaded finger. Malan walks tow |
| 36.3 : 36.3: J Hazlewood to Bairstow, FOUR! Edgyyy! Fuller in length and outside off, Bairstow looks to drive but gets it off the outer half past the man who is placed squarer at gully for a boundary. |
| 40.2 : 40.2: J Hazlewood to J Bairstow, FOUR! Glorious! Fuller in length and outside off, wants Bairstow to go after it. The English keeper obliges and drives it sweetly to find the gap at cover. Third boundary of the English innings. |
| 41.6 : 41.6: S Smith to Bairstow, FOUR! Half-tracker and it's put away! Bairstow goes back and murders the pull to deep backward square leg to end the over with a boundary. |
| 52.2 : 52.2: J Hazlewood to J Bairstow, FOUR! Nicely timed. This is full outside, Bairstow gets his stride out and drives it beautifully through covers. Lyon gives it a chase from point, slides yet is unable to stop that. Michael Vaughan comments that the batter did well to hold his shape there. |
| 60.6 : 60.6: Pat Cummins to M Ali, FOUR! First one edged in the day and it results in a boundary. This is on a length just outside off, Ali hangs his bat at that and he gets an edge. The ball lands just short of second slip and goes to the fence for a boundary. |
| 61.2 : 61.2: Lyon to Ali, OUT! Nathan Lyon 7, Moeen Ali 0! This one is pushed slower through the air in line of the stumps, Ali lunges forward to defend. He did that expecting the turn but the ball skids on with the arm, with a puff of dust. Hits Ali on the pads right in front of the stumps. A huge cry of success follows which is agreed to by Joel Wilson after a thought. Ali shakes his head as he knows he has been undone by the wily tweaker yet again. Doesn't waste a review even after thinking about it |
| 62.3 : 62.3: M Starc to Root, FOUR! First one for Root in this innings. This is sprayed wide outside off, Joe reaches out to it and gets it off the outer edge through backward point. The ball races away to the fence, although it wasn't far from the fielder there. |
| 77.4 : 77.4: Cummins to Bairstow, OUT! This is the big one in the context of this scenario. Bairstow could have been THAT thorn in the flesh that would have frustrated the Aussies. How often in the sport have we seen a break get a wicket for a team? Cummins angles this full on the stumps, Bairstow fails to clip it away and gets hit on the front pad. An appeal made and Joel Wilson - as has been his habit recently - thinks over it and then raises the dreaded finger. Jonny talks to his partner about the r |
| 77.5 : 77.5: Pat Cummins to S Broad, FOUR! Lucky runs! Broad expects a short one and hangs back but gets a full one just around off. Plays at it and gets an outside edge through the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 77.6 : 77.6: Pat Cummins to Broad, OUT! Pat Cummins has come out all guns blazing after the break. 7th wicket for him in this game. He runs in and bangs it short on the body of the batter. Broad is caught by surprise as he tries to fend it away. The ball takes the gloves and goes in the air for Paine to catch that. Short stay for him as the hosts are just three wickets away from glory. |
| 80.3 : 80.3: M Starc to Curran, FOUR! Off the mark with an edge. He does so off the 18th ball that he faces. Goes chasing this full ball outside off and gets a thick outside edge through the vacant gully region. Nobody to stop the ball from going all the way. |
| 81.1 : 81.1: Pat Cummins to Crane, OUT! Waste of a review which means Australia are just moments away from going up 4-0! Cummins bends his back and bangs it short outside off. Crane goes back and looks to fend it but seems to have edged it to the keeper. The umpire agrees and gives him the marching order. Mason opts for the DRS though. A first look at Hot Spot shows that it isn't a great idea as he had gloved it indeed. Wonder how can someone not realise that he has gloved a ball. Cummins gets his fou |
| 82.3 : 82.3: M Starc to Curran, FOUR! The Barmy Army cheers this boundary loudly as positives have been as hard to find as water in a desert. Curran slices this full ball and collects runs as the ball rolls through point. |
| 85.1 : 85.1: Pat Cummins to Curran, FOUR! Where did that come from? Full in length and a line just around off. Curran drives it on the up through mid off for a boundary. |
| 85.2 : 85.2: Pat Cummins to Curran, FOUR! Bang! Take that! Short in length, pulled confidently through mid-wicket for another boundary. |
| 87.3 : 87.3: N Lyon to Curran, FOUR! What a stroke! This is tossed up outside off, Curran charges down, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it inside out through covers, all along the ground. Gets a boundary that takes him to 23 off 37. |
| 88.1 : 88.1: J Hazlewood to Anderson, OUT! Is that it? Yes it is! Length ball angling away from Anderson. As he has been trying all along, looks to fend away from his body. This time the ball doesn't miss the outside edge and goes straight to Paine behind. They appeal and umpire Dharmasena takes his time before ruling it out. Anderson wants to take the review but he is informed that there isn't any in the bank. Birthday gift for Hazlewood who gets his first scalp of the innings. It is confirmed that Ro |
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