| 0.0 : It is game time! The whole of England is going 'Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes!' while the Aussies will be feeling that a win was snatched right under their noses. But one cannot live in the past. It is time to go ahead. The Ashes are alive and kicking and there are a couple of Test matches to be played. Hello and a warm welcome to the fourth Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester. |
| There has been plenty of talking from both sides and it is now time to get that talk into action. For Australia, Steven Smith is back into the side. That is a big boost for them while Mitchell Starc has been included in the playing XII. Will he feature in the XI though? |
| England, on the other hand, have gone one step further than their opponents and have announced their playing XI itself, a day prior to the big game. They have decided to swap the places of Joe Denly and Jason Roy while Craig Overton comes in for Chris Woakes. Whether that is a call based on the pitch conditions or whether Woakes has a niggle, is unknown. James Anderson has been ruled out of the series but will he be missed? Jofra Archer has been guilty of stealing Anderson's thunder this summer. |
| TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Heads is the call and Heads it is. AUSTRALIA WILL BAT FIRST. |
| Australian skipper, Tim Paine, says that it is a straightforward decision as the pitch looks drier then expected. On the last match's debacle, Tim says that one has top put that aside and move forward as one cannot live in the past. Welcome Smith back into the side and hopes for another big score. Informs that Mitchell Starc also comes in and was bowling beautifully against Derbyshire getting plenty of swing and is also expecting the left-armer's footmarks making some dents on the pitch. |
| England captain, Joe Root, says that he too, would have batted first. But observes some tackiness on thw wicket which he feels, would suit his bowlers. Hopes for some early wickets and then run through the middle order. Praises his side for showing a lot of character in the second innings of the previous game and expects more of the same. Admits that the pitch might spin later on and by experience predicts the track to be good for the first 3-and-a-half days. Looks forward to make a statement wi |
| Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (IN FOR USMAN KHAWAJA), Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(C AND WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc (IN FOR JAMES PATTINSON), Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood. |
| England (Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root(c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Craig Overton (IN FOR CHRIS WOAKES), Stuart Broad and Jack Leach. |
| The players make their way out to the middle amidst slightly cloudy skies. It is a chilly sort of day in Manchester as we are into September. David Warner and his lookalike, Marcus Harris, walk out to the middle. It is Stuart Broad to start off to Harris. Here we go. |
| 0.1 : S Broad to Harris, Full and outside off, Harris takes his bat away from the line. |
| 0.2 : S Broad to Harris, Huge shout for LBW. Broad wants it. He knows it is out. Or shall we say, he always knows it is out. He wants a review but Root is not too sure. Bairstow reckons it is going down the leg side. A length ball, around off, coming in, Harris looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Broad runs towards the keeper in celebration and then appeals towards the umpire. Dharmasena is ready to signal a leg bye but then waits on seeing the conference between t |
| 0.3 : S Broad to Warner, Landed outside off, coming in a long way, Warner knows where his ioff stumps is and lets it pass. |
| 0.4 : S Broad to Warner, OUT! Caught behind! Broad gets Warner again! A wry smile from Warner as he mutters something like 'knicked it' to Harris while going past. Gosh. He cannot buy a run against Broad. The son of Chris Broad is flying. Just the start England would have wanted after being asked to bowl first. A length delivery wide outside off, could have been left alone but Warner wants to play at it. Wants to have a feel. Then, he realizes that this is just the first over and he can let it go |
| Marnus Labuschagne is in early, at number 3, in the very first over! |
| 0.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Around middle, Labuschagne works it behind square leg for a single. |
| 0.6 : S Broad to Harris, Outside off, coming in, let through. A sensational opening over from Broady! |
| A huge cheer goes around the crowd as Jofra Archer comes in to bowl. |
| 1.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Wide outside off to start off by Archer. A very slow ball to start off with, around 80 mph. Left alone by Labuschagne. |
| 1.2 : J Archer to Labuschagne, On the pads of Labuschagne, he tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball goes towards fine leg and the batters take a run. |
| 1.3 : J Archer to Harris, Down the leg side, Harris tries to flick but it is way too wide for him to make any contact. |
| 1.4 : J Archer to Harris, On the pads of Harris, he flicks it down towards the fine leg fielder and they take a single. He is off the mark with that one. |
| 1.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Length ball around off, defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 1.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. Gentle over by Archer to start off with. |
| 2.1 : S Broad to Harris, FOUR! Beautiful drive! This is full and outside off, Harris just leans into his drive and caresses it through covers for a boundary. |
| 2.2 : S Broad to Harris, Length ball outside off, Harris shoulders arms to it. |
| 2.3 : S Broad to Harris, Another length ball outside off, Harris pushes it with soft hands towards cover point and takes a quick single. |
| 2.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Good front foot defense by Marnus. Broad attacks the off pole with a fuller ball, the batter blocks it out off the front foot. |
| 2.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, FOUR! Uppish but well short of the Overton at aquarish mid-wicket. On the pads of Marnus, he flicks the ball off his pads towards the mid-wicket, Overton dives to his right in an attempt to stop the ball but he is a bit far away. The ball goes to the fence and boundary is signalled. |
| 2.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Stifled appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. Dharmasena indicates that this has hit the bat of Labushagne as he tries to block it out. |
| 3.1 : J Archer to Harris, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.2 : J Archer to Harris, On a length and on middle and leg, Harris looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 3.3 : J Archer to Harris, Fuller this time around off, Harris blocks it off the front foot and onto the pitch. |
| 3.4 : J Archer to Harris, Length ball on the pads of Harris, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple. |
| 3.5 : J Archer to Harris, Beaten! Great delivery by Archer. This is on a length outside off, Harris looks to defend but does so inside the line and is beaten as the ball goes past his outside edge. |
| 3.6 : J Archer to Harris, This time Harris defends it well as he gets behind the line of this fullish delivery outside off and pushes it back. |
| A decent couple of overs by Jofra Archer but where is his pace? He is bowling okay but his pace is in the mid 80s. It is never easy to bowl consistently 90 mph in three back-to-back matches and guess Jofra is looking to conserve his pace here. Australia would be aiming to work him over, IF they bat long. |
| 4.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off by Broad, Marnus leaves it alone. |
| 4.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Another length ball outside off, Labuschagne again leaves it alone. Looks like Broad is trying to use the wind to his advantage here in Manchester to get the ball to swing in to the right-hander. |
| 4.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Attacking the front pad of Marnus, Labuschagne flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 4.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it. |
| 4.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, This is fuller and a bit outside off, Labuschagne blocks it out off the front foot onto the pitch. |
| 4.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, This is way too wide for Labuschagne, he leaves it alone and Bairstow collects it behind the stumps. |
| 5.1 : J Archer to M Harris, Good shot off the front foot this by Harris. This is fuller and on middle and off, Harris pushes it towards mid on and takes a couple as Leach runs behind it and mops it up. |
| 5.2 : J Archer to Harris, Harris blocks this one off the front foot by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.3 : J Archer to Harris, Bouncer but way too high! Harris ducks under it and the ball goes over Bairstow's head. Bairstow leaps and gets a hand to it but he is not able to stop it from going to the fine leg fence. |
| 5.4 : J Archer to Harris, Fuller on off, Harris pushes it towards cover and rotates strike. |
| 5.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, FOUR! On the pads of Marnus, he flicks it between mid-wicket and square leg as he finds the gap and the ball races to the fence. Good over for the Aussies this. |
| 6.1 : S Broad to Harris, On the pads of Harris to start off with, he pushes it towards the man at mid-wicket. |
| 6.2 : S Broad to Harris, Another one fuller and on the pads, Harris looks to push this towards mid on but gets the inner half of his bat on it. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batters take a couple. |
| 6.3 : S Broad to Harris, Length ball outside off by Broad, Harris leaves it alone. |
| 6.4 : S Broad to Harris, Again outside off, Harris lets it through to Bairstow. |
| 6.5 : S Broad to Harris, On the pads of Harris, he flicks it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| Harris has been adjudged LBW! At the very last second, he signals for the review. Looks close, might be umpire's call on height. The ball has hit Marcus on the right knee roll. No inside edge involved. Clipping the top of leg stump, review retained but Harris detained! |
| 6.6 : S Broad to Harris, OUT! LBW! The review is retained but Australia lose their second wicket in the form of Marcus Harris. This was pitched on a length around the fourth stump line by Broad, he gets it to angle into the southpaw. Harris looks to come on the front foot and defend it but misses the ball to get hit high on the pad. The English players appeal and the umpire raises his finger after thinking for a long time. Harris is not totally convinced that this would hit the stumps. He has a |
| After missing out on the previous Test due to concussion, the man who has become the best Test batsman in the world as per the ICC cricket rankings, is here. Steven Smith walks out at number 4, much much much earlier than anticipated. Just 7 overs in, so the ball will be pretty much new and the guy has lot to do. Again. |
| 7.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne is solid in defense. |
| 7.2 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Landed outside off, Marnus looks to defend but is squared up. The ball squirts off the outside edge behind point and the batsmen take a single. Now, to the contest. The real contest. |
| Huge cheers across the ground. The crowd is anticipating something. Jofra vs Steven. What will come first up? Bouncer? Square leg moves a fraction deeper. |
| 7.3 : J Archer to Smith, Outside off, not a bouncer, but on a length, left alone. |
| 7.4 : J Archer to Smith, Perfect line and length, just around off, Smith gets a long way across his stumps and defends. |
| 7.5 : J Archer to Smith, There comes the first bouncer! Easily passing over the batsman's head. Smith ducks under it and the crowd cheers! More of that, they want, don't they? |
| 7.6 : J Archer to Smith, A length ball around off, solidly defended. |
| 8.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Woah! Some football out in the middle ny Labuschagne. This is a length ball on the off poel line. He blocks it out onto the pitch. The ball is rolling behind and Marnus is maybe a bit worried that it would go onto the stumps and he literally kicks the ball towards the man at square leg. |
| 8.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. |
| 8.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Beaten! Beauty by Broad this. Length ball outside off, Marnus goes for the drive and misses as the ball has some extra bounce on it. It goes past the edge and Broad is all smiles out there. |
| 8.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, On the pads of Labuschagne this time, he works it towards short leg and takes a step forward. Buttler is alert and has a shy at the stumps and hits but Marnus is well in by that time. Action all around! |
| 8.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 8.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. Another maiden for Broad. |
| 9.1 : J Archer to S Smith, FOUR! SUBLIME! Half volley outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. No one moves. |
| 9.2 : J Archer to Smith, Length ball coming into Smith, he hops and ;eaves but the ball comes back in sharply. It hits Smith on the thigh pads and the ball rolls towards point as the batters take a leg bye. |
| 9.3 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Left alone by Labuschagne but mightily close to the stumps. Marnus living dangerously here against Archer as this misses the wicket by a whisker. Although he is hit on the thigh pad as the ball goes to Bairstow. |
| 9.4 : J Archer to Labuschagne, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 9.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Length ball around middle and off, Marnus defends it off the back foot. |
| 9.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Bouncer on the leg pole line, Labuschagne ducks under it and the ball goes through to Bairstow. |
| 10.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone. |
| 10.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, This is on a good length on middle, Marnus defends it towards the man at mid on. |
| 10.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, On the pads of Labuschagne, he flicks it gently towards fine leg and takes a single. Maybe a chance of a second but they opt against it. |
| 10.4 : S Broad to Smith, Good fielding by Leach on the ropes as he saves a run for his side. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and the ball is going at a great pace. Leach from fine leg runs to his left, put in a dive and stops the ball from crossing the fence. The batters take three in the meanwhile. |
| 10.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne blocks it out off the back foot. |
| 10.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Way outside off this time, Labuschagne leaves it alone. |
| First change of the morning. Last match's hero, the World Cup final's magician and this summer's legend is here to bowl. Benjamin Stokes arrives. Short leg moves back to square leg. Three slips and a gully in place. |
| 11.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Starts off with a ball on middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 11.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, This one is on the off pole line, it pitches and straightens. Smith guides it towards cover and takes a single. |
| 11.3 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle and leg, it is going down the leg side after pitching. Marnus tries to flick it but misses and the ball goes off his thigh pad towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye. |
| 11.4 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Length ball outside off to Smith. He leaves it alone. |
| 11.5 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Outside off again to Smith, he again lets it through to Bairstow. |
| 11.6 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Bouncer on the last ball, Smith does well to duck under it at the last moment. |
| 12.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Full ball on off, Labuschagne blocks it back towards the bowler. |
| 12.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Another one on off, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid off. |
| 12.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, FOUR! Beautiful shot! First half volley of the day by England and just a push by Labuschagne on this. Full ball on middle and leg, Labuschagne leans on his front foot and pushes it through mid on for a boundary. The pace of the outfield and the slope of the ground also helped a bit in taking the ball towards the fence. |
| 12.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 12.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Outside off again, Marnus leaves it alone. |
| 12.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, FOUR! Just a flick and boom, a boundary! Broad bowls this full and on the pads of Marnus, he flicks it with class towards mid-wicket, in the gap and the ball races towards the fence. Good over for the Aussies this. 8 off it. |
| What an opening hour. No snoozing allowed in England. On the money from the very first ball. Broad has been terrific with the new cherry, nipping out both the openers but the Aussies are trying to fight hard. The concussion substitute and the one who was concussed in the second Test are batting together, in a stand of 21 in 6 overs. Another gripping hour awaits. |
| 13.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A length ball outside off, Smith gets across and defends it towards cover. |
| 13.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 13.3 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A bouncer, around off, Smith ducks awkwardly but the extra height on that one enables him to get away with that. |
| 13.4 : Ben Stokes to S Smith, FOUR! SWEET! Overpitched, outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. Jofra Archer ambles after it from cover but never gets close to the ball. |
| 13.5 : Ben Stokes to S Smith, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Smith rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| Spin time. Jack leach called on to bowl. |
| 14.1 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended from the crease. |
| 14.2 : J Leach to Labuschagne, FOUR! Bad ball. Short and outside off, Labuschagne goes back and punches it behind point. The ball races away. |
| 14.3 : J Leach to Labuschagne, FOUR! Short again, outside off once more, Marnus cuts it behind point again and beats backward point. |
| 14.4 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Outside off, another long hop, this is punched through point. Would have been a hat-trick of boundaries but after the previous two gifts, Root has insurance at sweeper cover. Just a single. |
| 14.5 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, just defended back to the bowler. |
| 14.6 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 15.1 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 15.2 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, in that corridor of go-for-the-drive, Labuschagne looks to drive but misses. |
| 15.3 : Stokes to M Labuschagne, Hmmm... top edge now. Looks like Marnus is running out of patience. After playing a loose shot on the previous ball, he goes for the pull on this one. Gets a top edge which lobs in the air but does not carry to long leg. A single taken. |
| 15.4 : Ben Stokes to S Smith, FOUR! A short ball, down the leg side, Smith pulls it with total control through fine leg to find the fence. |
| 15.5 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Down the leg side, helped fine for a single. |
| Banana swing! Gosh. How do you play that? Labuschagne has been hit on the pads, caught between playing and leaving. Stokes immediately signals going down the leg side but Root eventually takes the review. Here comes Ball Tracker. Clipping the leg stump! Review retained. Erasmus smiles. |
| 15.6 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, UMPIRE'S CALL! Clipping the leg stump and Labuschagne will stay. |
| 16.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 16.2 : J Leach to Smith, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 16.3 : J Leach to Smith, Similar ball, this time Smith lunges to block. |
| 16.4 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, pushed back once more. |
| 16.5 : J Leach to Smith, Full and outside off, plenty of flight, driven straight to cover. |
| 16.6 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.1 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 17.2 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 17.3 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 17.4 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Well outside off, let through. |
| 17.5 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, A short ball, pulled through square leg for a single. |
| 17.6 : Ben Stokes to S Smith, A length ball around off, Smith gets squared up as the ball moves away. Takes the outside edge, past third slip, towards third man. A couple of runs taken. |
| 18.1 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Tossed up outside off, Labuschagne lunges and works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 18.2 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Pushed through cover for a quick single. |
| 18.3 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, punched through cover-point for a run. |
| The camera pans on to Stuart Broad who is seen sitting in the dressing room. Hope it is nothing serious. Sam Curran is on the field as a substitute for him. |
| 18.4 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Ooohhh.. almost superman-like from Ben Stokes! Full and around off, Marnus lunges to flick but the ball spins away and takes the leading edge. Because the batsman is looking to go leg-side, Stokes at first slip takes an initial step to his left. But the ball goes to his right and he flings himself but cannot get there. Two runs down to third man. 50-RUN STAND IS UP between these two, in just 70 balls. |
| 18.5 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 18.6 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Beauty! Superb bowling. This is just Day 1, yet he is getting good purchase. Full and outside off, ML leans to block but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Does not miss off stump by much either. |
| Craig Overton to bowl his first over of the 2019 Ashes. Got Steven Smith to face up against. Incidentally, Dhruv tells me that Overton got Smith in Adelaide, cleaning him up. It was his maiden Test wicket. |
| 19.1 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 19.2 : C Overton to Smith, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 19.3 : C Overton to Smith, Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a single. |
| 19.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, One more leave outside off. |
| 19.6 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Landed outside off, watchfully pushed towards cover. |
| 20.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 20.2 : J Leach to Smith, Around off, well blocked out. |
| 20.3 : J Leach to Smith, Goes back, converts the full ball into a length one, which is normally short for a spinner and works it through square leg for a single. |
| 20.4 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Picks this from the off stump and punches it towards cover. |
| 20.5 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Full and around middle, Labuschagne lunges and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 20.6 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Very full, Marnus keeps it out. |
| 21.1 : C Overton to Smith, Full and straight, targetting those pads, but Smith, as he so often does, gets his bat in the way, whipping this through square leg for a single. |
| 21.2 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around middle and off, Labuschagne flicks it through square leg, calls for two as he sees fine leg and mid-wicket pretty deep. Gets two comfortably. |
| 21.3 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, on a length, shouldered arms to. |
| 21.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Another leave outside off. This one was a wider ball and Labuschagne does a Smith, swishing his bat away from the line. |
| 21.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on. |
| 21.6 : C Overton to Labuschagne, SMITH WOULD HAVE BEEN RUN OUT HAD THE BALL HIT THE STUMPS! Full and around off, Labuschagne drives it straight back. Overton sticks out his right leg and almost does two things at one time - Injure himself and run Smith out behind him. He is on the ground but the ball just misses the stumps. The batsmen now take two. Replays show that Smith's bat was in the air when the ball went past the sticks. |
| Looks like the ball has gone out of shape. It is brought to Erasmus by the England players. Dharmasena is the silent observer in all this talk and eventually, someone calls for the 8-shaped gauge. Smith now asks Dharmasena what is the issue and he is perhaps told that it might be a bit of leather coming off the seam and they could be cutting it off, rather than replacing it. The fourth umpire brings out a box of balls and there is a bit of drizzle in the air. Plenty of blue sky overhead, so this |
| 22.1 : J Leach to Smith, Landed outside off, Smith lunges and blocks it out. |
| 22.2 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler once again. |
| 22.3 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up outside off, Steven stays leg side of the ball and drives it past short extra cover, wide of mid off. A single taken. |
| 22.4 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a couple. |
| 22.5 : J Leach to Labuschagne, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 22.6 : J Leach to Smith, Around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 23.1 : C Overton to Labuschagne, FOUR! AMAZING! Full and outside off, Labuschagne leans and drives it through cover, past the diving fielder to his left, finding the ropes behind. |
| 23.2 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 23.3 : Overton to Labuschagne, That is a jaffa. Overton hits the deck hard, bowling it on a length and generates extra bounce. The ball whizzes past the outside edge and Bairstow appeals but he does not get enough support from the slip cordon. They join in late and on seeing that, Overton appeals as well. The umpire says no. Nothing on the Ultra Edge. |
| 23.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 23.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, That seemed to be deliberate from Overton. Labuschagne does get a long way across his stumps and Chris targets the leg stump, but bowls it slightly wide. Marnus attempts to flick but misses. Another half-shout, this time from the slips. Nothing from Bairstow or Overton. |
| 23.6 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 24.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 24.2 : J Leach to S Smith, Around middle, pushed towards cover. |
| 24.3 : J Leach to Smith, Full and just around off, watchfully defended in front of silly point. |
| 24.4 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, Smith pushes it towards long on. Labuschagne wants a single but he is sent back as short mid-wicket dives to his left. |
| 24.5 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.6 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 25.1 : C Overton to Labuschagne, FOUR! Nicely timed. Full and outside off, Labuschagne leans and drives it behind point. The ball beats the diving gully fielder and races to the fence. Moves to 49. |
| 25.2 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, pushed to the off side. |
| 25.3 : C Overton to Labuschagne, A good thinking bouncer, down the leg side, Marnus is surprised and ducks awkwardly at the last moment. |
| 25.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, A length ball outside off, ML thinks about playing at it but withdraws his bat at the last moment. Almost has a Warneresque dismissal. |
| 25.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on. |
| 25.6 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Down the leg side, Marnus misses his flick. LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| 26 overs. 98 runs. 2 wickets. England's opening hour, Australia's latter. As expected, good contest between bat and ball in the first session of the fourth Ashes Test. |
| The hosts started the day in the best possible manner after being asked to field by Australia as Warner was dismissed in the first over itself by Stuart Broad. There was some resistance offered by Marcus Harris but he too perished against Broad who showed his class in the opening hour of the day. Jofra Archer looked a bit gentle today as compared to the previous matches and maybe he is saving his energy. Leach also bowled good but had no luck although one can clearly see there is some purchase o |
| The tide started to turn as Steven Smith arrived onto the pitch after missing the last match. His batting and counter-attacking stance sucked the wind out of the English sails. Labuschagne put his foot on the gas soon after and he too started scoring quickly. Smith took the back seat as he saw his partner oozing in confidence. They brought up their 50-run stand in just 70 balls and Marnus Labuschagne continued to score at a good rate even after. He is just one short of his half ton and will be l |
| So, what will happen after the Lunch break? Will Australia continue to score freely or will England come back strongly with all their might? Join us in a while to find out! |
| ... Day 1, session 2 ... |
| Welcome back. Sorry. Go back. Play should have started by now, but a light drizzle is holding up play. Should not be a long delay. |
| UPDATE - 2.30 PM LOCAL (1450 GMT) - On. Off. On again. Off again. That is the current status of the covers. We were in to start around 10 minutes ago but again, a heavy band of rain came across to spoil our plans. It is currently not raining but that heavy spell might have made the outfield damp, which could cause some delay. |
| UPDATE - 3.40 PM LOCAL (1440 GMT) - We are hearing that the game will resume at 4 pm local and Tea will be taken at 5.30 pm. Awaiting official confirmation... |
| Welcome back! Play is indeed starting. Jofra Archer will start off proceedings post Tea. Smith to face. |
| 26.1 : J Archer to Smith, Good length delivery outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 26.2 : J Archer to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 26.3 : J Archer to Smith, Full and around middle, Smith looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes through point. A single taken. |
| 26.4 : J Archer to Labuschagne, A bouncer outside off, Labuschagne sways away from the line. |
| 26.5 : J Archer to M Labuschagne, Full and outside off, swinging away, Labuschagne looks to defend but gets a thick leading edge. The ball goes behind and third slip dives to his right and stops it. |
| 26.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| Stuart Broad it will be from the other end. It is a change of ends for the speedster. |
| 27.1 : S Broad to Smith, Around middle, flicked through square leg for a single. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA. |
| 27.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. The ball does not carry to Jonny Bairstow. |
| 27.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Landed outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 27.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, HALF CENTURY FOR LABUSCHAGNE. His 5th in Tests, 4th in this series itself. A length ball, down the leg side, Marnus gets across and works it through mid-wicket for a single. The job is not yet done though. |
| 27.5 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 27.6 : S Broad to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully pushed back. |
| 28.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Full and down the leg side, flicked towards long leg for a single. |
| 28.2 : J Archer to Smith, Around off, Smith gets across and defends. |
| 28.3 : J Archer to Smith, A harmless bouncer down the leg side, Steven ducks under it. |
| Huh? Comical scenes out there. A beach ball has come up to the ground! The wind keeps it blowing and it comes near Smith who sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary! What a shot! |
| 28.4 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer, around off, another duck. |
| Oh dear.... Smith starts to walk off with the breeze getting way too heavy. But the square leg umpire stops him. Now, the heavens open up and it starts raining pretty heavily! Off go the players but hey - it has stopped raining! This will not be a big delay at all. Only the hover cover in place. |
| The players are back out again. England will not mind this one bit. When the rain arrived, the pitch was not covered. And when the cover did come onto the pitch, the rain had stopped. So that would have disturbed the playing surface. Meanwhile, the sun has started to peek in as well. |
| 28.5 : J Archer to Smith, A length ball, around middle, Smith gets back and across and tucks it through square leg. A quick single pinched. |
| 28.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Around off, tucked straight to short leg. |
| 29.1 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! AWESOME! Great shot. Loosener from Broad and Smith does not miss out. Overpitched, around off, Steven gets across and drives it powerfully down the ground through mid on. |
| 29.2 : S Broad to Smith, Around off, SS gets across and bunts it out. |
| 29.3 : S Broad to Smith, Not a bad ball at all from Broad. He slows down his pace a touch and targets the middle stump. Smith is early into position and flicks this from middle stump, through mid-wicket. Jofra Archer lumbers after it but Jos Buttler races to his left at deep mid-wicket. Dives full stretch to parry the ball to Archer. Three runs taken. |
| 29.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 29.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, FOUR LEG BYES! Was it a case for LBW? Broad and Root have a thought but do not go for the review. A length ball, around middle, Labuschagne gets across to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads past the diving Bairstow, to his left and races to the fine leg fence. Ball Tracker shows it to be missing leg stump. |
| 29.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 11 from the over. |
| 30.1 : J Archer to Smith, A length ball outside off, solidly defended towards cover. |
| 30.2 : J Archer to S Smith, FOUR! SMOKED! Ordinary ball. Short and outside off, Smith arches back and flays it behind point for a boundary! The stand is worth 90 from 140 balls. Smith moves to 42 from 63 with his 6th boundary. |
| 30.3 : J Archer to Smith, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 30.4 : J Archer to Smith, A bouncer, outside off, Steven sways away from the line. |
| 30.5 : J Archer to Smith, A length ball, outside off, SS gets across, blocks and then swishes his bat through thin air. |
| 30.6 : J Archer to Smith, A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under. |
| 31.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 31.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 31.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| Now, a chip packet had come onto the playing area. Play and a miss for Smith as he tries to swing it away. It goes from him a few yards and then stops. Smith walks across, stops it with his bat, picks it up and then hands it to the umpire. More drama! Broad comes running in but Labuschagne stops him as another biscuit wrapper flows across the field! Broad is charging in midway but Labuschagne says he cannot help it. The bails now fall down at the non-striker's end. Oh dear... this is hilarious. |
| 31.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, A length ball, outside off, another one let through. |
| 31.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| More problems for Broad. He is probably not happy with the bails not being on the stumps. Both sides are without bails now. Not quite sure what is he complaining about, because Root joins him too. But Erasmus explains them something and both agree. Well done, Marais. Never easy to explain stuff to Broad. |
| 31.6 : S Broad to Smith, Full and straight, Smith gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| The fourth umpire is Rob Bailey. Ironically, he is the one who is coming down the stairs with a heavier set of bails. They should be replaced in the next over. Steve Waugh, the Aussie mentor, is having a chat with him. Root is getting a bit irritated now, he wants the bails back on as quickly as possible. |
| 32.1 : J Archer to Smith, A short ball, around middle, pulled behind square leg for a couple. |
| 32.2 : J Archer to Smith, Around off, Smith gets across and defends. |
| 32.3 : J Archer to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 32.4 : J Archer to Smith, A bouncer, around off, ducked under. |
| 32.5 : J Archer to Smith, Full and straight, SS blocks it out watchfully. |
| 32.6 : J Archer to Smith, Another solid defense. |
| A heavier set of bails comes on and the bowling is changed as well. Craig Overton will now bowl into the wind. 4-0-14-0 so far. Broad was struggling at this end since the break. |
| 33.1 : C Overton to Labuschagne, A length ball outside off, solidly defended. |
| 33.2 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, pushed back down the ground. |
| 33.3 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off again, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 33.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 33.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, A length ball, down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single. |
| 33.6 : C Overton to Smith, A length ball, wide outside off, Smith shoulders arms. |
| 34.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, A length ball outside off, Labuschagne taps it towards point, looks up at Smith and takes off for a quick single. |
| 34.2 : J Archer to S Smith, A short ball, outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 34.3 : J Archer to Labuschagne, A length ball outside off, Marnus hops across and defends. |
| 34.4 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 34.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, A short ball, down the leg side, ML takes his gloves out of the way as he lets it pass. |
| 34.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Around off, Labuschagne tucks it behind square leg. England have a leg gully in place but it escapes him. A single taken. |
| 35.1 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 0.0 : Overton comes running in but loses his runup and bails out... |
| 35.2 : C Overton to M Labuschagne, FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge past third slip towards the third man fence. Good fight. |
| 35.3 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, solidly defended. |
| Overton pulls out again. This time he is forced to. Because Labuschagne stops him midway. Root asks him from slips and we can hear Marnus say on the stump mic, 'I thought I heard the bails fall.' |
| 35.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 35.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, punched wide of cover for a quick single. Stokes has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Labuschagne had to run around the bowler and had to stretch. Would have been touch and go. |
| 35.6 : C Overton to Smith, Huge, huge LBW shout! No, says the umpire. A length ball, outside off, Smith gets across and shoulders arms. Overton roars out an appeal but when the umpire turns it down, he himself tells Root that it was probably not coming back in that much. |
| Ben Stokes is back on. 4-0-18-0 so far. |
| 36.1 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 36.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 36.3 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Gets across and works it through square leg for a run. |
| More delay. The wind is getting blustery and even the replaced bails cannot stand that pressure. The bails are changed again. |
| 36.4 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 36.5 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, A length ball, down the leg side, nudged towards fine leg for one. |
| 36.6 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Around off, solidly defended towards mid on. |
| 37.1 : Overton to Labuschagne, Another LBW shout. Is it too high? Overton seems to indicate that. A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler initially appeals but umpire Erasmus shakes his head. Overton then indicates to Root that it might be too high. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be umpire's call but the ball would have gone over. |
| 37.2 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended to the off side. |
| 37.3 : C Overton to Labuschagne, A good length delivery around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 37.4 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and around off, flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| Rain in the air again. And it is getting heavier. Play carries on though. |
| 37.5 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Similar ball, same shot, same region, same result. |
| 37.6 : C Overton to Labuschagne, FOUR! Late cut! Risky but well played. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne steers it with an open bat-face and guides it behind gully to third man! The stand moves to 110 now. |
| A second ago, it was pouring. Now, it has stopped. That is what heavy wind can do. And wind can do this as well. A piece of plastic blows across. Smith halts Stokes. Michael Holding on air says that people are deliberately throwing things onto the ground. |
| 38.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, FOUR! HALF CENTURY FOR SMITH NOW! 26th in Tests, 8th in the Ashes. Gets there in bizarre fashion. Full and miles outside off, Smith reaches out, slips and almost dives to get bat to ball. Manages to get it through cover but was there any need to go after that? He could have so easily nicked it behind or handed a catch to cover-point. Anyways, another terrific innings. |
| 38.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Around off, nudged through square leg for a single. |
| 38.3 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 38.4 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, One more leave outside off. |
| 38.5 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, A hat-trick of leaves now. |
| 38.6 : Ben Stokes to Labuschagne, Around middle and off, clipped through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.1 : C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 39.2 : Overton to M Labuschagne, OUT! BOWLED! A jaffa to break a terrific stand. We felt someone had to something special to break this partnership and Overton has done it. This is so, so similar to his first Test wicket in Adelaide. That time, it was Smith. This time, it is Labuschagne. Nothing much either batsman could have done on either occasion. A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend, thinking he has covered the line but the ball seams back in, goes between bat and pad and h |
| Into the middle order. Or tail? That is how Australia have batted this series. Barring Smith or Labuschagne, no one has really stood up. Oh wait... someone pokes his head out. It is Travis Head. Yeah... he was there in the first two games when Australia were in trouble... |
| 39.3 : C Overton to Head, Outside off, Head pushes at it but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. |
| 39.4 : C Overton to Head, FOUR! Wrong line. Overpitched outside leg, Head flicks it through square leg and gets off the mark. |
| 39.5 : C Overton to Head, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 39.6 : C Overton to T Head, A length ball, outside off, Travis plays inside the line and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes past third slip and three runs are taken. |
| 40.1 : Ben Stokes to Head, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 40.2 : Ben Stokes to Head, Outside off, steered through point for three more. |
| 40.3 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 40.4 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A bouncer, outside off, Smith ducks under it. |
| 40.5 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A short ball, around off, Steven gets inside the line and pulls it through square leg for one. |
| 40.6 : Ben Stokes to T Head, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 41.1 : C Overton to Smith, A length ball, down the leg side, helped through square leg for a couple. |
| 41.2 : C Overton to Smith, Another length ball, outside off, Smith hops and defends. |
| 41.3 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, Steven takes his bat away from the line. |
| 41.4 : C Overton to Smith, A length ball, a bit too straight, SS just places it behind square on the leg side and finds the gap. Mid-wicket and fine leg intersect in the deep but by then, three runs have been taken. |
| 41.5 : C Overton to Head, Full and straight, worked towards square leg. |
| 41.6 : C Overton to Head, Drifting in from around the wicket to the left-hander, helped through square leg but straight to the fielder. |
| 42.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off. |
| 42.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A short ball, outside off, Smith hops and plays it nicely through third slip. Rory Burns dives to his right and gets some pace off the ball but hurts his hand in the process. A single taken. |
| Massive LBW shout! Head is on the floor! (Oops... not literally the head) It is a yorker hitting the pads on the full but umpire Dharmasena has shaken his head. Review taken by England and Ball Tracker shows it to be pitching outside leg. |
| 42.3 : Ben Stokes to Head, PITCHED OUTSIDE LEG! End of story. A yorker, by Stokes, Head looks to flick but loses his balance and slips. Is hit on the left boot and Stokes appeals but umpire Kumar Dharmasena is not impressed. Root has a chat with his bowler and goes for the review. Ball Tracker confirms that a review is lost for England. Superb decision by umpire Dharmasena. Looked very close to the naked eye. Not the umpire of the year without a reason! |
| 42.4 : Ben Stokes to Head, Outside off, on a length, Travis plays inside the line, feeling for it and misses. |
| 42.5 : Ben Stokes to Head, FOUR! JUST OVER! That is why that man has been placed there. Full and down the leg side, Head flicks it and it looks to be a very good shot. Till Jos Buttler flies across to his left at squarish mid-wicket. But the ball flies over him to the fence at mid-wicket. |
| 42.6 : Ben Stokes to Head, Outside off, left alone. |
| 43.1 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, Smith dabs it straight to point. |
| 43.2 : C Overton to S Smith, Banged in short, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. Smith moves to 60 now. |
| 43.3 : C Overton to Head, Full and outside off, Head looks to drive, without moving his feet and misses. |
| 43.4 : C Overton to Head, FOUR! Wrong line and punished. A length ball, down the leg side, Head tucks it through square leg. Plenty of free real estate there. |
| 43.5 : C Overton to Head, Comes around the wicket, bowls it on a length outside off, Travis looks to defend but then tries to take the bat away. The ball goes off the toe end towards third slip. |
| 43.6 : C Overton to Head, Outside off, left alone. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Australia's session. Just a wicket lost and 72 runs scored in 18 overs. The start-stop rain has not made matters easy and England have struggled to grip the ball, spraying it to all the parts. Also, the heavy wind and cold conditions have been against them as well. |
| Normally, start-stop sessions are not good for a batting side but the concentration from Smith and Labuschagne was outstanding. They were always at the bowlers, taking singles wherever possible and punishing the bad ball, which came, well, almost every over. Labuschagne is gone but as long as Smith is there, Australia will believe they can get any score. |
| Rain has coincided with Tea here and we hope that this one blows off quickly as well. No covers are on at this point of time, although the conditions are pretty bad. England will be aiming to dislodge Smith and then just run through the batting line-up. 46 overs left in the day, with around 100 minutes left. We might get only 25 realistically. Join us back at 5.50 pm local (1650 GMT). |
| ... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ... |
| Bad news, folks. The shower which was on, at Tea time has not dissipated yet. The covers are firmly in place. This session is only for 70 minutes, with another 30 being added to cover up for lost time. How many will we get? Stay tuned though. |
| UPDATE - 6.10 pm local (1710 GMT) - Really sad news. PLAY HAS BEEN CALLED OFF FOR THE DAY. A really poor sight, with the sun shining brightly but the damp outfield did not allow the groundstaff to prepare the ground in time. |
| Advantage Australia then, on a start-stop day. They lost their openers pretty quickly on a surface which had some juice in the opening hour but then the master and his accomplice got to work. Their 116-run stand put England on the back foot and at one stage, the run rate was touching 4, which prompted Root to bring on Leach to stall the run flow. Did not make too much of a difference as the run rate has not gone down too much. |
| What has ailed England then? Guess it is the Archer factor. He looked cooked up and was barely bowling with the pace which he displayed in the second Test. England will hope that he recovers by Thursday and is fired up to blow Australia away under 250. |
| With just 44 overs bowled on the opening day, this has become almost like a 4-day Test. Australia will look to Smith to bat for long and bat once. The problem is their soft underbelly of a middle order and it needs to fire sooner rather than later. |
| Can Smith get to his century? Will England be able to stop him before that? Will Australia's middle order be able to contribute? A bigger question than all of these - How many overs will be bowled on Thursday? The forecast is not looking that great. Join us for Day 2 on Thursday, 5th September, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for some (fingers crossed) action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the fourth Ashes Test match. On Day 1, rain interrupted play for large periods of the game and we could only manage to get a quota of 44 overs. The weather forecast says that there will be showers today as well but as of now, it is looking bright. |
| On Day 1, Australia won the toss and asked England to field first. The hosts got off to a good start as Warner and Harris were dismissed early on in the innings. Labuschagne and Smith then got together and started the counter-attack. Rain was the only thing that was breaking their momentum as they stitched up a great 116-run stand. They turned the tide of the game on its head. Overton, who returned to the Test squad after a gap of more than a year, got the crucial wicket of Labuschagne. However, |
| Coming to Day 2, the task for England is simple. Take some quick wickets, especially of Steven Smith and then run through the Aussie batting line-up. As for Australia, they would want to stay at the crease as long as possible and they would also want their middle order to score some runs. Stay tuned as we bring you all the action from Manchester! |
| The English players walk out to the middle with Joe Root marshaling his troops. Steven Smith and Travis Head also walk out to the middle, with the former taking strike. Stuart Broad to start the proceedings for the hosts. Here we go... |
| 44.1 : S Broad to Smith, First ball of the day, the ball has found the edge of Smith's bat. |
| 44.2 : S Broad to Smith, Length ball outside off, Smith tries to push this one towards the off side but is beaten. |
| 44.3 : S Broad to Smith, Length ball on off again, Smith pushes this one off the back foot back towards the bowler. |
| A slight delay. What is the issue? There is something which is distracting Smith. Poor Dharmasena has gone all the way to the entry gate to have it shut. Okay. There is an ambulance which is outside the ground and the sunlight falling on its glass is distracting Smith. They are covering it with a paper but even that is being blown away. Tough job... |
| 44.4 : S Broad to Smith, Bouncer just outside off, Smith ducks under it and lets it through to Bairstow. |
| 44.5 : S Broad to Smith, Good length ball this time, mixing it up. Smith comes onto the front foot and pushes it back towards Broad. |
| 44.6 : S Broad to Smith, Australia are underway on Day 2. This is a length ball on the pads, Smith flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end. New day, new beginning. New contest. Here we go. |
| 45.1 : J Archer to Smith, Beaten! Good ball to start off Day 2 for Archer. He pitches this on a length just outside off and gets it to move away from Smith. He tries to defend it but does so inside the line and is beaten. |
| 45.2 : J Archer to Smith, FOUR! Great reply by Smith. This is fuller and outside off, Smith pushes this towards cover with one hand and the ball races to the fence. First boundary of the day! |
| 45.3 : J Archer to Smith, DROPPED AND FOUR! Almost into the hands of Archer. A low full toss by Archer on middle, Smith pushes it back towards him uppishly. Archer gets his right hand's fingertips to it but the ball goes through his hand and straight down the ground towards the mid off fence. |
| 45.4 : J Archer to Smith, Inside edge and almost chopped on. Length ball just outside off, Smith looks to push it towards the off side but gets the inside half of his bat on it and the ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters take one. |
| 45.5 : J Archer to Head, On the pads, Smith flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 45.6 : J Archer to Head, Beaten again! Outside off, this time to Head, he looks to push at this one but is beaten by the away movement. |
| 46.1 : S Broad to Smith,Short and on the body. Smith pulls but does not time it well and the ball goes on the bounce to backward square leg. |
| 46.2 : S Broad to Smith, On a length and outside off, Smith leaves it with his unique left alone style. |
| 46.3 : S Broad to Smith,Short and down the leg side, Smith ducks under it comfortably. |
| 46.4 : S Broad to Smith, Length and on middle, Smith defends it back to the bowler. |
| 46.5 : S Broad to Smith, Another bouncer and Smith ducks under it easily. |
| 46.6 : S Broad to Smith, Short of good length on middle and leg, Smith flicks it off his back foot to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 47.1 : J Archer to Smith, Length ball just outside off, nips back in to Smith. He tries to block it out but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 47.2 : J Archer to Smith, Bouncer by Archer, to Smith. This is on the leg pole line, Smith ducks out of the way at the last moment. |
| 47.3 : J Archer to Smith, Short of a length ball outside off, Smith looks to push it towards the off side but the ball hits his gloves and goes to point. |
| 47.4 : J Archer to Smith, Outside off, left alone by Smith. |
| 47.5 : J Archer to Smith, Length ball on middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards mid on off the back foot. |
| 47.6 : J Archer to Smith, Bouncer off the last ball. On the off pole line, Smith does well to sway away from it. |
| 48.1 : S Broad to Head, Broad comes around the wicket, bowls a length ball outside off. Head pushes out off the back foot. |
| 48.2 : S Broad to Head, On the pads of Head there, he flicks it towards backward square leg where Leach is positioned and the batters take one. Maybe there was a second one there but the batters opted against it. |
| 48.3 : S Broad to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 48.4 : S Broad to Head, OUT! LBW! Travis Head is outta here and the hosts get their first breakthrough of the day. Broad is the man again. He bowls this on a length outside off, it comes in with the angle. Head looks to block it out but misses as the ball hits him on the knee roll. The English players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Smith and Head mull over taking the review but eventually decide against it. Replays roll in and Ball Tracker shows it to be clipping leg. |
| The soft underbelly of a middle order is open now. Matthew Wade walks in now. |
| 48.5 : S Broad to Wade, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 48.6 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and the batters take one. Wade is off the mark. |
| 49.1 : J Archer to Wade, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.2 : J Archer to Wade, Bouncer down the leg side, Wade ducks under it and lets the ball through. |
| 49.3 : J Archer to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 49.4 : J Archer to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade pushes this towards cover off the back foot. |
| 49.5 : J Archer to Wade, Archer bangs this one short of a length, the ball comes in with the angle. Wade looks to sway away from it but is hit on the forearm. He looks in some pain here. |
| 49.6 : J Archer to M Wade, Edged and just short of Joe Root at first slip! Length ball outside off, Wade looks to push this one towards the off side but he gets a thick edge on it. The ball falls short of Root and goes through the slip cordon. Roy from second slip runs towards it and mops it up as the batters take two. |
| 50.1 : S Broad to Smith, Short of a length ball, Smith pulls this one towards square leg and takes one. |
| 50.2 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the man at fine leg. |
| 50.3 : S Broad to Wade, Beaten! Jaffa by Broad! This one is on a length and just outside off, it pitches and then leaves the batsman. Wade goes for the block but is beaten by the movement on it. Misses the outside edge by a whisker. |
| 50.4 : S Broad to Wade, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 50.5 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 50.6 : S Broad to Smith, Bouncer to Smith off the last ball off the over. He ducks under it. |
| 51.1 : J Archer to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade pushes it off the back foot towards the point region and takes a single. |
| 51.2 : J Archer to Smith, Length ball outside off, this time to Smith, he pushes it towards the man at cover off the back foot. |
| 51.3 : J Archer to Smith, Another bumper to Smith by Archer. Smith does well to duck under it. |
| Interesting, very interesting thought from Michael Holding. He observes the lines bowled by Archer and Broad this morning. Adds that numerous times, the ball has beaten the bat but still, Root has kept men at square leg, fine leg, mid-wicket and mid on. 'Why?' asks the great man. 'Forget the on side! Make them play outside off, stop the runs and then force them to go through the on side.' Fair call. You are asking the bowlers to bowl on one spot but giving the field in the other direction. |
| 51.4 : J Archer to Smith, FOUR! Great shot by Smith! This is a length ball outside off, Smith just guides it towards the empty third man region and the ball races towards the fence. |
| 51.5 : J Archer to Smith, Archer looks fired up now. Goes above the 90 mph mark. A bumper on middle and off, Smith is just consistently evading them. |
| 51.6 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer to end the over. Smith is patient and he lets it through to Bairstow. Archer getting itchy here. |
| 52.1 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball just outside off, Wade shuffles onto his back foot and pushes this towards point where they take a quick single. |
| 52.2 : S Broad to Smith, This is on the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards Stokes at fine leg. |
| 52.3 : S Broad to Smith, This time on a length and on middle, Smith pulls this one uppishly towards fine leg, just wide of Stokes. The fielder in the deep mops it up as the batters take a quick couple. |
| 52.4 : S Broad to Smith, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Time for the shape of the ball. England are not happy, Broad is not happy and umpire Dharmasena is obliging. He brings out the 8-shaped gauge but the ball passes through and he hands the ball back to Overton, who passes it to Broady. As usual, the latter shakes his head on the ball not being changed. |
| 52.5 : S Broad to Smith, Bouncer down the leg side, Smith evades it. |
| 52.6 : S Broad to Smith, Length ball way outside off, Smith leaves it alone in his own typical fashion. |
| 53.1 : J Archer to Wade, Good length ball on off, coming back in to Wade. He blocks it out. |
| 53.2 : J Archer to Wade, Length ball on off, pushed out by Wade. |
| 53.3 : J Archer to Wade, Length ball outside off, left alone by Matthew. |
| 53.4 : J Archer to Wade, Another length ball outside off, Wade opens the face of his bat and guides it towards the third slip fielder. |
| 53.5 : J Archer to Wade, Way down the leg side, Wade leaves it alone. |
| 53.6 : J Archer to Wade, Another one on the leg side, Wade looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye. |
| 54.1 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball outside off, left alone by Wade. |
| 54.2 : S Broad to Wade, Fullish ball outside off, Wade gets on the front foot and pushes it towards cover as the batters take a couple. |
| 54.3 : S Broad to Wade, Another length ball outside off, Wade leaves it alone. |
| 54.4 : S Broad to Wade, Full by Broad, just outside off, Wade pushes it down the ground. Broad gets down in an attempt to gather the ball but he parries it towards mid off. |
| 54.5 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade guides this off the back foot towards the slip cordon. He thinks that there is a single on there but Smith denies it. |
| 54.6 : S Broad to Wade, Outside off, left alone by Wade. |
| 55.1 : J Archer to Smith, Length ball outside off by Archer, he pushes it back towards mid on. |
| 55.2 : J Archer to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a quick single. |
| 55.3 : J Archer to Wade, FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Wade just opens the face of the bat and guides this one between point and gully as the ball races towards the third man fence. |
| 55.4 : J Archer to Wade, Length ball on middle and off, Wade defends it from within the crease towards mid off. |
| 55.5 : J Archer to Wade, NO BALL! Archer oversteps as he looks to go for the bouncer this time. Wade ducks and lets that one through to Bairstow. |
| J Archer to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade goes for the pull but misses it. England put in a stifled appeal for a caught behind but nothing from the umpire. |
| 55.6 : J Archer to Wade, Down the leg side, Wade goes for the flick but misses. The ball kisses his pads and goes towards the fine leg boundary. |
| Spin time for today. Jack Leach into the attack. 6-2-18-0 so far. |
| 56.1 : J Leach to Smith, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 56.2 : J Leach to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it off his pad towards short leg. |
| 56.3 : J Leach to Wade, Tossed up on middle and off, Wade goes for the paddle but Stokes from first slip runs to his right, pre-meditating it and stops the ball from going towards the fine leg fence. An excellent effort from him as the crowd applauds. |
| 56.4 : J Leach to Wade, Tossed up ball on middle and off, Wade pushes this one onto the ground. |
| 56.5 : J Leach to Wade, FOUR! Flighted by Leach on the pads of Wade, he comes down the track and flicks it towards mid-wicket as the ball races to the fence. |
| Bit of drizzle in the air... |
| 56.6 : J Leach to Wade, Full and floated outside off, Wade pushes this off the front foot towards mid off. |
| DRINKS BREAK. 44/1 in 13 overs this morning. A fairly balanced session so far. England have bowled well, inducing mistakes from the Aussie batsmen but the latter have hung in there. With a brittle middle order as this, a collapse is never far and Australia will want this partnership to continue. It is worth 31 in 50 balls, so the rate is pretty decent. |
| Oh dear. The drizzle has gotten heavier and the umpires have called for the covers. The hover cover comes on. This seems to be a bit of a passing shower, so the delay should not be long. |
| We are back after a small break and it will be Craig Overton to bowl. His figures so far 10-0-41-1. |
| 57.1 : C Overton to Smith, Bouncer to start off by Overton on the leg pole line. Smith ducks under it. |
| 57.2 : C Overton to Smith, Another bouncer by Overton, Steven again ducks under it. |
| 57.3 : C Overton to Smith, On the pads of Smith this time, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 57.4 : C Overton to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade defends it off the back foot. |
| 57.5 : C Overton to Wade, Another length ball outside off, Wade pushes this one towards mid off. |
| 57.6 : C Overton to Wade, Outside off, Wade pushes this one towards the off side. |
| 58.1 : J Leach to Smith, Flat on off pole, a bit of turn. Smith blocks it out. |
| 58.2 : J Leach to Smith, Confusion out in the middle and Smith survives! This is floated on the leg side, Smith tucks it towards square leg and goes for the quick single. Wade though does not respond and Smith is left high and dry. He scampers back as Stokes goes for the direct hit towards the keeper's end but misses. He was in though due to the dive. |
| 58.3 : J Leach to Smith, FOUR! Whipped and whipped well. This is floated on the pads again, Smith just gets on the front foot and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 58.4 : J Leach to Smith, Flat on off, the ball pitches and turns. Smith looks to block off the back foot but is beaten. |
| 58.5 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 58.6 : J Leach to Smith, Floated outside off, Smith drives this superbly towards cover and takes a single. |
| 59.1 : C Overton to Smith, Length ball outside off, Smith pushes this towards point off the back foot. |
| 59.2 : C Overton to Smith, On the middle pole line, Smith looks to pull this one but misses to get hit on the hips. The ball rolls towards leg gully and the batters take a leg bye. |
| 59.3 : C Overton to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 59.4 : C Overton to Wade, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 59.5 : C Overton to Wade, Fuller and on the off side, Wade pushes this towards mid off. |
| 59.6 : C Overton to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 60.1 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up on the pads, Smith flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple. |
| 60.2 : J Leach to Smith, Floated outside off by Leach, Smith plays it onto the ground. |
| 60.3 : J Leach to Smith, On the pads of Smith again, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 60.4 : J Leach to Wade, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 60.5 : J Leach to Wade, OUT! CAUGHT! Wade is out of here and Australia are five down now! Leach tosses this one just outside off, Wade comes down the track and looks to heave this one over mid-wicket. It takes a thickish outside edge as the ball skies towards mid on. Root at mid on takes a couple of steps back, takes a lot of time and eventually settles himself under it and takes a good catch. The 41-run partnership is broken and Wade departs for 16. |
| Skipper time. Tim Paine comes out to bat at number 7, with half an hour to go to Lunch. |
| 60.6 : J Leach to Tim Paine, Paine drives this through the covers by the batsman. |
| 61.1 : C Overton to Smith, Bouncer to start off with by Overton, Smith ducks under it. |
| 61.2 : C Overton to Smith, Another bouncer, Smith pulls this one onto the ground and the ball goes towards backward square leg as the batters take one. |
| 61.3 : C Overton to Paine, Length ball outside off, Paine defends this off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 61.4 : C Overton to Paine, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 61.5 : C Overton to Tim Paine, Another short ball, Paine goes for the pull and takes a single as the ball goes towards square leg. |
| 61.6 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, Smith opens the face of the bat and guides it towards third man for a single. |
| 62.1 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.2 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, Smith cuts it towards point but uppishly. |
| 62.3 : J Leach to Smith, Uppish again but Smith survives as the ball quickly goes past silly point. |
| 62.4 : J Leach to Smith, Smith has played it to the point region and the batters have run through for a single. |
| 62.5 : J Leach to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.6 : J Leach to Paine, Length ball outside off, Paine cuts it towards point and takes a single. |
| 63.1 : C Overton to Paine, Overton bowls a bouncer and Paine ducks under it. |
| 63.2 : C Overton to Paine, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 63.3 : C Overton to Paine, Another bouncer, this time on the leg pole line, Paine ducks under it at the last moment. |
| 63.4 : C Overton to Paine, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 63.5 : C Overton to Paine, Short again by Overton, Paine pulls this one towards short fine leg and takes a single. |
| 63.6 : C Overton to Smith, On the pads of Smith this time, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 64.1 : J Leach to S Smith, Full and floated outside off, pushed towards mid off by the batsman. |
| 64.2 : J Leach to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 64.3 : J Leach to Paine, Full and floated on the pads, Paine flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 64.4 : J Leach to Paine, Driven through mid-off by the batsman. |
| 64.5 : J Leach to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.6 : J Leach to Paine, Full and floated on off, blocked out by Paine. |
| 65.1 : C Overton to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 65.2 : C Overton to Paine, On the pads of Paine, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 65.3 : C Overton to Paine, Outside off, Paine initially looks to play at it but then bails out at the last moment. |
| 65.4 : C Overton to Paine, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 65.5 : C Overton to Paine, Full and outside off, Paine blocks it onto the ground. |
| 65.6 : C Overton to Paine, Length ball outside off, Paine defends the ball off the backfoot. |
| 66.1 : J Leach to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards short fine leg and takes a single. |
| 66.2 : J Leach to Paine, This time on middle and leg, Paine pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 66.3 : J Leach to Smith, Shorter and outside off, Smith cuts this towards cover and takes a single. |
| 66.4 : J Leach to Paine, Full and floated on off, blocked out by Paine. |
| 66.5 : J Leach to Paine, Outside off, left alone by Paine. |
| 66.6 : J Leach to Paine, Floated outside off, Paine blocks it onto the ground. |
| 67.1 : C Overton to S Smith, WIDE! Bouncer down the leg side but too high by Overton. Wide signalled. |
| C Overton to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards backward square leg. Smith moves onto 99. |
| 67.2 : C Overton to Paine, Short again by Overton, Paine pulls it away towards square leg and gives the strike to Smith. |
| 67.3 : C Overton to Smith, CENTURY FOR STEVEN SMITH! 26th Test Hundred and 3rd in this year's Ashes for the no.1 Test batsman in the world. This is on the pads of Smith and he flicks it towards square leg. Ben Stokes stationed at square leg dives to his left but cannot stop the ball. It goes past him and the man from short mid-wicket rushes after it. By that time, two runs are taken. Smith takes his helmet off and soaks in the applause from the dressing room. The 1940s saw the dawn of THAT Don. T |
| 67.4 : C Overton to Smith, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 67.5 : C Overton to Smith, Length ball around off, Smith pushes this towards mid on. |
| 67.6 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, left alone by Smith. |
| 68.1 : J Leach to Paine, Full and floated outside off, blocked out. |
| 68.2 : J Leach to Paine, Shortish this time on off, Paine blocks it out off the back foot. |
| 68.3 : J Leach to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.4 : J Leach to Paine, FOUR! Excellent finding of the gap! Full and outside off, Paine comes forward and drives. Silly point jumps and the ball goes through his legs. Short extra cover gets across but cannot put in a dive. Joe Root does so, from mid off but his dive cannot take him near to the ball. It scoots through and the ball races to the fence. |
| 68.5 : J Leach to Paine, Full and way outside off by Leach, pushed towards cover. |
| 68.6 : J Leach to Paine, Great effort from Roy as he saves four runs for his side. This is full and floated outside off, Paine drives this one powerfully towards cover again. Jason Roy there, dives to his left and pulls off a great stop. He parries it towards point where the fielder mops it up. Roy takes ages to get up and looks like he has hurt his fingers. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| 75/2 in 25 overs this morning. Australia's or rather, Smith's session. He has stuck to the crease like a glue and ensured that there has not been a collapse. |
| The hosts started the day well as Head was dismissed early on by Stuart Broad. Smith then survived a scare too when he was dropped by Archer off his own bowling but since then, Smith has been as solid as a rock. Smith and Matthew Wade then steadied the ship with a 41-run stand before Wade threw his wicket away trying to attack Jack Leach. |
| Australia kept scoring runs at a good pace as they blocked out the good balls and punished the bad ones. Smith played well and got to a well deserved ton, his third in this Ashes series and it looks like no English bowlers would be able to pick up his wicket unless he himself commits a mistake. Tim Paine, the skipper is out with Steven Smith at the crease and they will be looking to post a commanding total on the board. Join us back in a short while as the action continues after the Lunch break. |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| The English players are back out onto the pitch after the Lunch break along with the Australian batters, Steven Smith and Tim Paine. The former will take strike and he will be looking to continue to build on his ton and push the hosts further back in the game. Stuart Broad will start the proceedings with the ball after the break. He comes steaming in... |
| 69.1 : S Broad to Smith, A length ball, around middle, Smith tucks this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 69.2 : S Broad to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 69.3 : S Broad to Paine, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 69.4 : S Broad to Tim Paine, EDGED, DROPPED! Gosh. That was a sitter. Would have been the perfect start for England after the break. Full and outside off, Paine looks to drive but sans any footwork. The ball takes a thick outside edge and flies straight to Jason Roy at second slip, but he shells it. Tries to take it in the second attempt but cannot hang on. |
| 69.5 : S Broad to Paine, Outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 69.6 : S Broad to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. 13-2-41-1 so far. |
| 70.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and outside off, driven past silly point to short extra cover. |
| 70.2 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up outside off, Smith comes down the track and defends. |
| 70.3 : J Leach to Smith, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 70.4 : J Leach to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.5 : J Leach to Paine, Floated around off, Paine comes forward and smothers the spin. |
| 70.6 : J Leach to Paine, Around off, solidly kept out. |
| 71.1 : S Broad to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 0.0 : Goa Rocks - 'Catch dropped! What on earth, England? Ahhh... ok it is Tim Paine. Will not matter much.' @Goa - Wow. You have rocked all the Aussie fans hard with that comment. |
| 71.2 : S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! Another back foot drive! How does he manage those? A length ball outside off, Smith goes back and punch-drives it through the covers. 250 UP FOR AUSTRALIA. |
| 71.3 : S Broad to Smith, Around off, Steven gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single. |
| 71.4 : S Broad to Paine, Full and outside off, Paine lets that go. |
| 71.5 : S Broad to Paine, That is another peach. Broad lands it on a length, outside off, Tim looks to defend but then gets squared up. The ball moves away at the last moment and beats the outside edge. |
| 71.6 : S Broad to Paine, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 72.1 : J Leach to Smith, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Wow. Smith and luck. Are they synonyms? Unbelievable. Flighted outside off, Smith comes down the track to have a heave but is not to the pitch of the ball at all. On top of that, Leach slows that one. The cherry takes the top edge and goes towards cover. Jason Roy runs back from short extra cover while Craig Overton comes running in from sweeper. But luckily for Smith, the ball lands in between! A single taken. |
| 72.2 : J Leach to Paine, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 72.3 : J Leach to Paine, FOUR! Short and outside off, Paine rocks back and punches it through the covers! |
| 72.4 : J Leach to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 72.5 : J Leach to Paine, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 72.6 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Ben Stokes to bowl now. 8-0-36-0 so far. The crowd cheers for its magician. |
| 73.1 : Ben Stokes to Paine, FOUR! BEAUTY! Loosener from Stokes, a gentle half volley outside off but even that has to be put away. Paine drives it straight back down the ground and beats wide mid on. |
| 73.2 : Ben Stokes to Paine, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.3 : Ben Stokes to Smith, FOUR! Another bad ball. Short and down the leg side, Smith hooks it towards fine leg! |
| 73.4 : Ben Stokes to Smith, FOUR! How do you play that? Unbelievable from the 'I-make-them-look-believable' Smith. Outside off, on a length, Smith waits and waits and at the last moment, guides it between the second slip fielder and gully to third man! |
| 73.5 : Ben Stokes to Smith, NO BALL. Stokes oversteps now. Bowls this on a length outside off, Steven pushes it towards cover. |
| Ben Stokes to Smith, That is a peach. A length ball outside off, SS looks to flay that through the line but misses. |
| 73.6 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 15 from the over, Stokes' figures read 9-0-51-0! |
| Edged and taken! Smith is gone. But has Leach overstepped? Dear me... he has! Come back, Smithy! |
| 74.1 : J Leach to Smith, Edged and taken! But Leach has overstepped! Wow. Seems like Steven Smith has taken some tuition classes to explain the synonym to luck to everyone. More and more luck for the legend. Unbelievable. A lovely delivery to start, flighted outside off, Smith looks to drive but the ball hits something. Yes, something. And then turns. |
| J Leach to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 74.2 : J Leach to Smith, Around off, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 74.3 : J Leach to Smith, Full and outside off, Smith comes down the track and blocks. |
| 74.4 : J Leach to Smith, Eases this through the covers for a single. |
| 74.5 : J Leach to Paine, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a quick single. |
| 74.6 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 75.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Full and outside off, solidly defended. |
| 75.2 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Oopss... a length ball outside off, Steven looks to defend but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes behind. Smith immediately rushes back and then hits the ball away. Jonny Bairstow is not happy with that as he was coming in to collect. |
| 75.3 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 75.4 : Ben Stokes to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 75.5 : Ben Stokes to Paine, NO BALL. Another overstepping from Stokes. Full and outside off, Paine pushes this through the covers and gets a quick single. |
| Ben Stokes to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 75.6 : Ben Stokes to Smith, FOUR! When you are on 121, this is a gift. A full toss outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. |
| 76.1 : J Leach to Paine, Full and outside off, Paine drives it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. Joe Root rushes across and has a shy at the bowler's end, hitting the stumps, but his counterpart is well in. |
| 76.2 : J Leach to Smith, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Another moment of luck for Smith. Full and outside off, Steven comes down the track and drives it hard towards silly point. It hits his pads and then lobs towards the bowler. Leach gets across to his left but the ball evades him! |
| 76.3 : J Leach to Smith, Comes down the track and looks to defend but misses and is hit on the groin. |
| 76.4 : J Leach to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 76.5 : J Leach to Smith, Around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 76.6 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully kept out. |
| Joe Denly to bowl some part-time leg spin. The second new ball is available in 3 overs. |
| 77.1 : Joe Denly to Paine, Full and around off, Paine defends it watchfully. |
| 77.2 : Joe Denly to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 77.3 : Joe Denly to Paine, Outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 77.4 : Joe Denly to Paine, Floated outside off, Tim gets his bat down to defend. |
| 77.5 : Joe Denly to Paine, Outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 77.6 : Joe Denly to Paine, Short and outside off, cut straight to short third man. |
| 78.1 : J Leach to Smith, On a length outside off, punched towards cover for a single. |
| 78.2 : J Leach to Paine, Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 78.3 : J Leach to Paine, Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a run. |
| 78.4 : J Leach to Smith, Floated outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 78.5 : J Leach to Smith, Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 78.6 : J Leach to Smith, Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for one. |
| Leach is going off the park. Sam Curran comes on as a substitute. Michael Atherton informs us on air that there is some issue with his spinning finger. Just one over to go to the second new ball. |
| 79.1 : Joe Denly to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 79.2 : Joe Denly to Smith, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 79.3 : Joe Denly to Paine, Full and around middle, Paine looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards short leg. |
| What happened there? Denly was coming into bowl but Paine moved away as he was not ready. Denly jokingly mimes a throw at the bowler's end, in an attempt to Mankade Smith. Both players laugh. Remember, these two play for the same team in the Big Bash - Sydney Sixers. |
| 79.4 : Joe Denly to Paine, Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 79.5 : Joe Denly to Smith, On middle and off, Smith swipes it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 79.6 : Joe Denly to Smith, On middle and off, clipped through mid-wicket for one. |
| THE SECOND NEW BALL HAS BEEN TAKEN, much to the cheers of the crowd. Stuart Broad gets the first use of it, as expected. 18-2-53-3 so far. |
| 80.1 : S Broad to Smith, A length ball around off, watchfully defended. |
| 80.2 : S Broad to Smith, Works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 80.3 : S Broad to Paine, A bouncer on middle, Paine ducks. |
| 80.4 : S Broad to Tim Paine, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and wide outside off, Paine cuts it through point for a boundary! The stand moves to 72 from 119 balls. |
| 80.5 : S Broad to Paine, A length ball outside off, Paine looks to defend but then wants to take his bat away. The ball goes off the bottom edge towards gully. |
| 80.6 : S Broad to Paine, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| Jofra Archer to share the second new ball with Broad. 16-2-50-0 so far. |
| 81.1 : J Archer to Smith, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 81.2 : J Archer to Smith, Around off, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 81.3 : J Archer to Paine, Around off again, solidly blocked out. |
| 81.4 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer on middle, Tim ducks under it hurriedly. |
| An interruption. The crowd has its moment. A big water-melonesque balloon ball flows onto the park. Stokes collects it and then kicks it away. The security then runs in to do the necessary stuff. |
| 81.5 : J Archer to Paine, Another bouncer, this time with lesser pace, ducked under again. |
| 81.6 : J Archer to Paine, Around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 82.1 : S Broad to Smith, Comes from around the wicket, targets the stumps, but Smith flicks the full ball through square leg for a couple. |
| 82.2 : S Broad to Smith, That was a jaffa. To a left-hander. Broad strays one down the leg side, Smith gets across and looks to flick but the ball swings away and beats his bat. Would have got a southpaw nicking behind. |
| 82.3 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Stand and deliver. Full and wide outside off, Smith leans and eases this through the covers. 300 UP FOR AUSTRALIA with that. |
| 82.4 : S Broad to S Smith, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. The stand moves to 80 from 131 balls. |
| 82.5 : S Broad to Tim Paine, A short ball, around off, Paine swivels and pulls this through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 82.6 : S Broad to Smith, Yorker outside off, watchfully dug out. |
| 83.1 : J Archer to Paine, Full and down the leg side, Paine flicks it through square leg and returns for the second. |
| 83.2 : J Archer to Paine, Around middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 83.3 : J Archer to Smith, Around middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 83.4 : J Archer to Tim Paine, Very full, outside off, Paine looks to drive but mistimes it towards mid off. |
| 83.5 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer, around middle, Tim ducks. |
| 83.6 : J Archer to Paine, A good length ball, around off, watchfully defended. |
| 84.1 : S Broad to Smith, Down the leg side, Smith gets a long way across and then takes his bat away from the line. |
| 84.2 : S Broad to Smith, A bouncer on middle, Steven ducks under it. |
| 84.3 : S Broad to Smith, Full and down the leg side, SS misses his flick. |
| 84.4 : S Broad to Smith, A jaffa again. Broad hits the length, landing it outside off, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball moves away to beat the outside edge. |
| 84.5 : S Broad to S Smith, Edge this time, but not to hand! A length ball, in line of the stumps, Steven looks to defend but is squared up again. The ball goes off the outside edge, past third slip and he gets a couple. |
| 84.6 : S Broad to Smith, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a couple. |
| 85.1 : J Archer to Paine, Full and outside off, Paine looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 85.2 : J Archer to Paine, FOUR! BRILLIANT! Pretty straight, full and outside off, a bit of width, Paine cashes in and drives it through the covers. The stand is worth 93 from 147 balls now. |
| 85.3 : J Archer to Paine, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 85.4 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer now, let through. |
| 85.5 : J Archer to Paine, Full and down the leg side, flick shot missed. |
| 85.6 : J Archer to Paine, A length ball, just around off, watchfully defended. |
| DRINKS BREAK. |
| 86.1 : S Broad to Smith, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 86.2 : S Broad to Smith, On a length outside off, coming in, Smith looks to defend but the ball shapes away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 86.3 : S Broad to Smith, Landed outside off, on a length, Steven takes his bat away from the line. |
| 86.4 : S Broad to Smith, One more leave outside off. |
| 86.5 : S Broad to Smith, Ahhh... another one of those edges. Full and straight, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards third slip, but on the bounce. |
| England need some inspiration here. |
| 86.6 : S Broad to Smith, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| Craig Overton to bowl now. 16-1-53-1 so far. |
| 87.1 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, Smith lets it through. |
| 87.2 : C Overton to Smith, On a good length outside off, Steven shoulders arms. |
| 87.3 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 87.4 : C Overton to Smith, A length ball outside off, coming in, SS looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 87.5 : C Overton to Smith, On a good length outside off, let through again. |
| 87.6 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, let through once more. |
| 88.1 : S Broad to Paine, A full ball wide outside off, Paine thinks to go after it but then lets it go as it is just too wide. The ball goes well outside the pitch and Bairstow has to dive to his right, to take it in front of first slip but no wide signalled. |
| 88.2 : Broad to Tim Paine, A short ball, down the leg side, this is pulled down to long leg for a single. |
| 88.3 : S Broad to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 88.4 : S Broad to Smith, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 88.5 : S Broad to Paine, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 88.6 : S Broad to Paine, Around middle and leg, flicked through fine leg for a run. |
| 89.1 : C Overton to Paine, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 89.2 : C Overton to Paine, A short ball, down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but misses. |
| 89.3 : C Overton to Paine, FOUR! CARESSED! Half volley outside off, Paine comes forward and drives it between cover and mid off. Stuart Broad gives it a good chase from mid off but the ball wins the race. 100-RUN STAND IS UP! |
| Abby the magician - 'I think this is going to be a draw. Nothing in the pitch, apart from turn. There is hardly any swing and if any, only Broad is getting it. Also, the continuous short-ball tactic is not working against Smith. In fact, he is getting used to it all the more.' @Abby - Catty eyes, you have got, mate. What observation. Awaiting Day 5 for your prediction to come true (or false). Either ways, the match needs some excitement. This is a snooze fest going on right now. |
| 89.4 : C Overton to Paine, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 89.5 : C Overton to Paine, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 89.6 : C Overton to Paine, Full and outside off, swinging away, gentle pace, in the mid 80s, the skipper lets it go. |
| Ben Stokes returns. 10-0-58-0 so far. |
| 90.1 : Ben Stokes to Smith, Full and around off, Smith works it wide of mid on for a single. |
| 90.2 : Ben Stokes to Paine, Around off, solidly defended towards cover. |
| 90.3 : Ben Stokes to Paine, FOUR! CLASSY! Half volley outside off, into the mid 80s is Stokes, Paine leans and drives it through the covers. |
| 90.4 : Ben Stokes to Paine, Excellent stop by Jofra Archer! Full and around off, the skipper drives it straight down the ground. Mid on and mid off give it a chase with Jofra Archer getting to the ball from the latter position. Puts in a dive and pulls the ball back in. Three runs taken. |
| 90.5 : Ben Stokes to Smith, A bouncer now, Steven ducks. |
| Oh now then. STOKES IS GOING OFF THE FIELD. Looks like he has pulled up a muscle. Chris Woakes comes on as a substitute. Jack Leach to finish his pending over. There was a grimace as Stokes delivered the ball. |
| 90.6 : J Leach to Smith, Full and outside off, Smith drives it through the covers for a single. |
| 91.1 : C Overton to Smith, A length ball, down the leg side, Smith gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single. |
| 91.2 : C Overton to Paine, Full and down the leg side, Paine misses his flick. |
| The umbrellas are opening in the stands... the drizzle is coming... |
| 91.3 : C Overton to Paine, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 91.4 : Overton to Paine, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 91.5 : C Overton to Paine, Full and around off, Tim looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 91.6 : C Overton to Paine, Landed outside off, let through to Bairstow once more. |
| Jofra Archer is called back upon. 19-2-59-0 so far. Raining? Oh bother. It is bright and sunny now. |
| 92.1 : J Archer to Smith, Full and outside off, Smith gets across to defend but at the last moment, takes his bat out of the way. |
| 92.2 : J Archer to Smith, 150 UP FOR STEVEN SMITH! The machine goes on and on and on. A short ball, around middle, Smith drags this through mid-wicket and returns for the third. Raises his bat to the crowd. Does he look bored? |
| 92.3 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer, around middle, Paine ducks. |
| 92.4 : J Archer to Paine, Another bouncer, the skipper ducks again. Second bouncer for the over signalled by umpire Kumar Dharmasena. |
| 92.5 : J Archer to Tim Paine, A short ball outside off, Tim pulls it straight to straightish mid on. |
| 92.6 : J Archer to Tim Paine, DROPPED! Another one goes down. It is Sam Curran, the substitute. A short ball, outside off, Paine pulls it or rather swats it towards mid on. It is straight to Curran, as on the previous ball and he gets down to his left to take the catch as well. But shells it. Paine smiles. |
| 93.1 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 93.2 : C Overton to S Smith, Full and outside off, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball goes off the outside edge towards gully. |
| 93.3 : C Overton to Smith, FOUR! Help yourself. Full and outside off, pretty wide, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. |
| 93.4 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, Steven looks to play the cover drive again but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes back to the bowler. Craig Overton looks to pick and have a shy at the striker's end but does not collect the ball. |
| Overton comes running in but Smith is not ready and hence the bowler has to abort his run up. |
| 93.5 : C Overton to Smith, On a length around off, solidly defended. |
| 93.6 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 94.1 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer on middle, Paine ducks. |
| 94.2 : J Archer to Paine, A short ball, outside off, the skipper stands tall and fends it towards point. |
| 94.3 : J Archer to Paine, A sharp short ball, outside off, Tim takes his bat away from the line as he offers a leave. However, the ball keeps coming in and almost takes the outside edge. Jonny Bairstow collects and appeals but no one supports him. Nothing from the umpire. |
| 94.4 : J Archer to Tim Paine, A short ball, outside off, Tim pulls it away but Jos Buttler at short leg stops it nicely. |
| 94.5 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer again, TP ducks. |
| 94.6 : J Archer to Paine, Another bouncer to end the over, Paine ducks again. |
| Ben Stokes is back on the field. Nasser Hussain on air informs us that the word from the English dressing room is that Stokes has got a sore right shoulder. That means he might not bowl any more in this innings (That last sentence is our assumption). |
| 95.1 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 95.2 : C Overton to Smith, FOUR! CLASSY! Boundary number 18 for Smith. Another fine shot. Full and straight, Smith drives it straight back to where it came from. Through mid on and to the fence. |
| 95.3 : C Overton to Smith, Easy-peasy. Full and around off, Steven works it wide of mid on for a couple. Moves to 161. |
| 95.4 : C Overton to Smith, A bouncer around off, Steven sways away from the line, even though the ball goes past his face. The ball dips and barely carries to the keeper. |
| 95.5 : Overton to S Smith, What was that? A short ball, outside off, SS looks to pull/hook and ends up swatting it. Gets a top edge which does not carry to long leg. A single taken. |
| 95.6 : C Overton to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 96.1 : J Archer to Smith, A short ball outside off, Smith arches his back and guides it but finds Ben Stokes at gully. |
| 96.2 : J Archer to Smith, FOUR! Off the glove. A short ball, down the leg side, Smith gets across to nudge and just gets it past a diving Jonny Bairstow to the fine leg fence. |
| 96.3 : J Archer to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 96.4 : J Archer to S Smith, A bouncer, around off, Steven ducks. |
| 96.5 : J Archer to Smith, Around middle, worked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 96.6 : J Archer to Smith, Another leave outside off to end the over. |
| Jack Leach called on to bowl now. 18.1-2-57-1 so far. Coming for the first time from the Jimmy Anderson end. |
| 97.1 : J Leach to Paine, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 97.2 : J Leach to Paine, FIFTY FOR PAINE! After spending 17 balls on 49, Paine finally gets to the mark which has eluded him for the last 17 innings in Tests. Full and outside off, Paine reaches out and drives it through mid off. A single taken to finally raise his bat. |
| 97.3 : J Leach to Smith, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 97.4 : J Leach to S Smith, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 97.5 : J Leach to Smith, A length ball, in line of the stumps, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 97.6 : J Leach to Paine, Landed outside off, Tim shoulders arms and then pads it away. |
| 98.1 : J Archer to Smith, IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! A short ball outside off, Smith ramps it towards third man and almost finds the fielder. Joe Denly comes running in but cannot quite get to the ball. A single taken. |
| 98.2 : J Archer to Paine, Outside off, left alone. The ball comes in and then hits Bairstow hard on the gloves, around the fingers. He winces in pain. |
| 98.3 : J Archer to Paine, A bouncer around middle, Paine ducks. |
| 98.4 : J Archer to Paine, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple. |
| 98.5 : J Archer to Paine, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 98.6 : J Archer to Paine, FOUR! Short and outside off, Paine cuts it behind point and gets a boundary! |
| A bit of a delay as the physio is on for Jonny Bairstow. Stuart Broad is off the field as well, as he slipped on the field a few moments ago. Tea is not far away... |
| 99.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around middle, Smith comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 99.2 : J Leach to Smith, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 99.3 : J Leach to Paine, Outside off, punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 99.4 : J Leach to Paine, Full and around middle, Paine flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 99.5 : J Leach to Paine, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 99.6 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around middle, worked towards short leg. |
| Joe Denly to roll his arm over again. Possibly the last over before Tea. 2-1-3-0 so far. |
| 100.1 : Joe Denly to Paine, Full and around leg, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 100.2 : Joe Denly to Paine, Full and down the leg side, Paine looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Paine wants a single but is then sent back. |
| 100.3 : Joe Denly to Paine, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 100.4 : Joe Denly to Paine, Full and around middle, flicked away for a run. |
| 100.5 : Joe Denly to Smith, FOUR! Oh dear. Loads of rubbish. A half-tracker, around middle, Smith heaves this wide of mid on and finds the fence as well. And with that STEVEN SMITH GOES PAST VIRAT KOHLI. He now has 6750 Test runs, as opposed to Kohli's 6749. Smith's average is 64.90, while VK's average is 53.14. |
| 100.6 : Joe Denly to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully defended to end the session. TEA ON DAY 2! |
| 124/0 in 32 overs. Australia's session would be making an understatement. The former captain and the present captain are making a case to ensure that the urn still stays in Australia's grasp. |
| England had their chances but they did not capitalize. Both Smith and Paine were let off and the hosts have no one but themselves to blame. The bowling is starting to looking tired and that can happen, once the three-figure mark is reached in the overs department. Plus, they have got a semi-fit Archer and Stokes, which does not make matters any easy. |
| 41 overs left in the day. We have now reached a point from England looking to bowl Australia out to Australia looking to pick up a couple of wickets by Stumps. The forecast is okay, so we should get most of those overs in. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT) for all the action from the final session. |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ... |
| Steven Smith is patiently waiting for his skipper to come. The English players are coming down from their balcony and eventually, after what seems like an age, Tim Paine walks down the stairs from the Aussie dressing room to meet Smith. We are all in readiness to begin the third session. Craig Overton to start off proceedings. 21-2-69-1 so far. |
| 101.1 : C Overton to Tim Paine, OUT! Caught behind! A wicket on the very first ball after Tea! Will this spice England up? A length ball, outside off, Paine looks to defend but the ball straightens slightly to take a thin outside edge. Jonny Bairstow collects and appeals and Paine is on his bike. A dogged, watchful innings comes to an end and England break the 145-run stand at last. |
| 0.0 : Into the bowlers then. Pat Cummins is the first of those. |
| 101.2 : C Overton to Cummins, Full and around middle, watchfully defended. |
| 101.3 : C Overton to Cummins, FOUR! Cummins is underway. Full and down the leg side, Patrick just tickles it towards the fine leg fence. |
| 101.4 : C Overton to Cummins, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 101.5 : C Overton to Cummins, Outside off, played it straight to point. |
| 101.6 : C Overton to Cummins, Pushes this straight to point. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. 20.1-2-61-1 so far. |
| 102.1 : J Leach to Smith, SIX! A full toss from Leach, Smith comes down the track and hammers it over mid-wicket. Just clears the ropes. |
| 102.2 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 102.3 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 102.4 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, punched through the covers for a single. |
| 102.5 : J Leach to Cummins, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 102.6 : J Leach to Cummins, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 103.1 : C Overton to Smith, WIDE! Full and outside the pitch. Smith gets across and then shoulders arms. |
| C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 103.2 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off again, let through. |
| 103.3 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, let through again. |
| 103.4 : C Overton to Smith, An interesting leave this time. Steven lets it pass and then swats his bat through thin air. |
| 103.5 : C Overton to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 103.6 : C Overton to Smith, On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 104.1 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, Smith watchfully defends. |
| 104.2 : J Leach to Smith, FOUR! Another freebie. A flighted ball, Smith dances down the track, converts this into a full toss and whips this through mid-wicket. |
| 104.3 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, punched straight to point. Cummins rushes across for the single but then is sent back. |
| 104.4 : J Leach to Smith, This time Smith gets a single, with a punch through point. |
| 104.5 : J Leach to Cummins, Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler. |
| 104.6 : J Leach to Pat Cummins, OUT! Edged and taken. This is not a no ball. Nicely bowled. Flighted outside off, Cummins comes forward to defend but there is some extra bounce on this one. The ball hits the splice of the bat and goes towards first slip where Ben Stokes takes a sitter. |
| Next bowler. Mitchell Starc. For the first time in this series. Steven Smith is 14 short of 200. Australia are 13 short of 400. |
| 105.1 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, Smith lets it go and then swishes at thin air. |
| 105.2 : C Overton to Smith, A good length ball outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 105.3 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 105.4 : C Overton to Smith, Around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 105.5 : C Overton to Smith, A good length ball outside off, let through. |
| 105.6 : C Overton to Smith, Around off, watchfully defended. It is a maiden which means Starc will be on strike in the next over! |
| 106.1 : J Leach to Starc, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 106.2 : J Leach to Starc, On middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 106.3 : J Leach to Starc, Full and around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 106.4 : J Leach to Starc, Around middle, watchfully pushed in front of short leg. |
| 106.5 : J Leach to M Starc, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 106.6 : J Leach to Starc, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. He has seen this over off. |
| 107.1 : C Overton to Smith, Good length delivery outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 107.2 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone again. |
| 107.3 : C Overton to S Smith, FOUR! Into the 190s! A short ball outside off, Smith gets across and drags this wide of mid on for a boundary! |
| 107.4 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, left alone,. |
| 107.5 : C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, Smith looks to drive this through the covers but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler. |
| 107.6 : C Overton to Smith, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 108.1 : J Leach to Starc, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 108.2 : J Leach to Starc, Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 108.3 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, short in length, punched through the covers for a run. |
| 108.4 : J Leach to Starc, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 108.5 : J Leach to Starc, On middle, flicked towards short leg. |
| 108.6 : J Leach to Starc, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 109.1 : C Overton to Smith, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 109.2 : C Overton to Smith, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump again. |
| 109.3 : C Overton to Smith, Almost a replica of yesterday. Full and miles outside off, Smith throws his bat at it, reaching out but cannot get his willow to touch it. He slips later too. Yesterday, he reached his half century while playing that shot. |
| 109.4 : C Overton to Smith, WIDE. Now, this is outside the pitch and umpire Erasmus shoulders arms. |
| C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, let through again. |
| 109.5 : C Overton to S Smith, Full and around off, Smith works it towards mid on, calls for a quick single but then changes his mind. |
| 109.6 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 110.1 : J Leach to M Starc, Full and around middle, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 110.2 : J Leach to Smith, Landed around middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 110.3 : J Leach to Smith, That is a beauty. Leach tosses this up slowly outside off, Steven lunges to defend but the ball pitches and then spins away past the outside edge. |
| 110.4 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, Steven looks to cut but misses. |
| 110.5 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully pushed towards cover. |
| 110.6 : J Leach to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 111.1 : C Overton to Starc, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 111.2 : C Overton to Starc, Full and outside off, Starc looks to drive but makes no feet movement. Is beaten comprehensively. |
| 111.3 : C Overton to Starc, EDGED, BUT DOES NOT CARRY. Full and outside off, Starc looks to push but the ball nibbles away and takes the outside edge. Unfortunately it does not carry to second slip. Ben Stokes gets across and tries to catch but gets hit on the fingers. |
| 111.4 : C Overton to Starc, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 111.5 : C Overton to Starc, FOUR! CRISP! Full and straight, Starc drives this straight back as an arrow and hits the long on fence! |
| 111.6 : C Overton to Starc, Outside off, left alone. |
| 112.1 : J Leach to Smith, SIX! Moves to 197! Full and outside off, Smith comes down the track and lofts it over mid off. He seems to have got enough on it and clears long off! 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! |
| 112.2 : J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, Smith looks to flick and run towards square leg but then changes his mind. |
| 112.3 : J Leach to S Smith, Full and outside off, Steven lunges and pushes it towards cover-point. |
| 112.4 : J Leach to Smith, Outside off, dabbed past slip. However, backward point gets across and slides to his left, keeping the batsmen to a single. |
| 112.5 : J Leach to Starc, Full and around off, whacked straight to mid on. |
| 112.6 : J Leach to Starc, Pushes this back to the bowler. |
| 113.1 : C Overton to Smith, Outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 113.2 : C Overton to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. Pretty wide again. |
| 113.3 : C Overton to Smith, Moves to 199. A length ball outside off, Smith gets across, waits for the ball to come to him and then dabs it late towards third man. He is cross with himself the moment he plays that shot. Perhaps he wanted to get it behind point and extremely fine of third man for at least a couple. Gets only a single. |
| 113.4 : C Overton to Starc, A bouncer now, around middle, Starc ducks. |
| 113.5 : C Overton to Starc, Full and around off, Mitchell looks to drive but misses. |
| 113.6 : C Overton to Starc, Outside off, left alone this time. |
| Stuart Broad comes back on for one more attempt to try and get his 300th Test wicket in England. 23-2-74-3 so far. What a wicket it would be, if it is Steven Smith. |
| 114.1 : S Broad to Smith, Oopss... Starc is in trouble! Safe in the end. A length ball, around off, Smith got across and tucked it straight to square leg. Rory Burns picked it but Starc was halfway down the track, eager to give his former skipper the strike. He was sent back rightly and Rory missed his shy at the bowler's end. |
| 114.2 : S Broad to Smith, THIRD TEST DOUBLE CENTURY FOR STEVEN SMITH! All his three have been against England. Full and around off, Smith gets across and nudges it behind square leg. He runs hard for the second and then raises his bat to the crowd in jubilation. The helmet is off and the smile is back. Declaration now? |
| 114.3 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, left alone with a swish of the bat. |
| 114.4 : S Broad to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 114.5 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, Steven plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 114.6 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Fine shot. Full and around middle, Smith drives this through mid on and finds the long on fence. |
| Desperation time. Joe Root to bowl. |
| 115.1 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 115.2 : Joe Root to Starc, A full toss, around middle, Starc heaves it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 115.3 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and outside off, Mitchell looks to drive but misses. The ball pitches on the rough, spins away and goes behind. Bairstow is unable to collect and the ball goes off his gloves to first slip where Ben Stokes is hit on the left shin. Hobbles in pain. |
| 115.4 : Joe Root to Starc, Outside off, MS plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 115.5 : Joe Root to Starc, Outside off, dabbed straight to backward point. |
| 115.6 : Joe Root to Starc, The arm ball, Starc looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is an appeal from Bairstow but Root himself is not interested. Going down leg perhaps. |
| 116.1 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 116.2 : S Broad to Smith, Gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 116.3 : S Broad to Starc, FOUR! That is a full toss, on the pads and Starc tickles it to the fine leg fence. |
| 116.4 : S Broad to Starc, FOUR! SPANKED! Starc has got the license. Full and on middle, Starc hammers this straight back past the bowler through mid on! |
| 116.5 : S Broad to Starc, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Starc is in the mood. Full and straight again, Starc bashes it over mid on! |
| 116.6 : S Broad to Starc, FOUR! A bit streaky this time and Starc is having fun at Broad's cost. A length ball outside off, pretty wide, Starc throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies behind point to the fence! 17 from the over. |
| 117.1 : Joe Root to Smith, Looks like the declaration is around the corner. Smith backs a long way to the leg side and then carves it over cover for a single. |
| 117.2 : Joe Root to M Starc, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 117.3 : Joe Root to Starc, Outside off, punched towards cover for a run. |
| 117.4 : Joe Root to Smith, FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and down the leg side, Smith paddles this through fine leg and beats the man in the deep, to his right! 50-RUN STAND is up between these two as well! |
| 117.5 : Joe Root to Smith, OUT! Oh dear. What has happened? Is the press working? Stop it. Restart. Steven Smith has been dismissed. Yes, you read that right. Steven Smith has been dismissed. Copy that. Roger that. England could not find a way to get him out, so he himself has got out. Full and outside off, Smith looks to play the reverse sweep but finds Joe Denly at short third man. Interestingly, Root, who is an off spinner, tried the leg spin and voila, it worked! The best batsman of the oppos |
| Unbelievable. Australia still continue to bat. Nathan Lyon comes on now. |
| 117.6 : Joe Root to Lyon, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| Jofra Archer comes back on. 23-3-73-0 so far. |
| 118.1 : J Archer to Lyon, Down the leg side, Lyon looks to flick but misses. |
| 118.2 : J Archer to Lyon, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 118.3 : Archer to N Lyon, TOP EDGE, FOUR! A short ball, around middle, Lyon looks to pull but gets a top edge which sails over long leg! The fielder runs across to his left but cannot get there! The ball just bounces into the ropes. |
| 118.4 : J Archer to Lyon, Outside off, left alone. |
| 118.5 : J Archer to Lyon, FOUR! Stunning shot. Outside off, Lyon punches it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 118.6 : J Archer to Lyon, Pushes this straight to point. |
| 119.1 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and around middle, Starc goes back to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 119.2 : Joe Root to Starc, SIX! TAKE THAT! Tossed up, outside off, Starc gets down and mows it over mid-wicket for half a dozen! |
| Has Joe Root got another? There is an LBW appeal made against Starc. Root takes the review. Ultra Edge detects a spike when the ball goes past the glove. |
| 119.3 : Root to Starc, NOT OUT. There is glove involved. Full and around off, Starc got down and across to middle but missed and was hit on the pads. The ball rolled down to fine leg and Starc took a single but Bairstow was confidently appealing and suggested that Root should take the review. The skipper seemed disinterested but then took it. Ultra Edge detected glove when the ball went past the glove. |
| 119.4 : Joe Root to Lyon, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 119.5 : Joe Root to Starc, FOUR! Another mow. Full and outside off, Starc gets down and swings this cleanly over mid-wicket. Stuart Broad at wide long on can only watch. |
| 119.6 : Joe Root to Starc, FOUR! The slog sweep again! Full and in the arc of Starc, looks to dismiss it out of the park but cannot quite get it over. Beats Broad to his left at wide long on. 16 from the over. |
| 120.1 : J Archer to Lyon, Short ball to start off after the drinks break, Lyon goes for the hook but misses. |
| 120.2 : J Archer to Lyon, Another shorter one, this time Lyon chooses the smart option as he just opens the face of his bat and plays the upper cut. It falls just short of the man at third man and the batters take a single. |
| 120.3 : J Archer to Starc, Outside off, left alone by Starc. |
| 120.4 : J Archer to Starc, Bouncer again! Starc does well to evade it. |
| 120.5 : Archer to M Starc, EDGED AND SIX! This is a shorter one outside off, Starc goes for the pull but top edges it towards third man. Buttler goes for a diving effort on the fence but the ball just goes past him and past the boundary ropes for a six. |
| 120.6 : J Archer to Starc, The batsman has played it to the point region. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 121.1 : Joe Root to Lyon, Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 121.2 : Joe Root to Lyon, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 121.3 : Joe Root to Starc, Tossed up around leg, he flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 121.4 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and floated outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 121.5 : Joe Root to Starc, On the pads of Starc, he flicks it towards mid on for a single. |
| 121.6 : Joe Root to Lyon, This time on the pads of Lyon, he flicks it towards square leg and takes one. |
| 122.1 : J Archer to Lyon, Bouncer by Archer, Lyon uses the upper cut to flash it over the keeper. The man from third man runs to his left and mops it up as the batters take one. |
| 122.2 : J Archer to Starc, Another bouncer, Starc does well to evade it. |
| 122.3 : J Archer to Starc, FIFTY FOR STARC! His 10th in Tests and he is pushing Australia towards 500. On the pads of Starc, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single to get to his fifty. |
| 122.4 : J Archer to Lyon, The batsman goes after this one but misses the line completely. |
| 122.5 : J Archer to Lyon, Short of a length outside off, Lyon cuts it towards point where Denly dives and saves at least a couple for his side. |
| 122.6 : J Archer to Lyon, Another shorter one by Archer, Lyon goes for the pull but misses it completely. |
| 123.1 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and outside off, Starc gets down and hoicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. The stand is worth 40 from 32 balls. |
| 123.2 : Joe Root to Lyon, Around off, tucked through mid-wicket for a quick single. |
| 123.3 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and outside off, spinning away off the rough, Mitchell looks to swing hard but misses. |
| 123.4 : Joe Root to Starc, Outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 123.5 : Joe Root to Starc, Full and outside off, MS swings hard but misses again. |
| 123.6 : Joe Root to Starc, Run out missed. Full and outside off, Starc looks to swing hard again and now he connects. |
| 124.1 : J Archer to Lyon, Length ball outside off, Lyon goes for a wild swipe towards mid on but misses it completely. |
| 124.2 : J Archer to Lyon, Short delivery by Archer, Lyon pulls this towards the leg side. |
| 124.3 : J Archer to Lyon, TOP EDGED AND FOUR! Another bouncer by Archer, Lyon goes for the wild pull but he gets a top edge on it. The ball skies and goes behind towards the third man fence on one bounce. |
| 124.4 : J Archer to Lyon, Length ball on middle and off, Lyon tries to block it out but gets a thick inside edge on it as the ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take one. |
| 124.5 : J Archer to Starc, Length ball on off, blocked out. |
| 124.6 : J Archer to Starc, Another length ball outside off, Starc blocks it out towards mid off. |
| 125.1 : Joe Root to Lyon, FOUR BYES! Floated just outside the leg pole, Lyon goes for the sweep but it misses everything. Bairstow fails to collect it and so does Broad who puts in a dive to the right side of him from short fine leg. It races towards the fence. |
| 125.2 : Joe Root to Lyon, Full and floated on middle and leg, Lyon sweeps it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 125.3 : Joe Root to Starc, Starc punches this off the back foot. |
| 125.4 : Joe Root to Starc, This time Starc plays the slog sweep and takes a single. |
| 125.5 : Joe Root to Lyon, FOUR! Lyon comes down the track to this floated ball on middle and off. He smashes it towards mid-wicket as the ball crosses the fence on one bounce. |
| 125.6 : Joe Root to Lyon, Swept by Lyon towards fine leg and the batters take one. And that's it, Tim Paine has signalled for the declaration. Australia end their innings at 497/8. |
| 16 overs left in the day. Remove 2 for innings break. 42 minutes left in the day. 10 minutes for changeover. So that means Australia have 30 minutes tonight to try and get a wicket or two. |
| Commanding position for Australia. As expected, they rode on Steven Smith's form and pummeled England. And look at how that has helped the confidence of the other batsmen. Actually, it was the Labuschagne-Smith stand which really set the platform. Then, once Marnus departed, it was Smith and Smith all the way through, forging stands of 39, 41 and 145 for the next three wickets - a healthy 225. England were just left flat. |
| A miserable day for England. They started nicely, getting Travis Head early but after that, once Smith started to take control, things started to go haywire. Broad took 3 wickets while overcooked Archer was wicketless and Stokes was hammered. Leach and Overton bowled decently. |
| Around 6-7 overs before Stumps. Too less to strike? Too much to negotiate? We shall find that out in a while. A new opening pair walks out for England to open - Rory Burns and Joe Denly. As expected, Mitchell Starc will start off proceedings. Burns to face. |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Burns, Full and outside off, Burns lets it go through. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Burns, Around off, in line of the stumps, swinging in slightly solidly defended. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Burns, Sprayed wide outside off, left alone easily. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Burns, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Burns, Another one off the radar, well outside off, a comfortable leave. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Burns, A better final ball to finish an erratic opening over. Full and just outside off, swinging away, Rory thinks about playing at that but then bails out. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball with Starc. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, A length ball outside off, coming in, Denly shoulders arms and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, In the Hazlewood corridor of uncertainty, Denly looks to feel it but misses as the ball just misses the outside edge. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Outside off, quietly left alone. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, A length ball outside off, Joe comes forward to defend but this is a Hazlewood special. After getting three inswingers, he bowls an outswinger, making Denly play at one which the latter thinks will swing in. Doesn't and misses the outside edge. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, ENGLAND ARE AWAY. Full and outside off, JD pushes it towards cover with soft hands and takes a quick single. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, A short ball, on middle and leg, Burns ducks but the ball hits his left forearm before lobbing to Matthew Wade at short leg. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Denly, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Denly, Outside off, pretty wide, easily left alone. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Denly, This is even wider outside off, Joe is happy to leave that alone. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Denly, There comes the short ball. Straight, at the body, Denly takes his eyes off the delivery and looks to fend ungainly. The ball hits his glove and then his left shoulder, before dropping down. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Denly, Full and outside off, a nice free-flowing drive, but straight to short extra cover. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Denly, A length ball, around off, swinging in, JD looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, A length ball, around middle, Burns works it with the inward movement towards fine leg for a single. Both openers off the mark now. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, That is a good one from Hazlewood. He bowls this on a length outside off, gets Denly to feel for it and then makes the ball to nip off the seam. Beats the outside edge by a whisker. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Massive appeal for LBW! Turned down. Paine looks at Hazlewood who grits his teeth and indicates it to be going down the leg side. Ball Tracker confirms. A length ball, outside off, Denly looks to defend but the cherry comes back in a long way and goes past the inside edge to hit him on the pads. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Outside off, pretty wide, Joe goes searching for it and misses. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Much better from both players. Hazlewood keeps the line around off while Denly keeps his bat well inside the line. He is still beaten as the ball moves away but at least in this case, he did not go searching for the ball. Josh smiles and mutters some words to Denly. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl now. Replaces the ordinary Starc. |
| 4.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Cummins is welcomed into the attack with a nice push. Outside off, Burns leans and eases this through the covers. Cover and point track it down and the batsmen take three on the long boundary. |
| 4.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Around off, on a length, solidly defended. |
| 4.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, More runs. Short and wide from Cummins, Denly punches it through the covers. Three more. |
| 4.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Way down the leg side, left alone. |
| 4.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on for a single. |
| 4.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Length ball on the hips of Burns, he pushes it down onto the pitch and goes straight to short leg. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Length ball outside off, Burns blocks it out. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Good length ball outside off, Burns takes a foot towards the line of the delivery but then leaves it alone. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Bouncer by Hazlewood now. Burns almost knew it was coming and does well to duck under it. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, What a jaffa! Short of a length ball pitching on leg, the ball kept on going away from Burns. He tried to hop and play but is beaten by the movement by just a whisker. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, NO BALL! On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards square leg. However, Hazlewood has overstepped and this is signalled as a no ball by the umpire. |
| J Hazlewood to Burns, Beaten again! Burns again plays inside the line of the delivery to this length ball outside off. |
| 6.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, JD has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 6.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Length ball way outside off, Denly leaves it alone. |
| 6.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Beaten! Length ball just around off, it pitches and moves away. Denly plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 6.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and beats the batsman. |
| 6.5 : Pat Cummins to Joe Denly, OUT! CAUGHT! Sharp catch by Matthew Wade and Joe Denly is a goner! This is on a length, on middle and leg, Denly looks to tuck it towards the leg side but does so uppishly and straight towards Wade at short leg. It goes quickly towards him, hits him on the chest and the ball bounces out. Wade is quick to react and he dives to his right full stretch to gobble up the ball. Australia get the first wicket that they desperately wanted today and it is delivered by Hazle |
| Craig Overton is the new man in for the hosts. |
| 6.6 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Fuller on the pads, Overton drives it towards mid on and gets off the mark with a couple. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl now. |
| 7.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 7.2 : N Lyon to Burns, FOUR! Short and outside off, Burns rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary! |
| 7.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Outside off, Rory looks to cut but this time finds point. |
| 7.4 : N Lyon to Burns, FOUR! Off the bottom edge! Short and outside off, Burns looks to cut but gets a bottom edge past the keeper to the third man fence. |
| 7.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 7.6 : N Lyon to Burns, Short and outside off, RB cuts it behind point. Travis Head gives it a good chase from backward point and pulls it back in with a slide. Fumbles while returning the ball but the batsmen are happy with two. |
| 8.1 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Length ball outside off, left alone by Overton. |
| 8.2 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Play and a miss! Length ball just outside off, Overton looks to block it out off the front foot but does so inside the line of the delivery and is beaten. |
| 8.3 : Pat Cummins to Overton, On the hips of Overton, he flicks it towards leg gully uppishly but it falls just short. |
| 8.4 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Again on the pads of Overton, he pushes this towards mid on. |
| 8.5 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Down the leg side, Craig pushes this towards fine leg and takes a single. Burns on strike now. |
| 8.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Around the wicket for the last ball of the over. Bouncer on the last ball of the over but way down the leg side. Burns lets it through to the keeper. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. He will bowl the final over of the day. |
| 9.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Outside off to start the over by Hazlewood, Overton leaves it alone. |
| 9.2 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Bouncer this time, mixing it up. It is down the leg side and Overton ducks under it. |
| 9.3 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Good length ball now, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 9.4 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Full and around off, blocked out by Craig. |
| 9.5 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Bouncer down the leg side by Hazlewood, Craig lets it through to Paine. |
| 9.6 : J Hazlewood to Overton, A bouncer outside off, Overton sways away from the line of the bouncer and lets it pass. STUMPS ON DAY 2, England 23/1, trail by 474! |
| A solid day for Australia. Batted long and hard and in the dying moments of the day, managed to nip out a wicket as well. The bowling was not as efficient as it was predicted to be and perhaps those 45 minutes were a bit too less for the bowlers to absorb the pressure. |
| England have their backs to the wall at the moment but they will believe that the pitch is still a decent one to bat upon. There is some indifferent bounce but it has not totally gone two-paced. Day 3 should still be a good one for batting but then, weather could play spoilsport. Plenty of showers are predicted on Friday and Australia will hope that they get enough time to at least bowl out England once. Join us at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 3. ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Smudge. Precocious. Legend. Modern Don. Call him what you want. It was his day. Steven Smith had his name etched on the honours board and it is now upto his bowlers to drag that advantage. Australia certainly have the upper hand but England have their batting momentum from the third Test. Will we see a surrender or a fight? Hello and a warm welcome to the third day of the fourth Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester. |
| A bit of a bad news to begin with. Ummm... that depends on whom are you supporting or what are you supporting. If you are supporting Australia or just the game you will not like it. You want the game to move forward. If you are an English supporter, boy, you would be loving this. Stay indoors! Let it rain, may we gain! |
| England won't mind the rain as they have their back against the wall at the moment and a couple of bad sessions would probably mean that their chance of regaining the Urn takes a massive dive. The visitors though will hope that the weather clears as soon as possible so that they can have a crack at the English batting line-up. We will keep updating you as soon as we have anything positive. |
| Update - 1130 Local (1030 GMT) - We have some good news then as we see the umpires are having a walk around the square with the showers completely stopped. There are some damp patches around and that is what has delayed the start further. Hope the groundsmen are able to clear this as soon as possible. Well, just as I was writing that, THE COVERS ARE BACK ON! It is not raining as of yet but the groundstaff are surely expecting some. The wait continues... |
| Update - 1200 local (1100 GMT) - So, the groundsmen did get it right, they brought the covers on when it was not raining as they expected it to and it has arrived. Any play before Lunch looks bleak. However, the forecast is promising after that. Let's keep our fingers crossed. |
| Update - 1220 local (1120 GMT) - So, rightly, early Lunch has been taken from 1230 local to 1310 local and an inspection is going to be taken at 1300 local. However, if it continues to rain, the inspection won't matter. |
| Update 1315 local (1215) - Hurray! We have great news for you! The groundsmen have done a tremendous job and we have a start time for you. The game is set to begin at 1330 local, the second session will go on till 1620 local and the last session will end at 1900 local. Also, 30 minutes extra can be taken if the overs to be bowled are not completed. 78 overs to be bowled, so we still have a lot of cricket left today. |
| Finally, the play is set to begin on Day 3. The Australian players are out in the middle. England's overnight batters, Rory Burns and Craig Overton are out in the middle too, with a massive task in front of them. Mitchell Starc to start the proceedings for the visitors. It is cloudy at the moment and the Australian seamer will hope to get some assistance. Here we go... |
| 10.1 : M Starc to Burns, A short one to start with this is on the body, Burns looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 10.2 : M Starc to Burns, This is a good nut! Slightly shorter though, it pitches and straightens. Burns plays it well by taking his hands out of the way. |
| 10.3 : M Starc to Burns, A little too wide outside off, it is left alone. |
| 10.4 : M Starc to Burns, Finds the edge but well short! Better from Starc. This is on a length and on off, it shapes away a touch. Burns looks to defend with soft hands but it goes off the outer half to third slip. |
| 10.5 : M Starc to Burns, That was close! This is angled into the pads, Burns looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Starc appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Paine walks up to his bowler but Starc indicates that it is going down leg. Rightly so as Ball Tracker confirms the same. It looked close initially though. |
| 10.6 : M Starc to Burns, A dot to end! Shorter and on middle, the batter stands tall and keeps it out. A maiden to begin with by Starc. |
| Josh Hazlewood comes on to bowl for the first time today. His figures so far 4-1-3-0. With cloudy conditions it needs to be seen how much swing Hazlewood gets. |
| 11.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Starts off with a good length delivery and on off, Overton defends it. Good bounce there for Hazlewood as he hit the higher part of the bat. |
| 11.2 : J Hazlewood to Overton, A solid punch to get the first runs of the day! This is slightly fuller and on off, Overton pushes it through covers for two. |
| 11.3 : J Hazlewood to C Overton, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! 50th Test wicket for Hazlewood against England in Tests. The nightwatchman is out of here and early on. Perfect start for the Australians as had Overton hung out there, it would have really frustrated them. Another length delivery by Hazlewood, this is angled into the batter. Overton looks to defend it but does so with hard hands. The ball straightens, goes off the outside edge quickly to Smith at second slip who makes no mistake. |
| Joe Root the English skipper walks out early on day 3. He is been short of runs. England need him to play a captain's knock here. He faces Hazlewood who has given him a lot of tough time in the series. |
| 11.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, Off the mark is Root! Not in convincing fashion! This is on a good length and around off, it comes back in. Root looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge towards fine leg for one. |
| 11.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, A good short one! Seen that being bowled to Burns quite a lot. Rory ducks under it. |
| 11.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Beauty! Uses the angle well. This is on a length and on off, it slants away. Burns tries to defend but due to the angle away, he gets beaten. End of a top first over by Hazlewood. |
| 12.1 : M Starc to Root, 2 balls, 2 singles for Root! On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one. |
| 12.2 : M Starc to Burns, Another good ball! This is around off but a touch shorter. Burns looks to defend but then sees it moving away so pulls his bat back. |
| 12.3 : M Starc to Burns, Slightly fuller and on off, no swing for Starc. Burns keeps it out. |
| 12.4 : M Starc to Burns, Sharp, sharp bouncer! On middle, Burns at the end, evades it. |
| 12.5 : M Starc to Burns, Another full ball on middle, Burns pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 12.6 : M Starc to Burns, FOUR! First boundary of the day! Lovely shot. This is fuller and on off, it is a half volley. Burns creams it through covers and it races away to the fence. |
| 13.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Almost gets Root another time! Not a shot Root needs to play early on. This is fuller and outside off, it shapes away a little. Root looks to stroke it through covers but misses. |
| 13.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, Close! This is just outside off and it is coming back in. Root makes a good leave by covering his off pole. |
| 13.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, Another good leave! This is just outside off once again, comes back in. Root leaves it on length and the ball goes over the off pole. Two good leaves by Root after playing a loose shot on the first ball. |
| 13.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, Now Hazlewood goes fuller and on middle, Root pushes it to mid on. |
| 13.5 : J Hazlewood to Root, Four running runs! Don't see that often now a days. A lovely shot though by Root. This will make him feel good. Fuller and on off, Root strokes it through covers. Mid off gives it a chase and pulls it back in before it crosses the ropes. The batters though run four. |
| 13.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, That stayed low! Outside off and on a length. Root looks to defend but is beaten due to the low bounce. |
| 14.1 : M Starc to Burns, Good delivery! This is on a length around off, it shapes away. Burns defends inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 14.2 : M Starc to Burns, This is on the pads, Burns looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 14.3 : M Starc to Burns, Extremely full, almost a yorker on off. Burns jams it out. |
| 14.4 : M Starc to Burns, Back of a length and on off, Burns stands tall and keeps it out. Starc's lines have been good today, he just needs to get it a touch fuller. |
| 14.5 : M Starc to Burns, Like that! A little too wide this time but he got the batter playing at it. Also, clever bowling. He kept angling it into the batter. This time gets it to leave him. The length is also a driving one and outside off. RB looks to drive but is beaten. |
| 14.6 : M Starc to Burns, That is a beauty! This is on a length and around off, shapes away nicely. Burns' outside edge is beaten as he tries to block. |
| 15.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Outside off and coming back in. Does not come in enough though to make the batter play. |
| 15.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, Attacks the stumps this time, Root gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 15.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, Goes wide of the crease and angles it on a length and around off, Hazlewood wanted it to straighten after pitching but that does not happen. Root defends it. |
| 15.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Deft! Nicely played! Shorter and outside off, Root goes back and plays it late. He guides it past third slip and the ball races away to the third man fence. |
| 15.5 : J Hazlewood to Root, The slip cordon gets excited but nothing from the bowler! This is behind a length, it lands on middle and then jags back in. Root looks to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 15.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, A short one to end but it is outside off, left alone. |
| 16.1 : M Starc to Burns, On middle, Burns pushes it to mid on. |
| 16.2 : M Starc to Burns, FOUR! A freebie but it still has to be put away! A full toss on off, Burns says thank you very much and creams it through covers for a boundary. |
| Change of shoes for Mitchell Starc. He faced a few issues while landing in the last few balls and hence, the shoes are changed. |
| 16.3 : M Starc to Burns, A couple now! On the pads, looking to hit the pads of Burns but it is too straight this time. Burns works it through square leg for two. |
| 16.4 : M Starc to Burns, Extremely full again and on off, it is jammed out. |
| 16.5 : M Starc to Burns, Shortens his length now by a long way, Burns works it around the corner for two. |
| 16.6 : M Starc to Burns, One more short ball outside off, Burns spots it early and sways away. |
| 17.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Full again and tailing back in. Root strokes it to mid off. |
| 17.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, This starts on off and it tails back in. Root defends it onto the ground. |
| 17.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, A scrambled seam delivery, shorter in length. It is just outside off. Root initially looks to poke at it but then bails out. |
| 17.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, Down the leg side, Root looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad. Paine dives to his left but does not stop it cleanly. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes towards fine leg. |
| 17.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Back of a length and on middle, the batter stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 17.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Well kept! This is fuller and on the pads, it swings in further. Burns misses the flick. Paine does well to dive to his right and stop it. Not cleanly but no runs conceded. |
| Pat Cummins is on now! First change for Australia today. His bowling figures so far 3-0-10-1. |
| 18.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Fuller and on off, Root strokes it to mid off. |
| 18.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, Length this time but outside off, Root lets it be. |
| 18.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, Almost drags it on! This is a back of a length ball on off, comes back in a little. Root looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his boot and then it rolls away from the stumps. |
| 18.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, BEATEN! Not a lot you can do there. It is angled into off, lands on a length and then moves away. Root defends the original trajectory and gets beaten. |
| 18.5 : Pat Cummins to Root, On the shorter side and on off, Root stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 18.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, Slightly fuller and on off, Root though gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| Nathan Lyon is on now! Change from both the ends for Australia. Lyon has been brought on for building the pressure from one end on the English batsmen. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on middle, Burns pushes it to covers. Paine liked the way Lyon starts his spell. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Burns, A little extra bounce there! It is slightly shorter and on off, Burns goes back and guides it to point. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Well bowled! This starts on leg, pitches and then turns away. Burns gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Burns, Slows it up nicely and bowls it on middle, blocked. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Risky, risky shot. This is flatter and on middle, it is the arm ball. Burns goes back and he initially looks to hit it on the off side but seeing it skid through, he keeps it out by getting his bat down. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Burns, A single to end! Burns brings the sweep shot out. He hits it through square leg for one. Not a lot of purchase for Lyon in his first over. |
| 20.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 20.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Shorter and on the body, Burns gets on top of the bounce and nudges it to short leg. Played that nicely. |
| 20.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more short ball on off, it is evaded nicely. |
| 20.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Third bumper in a row, this time it is closer to the body. Burns looks to move out of the way but it hits the arm and goes to the keeper. Three bouncers in a row, a yorker now? |
| 20.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Nope, he bowls it on a length. Burns is solid in defense. |
| 20.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, A nasty delivery to end! Shorter and it gets big on the batter. Burns somehow tries to fend at it but the ball hits the body and goes on the off side. A nasty over by Cummins comes to an end. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Root, Turn there! It is bowled way too wide outside off though. Root lets it be. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Root, Slightly shorter and outside off, Root cuts it but to point. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Root, Flatter and on off, Root pushes it to covers. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Root, Turn again! This lands outside off and spins back in. Root goes back and defends it. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball to end on off, Root is solid in defense again. |
| 22.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more short one outside off, Burns drops his hands and lets it be. |
| 22.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, No ball! Pat oversteps! 50 up for England. They trail by another 447. Shorter and on the body this time, Burns ducks under it. |
| Pat Cummins to Burns, One more bumper angling across from the middle pole. Burns drops his hands once again and lets it go. |
| 22.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, This one is down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. |
| 22.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Back of a length and on the pads. Burns looks to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 22.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, The barrage of short balls continue. Burns spots it though and ducks under it. |
| 22.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more short one to end! Evaded. Maybe, Cummins is getting too predictable here but he has had success against Burns bowling such deliveries. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball on off, it is pushed towards cover. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Root, Another tossed up ball on off, Root keeps it out again. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Root, Quicker again and on off, Root goes back once again and defends it. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Root, Root steps down the track now and looks to work it with the turn but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Root, A single to end as Root works it around the corner. |
| 24.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Length ball outside off, Root initially looks to play at this one but bails out at the last moment. |
| 24.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR LEG BYES! Bad ball by Cummins! This one is on the pads, Root looks to flick it towards the leg side and misses. The ball kisses his thigh pads and goes towards the fine leg fence. |
| 24.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 24.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! Again on the pads of Root, this time he flicks it towards square leg and the ball goes towards the fence in a jiffy. |
| 24.5 : Pat Cummins to Root, Fullish this time just outside off, Root defends it out. |
| 24.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, Another one fuller and outside off, Root blocks it out. Good over for England, 8 off it. |
| 25.1 : N Lyon to Burns, On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 25.2 : N Lyon to Burns, Floats it up and lands it on middle, Burns pushes it to mid on. |
| 25.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Shorter and outside off, Burns goes back and slaps it through cover-point for one. |
| 25.4 : N Lyon to Root, FOUR! Too fine! It is on the pads, Root works it fine on the leg side and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 25.5 : N Lyon to Root, Well bowled! This is tossed up on off, it turns into the batter. Root looks to defend but it goes off the inner half but well short of short leg. |
| 25.6 : N Lyon to Root, One more tossed up ball on off, Root stretches forward and keeps it out. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back again. He had a good first spell. Paine would want that he strikes in his new spell. |
| 26.1 : J Hazlewood to R Burns, Good length ball on the off pole line, Burns looks to defend it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 26.2 : J Hazlewood to R Burns, FOUR! Good pull shot by Burns! Short and on the leg pole line, Burns gets into position and pulls the ball all along the ground towards the fine leg boundary. |
| 26.3 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Another good length ball just outside off, blocked out. |
| 26.4 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Way wide down the leg side, Burns does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone. |
| 26.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, This time length ball outside off, left alone again. |
| 26.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Length ball closer to the body this time, Burns defends it towards point. |
| 27.1 : N Lyon to Root, Almost! This lands on off, Root looks to defend but the ball turns back in. Goes off the inside edge and onto the pads but lands well away of short leg. |
| 27.2 : N Lyon to Root, Pushes it through on off, Root goes right back and keeps it out. |
| 27.3 : N Lyon to Root, Sharp turn! This is on middle, it turns into Root. He looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 27.4 : N Lyon to Root, Sharp turn again! This one though is down the leg side. Root lets it be. |
| 27.5 : N Lyon to Root, Floats it up on middle, Root works it with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 27.6 : N Lyon to Root, OHHH! Good nut to end! This is quicker and flatter outside off, the ball pitches and spins back in at pace. Root fails to put bat on ball as he tries to drop it on the off side. He gets hit on the thigh pad. Lyon really got good purchase in the last over. Good signs for Lyon. |
| 28.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Back of a length and on middle, it is kept out. |
| 28.2 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Shorter and on the body, Burns ducks under it. |
| 28.3 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Good length now on off, Burns blocks it out. |
| 28.4 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Well fielded! This is shorter and outside off, Burns plays it nicely. Gets on top of the bounce and guides it towards point where the fielder makes a good stop. |
| 28.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Shortish and down the leg side, the batter lets it be. |
| 28.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, On the body, it is tucked down to fine leg for one. |
| 29.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on off, it is guided through point for one. |
| 29.2 : N Lyon to Root, A little short and on off, Root goes back and pulls but finds the man at short fine leg. It was not off the middle but off the inner half. |
| 29.3 : N Lyon to Root, Gives it nice amount of air and lands it on off, Root pushes it to covers. |
| 29.4 : N Lyon to Root, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 29.5 : N Lyon to Root, It lands on off and it is once again fuller. Root looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Root needs to be careful. He was dismissed in a similar manner in the last Test where he tried to flick but got an inside edge onto the pads and he was taken at slips. |
| 29.6 : N Lyon to Root, A dot to end as Root blocks it out. |
| DRINKS! A good first hour or so for England. After losing the wicket of Overton early on in the day, Joe Root and Rory Burns have stuck at the crease while churning out some runs too. They will be looking to continue this as England are still trailing by 427 runs. |
| 30.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for two. |
| 30.2 : J Hazlewood to Burns, A bumper but down the leg side, it is ducked under. |
| 30.3 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Shortish in length and on off, it angles away. Burns hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 30.4 : J Hazlewood to Burns, One more ball on off, Burns blocks it out. |
| 30.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, That hits the shoulder! On the short side, Burns is a touch late to duck under it. It hits the shoulder and goes to the keeper. |
| 30.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Three runs and up comes the 50-run stand. A good one as England were in a spot of bother. This is on the pads, Burns works it towards square leg. The fielder there dives to his left and gets a hand to it. Saves a run for his side. |
| 31.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Full and floated on the pad, pushed towards mid on. |
| 31.2 : N Lyon to Burns, On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 31.3 : N Lyon to Root, Full and floated outside off, Root looks to paddle this one towards fine leg but misses. |
| 31.4 : N Lyon to Root, Root survives! Tossed up way outside off, trying to induce the shot from Root and he obliges. He goes for the slap towards cover but gets an inside edge on it and the ball misses the leg pole by a whisker. |
| 31.5 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter this time, Root shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.6 : N Lyon to Root, This time fuller and on off, pushed towards the off side. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on! |
| 32.1 : M Starc to R Burns, Full and way outside off, Burns leans forward and pushes it towards the cover region beautifully and takes a couple. |
| 32.2 : M Starc to Burns, Down the leg side this time, Burns lets it be. |
| 32.3 : M Starc to Burns, FOUR! Graceful by Burns! This is short of a length and outside off, Burns rocks onto the back foot and caresses it through covers for a boundary. |
| 32.4 : M Starc to Burns, Full and on the pads, Burns flicks it off his pads towards fine leg and takes a couple. Burns moves to 49 with this. |
| 32.5 : M Starc to Burns, FOUR! FIFTY UP FOR BURNS! A great innings and exactly what England needed. This is a length ball outside off, Burns just opens the face of his bat and guides it down towards the empty third man region for a boundary. His 4th Test fifty but his job is not done as England will be asking for a ton from him so that they have a chance of chasing this mammoth total down. |
| 32.6 : M Starc to Burns, Bouncer! Last ball of the over and Burns ducks under it as the ball goes to the keeper. Good over for England as 12 runs came off it. |
| 33.1 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root defends it onto the ground. |
| 33.2 : N Lyon to Root, Again sharp turn! This lands on off and then spins back in a long way. Root looks to flick but misses. |
| 33.3 : N Lyon to Root, Out comes the sweep, Root sweeps it through backward square leg for two. |
| 33.4 : N Lyon to Root, On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 33.5 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball outside off, Root stretches and gently pushes it towards cover for one. |
| 33.6 : N Lyon to Burns, Shorter and around off, Burns goes back and pushes it to covers. |
| 34.1 : M Starc to Burns, Shorter and width on offer, Burns opens the face and guides it behind point for three. |
| 34.2 : M Starc to Root, FOUR! Runs flowing now! Poor ball. Easy pickings for Root. It is on the pads, Root tucks it fine on the leg side and bags a boundary. |
| 34.3 : M Starc to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 34.4 : M Starc to Root, More runs! 100 up for England. Easy-peasy again. Full and on the pads, it is worked through square leg for another three. |
| 34.5 : M Starc to Burns, Bouncer this time around the middle pole line, Burns ducks under it. |
| 34.6 : M Starc to Burns, One more short one outside off, Burns does not play at it. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Root, Tossed up ball outside off, spinning in. Root tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Root, EDGED AND FOUR! Missing the off stump this time by just a whisker. This one is again pitched outside off and it spins back in sharply. Root tries to open the face of his bat and guide it down towards third man but the ball is too close for that. It takes the inside edge and misses the off pole as the ball goes towards the fine leg fence. |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Root, CLOSE! The ball strikes Root very low on the pads as he looks to flick this ball on the pads. It rolls towards the leg side where the fielder picks it up. Burns is halfway down the track as he wants a run but is sent back. The throw from the fielder is wide of the stumps at the bowler's end hence, Burns makes it back in. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Root, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Root, Floated on off, swept away down the leg side. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter this time, Burns defends it towards point and takes a single. Good running! |
| 36.1 : M Starc to Root, Good length ball outside off. Root blocks it out. |
| 36.2 : M Starc to Root, Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for a single. |
| 36.3 : M Starc to Burns, Another length ball around off, this time to Burns. He defends it well. |
| 36.4 : M Starc to Burns, Down the leg side by Starc, Burns looks to flick it but misses. |
| 36.5 : M Starc to Burns, Fuller and on the pole, Burns pushes it towards mid on. |
| 36.6 : M Starc to Burns, Again full and around off, pushed towards mid off this time. 1 run off the over. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Root, Tossed up outside off, Root prods forward and pushes this towards cover. Thinks about a run but then opts against it. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Root, This time Root does take the single. Similar ball, Root plays this wide of cover-point and takes a quick single. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Short and outside off to Burns, he guides it to the man at point. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Burns, Another one outside off, Burns guides it towards cover-point. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Tossed up on middle, pushed back. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on middle, Burns pushes this one towards mid on. Lyon dives to his left in an attempt to save it but the ball goes through him. |
| 38.1 : M Starc to Root, Length ball on off, pushed towards point. |
| 38.2 : M Starc to Root, Fuller this time, Root pushes this towards the man at mid on. |
| 38.3 : M Starc to Root, Outside off, Root guides it towards point off the front foot. |
| 38.4 : M Starc to Root, OUCH! That must have hurt Root hard. Length ball on middle and leg, Root tries to block it out but misses to get hit on the box. He is down on the ground in pain but he looks fine as he is soon up on his feet. Root is taking a breather and rightly so. |
| 38.5 : M Starc to Root, Length ball way outside off, Root leaves it alone. Starc has been a little bit haywire with his lines so far today. |
| 38.6 : M Starc to Root, Length ball outside off, Root cuts it towards point. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. 11-2-24-1 so far from him. |
| 39.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Good length ball on the pads, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Length ball outside off, Burns prods forward and looks to push this towards cover but this hits the inside half of his bat and the ball goes towards mid on. |
| 39.3 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Fuller this time by Josh on off, Burns tucks it towards mid on. |
| 39.4 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Length ball outside off, Burns defends it onto the pitch and looks for a single but Root sends him back. |
| 39.5 : J Hazlewood to Burns, On the pads of Burns, he flicks it uppishly towards backward square leg where Labuschagne is positioned. He fumbles while collecting the ball and the batters take an easy two. |
| 39.6 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Down the leg side, Burns looks to flick but misses. |
| 40.1 : M Starc to Root, Length ball outside off, Root tries to guide it towards third man but does not get enough on it. The ball goes on the bounce towards Steven Smith as he parries it towards the third slip. |
| 40.2 : M Starc to Root, FOUR! This time Root gets it right as he guides this one between point and third slip towards the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 40.3 : M Starc to Root, Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Root. |
| 40.4 : M Starc to Root, On the pads of Root, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 40.5 : Starc to Burns, Hit on the pads but probably going down leg. Starc pitches this around off and gets it to nip back in, Burns misses his defense and is hit on the pads. |
| 40.6 : M Starc to Burns, This time Burns defends it well and towards mid on off the front foot. |
| 41.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Fullish outside off, pushed towards point by Root. |
| 41.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, Good length ball outside off, Root guides it towards the left of gully by opening the face of the bat. The man there dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. |
| 41.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, Good length ball around off, blocked out by Root. |
| 41.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, This is way outside off and Root does not fiddle with it. |
| 41.5 : J Hazlewood to Root, Good length ball outside off, defended by Root towards point. |
| 41.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, On the pads of Root, he takes a single off the last ball and keeps strike. |
| Pat Cummins is back on! |
| 42.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Good length ball on the leg pole to start off by Cummins, Root flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 42.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Short of a length ball outside off, Burns does well as he sways away from it. |
| 42.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Good ball by Cummins, he pitches it around leg and gets it to nip back in. Burns misses his defense and is hit around the box. |
| 42.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Length ball around off, defended towards the off side. |
| 42.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Bouncer this time on the leg pole line. Burns ducks under it. |
| 42.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Fuller this time outside off, Burns looks to defend it but gets the toe end of the bat and the ball rolls towards the slip cordon. |
| 43.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Full ball outside off, Root defends it towards cover. |
| 43.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, Good length ball around middle and off, Root blocks it out. |
| 43.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, Slower ball but way down the leg side by Josh, Root looks to flick but misses. |
| 43.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, This ball pitches on a length around off, Root does well to defend it as the ball gets low on him. |
| 43.5 : J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Short of a length ball around off, Root rocks onto the back foot and pulls this one towards square leg for a boundary. The partnership moves onto 97 with that boundary. |
| 43.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, Good length ball outside off, Root defends it well. |
| 44.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Nasty! Short ball around off, Burns looks to fend at it initially but tries to leave it in the end. Luckily he is hit on the glove and the ball goes down onto the pitch. |
| 44.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Another bouncer but on the leg pole line, Burns sways from it at the last moment. |
| 44.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Short of a length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone. |
| 44.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards backward square leg and takes a single. |
| 44.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 44.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. He is getting some purchase off the pitch here and he will be looking to nip a wicket before the Tea break. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Good length ball, tossed up on the off pole line. It pitches and spins away leaving Burns totally squared up. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Burns, 100-run stand up between Burns and Root! Short again this time outside off, Burns goes onto the back foot and cuts it towards deep point and takes a couple. A very important stand this one for England and they now trail by 372 runs. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Burns, Tossed up on middle and off, blocked out by Burns. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Similar delivery, blocked out again by Burns. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to R Burns, Short of a length delivery outside off, Burns cuts it to the man at point. |
| 46.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Outside off, Root leaves that one alone. |
| 46.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, Fuller and outside off, Root defends it. |
| 46.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, Length ball outside off, pushed towards point off the front foot by Root. |
| 46.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, Beaten! Root looks to put bat on ball on this length delivery outside off, but he misses as he defends inside the line. |
| 46.5 : Pat Cummins to Root, BEATEN AGAIN! Beautiful bowling by Cummins here. He looks to defend this one off the back foot but is completely squared up by this length delivery around off as it nips away at the last moment. |
| 46.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, Length ball outside off and left alone by Root. AND THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 3! |
| England's session by ease! It was a long one where 37 overs were bowled, they lost just the one wicket and have managed to score 102 runs. A standing ovation as the two batters, Root and Burns walk back to the pavilion. |
| The session though did not start off in the best of manner for the hosts as they lost the nightwatchman early on but then Root and Burns have shown great fight. They have really played with a lot of responsibility. The opener has passed his half ton whereas Root is nearing one. They though know there is still a long way to go and they need to continue to bat well. |
| Australia on the other hand, need not get impatient as of yet. They just need to hit the right lines and lengths which they did do in this session but need to be a little more consistent. Lyon was probably the pick despite being wicketless. He troubled the batters as he got the ball to turn quite a lot. Australia will really be expecting a lot from him as the pacers aren't getting a lot of assistance from the surface. An important session lies ahead as it could well determine which way the match |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session! Another long one as there is still 41 overs to be bowled. Out come the Australian players. They are followed by Rory Burns and Joe Root who will continue their innings. Nathan Lyon to start the session for the Aussies. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Floats it up on middle, this is defended out. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Burns, Another one tossed up on middle, it is blocked. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Another flighted ball on middle, it is worked to mid on. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Burns, FOUR! First boundary of the session! A hit-me ball. Short and outside off, Rory goes back and hammers it through covers for a boundary. A nothing delivery and it got the treatment. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on middle, this is blocked again. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Burns, A single to end! Another short one outside off, Burns hits it through covers for one. |
| Cummins to start from the other end. |
| 48.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 48.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more bumper, the batter ducks under it. |
| 48.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more delivery outside off, it is left alone. |
| 48.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, That is a beauty! This lands on off and then moves away. Burns tries to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 48.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, This is wider outside off, Burns plays inside the line and lets it be. |
| 48.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, One more ball outside off, the batter need not play at those. A maiden but not a threatening one. |
| 49.1 : N Lyon to Root, On middle, it is worked with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 49.2 : N Lyon to Root, This is down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. |
| 49.3 : N Lyon to Root, Plays the sweep but straight to short fine leg. |
| 49.4 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter in length and outside off, Root plays it late and towards third man for one. |
| 49.5 : N Lyon to Burns, That is a beauty! It lands on off and then turns away sharply. Burns does nothing wrong as he tries to defend the original trajectory but gets beaten. |
| 49.6 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on off, RB goes back and pushes it to covers. |
| 50.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, This is angled into the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one. He moves onto 49. |
| 50.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Back of a length again and on middle, this is defended. |
| 50.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, A short one on the body, it is ducked under. |
| 50.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, This is angled into the pads, Burns works it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 50.5 : Pat Cummins to Root, Good length and on off, Root goes back and guides it towards gully. |
| 50.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, That is another lovely delivery! In the corridor of uncertainty. It pitches and straightens. Root is half forward as he tries to defend but gets beaten. |
| 51.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and outside off, this is guided to point. |
| 51.2 : N Lyon to Burns, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through cover-point for one. |
| 51.3 : N Lyon to Root, Flatter and outside off, Root looks to guide it down to third man but Smith at first slip, dives to his right and stops it. |
| 51.4 : N Lyon to Root, 'ROOOOOOOT' goes the crowd as the English skipper gets to a half ton. Leading from the front when his team needed him to do so. Lovely, lovely knock. Started off playing a loose stroke but since then, he has been excellent. Still a long way to go. He is not that good at converting fifties into tons but he needs to do it now. He gets there by working it around the corner for a single and gets to his 44th Test fifty. |
| 51.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and outside off, this is guided to point. |
| 51.6 : N Lyon to Burns, On the pads, it is worked to square leg. |
| 52.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Full ball on middle and leg, blocked towards the leg side by Root. |
| 52.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, Good length ball around off, Root pushes it towards point. |
| 52.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! Fullish and outside off, Root square drives this one beautifully towards the point region off the front foot and the ball races to the fence. |
| 52.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Root. |
| 52.5 : Pat Cummins to Joe Root, FOUR! In between the keeper and the slip fielder! Frustrating for Cummins as on a day where the ball is doing nothing for the bowlers, you would want the fielders to grab any kind of opportunity that comes towards them. This is a gem of a delivery. It is fuller and around off, it shapes away late. Root looks to work it on the leg side but due to the movement, it goes off the outside edge in between keeper and Warner who fail to react and it goes to the third man f |
| 52.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, Back of a length and on middle, this is defended onto the ground. |
| 53.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on. |
| 53.2 : N Lyon to Burns, FOUR! Another one tossed up around off, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one towards the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 53.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Floated on off, defended by Burns. |
| 53.4 : N Lyon to Burns, Beauty by Lyon! This one is pitched on middle and off, it pitches and spins away. Burns looks to cover drive it but does so inside the line and is beaten. |
| 53.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Fuller this time and darted in, pushed back by Burns. |
| 53.6 : N Lyon to Burns, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Review time! A huge shout for an LBW has been turned down. Australia review. Root is the man in question. Height seems to be the problem. |
| 54.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, NOT OUT! Height is not an issue but the impact is outside off and it is missing off too. It was a review in desperation to be honest. It never looked close. Australia lose one review. This is on a length and around off, ti straightens. Root is squared up as he tries to defend but misses. He gets hit high on the pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. After a discussion between the keeper, the slip cordon and the bowler, Australia review. Replays roll in |
| 54.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 54.3 : Pat Cummins to Joe Root, FOUR! EDGY! Australia continue to get frustrated! This is on a length again and around off, straightens once again. Root looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge, wide of second slip and into the third man fence. |
| 54.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, OHHH! Cummins is making things happen here. He has Root fending at one Root need not. This is shorter and outside off, Root hangs his bat out but gets beaten. |
| The physio is out as Root looks to be in pain. Maybe the review ball hit him above the knee roll and there is not much protection to cover that area. |
| 54.5 : Pat Cummins to Root, Again! Creating problems for the batter. Cummins bangs it short and on the body, Root initially looks to duck but then he is too late to do so. Fends it away awkwardly. All of a sudden, Root does not look comfortable out there. |
| 54.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, The last ball is outside off, it is left alone. End of a top over by Cummins. A very testing one. |
| 55.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. |
| 55.2 : N Lyon to Root, On middle, Root works it with the turn to short fine leg. |
| 55.3 : N Lyon to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root blocks it out. |
| 55.4 : N Lyon to Root, One more delivery down the leg side, Root works it to short fine leg. |
| 55.5 : N Lyon to Root, Good fielding! Shorter and on middle, Root goes back and pulls it through backward square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and saves two for his side. |
| 55.6 : N Lyon to Root, A dot to end as the last ball is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 56.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, A short one on the body, Burns lets it be by moving out of the way. |
| 56.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Direct hit and Burns was in trouble! That was very casual from Rory. This is a shorter delivery on off. Burns taps it towards cover and takes off. He is getting to the other end casually. Head picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 56.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, Good length and on off, this is kept out. |
| 56.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, This is angled into the batter, Root looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards deep square leg for one. |
| 56.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for two. |
| 56.6 : Pat Cummins to R Burns, Another bouncer to Burns and he manages to fend it away again off his glove towards point. He is struggling against the short ball but he is still out there. |
| 57.1 : N Lyon to Root, Tossed up outside off, Root looks to block it out but gets the inside half of his bat on it. |
| 57.2 : N Lyon to Root, Floated on off, blocked out by Root. |
| 57.3 : N Lyon to Root, On the pads of Root, he tucks it towards square leg. |
| 57.4 : N Lyon to Root, Full and floated on middle, Root looks to block it but gets the toe end of his bat on it. |
| 57.5 : N Lyon to Root, Full and floated on off, Root gets down on one knee and sweeps it towards square leg for a single. |
| 57.6 : N Lyon to Burns, Short and wide outside off, Burns slaps it towards cover where the fielder dives to his right and stops it. |
| 58.1 : Pat Cummins to Root, Play and a miss. This is a length ball outside off, Root looks to cut it towards point but misses the ball completely. |
| 58.2 : Pat Cummins to Root, Fuller this time outside off, Root blocks it out. |
| 58.3 : Pat Cummins to Root, BEATEN! Length ball outside off, it pitches and swings away leaving Root squared up. |
| 58.4 : Pat Cummins to Root, Good ball again by Cummins! This one is on a good length on middle, Cummins looks to block it but he gets an inside edge on it and the ball rolls towards square leg as the batters take a single. |
| 58.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Length ball on middle and off, Burns blocks it out off the back foot. |
| 58.6 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicketkeeper. |
| 59.1 : N Lyon to Root, Tossed up on the pads of Lyon, he flicks this one towards backward square leg. |
| 59.2 : N Lyon to Root, Short and outside off, cut to point. |
| 59.3 : N Lyon to Root, Full and wide outside off, Root defends it out. |
| 59.4 : N Lyon to Root, Another one full and on off, blocked out. |
| 59.5 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter this time, on middle and leg. Root pulls it strongly but straight towards the man at squarish mid-wicket. |
| 59.6 : N Lyon to Root, Outside off, Root leaves it alone. |
| 60.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, On off, it is kept out. |
| 60.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Shorter and around off, Burns evades it. |
| 60.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Shorter and on middle, this is ducked under. |
| 60.4 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Back of a length again and on off, Burns gets right behind and keeps it out. |
| 60.5 : Pat Cummins to Burns, On middle, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 60.6 : Pat Cummins to Root, This is angled into the batter, Root blocks it solidly. |
| 61.1 : N Lyon to Burns, Shorter and on middle, Burns works it to mid on. |
| 61.2 : Lyon to R Burns, In the air... but safe! Burns looks to sweep this ball on middle, there is extra bounce though and a top edge is induced. It lands safe in the fine leg region for one. |
| 61.3 : N Lyon to Root, Floats it up on off, Root defends it onto the ground. |
| 61.4 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter and on middle, Root pulls it through square leg for one. |
| 61.5 : N Lyon to Burns, Shortish and outside off, Burns goes back and cuts it through point for one. |
| 61.6 : N Lyon to Root, A single to end as Root works it with the turn through mid-wicket. |
| Josh Hazlewood comes on to bowl now. Australia desperately looking for ways to break this stand. |
| 62.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Back of a length and on off, Root guides it to point. |
| 62.2 : J Hazlewood to Root, Another one on a length and on middle, Root goes back and keeps it out. |
| 62.3 : J Hazlewood to Root, Another ball on a good length and around off, Root guides it to point. |
| 62.4 : J Hazlewood to Root, On a length and outside off, Root blocks it from within the crease. |
| 62.5 : J Hazlewood to Root, Back of a length and outside off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 62.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, Length delivery around off, Root blocks it by coming on the front foot. |
| 63.1 : N Lyon to Burns, On off, Burns defends it onto the ground. |
| 63.2 : N Lyon to Burns, Flatter and on off, Burns guides it to point. |
| 63.3 : N Lyon to Burns, Is that a dropped catch? No, it was just short. Shorter and outside off, it is turning away. Burns goes back and slaps it hard but it lands just short of Wade at covers who dives to his right. He fails to stop it and a run is taken. |
| 63.4 : N Lyon to Root, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 63.5 : N Lyon to Root, This is bowled outside off and it is turning back in. Root goes back and keeps it out. |
| 63.6 : N Lyon to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 64.1 : J Hazlewood to Burns, Good length and on off, it pitches and then moves away. Beats the outside edge of the batter's bat. |
| 64.2 : J Hazlewood to R Burns, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! At last, Australia have managed to break the stand. It has been a good passage of play for them, they started to trouble the English batters and have got the reward. End of the 141-run stand and the Aussies are pumped up. Burns misses out on his ton by 19 runs. Once again excellent use of the angle by Hazlewood. It is on a length and around off, going away with the angle. Burns looks to defend but does so inside the line. It goes off the outsid |
| Out comes Jason Roy after swapping positions in the batting order. He replaces Rory Burns in the middle. |
| 64.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Almost another! This is on a length and around off, comes back in a touch. Roy looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 64.4 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On middle this time, Roy pushes it to the man at mid on. |
| 64.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Just outside off, it is left alone. |
| 64.6 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On the fuller side and on off, Roy pushes it nicely to the man at mid off. End of a successful over by Hazlewood. |
| 65.1 : N Lyon to Root, On middle, Root works it to short leg. |
| 65.2 : N Lyon to Root, Shorter and on middle, it is pulled towards deep square leg for one. |
| 65.3 : N Lyon to Roy, Close again! Roy has started nervously. This lands outside off and spins back in sharply. Roy looks to defend but once again gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 65.4 : N Lyon to Roy, Flatter and outside off, Roy guides it to point. |
| 65.5 : N Lyon to Roy, On middle, it is worked with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 65.6 : N Lyon to Roy, Flatter and shorter outside off, Roy stands tall and guides it to point. |
| DRINKS! Australia have managed to breakthrough the stand which was going extremely well. They though need a wicket or two more quickly. Roy has not started in the best of manner and Root also looks a fidgety now, they need to continue to build the pressure. Around 22 overs to go in the day, two to three wickets is what Australia will be looking for. |
| 66.1 : J Hazlewood to Root, Just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it on the off side for one. |
| 66.2 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Back of a length and on off, it straightens a touch. Roy is squared up as he tries to defend. It goes off the outer half towards point. |
| 66.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Outside off and it is left alone. |
| 66.4 : J Hazlewood to J Roy, FOUR! That is authoritative! Roy should feel really good after that shot. It is a length ball around off, Roy strides forward and strokes it on the up through covers for a boundary. |
| 66.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Good fielding by Starc! Three for Roy. This is on the pads, Roy works it through backward square leg. Starc runs to his left, dives and pushes it back in. |
| 66.6 : J Hazlewood to Root, OUT! LBW! That is plumb in front! Pin-drop silence here. Root is a goner and once again he fails to convert his half ton into a ton. However, there is not a lot he could have done here. This lands just outside off and it jags back in sharply. Root looks to defend off the back foot but the ball stays low. He misses and is hit right in front of the pad. An appeal and up goes the finger. Root walks back straightaway as he knows he is a goner. Hazlewood gets him once again |
| Ben Stokes is the new man in. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Roy, Floats it up outside off, Roy looks to defend but the ball turns back in and it goes off the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Roy, This is pushed to mid on. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Roy, FOUR! Slapped! Another boundary for Roy. Shorter and outside off, Roy goes back and hits it hard through covers for a boundary. |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Roy, Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for one. Good batting. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, Stokes gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, Edge but just short! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Stokes looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and falls just short of second slip who dives to his right. He makes a good stop though with one hand. |
| 68.1 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On off, Roy pushes it to mid on. |
| 68.2 : J Hazlewood to Roy, That is a beauty! This is angled into the off pole which means the batter has to play at it. He looks to defend but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. |
| 68.3 : J Hazlewood to J Roy, Fuller and on off, the batter strokes it nicely to mid off. |
| 68.4 : J Hazlewood to Roy, This is angled into the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket and takes two. |
| 68.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 68.6 : J Hazlewood to Roy, This is on the pads, Roy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to J Roy, Tossed up on off, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, On the pads this time, Stokes flicks it towards backward square leg and takes a single to get off the mark. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to Roy, Floated one outside off, Roy pushes this through the covers. The fielder in the deep fumbles and also throws poorly which allows the batters to take an easy three. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Good ball by Lyon. Pitched on off pole line, it spins away from Stokes. He is beaten by the turn on that and is left completely squared up. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, Shortish and outside off, Stokes punches this towards cover and takes a single. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Roy, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 70.1 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 70.2 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Nasty! That took out of nowhere! Shorter and on middle, it takes off after pitching. Stokes somehow fends it away down to fine leg for one. |
| 70.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Shorter and outside off, the batter guides it to point. |
| 70.4 : J Hazlewood to Roy, A rash shot! Shorter and outside off, Roy looks to drag his pull through the leg side but misses. |
| 70.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Back of a length and on off, Roy pushes it to mid off. |
| 70.6 : J Hazlewood to Roy, This is angled into the pads, Roy looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Stokes, A huge appeal but the not given! In the end, it was an excellent take by Paine. It lands on off and then turns away. There is also extra bounce. Stokes looks to defend but misses. Paine somehow manages to hang onto it. He appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Ultra Edge shows nothing. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, Floats it up on off, Stokes keeps it out. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Shorter and around off, Stokes goes back to defend but the ball turns away and goes off the outer half towards point. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, On the pads, Stokes flicks it fine on the leg side for two. |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, Stokes lunges and keeps it out. |
| 72.1 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Another appeal but not given! This lands outside off and jags back in. Roy fails to put bat on ball. It hits him high on the pads and lobs towards second slip. There is an appeal for a catch but it is turned down. |
| 72.2 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On middle, this is pushed to mid on. |
| 72.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, FOUR! Nice shot! Short and outside off, Roy stands tall and punches it through covers. No stopping those. He got on top of the bounce really nicely. |
| 72.4 : Hazlewood to J Roy, OUT! Roy is cleaned up! That is a jaffa of a delivery! Three wickets in quick time. Hazlewood gets another. This lands on a length and around off, Roy looks to push at it, once again, he tries to connect with the ball way ahead of his pad. The ball though jags back in, sneaks between bat and pad and knocks the middle pole over. Lovely sight for a bowler. England in a spot of bother now. Still another 102 runs to avoid the follow-on. They have half the side back in the |
| Jonny Bairstow is the new man in for the hosts! He joins Ben Stokes in the middle and England need a big partnership here. |
| 72.5 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Welcomes the new batter with a bumper, Bairstow ducks under it. |
| 72.6 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, JB is off the mark! This is fuller and around off, Bairstow plays inside the line, it goes off the outer half through backward point for two. |
| 73.1 : N Lyon to Stokes, Tossed up outside off, Stokes cuts it towards cover as the batters take two. 200 up for England with this and they need less than 100 runs now to avoid the follow on. |
| 73.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, Shorter this time, Stokes blocks it out. |
| 73.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, Tossed up and full outside off, Stokes pushes it out. |
| 73.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 73.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, Short by Lyon again, pushed towards point by Stokes. |
| 73.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Well, this is not looking good at all. The umpires are into the ears of Tim Paine and we understand that they have told the Aussie skipper that he will not be allowed to bring seamers on in this light. Paine is having a long animated chat but eventually, Marnus Labuschagne comes on to bowl. |
| Hang on. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena walks in the middle of the pitch, checks the reading from both sides and then shakes his head. Nope. No more play for now. Not quite sure whether this reading will be the basis for now, but it might become the minimum reading below which play cannot happen. Don't see this light improving but hoping for the best. |
| Sanchit - 'Is that Stumps? Yay!' GoaRocks - 'Hang on, mate. Hold on to your nerves. This is such a country where there will be darkness for some time and then after 15 minutes, bright sunshine will appear!' Roger that. |
| Well then, GoaRocks turns out to be wrong! The umpires feel the light is not going to improve and Sanchit can continue to be happy as he can now go home before he expected as it is STUMPS ON DAY 3! End of an attritional day of Test cricket! In the end, you can probably say, the TEST MATCH IS ALIVE! |
| At one time though, it seemed like, this match was heading towards a draw when Root and Burns added a massive 141-run stand after England lost Overton early in the day. That pair batted more than one session and it seemed like both would score a ton as the ball just wasn't doing anything and it seemed like a batting paradise. However, all of that changed after the final Drinks break. Cummins got the ball talking and created quite a few problems for Root and Burns. He did not take a wicket in tha |
| This match is now exciting! Two more days to go, England need another 98 runs to avoid the follow-on, the new ball will be available in another 6 overs so a result is very much possible. Australia will come out all guns blazing on Day 4, they would look to take the remaining wickets within the 98 runs and then think about what to do. England on the other hand, just have to do one thing, bat, bat and keep batting. Join us for all the action at 1100 local (1000 GMT). Till then, take care and goodb |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| Will England be able to avoid the follow-on? Will Ben Stokes perform another miracle and bail England out? Good morning everyone for Day 4 of the fourth Ashes Test where all these questions will be answered. Fortunately, the weather looks bright and sunny as of now and let's hope we get a full day's play today. |
| The contest right now leans towards Australia as they lead by a huge margin of 297 runs and England still need 98 runs just to avoid the follow-on. Day 3 started on a positive note for the visitors as they got the wicket of Craig Overton early. However, skipper Joe Root and Rory Burns stitched a wonderful 141-run stand to bring the hosts back into the game. Both of them got to their respective half tons but could not convert them. Hazlewood took 3 quick wickets late in the day and put England on |
| Heading into Day 4, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are at the crease and the Three Lions would be hoping that they score the 98 runs required to avoid the follow-on and then carry on from there. Stay tuned as we bring to you all the action from Manchester. |
| The Australian team walk out to the middle lead by skipper Tim Paine. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow follow them with the latter taking strike. Pat Cummins will start the proceedings for the visitors. |
| 74.1 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Starts off with a length ball outside off, Bairstow makes a leave. |
| 74.2 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, First run of the day! A good delivery this! It is on off and comes back in a touch. Bairstow looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through backward square leg for one. |
| 74.3 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Good leave! This was very close to the off pole, the length was a touch shorter. Stokes lets it be. |
| 74.4 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Another ball on a length and just outside off, Stokes watches it carefully and lets it be. |
| 74.5 : Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Stokes gets off the mark today in style! A short one but it bounces at a comfortable height for the the batter. Stokes swivels and pulls it behind square and bags a boundary. First of the day. |
| 74.6 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| Spin time as Nathan Lyon to continue the proceedings from the other end. |
| 75.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter and around off, Bairstow blocks this one out. |
| 75.2 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Floated outside off, this turns back in. Bairstow defends this one well back towards Lyon. |
| 75.3 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Similar ball, Bairstow again does well to push it out. |
| 75.4 : N Lyon to Bairstow, This one spins too much and goes down the leg side. Bairstow leaves it alone. |
| 75.5 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards fine leg. |
| 75.6 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Another one on the pads, Bairstow flicks this one towards deep square leg and takes a single. |
| 76.1 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, BEATEN! Well bowled by Cummins! This is a length ball outside off, Bairstow looks to block this one but is beaten as he does so inside the line. The ball misses his bat by just a whisker. |
| 76.2 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone by Bairstow. |
| 76.3 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards mid-wicket but straight to the man. |
| 76.4 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off again by Cummins, left alone by JB. |
| 76.5 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Fuller this time, attacking the off pole, Jonny pushes it back towards Cummins. |
| 76.6 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, This time pulls it back, Bairstow blocks this one off the back foot towards cover. |
| 77.1 : N Lyon to Stokes, Tossed up outside off, left alone by Stokes. |
| 77.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, Darted into the off pole, Stokes blocks it out. |
| 77.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, Another one on the off pole line, Ben pushes it towards point. |
| 77.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Outside off by Lyon, Ben opts to leave this one alone. |
| 77.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, Shorter this time, Stokes goes onto the back foot and cuts this one towards cover-point for a single. |
| 77.6 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Loud appeal by Australia for an LBW! Lyon pitches this one way outside off and gets it to turn back in. Bairstow pads it out but the spin on this delivery might go on to hit the stumps. The visitors appeal but nothing from umpire Erasmus. Australia mull over taking the review but decide against it as Lyon thinks it is way too short to hit the stumps. Ball Tracker comes in and confirms that as the ball is going over the wickets. |
| 78.1 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Good length ball in the channel, very close to the off pole actually. Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 78.2 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Beaten this time! Stokes was tempted seeing the room outside off on this length ball. He leans into the drive to cream it through the covers but the ball shapes away to beat the outside edge. |
| 78.3 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, On the hips on a shortish length. Stokes works it through square leg for a run. |
| 78.4 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Shortish length on off, Bairstow shoulders arms and sees the ball shape further away as it goes to Paine behind the wicket. |
| 78.5 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Poor fielding there from Hazlewood. This is a fullish length ball on middle and leg, Bairstow flicks it off his toes wide of Hazlewood at mid on. He should've cut it off but he is late in his slide and the ball goes through towards long on. They take three. Hazlewood returns the ball and hits the stumps with the direct hit but the batter was well in. The ball deflects towards cover after hitting the stumps. Bairstow thought to steal another run but decided against |
| 78.6 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Good length ball outside off, tapped towards cover this time by Stokes. |
| 79.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Darted just outside off, pushed towards mid on by Bairstow for a single. |
| 79.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, Floated on off, Stokes blocks it out. |
| 79.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards the man at square leg. |
| 79.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Floated outside off again, Ben pushes this towards extra cover. |
| 79.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, Tossed up on the pads, Stokes pushes this towards mid on. |
| 79.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by Stokes back to the bowler. |
| Mitchell Starc is into the attack now. He has not had a good Test match with the ball so far and will be looking to make amends. Also, the second new ball is now available for Australia. It has not been taken as of yet. |
| 80.1 : M Starc to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Bairstow pushes it to point. |
| 0.0 : It has now been taken though! Will Starc get some movement? |
| 80.2 : M Starc to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Bairstow leaves it alone. Not much movement off the first ball though. |
| 80.3 : M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller this time, Bairstow pushes this towards the man at cover. |
| 80.4 : M Starc to Bairstow, Length ball just around off, Bairstow knows exactly where his stumps are and makes the leave. |
| 80.5 : M Starc to Bairstow, On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 80.6 : M Starc to Stokes, Good first over by Starc. He bowls this last ball on a good length and Stokes blocks it out. |
| Hazlewood to share the new cherry from the other end. He was brilliant yesterday in the last session. Can he manage to break this stand to get to his fifer? |
| 81.1 : Hazlewood to Bairstow, BEATEN! Superb ball to start off by Hazlewood. This one pitches outside off and nips back in. Bairstow looks to defend but misses and is hit high on the pads. The Aussies appeal but nothing from the umpire. Maybe going over and yes, Ball Tracker confirms it. |
| 81.2 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Another one just outside off, this time on a length. It again nips back in and JB is hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 81.3 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, FOUR! Good reply by Bairstow! Hazlewood bowls this a touch fuller and Bairstow pounces at it as he drives this through mid off for a boundary. Wade at mid off dives to his right but fails to stop it. |
| 81.4 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, left alone by Bairstow but this was mightily close to the stumps. |
| 81.5 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, On the pads of Bairstow, Jonny works it down the leg side. |
| 81.6 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Length ball on middle and leg, Bairstow pushes this towards mid off. |
| 82.1 : M Starc to Stokes, Good length ball just around off, Stokes pushes it towards mid on. |
| 82.2 : M Starc to Stokes, Length ball around off, Stokes shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 82.3 : M Starc to Stokes, Shorter and outside off, Stokes pulls this one towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple. |
| 82.4 : M Starc to Stokes, EDGED AND FOUR! Beauty by Starc! This was a scrambled delivery, on a length just outside off. Stokes looks to push this towards the off side but it comes back in just a little. Stokes ends up playing it outside the line, it goes off the inside edge, over the stumps and down to the fine leg fence. |
| 82.5 : Starc to Stokes, DROPPED! Fuller length ball just around off, Stokes looks to push this back towards the bowler but plays this uppishly. It goes low towards the right of Starc, he fails to get down in time and the ball brushes his finger tips and rolls towards mid off. A tough chance especially for a tall pacer. Two deliveries, two close shaves. Starc getting back to his best? |
| 82.6 : M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller this time, Jonny pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Good length ball, closer to the body, Stokes blunts it onto the pitch. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, A confident leave from Stokes that one! You have to be absolutely sure about your off pole when you make such a leave. It pitches on off and shapes away as Stokes shoulders arms. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Another beauty! This time it goes past the inside edge. Hazlewood pitches this one on a shortish length and gets it to straighten. Stokes looks to push it with hard hands towards the off side but is beaten. Lucky not to edge that one. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Length ball just outside off, Stokes pushes this towards mid off. |
| 83.5 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, On the pads of Stokes, he works it towards square leg but straight to the man. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Bouncer by Hazlewood to end the over, Stokes ducks under it and lets that one through. |
| 84.1 : M Starc to Bairstow, Full and just outside off, JB pushes this straight towards mid on. |
| 84.2 : M Starc to Bairstow, FOUR! Length ball just outside off, Bairstow goes onto the back foot and slaps this through covers for a boundary. |
| 84.3 : M Starc to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone by Jonny Bairstow. |
| 84.4 : M Starc to Bairstow, Another length ball just outside off, shaping away, Jonny leaves it alone. |
| 84.5 : M Starc to Bairstow, OUT! TIMBER! Jaffa by Starc! What a beauty! He sets up Bairstow on the two previous deliveries and brings this one back. Starc pitches this one on a length and on middle, Bairstow expects this one to move away but it nips back in this time. Bairstow is completely beaten and misses the ball which goes on to hit the top of the middle pole. Bairstow is out of here. |
| Jos Buttler is the new man in for the hosts. His numbers in the Series has been disappointing. Can he change that this innings and bail England out? |
| 84.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 85.1 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Good length ball outside off, pushed back by Stokes. |
| 85.2 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 85.3 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Beauty by Hazlewood! He gets this one to move away after pitching on a length. Buttler is squared up by this one and it misses the outside edge. |
| 85.4 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good length ball coming in towards the batter, he is hit on the thigh pad as he misses his flick. |
| 85.5 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good length ball outside off, Buttler cuts it but straight to the man at point. |
| 85.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 86.1 : M Starc to Stokes, Length ball on middle and leg, Stokes pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 86.2 : M Starc to Stokes, Length ball just outside off, Stokes initially looks to play at it but bails out at the last moment. |
| 86.3 : M Starc to Stokes, Fuller and around off, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 86.4 : M Starc to Stokes, Good cricket all around! Starc bowls this fuller and around off, it is swinging in the air and difficult to play against. However, Stokes does well to powerfully push it towards mid on. Cummins there dives to his right and parries it towards mid off to save a certain boundary. In the end the batters take one. |
| 86.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Bouncer by Starc, Buttler ducks under it. |
| 86.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Length ball just outside off, Buttler defends it out onto the pitch. He thinks about the single but is sent back by Stokes. |
| DRINKS! A good hour for Australia one can say as they have taken the important wicket of Bairstow. The last recognized batting pair for England is out in the middle and another wicket can open the floodgates for the Aussies. |
| 87.1 : J Hazlewood to Stokes,On a fuller length and outside off, Stokes leaves it easily. |
| 87.2 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Once again on the fuller length and on off, Stokes defends it towards mid on. |
| 87.3 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Bouncer on the body, Stokes looks to pull it but eventually ends up getting a top edge which runs to the fine leg fence. |
| 87.4 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, FOUR LEG BYES! Hazlewood bowls this on a length but the line is down the leg side. Stokes looks to flick it off his pads but misses it. The ball kisses the thigh pad and goes past the diving keeper to the fine leg fence. |
| 87.5 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 87.6 : J Hazlewood to Stokes, Length delivery around off, Stokes defends it off his front foot towards the off side. |
| 88.1 : M Starc to Buttler, FOUR! Fuller in length and outside off, Buttler drives it crisply through covers and the ball races to the long off fence for a boundary. |
| 88.2 : M Starc to Buttler, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 88.3 : M Starc to Stokes, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Starc gets another! He is on fire at the moment and this is probably the biggest wicket of all. Ben Stokes, the star of the England side. Another excellent delivery. The new ball is working wonders for the left-arm pacer. This is an outswinger. It is on a length and around off. Stokes goes back and tries to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge straight to Smith at second slip. He makes no mistake. Australia are ecstatic. Into the bowling al |
| Jofra Archer is the next man in for the hosts who are reeling at 243/7. |
| 88.4 : M Starc to Archer, RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Length ball on the pads, Archer gets inside the line and pushes it down to the leg side. Buttler calls for a quick single and Archer is late to reach the non striker's end. He is unaware off the throw. He was running really slow probably having an issue. Had the fielder hit Archer would have been a goner. But in the end they get a single. |
| 88.5 : M Starc to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Starc over pitches and Buttler takes full toll off it. He drives this fuller one outside off through the cover region and the ball crosses the fence in a flash. |
| 88.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Buttler leaves this length ball outside off of the keeper to do the rest. |
| 89.1 : J Hazlewood to Archer, OHHH! This is fuller and around off, it shapes away a touch. Archer looks to defend but is beaten. |
| 89.2 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Another one on a length and around off, it is kept out. |
| 89.3 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Shorter and outside off, Archer ducks under it. |
| 89.4 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Once again it is bowled on off, Archer gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 89.5 : J Hazlewood to Archer, A short one on the body, it is ducked under. |
| 89.6 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Another short one outside off, Archer looks to fend at it but the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| The groundsmen are out in the middle and they are doing their work on the pitch. They are hammering on the foot marks made by the bowlers near the crease. |
| 90.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Shorter and outside off, Buttler looks to push it through the off side but ends up getting it off the inner half back to the bowler. |
| 90.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Another beauty! That missed the off pole by a whisker! This is fuller again and it starts outside off. Comes back in late. Buttler looks to force it against the swing. It goes past the inside edge and just past the off pole. |
| 90.3 : M Starc to Buttler, Edgy runs! This one is angled away from the off pole. Buttler looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge past Smith who gets a hand to it. Saves two for his side. 250 up for England. |
| 90.4 : M Starc to Buttler, One more ball outside off, it is left alone. |
| 90.5 : M Starc to Buttler, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 90.6 : M Starc to Buttler, FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for England. They would take it with both hands. This is full and outside off, it pitches and goes along the ground. Paine fails to collect it as he gets some bad bounce and goes to the third man fence. |
| Spin again as Nathan Lyon is back on. 29-3-71-0 so far from him. |
| 91.1 : N Lyon to Archer, Tossed up outside off, landinfg on the foot marks and spinning in. Archer defends it to short leg. |
| 91.2 : N Lyon to Archer, Flighted delivery outside off, Archer once again defends it to short leg. |
| 91.3 : N Lyon to Archer, Once again spinning in from the foot marks and Archer plays it to the man at short leg. |
| 91.4 : N Lyon to Archer, Spinning in from outside off, Archer fends it awakwardly to the leg side and it is just wide off the man at short leg. |
| 91.5 : N Lyon to Archer, Archer looks to defends this tossed up delivery outside off but fails to lay bat on ball. |
| 91.6 : N Lyon to Archer, Archer defends this flatter ball outside off to the off side. |
| Pat Cummins is back on from the other end too. |
| 92.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, NO BALL! Cummins has overstepped! This is on middle, Buttler works it wide of mid on for one. |
| Pat Cummins to Archer, A bumper now! The batter ducks under it. |
| 92.2 : Pat Cummins to Archer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 92.3 : Pat Cummins to Archer, Fuller one outside off, Archer defends it to covers. |
| 92.4 : Pat Cummins to Archer, On a length and outside off, Archer looks to cut it through point but fails to lay bat on ball. The ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 92.5 : Pat Cummins to Archer, Length ball around off, Archer defends it by crouching low. |
| 92.6 : Pat Cummins to J Archer, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! England 8 down now and they are still 42 away from avoiding the follow-on. Australia right on top at the moment. This though is a needless shot by Archer. This is a nothing delivery. It is short and outside off. Archer earlier in the over, went after one outside off but got away with that. This time too he hangs his bat out again, does not get away with it. It goes off the outside edge to Paine who takes it. |
| 93.1 : N Lyon to Buttler, Fuller one on the stumps, Buttler works it straight to mid-wicket. |
| 93.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, FOUR! Loopy delivery outside off, Buttler drives it through the covers. The man at long off runs across but he fails to reach the ball as it crosses the fence. |
| REVIEW TIME! Lyon has had a long chat with his skipper and has gone for the review. Seems to be missing off. |
| 93.3 : N Lyon to Buttler, NOT OUT! It seemed to be missing the off pole to the naked eye and indeed it is missing. Lyon bowls this one way outside off and makes it come back in sharply. Buttler pads this one out and is hit high and outside off. The Australian players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Lyon and Tim Paine mull over taking the review and go for it at the last possible second. Replays roll in, Ball Tracker comes into play and shows it to be going above the off pole. Australia hav |
| 93.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, FOUR! Flatter and quicker one on middle and leg, Buttler glances it nicely towards fine leg fence to earn a boundary. |
| 93.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, Fuller and flatter, pushed towards mid on. |
| 93.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, Quicker one again which turns way down the leg side. Paine fails to collect as the ball goes towards short fine leg. Warner does well to to get to the ball. No runs taken. |
| 94.1 : Pat Cummins to Broad, Back of a length on off, Broad hops in his crease and defends it to point. |
| 94.2 : Pat Cummins to Broad, Short of length delivery outside off, The ball takes the outside edge of Broad's bat and rolls towards third slip. |
| 94.3 : Pat Cummins to Broad, Broad defends this length delivery outside off towards the off side. |
| 94.4 : Pat Cummins to Broad, FIVE WIDES! Bouncer! Cummins goes way too short and the line is on the middle stump, Broad leaves it as the ball sails over him and over the keeper to the third man fence. |
| Pat Cummins to Broad, Once again A short ball. The length is down the leg side. Broad looks to flick but fails to lay wood on the ball. |
| 94.5 : Pat Cummins to Broad, Broad defends this length ball outside off towards covers and takes a single. |
| 94.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, FOUR! Buttler is playing a responsible innings here. He is leaving the good ones and taking full toll off the bad ones. Cummins bowls fuller length delivery outside off and Buttler drives it through point. The ball reaches the fence and Buttler fetches a boundary. A very valuable one though. |
| The physio is out! Broad needs his left arm to be treated. He seems to have gotten a wound on his elbow. |
| 95.1 : N Lyon to Broad, A single off the first ball! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Broad looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards backward point for one. |
| 95.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flatter and on off, Buttler goes back and works it through square leg for one. |
| 95.3 : N Lyon to Broad, Shorter and on off, it pitches and turns away. Broad goes back and guides it to point. |
| 95.4 : N Lyon to Broad, Big turn but the line is way too wide outside off, it is left alone. |
| 95.5 : N Lyon to Broad, Another wasteful delivery. Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 95.6 : N Lyon to Broad, A good nut! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Beats the outside edge of Broad's bat as he tries to defend. |
| 96.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Length ball outside off, Buttler defends it down to mid off with a straight bat. |
| 96.2 : Cummins to Buttler, Yorker on the pads, Buttler flicks it to mid-wicket and looks for a single but is denied by his partner. |
| 96.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Length delivery on the pads, Buttler flicks it to fine leg and gets a single. |
| 96.4 : Pat Cummins to Broad, Shorter one on the body, Broad ducks under it awkwardly. |
| 96.5 : Pat Cummins to Broad, NO BALL! Cummins escaped on the previous one but not this time. Another one which is bowled short and Broad is opened up. He defends it in a weird way. |
| Pat Cummins to Broad, Shorter one once again. This is a tactic or are the Australians straying away from the plan. Cummins bowls a short one again and Broad sways away from the line at the last moment. |
| 96.6 : Pat Cummins to Broad, This time bowls a fuller one and Broad flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on. He will probably bowl the last over before Lunch. |
| 97.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Full length ball outside off, left alone by Jos Buttler. |
| 97.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Good length ball just outside off, Buttler looks to push this towards cover but it goes off the outer half of his bat towards backward point. |
| 97.3 : M Starc to Buttler, Length ball outside off, Buttler shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 97.4 : M Starc to Buttler, Beauty by Starc! Length ball on the fourth stump line, it straightens after pitching. Buttler looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball sneaks through the bat and his body. |
| 97.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 97.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Brave leave off the last ball this by Buttler! This one is pitched up fuller and just outside off, it nips back in. Jos knows exactly where his stumps are and he shoulders arms to it. It is very close to the stumps but no harm done. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| 24 overs. 78 runs. 3 Wickets. Australia's session without a doubt. Wickets is what they needed entering today and they have got three. England on the other hand, hoped for another Stokes heroics but he was done by a beauty from Starc. He had earlier broken through the defense of Jonny Bairstow to break the good-looking stand between him and Stokes. Buttler has raced along to 26 off just 34 balls and he is the only hope for the hosts if they are to initially avoid the follow-on and then add impor |
| For the visitors, Starc seems to be getting his rhythm back as he bowled good lines and lengths. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were good once again but Lyon, who has been getting a lot of purchase from the surface, has been a touch disappointing. |
| Now, coming into the second session, England would want to avoid the follow-on first and then bat as long as they could. It is all about batting out time for them. Australia, on the other hand, would want to close this innings as soon as possible first and then think what they want to do ahead. Join us after the Lunch break for the exciting second session. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| The Australians are back out onto the field along with English batsmen Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad. The visitors would want to take the 2 remaining wickets as quickly as possible and have a chance of enforcing the follow-on. Nathan Lyon to start the proceedings for them. |
| 98.1 : N Lyon to Broad, Goes past the outside edge on first ball. Pitched on middle and turned just a tad bit away from the block of Broad. |
| 98.2 : N Lyon to Broad, Another one turns away as Broad looks to poke. Pitched on the same line and turns away. |
| 98.3 : N Lyon to Broad, Loopy fullish ball on middle, Broad sweeps it towards deep square leg for a couple. |
| 98.4 : N Lyon to Broad, Flatter one outside off, left alone by Broad. |
| 98.5 : N Lyon to Broad, Flatter and quicker this time, Broad comes forward to block. |
| 98.6 : N Lyon to Broad, A flighted ball, Broad looks to push it through point but the ball goes off the outer half of the willow low towards third slip. Good start this from Lyon. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 99.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Starts with a fuller ball outside off, Buttler punches it straight to mid off. |
| 99.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Good length on the pads, Buttler tucks it towards fine leg to change ends. He is trusting Broad against Starc. |
| 99.3 : M Starc to Broad, And Starc goes for the yorker but gets the line wrong as this one is dished on the pads. Broad looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters cross over again. |
| 99.4 : M Starc to Buttler, Full outside off to Buttler, he finds the mid off fielder with his firm drive. |
| 99.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Misses his line this time as this is down the leg side. Buttler looks to flick but can't get bat on it. |
| 99.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Fuller length and coming in, Buttler goes for the drive through cover but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 100.1 : N Lyon to Broad, Fuller and on the pads, Broad sweeps but finds the short fine leg fielder. |
| 100.2 : N Lyon to Broad, On middle and on a fuller length, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 100.3 : N Lyon to Broad, A good ball this and it had Broad in two minds. It pitched around off. Broad wanted to sweep initially but decided to block at the end. The ball goes towards square leg off the inner half for a run. |
| 100.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flatter and quicker but outside off, Buttler lets it go to the keeper. |
| 100.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, Fuller ball around off, Buttler blunts it towards the off side. |
| 100.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, Quicker one again but too wide to make Buttler play. He lets it go the keeper. |
| 101.1 : M Starc to Broad, Fuller ball on off, Broad looks to jam this down but the ball takes outside edge and goes towards the second slip who does well to stop the ball. |
| 101.2 : M Starc to Broad, Down the leg side on a good length. Starc will bowl a beauty and then balls like these. Broad looks to work it down the leg side but misses to get bat on ball. |
| 101.3 : M Starc to Broad, Good length ball on middle and leg, Broad hops and keeps it out. |
| 101.4 : M Starc to Broad, Beaten! Good shortish ball which has Broad going for the drive. He goes hard at the ball and misses. |
| 101.5 : M Starc to Broad, OUT! Woodwork disturbed with a beauty. Starc is brilliant against the tail-enders says the commentator on air. He is obviously right as we see Broad's stumps flattened. Fuller ball, which swings back in as Broad looks to block. He can't get behind the swing and pushes at the wrong line to see the stumps shattered. That was a quicker one and Broad could do nothing about it. Starc has looked in good rhythm and he would like to finish off things quickly. |
| Jack Leach is the last man in for England. He has to help the hosts out here and bat like he did in the last game. |
| EmamiTheCharming - 'I am telling you. Enforce the follow-on, Australia. Please enforce it. Blow England away in their second innings.' @ETC - Is that the Aussie fan in you wishing the best or is it the want for a holiday on Monday? Or perhaps even Sunday? |
| 101.6 : M Starc to Leach, Fuller ball, Leach pushes it towards the bowler. |
| 102.1 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flighted ball around off, blocked towards bowler. |
| 102.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, Outside off, floated by Lyon. Buttler looks to defend but misses. |
| 102.3 : N Lyon to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 102.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Great ball by Lyon. This one pitches outside off, it spins back in and Buttler misses the line of the delivery. Paine too misses the ball and the ball is gathered by the leg slip fielder. |
| 102.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Buttler slaps this one through covers for a boundary. |
| 102.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, On the pads of Buttler, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 103.1 : M Starc to Leach, Good length ball on middle, Leach blocks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 103.2 : M Starc to Leach, A bumper this time. Leach ducks under it. Don't bowl there and target the stumps. |
| 103.3 : M Starc to Leach, FOUR! Leach is a confident man. He had done really well in the last Test during that partnership with Stokes. Shows a glimpse of that here. Starc goes fuller but outside off, Leach drives this through mid off firmly. The ball races to the fence but gets a chase from Mathew Wade. He dives to get the ball back in play and does so. However, the umpire checks with the the third man if he was touching the ropes as he tried to get the ball back in. And, yes, touched ropes when |
| 103.4 : M Starc to Leach, Shortish ball outside off, Leach has a poke but misses. |
| 103.5 : Starc to Leach, Full ball outside off, kept out this time by Leach. |
| 103.6 : M Starc to Leach, Huge appeal for the LBW. Yes, that's out. But no that's not out says Erasmus. Leach had survived a LBW call during the last match as well. Australians were without reviews then. They are without review even now. Fuller ball on middle, Leach looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Starc along with the entire team appeal but Erasmus deems this in the favour of Leach and England. |
| 104.1 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flatter and outside off, Buttler lets it be. |
| 104.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, Tossed up on middle, it is hit back to the bowler. |
| 104.3 : N Lyon to Buttler, Down the leg side, Buttler tires to flick but misses. Paine too fails to collect it and it goes to short fine leg. |
| 104.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Floats it up on middle, this is defended onto the ground. |
| 104.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, Gets the single which means, Leach has just the one ball to play. On middle, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 104.6 : N Lyon to Leach, A nothing delivery to end! Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 105.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Full length ball around off, blocked out by Buttler. |
| 105.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Off the inner half and Buttler retains strike. Again full and outside off, Buttler looks to push this towards the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket and the batters take two. More importantly, Buttler on strike. |
| Excellent banter between Shane Warne and Nasser Hussain on air. Warney is a bit agitated with Jack Leach not being adjudged LBW by umpire Marais Erasmus against Mitchell Starc, which was shown to be plumb by Ball Tracker. He casually says that the umpires need to be aware of how many reviews each team have. He points out that Australia have none but England have 2. So, he could have given it out and let England challenge it. Nasser is not too impressed with that suggestion. He reckons that the u |
| 105.3 : M Starc to Buttler, Buttler tries to push this towards cover but mistimes it. It goes over the fielder at extra cover and the batters take two. 2 more needed to avoid the follow-on. |
| 105.4 : M Starc to Jos Buttler, FOUR! The follow-on has been avoided! Full and wide outside off, Buttler pushes this through covers and the ball races to the fence. They would now look to cut the deficit as much as they can. |
| 105.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Shorter this time and Buttler pulls this one towards square leg for a single. |
| 105.6 : M Starc to Leach, Last ball of the over and this is on the pads of Leach. He misses his flick and is hit on the pads. |
| Pat cummins is back into the attack to finish things off. |
| 106.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Good length ball outside off, Buttler lets it be. |
| 106.2 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Gets closer to the body of Buttler on a good length. He gets right behind the line of the delivery to block. |
| 106.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Edged but short! Another ball which is closer to the off pole. Buttler looks to defend but gets an outside edge which rolls towards gully on the bounce. |
| Aha... another banter on air. This is fun to hear and understand. Sir Ian Botham says that Australia would have to bat till tomorrow afternoon at least to ensure that they set a target in excess of 400. Would even 450 be safe? To this, Michael Holding calmly says that he doesn't feel Australia would be too bothered at all. They have the Ashes and it is England who have to do all the talking. All Australia have to ensure is that they don't lose this Test. Keep more banters coming! |
| 106.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Back of a length ball on middle, Buttler swivels to pull but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 106.5 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Slightly shortish length on middle, Buttler punches it towards mid on. |
| 106.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, OUT! Cleans him up with a moving peach! It's a fuller ball which comes back in to Buttler. He stays in the crease and wants to go down town. But as the ball moves in, Buttler plays down the wrong line. The ball goes onto hit the off pole behind. But hello, hold on. They're checking for the front foot no ball. That looks really close but the third umpire feels there's enough behind the line which means Buttler has to walk back. However, he has played a very handy kn |
| Just the 9 overs after Lunch Australia took to bundle the remaining wickets of England. However, the hosts have managed to avoid the follow on in that many overs. One still believes that Australia might not have enforced it had they got a chance. They now have a massive lead and there is still a lot of time left to force a result. |
| England, on the other hand, will be quite disappointed with the score they have got. They would not have expected to be in such a worrying position at the end of their innings when Root and Burns were going along smoothly. After they lost Denly and Overton, the nightwatchman quickly, Joe and Rory added a 141-run stand with both scoring half tons. However, once the lefty fell, England lost wickets at regular intervals. From 166 for 2, they slipped to 196 for 5. It was all about saving the follow- |
| For Australians, Hazlewood was the star as he finished with a four-fer. Cummins was also good. Lyon was probably the disappointment. Would have wrote the same for Starc but he was excellent today with the second new cherry. He ended with a three-fer. Overall, on a wicket, which for most of the game has not been so good for the bowlers, the Aussies will be pleased with their effort. |
| Australia's plan now - Score quickly? Well, it surely has to be that. Thy have a lead of 196 runs and you would expect them to add 150 or say 160 runs more before they declare. They would be eager to make England bat again today. Will they do so is something we will have to wait to find out. England on the other hand, can try and do only one thing, delay the declaration for as long as possible. For that, they need to take wickets as quickly as possible and not let the visitors score freely. One |
| 0.1 : S Broad to Warner, Broad starts off with a good length ball way outside off, Warner leaves it alone. He will be looking to get him out for the second time in this match. |
| 0.2 : S Broad to Warner, Good length ball outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 0.3 : S Broad to Warner, On middle and leg this time, Warner takes a step down the track and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 0.4 : S Broad to Warner, Fiery! Good ball on middle and off, Warner blocks it back towards Broad. He fakes a throw at the stumps and Warner rushes back into the crease. Warner and Broad have a stare at each other first but then exchange smiles in the end. |
| 0.5 : S Broad to Warner, BEATEN! Warner picked that bouncer up very late. He initially looks to play at it but bails out in the end. |
| 0.6 : S Broad to Warner, OUT! LBW! Warner is out of here and Broad is the man who has got him again! HIS 300TH TEST WICKET IN ENGLAND. This one is on a good length and just outside off, it comes in with the angle. Warner tries to block it out but misses and he is hit high on the pad. The English players go for the appeal in unison and the umpire gives it out. Warner has a chat with his partner at the non-striker's end but Harris tells him there is no use of taking the review. Ball Tracker comes i |
| Marnus Labuschagne is the new man in for Australia. Jofra Archer to share the attack with Broad from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Archer to M Harris, Fuller ball around off, tapped towards mid off by Harris. |
| 1.2 : J Archer to Harris, Beaten! Goes past the outside edge this time. This is closer to the off pole. It is pitched on off, and shapes away from Harris. He looks to fend it away but misses. |
| 1.3 : J Archer to Harris, Good length ball this time, Harris covers his stumps and lets it go to keeper. |
| 1.4 : J Archer to Harris, Good length ball, angled into the batter from off and middle, blocked towards the leg side this time. |
| 1.5 : J Archer to Harris, No ball! Bouncer but it is too high. Harris ducks under it. However, Jofra has overstepped. |
| J Archer to Harris, Beats the outside edge again! Another good length ball in the channel, shapes away from Harris' poke to beat the outside edge. |
| 1.6 : J Archer to M Harris, Fuller ball around off, Harris leans into the drive to cream this through covers but Roy does well to save a boundary. |
| 2.1 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets it go to the keeper. |
| 2.2 : S Broad to Labuschagne, In the channel again and on a good length. Marnus lets it go the keeper again. |
| 2.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Slightly fuller and on middle, Marnus gets one hand off the bat handle to drop it towards the leg side with soft hands. |
| 2.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Shortish length ball on off, Labuschagne taps it towards cover and looks for a run. But the fielder is quick at ball. Seeing that Marnus return to his crease. The fielder has a shy at the stumps but misses. He was in anyway. |
| 2.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Fuller and closer to the off pole, Marnus lunges to block it well. |
| 2.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Fuller ball again, gets behind the line to block. Back-to-back maiden from Broad. |
| 3.1 : J Archer to Harris, OUCH! That one must have hurt Harris. Length ball just outside off, comes in with the angle. Harris looks to push this one towards the on side but misses and is hit on the box. |
| 3.2 : J Archer to M Harris, FOUR! Great reply by Harris! Full and on the pads, Harris drives this one wide of mid on and the ball has raced towards the fence. |
| 3.3 : J Archer to Harris, Length ball on the body, Harris tucks it towards the leg side and looks for a single but Labuschagne opts against it. |
| 3.4 : J Archer to Harris, Harris defends this one by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.5 : J Archer to Harris, Length ball just outside off by Jofra, it pitches and nips away. Harris looks to defend first but then bails out. |
| 3.6 : J Archer to Harris, Good length ball wide outside off, Harris fends at it but gets an outside edge at it which goes on the bounce towards gully. It goes past the diving fielder and they take a single. |
| 4.1 : S Broad to Harris, FOUR BYES! Too much movement on that one! It pitches outside off, and starts to come back in with the angle. It goes down the leg side, Harris leaves it and it goes even further away from the keeper. Bairstow's dive cannot stop the ball and it goes to the fine leg fence. |
| 4.2 : S Broad to M Harris, Good length ball outside off, Harris looks to push this towards the off side but gets an inside edge on it. It goes past the leg pole and towards fine leg for a single. |
| 4.3 : S Broad to Labuschagne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.4 : S Broad to Labuschagne, FOUR! Superb shot! This is a fullish ball outside off, Labuschagne slaps this through covers for a boundary. |
| 4.5 : S Broad to Labuschagne, Marnus has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.6 : S Broad to Labuschagne, On the pads of Labuschagne, he flicks it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 5.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Back of a length on off, it is kept out. |
| 5.2 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Outside off, this one is left alone. |
| 5.3 : J Archer to Labuschagne, On a good length and around off, Marnus goes back and keeps it out. |
| 5.4 : J Archer to Labuschagne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Back of a length and on off, Labuschagne keeps it out. |
| 5.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Well bowled and nicely played in the end! Shortish and just outside off, Marnus looks to defend but then there is extra bounce. He does well to drop his hands and lets it go. |
| REVIEW TIME! Umpire Erasmus has adjudged Harris out LBW! It looks like a carbon copy to his dismissal in the first innings. |
| 6.1 : S Broad to Harris, OUT! Three reds and Harris is a goner! A waste of a review to be honest, that looked out. This is almost a carbon copy of how Harris got out in the first innings. Broad comes steaming in from around the wicket just like he did in the first innings. He lands it on off and it is slightly fuller, it jags back in. Harris looks to play it with a straight bat but misses and is hit flush on the front pad. An appeal and up goes the finger. Marcus walks up to his partner and after |
| 0.0 : Steven Smith is the new man in. He barely got 6 overs to put his feet up. Here he is again, needed to resurrect the innings for his team. |
| 6.2 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 6.3 : S Broad to Smith, That stays low! Well played in the end! This is on off, it skids through. Smith gets his bat down in time and keeps it out. That just shows how carefully Smith watches the ball. |
| 6.4 : S Broad to Smith, Fuller and around off, Smith strokes it nicely to covers. |
| 6.5 : S Broad to Smith, This is angled into the batter, Smith works it to mid-wicket. |
| Amit The Mastermind - 'Hmmm... now this Test is interesting. What a bowling spell by Broady. Superb. I feel if England can stop Australia from scoring, they can at least draw this Test. Don't think they can win from here.' @ATM - Erm... with Stokesy in the side, they can do ANYTHING. Don't think runs are a matter in this Test tbh. Australia would be wanting to bat two sessions, just to give their bowlers some rest. Now, it is a different issue whether their bowlers can forget the ghosts of Headi |
| 6.6 : S Broad to Smith, Smith is off the mark! Broad bowls one full and outside off, Smith looks to stroke it through the off side but then tries to bail out. Too late as the ball hits the bat and rolls through covers for two. |
| 7.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Marnus drives it through covers for a couple. |
| 7.2 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it. |
| 7.3 : J Archer to Labuschagne,Fuller one around off, Marnus defends it towards the off side. |
| 7.4 : J Archer to Labuschagne, BEATEN! Good ball by Archer. He bowls one in the channel of uncertainty and Marnus gets sucked into poking at it. But luckily for him the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 7.5 : J Archer to Labuschagne, FOUR! Back of a length and outside off, Labuschagne opens the face of his bat at the last moment and runs it down to third man. The ball crosses the fence to hand a boundary to Australia and Marnus. |
| 7.6 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Labuschagne rises on his toes to defend that into the ground towards the off side. |
| Amit The Mastermind - 'Dear commentator, how on earth do you think that England can win from here? That too with Lyon in the opposition? He will spin a web around them. I am seeing only two results from here - Draw or Australia win.' @ATM - Well, alright. Just extracting all the possibilities, you see... |
| 8.1 : S Broad to Smith, Just short! Fuller and on middle, Smith looks to drive but the ball sticks in the surface. It goes uppishly but well short of mid on. |
| 0.0 : Interesting... Ricky Ponting on air observes the reaction of Steven Smith after he played that shot. He says that Smudge indicated as if the ball held up on the wicket. Punter though, opines that he is not too sure that the ball held up. Hmmmm... |
| 8.2 : S Broad to Smith, Down the leg side, Smith looks to flick but misses. |
| 8.3 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| England have got a catching mid-wicket. Could be a bit straighter. |
| 8.4 : S Broad to Smith, Cut him into half! This lands outside off and then jags back in. Smith looks to put bat on ball but is beaten. |
| 8.5 : S Broad to Smith, Shorter and outside off, Smith mistimes his cut to point. |
| 8.6 : S Broad to Smith, That is a brave, brave leave! This is fuller and outside off, it comes in. Smith leaves it and it goes just past the off pole. |
| Punter also observes the confidence in Smith's batting. Though he questions as well - Is that confidence or the team's orders? Because he can already see plenty of shots being played by Smith in this innings, when he has just arrived. |
| 9.1 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Good length in the channel outside off, Marnus lets it go to the keeper. |
| 9.2 : J Archer to Labuschagne, Gets closer this time on a good length. Marnus blunts it towards mid off by getting right behind the line of the ball. |
| REVIEW TIME! Australia have again gone for the review. This time Labuschagne is the man in question. |
| 9.3 : Archer to Labuschagne, OUT! That looked dead plumb! Marnus knew it as soon as he was hit on the pads. England are on fire. This time it is Jofra Archer. Fuller and a straight one. Marnus looks to defend but he the ball shapes in late to miss the forward block. He is hit on the pads. Archer and England make a loud appeal along with the crowd. The umpire agrees and sends him packing. He though consults with Smith and eventually goes for the review. This looks close, very close. The Ultra Edge |
| Travis Head is the next man in for the visitors. He needs to stay patient and give Smith some assistance. |
| 9.4 : J Archer to Head, Fuller ball again, outside off, beats the outside edge again. |
| 9.5 : J Archer to T Head, Another fullish ball, Head pushed it towards the off side. |
| 9.6 : J Archer to Head, Bumper this time. Head ducks under it. End of a superb over from Archer. |
| 10.1 : S Broad to Smith, BEATEN! This is angled into the off pole, it pitches and straightens. Smith looks to defend but is beaten. |
| 10.2 : S Broad to Smith, This is down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. |
| Excellent usage of the length by the English seamers. They have understood that the pitch has slowed down quite a lot and hence, the bounce is not as much as it was on the first three days. All the three LBW dismissals which we have witnessed so far in this innings, would have been going over the top in the first dig. |
| 10.3 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR OVERTHROWS! There was a run opportunity there. A direct hit would have been close. A short one which hurries onto Smith. He mistimes the pull towards square leg. Head wants a run and sets off. Smith takes a start and then sends him back. The fielder from mid-wicket gets to the ball and then throws it as he turns towards the non-striker's end. He misses. Archer fails to collect the ball as it bounces in front of him and it goes to the long off fence. England can't gi |
| 10.4 : S Broad to Smith, Outside off, this is left alone. |
| 10.5 : S Broad to Smith, Another top nut! This is a brilliant spell by Broad. Shorter and around off, it straightens after pitching. Smith tries to defend but gets beaten. |
| 10.6 : S Broad to S Smith, A dot to end! Fuller and on middle, this is hit to mid on. |
| 11.1 : J Archer to Head, Good length ball on off, angled into the batter, Head taps it towards cover off the back foot. |
| 11.2 : J Archer to T Head, FOUR! Crunched! Overpitched by Archer and Head lifts this over cover-point to get off the mark with a boundary. Archer won't mind this as the batter seems to be ready to drive the ball outside off. |
| 11.3 : J Archer to Head, Shortish length ball on middle, tucked towards the leg side for a couple this time. |
| You look at the scorecard and get the feeling, Wow. This is now an exciting Test match. Let Broad and Archer rip through the Aussies. However, the most important bowlers are not necessarily the ones making the inroads at the start. They are those who follow them up. Broad and Archer cannot bowl for ever and it is important that the likes of Stokes, Overton and Leach compliment the duo. |
| 11.4 : J Archer to Head, Another shortish ball around off, Head looks to work it down the leg side but it goes off the outer half of the bat. |
| 11.5 : J Archer to T Head, Edged but doesn't carry. Fuller ball, outside off, Head throws his bat at it to get an outside edge towards the slip cordon. It is wide of the diving slip fielder. |
| 11.6 : J Archer to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 12.1 : S Broad to Head, Fuller ball on off. Head drives it straight to cover. |
| 12.2 : S Broad to Head, Shortish ball around off, Head looks to punch off the back foot but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat towards extra cover. |
| 12.3 : S Broad to Head, Good length ball on middle and leg, nips back further. Head looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Broad appeals but nothing from the umpire. No review from England. A good call as the Ball Tracker rolled in to show that this was going down the leg side. |
| 12.4 : S Broad to Head, Good length around off, tapped towards point this time. |
| 12.5 : S Broad to Head, On the pads on a good length, Head nudges it fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 12.6 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Smith is not bothered about what is happening around. Good length ball outside off, enough room for Smith to carve the cover drive for a boundary. |
| 13.1 : J Archer to Head, In the channel outside off, Head lets it go to the keeper. |
| 13.2 : J Archer to Head, Good length ball around off again. Head looks to drive through covers but the ball takes the bottom edge and goes towards Archer. |
| 13.3 : J Archer to Head, Shortish ball on middle, angled into the body. Head looks to work it down the leg side but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 13.4 : J Archer to Head, Back of a length ball on the body this time, Head does well to fend it off towards the slip cordon. |
| 13.5 : J Archer to T Head, FOUR! Top shot. Fullish length, there's room on offer for Head. He leans into the drive and powers it through covers for a boundary. |
| 13.6 : J Archer to Head, OUT! The middle stump takes a walk! Whatta jaffa from Archer. England are all over the visitors. Fuller length on middle, comes into the batter. Head looks to go for the drive but he has played all over this delivery. The ball sneaks through and shatters the timbers behind. Wicket number two for Archer. Australia 240 ahead with 6 wickets in hand. Smith watching all the damage from the other end. |
| Matthew Wade is the new man in for the Aussies. |
| 14.1 : S Broad to Smith, Bumper but too high. Smith ducks under it. |
| 14.2 : S Broad to Smith, Good length ball on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 14.3 : S Broad to Smith, Fuller ball this time, Smith blocks by getting right behind the line of the ball. |
| 14.4 : S Broad to Smith, Bumper again from Broad. But this goes down the leg side. Smith lets it go the keeper. |
| 14.5 : S Broad to Smith, Good length ball outside off, left alone by Smith. |
| 14.6 : S Broad to Smith, Fuller around off this time, Smith blocks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 15.1 : J Archer to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg. |
| 15.2 : J Archer to Wade, Bouncer this time outside off, Wade sways away from it. |
| 15.3 : J Archer to M Wade, Full length ball on middle and off, Wade pushes this towards cover-point. |
| 15.4 : J Archer to Wade, Bouncer again! This time down the leg side and Wade ducks under it. |
| 15.5 : J Archer to Wade, Fiery again! On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg for a single. Wade, when taking his single almost clashed with Archer. So Archer in return, while Wade was took for a start for the second, stood his ground which means he was right in front of Wade. The batter opts not to go around him, turns and goes back to his crease. There though wasn't two on there. |
| 15.6 : J Archer to Smith, Way down the leg side by Archer, Smith goes after it and misses his flick. |
| 16.1 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball around off, Wade shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 16.2 : S Broad to Wade, Good length ball around off, Wade opens the face of his bat and guides this towards gully. |
| Questionnaire - 'Australia 4 down! Well, the quicker they get bowled out, England will be all out even quicker!' @Questionnaire - Given your name, interesting that you are making a statement rather than asking a question. |
| 16.3 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball around off, Wade looks to defend this off the back foot but gets beaten. |
| 16.4 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a couple. The fielder in the deep fumbled but no harm done. |
| 16.5 : S Broad to Wade, Another one on the pads, Wade tucks this straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 16.6 : S Broad to M Wade, Last ball of the over, pushed to the man at cover. |
| 17.1 : J Archer to Smith, This is angled into the pads, Smith works it wide of mid on for one. 600 runs for Smith in the series so far. |
| 17.2 : J Archer to Wade, Shorter and outside off, it is left alone. |
| 17.3 : J Archer to Wade, Two taken! Fuller and around off, Wade strokes it through covers and runs a brace. |
| 17.4 : J Archer to Wade, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 17.5 : J Archer to Wade, This is angled into the middle pole, Wade gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 17.6 : J Archer to Wade, Shorter in length and on the body, Wade ducks under it. |
| Craig Overton is on now! End of the marathon spell by Broad. |
| 18.1 : C Overton to Smith, Length ball around off, Smith plays it off the back foot towards mid on. |
| 18.2 : C Overton to Smith, Fuller one on the pads, Smith flicks it off his pads to fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 18.3 : C Overton to Wade, Fuller one outside off, Wade drives it towards covers and crosses over for a quick single. |
| 18.4 : C Overton to Smith, Bouncer! Smith ducks under it. |
| 18.5 : C Overton to Smith, Back of a length on the pads, Smith hops and flicks it to fine leg and gets a couple. |
| 18.6 : C Overton to S Smith, Fuller length ball on middle and leg, Smith flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| Spin time! Jack Leach into the attack now. |
| 19.1 : J Leach to Wade, Tossed up delivery on middle, Wade paddles it down towards fine leg and gets couple. |
| 19.2 : J Leach to Wade, Flighted delivery outside off, Wade sweeps it through square leg and gets a single. |
| 19.3 : J Leach to Smith, Turn and bounce! Leach bowls one outside off and Smith dabs it to point. |
| 19.4 : J Leach to Smith, Superb effort by Jofra in the outfield! Loopy delivery on the pads, Smith dances down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket. Jofra in the deep puts in a dive to pull the ball back. He does that but the ball continues to roll towards the fence. He leaps again to save a run as the batters take three. |
| 19.5 : J Leach to Wade, Flatter one outside off, Wade flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.6 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up delivery on off, Smith punches this towards mid off for a single. |
| 20.1 : C Overton to Smith, Overton bowls on a length and outside off, Smith defends by coming right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 20.2 : C Overton to Smith, Once again Smith is happy to defend this length ball outside off towards the off side. |
| 20.3 : C Overton to Smith, Length and on middle, Smith flicks it off his pads towards fine leg for a single. |
| 20.4 : C Overton to Wade, Good ball this from Overton. He bowls one on a length and outside off, But the ball climbs onto the batsmen and Wade at the last minute sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 20.5 : C Overton to Wade,Length and outside off, Wade lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 20.6 : C Overton to Wade, This time Overton brings it a bit closer to the stumps and Wade just plays it to point. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 4! |
| An excellent session of play for England but still it is Australia who are ahead in the game! England, after losing their last two wickets quickly earlier in the session, needed to come out all guns blazing and their bowlers did so. They put the onus of wicket-taking on their two best bowlers and Broad and Archer delivered. Both bowled 9-over spells and dismantled the Australian top order. They need to keep doing that as England know, that one good partnership can take the game away from them. |
| For Australia, once again it is Smith who has held one end up. The others had no answers to the fiery spells by Broad and Archer. However, the lead is already 259 and Wade and Smith will hope they can stitch a good stand here. 42 overs left in the day, will we see England bat today? Stay tuned to find out. |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| The hosts are back out in the middle after the Tea break. The Australian batters, Steven Smith and Matthew Wade are also on the field and it will be interesting to see what their approach will be in this session. Jack Leach to continue the proceedings for England. The last session on Day 4 is underway... |
| 21.1 : J Leach to Smith, Floats it up on off, Smith drives it with the turn to covers. Roy makes a good stop diving to his right. |
| 21.2 : J Leach to Smith, FOUR! Hammered! That is an aggressive shot from Smith. Australia going to go all guns blazing after the break? Maybe. Smith steps down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball and hammers it down to the long on fence. |
| 21.3 : J Leach to Smith, Three now! Expects this one to be shorter and wider and it is like that. Smith stays right back and leg side of the ball, guides it down to third man for three. Overton chases the ball and pulls it back with a slide. |
| 21.4 : J Leach to Wade, Flighted ball, it turns and bounces extra as Wade looks to work it down the leg side. But because of the turn and bounce he can't put bat on ball. It goes towards fine leg. Smith calls for a single but Wade is late in taking off. The fine fielder has a shy but he misses. A direct hit would've had Wade in trouble. |
| 21.5 : J Leach to Smith, On middle, it is kept out. |
| 21.6 : J Leach to Smith, In the air... but safe! Smith once again steps out but this time does not get to the pitch of it. he still goes ahead with the shot, ends up mistiming it over the mid off fielder for two. 10 from the first over after Tea. |
| Craig Overton to continue after the break from the other end. |
| 22.1 : C Overton to Wade, On a length and on off, Wade drives it straight to the man at mid off. |
| 22.2 : C Overton to Wade, Length ball and on off, Wade crouches low as he defends it onto the pitch. |
| 22.3 : C Overton to Wade,Good length delivery outside off, Wade defends it of the outside half of his bat to gully. |
| 22.4 : C Overton to Wade, BEATEN! Back of a length and outside off, Wade gets away from the line of the delivery to let it pass through. |
| 22.5 : C Overton to Wade, Fuller one on off, Wade drives it to the man at mid off. |
| 22.6 : C Overton to Wade, Wade defends this back of a length ball outside off to point. |
| 23.1 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up delivery on off, Smith plays it to point and gets off the strike. |
| 23.2 : J Leach to Wade, Flatter one on middle and leg, Wade defends it back to the bowler. |
| 23.3 : J Leach to Wade, Tossed up on leg, Wade flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 23.4 : J Leach to Smith, Flighted on off, Smith works it to mid on and takes a single. |
| 23.5 : J Leach to M Wade, Tossed up on off, Wade looks to defend it to the off side but gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 23.6 : J Leach to Wade, Wade flicks this flighted one off his pads to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 24.1 : C Overton to Wade, On a length and around off, Wade defends it to mid on. |
| 24.2 : C Overton to Wade, Length ball and outside off, Wade defends it to the off side. |
| 24.3 : C Overton to M Wade, Short on middle and Wade swivels to pulls it over mid-wicket but can't get his timing right. However, the ball goes towards deep mid-wicket and the batters take three in the meantime. |
| 24.4 : C Overton to Smith, Smith works this length ball outside off towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 24.5 : C Overton to Wade, Length and outside off, Wade looks to run this down to third man but the fielder inside the circle cuts it off. |
| 24.6 : C Overton to Wade, Wade defends this length ball outside off to point. |
| 25.1 : J Leach to Smith, Smith defends This flatter one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.2 : J Leach to Smith, FOUR! Tossed up and outside off, Smith gets down on one knee and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 25.3 : J Leach to S Smith, Flatter one outside off, Smith drives it to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 25.4 : J Leach to Wade, Wade defends this flighted one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.5 : J Leach to Wade, Flighted on middle and leg, Wade looks to flick it off his pads but misses it. |
| 25.6 : J Leach to Wade, Wade looks to work this flatter one towards the leg side but gets it off the inside half of his bat towards short fine leg. |
| 26.1 : C Overton to Smith, On a length and on the pads, Smith flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 26.2 : C Overton to Wade, FOUR! Beautifully done! Wade has played a gorgeous square cut. Overton bowls on a length and outside off, Wade frees his arms and cuts it through point for a magnificent boundary. That should give some confidence to Wade. |
| 26.3 : C Overton to Wade, Wade defends this length ball outside off on the off side. |
| 26.4 : C Overton to Wade, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. |
| 26.5 : C Overton to Wade, Wade defends this length ball off his back foot. |
| 26.6 : C Overton to Wade, BOUNCER! Overton goes short and Wade is spot on to sight that early and ducks under it. |
| 27.1 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up on leg pole, defended out. |
| 27.2 : J Leach to Smith, This time it pitches outside leg and spins towards middle. Smith blocks it out. |
| 27.3 : J Leach to Smith, Floated delivery outside the leg pole, Smith goes for the reverse sweep but misses. |
| 27.4 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up outside off, Smith opens the face of his bat awkwardly and guides this towards point to take a single. |
| 27.5 : J Leach to Wade, This time Wade goes for the reverse sweep but even he misses it and is hit on the body. |
| 27.6 : J Leach to Wade, Wade tried to sweep that one but missed it and was hit on the pads. |
| Stuart Broad back into the attack. He was terrific in his first spell. |
| 28.1 : S Broad to Smith, Yorker spot on! Broad is right on the money in his return spell. He eyes Smith's defences and almost sneaks past it. Smith looks to flick it towards the leg side but gets it off the inside edge towards the stuumps. But Smityh is a lucky man. He some how manages to stop the ball from going towards the stumps. |
| 28.2 : S Broad to Smith, Smith defends this length ball off the back foot. |
| 28.3 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Fuller and on the pads, Smith flicks it awkwardly through mid-wicket for a boundary. His methods might be awkward but he is getting the desired result. |
| 28.4 : S Broad to S Smith, Good length ball on middle and off, Smith tries to push this towards the off side but gets an inside edge on it. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take one. |
| 28.5 : S Broad to Wade, Full length ball on off, pushed to mid on. |
| 28.6 : S Broad to Wade, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 29.1 : J Leach to Smith, FOUR! Good improvisation by Smith. This is way down the leg side, Smith paddles this one very fine and the ball races through to the fine leg fence. |
| 29.2 : J Leach to Smith, Tossed up on middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards squarish mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 29.3 : J Leach to Wade, Wade sweeps this one but straight to the man at square leg. |
| 29.4 : J Leach to Wade, Wade again tries to sweep but misses to get hit on the pad. |
| 29.5 : J Leach to Wade, Wade has swept that one through the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 29.6 : J Leach to Smith, DROPPED! Stokes is the culprit this time! This is one is tossed up outside off, Smith goes for the reverse sweep and plays it uppishly. Stokes premeditates it and moves to his right from first slip before Smith had completed the shot. It went high and just towards the right of Stokes, he gets both his hands to it but puts it down. The ball rolls towards third man and the batters take a single. The main man for Australia survives and with this single, the lead for Australi |
| 30.1 : S Broad to Smith, FIFTY! Another one! A routine for this man. 26th Test half ton. Fuller ball around off to tap it towards cover and takes off for a quick single to get to his milestone. Unbelievable. |
| 30.2 : S Broad to Wade, Good length ball outside off, tapped towards the off side. |
| 30.3 : S Broad to Wade, Fuller one on the pads, Wade flicks it straight to the mid-on fielder. |
| 30.4 : S Broad to Wade, Fuller ball outside off, directed towards gully this time by Wade. |
| 30.5 : S Broad to Wade, Wide yorker this time. Wade looks to drive but he is late into the shot. |
| 30.6 : S Broad to Wade, Fullish ball again, tapped towards point. |
| 31.1 : J Leach to Smith, Smith goes for the reverse sweep off the first ball of the over but misses. |
| 31.2 : J Leach to Smith, Again Smith brings out the reverse sweep. Stokes premeditates it and it is straight into his hands. |
| 31.3 : J Leach to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks this one towards square leg and takes a couple. |
| 31.4 : J Leach to Smith, This time outside off, Smith guides this one towards backward point and takes a single. |
| Review time! An appeal for a catch has been taken upstairs. Wade is the man in question. He seems relaxed. |
| 31.5 : J Leach to Wade, NOT OUT! England lose a review! Tossed up outside off, Wade goes for the sweep and misses. The England players go up in appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Wade had signalled for the review even before the umpire denied England's appeal showing that it had not hit him anywhere on the glove or the bat. England however, think that it has hit him on the glove and they go for the review. The replays roll in and show that it has hit him on the forearm. The umpire wants to ch |
| 31.6 : J Leach to Wade, The batsman dances down the track and they have run through for a single. |
| 32.1 : S Broad to Wade, Good length ball on off, blocked comfortably. |
| 32.2 : S Broad to Wade, Shortish ball on middle, Wade looks to heave this over the mid-wicket but the ball goes off the toe end of his bat. A single taken. |
| 32.3 : S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! Crunched through the covers! There is no stopping Steven Smith. Broad dishes a fuller ball outside off, Smith leans into his drive and creams this through the covers. |
| 32.4 : S Broad to Smith, Good length ball, angled into the batter, blocked off the front foot this time. |
| 32.5 : S Broad to Smith, Fuller ball on middle, blocked nicely this time towards the off side. |
| 32.6 : S Broad to Smith, Good length around off, Smith taps it towards point for a single. He hared for the first run and wanted the second but Wade at the other end was ball watching. |
| Jofra Archer to replace Jack Leach. |
| 33.1 : J Archer to Smith, FOUR! Length ball just outside off, Smith gets onto the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 33.2 : J Archer to Smith, FOUR! Smith seems to be playing with the bowler's mind here. Archer bowls this length ball closer to the body expecting that Smith would shuffle across the stumps. Instead, he makes room and guides this past the third slip fielder for a boundary towards third man. |
| 33.3 : J Archer to Smith, Bouncer by Archer to Smith, he initially looks to play at it but leaves it in the end. |
| 33.4 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer, Smith ducks under it. |
| 33.5 : J Archer to Smith, Smith plays another one awkwardly. This time it is a slower bouncer, Smith crouches and plays it at the last moment back towards Archer. |
| 33.6 : J Archer to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 34.1 : S Broad to M Wade, Wade pushes this fuller one towards mid on. |
| 34.2 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 34.3 : S Broad to Smith, Full and wide outside off, Smith drives this powerfully towards cover but straight to the man. |
| 34.4 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith slaps this over Mid on and gets a boundary off it. He didn't time it that well and that's why it went to the long on fence on the bounce. |
| 34.5 : S Broad to Smith, Smith punches this towards point off the back foot and takes a single. |
| 34.6 : S Broad to Wade, Shorter in length this time, Wade pulls this through square leg and takes a couple. |
| 35.1 : J Archer to Smith, Short of a length by Archer, Smith blocks it awkwardly towards short leg. |
| 35.2 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer, this time way outside off. Smith goes towards the ball and then ducks under it. |
| 35.3 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer over middle and leg, Smith ducks under it. |
| 35.4 : J Archer to Smith, Another bouncer by Archer, Smith goes towards the ball and again leaves it at the last moment. |
| 35.5 : J Archer to S Smith, Short of a length, Smith cuts it towards point and takes a single. |
| 35.6 : J Archer to Wade, Wide outside off, Wade guides it to third man. |
| Some work at the bowlers landing area again. It is getting hammered and the white lines are painted back. Shane Warne on air feels this could be a tactics from England to waste some time. |
| 36.1 : S Broad to Smith, Smith moves way down the leg side to play at that and pushes it towards mid on.n. |
| 36.2 : S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Pulled away handsomely! Smith is looking from another planet right now. Short of a length and outside off, Smith pulls this wide of mid-wicket for a boundary. Root inside the circle dives to his right but cannot save the boundary. |
| 36.3 : S Broad to Smith, FIVE WIDES! Bad ball from Broad or mind games from Smith? Well, only Broad would know! He bowls it way down the leg side and it has evaded Bairstow to crash into the fine leg fence. |
| S Broad to Smith, On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 36.4 : S Broad to Wade, On the pads of Wade, he flicks it but straight to the man. |
| 36.5 : S Broad to Wade, Fullish ball on off, Wade pushes this down the ground. Broad gets his hand on that as the ball goes to mid off and the batters take one. |
| 36.6 : S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! Smith brings up the 100-run stand up between him and Wade. Another short of a length ball by Broad, Smith rocks onto the back foot and pulls this one towards long on for a boundary. Smith moves to 81 with this boundary. Another century on the cards? Most probably! |
| DRINKS! Steven Smith marches on. There is none stopping him. Matthew Wade has done enough in the 100-run unbeaten stand to take the game away from the hosts. Smith is closing in towards yet another ton. And one would guess that the declaration will come around that ton, if that happens. Interesting final hour of the play awaits. |
| 37.1 : J Archer to Wade, Good length ball on the off pole. Wade blocks it out. |
| 37.2 : J Archer to Wade, Full and wide outside off, Wade pushes this towards cover and takes a single. |
| 37.3 : J Archer to Smith, Bouncer by Archer and Smith is on the ground in an attempt to evade it. Even though he is on the ground, he does not stop practicing his strokes as he is shadowing how to play the upper cut. |
| 37.4 : J Archer to Smith, On the leg pole line by Archer, Smith shuffles and tries to flick but misses as the ball goes over the leg pole. |
| 37.5 : J Archer to Smith, Good yorker by Archer, on the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 37.6 : J Archer to Wade, Bouncer to Wade but he does well to evade it. |
| Jack Leach into the attack now. Stuart Broad was seen heading into the dressing room. |
| 38.1 : J Leach to Smith, OUT! CAUGHT! Smith is out of here after setting Australia well on their way! One can say that this was a suicidal shot but Smith wanted to up the ante of the game. Tossed up way outside off, Smith tries to go over the man at long off but does not get the best connection on it. Stokes runs to his left from long off and takes an easy catch in the deep. The crowd breathe a huge sigh of relief as the main man is out of here. |
| 0.0 : Skipper Tim Paine into the middle for the visitors. |
| 38.2 : J Leach to Wade, Wade dances down the track to punch it through mid on for a single to this loopy full ball. |
| 38.3 : J Leach to Paine, Flighted ball around off, Paine pushes this back to the bowler. |
| 38.4 : J Leach to Paine, Short ball outside off, turns further away. Paine drives this through cover-point to get off the mark with the single. |
| 38.5 : J Leach to Wade, Flatter ball, turning into the batter this time, Wade goes back and punches it through covers to get a couple. |
| 38.6 : J Leach to Wade, FOUR! Fuller ball this time. Wade leans into the drive and carves this through the covers to get another boundary. |
| 39.1 : J Archer to Paine, Fuller ball around off, Paine drives it towards cover and takes off for the run. Roy at covers dives to his right and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Paine had made his ground though. |
| 39.2 : J Archer to Wade, OUT! A stunner from Bairstow behind the wicket to send Wade packing. Fullish ball outside off, shaping away. Wade is looking for quick runs and hence he throws his bat at the ball. He can only manage an outside edge which goes left of Bairstow. He dives to his and holds onto it with one hand. A handy knock from Wade comes to an end. However, no declaration from Australia. |
| Mitchell Starc is the new man in for the visitors. He is promoted up the order ahead of Pat Cummins. |
| 39.3 : J Archer to Starc, Length ball outside off, left alone by Starc. |
| 39.4 : J Archer to M Starc, This time on a good length, Starc goes for the drive and edges it. The ball goes between third slip and gully. The man in the deep stops it and the batters take one. Starc is off the mark with this one. |
| 39.5 : J Archer to Paine, Paine looks to defend off the back foot but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 39.6 : J Archer to Paine, Outside off, Paine looks to drive but misses. |
| 40.1 : J Leach to Starc, Spin for Leach but missed by Bairstow. He pitches this one outside off and gets it to spin in to the southpaw. He misses the line of the delivery and so does Bairstow as it goes through him towards fine leg and the batters take one. |
| 40.2 : J Leach to Paine, FOUR! Floated on middle and off, Paine lofts this one over mid on and past the long on fence for a boundary. |
| 40.3 : J Leach to Paine, FOUR! Another boundary! This is shortish and outside off, Paine goes onto the back foot and slaps it through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 40.4 : J Leach to Tim Paine, That ball has taken the inside edge of Paine's bat and thudded into his pads. |
| 40.5 : J Leach to Paine, Paine defends this tossed up delivery back towards the bowler. |
| 40.6 : J Leach to Paine, FOUR! Reverse swept by Paine and this time he connects it to properly as the ball races towards the third man fence. |
| 41.1 : J Archer to Starc, This is on the pads, Starc works it on the leg side for one. |
| 41.2 : J Archer to Tim Paine, Fuller and on off, Paine pushes it to mid off. |
| 41.3 : J Archer to Paine, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 41.4 : J Archer to Paine, Shorter and on middle, Paine mistimes his pull to mid on. |
| 41.5 : J Archer to Tim Paine, FOUR! Dealing in boundaries is Paine. This is short and on middle, Paine goes back and pulls it nicely through mid-wicket. It is a well-controlled pull shot. |
| 41.6 : J Archer to Paine, One more short one on middle, it is ducked under. |
| Craig Overton into the attack now. |
| 42.1 : C Overton to Starc, Easy run as Starc opens the face of the bat and guides it through covers. |
| 42.2 : C Overton to Paine, A couple now! Paine slaps this towards cover. Roy dives to his left, gets a hand to it, can't stop two though. |
| 42.3 : C Overton to Paine, Just over and another two! Shorter and on middle, Paine comes down the track. He once again mistimes the stroke. It goes over the outstretched hand of Roy at covers. |
| 42.4 : C Overton to Paine, WIDE! Way too wide outside off, it is left alone. |
| Review time! Don't think there was anything on it as an appeal for a caught behind has been turned down. |
| C Overton to Paine, NOT OUT! There was a huge gap between bat and ball. Not sure why the review was taken. A short one down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but misses. Bairstow appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Root reviews at the end but replays show nothing. Also, this ball has been wided by the umpire as it is too high. |
| C Overton to Paine, A single now as Paine pulls it through square leg for one. |
| 42.5 : C Overton to Starc, On the pads of Starc, he tries to flick this one but misses to get hit on the pad. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters take one. |
| Well, that came as a complete surprise, Australia DECLARE out of nowhere. Not sure what made Paine take that decision but they have probably batted England out of the game here. The hosts have been given a target of 383. |
| The intentions were quite clear from the start of this session that Australia were looking for quick runs. Smith and Wade played their shots throughout and added a 100-plus run stand. Both though fell one after the other with Smith once again finishing as the top scorer for the visitors. Paine then walked in and started hitting the ball to the boundary but all of a sudden, he decided to give an opportunity to England to bat. |
| The England bowlers started in excellent fashion as Broad and Archer ran through the top order. They though looked clueless against Smith and also, after the opening burst by the two new ball bowlers, their attack seemed toothless. |
| Now then, there is around 30 minutes left in the day's play, Australia would be eager to take a couple of wickets. England, on the other hand, Will look to end the day unscathed. An important passage of play awaits ahead for the hosts especially. |
| 0.1 : Pat Cummins to Burns, Shorter in length and on off, Burns guides it to point. |
| 0.2 : Pat Cummins to Burns, On the shorter side again, it is defended. |
| 0.3 : Pat Cummins to Burns, OUT! In the air... taken! Could Australia have asked for a better start than this? The ploy to start the bowling with Pat Cummins has worked wonders. Also, it is a big wicket as Burns has been the in-form player for the hosts. This is a soft, soft dismissal. It is a nothing delivery, down the leg side. Burns looks flick but is early into the shot. A leading edge and it lobs towards Head at extra cover. |
| Skipper Joe Root arrives early in the middle. |
| 0.4 : Cummins to Joe Root, OUT! TIMBER! That is a peach! This is Pat Cummins, this is Australia at their best. Outstanding start for them. Root bags a first-baller. An absolute beauty. Exactly what a pace bowler is taught - to hit the top of off and Cummins has done that here. He lands this one on a length and around middle, it pitches and straightens. Root is squared up as he tries to defend. The ball goes past the outside edge and hits the off pole. Root can't believe it as he looks back once. |
| Jason Roy is the next man in who will be facing the hat-trick ball. |
| 0.5 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Good length and on middle, it is kept out nicely. |
| 0.6 : Pat Cummins to Roy, One more length ball around off, Roy pushes it to mid on. End of a tremendous over. What a start by Cummins. England get no closer to the target they were set to achieve while Australia get a fist of the wickets they needed |
| Josh Hazlewood to start the proceedings from the other end. He will be trying to pile on the pressure from the other end after the fantastic start provided by Cummins. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Starts with a length ball, closer to the off pole, Denly is right behind the line of the ball to block towards the off side. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Same line and length as the last ball, Denly again solid in defense. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Good leave that one. Another good length ball but this is in the channel. Denly covers his stumps to let it go to the keeper. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Oops! Shortish ball, Denly goes to block but it rises a bit to hit on the gloves and then on the elbow. Lucky that it didn't went onto the stumps. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Beaten this time! Another ball in the channel outside off. Denly can't resist this time and has a poke. The ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Fullish ball this time, tapped towards covers this time by Deny. Top over from Hazlewood to compliment the wicket maiden from Cummins. |
| 2.1 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Another good delivery! This is angled into the batter from wide of the crease. It is on a length, pitches and straightens. Roy looks to defend but then drags his bat back. |
| 2.2 : Pat Cummins to Roy, England are underway! This is on the pads, Roy works it through square leg for two. |
| Wonder what is the reason behind Joe Root coming in at number 3. With 20 minutes to the close, surely a night watchman should have been sent? Craig Overton is seen in his whites in the dressing room, padded up. Ponting asks Nasser Hussain on air whether there is any specific rule in the England dressing room regarding the time to send a night watchman. Nasser replies saying that he is unsure about THIS English team but in general, England sends their night watchman if the time left for the close |
| 2.3 : Pat Cummins to Roy, On middle and on a length. Roy gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 2.4 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Roy is really watching the ball closely here. This is shorter and on off, Roy goes back and keeps it out solidly. |
| 2.5 : Pat Cummins to Roy, A crisp drive! Fuller and on off, Roy strokes it nicely but to mid off. |
| 2.6 : Pat Cummins to Roy, FOUR! First boundary of the chase! This is easy for Roy. A half volley on the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket and the ball races away. Maybe Cummins was guilty of trying a little too hard and hence, ends up bowling a boundary delivery. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, On the fuller side, no swing on offer for the bowler. Denly plants his front foot forward and strokes it to mid off. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, A little too straight, Denly works it behind square on the leg side for two. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, A little too straight once again, Denly tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Corrects his line and bowls it outside off, it is left alone. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, One more ball on a good length and around off, it is guided towards point. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Short and on middle, Denly ducks under it. |
| 4.1 : Pat Cummins to Roy, A little too short this time, Roy stands tall and pushes it to mid off. |
| 4.2 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Good work from Wade! This is on middle, Roy looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards short leg where Wade shows good reflexes and stops it. |
| 4.3 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| Ricky Ponting and Nasser Hussain dissect Australia's plan to Joe Root. Normally, Aussies target the opposition skipper and once again, they have been bang on. The key here is the length. Somewhere between full and good, just outside off. In this match, first innings, outside off, nipping back in, LBW. Second innings, slight nip away, hit the top of off. 3 ducks in the last 5 innings for the skipper. |
| 4.4 : Pat Cummins to Roy, One more ball outside off, Roy lets it be. |
| 4.5 : Pat Cummins to Roy, This is angled into the pads, Roy gets it past short leg this time and takes an easy two. |
| Ha ha ha.... Interesting. 8 minutes left. Will Paine go to Starc or Lyon? Starc is warming up but looks like Paine is more interested in Lyon's direction! |
| 4.6 : Pat Cummins to Roy, A dot to end! This is on middle again, Roy works it to mid-wicket. |
| Well, we have our answer! Nathan Lyon it is as he comes onto bowl now. |
| 5.1 : N Lyon to Denly, On off, Denly works it to mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : N Lyon to Denly, FOUR! That is a top shot. Minimal risk as it was with the turn and it was nicely hit. Stretches out and plays the sweep shot. Drags it outside off and hits it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 5.3 : N Lyon to Denly, On middle, it is kept out. |
| 5.4 : N Lyon to Denly, OHHH! That was close! Picked the wrong ball to sweep there. This is tossed up outside off, it is too full. Denly looks to sweep again but misses. It just misses the off pole. The positive approach is right but you need to pick the right balls. |
| 5.5 : N Lyon to Denly, On middle, this is worked to mid on. |
| 5.6 : N Lyon to Denly, A single as this is worked through square leg. |
| Starc into the attack. This could be the final over of the day. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Denly, Fuller ball on off, pushed towards point by Denly. |
| 6.2 : M Starc to Denly, Fuller again but too wide to make Denly play at it. He doesn't wanna chase these at this moment in time. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to Denly, Another fuller ball, again wide outside off. No swing on offer for him. Denly watches it go back to the keeper again. A bumper now? |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Denly, Nah. Dishes out a yorker does Starc. This swung in the air. Denly does well to bring his bat down and jam it away. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to Denly, He looks for another yorker but this one is not the perfect one. It is a overpitched ball, Denly leans into the drive to cream it through. However, it doesn't have the legs to reach the fence. They take three before the cover fielder chase and return the ball. 1 more ball to go. Can Starc do something? |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Roy, No he can not as he bowls a wasteful of a delivery. He goes for the bumper but bowls it way down the leg side. Roy lets it go to the keeper. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 4. |
| What a day for Australia! Looking at how things stand at the moment, you would probably say the Aussies will retain the Ashes on Day 5! They have 98 overs on Sunday and all they need to bowl is 8 wicket-taking deliveries and you can bet that their bowlers can do so. |
| It has been a picture-perfect day for them! They started off by taking the remaining five English wickets quickly and then courtesy of Smith and Wade, Australia scored another 186 runs to add to the 196-run lead they got. They were eager to get at least a wicket in the final passage of play and they have got two, that too of Root and Burns who were excellent in the first innings. The Aussies could not have asked for anything better. |
| Michael Holding is down with Pat Cummins for an interview. He congratulates him for his bowling effort. Cummins says that the ball was coming out of the hand nicely. Further adds he tried to bowl nice and full. He praises Smith's effort and says that he was unbelievable in the middle. On asked about what made them throw the second new ball to him, he says that they wanted to bowl at the stumps and that was their plan. Holding asks Cummins about his workload as Cummins has played all the four Tes |
| England have a lot to ponder once again! Just like most of the times in this Ashes, they have their backs to the wall. Another excellent effort will be needed from them if they are to save this Test. Save is what I write as chasing this down looks improbable. They were in a similar position in the first Test too where they had one day to bat out to save the game and they could not do so. They went down without a fight there, will the same thing happen? We will have to find out. Join us for Day 5 |
| ... Day 5, Session 1 ... |
| The equation could not have been any easier to understand, England need to bat out the day if they want to keep their hopes alive of regaining the Ashes. Australia, need 8 wickets if before Stumps if they are to retain the Ashes. There is also a third scenario where the English can score the remaining 365 runs and take a 2-1 lead but that seems improbable. We can surely expect an excellent day of Test cricket. The first session is a very crucial one so stay tuned for it. Welcome to the coverage. |
| The Australian players are out in the middle. Joe Denly and Joe Root are out as well for the hosts to battle out the day. Josh Hazlewood to start the proceedings for the visitors. Here we go... |
| 7.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Starts off with a full ball and on middle, Denly pushes it to mid on. A huge cheer for him as he played it nicely. That is how it is going to be today, England fans will be right behind their team. |
| 7.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Gets it right this time and bowls it outside off, it tails back in but not enough to make the batter play. |
| 7.3 : Hazlewood to Denly, A loud appeal but that seems to be going down leg! Once again Hazlewood gets it to tail back in, this time it is fuller but a touch straighter. Denly looks to drive but misses to get hit on the pads. Ball Tracker confirms it is going down leg. |
| 7.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, One more good ball! Just outside off and it is shorter. Denly leaves it nicely. |
| 7.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, On the middle pole, Denly gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 7.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Good length ball outside off this time. Denly watches it shape in and go to the keeper. A tight start from Hazlewood first up. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. |
| 8.1 : Pat Cummins to Roy, On a length and around off, Roy keeps it out. |
| 8.2 : Pat Cummins to Roy, That is a beauty! This is angled into the batter from wide of the crease which means Roy has to play at it. The ball straightens and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 8.3 : Pat Cummins to Roy, In the air but wide! FOUR! First boundary and runs of Day 5. This is angled into the pads, Roy flicks it uppishly but wide of the diving mid-wicket fielder and bags a boundary. |
| 8.4 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Goes back to bowling length on off, Roy gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 8.5 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Outside off, this is left alone. |
| 8.6 : Pat Cummins to Roy, A length delivery to end on middle, Roy pushes it to mid on. |
| 9.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Good length ball closer to the off pole. Denly lunges forward and blocks. |
| 9.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Beaten! A muted appeal follows but dies down quickly. A peach from Hazlewood. Good length in the channel outside off, the ball shapes away from the push of Denly to beat the outside edge. |
| 9.3 : J Hazlewood to Joe Denly, Good length ball again on off, blocked nicely this time. |
| 9.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Another ball in the channel on a good length, this time Denly lets it go to the keeper. |
| 9.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Hezlewood continues bowling the perfect line and length to the right-hander. This is closer to Denly's off pole. He taps it towards cover and takes off for a quick run. First run for him. |
| 9.6 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Fuller ball on off for Roy. He pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 10.1 : Pat Cummins to Joe Denly, Just short! Pushing at a delivery Denly need not do. This is behind a length and outside off, Denly looks to stroke it on the up but then stops midway. He ends up chipping it just short of mid off. |
| 10.2 : Cummins to Denly, Another loud appeal and a long one but nothing from the umpire! This is on middle and it jags back in. Denly fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the front pad. An appeal but not given. Paine signals it is going down leg. |
| 10.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, On the fuller side and on middle, Denly strokes it nicely to mid on. |
| 10.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Goes back to bowling length on off, it is blocked solidly. |
| 10.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, One more length ball on off, Denly is solid in defense. |
| 10.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Another solid push! On off, Denly pushes it towards covers but for no runs. |
| 11.1 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Back of a length and it is coming back in. Roy defends it onto the ground. |
| 11.2 : J Hazlewood to Roy, A little too straight, Roy fails to put bat on ball and gets hit high on the pads. |
| 11.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Outside off, Roy watches the ball nicely and lets it be. |
| 11.4 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Shorter again, it comes slow off the surface. Roy gets right behind the line and defends it. |
| Mitchell Starc is warming up. Does that mean shorter spells for the bowlers? |
| 11.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one. |
| 11.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, A short one, Denly spots it early and ducks under it. |
| Well, Cummins to continue! |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Length ball on off, blocked by Roy easily. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Beaten with a beauty! On a length and jags back in. Roy looks to push with hard hands but the ball sneaks in between bat and pad. Wasn't too high from the stumps either. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Bumper this time but this one goes down the leg side. Roy ducks under it. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Roy, Fuller ball on middle, Roy pushes this towards mid on and takes a run. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Back of a length ball this time. Denly ducks under it. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, A solid block from Denly to finish the over. A good length ball on off from Hazlewood. Denly gets behind the line and blocks it towards the off side. |
| 13.1 : J Hazlewood to Roy, One more ball on a length and on off, Roy pushes it to mid off. |
| 13.2 : J Hazlewood to Roy, On off, it is kept out again. This is a good start for England, both the batters are looking solid. |
| 13.3 : J Hazlewood to Roy, Down the leg side, Roy looks to flick but misses. |
| 13.4 : J Hazlewood to J Roy, Almost! Just as a write that, Roy plays one out awkwardly. This comes back in after landing on off, Roy looks to put bat on ball but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 13.5 : J Hazlewood to Roy, This is on middle, it is worked down to fine leg for one. |
| 13.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, On middle, the batter pushes it to mid on. |
| Mitchell Starc is on now! He seemed to find his rhythm towards the end of the second innings. If he can bowl well here, he could win Australia the game. |
| 14.1 : M Starc to Roy, Starts with a fuller ball on the pads, Roy flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 14.2 : M Starc to Denly, On the pads, Denly looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 14.3 : M Starc to Denly, Gets it right this time and lands it on off and on a length. Denly keeps it out. |
| 14.4 : M Starc to Denly, Outside off, left alone. |
| 14.5 : M Starc to Denly, FOUR! EDGY! Lucky there was Denly. Not a good shot that. Denly is sucked into going after a wide delivery outside off. The ball flies off the outside edge over third slip. Marnus Labuschagne does not react in time and it goes over him and to the third man fence. That went really quickly. |
| 14.6 : M Starc to Denly, A single to end! Denly pushes this towards cover and gets to the other end. |
| Spin time as Nathan Lyon is on now. He hasn't had a great game and he would love to change that in this innings. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Denly, Flighted outside off, Denly pads it away. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Denly, Another tossed up ball outside off, Denly lunges to defend but the ball turns back in, it goes off the inside edge and onto the pads and lobs safe on the off side. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Denly, FOUR! That is a top sweep shot. A shot which Denly looks really confident while playing. He drags it from outside off and gets it through square leg. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Joe Denly, Loopy ball on off, it is worked with the turn to mid on. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Denly, One more sweep shot, this time to the fielder at deep mid-wicket so just a run. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Roy, A tossed up ball to end on off, Denly defends it out. |
| 16.1 : M Starc to Denly, Good ball and equally well played. Starc is targeting the stumps. He looks to bowl a yorker but dishes out a full toss on middle. Denly blocks solidly. |
| 16.2 : M Starc to Denly, Outside off this time, Denly lets it go to the keeper. |
| 16.3 : M Starc to Denly, Good length ball outside off again. Denly has room to slash this through point but he mistimes the shot towards gully. |
| 16.4 : M Starc to Denly, On the pads this time, Denly tucks it towards fine leg off the back foot to take a run. |
| 16.5 : M Starc to Roy, FOUR! That's done nicely by Roy. Another attempt of bowling the yorker has gone wrong as Starc sends a full toss on the pads. Roy whips it firmly through the diving mid on fielder. The fielder gets up and chases but the ball wins the race. |
| 16.6 : M Starc to Roy, On a length, closer to off pole, Roy looks to block but it goes off the inner half of his bat towards mid on. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Denly, Nice use of the feet from Denly and works it with the turn through mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Roy, Shorter and outside off, it turns back in. Roy works it with soft hands towards the leg side. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Roy, In the air... safe! Heart in the mouth moment for Roy there. This is floated up outside off, it turns back in sharply. Roy looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It lobs over short leg and towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Denly, Quicker and on off, it is blocked. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Denly, Just short now! Once again a heart in the mouth moment, this time for Denly. He brings out the sweep again but hits it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there runs in and then slides to take it but the ball lands short of him. Good stop in the end, saves three. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Roy, Very full outside off, Roy opens the face and guides it to point. An action-packed over by lyon comes to an end. |
| 18.1 : M Starc to Denly, OHHH! Australia making things happen now. A short one by Starc on the body. Denly may have been expecting a full one. He tries to fend it awkwardly but it goes off the handle and lands safe on the off side. |
| 18.2 : M Starc to Denly, A solid drive but for no runs! Fuller and outside off, Denly hits it hard but to covers. |
| Goa Rocks - 'Me thinks that England are going for the win. Otherwise, why would they play shots like these?' @GR - Ummm... too early to say anything right now. One would feel that looking at the target is not the right way to approach the day. Go for it hour by hour and then session by session and then see post Tea where you stand. Regarding the strokes, it could be to try and put Nathan Lyon off. Remember, he has been struggling in the last 4 innings with the ball. So A. Play strokes to get Lyo |
| 18.3 : M Starc to Denly, Shortens his length a little and lands on middle, defended. |
| 18.4 : M Starc to Denly, On the fuller side and outside off, Denly goes after it again but finds cover. |
| 18.5 : M Starc to Denly, Gets one in the gap! Not right off the middle but enough to get three. Shorter and outside off, Denly slaps it through covers and takes one short of four. |
| 18.6 : M Starc to Roy, Good running! This is on middle, Roy taps it towards mid on and takes one quickly. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to J Roy, Extremely full outside off, Roy pushes it to mid off. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Roy, Very wide outside off, it is a full toss. Roy drives it square to point. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Roy, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Roy, Nicely played! 50 up for England a loud cheer by the crowd. The 50-run stand is also up, a vital one as England were 0 for 2 when the two joined association. Need to keep going. Roy pushes this nicely through covers and takes two. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Roy, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Roy, On off, Roy gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 20.1 : M Starc to Denly, Shortish length on the body from round the wicket. Denly taps it towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 20.2 : M Starc to Roy, Length ball around off, Roy walks across, blocked. |
| 20.3 : M Starc to J Roy, FOUR! Crunched through covers. Starc overpitches outside off, Roy leans into the drive and creams it through covers. |
| 20.4 : M Starc to Roy, Squared up on that one. Starc pitches this on off and makes it jag away from Roy's defense and beat the outside edge. |
| 20.5 : M Starc to Roy, Bowls this one on a slightly fullish length on middle. Roy is solid in defense this time. |
| 20.6 : M Starc to Roy, Another fuller ball. Roy pushes it towards cover. |
| DRINKS! Joe Denly and Jason Roy have negotiated the first hour of the first session well. They weathered the initial storm from Hazlewood and Cummins but they are looking solid now. Australia would want to break this stand as early as they could. They had a couple of chances but the rub of the green seems to be with England at the moment. Interesting hour of play awaits. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Denly, Floated fuller ball on middle, pushed towards mid on for a single by Denly. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Roy, Another fuller ball which lands on the rough and bounces high into the mitts of Paine. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Roy, Another loopy ball on off, Roy blocks it nicely this time. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Roy, And another one lands on the rough outside off and keeps low. Roy looks to block but misses to get hit on the back pad. Lyon appeals but nothing from the umpire. The Ball Tracker rolls in and confirms that the umpire was right. The impact was outside off and was clipping the stumps which means it would've been umpire's call on hitting the wicket. A good call from the umpire. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Roy, Floated ball on middle this time, Roy comes down the track to work it towards mid on for a run. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Denly, On the pads, guided towards fine leg by Denly. |
| 22.1 : M Starc to Roy, Lands it just outside off, Roy shoulders arms to this one. |
| 22.2 : M Starc to Roy, Closer to the off pole this time, Roy pushes it to covers. |
| 22.3 : M Starc to Roy, Another one on a length and outside off, Roy pushes it to covers. |
| 22.4 : M Starc to Roy, Another one on a length and outside off, it is left alone. |
| 22.5 : M Starc to Roy, That was close! A yorker just outside off, Roy is late in bringing his bat down and the ball just about kisses the off pole. |
| 22.6 : M Starc to Roy, Good fielding! This is fuller and on off, Roy strokes it towards mid off. Cummins runs to his right and dives to push it to his right. Mid on then does the mopping up job. The batters take two. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Denly, Denly comes down the pitch, he does not get to the pitch of the ball so defends it. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Denly, Uses his feet again but once again does not get to the pitch of it. Looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An ambitious appeal from the bowler but nothing from the umpire. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Denly, Another tossed up ball on off, Denly keeps it out. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Denly, Shorter and on off, Denly whips it with the turn through mid-wicket for two. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Denly, Another loud shot but nothing! This is floated outside off, Denly pads it away with his bat behind the pad. An appeal but the umpire feels a shot is offered and he shakes his head. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Denly, Overthrows! Denly uses his feet and hits it to the right of Cummins at mid on. The batters take a quick run. Cummins fires it at the keeper's end but it is a wild one. No one backing up and hence, the fielder from slip hares after it and saves a run for his side. |
| Starc was ready to but last minute change of thought brings Cummins back into the attack. 6-2-13-2, his numbers so far. |
| 24.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fuller ball outside off to start with. Denly finds extra cover fielder to his firm drive. |
| 24.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Good leave this form Denly. He trusts the length of the ball there. Pitched around off, comes into the batter who shoulders arms and sees the ball go over the timbers. |
| 24.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fuller ball on the pads, Denly looks to flick but is hit on the pads. |
| 24.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fuller ball around off, Denly goes for a drive this time but gets an inside edge the ball goes towards fine leg. He gets a run. |
| 24.5 : Pat Cummins to Roy, In the channel outside off, left alone by Roy this time. |
| 24.6 : Cummins to J Roy, OUT! KABOOM! There's the breakthrough Australia needed. Cummins has provided it. They had to wait for quite a while today for the first wicket but they have now got it. Australia will hope this opens the floodgates. Once again we see the ball sneaking through Roy's bat and pad. Cummins bowls it just outside off and on a length. Roy lunges and tries to push at it but leaves a gap between bat and pad. The ball tails back in, goes between the gap and hits the stumps behind. |
| Ben Stokes is the new man in. He played innings of his life in the last game coming in with his team being in similar situation. Can he bail them out, again. |
| 25.1 : N Lyon to Denly, Shorter one around off, this kept low. Pushed towards bowler. |
| 25.2 : N Lyon to Joe Denly, Dropped! A chance goes begging there! A beauty from Lyon as he pitches this again on rough. Denly looks to block but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball lobs high towards Paine's right who can't hold on. It goes towards fine leg for a run eventually. |
| 25.3 : N Lyon to Denly, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 25.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, On off and kept low. Stokes does well to block it towards the off side. |
| 25.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, Another one around off, Stokes blocks it off the back foot. |
| 25.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, Flighted ball on middle, blocked off the front foot this time. |
| 26.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Ouch! Another good ball. This ball is shaping in nastily. It comes back from outside off and that too after landing. Denly fails to put bat and ball and is hit near the box. |
| 26.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Good length again and on off, Denly pushes it to mid off. |
| 26.3 : Cummins to Denly, Goes extremely full and it is tailing back in from outside off. Denly jams it out. |
| 26.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Changes it up now and bangs it short on the body, Denly ducks under it. |
| 26.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, LUCKY FOUR! This is just outside off, Denly is not sure whether to play at it or leave it. In the end he tries to leave but the ball hits the bat which is at an angle. Goes past the diving third slip fielder and into the third man fence. |
| 26.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Nicely guided! This is just outside off, Denly opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point for two. |
| 27.1 : N Lyon to Stokes, Floats it up on middle, Stokes keeps it out. |
| 27.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, Stokes gets right behind the line and defends it again. |
| 27.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, Sharp turn and bounce! Flatter and outside off, the ball pitches, spins away and also bounces. Stokes looks to defend but is beaten. |
| 27.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, Quicker and on middle, Stokes blocks it easily. |
| 27.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 27.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, this time, Stokes gets behind the line of the ball and blunts it onto the pitch. |
| 28.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 28.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, BEATEN! Cummins goes wide of the crease and angles it just outside off. Denly plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 28.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Shorter and on off, Joe pushes it to mid off. |
| 28.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, This is angled into the batter, Denly goes right back and keeps it out. |
| 28.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Shortish and outside off, Denly looks to punch it through covers but is early in the shot. It goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fuller and on off, Denly drives it to mid off. |
| 29.1 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, blocked. |
| 29.2 : N Lyon to Stokes, Almost! Stokes misread the length there. He goes back to a delivery which he should be forward too. gets his bat down though and keeps it out. |
| 29.3 : N Lyon to Stokes, Loopy ball and on off, Stokes pushes it to mid off. |
| 29.4 : N Lyon to Stokes, That must have hurt! Shorter and on off, Stokes goes back and pushes it but the ball hits the man at silly point. |
| 29.5 : N Lyon to Stokes, On middle, it is kept out. |
| 29.6 : N Lyon to Stokes, A single to end the over! This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 30.1 : Pat Cummins to Stokes, Shorter and around middle, it is angled away. Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 30.2 : Cummins to Stokes, OUT! Stokes walks! He is caught behind! This is a massive, massive wicket. Probably the biggest of them all as Stokes has been the man for England. Excellent sportsmanship by him though. Not many in modern day cricket walk but he does here and that too in a game which means so much. Brilliant. Brilliant by Cummins too. He is once again the man doing it for Australia. This is shortish and on off, Stokes initially looks to defend but then tries to leave it on length. Too l |
| Jonny Bairstow is the next man in for England. |
| 30.3 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Back of a length and on off, this is kept out. |
| 30.4 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, FOUR LEG BYES! This is on off again and it jags back in. Bairstow looks to defend but the ball hits the higher part of the back pad and goes between first slip and the keeper and down to the third man fence. There is an appeal from the players but nothing from the umpire. |
| 30.5 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 30.6 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, End of a successful over. On off, it is kept out. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back! |
| 31.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, On middle stump on a good length, Denly whips it firmly through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 31.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, In the channel this time, Denly covers his stumps and lets it go to the keeper. |
| 31.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Good length on off, tapped towards gully this time. |
| 31.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Beaten! What a jaffa! Huge appeal as well but not given. Hazlewood pitches this around off, it tails back in to beat Denly's bat and go to Pant behind the wicket. They appeal but not given. Australia do not take the review. The Ball Tracker arrives to and shows that the impact was umpire's call. No inside edge either so can't be caught behind. A good decision from the umpire. |
| 31.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, FOUR! Fuller ball on off, driven through covers nicely for a boundary. Denly moves to 48 with that one. |
| 31.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Bumper to end the over. Denly sways away from it. |
| 32.1 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Back of a length on off, Bairstow guides it to point. |
| 32.2 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A short one on middle, JB ducks under it. |
| 32.3 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 32.4 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, On middle, it is pushed to mid on. It is a NO BALL as Cummins has overstepped. |
| Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Shortish and on off, Jonny punches it to covers. |
| 32.5 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Bairstow is off the mark! He works it behind square and collects two. |
| 32.6 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, An away swinger outside off, it is left alone. |
| 33.1 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Almost another one! This is on a length and around off, it stays very low. Denly gets his bat down in time and keeps it out. |
| 33.2 : J Hazlewood to Denly, One more length ball on middle, Denly defends it off the back foot. |
| 33.3 : J Hazlewood to Denly, That came back in a long way again! This lands outside off and jags back in. The length is shorter. Denly misses his shot and gets hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 33.4 : J Hazlewood to Denly, On middle, Denly pushes it to mid on. |
| 33.5 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Nicely left! Just outside off, Denly shuffles across and shoulders arms to this one. |
| 33.6 : J Hazlewood to Denly, Denly survives but by just! Hazlewood lands this just outside off, it is bowled from wide of the crease so Denly plays at it. He is beaten as he does inside the line. LUNCH ON DAY 5! |
| Australia's session in the end but it was hard work for them. England's overnight batters, Joe Denly and Jason Roy did well to negotiate the first hour of the session but Australia's bowling spearhead Pat Cummins returned for his second spell and castled Roy to end his resistance. Then came the massive moment. Stokes edged one behind and walked. We don't get to see that very often these days. He walked and with him, England's chances of staying in the game has taken a massive dive. However, Denl |
| For the visitors, it is all about one man at the moment, Pat Cummins. He took two yesterday and has two today. However, Hazlewood too is bowling well but not having the luck. Lyon is getting purchase but is not being able to hit the right lines and lengths. Starc hasn't had a lot to do as of now but he would surely have a part to play. |
| Coming to the second session, England would want to continue battling out in the middle while the visitors would want to finish this off as soon as possible to make sure that the Urn stays with them. Join us back for the second session to catch all the action. |
| ... Day 5, Session 2 ... |
| The Aussie players are out in the middle for the second session. Joe Denly and Jonny Bairstow walk out to the middle as well with a daunting task in front of them. Pat Cummins to start proceedings for the visitors post Lunch. |
| 34.1 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Good start for Cummins! On a length and around off, it comes back in. JB looks to defend but misses to get hit near the stomach. |
| 34.2 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Goes very full and on middle, it is hit down to mid on. |
| 34.3 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Another good ball! This is on off and it comes back in again. Bairstow looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 34.4 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Very full around off, Bairstow strokes it to mid off. |
| 34.5 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, the batter does not play at it. |
| 34.6 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, One more ball outside off, it is left alone. A maiden to begin with by Cummins. |
| Nathan Lyon to share the attack with Cummins post Lunch. He is still in search of his first wicket of the match. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Denly, On middle and turning away. Denly looks to flick but misses. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Denly, Denly comes down the track and works it to short fine leg for no runs. |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Denly, Very full on off, it is worked to mid on. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Denly, On middle and it is too short. Denly works it through square leg for one. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Bairstow, A little too straight again, Bairstow clips it to short leg. |
| 36.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fullish and on off, Denly strokes it to mid off. |
| 36.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, FOUR! Fifty for Denly! Excellent innings from him. He gets there with a delightful stroke. He creams this full delivery on off through mid off and it races away. He needs to make it big here, he just can't relax. It is his third in Tests. |
| 36.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Back of a length on off, it is guided to point. |
| 36.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Shorter and on the body, does not bounce a lot. Denly looks to duck but is hit on the body. |
| 36.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, OHHH! Back of a length and on off, Denly looks to play it late but gets a bottom edge onto the pads. |
| 36.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Good nut to end! Just outside off, Denly is not sure whether to play at it or not. He tries to leave it in the end but it goes off the bottom part towards gully. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Floated around off, pushed towards cover by Jonny. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Fuller around off. Lyon aiming to rough outside off of the batsman. But this is too wide. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Goes full and straight this time, blocked easily. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter one on off this time, another solid block from Bairstow. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Just short of the short leg fielder. That shoot off the surface after pitching. Bairstow wanted to work it fine down the leg side but extra bounce means he tries to fend off towards the leg side. It lobs but falls just short of Marnus Labuschagne at short leg. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On the pads this time, nudged towards fine leg by Jonny. |
| 38.1 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Fuller and on middle, it is hit back to the bowler. |
| 38.2 : Pat Cummins to Denly, Back of a length and on off, Joe defends it out. |
| 38.3 : Pat Cummins to Denly, One more back of a length ball on middle, Denly stays back and keeps it out. |
| 38.4 : Pat Cummins to Denly, A sharp bumper, Denly ducks under it. |
| 38.5 : Pat Cummins to Denly, One more short ball on middle, Denly ducks under it again. |
| 38.6 : Pat Cummins to Denly, OHHH! One more length ball around off, this one pitches and comes back in. Denly looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On middle, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Joe Denly, OUT! Finally, finally, Nathan Lyon gets a wicket. It is of the well set Denly and England now have half the side back in the hut. Denly once again falls shortly after getting to his half ton. This is an excellent delivery though. Turn, bounce, it had everything. It lands outside off and spins back in sharply. There is a lot of bounce on it. Denly goes back and tries to defend but the ball hits the handle and lobs towards short leg where Labuschagne takes a dolly. Early |
| Birthday boy, Jos Buttler is the next man in for England. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Buttler, Good follow-up delivery after the wicket ball. This is floated outside off, it turns back in sharply. Buttler lets it be. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Good ball again! Flatter and outside off, this one too turns back in. Buttler looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Jos Buttler, Very full this time, Buttler strokes it to mid on. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flighted ball outside off, it turns back in. Buttler tries to defend but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one. He is off the mark. |
| 40.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Good length ball angled into the batter, Buttler hops and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 40.2 : Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler, EDGY FOUR! Goes slightly fuller around off, Buttler looks to push it towards the off side but the ball takes outside edge and goes wide of the slip cordon to the third man fence. |
| 40.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Shortish ball outside off this time, Buttler shoulders arms. |
| 40.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, On the pads this time, clipped towards square leg for a couple. It brings 100 up for England and it gets huge cheer from the English supporters. |
| 40.5 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, FOUR BYES! Bumper but too high as Buttler ducks. Even Paine can't do much as it flies over him towards the fine leg fence. |
| 40.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Beaten! A superb nut to finish the over. Pitched on middle on a length and shapes away to go past the outside edge. |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter and quicker on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, This is flatter again outside off, it turns back in. Buttler goes back and tries to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Buttler, Very full and on off, Buttler strokes it to mid off. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Down the leg side, Buttler lets it be. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, Another one which lands outside off and turns back in. Buttler looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, Down the leg side, it is left alone. |
| 42.1 : Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, Shorter in length and around off, Bairstow guides it behind point and takes two. |
| 42.2 : Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A little too straight this time from wide of the crease. Jonny nudges it through backward square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 42.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Good length delivery outside off, Buttler does not play at it. |
| 42.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, That kept a bit low! On middle and it stays a touch low. Buttler looks to defend but it goes off the bottom part towards mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Slightly fuller this time and it shapes back in. Buttler looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 42.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Another length ball on off to end the over. Buttler goes back and keeps it out. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On middle, Bairstow works it with the turn through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, Nicely played! This is floated up outside off, Buttler gets his front leg to the pitch of the ball and then strokes it through covers for three. Just a mere push there. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Bairstow, A single now as Jonny works it through square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, One more single! This time Buttler goes right back and works it behind square for one. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Changes the angle and bowls it from around the wicket. It is down the leg side, Paine fails to collect it and it goes down towards fine leg. A bye is taken. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, This lands on off but then turns back in. Buttler works it around the corner for one. |
| Amit The Mastermind - 'Dear Garry, please keep your lengths a bit fuller. With these short stuff, you are taking LBW out of contention totally.' |
| Josh Hazlewood into the attack now! |
| 44.1 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Shortish ball on middle, tucked towards the leg side. |
| 44.2 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good length ball which is angled into the batter, Buttler blocks it well. |
| 44.3 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Another one angled into the batter. Another solid block from Buttler. |
| 44.4 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good leave that one as Buttler trusted the length. The ball pitches outside off and comes back in sharply. Buttler shoulders arms and watches it go over the stumps. |
| 44.5 : J Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Fuller ball this time, negotiated easily by Buttler. |
| 44.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Fuller ball but outside off, Buttler doesn't play at it. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter and outside off, it spins back in again. Bairstow goes back and tries to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Bairstow, On off, Bairstow goes back and keeps it out. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Outside off, JB looks to play it late, it goes off the outer half towards short third man for one. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Buttler, Very full outside off, Buttler defends it out. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, On middle, Buttler works it to short fine leg for no runs. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, Floats it up and on off, Buttler goes back and keeps it onto the ground. He went back to a pretty full delivery there but that is how he has been playing Lyon throughout the series. |
| Halt in play as Paine needs to go to the washroom! He is done and he rushes onto the field now. |
| 46.1 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Back of a length on off, Jonny stands tall and pushes it to covers. |
| 46.2 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, One more on a length and around off, Bairstow goes back and keeps it out. |
| 46.3 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Attacks the stumps once again, Bairstow is solid in defense. |
| 46.4 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, This starts on off and it comes back in. Bairstow looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 46.5 : J Hazlewood to Bairstow, A little too straight, it is worked wide of mid on for one. |
| 46.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, One more ball outside off, Buttler shoulders arms to this one. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Quicker and on off, Bairstow flicks but can't get past short leg. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to J Bairstow, FOUR! Too full and it is put away! Full and on off, Bairstow leans into it and strokes it down to the long off fence. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter and on off, Jonny defends it out. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Bairstow, Very full and on middle, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, FOUR! Lovely use of the wrists! Also, there is minimal risk in that shot as it was with the turn. On middle and it is fuller. Buttler whips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Jos Buttler, Another one which is very full, Buttler flicks it to mid on. 9 from the over. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on now! The other pacers did get the ball to reverse. Can he do so? If he can, he can be handy. |
| 48.1 : M Starc to Bairstow, Starts off with a short ball so does not give the ball much time to do its bit. Bairstow ducks under it. |
| 48.2 : M Starc to Bairstow, Goes fuller this time but no swing visible. It is outside off, left alone. |
| 48.3 : M Starc to Bairstow, Shorter but down the leg side, Bairstow looks to flick but misses. Paine dives to his left and takes it nicely. |
| 48.4 : M Starc to Bairstow, Better! This is angled into the stumps, JB keeps it out. Starc not getting the ball to do a lot till now. |
| 48.5 : M Starc to Bairstow, Shorter in length and on middle, Bairstow stands tall and pushes it to mid on. |
| 48.6 : M Starc to Bairstow, Three to end the over! Easy for Bairstow. It is full and on the pads, Bairstow works it through mid-wicket. The sweeper runs to his left and stops it. Three taken. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is on now! |
| 49.1 : M Labuschagne to Bairstow, Flatter and on off, Bairstow guides it through point and gets to the other end. |
| 49.2 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, Big turn there! Tosses this one up outside off, Buttler shoulders arms to it as it turns away. |
| 49.3 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, Shorter again and on off, Buttler pushes it through covers for one. |
| 49.4 : M Labuschagne to Bairstow, Another one which is a touch short. Bairstow this time goes back and pushes it through covers for one. |
| 49.5 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, Good line and length! It is landed on middle, it turns away. Buttler gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 49.6 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, A good nut to end! On middle, Buttler defends it outside the line. It goes off the inner half to the right of the bowler. Two good deliveries to end by ML. |
| 50.1 : M Starc to Bairstow, A little too short and a little too straight, Bairstow works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 50.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Way too wide outside off, the batter need not play at those. |
| 50.3 : M Starc to Buttler, Short again, Buttler easily goes back and keeps it out. |
| 50.4 : M Starc to Buttler, Slightly fuller than the last ball. Buttler pushes it to covers. |
| Looking at Marnus Labuschagne, David Gower just remembers the era of the 70s and the 80s, while discussing with Michael Atherton. He recounts that while touring the country Down Under, almost every state had a leg spinner. As a batsman, you needed to adjust pretty quickly. Talk about that around 40 years later, there is hardly any leggie to talk about... |
| 50.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Too short! Buttler guides it to point. Starc has been a touch short in this spell. He needs to get it up there. |
| 50.6 : M Starc to Buttler, Better! This is on a length and around off, Buttler is solid in defense. |
| Travis Head is on now! Just the one over for Labuschagne. |
| 51.1 : T Head to Bairstow, Slower through the air outside off, Bairstow goes back and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 51.2 : T Head to Bairstow, A little too straight, it is worked to the fielder at short fine leg. |
| 51.3 : T Head to Bairstow, Loopy ball on off, JB flicks it with the turn to the leg side. |
| 51.4 : T Head to Bairstow, One more ball to which JB goes back and works it to short fine leg. |
| 51.5 : T Head to Bairstow, This is given a lot more air and the length is fuller around off. Bairstow defends it, off the front foot. |
| 51.6 : T Head to Bairstow, This is wider outside off, it turns back in but not enough to make the batter play. |
| Change of ends for Marnus Labuschagne. |
| 52.1 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, A full toss but Buttler misses out. He smashes it but straight back to the bowler. |
| 52.2 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, On middle. JB keeps it out. |
| 52.3 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, Flatter and outside off, Buttler lets it be. |
| 52.4 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, Loopy ball around the pads, it is worked to the man at mid on. |
| 52.5 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, A little too short, Buttler works it behind square on the leg side for one. These two are going along well here. Actually, it was an inside edge onto the pads and not right off the middle. |
| 52.6 : M Labuschagne to Bairstow, Misfield! Labuschagne comes from around the wicket to land it in the rough. He ends up bowling a full toss which Jonny works it through mid-wicket. Head in the deep gets to the ball but misfields and an extra run is taken. Three in total. |
| DRINKS! Australia got the wicket of Joe Denly early in the first hour of the second session but since then Jonny Bairstow along with Jos Buttler have done well to add 45 runs between them. Apart from that one wicket, the Australian bowling has not been good as they have been either too short or too straight. What's in the store for the next hour in this extended session? Change of ends for Starc after Drinks. |
| Starc takes out Bairstow again! LBW this time! Or is it? Review time... hit on the knee roll... here comes Ball Tracker. Umpire's call! |
| 53.1 : Starc to Bairstow, OUT! LBW! Jonny Bairstow has to walk back. Starc strikes first ball after Drinks. How often we see a wicket after the break. Beauty from him to wrap him in front of the stumps. Height was the only issues which could've had saved him but no, the Ball Tracker rolls in to show that the the ball is clipping the stumps. It was pitched on a good length and came back in sharply. Bairstow wanted to work it down the leg side but is hit flush on the pads. A huge appeal follows an |
| 0.0 : Craig Overton walks in now, at number 8, replacing Bairstow, as Australia get into the bowlers. Or bowling all-rounders. Overton was the night watchman in the first innings. |
| 53.2 : M Starc to Overton, That was on target as well. Full and just around off, stays low a touch, Overton gets down to keep it out. |
| 53.3 : M Starc to C Overton, This is edged but played with soft hands. Hence, goes down to ground. Full and outside off, swinging away, Craig looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge, onto the ground and towards second slip who misfields and allows a single. |
| 53.4 : M Starc to Buttler, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 53.5 : M Starc to Buttler, No run. |
| 53.6 : M Starc to Buttler, No run. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack! His figures so far 16-2-45-1. |
| 54.1 : N Lyon to Overton, On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 54.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 54.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Another one is worked to the mid-wicket region. |
| 54.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter and outside off, Overton goes back and keeps it out. |
| 54.5 : N Lyon to Overton, Nicely bowled! This is slower and it is tossed up outside off, Overton lunges and tries to defend but it goes off the inner half wide of short leg. |
| 54.6 : N Lyon to Overton, A shorter delivery to end on middle, Overton works it to mid-wicket. |
| 55.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 55.2 : M Starc to Buttler, One more delivery outside off, Buttler does not fiddle with it. |
| Buttler pulls out as Starc was steaming in. The bowler needs to reload. |
| 55.3 : M Starc to Buttler, A yorker outside off, Buttler jams it out to point. |
| 55.4 : M Starc to Buttler, A couple! Fuller and on off, Buttler strokes it through cover-point for two. |
| 55.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Well bowled! This is on a length and around middle, stays a touch low. Buttler does well to keep it out. |
| 55.6 : M Starc to Buttler, A leave to end as Starc bowls it outside off. |
| Interesting thoughts from Michael Atherton on air. He observes that Starc has been more successful when he has hit the length, rather than going for the yorker. Examples can be seen from the Bairstow dismissals in both innings. |
| Pat Cummins is back on now! He has four till now and been their best bowler in this innings. He would look to add to his wicket-tally. |
| 56.1 : Pat Cummins to Overton, This is fuller and on off, it tails back in. Overton gets his front leg out of the way and works it down to fine leg for one. |
| 56.2 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, On the fuller side on off, Buttler punches it past the bowler. Bancroft the sub at mid off dives to his right and makes a good stop. |
| 56.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Good length and outside off, it is left alone. |
| 56.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, This is angled into the stumps, Jos defends it back towards the bowler. |
| 56.5 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Crisp drive! Very full and on off, Jos creams it but to mid off. |
| 56.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, A length ball outside off to end. Buttler lets it go. This is really been a watchful innings by Buttler. |
| The ball is being checked and it does not pass through the 8-ball gauge which means time for it be changed. Out come the boxes. One is chosen and on we go. Also, Nathan Lyon is brought back on. Change of ends for him. |
| 57.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Shorter and on middle, Overton works it through square leg and gets Buttler on strike. |
| 57.2 : N Lyon to Buttler, Flatter and on off, Buttler goes right back and works it with the turn towards backward square leg for one. |
| 57.3 : N Lyon to Overton, That lobs to short leg but it is off the pads. It lands around off and then turns back in. Overton looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 57.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Quicker and on middle, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 57.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, That stayed low but nicely played! This is on off, it stays very low. Buttler gets his bat down in time and works it through square leg for one. |
| 57.6 : N Lyon to Overton, A huge appeal but not given! This is floated up outside off, it turns back in. Overton gets his pad out of the line of off and tries to defend but misses to get hit on it. |
| 58.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, That is unplayable! That went away like a leg spinner. It is on a length and around off, it pitches and moves away sharply. Buttler tries to defend but is beaten, by a long way though. |
| 58.2 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Shorter and on off, Buttler looks to defend at first but then tries to bail out. Too late as it goes off the bottom half but on the bounce to the third slip fielder. |
| 58.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, BEATEN! Another top nut. The changed ball is really talking. This starts on off, pitches and then moves away. Jos tries to block it but gets beaten. |
| 58.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Gets this one back in now but it is a touch shorter. Buttler leaves it on length. |
| 58.5 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, That is another lovely nut! Whizzes past the outside edge again. Cummins goes wide of the crease and angles it into the batter. Buttler is drawn into a defensive stroke. The ball though shapes away and goes past the outside edge. |
| 58.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, And again! One more ball on a length and around off, it straightens after pitching. Whizzes past the outside edge as Buttler tries to defend. End of an outstanding over. The important thing is, Buttler survives and also, not a lot he could with those deliveries. Just needs to get it out his mind. |
| 59.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Fuller on middle, pushed back to the bowler but Overton. |
| 59.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Fuller again on off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 59.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Shorter one this time, fended off by Overton towards the leg side this time. |
| 59.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Flighted one on middle, blocked towards mid on this time. |
| 59.5 : N Lyon to Overton, FOUR BYES! That misses everthing and Paine can't gather that either. A good ball, pitched on off. Overton looks to drive but it sneaks through the bat and through the legs of Paine to the fine leg fence. The boundary brings 150 up for the hosts. |
| 59.6 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter one on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 60.1 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, On the fuller side around off, Buttler looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through backward point for two. |
| 60.2 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Just short! Shortish and on off, there is extra bounce on this one. Buttler looks to defend but does not get on top of the bounce. It goes off the outside edge but lands short of the third slip fielder. He makes a good stop diving to his left. |
| 60.3 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, Outside off, Buttler makes a leave. |
| 60.4 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, This is angled into the batter, Buttler pushes it to mid on. |
| 60.5 : Cummins to Buttler, Howzzat? The answer to that question is not out. Top stuff though from Cummins. He kept taking it out and now gets it in and a long way. The length is also fuller. Buttler is surprised by it and gets hit on the pads. An appeal but it is turned down. Going down leg. |
| 60.6 : Pat Cummins to Buttler, On off, Buttler blocks it out. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. His numbers so far, 10-4-12-0. |
| 61.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Fuller and on off, Overton strokes it to mid off. |
| 61.2 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Good length ball around off, Overton pushes it towards cover and gets off strike. |
| 61.3 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, In the channel on a good length, Buttler does not fiddle with it. |
| 61.4 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Bouncer around off, Buttler sways away from it. |
| 61.5 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Swing there but this is too wide for the batter to play. Buttler is not interested. |
| 61.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Fuller around off, Buttler solidly pushes it towards cover. |
| 62.1 : Pat Cummins to Overton, This is on off and it comes back in. Overton works it to square leg. |
| 62.2 : Pat Cummins to Overton, One more length ball on off, CO pushes it nicely to mid off. |
| 62.3 : Pat Cummins to Overton, A sharp short one, Overton ducks under it nicely. |
| 62.4 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Attacks the off pole again, Overton is solid in defense. |
| Overton is a goner! He reviews. He also indicates there is some bat. So it might just be overturned. Judging by the first replay, there seems to be an inside edge. The third umpire is taking a lot of time. Has the ball hit the bat? Or has the bat hit the pad alone? Looks very close. To the naked eye, it looks like the ball has hit the pad. But when Ultra Edge is shown, it is not conclusive. The third umpire is not sure and proceeds to Ball Tracker. Impact outside off and Overton survives! |
| 62.5 : Pat Cummins to Overton, NOT OUT! The impact is outside the line of off stump! There was also a doubt if there was bat involved. In the end, the important thing for England is, Overton survives. Their fans and their pavilion will breath a big sigh of relief. However, brilliant from Cummins. He once again sets the batter up nicely. After a couple of outswingers, he gets this one to come back in a long way from outside off. Overton seems to have missed it and gets hit on the pads. A huge appe |
| 62.6 : Pat Cummins to Overton, A couple to end! This is worked through square leg for two. |
| 63.1 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Fuller on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 63.2 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Fuller ball on off this time, Overton drives it straight to the bowler. |
| 63.3 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Bumper this time. Overton ducks under it. |
| 63.4 : J Hazlewood to C Overton, FOUR! Brilliantly done! Length ball outside off, Overton leans into drive and drills this through the covers for a boundary. |
| 63.5 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Going down the leg side this time as Overton looks to flick. He can not get bat on ball as Paine moves to his left to pouch this one. A muted appeal from behind the wicket but nothing from the bowler. |
| 63.6 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Fuller outside off, blocked easily towards mid on. |
| Mitchell Starc is back! 10-0-32-1 so far. The ball is reversing but Starc needs to land it in the right areas. If he does, this could be over pretty soon. If he doesn't, Australia could be in for a long, long haul. Because all their seamers are tiring. |
| 64.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Good length and around off, Buttler opens the face of the bat and guides it to point. |
| 64.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Shorter and outside off, it is left alone. |
| 64.3 : M Starc to Buttler, Another fuller delivery around off, Buttler leans into it and strokes it to covers. A good shot but for no runs. |
| 64.4 : M Starc to Buttler, FOUR! Gets it in the gap this time! Nicely played. This is fuller and outside off, Buttler waits for it and then just opens the face of the bat. Guides it through point and it races away. |
| 64.5 : M Starc to Buttler, Outside off, Buttler is in no mood to play at those. |
| 64.6 : M Starc to Buttler, One more length ball outside off, Buttler does not fiddle with it. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. 19-4-49-1 so far. Australia need him to step up. |
| 65.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Nicely played in the end! This is flatter and outside off, it stays low. Overton gets his bat down in time and works it to short fine leg. |
| 65.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Tosses it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 65.3 : N Lyon to Overton, A huge appeal from Lyon but not given! This is landed outside off, it turns back in. Overton looks to flick but there seems to be an inside edge onto the pads. It lands short of the diving short leg fielder. Lyon makes a huge shout for an LBW but it is turned down. Warner at leg slip signals there was bat. |
| 65.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Fuller and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 65.5 : N Lyon to Overton, Shorter and outside off, Overton initially looks to hit it through the off side but then seeing the turn back in, works it on the leg side. |
| 65.6 : N Lyon to Overton, A dot to end! Shorter and on middle, Overton goes back and looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 66.1 : M Starc to Buttler, Left on length again! Shorter and on off, Buttler shoulders arms to this one. Starc needs to go fuller. |
| 66.2 : M Starc to Buttler, Does go full this time, Buttler looks to drive but mistimes it to mid off. |
| 66.3 : M Starc to Buttler, A short one and on middle, Buttler ducks under it. Starc had the shiny part inside, not sure why he bowled it short. He could have got this one shaping back in after taking the last two away. |
| 66.4 : M Starc to Jos Buttler, Takes this one away too and it is fuller on off, Buttler hits it to mid off. |
| 66.5 : M Starc to Buttler, One more delivery outside off, it is left alone. |
| 66.6 : M Starc to Buttler, On off, Buttler defends it solidly. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Outside off and it is in the rough. It comes back in sharply but not enough to make the batter play. |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Flighted ball on off, Overton once again manages to block it. |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Floats it up on off, Overton manages to keep it out again. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Overton, On middle, Overton goes right back and works it on the leg side. |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Overton, Nicely played! This is bowled outside off, Overton goes back and works it with the turn to short leg. Three maidens in a row. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is back on. |
| 68.1 : M Labuschagne to Jos Buttler, Very short and on middle, Buttler goes back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 68.2 : M Labuschagne to Overton, One more short ball on off, it turns away. It is left alone. |
| 68.3 : M Labuschagne to Overton, Loud, loud shot! Not given again! This is a lovely delivery. It lands around middle and leg. It pitches and turns away. The batter looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. A huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The bowler, the skipper and Smith have a chat but then don't review. Rightly so as Ball Tracker shows it to be going over. |
| 68.4 : M Labuschagne to Overton, One more short one on off, it is whipped through mid-wicket for one. |
| 68.5 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, A googly on off, defended. One ball to go for Lunch. |
| 68.6 : M Labuschagne to Buttler, This is tossed up outside off, Buttler does not play at it. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 5! |
| 95 balls. That is the number of balls faced by Buttler and Overton for the 7th wicket so far. Many would have been imagining all the Aussies in the dressing room, putting their feet up and drinking champagne, to celebrate their retention of the urn. But no. It has been England's session. They would believe that they can draw this one now. |
| Australia got rid of Joe Denly quickly after Lunch but Bairstow along with Buttler added 45 between them to frustrate the visitors. Starc broke that stand but none of the bowlers have managed to breach the Buttler-Overton one. There were a couple of close calls, especially Overton being adjudged LBW, only to be overturned on review. Nothing much is happening with this soft ball and when happening, the batsmen have been able to survive. |
| Post Tea, England would hope that these two continue the fight and take the game as deep as possible. They have Stuart Broad, who has a century to his name and Jack Leach, the man who helped them win the last game waiting in the pavilion and they can battle too, IF needed. The visitors, on the other hand, they would be desperate to break this partnership and then take the remaining wickets to retain the urn. Looks like we are gonna go right down to the wire, as at Lord's. Join us back at 4.30 pm |
| ... Day 5, Session 3 ... |
| The Australian players walk out to the middle one final time for this Test. Can they dislodge the remaining four wickets? Jos Buttler and Craig Overton follow them as well. 11 overs for the second new ball. Paine would be desperate to get that. How will he operate the bowlers then? Well, Lyon to start the proceedings for them. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Australia celebrate and with such confidence. Dharmsena says no instantly. The Australian celebration ends. Lyon pitches it on middle and gets it to bounce sharply. The ball hits on the abdomen and lobs straight to the short leg. Who pouches it and celebrates. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Fuller this time, looks to drive but is hit on the pads as ball lobs wide of the silly point fielder. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter this time, blocked off the back foot this time. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Slightly shorter, worked towards the leg side. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter this time, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Overton, Lobs off the pads again towards leg slip. No appeal this time. |
| Hazlewood to start from the other end. |
| 70.1 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Fuller outside off, Buttler blocks it well. |
| 70.2 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Fuller again, blocked nicely off the front foot. |
| 70.3 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Bumper outside off, Buttler sways away from it. |
| 70.4 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Another back of length ball but goes down the leg side. |
| 70.5 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good length ball outside off, Buttler wanted to play but after seeing the shape away, didn't play. |
| 70.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, FOUR! Fuller ball, Buttler goes for the drive but gets an outside edge. The ball flies through the slip cordon and to the third man fence. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter and fuller, kept low as well. Blocked nicely by Overton. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Another solid block from Overton on the off side. This one bounced off the surface from off stump. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter one outside off, Overton lets it go to the keeper. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Quicker one on middle, worked down the leg side. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Overton, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Overton, Quicker one on the pads, Overton works it down the leg side. |
| 72.1 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Just outside off, Buttler knows where his off stump is and lets it be. |
| 72.2 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, This is angled into the batter, it lands and then shapes away a long way. Buttler ends up playing inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 72.3 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Outside off again, the batter need not play at those. |
| 72.4 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Slightly shorter, does not bounce a lot. Buttler evades it. |
| 72.5 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, Good length and on off, Buttler guides it to point. |
| 72.6 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, This is angled into the batter, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 73.1 : N Lyon to Overton, Flatter and on middle, it spins down. Overton lets it be. |
| 73.2 : N Lyon to Overton, Loopy ball on off, Overton lunges and keeps it out. |
| 73.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Slightly shorter and on middle, Overton works it to mid-wicket. The fielder fumbles but no runs taken. |
| 73.4 : N Lyon to Overton, A single now as this is worked wide of the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 73.5 : N Lyon to Buttler, Nicely played! Tossed up outside off, it turns back into Buttler and there is extra bounce too. Buttler does well to play it with soft hands on the leg side. |
| 73.6 : N Lyon to Buttler, One more dot to end! This is on middle, Buttler works it to short fine leg. |
| 74.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Goes short and on the body, it is pulled down to fine leg for one. Australia on the attack here, a short leg, a silly point and a leg gully in place. |
| 74.2 : J Hazlewood to Buttler, OUT! TIMBER! Nelson strikes for England. He is dismissed on the 111th ball. Is this the Ashes for Australia? They have got the last recognized batsman. A gritty partnership and a gritty knock by Buttler comes to an end. Josh Hazlewood gets the breakthrough. Once again, Australia strike early after the break. Not sure what happened to Buttler there? He has been leaving the ball brilliantly till now. This time though maybe he misreads the length. Josh bowls this very |
| Jofra Archer is the new man in. Can he resist along with Overton to help England draw this one. |
| 74.3 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Good length and on middle, this is kept out. |
| 74.4 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Archer almost kicked the ball onto the stumps. Would have been a comedy of errors. This is on a good length and around off, it comes back in late. Archer looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball falls behind him and ahead of the stumps. Archer looks to kick it away but ends up kicking it on his other leg. The ball then rolls back once again but away from the stumps. |
| 74.5 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 74.6 : J Hazlewood to Archer, Shorter and outside off, Archer guides it towards gully for one. |
| 75.1 : N Lyon to Archer, Flatter one, pitched on a rough and bounces. Archer looks to fend it off but the ball gets high on him and balloons towards the short leg fielder. |
| 0.0 : Australia on the attack here! One more man comes in as a close-in catcher. No square leg now. Will this tempt Archer to play the slog sweep? |
| 75.2 : N Lyon to Archer, Flighted ball on middle, Archer pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 75.3 : N Lyon to Archer, Flatter ball on middle, Jofra comes forward to block but the ball goes off the inside edge towards the leg gully, just short. |
| 75.4 : N Lyon to Archer, This time a solid block from Archer. |
| 75.5 : N Lyon to Archer, OUT! LBW! That's unlucky as long as Archer and England are concerned. Lyon pitches this around off on the rough. The ball has been bouncing high off those roughs but this time it keeps very low. Archer can't do anything about this. He is hit dead on the pads, in front of the stumps. Lyon and Australia appeal. The umpire agrees. Lyon and Australia celebrate. Archer thinks of the review but Overton suggests not to go for it. Archer walks back with a wry smile. Nothing he co |
| 175 balls left. 2 wickets needed. Jack Leach comes in now. |
| 75.6 : N Lyon to Leach, Flatter ball on middle, blocked off the front foot this time. |
| Review time! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Labuschagne is adamant it is off the pad and not the bat. He feels it is out and Paine reviews. Marnus is right, there is no bat. Looks to be slipping down leg. |
| 76.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, NOT OUT! FOUR LEG BYES! It indeed is missing leg! Excellent decision by Erasmus. Australia lose one of their reviews. Hazlewood bowls a corker of a yorker. It starts on off and it tails back in. Overton is late in bringing his bat down. The ball goes off the pads and goes down to the fine leg fence. The Australian players put in a loud appeal in the meantime but it is turned down. The umpire shakes his head. Marnus Labuschagne wants it to be reviewed and Paine does |
| 76.2 : J Hazlewood to C Overton, Edged but short! Fuller and around off, Overton looks to drive but gets an outside edge which goes on the bounce to the second slip fielder. All of a sudden Overton seems to be struggling. |
| 76.3 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Good length and on off, Overton defends it. |
| 76.4 : J Hazlewood to Overton, This is angled into the pads, Overton works it around the corner for one. |
| 76.5 : J Hazlewood to Leach, BEATEN! This is fuller and outside off, Leach looks to push at it but gets beaten. |
| 76.6 : J Hazlewood to Leach, Too straight, Leach works it through mid-wicket and takes three. He keeps strike for the next over. Australia won't mind the three. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack. Can he finish it off for the visitors? His numbers so far, 12-1-36-1. |
| 77.1 : M Starc to Leach, Cut him into half there! This is shorter and outside off, it jags back in sharply. Goes between the bat and the body of Leach. |
| 0.0 : Santra The Orange - 'England should change the profile of Jack Leach. Left-arm spinner who can bat? Naah.... proper left-handed batsman who can bowl part-timers!' @STO - Wow. That is a bit harsh, isn't it mate? |
| 77.2 : M Starc to Leach, BEATEN! This one goes straight on after pitching on a length and outside off. Leach plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 77.3 : M Starc to Leach, Beaten again! This is outside off again. Leach hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 77.4 : M Starc to Leach, Goes very full and on off, Leach watches it and strokes it to mid off. |
| 77.5 : M Starc to Leach, A short one on middle, Leach gets on top of the bounce and keeps it out. |
| 77.6 : Starc to Leach, Excellently bowled and it is played even better! A yorker, an inswinging one on off. Leach gets his bat down in time and jams it out towards mid on for one. |
| Nathan Lyon is back! His figures 25-9-50-2. |
| 78.1 : N Lyon to Leach, On the pads, Leach works it to leg slip. |
| 78.2 : N Lyon to Leach, On middle, the batter defends it nicely. |
| 78.3 : N Lyon to Leach, Floats it up around leg pole. Leach is solid in defense again. |
| 78.4 : N Lyon to Leach, Another loopy ball on off, this is kept out. |
| 78.5 : N Lyon to Leach, Floats it up outside off, Leach lunges to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge but lands well short of second slip. |
| 78.6 : N Lyon to Leach, Shorter and outside off, Leach looks to play the late cut but is beaten. |
| 79.1 : M Starc to Overton, Very full and on middle from around the wicket. It is pushed to the man at mid on. |
| 79.2 : M Starc to Overton, Slightly fuller and on off, Overton keeps it out. |
| 79.3 : M Starc to Overton, A short one on middle, the batter stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 79.4 : M Starc to Overton, One more short one outside off, Overton plays inside the line and lets it through. |
| 79.5 : M Starc to C Overton, EDGY FOUR! This is angled into the batter and it is fuller on off. The ball pitches and moves away. Overton looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge down to the third man fence. Runs needed below 200 but that is immaterial right now. 151 balls left to survive. |
| 79.6 : M Starc to Overton, Shortish and it is angled into the pads, Overton looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls towards square leg. The batters think of a run but then don't take it. |
| Pat Cummins is back! The second new ball is now available so with Cummins coming on, Australia will be thinking of taking it. Also, Pat is one wicket away from a fifer. |
| 80.1 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Good length and on off, Leach keeps it out. |
| 0.0 : The second new ball has been taken! So one loosener with the old ball and then the new cherry is taken. |
| 80.2 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Shorter and on the body, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 80.3 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Fuller but it is outside off, left alone. |
| Ha ha ha... the crowd is having some fun now. A couple of spectators open up an umbrella in the stands, suggesting that is raining. Well, it isn't. Conditions are bright and sunny. |
| 80.4 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Down the leg side, Leach looks to flick but misses. |
| 80.5 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Nicely played again! Fuller and on middle, this is hit to the right of mid on. |
| 80.6 : Pat Cummins to Leach, That is a gem! Unlucky not to get a wicket there. This is slightly fuller and just outside off. It comes back in. Leach ends up playing outside the line, the ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and goes over the off pole. |
| 81.1 : M Starc to Overton, On the pads on a good length, clipped towards square leg by Overton for a run. |
| 81.2 : M Starc to Leach, Bowls a back of length ball outside off. Leach thought of playing it initially but bailed out quickly as this was too wide. |
| 81.3 : M Starc to Leach, Good length on middle again, Leach is solid in defense. Starc looked at the landing area as soon as he delivered the ball. He looked in some discomfort but he is ready to go. |
| 81.4 : M Starc to Leach, Beaten! This is a superb bouncer and it is closer to the head of Leach. Leach looks to fend it off the back foot but it goes past the gloves of Leach. |
| 81.5 : M Starc to Leach, FOUR! On the pads on a fullish length of Leach and he crunches this behind square on the leg side for a boundary. The fielder from backward square leg chases the ball but comes second. Some shot that and gets the crowd going as well. |
| 81.6 : M Starc to Leach, Outside off this time, Leach doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 23 overs left but the time is ticking away. It is getting darker. The shadows of the fielders can be seen. We might come down to the situation when Tim Paine is asked by the umpires to stop the seamers. |
| 82.1 : Pat Cummins to C Overton, Good length and around off, Overton plays inside the line, it goes off the outer half towards gully. |
| 82.2 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Good length again on off, Overton opens the face of the bat and guides it to gully. |
| 82.3 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Outside off, Overton lets it be. |
| 82.4 : Pat Cummins to Overton, A short one on the body, Overton ducks under it. |
| 82.5 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Lovely delivery! This is lands on off and then straightens. Overton does the right thing as he plays the original trajectory but gets beaten. |
| 82.6 : Pat Cummins to Overton, A solid defense this time to a ball on off. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back on! 16-5-25-1 are his numbers so far. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Leach, Goes very full and outside off, it is jammed out to covers. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Leach, Outside off, Leach need not play at those. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to Leach, Comes from around the wicket and angles it into the batter. Leach works it behind square on the leg side, uses the pace of the bowler. The fielder at leg gully runs after it and keeps it down to three. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Overton, On the fuller side and on off, Overton defends it nicely. |
| 83.5 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Attacks the stumps again, Overton easily keeps it out. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Another block and another over goes by! On off, Overton gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 84.1 : Pat Cummins to Leach, A short one down the leg side, Leach watches it go through to the keeper. |
| 84.2 : Pat Cummins to Leach, Nasty ball but Leach fends it nicely! A sharp short one on the body, Leach looks to fend it away but takes his eyes off the ball. It hits the glove and then lobs onto the helmet. Falls safely on the off side. Leach takes a breather as he removes his helmet and then his glasses. |
| Well, the physio is out in the middle. It is definitely not for concussion. Leach is just cleaning up his glasses. The 12th man comes out now, with some drinks for Leach. Nasser Hussain on air reminds us about Cardiff, 2009 where England managed to stave off an innings defeat against Australia. The camera pans onto the then captain, Ricky Ponting, who was definitely not happy with the 12th man coming out and stalling the game. Tea pots were boiling and we might see some or more of the same as th |
| 84.3 : Pat Cummins to Leach, One more short one, Leach ducks under it nicely. Cummins gives the batter the stare. That is probably a sign of the Australians getting a little frustrated. |
| 84.4 : Pat Cummins to Leach, One more short one and it is ducked under again. Time for a yorker now? |
| 84.5 : Pat Cummins to Leach, No! Goes short again and on the body, Leach pushes it towards mid on and takes one. |
| 84.6 : Pat Cummins to Overton, This is angled into the batter, Overton pushes it to mid on. Another over played out. 20 more left. |
| Paine goes to Nathan Lyon now. Australia getting into desperation mode again. 20 overs left. 2 wickets still needed. Lyon with a hurting finger. 26-10-50-2 so far. |
| 85.1 : N Lyon to Leach, A muted appeal but nothing from the umpire! This lands around leg, Leach looks to flick but misses to get on the pads. |
| 85.2 : N Lyon to Leach, Slower through the air on off, it is kept out. |
| 85.3 : N Lyon to Leach, Another tossed up delivery, Leach is solid in defense once again. A huge cheer as he does so. |
| 85.4 : N Lyon to Leach, One more loud cheer as Leach blocks another delivery which is bowled on middle. |
| 85.5 : N Lyon to Leach, 5 balls done in this over too! On the stumps. Blocked. |
| 85.6 : N Lyon to Leach, And Leach plays out the over! This is on the pads, Leach tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 86.1 : Pat Cummins to Overton, That must have hurt! Overton needs to rub it off! Short and on the body, Craig looks to duck but is late in doing so. Overton gets hit on the arm. He takes his glove off. |
| 0.0 : The physio wants to come in again! Overton has been hit on the right hand by a bumper from Cummins. He removes his gloves and takes his time. The physio walks closer to the boundary rope and waits for a signal from Overton. However, Overton tells the physio not to come and gets ready to face the next ball. |
| 86.2 : Pat Cummins to Overton, One more short one, this time, Overton is ready as he ducks under it. |
| 86.3 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Third short ball in a row! Overton ducks under it for the second time in a row. |
| 86.4 : Pat Cummins to Overton, NO BALL! Goes fuller but he has overstepped! Maybe he is pushing too hard, for that extra mile. This is on a length and outside off, Overton looks to defend but is beaten. |
| Pat Cummins to Overton, One more bumper, Overton sits under it with ease. |
| 86.5 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Back of a length and on middle, Craig defends it nicely onto the ground. |
| 86.6 : Pat Cummins to Overton, Good length and on off, Overton manages to defend it nicely again. |
| 87.1 : N Lyon to Leach, Loopy ball on off, the batter prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 87.2 : N Lyon to Leach, Beauty! This is slightly shorter by Lyon and it is quicker. On middle, it pitches and turns away. Goes past the outside edge of Leach's bat. |
| 87.3 : N Lyon to Leach, A little fuller and on middle, Leach blocks it easily. |
| 87.4 : N Lyon to Leach, Slower through the air this time on middle, Leach prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 87.5 : N Lyon to Leach, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 87.6 : N Lyon to Leach, Slashes and misses! Not sure that shot is needed at the moment. This is shorter and outside off, it skids through. The batter looks to cut but is beaten. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on now! His figures 15-1-46-1. |
| 88.1 : M Starc to Overton, A short one on middle, Overton ducks under it. |
| 88.2 : M Starc to Overton, Attacks the stumps this time, Overton defends it onto the ground. |
| 88.3 : M Starc to Overton, Another solid defense! Less than 100 balls left now. Shorter and on off, Overton keeps it out. |
| 88.4 : M Starc to Overton, Slightly fuller and outside off, the batter lets it be. |
| 88.5 : M Starc to Overton, Nicely played! This is shorter and around off, it angles away. Overton initially looks to defend but then bails out. |
| Starc comes running in! Overton though is not ready. Starc has to reload. |
| 88.6 : M Starc to Overton, A shorter one on middle, Overton keeps it out nicely. |
| A bit of leg spin now! Marnus Labuschagne is on. Trying everything here is Tim Paine. A surprising change to a lot of people. |
| 89.1 : M Labuschagne to Leach, A leg spinner on middle, Leach looks to flick but it goes off the pads towards short leg. A muted appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 89.2 : M Labuschagne to Leach, Lands it in the rough outside off, this one turns back in sharply. Leach looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 89.3 : M Labuschagne to Leach, Shorter and quicker and on the pads. JL looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| Sanchit Shetty - 'I have a funny feeling that this will go all the way down to the last over and both wickets will fall in that one!' @SS - Well, credit to these two and the England lower order for hanging in there. Australia haven't bowled badly but haven't been able to finish the job either. |
| 89.4 : M Labuschagne to Leach, Another tossed up ball outside off, Leach keeps it out. |
| 89.5 : M Labuschagne to J Leach, OUT! Catch it... gone! No. 9 is down. This should settle some nerves that was building in the Australian side. Leach's resistance comes to an end. Excellent bowling change by Paine. I had written it is a surprise to many but he has delivered by ending this frustrating stand. A masterstroke by the skipper. Once again, Labuschagne lands it in the rough outside off. It pitches and turns back in sharply. Leach looks to work it on the leg side but due to the extra boun |
| Stuart Broad is the last man in. Memories of Cardiff, 2009. Monty Panesar and Jimmy Anderson had to play out 11 overs to stave off a draw against Australia then. Broad and Overton have 15.1 overs. Are we in for an encore? |
| 89.6 : M Labuschagne to Broad, A full toss, may have caught Broad by surprise. He pushes it back to the bowler. |
| Nathan Lyon into the attack! 28-12-50-2, his figures so far. |
| 90.1 : N Lyon to Overton, On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 90.2 : N Lyon to Overton, On middle again, it is kept out. |
| 90.3 : N Lyon to Overton, Shorter and outside off, the batter goes back and works it to short leg. |
| 90.4 : N Lyon to Overton, Very short! Overton works it down to fine leg. It is going towards the fence. The fielder from square leg jogs after it. The ball though stops near the fence. The batters take only one. Just the two balls to face for Broad. |
| 90.5 : N Lyon to Broad, Negotiates one! This is just outside off, it is left alone. |
| 90.6 : N Lyon to Broad, Loopy ball on off, this one is pushed to covers. Both the balls are played out. |
| Bowling change, again! Just one over for Marnus Labuschagne to break the stand. Hazlewood is on now. His numbers so far, 17-5-31-1. |
| 91.1 : J Hazlewood to Overton, Good length and on middle, this is defended. |
| 91.2 : J Hazlewood to Overton, A short one and on the body, Overton looks to duck again but the ball hits him on the body. That must have hurt but you need to brush it off and continue. |
| Is that the game? Overton has been adjudged LBW. He has taken the review immediately. Hit on the knee roll. Is it a bit too high? Nothing on the Ultra Edge as the ball goes past the bat. Three reds on Ball Tracker. THE ASHES STAY WITH AUSTRALIA! |
| 91.3 : J Hazlewood to Overton, OUT! Three reds and Overton is a goner! Marvelous scenes out there as AUSTRALIA HAVE RETAINED THE ASHES! Overton's fighting innings comes to an end. It is Josh Hazlewood who gets the last wicket. A good nut. It lands on off and jags back in. Overton looks to defend but misses to get hit on the front pad. A huge appeal. It looked a touch high but up goes the finger. Overton has no choice but to review. He signals the 'T'. Time for the replays. Ultra Edge shows no bat |
| Phew. How do these two teams manage to do it? Nerve-wracker after nerve-wracker after nerve-wracker. First at Lord's. Then at Leeds. Now here at Manchester. Enough to give three heart-attacks! |
| Take a bow, both Australia and England. The Aussies obviously, for winning it but England, wow. Hanging in there. Fighting it out. Keeping Australia at bay. The last 4 wickets added just 59 runs but FACED 230 BALLS. 127 between Buttler and Overton. 84 between Leach and Overton. Given the numbers, Craig might have almost seen his side over the line. |
| There were very few doubts at the start of the final day as to what could happen. Australia were predicted to win and they won. But they had to huff and puff. Roy and Denly hung around for a while but then things started to happen. Wickets started to fall and at one stage, when Bairstow was dismissed in the 54th over, it seemed like the game would be over before Tea, with 51 overs left in the game and 4 wickets left. But we were destined to be a part of another humdinger. |
| Where did the game and the urn go away from England then? Probably that second Test where Joe Root overbowled Jofra Archer. The third and fourth Tests have seen him whimper away without much pace and the effect has been seen on the Australian batting and the English bowling. Only Stuart Broad was the most consistent one, picking up wickets without anyone to support him. Steven Smith's 211 got Australia to a position from where they could not lose and England found it too tough to face a rampagin |
| Australian bowling. Was Mitchell Starc missed? Did he prove to be the difference? Probably not so much in the second innings. But he was a handful in that first innings with the bat and ball, scoring a half century and taking a 3-fer. Hazlewood and Cummins bowled well tirelessly but they did miss Nathan Lyon. That finger of his is hurting him and he is definitely not the offie we have been used to seeing. Had he been even half of his best, Australia might have even won this with a day to spare. |
| England then. Playing with one bowler and 10 batsmen. But probably, there is some lack of application and lack of patience as well. They have batted better than Australia but the Aussies have been able to eke out mistakes from the hosts' batsmen. But they have done well in tiring out the Aussie bowlers, the effect of which could be seen in the final Test with not much of a gap. the Ashes cannot be regained but the series is there to be drawn. |
| Time for some interviews. Steven Smith first up. Smith says it feels amazing that the Ashes is coming home now. Further adds he has come here a few times but things never went their way. States winning the Ashes here is one thing which he wanted to tick off his bucket list. Informs the boys were getting a little bit tired out there towards the end. Tells England fought really hard especially Overton, who was really good but fortunately the boys got the job done. Says he feels absolutely delighte |
| Marnus Labuschagne now comes up for a chat. Labuschagne says it means a lot to bring the urn back to Australia. States it is one of the best series he has played and it is even better since it is won in England. Further adds Test cricket was at its best as wickets came quickly but England's lower order played really well. Says the Brits will always come hard which was visible here. On him being given the ball by Paine and then getting the breakthrough, Marnus states he wanted to trust himself wi |
| Ohhh... with the Ashes over (even though the series is not over yet), the interviews keep coming, don't they? Josh Hazlewood trots up now. Hazlewood says it is a fantastic feeling and feels all the bowlers bowled really well. Further adds Cummins is a huge engine and Lyon was good too. States you need to be ready when the skipper calls you on and feels Marnus Labuschagne too contributed with an important wicket of Jack Leach. Tells he is still feeling pretty good now but might be a little sore t |
| STEVEN SMITH HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH (Is anyone surprised?) 10 days ago, he was sitting in the dressing room, watching the agony of his side not being able to clinch a win. But here, come Old Trafford, a new dawn has been set. |
| That ends the fourth Test coverage at Old Trafford. It is Australia who are 2-1 up. Ashes is theirs, will the series be as well? England will want to say something about that in 4 days' time. Join us on Thursday, 12th September, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from the 5th Test at The Oval. ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
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