Ashes 2017-18, 3rd Test – 5 Talking Points

Not always that you get to see a side losing the contest by an inning after posting 400-plus runs on the board. An outstanding teamwork from Steve Smith’s Australia saw them regain the Ashes. The pace pack did their job beautifully and Nathan Lyon chipped in with some brilliant spells. Whenever the hosts found themselves in hot waters with the willow in hand, Smith took the responsibility and bailed them out, before taking them to a comfortable position.

Like England skipper Joe Root said, the Australians outplayed the visitors in all the three departments. Smith is yet to call the toss right in this series and he has two more games to try his luck. While for England, the motivation will be to take some pride on their way back to their homeland. Let us take a good look at the talking points from the third Ashes Test match:

1. Malan makes it count, Bairstow brings up his 4th ton

There was a lot of talk about Jonathan Marc Bairstow’s ‘head first’ greeting to Australian opener Cameron Bancroft. But the Yorkshire-born batter found himself at the headlines for all the right reasons after charting out some fine strokes at the WACA against Mitch Starc and his pack of wolves. But it was Dawid Malan, who started the party with some sublime strokes and kept England in the hut.

The duo put on a 237-run stand for the fifth wicket before the English tail fell off like a pack of cards. Malan was on his way to greatness but a ‘stellar’ from Peter Handscomb ensured his departure for 140. Bairstow on the other hand, scored a gritty 119 for his side.

2. Cook in for a roast

2,7,37,16,7 and 14- These digits may take you back to your love affair with Mathematics but Alastair Cook will opt to avoid the numbers. Cook has been struggling to put bat to ball. His meek push in Brisbane found the edge to the slip before mistiming a hook in the next game made people call for his head. The former English skipper managed just two fifties this year, including his double ton against Windies.

Cook has passed the fifty mark only on three occasions in his last 27 innings. On his 33rd birthday this Christman, the calm and composed opener would wish for a fresh start to his decorated career.

3. Fidgety Steve Smith wears the fighter’s mask

Skipper Steven Smith scored the fastest Test hundred of his career at the WACA  against England under some challenging circumstances. Smith arrived at the crease with his team struggling at 55/2 against the new ball. He stitched a 124-run stand with Usman Khawaja and took his side to a decent position before finding support from all-rounder Mitch Marsh.

Marsh and Smith put on a 301-run stand for the fifth wicket and took the game completely away from the visitors. Smith broke numerous records, including the special feat of completing 1000 Test runs in four successive calendar years. The skipper made 239 while his partner in crime Marsh scored career-best 181.

4. The ball of the 21st century by Mitch Starc

Mitchell Starc bowled an absolute cracker at 90mph to dismiss James Vince. The ball was rocketing towards the leg side but found Vince’s timber. A typical delivery from a left-arm fast bowler that angled in to end Vince solid stay at the crease. The Englishman scored 55 and looked at peace before being bowled by a ‘JAFFA’.

The ball hit the crack on the pitch and did the rest. After Shane Warne’s ball of the 20th century, which dates back to 24 years, Starc has heated up an open debate. He finished with 4/91  in the first innings and had to be settled with the lone dismissal in the second innings.

5. Hazlewood’s five breaks England’s defense

With rain being the only hurdle before the start of the fifth day of the third Test match in Perth, Australia were relieved to see the groundsmen put in an impressive effort before they bundled out the tourists for 218 to seal victory by an innings and 41 runs. Pacer Josh Hazlewood, who scalped the opening two wickets of England’s second innings on day four, finished with figures of 5/48 on the final day’s play.

He got the wickets of Malan and Bairstow, who were the key for the visitors on the first innings, and sent back Craig Overton to make it five. Hazlewood ended with eight wickets and repaid the trust of the selectors and his captain.