Ashes 2017-18, 5th Test, Day 3 Review: Australia pile runs and agony for England

The fifth and final Test between Australia and England is a dead rubber. However, Joe Root would’ve wished for his English team to put forth their best performance and salvage some pride and confidence going into the One-Day International series. However, inconsistent shows have marred them significantly.

They racked up 346 runs, but none of their batsmen converted their starts into a big score, which hardly garnered momentum for England. They dismissed Cameron Bancroft early and got rid of David Warner after he accomplished his half-century. However, Usman Khawaja and skipper Steve Smith saved the day for the Kangaroos putting up 105 runs at the close of play on Day 2.

Going into Day 3, while England looked to make further inroads into the Aussie lineup, Steve Smith & Co. wanted to take the game away from England’s reach. As it turned out, the Aussies dominated throughout the entire duration of the third Day as the bowlers tried haplessly to pick up only a couple of wickets.

An Usman Khawaja show

The pre-Lunch session was clinched by Australia as they scored 84 runs in 28 overs. Usman Khawaja carried forward his majestic form as he registered his sixth century in Test cricket. Steve Smith was poised to notch yet another Test century but perished to a caught & bowled dismissal off Moeen Ali at the stroke Lunch.

Australia went steadily in the post-Lunch session and most importantly, didn’t lose a wicket. They scored 88 runs in the session a further 88 runs in 32 overs to frustrate the English bowlers. Khawaja and Shaun Marsh played cautiously to stave off the second new-ball. Meanwhile, all the five English bowlers tried their hearts out to ruffle the feathers of the Aussies, but all in vain.

Mason Crane, the debutant, ripped one past Khawaja’s inside edge and picked up his maiden Test wicket. The early wicket of Khawaja at the beginning of the session was supposed to inject confidence into a rusty-looking English Test side. However, things went from bad to worse as the Marsh brothers- Shaun and Mitchell laid into the bowling attack.

Dominance from the brother-duo

In the third session, Australia lost the vital wicket of Khawaja but managed to garner 114 runs in 30 overs. While the elder brother- Shaun, showed determination to compile a substantial knock, the younger one- Mitchell, trod an aggressive route. However, both of them dented the confidence of the bowlers.

Mitchell Marsh played some delightful strokes, which also included a couple of monstrous hits over the ropes. He was severe on the bowlers as no English bowler could put a lid on the run-fest by the Marsh brothers. Australia ended the day with a total of 479/4 in 157 overs. Shaun Marsh couldn’t accomplish his ton at the close of play but will be looking to achieve the feat early on Day 4.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh would want to carry on in his merry way and set the platform for yet another Australia victory. After conceding a lead of 133 runs with six Aussie wickets left, England are already playing catch-up and already in damage control mode. At the start of Day 4, England will be hoping for some sort of inspiration to lift their morale. For the time being, the ascendancy rests with Australia.

Brief scores    

England 346 all out in 112.3 overs: Joe Root 83, Dawid Malan 62, Patrick Cummins 4/80, Josh Hazlewood 2/65

Australia 479/4 in 157 overs: Usman Khawaja 171, Shaun Marsh 98*, James Anderson 1/52, Stuart Broad 1/70

Australia lead by 133 runs