World Test Championship (Ashes Series) Played at Birmingham August 1-5, 2019
England Vs Australia
Brief Scorecard at Stumps on Day Three
Australia 1st Innings: 284 All Out (SPD Smith 144, PM Siddle 44,TM Head 35, SCJ Broad 5/86, CR Woakes 3/58) and 2nd Innings 124/3 ( SPD Smith 48*, UT Khawja 40, TM Head 21*) England 1st Innings 374 All Out (RJ Burns 133, JE Root 57,BA Stokes 50, CR Woakes 37, SC Broad 29, PJ Cummins 3/84, NM Lyon 3/112, PM Siddle 2/52 and JL Pattinson 2/84)
With 7 second innings wickets at hand Australia is merely 34 runs ahead at stumps of day three in the very intriguing first test of the World test championship against traditional rival England. The Birmingham wicket is gripping and turning. Steve Smith the Rock of Gibralter is there unbeaten on 48. It all depends on him how long he stays and how far Australia can go. Any lead over 250 would be extremely difficult chasing on the fourth Innings. But at stumps on day three English Lions had their paws on Kangaroos necks.
England started day three at 267/4 still 117 runs in arrears. The overnight unbeaten batsmen Burns and Stokes did not last long. Stokes (50) was removed by Cummins and Lyon was picked up centurion Burns (133). England was soon reduced to 6/296. When Moeen Ali was removed in the same over by Lyon for naught English score stood at 7/300. Bairstow was also gone at the same score making it 8/300. Australia looked like wrapping up English tail quick. But Woakes with Broad carried on the fight. The 9th wicket pair defying Aussie onslaughts added valuable 65 runs. Broad contributed 29 and Woakes remained 37 not out .English innings folded at 374 gaining a very useful 90 runs first innings lead. All Australian bowlers bowled well and top four shared the wickets. Cummins (3/84), Lyon (3/112), Siddle (2/52) and Pattinson (2/84) shared wickets.
Australia required a solid opening partnership to fight back into the match. Anderson was not fit to ball with calf injury. But Broad removed Warner (8) early with a sharp rising delivery taking his 450th test wicket. Moeen Ali removed Bancroft (7). Australia soon ran into hot waters at 2/27.
Khawaja and Smith had to consolidate. The partnership put on 48 useful runs before Stokes removed Khawaja (40). At 3/75 Australia still was 15 runs in arrears when Travis Head joined Smith. However, these two stayed together till stumps added valuable 49 runs.
Australia was 34 runs ahead with 7 second innings wickets at hand. The first session of day four would determine which way the test would be heading. England is handicapped with Anderson not being able to bowl. Long Tail Kangaroos have strong hind legs as well. If Smith stays longer and lower middle order give him good company Australia with 250 plus lead would press hard for a win. But at the moment English lions have limping Aussie Kangaroos insight an absorbing days of Test cricket is expected.
BDST: 0949 HRS, AUG 4, 2019
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