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Ashes 2019: Josh Hazlewood destroys England middle order to give Aussies shot at victory

Devastating Josh Hazlewood spell turns the fourth Ashes Test on its head on day three | WATCH

Tom Crystal and Peter Lalor
11 min read
4:21AMSeptember 07, 2019.
Updated 10:47AMSeptember 07, 2019
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Josh Hazlewood removes Rory Burns. Picture: AFP
Josh Hazlewood removes Rory Burns. Picture: AFP

Australia vs England, day three of the fourth Ashes Test from Old Trafford. England are 5-200 at stumps, trailing Australia’s first innings by 297 runs.

Peter Lalor 4.20am: Hazlewood heroics lift Australia

Josh Hazlewood took three critical wickets late on day three to have England in trouble at 5-200 in response to Australia’s 8-479 declared before light stopped play just before 7pm local time (4am AEST) at Old Trafford.

Wickets did not come easy on the third day, Rory Burns (81) and Joe Root (71) holding out during a 141-run partnership that stretched from the start of play, just after lunch, to the other side of tea.

Josh Hazlewood after cleaning up Jason Roy. Picture: AFP
Josh Hazlewood after cleaning up Jason Roy. Picture: AFP

Burns now has 323 runs in the series at an average of 46. His output exceeds that of all the other openers combined and while his twisted batting stance may attract raised eyebrows, his skill and effort do not. He is the opener England have craved for some seasons.

Pat Cummins put in a nine-over spell either side of the only break of the day which deserved a wicket. He hurt Root on a number of occasions, beat the bat often and even induced an edge from the England captain which bisected keeper and first slip. In such circumstances it is the keeper’s catch, but Tim Paine did not move.

England captain Joe Root gets attention after being hit on the leg by Pat Cummins. Picture: AFP
England captain Joe Root gets attention after being hit on the leg by Pat Cummins. Picture: AFP

While the pair survived him they could not survive Hazlewood, who dismissed both in consecutive overs after Cummins was taken off. Hazlewood also picked up the wicket of Jason Roy a little later.

Roy, who has moved down from the opening position, had his middle stump removed when on 22 and shows little sign he has the temperament or technique for this game. Yes, he has the same number of runs in the series as David Warner, but the Australian has proved himself somewhat with 21 career centuries.

Mitchell Starc is searching for wickets but should prove a handful when the new ball is taken after six overs tomorrow.

Match blog below — how day three unfolded:

3.57am: Stumps

That’s it for day three, just as matters were getting interesting. England were on top for most of the day but a sublime, albeit wicketless, spell from Pat Cummins was backed up by destroyer Josh Hazlewood, who grabbed three quick scalps to put a result on the cards. England still trail by 297 and have the follow-on to chase down yet.

Tim Paine talks to the umpires late on day three. Picture: Getty Images
Tim Paine talks to the umpires late on day three. Picture: Getty Images

3.50am: Bad light intervenes

The umpires chat with Tim Paine, indicating that it’s getting too gloomy for the pacemen. The skipper throws the ball to Marnus Labuschagne but before he gets a chance to deliver, a light meter is produced and the players are off. That could be it for the day.

Jason Roy is knocked over by Josh Hazlewood. Picture: Getty Images
Jason Roy is knocked over by Josh Hazlewood. Picture: Getty Images

3.40am: WICKET!

Hazlewood is on fire — skittling Jason Roy (22) and sending middle peg tumbling. He’d had Roy in all sorts and a good-length delivery jags back through the batsman’s defences. What a beautiful sight — England are in trouble now.

3.30am: Pressure on new bats

Ben Stokes and Jason Roy are left to pick up the pieces as two quick wickets change the complexion of this game. Hazlewood is tearing in, generating pace and movement that’s troubling Roy. Stokes is watchfully playing Nathan Lyon, who suddenly is starting to look more dangerous.

A delighted Josh Hazlewood after having Joe Root out lbw. Picture: Getty Images
A delighted Josh Hazlewood after having Joe Root out lbw. Picture: Getty Images

3.13am: WICKET!

Hazlewood does it again, trapping Joe Root plumb in front with a delivery that nips back into the right-hander and stays down a fraction. The bowler barely bothers to turn around and appeal — he’s that sure Root is out. And he’s right. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena raises the finger and the England skipper trudges off after a gritty 71.

2.57am: WICKET!

Josh Hazlewood strikes, removing stubborn opener Rory Burns, caught at second slip by Steve Smith, for 81. The paceman gets one to leave the left-hander, catching the edge. Smith takes a smart catch, ending a 141-run partnership.

2.40am: Cummins class

The right-arm quick has lifted, producing a brilliant but luckless spell after tea in pursuit of a much-needed breakthrough. He has Rory Burns in two minds with excellent pace and bounce, while troubling Joe Root with subtle movement away and then a ripping inswinger. Cummins should already have Root’s wicket but that hasn’t dipped his spirits.

2.10am: Uh oh, Tim Paine

A big chance goes begging as Joe Root nicks a quick, full delivery from Pat Cummins between the keeper and David Warner at first slip. Both are, um, rooted to the spot as the ball flies between then and down to the boundary. Paine then wastes an lbw review in the next Cummins over. It’s almost like he is talked into that challenge; An ordinary few minutes for the Australian captain.

2am: Half-century for Root!

The England skipper turns Nathan Lyon behind square for a single, bringing up his 50 off 117 balls. Root enjoys batting here — coming into this match he was averaging more than 100. He has four half-centuries, including this one, and a score of 254 in his past six Test innings at Old Trafford.

1.40am: Final session begins

A scheduled 41 overs remain as Australia and England return to the field. Tim Paine’s men will be eager to end this partnership, which is becoming more than a merely nuisance. Nathan Lyon gets play underway.

Peter Lalor 1.30am: England dig in for long haul

Rory Burns is batting ugly. Joe Root is making the most of his luck and England’s top order seem determined to prove that Australia’s 8-497 was a par score in these conditions.

The home side lost nightwatchman Craig Overton nine balls into the day, but the two batsmen have shown resolve and some class to survive an extended session.

The morning session was lost to rain, lunch was taken early but there were no interruptions once play began.

The seamers moved the ball about, Nathan Lyon is getting turn, but England are hanging in.

There’s a bit of criticism of Mitchell Starc for leaking runs, but Australia have money in the bank and can afford to search for wickets.

Burns (62) has been a find for England. He is the opener they have been searching for. Root is 47no and playing a captain’s knock.

1.20am: Tea

England’s batsmen have staged a fine recovery after two early wickets (one yesterday), taking the score to 2-125. Rory Burns is on 62 from 137 balls, while Joe Root has 47 from 108. Both have seven boundaries. The partnership is worth 100 on the dot.

Rory Burns and Joe Root on day three. Picture: Getty Images
Rory Burns and Joe Root on day three. Picture: Getty Images

12.55am: Root floored

The England captain cops a Mitchell Starc delivery that nips back and hits a well protected, but very vulnerable part of the body. He’s down for the count and needs reinforcements from the dressing-room.

Joe Root goes down. Picture: Getty Images
Joe Root goes down. Picture: Getty Images

12.30am: Starc under pressure

Mitchell Starc’s return to Test cricket hasn’t gone to plan so far. He batted beautifully, smacking a quickfire 50, but his second spell today was feasted on early by England batsmen Rory Burns and Joe Root, who picked off some loose bowling to the tune of 22 runs in two overs. Cricket great Shane Warne was blunt this morning when assessing Starc’s effectiveness after he was dispatched for four. “That’s what you get with Mitchell Starc, you get some good bowling with the odd bit off rubbish thrown in.”

Warne has been critical of Starc in the past, so perhaps his harsh appraisal shouldn’t surprise. And Starc, to his credit, rebounded in the third and fourth overs of his second spell, giving up just one run. After 10 overs he had figures of 0-36.

Shane Warne with Marnus Labuschagne at Old Trafford. Picture: Getty
Shane Warne with Marnus Labuschagne at Old Trafford. Picture: Getty

12.12am: Half-century to Burns!

Mitchell Starc gets the ball again and left-hander Burns welcomes him back by taking 12 runs off it — helped by a couple of glides behind point for four. His 50 comes off 100 balls, with seven boundaries. This partnership is now worth 63 runs.

11.56pm: Drinks

England have recovered after the early loss of Craig Overton. Joe Root (19) and Rory Burns (35) look largely untroubled, combining for a 45-run stand. Hazlewood is getting good pace and bounce against Burns; Nathan Lyon is getting the odd delivery to turn sharply and looks the most likely to get the breakthrough.

Rory Burns fends off a short ball from Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty Images
Rory Burns fends off a short ball from Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty Images

11.35pm: Pressure eases

A tight opening session, which produces just 28 runs off 14 overs, ends as Pat Cummins strays onto Joe Root’s pads. The right-hander works one fine, off the pads, for four and follows with a delightful clip to mid-wicket for the same result.

11.20pm: Lyon on the line

Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins will operate in tandem for a spell. England spinner Jack Leach got some turn in Australia’s innings, so expectations are high for the Australian offie.

Mitchell Starc tries a change of footwear. Picture: AFP
Mitchell Starc tries a change of footwear. Picture: AFP

11.10pm: Bowling change

Pat Cummins is brought on to replace Mitchell Starc, who bowled four overs this morning and returned 0-10. He had the batsmen hopping but didn’t look as threatening as Tim Paine would have hoped.

A pair of former England skippers, Graham Gooch and Mike Brearley, watch from the old pavilion on day three. Picture: Getty Images
A pair of former England skippers, Graham Gooch and Mike Brearley, watch from the old pavilion on day three. Picture: Getty Images

11.05pm: Burns a major danger

Opener Rory Burns has settled quickly, picking off Mitchell Starc with a lovely cover drive and a punch through point off a full toss. The left-hander is compact in defence but quick to pounce on a loose offering. He’s already shaping as a key roadblock Australia will be desperate to remove.

Rory Burns drives for four. Picture: Getty Images
Rory Burns drives for four. Picture: Getty Images

10.55pm: Captain’s knock?

Big test for England skipper Joe Root as pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood zero in on a line just outside off stump. Root has struggled for runs this series but found form in the second innings at Headingley, where he made 77 in a winning run chase.

10.36pm: WICKET!

Josh Hazlewood breaks through with his third ball of the day, finding the edge of nightwatchman Craig Overton’s bat. Steve Smith nabs the catch at second slip. The perfect start for the visitors.

10.30pm: We’re underway!

Mitchell Starc begins proceedings to opener Rory Burns (15). Nightwatchman Craig Overton is also out in the middle.

Ben Stokes warms up before play. Picture: Getty Images
Ben Stokes warms up before play. Picture: Getty Images

10pm: We have a start time!

After inspecting the pitch the umpires have locked in a 1.30pm start (10.30pm AEST). Tea will be taken at 4.20pm, and stumps is scheduled for 7pm.

9.50pm: From the vault

Bob Simpson on his way to 311 at Old Trafford in 1964.
Bob Simpson on his way to 311 at Old Trafford in 1964.

This ground has witnessed some extraordinary cricket feats over the years. The highest Test score is 8-656, made by Australia in 1964. Bob Simpson was the top scorer with 311, which is also the record score by a batsman here. The second-highest score (611) was made in the same game — must have been quite the deck. Ken Barrington top-scored for England with 256.

Australia faced 255.5 overs in their first innings, so England kept the visitors out in the field for 293.1.

Not surprisingly, that match ended in a draw.

9.20pm: Early lunch

A slight change in playing arrangements today. Lunch will be taken at 12.30pm local time (9.30pm AEST) and a pitch inspection will take place at 1pm if there is no more rain.

9pm: Crowd-pleaser

Steve Smith is certainly a changed man since his year-long ban over his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. He’s far more relaxed and willing to engage with fans and the media. This morning he made the day of a few kids in the stands in Manchester.

Steve Smith poses with fans at Old Trafford. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith poses with fans at Old Trafford. Picture: Getty Images

8.30pm: Covers off ... then back on

It was looking promising for a few minutes there: bright, sunny and covers coming off. But reality has set in again and the wicket area is under heavy protection.

Some hardy fans in the house. Picture: AP
Some hardy fans in the house. Picture: AP

8pm: Promising signs?

The weather is looking slightly better at Old Trafford. There are breaks in the clouds and distinct patches of blue. It’s still drizzling and the covers are on but it’s expected we’ll get some play in before too long.

Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaj, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc make their way onto the ground. Picture: Getty Images
Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaj, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc make their way onto the ground. Picture: Getty Images

7.30pm: Ponting hails Smith

Ricky Ponting, Australia’s greatest run-scorer, says Steve Smith is “a genius” after his Ashes double hundred — an exploit his country’s media said was “Donald Bradman-like”, AFP reports.

Smith has taken his game to a new level since returning from a 12-month ball-tampering ban this year, with his 211 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford giving him an incredible batting average during the series of 147.25.

“You hear all sorts of words, ‘genius’ is one that comes to mind,” Ponting told cricket.com.au when asked to sum up Smith’s knock, which put Australia in a dominant position after two days.

“A remarkable innings again. It’s his application to what he does. He just doesn’t make any mistakes. His concentration levels are obviously unbelievably good.”

Even Ponting, one of cricket’s sharpest minds, struggled to think of how to get him out. But he did have some advice.

“He’s only been out nine times lbw in his last 99 innings, so you know if you’re bowling straight you’re not going to get him out,” he said.

“The one thing you have to do is try and challenge the outside of his bat. He doesn’t miss it on the inside.”

Smith, who last week regained first place in the ICC Test batting rankings ahead of India’s Virat Kohli, is increasingly being compared to legendary countryman Bradman, widely considered Test cricket’s best ever.

Ponting pointed out that only Bradman had scored more centuries and double centuries against England, and only Bradman had a higher batting average (99.94) than Smith’s current 64.64.

The scene at Old Trafford on day three. Picture: Getty Images
The scene at Old Trafford on day three. Picture: Getty Images

Gideon Haigh 6.15pm: England’s bleak predicament

Another bleak morning has dawned in Manchester, and the weather is not great either. The bleakness is in England’s predicament, trailing by 474 runs with nine wickets in hand in a series still poised at one-all but now trending away from them fast.

The Australians, by contrast, were all banter and bonhomie at their coffee rendezvous this morning, tucking into breakfast before tucking into their opponents later, Steve Smith uncannily fresh after 513 minutes in the middle between the showers and gloom of the first two days.

As is usual in such cases, England forewent opportunities to make it otherwise, as early as yesterday morning when Jofra Archer missed a caught-and-bowled chance with Smith on 65. Smith’s twenty-sixth century only became his third Test double after he walked off on 118, caught at slip: England’s left-arm spinner Jack Leach was then revealed to have cut the front line, which is no mean feat from an approach that is little more than a standing jump.

Thereafter, Smith treated Leach with more circumspection, and the opportunity with increased relish. The pitch is slow, has scuffed, will deteriorate, and batting will grow more difficult. With a big enough total, the Australian knew, his team would not need to bat again. After lunch Tim Paine (58 in 127 deliveries) and Mitchell Starc (54 not out from 58 balls) contributed contrasting half-centuries to the common weal, and Nathan Lyon appended his signature with a flourish (26 not out).

Not for the first time, Joe Root looked reactive in his captaincy, dilatory in his leadership. For a team that had just stormed to a miracle victory, England in the field were listless and directionless, as though awaiting providence again.

England then lost ersatz opener Joe Denly during the ten overs that Paine’s declaration left them at the end of the day’s play.

His shot savoured of nothing but defeat: a fend to an all-too conspicuous short leg following a series of booming drives at fresh air. Matthew Wade took a fine catch.

The climate, meanwhile, is casting doubt on the wisdom of Test matches in September, a corollary of the World Cup. The lights that blazed much of yesterday are not much use against the rain forecast this morning, although the afternoon promises clearer skies.

Gideon Haigh 6pm: Arise Sir Steven

The names Smith and Bradman cannot only be used in the same sentence but transposed. Read more here

Australia’s cricket legend Don Bradman.
Australia’s cricket legend Don Bradman.

Peter Lalor 5pm: Smith’s hunger lasts for centuries

What would Australia do without Steve Smith, and what will they do about David Warner? Read more here

Additional reporting: Gideon Haigh and Agencies

Read related topics:Ashes

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-2019-fourth-test-day-3-live-coverage-from-old-trafford/news-story/761e857168a7fc649d8c3af97b1bdfd3