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Ashes 2019: Steve Smith holds the key again as Australia’s top three fold

Australia’s top order flops again with only Steve Smith stands between England and victory | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal
10 min read
3:40AMAugust 04, 2019.
Updated 9:57AMAugust 04, 2019
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Usman Khawaja walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket in the second innings. Picture: AFP
Usman Khawaja walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket in the second innings. Picture: AFP

Ashes 2019: Australia vs England, first Test, day three from Edgbaston. Australia were 3-124 at stumps in their second innings, a lead of 34 runs.

Smith stalls England’s victory plans

What a compelling Test this is, Peter Lalor writes. Australia have crawled to a 34-run lead with seven wickets remaining and the thing standing between them and victory is, of course, Steve Smith.

If Australia can get 150 in front, they’d consider themselves a chance.

Michael Vaughan came into the press box earlier and asked if anyone knew how to get Smith out.

If you do, don’t tell him.

Smith has now made 190 runs in this Test — his first since returning from a year-long ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Australia would be lost without him and are certainly struggling with him. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft failed again, both contributing a total of 25 runs in the Test.

Usman Khawaja made 40 with ease but was done by a brilliant ball from Ben Stokes.

At that stage Australia were 3-75. They were 3-124 when bad light stopped play, with Smith 44no and Travis Head 21no.

Stay tuned.

GIDEON HAIGH: Gut shot and taking an agonising age to bleed out, Australia keeps asking miracles of Steve Smith. He responds with true grit. Read the full analysis here.

Match blog below — how day three unfolded:

3.05am: Bad light stops play

And just like that, the players are off. Stuart Broad ambled up to Joe Root in preparation for a final spell, but umpire Aleem Dar warned the pair that it was too dark for the quicks to operate. The light meter is consulted and the Australian batsmen can’t get off quick enough.

Dark skies above play late on day three. Picture: Getty Images
Dark skies above play late on day three. Picture: Getty Images

2.50am: Smith cops one

Ben Stokes drops a short ball into Steve Smith, who is hit on the grille of his helmet as he looks to pull it away. Smith stumbles a few paces and pulls off the lid as Stokes checks on his Rajasthan Royals team-mate. A visit from a team medic clears the batsman to continue.

2.30am: Into the final hour

An extended final session will conclude with a crucial 60 minutes of play. Australia will look to build on their lead (which is eight) and not lose any more wickets. England are pushing, but are a bowler down in the absence of James Anderson. They’ve let the visitors score at a healthy four runs per over.

2.20am: Australia have a lead!

Steve Smith (28) works Ben Stokes to the leg side for a single, pushing Australia’s total to 3-91 ... and a lead of one. Travis Head is on seven.

We think Ben Stokes was happy to remove Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images
We think Ben Stokes was happy to remove Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images

2am: WICKET!

Usman Khawaja was just starting to worry England, racing to 40 off 48 balls, but the introduction of Ben Stokes proves a masterstroke. He manages to bring one back into the left-hander and get an inside edge through to wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. A bright innings, featuring six boundaries, is ended all too soon. A wicket maiden from Bairstow and Australia are 3-75.

1.40am: Khawaja counters

The elegant left-hander clips Stuart Broad to mid-wicket for four, then works one to fine leg for another boundary. In the next over he works Moeen Ali off his pads for four, racing to 27 and moving Australia to 2-52.

1.20am: WICKET!

Cameron Bancroft is forward, then back to Moeen Ali and edges a nudge onto his pads and straight to Jos Buttler at short leg. A soft dismissal and big trouble for Australia.

1.15am: Spin’s the thing

Moeen Ali is brought into the attack early, for the eighth over, and new batsman Usman Khawaja picks up eight from it. He gets an edge wide of slips for four, then works the off-spinner square on consecutive balls.

12.50am: WICKET!

Oh no, a shocking start for the visitors. David Warner tries to pull his bat away from a Stuart Broad delivery outside off stump but wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow and the slips go up for a catch. Broad isn’t sure and the umpire rules not out, but the review shows Warner has hit it. He’s out for 8. Australia are 1-13.

12.40am: Australia’s innings begins

Stuart Broad delivers to Cameron Bancroft to start the second innings and he nearly gets his man second ball. It seams back and hits the opener on the pads, but just a little high. Broad is instantly on target.

Peter Lalor 12.35am: England on top

England are all out with a 90-run lead on the first innings and Australia have a lot of work to do to get into clear air and give themselves a chance in this Test.

It was, again, the tail that proved the difference.

At 8-300 the home team were only 16 in front and falling fast, but Chris Woakes (37no) teamed for a 65-run partnership with Stuart Broad (29) and then the injured Jimmy Anderson (3) to add another 74 runs to the score.

It was Broad’s longest Test innings since Trent Bridge in 2013 — the infamous game in which he, ironically, refused to walk and was later branded a “cheat” by ignorant Australian fans.

He was dismissed today after facing 67 balls, when the Australians remembered that he didn’t like the short ball. It was a major lapse not to use this tactic earlier.

The “cheat” word got a good workout today with David Warner fielding in front of the Hollies stand, but that was to be expected.

Warner, smiled, waved and sung along with the crowd, which only incited them more.

Lyon (3-112) and Cummins (3-84) were the leading wicket takers.

Anderson was clearly limping with a calf injury and looks no hope of bowling again in the match.

Tim Paine speaks to James Anderson after he was last man out in England’s innings. Picture: Getty Images
Tim Paine speaks to James Anderson after he was last man out in England’s innings. Picture: Getty Images

12.20am: ALL OUT!

The England innings finally ends, as James Anderson skies a sweep off Nathan Lyon and is caught by Pat Cummins next to the pitch for three. Australia face a deficit of 90 runs. They were kept out in the field for 135.5 over.

12.10am: A good sport

David Warner has copped his share of heckling from the local fans over his role in last year’s ball-tampering scandal, but he seems to be coping well. Meanwhile, a hobbling James Anderson is batting with Chris Woakes as the lead inches towards triple figures.

11.50pm: WICKET!

Stuart Broad’s stubborn stand ends, after a vital 29 that combined for a 65-run stand with Chris Woakes. Pat Cummins has peppered Broad this over with some short bowling aimed at the body and on the sixth delivery the batsman skies a flick down to fine leg, where James Pattinson swallows the chance. The lead is out to 85 runs.

11.40pm: Smith gets a bowl

Australia’s front-line bowlers have been forced to work hard on a pitch that isn’t offering great assistance, so Tim Paine calls on former skipper Steve Smith to bowl his right-arm leg-spinners. The home fans offer their version of support for Smith, who doesn’t look at all bothered. At drinks in the middle session we’re halfway through this Test, and England are clearly on top.

Steve Smith and Tim Paine on day three. Getty Images
Steve Smith and Tim Paine on day three. Getty Images

11.30pm: An all-round talent

11.15pm: Fifty partnership

England’s ninth-wicket pair have bumped the lead out to 66 runs as the score moves to 8-350. This could be a matchwinning stand. Pat Cummins is brought back onto bowl the 124th over of the innings.

11pm: Broad sword

Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes are picking off the bowlers at a steady rate. Singles aren’t hard to find, and Broad adds a sweep for four off Nathan Lyon in front of square leg. Every run gets an appreciative cheer from the home fans.

10.40pm: Session two begins

Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes take to the middle again, looking to build on England’s 44-run lead. James Pattinson will bowl the first over after the break. Word from the England camp is that James Anderson, who sent down just four overs in Australia’s first innings after picking up a calf injury, has been bowling in the nets.

Peter Lalor 10.10pm: Tide turns on day three

Australia have bounced back on the third morning, provoking a collapse just as England’s batsmen looked set to take a significant first-innings lead.

The home side then settled the ship somewhat with a solid and undefeated ninth-wicket stand and went to lunch on 8-328.

Chris Woakes (13no) and Stuart Broad (11no) have their side 44 in front with two wickets in hand.

Australia will not want the lead to grow much greater, as the game seems to be gaining pace with the wicket getting a little more difficult to bat on.

Spin appears the key.

England were cruising at 4-282, with Ben Stokes on 50 and opener Rory Burns continuing on after scoring his maiden Test century the night before.

Siddle made the initial breakthrough, removing Stokes before he added another run.

Tim Paine took a good catch to give Nathan Lyon his first scalp seven overs later and the charge to a big lead was halted.

Danger man Burns then was gone for 133 from 312 balls. He batted for 474 minutes across three days.

Lyon knocked out Moeen Ali’s (0) off stump in the same over, and when Siddle picked Jonny Bairstow (8) England had lost 4-18.

The ninth-wicket pair have put on a valuable 28 runs and Australia will want to see the end of them early in the second session.

Peter Siddle celebrates with team-mates after dismissing Jonny Bairstow. Picture: AP
Peter Siddle celebrates with team-mates after dismissing Jonny Bairstow. Picture: AP

10pm: Woakes awoken

Paceman Chris Woakes is proving handy with the bat, joining Stuart Broad in a handy 28-run partnership for the ninth wicket. He has been defending stoutly but lets loose against Nathan Lyon in the last over before lunch. He sweep-slogs the off-spinner for six over deep mid-wicket, taking his score to 13. Broad has 11

9.40pm: Tail out to rebuild

Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad are digging in, squeezing out every run they can against a suddenly inspired bowling attack. Nathan Lyon is operating from one end, and Tim Paine is rotating the pacmen at the other.

9.25pm: WICKET!

Another one, this time it’s Peter Siddle. He has Jonny Bairstow (8) slashing at a ball that’s too close to his body. Bairstow gets an edge to David Warner at first slip and England have lost 3-4 in 11 balls.

Moeen Ali is bowled by Nathan Lyon. Picture: Getty Images
Moeen Ali is bowled by Nathan Lyon. Picture: Getty Images

9.18pm: WICKET!

Nathan Lyon strikes again, the second wicket of the over. Moeen Ali unwisely lets a straight ball go and it crashes straight into off peg, knocking it out of the ground. England lead by 16 runs but now have only three wickets in hand.

9.15pm: WICKET!

It’s the big one, Rory Burns. The opener’s brilliant knock ends with a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Tim Paine off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. Bounce and turn induce an edge from the left-hander, who departs for 133 off 312 balls. He picked up 17 boundaries along the way.

9.05pm: Who will blink first?

The first hour on day three has been absorbing, producing 1-26 from 11 overs. England are looking to grind out every precious run to ensure they end up with a good lead on a pitch already showing signs of playing up. Australia’s bowlers are giving nothing away, waiting for a mistake from the batsmen. Nathan Lyon is into the attack, partnered by Peter Siddle at the other end.

A frustrated Ben Stokes walks back to the pavilion. Picture: AFP
A frustrated Ben Stokes walks back to the pavilion. Picture: AFP

8.50pm: England in front

Jonny Bairstow is the new batsman and he looks eager to get on with the game. He smacks James Pattinson through mid-wicket to the boundary, in the process handing England a first-innings lead.

8.35pm: WICKET!

Just when things were starting to look grim for the Australians, Pat Cummins has Ben Stokes caught behind while attempting a big cut shot. A bit of extra bounce does the batsman in. That wicket came from nowhere, it has to be said, as England’s batsmen were looking comfortable. Stokes departs just one ball after reaching his 18th Test 50. England still trail by two runs.

8.15pm: Tight lines early

Pat Cummins is on the spot so far, mixing good length deliveries with a few short balls. James Pattinson gets one through Ben Stokes and there is a half-hearted shout for caught behind, but it looks like bat into ground.

Rory Burns evades a short ball. Picture: AFP
Rory Burns evades a short ball. Picture: AFP

8pm: We’re underway

James Pattinson will take up the attack, delivering to the dangerous Ben Stokes. The second new ball is still only nine overs in, so the Australians will be banking on an early wicket or two from the pace attack. Ball four of the first over produces a Steve Harmison-like result.

7.30pm: Weather watch

Slightly cooler with a bit of cloud about for day three. It may favour the bowlers a little more than the bright, sunny conditions of day two.

Rory Burns and Ben Stokes walk out to bat on day three. Picture: Getty Images
Rory Burns and Ben Stokes walk out to bat on day three. Picture: Getty Images

Starc reality hits Aussie attack

The decision by selectors not to pick Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for this Test raised eyebrows, and questions are bound to be asked if the bowlers struggle again on day three.

Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle bowled well but failed to dominate in the manner of Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes for England on day one.

Conditions were not as swing-friendly for the Australian trio, and for the most part the batsmen were relatively comfortable. Only a change of ball after 60 overs resulted in some lively swing bowling.

Centurion Rory Burns and Ben Stokes, unbeaten on 38, survived Australia’s nine-over burst with the second new ball and their partnership is already worth 73 runs.

If England continue in that vein and build a big lead, the call by selectors will come under heavy scrutiny.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was dangerous but went wicketless on day two. A non-review of Rory Burns to an lbw shout early was costly, but skipper Tim Paine would have been counting on more from his strike weapon.

The pressure will be on early for Australia’s bowlers, particularly Peter Siddle, to repay the faith shown in them at Edgbaston.

Burns puts heat on the visitors

If day one was Steve Smith’s, day two was Rory Burns’ and England’s.

The ungainly Burns, 28, batted through the day, bringing up his maiden Test century and answering critics who suggested he should not be selected.

He played and missed a lot in what is just his eight game at this level, but the scoreboard does not lie. Read more here

Rory Burns reaches his century on the second day of the first Test. Picture: AFP
Rory Burns reaches his century on the second day of the first Test. Picture: AFP

Pattinson puts injury behind him

As James Pattinson shared the new ball with Pat Cummins, it was worth reflecting how long this had taken to happen, Gideon Haigh writes. When the pair made their debuts in consecutive Tests in 2011, they loomed as a long-term new ball combination, names to remember and to bracket. Read more here

James Pattinson picks up the wicket of Joe Denly. Picture: AFP
James Pattinson picks up the wicket of Joe Denly. Picture: AFP

Battling burns rewards the faith

A Test match so far for the twitchy, the fidgety, the unorthodox and the idiosyncratic, Mike Atherton writes. No one in their right mind would put Rory Burns in the same league as Steve Smith, but as far as ignoring the coaching manual and defying accepted wisdom and the geometry of batting is concerned, they speak the same unusual language. Read more here

Read related topics:Ashes

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-2019-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-day-3-from-edgbaston/news-story/af4e4704f098b6eea71c4df8c7635445