Ashes 2019: Second Test Day 3
Australia remain confident an unbeaten Steve Smith can defy England’s fearsome attack and fickle weather.
Australia remain confident an unbeaten Steve Smith can defy England’s fearsome attack and fickle weather to secure victory at Lord’s, where rain ruined day three of the second Ashes Test.
The tourists resumed at 1-30 on Friday and made a bright start under dark skies and artificial light, only to lose 3-11 in a collapse ignited by debutant Jofra Archer.
Smith dug in during the chaotic session to help Australia reach 4-80 at lunch, when England’s lead was 178 runs.
The meal break started midway through what would have been the final over of the morning session because of rain and the covers remained in place for the rest of the day.
Five sessions of the match have now been washed out after an anticlimactic opening day in which no play was possible.
It means a draw is the most likely outcome but Smith’s presence at the crease will always embolden Australia, while England are likewise upbeat about the prospect of a series-levelling win.
“Both sides I think will be confident that they can force a victory but there is a lot of work to be done,” Steve Waugh said, having mentored Australia’s squad in the series.
“The odds are probably against it, from both sides’ point of view, but there is still a chance.
“Our first goal is to get on par with England.
“If we have two good sessions batting, we think we can force a result.”
Stuart Broad, who added the scalp of Travis Head to that of David Warner, expressed similar sentiments.
“We’re pretty positive,” Broad said.
“There’s 98 overs for the next two days, which for both teams has been enough to bowl each other out.
“There’s certainly hope for both sides.”
Smith, the difference between the rivals during Australia’s series-opening win in Birmingham, is 13 not out from 40 deliveries.
Matthew Wade, fresh from a century in his Test recall at Edgbaston, is yet to get off the mark but also showed great composure while facing 23 balls.
Archer, Broad and Chris Woakes snagged a wicket each in bowler-friendly conditions on day three but failed to unsettle Smith.
Australia scored a single run in a six-over stretch that featured the dismissals of Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja, who departed in the space of four deliveries.
Smith, so crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking a 2-0 series lead and winning their first Ashes series in England since 2001, exhibited sheer determination rather than the free-scoring style of his preceding ton.
There was an exaggeration to Smith’s tics that hinted at the match being in the balance, with the former skipper swishing his bat when shouldering arms and bounding around the crease like a West End performer.
The edginess of the situation was also highlighted by some miscommunication between the talented batsman and Head, then Wade while running between the wickets.
Jonny Bairstow hurt his thumb in the morning session but was given the green light to continue keeping.
AAP
See how the cricket’s day three unfolded:
Adrian McMurray 2.23am: Stumps on day three
Well, there you have it. Play has been abandoned at Lord’s, with two sessions lost. Australia added 50 runs and lost three wickets to end the day 4-80. Importantly, Smith (13no) and Wade (0) will resume in the middle tomorrow. While it was brief, today’s play was lively — make sure you read Peter Lalor’s take here.
Adrian McMurray 2.02am: Another inspection scheduled
They’re taking the covers off and another pitch inspection is set for 2.20am AEST — let’s see what comes of that!
Adrian McMurray 1.45pm: No inspection
So that inspection? It never took place. It’s still raining. No official word from the ground as to what we wait for next.
1.20am: Look who’s in attendance today
Adrian McMurray 1.10am: Pitch inspection shortly
OK, some movement at Lord’s! We’ll have a pitch inspection at 4.30pm BST (1.30am AEST), if there’s no further rain.
Adrian McMurray 12.45am: Nailed it
Our man Jon Kudelka has managed to get this very, very right. The cartoon below was from Thursday's paper. Check out the rest of his excellent work here. Meanwhile, at Lord’s, they’ve taken the tea break. Hard to see much else happening on day three.
Adrian McMurray 12.30am: Yes, it’s still raining
Good to see the punters are still having fun at the ground at least.
Wickets are still continue to fall at Lord’s...kind of.
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 16, 2019
Better than Cameron Bancroft’s catch yesterday? 😂#LoveLords | #Ashespic.twitter.com/NVqaq37tU5
If you’re still hanging out for some play today, why not check out the quizzes, crosswords and sudoku we have on offer? There’s plenty of good reading here as well.
12am: Remember this?
How the Australians would dearly love some more of this action from the former skipper in this Test.
Because we can't wait for the rain to clear at Lord's to watch @stevesmith49 bat, here's his glorious maiden double ton at the @HomeOfCricket in 2015 🙌🙌🙌#Ashes #SteveSmith #AUSvENG #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/RGGW2oDObq
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) August 16, 2019
The rain, meanwhile, is a little heavier now. And so we wait.
Adrian McMurray 11.42pm: Covers still on
Still no break in the rain, with the lights on now as well. The umpires — umbrellas in hand — have been out to have a look, but there’s no chance of those covers coming off any time soon.
Some highlights from today so far below. How do you rate Archer’s start in Test cricket — is he the real deal?
Adrian McMurray 11.06pm: Delays on day three
Showers continue to fall at Lord’s, no surprises that the second session has been delayed. The radar isn’t looking that promising either, but you never know … we’ll keep you posted.
Peter Lalor 10.27pm: The view from Lord’s at lunch
The rain couldn’t come quickly enough for Australia at Lord’s.
In fact it didn’t come quickly enough to save Usman Khawaja (36), Cameron Bancroft (13) or Travis Head (7).
When it did arrive Steve Smith (13no) and Matthew Wade (0) scampered for the safety of the Pavilion dressing room as the hovercraft covers moved into place.
The Australians were 4-80 having resumed this morning on 1-30.
Skies were heavy and moods gloomy as the morning took shape. England bowlers looked a little out of sorts in the first few overs but lifted to the task.
Jofra Archer took his first wicket at this level when he trapped Bancroft in front. The opener had endured 66 balls, half of them the evening before, and done his best but it was not good enough. He’d made some runs scrapping deliveries off his hips, but when England closed down that option by moving in a short fine leg he found himself with nowhere to go and was trapped on the crease LBW.
Both openers are having a torrid time of it. David Warner and Bancroft have made 41 in the three innings thus far. It’s a small sample size but you wouldn’t want it to get too much bigger.
Warner has the protection of his reputation. Australia knows how good he is at this level. The same does not apply to Bancroft who is yet to prove himself in Test cricket.
Khawaja bats with the enthusiasm of a teenager asked to do the clean their room. It’s his strength and weakness. He drops a lazy, late bat on deliveries. He could never be accused of blocking with intent. His soft hands ensure most edges don’t carry.
Alternatively he scores when the opportunity is there, unafraid to flick the ball off the pad or through the off side.
When not dropping the ball at his feet, he keeps the scoreboard ticking over and he did just that for 56 deliveries before Lord’s specialist Chris Woakes had him nick one to the keeper.
Coming into this game Woakes had taken 24 wicket at the 9.75 when bowling on the slope. He made a century here too.
Head seemed to bring his own weather to the wicket. The clouds hung dark and low enough before he arrived, but from the first ball he made heavy going of it, fumbling about as if the wind was blowing a gale and the light non existent.
Why he was not given out LBW by Aleem Dar when he was hit deep in his crease right in front of middle by Broad is one of those mysteries we will never get to the bottom of. It was one of those instances where a batsman would surprise nobody if he walked. DRS had no qualms about sending him on his way. Three red lights, ball tracking half way up to the middle of middle stump.
Australia would have known last night that getting England out for 258 was not good enough. Rory Burns was dropped twice and the decision to send the opposition in when the sun was out needed those to be held.
The move has made it hard work for the batsmen who endured the best part of an hour in the gloom last night and two hours of it this morning.
There was an anxiety on the balcony as wickets fell because the side knows it has to at least hang on here. To give up a game and go to Leeds 1-1 would change the momentum of the series.
Adrian McMurray 9.58pm: Here comes the rain
Just minutes out from lunch, the umpires call for the covers — that drizzle was just too much. And it’s only going to get worse later on, unfortunately. England’s bowlers have enjoyed a great session. Time for lunch, Smith 13no, Wade 0, Australia 4-80.
Adrian McMurray 9.53pm: Wade’s second chance
Stokes joins the attack, and there’s a big shout for lbw on Wade! He’s given it! Hang on, they’re reviewing this one … and it was pitching outside leg. He survives, yet to get off the mark. Smith with him on 9no.
Not long to go until lunch, here’s what will be on offer. I’m not much of a tofu man, but hey, I’m sure Peter Siddle will appreciate it. Australia 4-76.
Chicken, Lamb Jambalaya, Cod and Tofu 😳
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 16, 2019
This is what @englandcricket & @CricketAus players will be eating at Lunch but what would you pick? 🤔#LoveLords | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/tb9V7FD3j5
Adrian McMurray 9.26pm: Good review sends Head packing
Right, after a brief flurry of wickets, Head and Smith are digging in, taking the tourists to 3-71. Broad is reintroduced, and in his second over back there's a big shout for lbw on Head — the umpire goes to signal out, but doesn’t raise the arm! England opt to review, and it was plumb and Head is on his way for seven.
Good review, not sure what umpire Dar was thinking there. Australia 4-71, Wade out there now alongside Smith. There’s rain about, play could be halted at any point.
Stone dead. Australia in trouble. AUS 4/71
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) August 16, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9 and @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ARaHMPPTti #9WWOS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/nSeddbBj3n
Adrian McMurray 8.47pm: Khawaja gone
WICKET! Woakes strikes, Khawaja edges to the waiting hands of Bairstow. Oh dear! Australia 3-60.
One brings another! England eye two new batsmen!
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) August 16, 2019
AUS 3/60
WATCH: @Channel9 and @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ARaHMPPTti #9WWOS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/rdP5MYdUnw
Adrian McMurray 8.44pm: Bancroft gone, enter Smith
WICKET! Bancroft given out, lbw, off the bowling of Archer. The Aussies opt to send it for a review … no bat involved, only thing that could save him here is if it’s too high — umpire’s call for hitting the bails — the decision stands!
The opener is on his way for 13. That’s Archer’s first wicket in Test cricket. Australia 2-60. Enter Steve Smith. And look who he’s facing first up …
First Test scalp for Jofra Archer! Bancroft out on umpire's call.
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) August 16, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9 and @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ARaHMPPTti #9WWOS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/qL8qUKeldA
Adrian McMurray 8.30pm: Khawaja gets going
Broad and Archer have been operating well, restricting the Australians to just eight runs through the first five overs of the day. That is before a rather costly Archer over, where Bancroft found the boundary around third man.
First change of the day: Woakes joins the attack at the Nursery End. And Khawaja hits him for four the very first ball. He gets another two boundaries this over — poor start from Woakes. Khawaja moves to 36no, Bancroft 11. Australia 1-58. Who’s this in the stands?
No words ðŸ˜
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) August 16, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9 and @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ARaHMPPTti #9WWOS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/JoXoMsc2vk
Adrian McMurray 8.00pm: Play begins on day three
No rain … for now. It doesn’t look promising later on rain-wise, but we’re set to go. Stuart Broad is handed the first over of the day.
Greg writes in the comments: “Just bat all day. Runs don’t matter yet. Take the Poms out of the game.”
Mike Atherton 7.45pm: England’s batting lacks Test quality
Criticised by the England captain for producing a poor pitch for the Ireland Test earlier in the summer — a surface that, according to Joe Root, offered an unfair contest between bat and ball — the Lord’s groundsman lowered the blades of the mower ahead of this match. It didn’t make much difference; on a dry, biscuit-coloured surface, the inadequacies of England’s batting line-up were plain to see and without some lower-order scrambling, the scorecard would have looked a very sorry sight.
There have been times of late when batting has been fiendishly hard in England, almost a lottery. This was not one of those days. Instead, it was the persistence and excellence of Australia’s bowlers that was the key consideration, especially Josh Hazlewood, who probed away unerringly at the top order in the morning, and then Pat Cummins, who challenged the courage of the lower order in the afternoon with some fierce short-pitched fast bowling.
Peter Lalor 7.30pm: The luxury Australia can’t afford
The decision to play Josh Hazlewood at Lord’s proved bad news for Mitchell Starc and England’s top order.
As inconceivable as it would sound anywhere else in the world, it is conceivable that Starc could leave England without having played a Test.
He may be first choice in most conditions, a star of the World Cup just past and feared by batsman of all forms. He has been a constant in teams when available, but it is difficult to see how he gets a start should others remain in form and fit, and Australia’s prospects remain as bullish as they are after Edgbaston.
Adrian McMurray 7.10pm: Another day of frustration?
Hello and welcome to day three. Bancroft (5no) and Khawaja (18no) will resume in the middle with Australia 1-30 after Warner fell for just three runs late yesterday. While the entire day won’t be washed out as it was on Wednesday, the rain radar doesn’t look too promising, with showers likely after lunch. According to the Met Office, there’s a 90 per cent chance of rain from 3pm BST (12am AEST).
Who do you think needs to stand up with the bat today? What did you make of Archer’s first spell with the ball? Sound off in the comments below. Play is scheduled to begin at 8pm AEST.
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