Ashes cricket 2023: Australia v England fourth Test scorecard, day three coverage
Australia’s hopes of saving the fourth Ashes Test now lie with the English weather after a disastrous day three in which England dominated the visitors. RECAP THE KEY MOMENTS HERE.
Two days of forecast rain in Manchester is about the only thing that can save Australia from handing England a series-levelling win at Old Trafford.
Mark Wood ran through Australia’s top order to leave the Aussies 4-113 in their second innings at stumps on day three, still 162 runs away from making the hosts bat again.
Marnus Labuschagne grafted his way to 44 not out, while Mitch Marsh was unbeaten on one.
England had earlier amassed 592 in 107.4 overs as the rudderless tourists capitulated in the field.
The Aussies will retain the Ashes with a draw in this match but realistically will need the weather on their side to do so.
Heavy rain is expected on both days four and five, but England may not need much playing time to wrap up the match.
SHORTFALL
Chris Woakes removed David Warner, who chopped on for 28, and almost had Steve Smith in the same over. Smith nicked one from Woakes second-ball, flying in the direction of Joe Root at first slip. Root clutched the ball, but after it was sent to the third umpire it appeared the ball had dropped marginally in front of the ex-skipper. Smith hung around for a bit but ultimately fell for 17, edging a Wood bouncer to Jonny Bairstow, giving the England speedster his second scalp. Wood picked up a third when Travis Head once more fell to a short ball, spooning a catch to gully on one.
JUST SHY
Things became increasingly farcical for Australia as England eschewed a tendency to declare. Jonny Bairstow and Jimmy Anderson put on 66 for the 10th wicket inside eight overs. Bairstow was blasting the Aussies all over the park, but the tourists tried to bounce out Anderson to little avail. With Bairstow on 99 not out, Cameron Green rapped the No. 11 on the pad, ironically removing the veteran with a ball delivered from the end named after him. Bairstow’s innings came off just 81 balls with 10 fours and four sixes, while the pair also pinched a host of byes as Australia capitulated. Anderson made just five in his stand with the England wicketkeeper, although he did pull Cummins for four, much to the amusement of an adoring home crowd.
DUCK HUNTING
When Chris Woakes tickled one through to Alex Carey first ball not long before lunch on Friday, he became the first England batter to fall for a duck this series. By contrast, England collected no fewer than 17 ducks in the 2021-22 Ashes on Australian soil. Woakes’ wicket also left Josh Hazlewood on a hat-trick, though it went by largely unnoticed. Hazlewood ended up taking a five-fer, his 10th in Test cricket, but it is unlikely to be a haul upon which he will look back with any fondness.
TON UP
Several Australians posted centuries on Friday, but these were not the ones they wanted. Having entered the match without a frontline spinner, there was going to be huge responsibility placed on the shoulders of Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. For just the second time, all three conceded 100 or more runs. Cummins’ figures of 1-129 were the most expensive of his Test career.
MITCH SWITCH
While Starc overcame a shoulder concern to bowl at length, Marsh raised eyebrows by spending more than an hour off the ground to start day three. The official line out of Cricket Australia was that he was battling stiffness after bowling on Thursday. Marsh didn’t bowl at all on Friday, leaving a huge burden to the big three quicks along with Green. Travis Head was tried for just one further over to finish with figures of 0-52 from seven in his likely to be one-off stint as Australia’s main tweaker. In Marsh’s absence, Michael Neser had an extended stint in the outfield.
RUN FOR COVER
Play was halted for less than 15 minutes just after lunch when light rain arrived at Old Trafford. Old-fashioned conventional covers were placed on the square and did the job, but the reason they were used was a touch concerning given the deluge likely over the next couple of days. A mechanical glitch rendered the hover covers favoured in the UK unavailable.
RECAP ALL THE KEY MOMENTS FROM THE DAY BELOW
Current forecast from the Manchester Met Office for today:
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) July 21, 2023
1000-1100 40% chance of rain
1100-1200 50% chance of rain
1200-1300 90% chance of rain
1200-1400 40% chance of rain
1400-1800 10-20% chance of rain
Tomorrow: 60-90% chance of rain all day
ðŸ #Ashes#ENGvAUS
STUMPS: AUSTRALIA 4-113, TRAILS BY 162
Over to you Mother Nature.
England is six wickets from squaring the Ashes at 2-2, unless Australia can knock off the remaining 162-run deficit or weather intervenes.
The forecast for day four was described as “dire” several times today with heavy rain expected in Manchester for most of the morning and afternoon.
That almost certainly means Australia will be relying on the weather to save it from defeat at Old Trafford after England powered to 592 in its first innings.
That included a 66-run last-wicket partnership between Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson, although the English wicketkeeper was left stranded on 99 not out.
Australia lost Usman Khawaja and David Warner before getting within 200 of the deficit it faced after the first innings.
But it was Mark Wood’s 100th Test wicket -— that of Steve Smith — which felt like the biggest blow for Australia’s hopes of salvaging anything from this Test.
Wood produced a perfectly-directed bouncer to dismiss Travis Head just before stumps, another hammer blow for Australia’s hopes of retaining the Ashes at Old Trafford.
3.19AM: WOOD BOUNCES OUT HEAD
Mark Wood comes around the wicket, cramps Travis Head and all he can do is spoon a catch to gully.
“Change of angle, around the wicket. Doesn’t know whether to play or leave, dangles the bat there, easy catch for Duckett and a massive wicket for England,” says Ricky Ponting.
“Got in an awful position, got in a real tangle. Brilliant from Wood,” adds Nasser Hussain.
Australia is in big, big trouble now.
The deficit is still 167 and Wood has 3-15.
There will be 13 extra minutes today due to the time lost earlier during a short rain delay.
Play will finish at 3.43am.
2.56AM: SOFT SMITH DISMISSAL HAS AUSTRALIA ON ROPES
Mark Wood has done the job again for England.
He digs one in short and Steve Smith tries to help it around the corner, but only gets a faint edge which carries through to Jonny Bairstow.
Smith was walking before umpire Joel Wilson had a chance to make a decision.
England Cricket’s official Twitter account was clearly enjoying it too, tweeting: “See ya, Smudge” in reference to Jonny Bairstow’s cheeky send-off.
“He comes up with a perfect bouncer, over the shoulder of Steve Smith. It looked very hittable,” says Ian Healy on Channel 9.
That was also Mark Wood’s 100th Test wicket.
Australia still trails by 178 runs and so much falls on this next pair Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head now.
See ya, Smudge 😉
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2023
Three down. Seven to go. #EnglandCricket | #Ashespic.twitter.com/mBmwbjJR8q
2.40AM: WILL ENGLAND FACE TOUGH CALL ON ANDERSON?
Josh Tongue has done his chances of a re-call for the fifth Ashes Test no harm by bowling Worcestershire to victory in the latest round of County Championship.
Tongue, who featured in the Lord’s test, snared 5-29 in a 100-run win over Leicestershire.
England’s pace line-up will be a fascinating watch heading into the last Test.
Stuart Broad has played every match but is bowling beautifully, Mark Wood is undroppable and Chris Woakes has been brilliant since being recalled.
James Anderson could make way, but would England really want to lose his experience for a series-deciding Test?
2.22AM: AUSSIE DEFICIT UNDER 200
It’s the small wins that matter, right?
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have got England’s lead under 200, taking Australia to 2-76.
It’s been slow going in the last few overs though.
1.50AM: SMITH SURVIVES LENGTHY REVIEW
Australia breathes a sigh of relief after Steve Smith is given not out from a catch which was sent to the third umpire.
Joe Root was unsure whether the ball had carried or bounced into his hands and the third umpire gave Smith the benefit of the doubt in a huge boost for Australia.
My view was that it bounced as well, but it is almost 2am in the morning so my eyesight might not be the best …
Would be interesting to compare Root’s catching attempt to Green’s catch in WTC Final to dismiss Shubman Gill. Think in Root’s case on the front on angle, the ball appears to have bounced up into the fingers.. but it’s hard to be definitive.
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) July 21, 2023
Root celebrates and that's given out (rightly) #Ashes23
— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) July 21, 2023
1.41AM: WARNER WASTES ANOTHER START
David Warner made a promising start but then throws it all away in a moment of uncertainty off Chris Woakes.
Warner goes to leave alone a ball just outside off stump, chooses to play at the last minute and drags the ball onto his stumps as a result.
Australia is 2-54 and still trailing by 221 runs.
Ian Healy says Warner will play in the fifth Test: “He made some steps again today. So both innings he’s improved. He was good on his feet. Now is bat is coming down nicely. Watching the ball right on to the bat much better in that innings, until the one misplaced shot and he finds himself in the shed,” he said on Channel 9.
1.40AM: BERRY PREDICTS CUMMINS WILL HAND OVER CAPTAINCY
Former wicketkeeper Darren Berry has doubled down on his criticism of Australia’s performance in the fourth Test and predicted Pat Cummins will hand over the captaincy at the end of the series.
Berry tweeted in the early hours of Saturday morning: “Here is my take Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg (sic). He will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The Q (question) is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh? Ashton Turner T20.”
It’s amazing to think Australia was 2-0 up not that long ago.
The series has certainly flipped on its head since then, particularly in Old Trafford where England has dominated.
Yep I’m in bed @MervHughes332 but can’t sleep. Here is my take Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg. He will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The Q is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh? Ashton Turner T20👌
— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) July 21, 2023
1.20AM: FINAL SESSION UNDERWAY
The last session of day three is rolling, and we’ll be going until 3.43am to make up for the time lost earlier in the day during a brief shower.
That’s roughly two and a half hours for England to try and get these nine wickets and square the Ashes at 2-2.
After that, their chances will be in the hands of the weather Gods in the next two days.
It’s Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes leading the charge with the ball.
1.15AM: TAYLOR — AUSTRALIA ‘CARRIED AWAY’ WITH SHORT BALLS
Mark Taylor has joined the chorus of criticism about Australia’s bowling tactics, declaring it “got carried away” bowling short balls during England’s mammoth innings.
Taylor was particularly critical of the short bowling aimed at No. 11 James Anderson, who survived long enough to put on 66 for the last wicket with Jonny Bairstow.
Anderson was eventually out lbw when Cameron Green targeted the stumps.
“It is the only way we thought about getting him out,” Taylor said on Channel 9.
“Eventually we got him out LBW because we bowled at the stumps. I think Australia got a little carried away with the short stuff.
“I’m going to be critical of their tactics. There has been too much short bowling … they are better than that.
“Yes, bowl short stuff but don’t get carried away with it. I think in this series we’ve got carried away.”
12.55AM: TEA — AUSTRALIA 1-39, TRAILS BY 236 RUNS
David Warner is 17 and Marnus Labuschagne 4 as Australia goes to tea still facing a huge deficit with nine wickets remaining.
That Mark Wood blow, removing Usman Khawaja, couldn’t have come at a better time for England just before the break in play.
With rain predicted for the next two days, England will throw everything at this last session of day three in an effort to get a result.
It would be another blow for Australia to go 2-2 inside three days, so Warner and Labuschagne have a huge job ahead to build a platform.
12.48AM: KHAWAJA EDGES, AUSTRALIA 1-32
Mark Wood’s introduction has the impact England wanted and Usman Khawaja has to go after feathering a ball to Jonny Bairstow.
Disastrous start for Australia which is still 243 runs in arrears.
Meanwhile, Ben Duckett has left the field after copping a ball to the knee in the slips.
He managed to field a ball not long after, but had a visible limp as he was hobbling off.
12.35AM: BATTLE BREWING OVER 2027 ASHES
Two mayors have urged the ECB to reconsider the schedule for the 2027 Ashes which has overlooked England’s north.
ESPN Cricinfo reports the mayors of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire have written to England cricket bosses to raise concerns about the location of the five Ashes Tests on Australia’s next English tour.
Matches are scheduled to be played at Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Rose Bowl.
Before the fourth test of this series, Ben Stokes said he was “devastated” there would not be a match in England’s north.
Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) and Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire) have hit out at the fact “London consistently hosts three Tests every summer.”
“We are writing to you to express our disappointment at the English Cricket Board’s announcement of match venues for the men’s Ashes in 2027,” the mayors wrote. “As you know, there will be no men’s Ashes Test in the north of England in 2027 – meaning that this week at Old Trafford will be the last men’s Ashes Test played in the North of England until 2031,” ESPN Cricinfo reported the letter said.
“Headingley and Old Trafford are two of England’s most iconic cricket grounds, and home to historic Ashes moments from Ian Botham’s heroics in 1981 to Ben Stokes’ own ‘Miracle of Headingley’ in 2019. Very few grounds attract support as passionate or indeed as diverse as Headingley and Old Trafford – as a number of England players themselves have acknowledged in recent days.
“We understand that the ECB’s criteria for awarding Test matches includes maximising attendances and ensuring a geographic spread of matches. It feels even more remarkable therefore that an area so passionate about cricket, with a population of over 15 million people, misses out on a men’s Ashes Test in 2027 whilst the south hosts three.”
12.02AM: AUSTRALIAN INNINGS UNDERWAY
Usman Khawaja and David Warner are in the middle as Australia looks to knock off England’s 275-run first-innings lead.
Literally just flown over Old Trafford 😂 #Ashespic.twitter.com/EyXXWDkHQn
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 21, 2023
11.52PM: BAIRSTOW STRANDED ON 99, ENGLAND ALL OUT 592
That is just cruel.
Jonny Bairstow is stranded on 99 not out after Cameron Green gets James Anderson lbw.
England is all out for 592 but the decision has been reviewed.
The call is upheld and you have to feel for Bairstow.
He deserved a hundred.
Former Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry tweeted: “Mate you said a few weeks ago you don’t understand the game anymore. You were wrong. This is as bad as I’ve ever seen. Surely someone must take control and accountability for this absolute madness.”
This is unwatchable. Goodnight to all lovers of the game of our great game of cricket. This is absolutely insane to anyone watching this shit with half a clue about the game. Enough is enough now 🙈🤷â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ˜¤ keep banging em in lads WTF
— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) July 21, 2023
That's the first time in Test cricket that a batter has been left stranded on 99 after a No. 11 was dismissed by a ball delivered from an end named after him.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) July 21, 2023
Stranded on 99* in Tests:
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) July 21, 2023
G Boycott ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ v AUS Perth 1979
S Waugh 🇦🇺 v ENG Perth 1995
A Tudor ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ v NZ Birmingham 1999
S Pollock 🇿🇦 v SL Centurion 2002
A Hall 🇿🇦 v ENG Leeds 2003
Misbah-ul-Haq 🇵🇰 v WI Kingston 2017
J Bairstow ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ v AUS Manchester 2023#Ashes
11.45PM: AUSSIE TORTURE CONTINUES
This has been truly torturous bowling from Australia.
England is pinching singles to get Jonny Bairstow on strike, James Anderson is holding on and Bairstow is clearing the boundaries like he’s Chris Gayle in a T20 match.
The partnership is beyond 50 and Bairstow is closing in on what would be a remarkable hundred.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins has conceded more runs than he ever has in a Test innings.
This is getting ugly.
England have finally caused Australia to lose their collective minds. Bowling for batters to miss hit catches into the outfield? 🤷â€â™‚ï¸
— Jamie Cox (@jamiecox1969) July 21, 2023
11.22PM: BAIRSTOW, ANDERSON KEEPING AUSSIES IN FIELD
This must be seriously demoralising for the Aussies.
Jonny Bairstow had made all of the runs in a 19-run stand with Jimmy Anderson before the hometown hero slapped Pat Cummins for a boundary.
It’s pretty clear England has no intention of batting again in this game and if this partnership drags on much longer, it might not have to.
The lead is already 232.
We lost 13 mins in that delay. Tea will now be taken at 15:53.
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) July 21, 2023
Jimmy hooks Pat Cummins from his own end for 4ï¸âƒ£
— England's Barmy Army ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸŽº (@TheBarmyArmy) July 21, 2023
Scenes.#Ashespic.twitter.com/FOxqg37s5D
11.07PM: HAZLEWOOD TAKES FIVE
Stuart Broad tries to hit Josh Hazlewood into the next suburb of Manchester but only succeeds in hitting him straight into the air.
Hazlewood calls the fielders out and takes the catch himself, snaring his fifth wicket of the English innings.
England is 9-526 with a 209-run lead and … James Anderson is in!
“A much better day with the ball for the Aussies, haven’t just allowed England to have their way with the day,” says Callum Ferguson on Channel 9.
10.53PM: THE COVERS ARE OFF
Play is underway again and England is still batting on. The first ball is four byes courtesy of a wild delivery from Mitch Starc which Alex Carey had no chance with.
This is England's highest score in Tests v Aus since Sydney, 2011 (644). And their highest v Aus in England since Edgbaston, 1985 (5-595).
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) July 21, 2023
10.42PM: THE COVERS ARE ON
Well, that didn’t last long.
Three balls into the second session, the covers are on as the rain intensifies.
“Looking at the radar, it is just one short heavy shower, but it is heavy. I don’t think we’re going to have that long a delay. It may just force England’s hand,” says Nasser Hussain in commentary.
10.40PM: SECOND SESSION UNDERWAY
England is here for a good time, not a long time.
Nasser Hussain says James Anderson won’t be batting and Mark Taylor adds: “There is a few little showers around. That might be why England kept batting. They have a lead of 189, but as we said a number of times, with the forecast for particularly tomorrow and Sunday, I don’t think England will be batting very long.”
10.25PM: COVERS ON AS SHOWER HITS AT LUNCH
The hover cover is on at lunch after rain hit Manchester.
Hopefully it passes over quickly (or maybe not if you want the draw).
I enjoy blogging the cricket, so I’m going to barrack for more play.
Looks like a short delay might be in prospect after lunch. And maybe another shower around tea. But mostly clear over Old Trafford… #Ashespic.twitter.com/2JbzZJxuWh
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) July 21, 2023
Cover on at Old Trafford over lunch ☔ï¸#Ashespic.twitter.com/iMFeomKL6u
— England's Barmy Army ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸŽº (@TheBarmyArmy) July 21, 2023
LUNCH, DAY THREE: ENGLAND 8-506
Josh Hazlewood castles Mark Wood and that’ll do for the first session of day three.
Despite some thought England had declared, it appears Ben Stokes’ side is considering batting on into the second session.
The lead is currently 189 runs.
Plus, here’s a stat England cricket fans will enjoy reading.
After getting to 50 again today, Harry Brook took less innings to make 10 test half-centuries than Don Bradman!
He’s keeping some fair company here …
Fewest innings to reach 50 ten times in Tests:
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) July 21, 2023
Herbert Sutcliffe 16
Everton Weekes 17
Harry Brook 18
Don Bradman 19#Ashes
9.44PM: WOAKES CAUGHT BEHIND
Why didn’t Australia take the new ball sooner?
Chris Woakes pokes at a ball outside off stump and Josh Hazlewood has another wicket.
No sign yet of a declaration (maybe it’s coming at lunch).
Mark Wood will join Jonny Bairstow in the middle with the lead at 169 runs.
9.36PM: BROOK CAUGHT IN DEEP
Harry Brook advances to Josh Hazlewood and tries to bludgeon him across the line, only to sky a ball to Mitch Starc at deep fine leg.
He hangs around for a few minutes as the umpires check whether Starc was inside the boundary but he’s judged it well, catching the ball a few centimetres inside the rope.
England is 6-474 and looks determined to get as big a first-innings lead as possible.
9.35PM: WOULD AUSSIES SETTLE FOR A DRAW?
Australia’s best result appears to be a draw from here, barring a miracle in the second innings and almighty England collapse on day four or five.
Assistant coach Daniel Vettori wasn’t buying into talk that Australia could play for a draw to take a 2-1 lead to The Oval, telling reporters after play yesterday:
“It all leads to batting exceptionally well in the third innings,” Vettori said.
“That’s what will set up the rest of the game as well as how we bowl (on day three).
“It’ll be about the performance rather than the result and I know that’s easy to say, but we won’t have a chance to have a say on the result unless we do this next day well.
“That’ll be the key messaging from Andrew and Patty going forward that we have to do the third day well to give us a chance in the fourth and fifth days, if there is play or if it’s weather influenced.”
Meanwhile, after 90 overs, Australia has taken the new ball.
9.20PM: MARSH BACK ON FIELD, RAIN FALLING
Mitch Marsh has appeared for the first time today in an encouraging sign for Australia.
But perhaps more encouraging (not that we would pray for rain) is that a few drops have started to fall at Old Trafford.
Mark Taylor says it’s just a passing shower though and the players are staying out there.
9.15PM: PONTING’S CUMMINS QUESTION MARK
Ricky Ponting has publicly asked the question most of Australia was left pondering after yesterday’s play — is Pat Cummins taking on too much?
Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Scott Boland have missed Tests on the UK tour, but Cummins has led Australia in five straight matches — including the World Test Championship final.
Ponting said on commentary he wonders whether Cummins has become “physically and mentally worn out?”
Cummins has 1-105 off 20 overs in Manchester and his field placements were called into question yesterday by former players including Mark Waugh.
“I think the great concern for Australia coming here is they had the World Test Championship, they had Cummins, comes off three months with no cricket … were they going to get him through the eight weeks,” Ponting said.
9.07PM: HARRY BROOK REACHES 50
Another half-century for England’s No. 5, hitting four boundaries and taking 80 balls to reach the milestone.
The lead is 136.
9PM: DRINKS, ENGLAND 5-447
It’s now just a matter of how long England wants to bat before having a crack at Australia.
The hosts lead by 130 but with tomorrow’s forecast looking horrid and day five not much better, Ben Stokes will know a declaration is likely to be needed.
That is unless Australia can grab a couple of quick wickets after the short drinks break.
8.52PM: STOKES DRAGS ON, ENGLAND 5-437
Just minutes after we say Ben Stokes has looked untroubled today, he drags his opposing skipper onto the stumps and is bowled for 51.
England is 5-437, leading by 120 runs.
“That is the best way to slow the run rate down, take wickets, get new batters to the crease. Stokes was looking good too,” says Callum Ferguson on Channel 9.
8.50PM: BEN STOKES REACHES 50, MARSH OFF FIELD
It took 72 balls for Ben Stokes to bring up his half-century.
Talk about pedestrian.
In all seriousness, the England skipper is batting very well and hasn’t looked like getting out in the first hour today — aside from Alex Carey’s run out chance.
Meanwhile, the word from our man in Manchester Daniel Cherny is Mitch Marsh is sore from yesterday, but Australia expects him to take the field on day three.
Michael Neser has been fielding in his place so far.
8.45PM: AUSTRALIA’S BOWLERS LOOK ‘WEARY’ — MCGAIN
A former Test spinner fears Australia’s “weary” bowlers have been exposed by England’s merciless push for a huge first-innings lead in Manchester.
Bryce McGain told SEN before day three that Australia’s short-ball plan didn’t have the same impact it had in past innings.
McGain said captain Pat Cummins, in particular, looked “exhausted” from trying to contain England’s onslaught.
“Our bowlers looked a little bit tired,” he said.
“They weren’t as quick as what they’d been in previous Tests and they’re looking a bit weary.
“Pat Cummins from the top is certainly looking a bit tired and worn out. Not only I think with his bowling, he was nearly going for a run a ball … no maidens in there at all.
“The inability for Australia to build pressure, I guess that’s the different part of how we’re getting dictated terms to at the moment.
“We’re trying to find a way, but it didn’t work last night at all. I think Pat is pretty exhausted also from thinking his way through and solving all these problems that England are chucking at him.”
And it hasn’t been any better on day three, although the new ball isn’t far away.
Australia badly needs that to make inroads.
8.30PM: ENGLAND LEAD ECLIPSES 100
Harry Brook switches modes, hitting Mitch Starc for successive boundaries to push England’s lead into triple figures.
The England No. 5 then guides the last ball of the over for four as well and England has put on 38 runs in the first six overs today without taking many risks.
8.15PM: ANOTHER MISSED RUN OUT
Pat Cummins would have had Harry Brook more than a metre out of his ground but misses the stumps in another blown opportunity for the Aussies early on day three.
Brook had given up on any hope of getting back and then had to scamper to make his ground when Mitch Starc caught the ball after Cummins missed.
Cummins fast turning into Captain Calamity. Just blew chance to run out Harry Brook.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) July 21, 2023
8.10PM STOKES MAKES INTENT CLEAR, CAREY BLOWS RUN OUT
Second ball of Mitch Starc’s first over of the day, Ben Stokes backs away and slaps the Aussie quick through mid-wicket for four.
England has put on 13 runs in the first two overs without trying anything too audacious and leads by 80 runs.
Meanwhile, Alex Carey — who has been so reliable throughout the Ashes — has missed a chance to run out the England skipper.
Carey dropped sub fielder Michael Neser’s low throw and replays showed he would have caught Stokes short of his ground had he collected the ball.
Not ideal …
7.55PM: PONTING — AUSTRALIA ‘CAUGHT IN HEADLIGHTS’
Ricky Ponting has given a damning assessment of Australia’s panic in the field on day two as England powered to a first-innings lead in Manchester.
“The pressure got to them, there’s no doubt about it,” Ponting said on Sky Sports.
“This team has probably not been put under that sort of pressure ever. Pat, as a captain, has never been put under that sort of pressure.
He added: “I think they just got caught in the headlights a little bit.
“I think there’s about an hour of yesterday they would have liked to have back.”
Ponting also discussed how he expects England to approach its batting today:
“Because they played so well yesterday they’ve now got a number of options of what they can and might do,” he said.
“What they could do is go out early this morning, show the same intent as they did yesterday, get another 70, 80, 100 runs and then pull the pin.
“Or, and it might depend on what’s happening with the weather. I think the best time to bowl is going to be with some cloud cover around.
“They might go off that. If this hangs around, they might bat for a shorter period of time. If it blows away and it’s nice weather and the sun comes out, they might think about batting longer, getting 200, 250-plus and then try and bowl Australia out.”
Ponting said England should aim for a lead of about 150 runs.
7.35PM: HUSSAIN URGES ‘ULTRA AGGRESSION’ FROM ENGLAND
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain says England can’t die wondering as it tries to square the Ashes series at 2-2 in Manchester.
England starts day three in a commanding position, leading by 67 runs with six wickets in hand.
There was talk yesterday of Bazball going into “fast forward” and Hussain said England must get “really ultra aggressive” with bad weather looming.
“Either way – if they get bowled out, the game has progressed. You don’t want to be left on Sunday night thinking: ‘I wish we’d just given ourselves another half hour’,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
“And if they don’t get bowled out, you can imagine them going at seven or eight runs an over, and then their lead will be massive, which will by them time for the weather.
“The forecast is poor. Everyone is going to say, ‘Why do you keep going on about the forecast?’ But it is poor. Really bad for Saturday, not great for Sunday.
“If you’ve got a ticket for (Friday) morning, get there for 11am, because Stokes, Brook, Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, go and have some fun, get the lead up to 200, and then get on with bowling. You need 20 wickets, get on with bowling.”
7.15PM: AUSSIES RULE ON STARC INJURY CONCERN
Daniel Cherny in Manchester
Mitchell Starc is expected to be available to bowl on day three of the fourth Test despite hurting his left shoulder on Thursday.
Starc left the field in discomfort after landing awkwardly in the field late on day two.
However Cricket Australia said that he had not been sent for scans, and on Friday morning said that Starc had been cleared by team medicos to bowl in the remainder of the match.
Starc was the pick of the Aussie attack on a brutal day in which England reached 4-384 in response to the tourists’ 317.
7PM: ‘MONTH WORTH OF RAIN’ TIPPED FOR PARTS OF UK
Local media is reporting close to a month worth of rain could hit Manchester on day four and five of the fourth Test, putting England’s bid to square the series in jeopardy.
The Manchester Evening News reports up to 60mm of rain is predicted in some parts of the UK at the weekend, which could include northern England.
But the good news is the covers were being removed about an hour before the scheduled start of day three and it looks like we’ll get the morning session away.
Covers off. Game on.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2023
Who’s ready for the start of play? 🙋â€â™‚ï¸#EnglandCricket | #Ashespic.twitter.com/vqHMzsZNou
Want to know how the weather is looking near you this weekend?
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 20, 2023
Here's Aidan with the forecast 👇 pic.twitter.com/XPrLmbWDnO
CRASH: AUSTRALIA SHOULD REGRET POKING THE BAIR-STOW
Robert Craddock
Was poking the Bairstow really worth the hassle?
The debate over the spirit verses the laws of cricket became so intense and self-righteous following Jonny Bairstow’s stumping at Lord’s that everyone forgot to mention that the decision in itself would eventually mean nothing compared to the emotionally sapping fallout which would follow it.
Australia have just had nine days off yet they looked like a tired team on day one and two at Old Trafford and Pat Cummins’ confused state embodied that of his team.
Michael Vaughan mentioned on radio that perhaps the Bairstow decision, when he was stumped not attempting a run at Lord’s, may have taken more out of Cummins than he realised.
The fallout has been intense and series shaping.
English skipper Ben Stokes batted like a firecracker in the immediate aftermath of the controversial call, English crowds came alive and have stayed that way ever since, and Australia have had to face a firestorm which was simply inevitable.
At Edgbaston in the first Test, Australia played so well they silenced the crowd. Now the locals are celebrating every Australian error with gusto.
Had Bairstow been stumped in the fifth Test of the series Australia would have laughed in their plane seats all the way home, leaving angry England fans to talk among themselves.
The trouble was it came in the second Test and there were three more to follow.
Australia are becoming victims of what in India is known as the Virat Kohli syndrome.
One of the reasons why India have been nigh unbeatable at home over the past decade is that Kohli, when captain, used to find a way to fire up himself and his team and it simply overwhelmed opponents who found it as chastening as facing a State of Origin rugby league crowd at an away venue not simply for two hours but five days in a row.
Back in 2017 Australia were making spectacular progress towards winning a series in India when they won a Test in Pune.
But the series erupted in the next Test when Kohli accused Steve Smith of unscrupulous conduct by looking at the dressing room for guidance before making DRS referrals. Crowds became fanatical, Kohli turned into a sabre-waving, morally outraged gladiator and Australia were melted by the fierce flame of it all. India won the series.
The secret to beating good teams on their patch is not creating undue trouble for yourself.
Australia willingly challenged that and must now live with the fallout.
THE MISSING LINK
This Test series has proved Nathan Lyon is the most irreplaceable cricketer in Australia.
Since Lyon went down with a hamstring strain in his 100th consecutive Test Australia have not looked the same.
Players’ reputations often grow when they are out.
Todd Murphy’s has grown in his absence this Test. The truth is he might well have been swept away by BazBall.
But Lyon’s experience suggests he would have found a way through.
Australia is missing him every step of the way.
THE MISSING GEAR
BazBall has found a dangerous gear and it’s not the one which makes tyres screech and rubber burn.
It’s not fifth gear. It’s second gear. And that is a worry for Australia.
England’s top order shook spectators from their seats at Old Trafford with 178 runs off 25 overs between lunch and tea.
But almost as important was the groundwork laid in the session before it.
England were 1-61 off 16 overs at lunch with Zac Crawley 18 and Moeen Ali 31.
There was a tangible feel that, while always on the lookout to score, they were trying to provide a platform before the bazooka blitz after the break.
England is more dangerous when they think this way.
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