Ashes, Third Test, Day 1 - Report

After suffering thumping defeats in the first two Ashes Tests, Joe Root and his men had a point to prove to their critics. The Aussies went into the third Test at the WACA as the clear favourites with the hope to seal the series in their favour. Skipper Steve Smith’s form with the bat has been a major boost for the Aussies in the Ashes as they prepared to end the WACA drought.

The Aussies started brilliantly with the ball once again rattling the English top order with their fiery pace. Alistair Cook failed to live up to the bat once again, while Mark Stoneman continued his lone fight. Skipper Joe Root’s struggled at the crease yet another time as he departed for a mere score of 20. James Vince goes a start but failed to make it big. Root got only 20 runs to his name James Vince’s 25 was below par from the batsman.

Mitchell Starc grabbed two while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared one each. Hazlewood bowled a series of maidens up front which troubled the Englishmen at the WACA. Mark Stoneman’s 56 run knocks came at a time England needed the most, but he fell victim to the deadly Mitchell Starc leaving England toiling at 131/4.

It was then, two Englishmen in the name of Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow started the England revival. The duo did exactly what England lacked in the first two Tests, and that is- a partnership. Malan and Bairstow’s 184 run stand not only pulled England out of trouble but has given them the upper hand in the Test.

Also read: (The Ashes 2017/18: Series In Australia Rocked By Spot-Fixing Allegations, ICC Launches Probe)

England now stands at 305/4 at the end of day’s play with Dawid Malan completing his hundred. Malan’s 110 run knock came off just 174 deliveries which had 15 fours and one maximum in it. Bairstow acted as the perfect cushion for Malan with his contribution of 75.

Both the batsman have paved the way for a huge English score in the first innings, but it will be interesting to see how the batsmen deal with the new ball on Day 2.