Second Ashes Test: Mitchell Starc strikes again as England struggles to 219-8 at dinner on day three
By Associated Press | Published: 04th December 2017 02:00 PM |
Last Updated: 04th December 2017 02:00 PM | A+A A- |
Australia's Nathan Lyon, second left, catches out England's Moeen Ali, second right, for 25 runs during the third day of their Ashes Test match in Adelaide, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. | AP
ADELAIDE: Nathan Lyon took a stunning return catch to remove Moeen Ali, and Mitchell Starc chimed in with two more caught-and-bowled dismissals as England slipped to 219-8 at dinner on day three of the day-night Ashes test.
With the night session to play Monday and England 223 behind, light could be a factor if Australia skipper needs to make any decisions about enforcing the follow-on.
England resumed on day three at 29-1 in reply to Australia's 442-8 declared, and lost four wickets for 99 runs in the first session — skipper Joe Root (9) and Alastair Cook (37) among them.
Lyon struck early in the second session, breaking up the partnership between the last of the recognized batsmen when he dived sharply to his left to catch Ali's mistimed drive as England slid to 132-6.
Starc took a reflex catch, on the second grab, to dismiss Jonny Bairstow (21) off his own bowling with the addition of 10 to the England total. The Australian paceman then ended a 66-run eighth-wicket stand by the same mode when Chris Woakes (36) popped up an easy chance just before the dinner break.
Test newcomer Craig Overton was unbeaten on 36 and Stuart Broad was yet to get off the mark ahead of the night session.
England's troubles started in the second over Monday when James Vince (2) was caught behind off paceman Josh Hazlewood.
Root didn't reach double digits before edging an attempted drive to Pat Cummins to third slip with the total at 50.
Cook defended determinedly for 89 balls and helped England to 80 before prodding forward to Lyon and edging to slip, giving the Australian off-spinner his 50th Ashes wicket.
England had one reprieve when Dawid Malan was given out lbw by umpire Aleem Dar after being hit on the back leg by Starc, but the decision was overturned when a review showed the ball was going over the stumps.
Malan added only 13 more runs before being caught behind off Cummins for 19.
Australia won the series-opener by 10 wickets in Brisbane last week and, after being sent in to bat by Root after losing the toss in Adelaide, is right on top in the second.
England holds the Ashes after winning at home in 2015 but was swept 5-0 in the last series contested in Australia.
