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Day 3 Round-up: Australian batsmen Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh put England's attack to the sword on the third day of the third Test in Perth Saturday, leaving the tourists praying for rain to salvage their hopes of retaining the Ashes. The home side took total control of the match and were 549 for four in their first innings by stumps, with Smith on 229 and Marsh on 181, leading the hapless tourists by 146 runs with six wickets still in hand. Australia lead the series 2-0 and can regain the Ashes with victory at the WACA Ground, with England's hopes of staying alive in the five-match series seemingly resting with the local weather. Heavy rain is forecast for the fourth day, but is not predicted to arrive until late in the afternoon, reducing the chances of a draw. It was a horrendous day for England, who claimed just one wicket for the day at a cost of 346 runs. Smith notched his second Test double-century in his highest Test score, and passed 1,000 runs in the calendar year, while Marsh answered his critics to post his maiden Test ton on his home ground. Smith and Marsh dominated the flagging England attack to put on an unbroken stand of 301 for the fifth wicket without even offering a single chance. It is the highest partnership for Australia against England at the WACA. Captain Joe Root even turned to the part-time leg-spin of Dawid Malan late in the day in search of a desperately needed breakthrough. Resuming on 92, Smith reached his 22nd Test hundred early in the day from the 138th ball he faced, his quickest Test century in terms of balls faced. Coming in his 107th Test knock, only Don Bradman (58 innings) and Sunil Gavaskar (101 innings) have reached 22 Test centuries in fewer innings. He then reached his double-hundred from 301 balls, including 26 fours and one six, although he was content to milk easy singles against a defensive field as he reached the milestone. Marsh came to the crease under huge pressure to perform after a contentious recall, and having dropped a simple catch and bowled poorly during the England innings. He started nervously but blossomed as his innings went on and notched his maiden Test century from the penultimate over before tea on his home ground, sparking scenes of jubilation from a parochial crowd. Marsh had faced 130 balls for his hundred and a number of powerful drives were a feature of his landmark Test innings.
Commentary (England innings)
What shall we expect on the final day of this game? Maybe rain. More rain. Even more rain. Because that's what the forecast suggests. If at all England do have a glimmer of hope, it would appear from the skies. The stop-start nature of the game would be another obstacle that stands in the way of the tourists. They have to see off three sessions, specially with the Aussie bowlers breathing fire. We have an early start tomorrow - at 1000 local time (0200 GMT). We'd be glad to have your company then. Till then, be safe. Take care. Adios!
All this was after Australia batted for a long time to get ahead by 259 runs in the game. Although Smith and Marsh couldn't add anything to their overnight stand, their tail wagged - 8th wicket partnership precisely. Paine and Cummins added a good 93 runs to deflate England (if they were even in good spirits then) completely. The strategy of not giving some easy time for the English openers saw the declaration being done 4 overs after the lunch interval and boy, didn't it work!
Called off! That's it for today then. Rain playing hide and seek has meant that cricket has to take the back seat for now. Who will be happy with this? No prizes for guessing, England! They were rocked early in the piece by Hazlewood who sent back both the openers quickly. Then there was a mini-resistence from Vince and Malan - the former getting to a fifty - before Starc returned with a fiery delivery to leave the former in a state of incredulity.
1710 local time update - Scrap all of the happiness that you had after reading the previous update. The rain has returned and so have the covers. The players were actually walking out to resume the action but were forced back into the the dressing rooms as the downpour returned.
1700 local time update - We are still waiting for the resumption. It is taking longer that we expected. We should get underway in about 5-10 minutes from now, provided the rain stays away.
1653 local time - Good news folks! The sun is out and the covers are coming off now. We should soon see the resumption of play.
Here it is... the rain! It forces the players and the umpires off the field. The groundsmen are quick to bring the covers on. The pitch is covered immediately. At this point, England are still 127 behind Australia. We should be in for a lengthy stop if the visuals are anything to go by. It is pelting down at the WACA with heavy winds blowing across as well. My colleague says, 'You have lights that can be used if it turns dark, do you have roofs to cover the ground if it rains?' Not at the moment. Stay tuned as we get you further updates.
38.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length delivery, defended from the crease. 132/4
38.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Landed around off and middle, Malan goes back and keeps it out with a straight bat. 132/4
37.6 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Jonny guides this length ball through point for a brace. 132/4
It has gone dark now and the floodlights are starting to take effect...
37.5 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Defended from the crease to the off side. 130/4
37.4 J Hazlewood to J Bairstow, FOUR! Glorious cover drive that. Full ball outside off, it swings in a touch. Bairstow does well to hit it through covers for a boundary. 130/4
37.3 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Full ball angling down the leg side, Bairstow misses the flick yet again. Huge appeal from the Aussies but the umpire stays put. All the three stumps were visible when he was hit, actually. 126/4
37.2 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, On off, blocked towards the point region. 126/4
37.1 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Fuller ball angling down leg, Jonny misses the flick and the ball goes off his pads towards backward square leg. 126/4
JOSH HAZLEWOOD back on.
36.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length delivery around off and middle, defended solidly towards cover-point. 126/4
36.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Fuller on middle, flicked away to mid on. 126/4
36.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, On a length on the stumps, defended off the back foot. 126/4
36.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, This delivery is blocked watchfully from the crease. 126/4
36.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Fuller on the leg, Malan misses the flick and gets rapped on the pads. 126/4
36.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan covers his sticks and lets it go. 126/4
35.6 M Starc to Bairstow, FOUR! Bairstow's time out in the first essay is helping him gauge the track here. Length ball just outside off, Bairstow punches this nicely through the cover region for a boundary. 126/4
35.5 M Starc to Bairstow, Full outside off, squeezed away to the off side. 122/4
35.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 122/4
35.3 M Starc to Bairstow, On the pads, flicked away towards square leg. 122/4
35.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller outside off, driven towards cover. 122/4
35.1 M Starc to J Bairstow, This ball is driven to mid off. 122/4
34.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, This ball is defended with a straight bat. 16 runs have come off this over. 122/4
34.5 Pat Cummins to D Malan, FOUR! Is this Dawid Malan playing some other match or what? He isn't playing a game where his side is trailing by 141 (now 137) runs. Cummins changes his angle but the result doesn't change. Serves it on a length outside off, Malan hangs back and cuts it through backward point for another boundary, the fourth in the over. 122/4
34.4 Pat Cummins to D Malan, FOUR! The third one of the over! Malan is getting all over Cummins here. Another delivery, the length of which is on the shorter side. The confidence from the first innings' knock is seen here. He pulls this nicely through mid-wicket for another boundary, the third of the over. 118/4
34.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 114/4
34.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, FOUR! In response to the previous ball, Cummins bangs this short. Malan knows this and is in readiness. Pulls this powerfully through square leg for another boundary. 114/4
34.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, FOUR! Ahhh! The straight drive combined with the left-hander's elegance - sumptuous! Cummins is brought into the attack and he steams in from round the wicket. Bowls this full just outside off. Malan drives it straight down the ground past the bowler's right hand for a boundary. 110/4
33.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller on the stumps, driven to mid on. 106/4
33.5 M Starc to Bairstow, Hurled outside off, left alone by JB. 106/4
33.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Jonny blocks this solidly off the front foot. 106/4
33.3 M Starc to Bairstow, FOUR! The extra yard of pace can help the ball speed away to the fence. Angled this full around middle and leg, Bairstow just clips it away through square leg for a boundary. 106/4
33.2 Starc to Bairstow, Yorker on the stumps, blocked well by Jonny. 102/4
To add to the previous insert about Starc, here's an inserting observation that my colleague Praky had just before the wicket. He said that the beauty of this seamer is that he never bowls in search of the edge of the bat. He always aims at the stumps to beat the batsmen's defense and that's what helped him make the crucial strike today.
33.1 M Starc to Malan, On the pads, flicked away to fine leg for a single. 102/4
32.6 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Sprayed down the leg side, Jonny misses the flick. 101/4
32.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Short ball on the body, pulled through backward square leg for a single. 101/4
32.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Hazlewood comes round the wicket and bowls it fuller on off, pushed towards mid off. 100/4
32.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Fuller around off, defended off the front foot. 100/4
32.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 100/4
32.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Malan blocks this one from the crease. 100/4
31.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller around off, defended off the front foot. 100/4
31.5 M Starc to Bairstow, This ball is pushed towards mid-wicket. 100/4
The on-air commentators analyze Starc's bowling. As a left handed bowler, the natural momentum in the followthrough takes him to the right. But when he steams in from round the wicket, he has to watch that he doesn't go with his natural momentum and tread on the danger area. This is not an easy task. Hence, that wicket becomes an even more commendable effort.
31.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot back towards the bowler. 100/4
31.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Jonny looks to work it away to the on side but gets it off his thigh pad to the off side. 100/4
A bit of rain in the air and very windy, says Shane Warne on air.
31.2 M Starc to Bairstow, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 100/4
31.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Landed in line of the stumps, Bairstow presents a straight bat in defending it towards the bowler. 100/4
30.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, DM shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 100/4
30.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Bouncer on the stumps, Dawid sways back and lets it be. 100/4
30.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 100/4
30.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Driven towards point off the front foot. 100/4
30.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Blocked solidly from the crease. 100/4
30.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Malan was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. 100/4
JOSH HAZLEWOOD brought back from the other end.
29.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Look what a wicket can do to a bowler. Hurls this one at 147.6 kmph! But this was down the leg side, Bairstow looks to flick but misses. 100/4
JONNY BAIRSTOW is the next man in. He is fresh from a big ton in the first essay and has his partner from the first innings, Malan at the other end. Encore?
29.5 Starc to J Vince, OUT! Knocked him over with a jaffa! Ball of the summer, says Mark Taylor on air. Starc angles in from round the wicket and hurls a length ball pitching around middle at 143.9 kmph. The ball pitches and deflects at an angle of 3.9 degrees (as seen in the pitch map later). Vince looks to clip it away with the angle but finds the late movement tough to counter. The ball uproots the off stump and the anguish on Vince's face is telling. Starc, well, he is up and running and just sprints in celebration. On another look, it shows that the crack has a part to play in that deflection. Vince's stay at the crease ends, England still 159 behind. 100/4
James Vince is currently batting on 55. It features 12 boundaries and 7 singles. Shows that he is playing a lot of dot balls. The on-air commentators reckon that he should try and convert those into runs and include the running-between-the-wickets aspect in his game more.
29.4 M Starc to Vince, Vince has driven that ball straight back. 100/3
29.3 M Starc to Vince, This is bowled outside off, left alone by James. 100/3
29.2 M Starc to Vince, Blocked solidly from the crease. 100/3
29.1 M Starc to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan is tentative in his defense. Gets an inside edge through square leg for a single. 100/3
28.6 N Lyon to Vince, FOUR! Authoritative and clever! Lyon floats it around middle and leg, Vince gets down and sweeps it powerfully through backward square leg for a boundary. Shouts of 'yeah, nice bowling' were heard after that shot as it seems that the Aussies don't mind such shots. A chance that he mistimes the shot and gets a top edge can never be ruled out. 99/3
28.5 N Lyon to Vince, Vince lunges forward and defends it stoutly. 95/3
28.4 N Lyon to Malan, Malan uses his feet to come down the track and eases it to mid on for a single. 95/3
28.3 N Lyon to Vince, This is tapped towards covers and Vince gets to the other end. 94/3
28.2 N Lyon to Malan, On the pads flicked away round the corner for one. 93/3
28.1 N Lyon to Malan, Defended off the front foot onto the ground. 92/3
27.6 M Starc to Vince, Length ball around off, bunted watchfully. 92/3
27.5 M Starc to Vince, This ball is defended towards backward point. 92/3
27.4 M Starc to Vince, Vince looks to turn this away to the on side but gets squared up a touch. Ends up getting it off the outer half towards the off side. 92/3
27.3 M Starc to Vince, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 92/3
27.2 M Starc to Vince, Vince stays in the crease and defends it nicely. 92/3
27.1 M Starc to Vince, Starc runs in from round the wicket to the righty with the reverse swing coming into play. Lands it around off, defended from the crease. 92/3
26.6 N Lyon to Vince, Gets to his 2nd Test fifty with a flick, does James Vince. Sees the tossed up ball outside off, he slinks down and works it past mid-wicket for one. Well played, James! He has doubled his first innings score and the tourists would hope he doubles or maybe quadruples it from here. England 167 adrift. 92/3
26.5 N Lyon to Vince, FOUR! Well played, Vince. Lyon bowls it wider outside off, Vince goes back and slaps it through cover-point. There are wide open spaces in the off side and the ball speeds away to the fence to take him to 49. 91/3
26.4 N Lyon to Vince, Driven to the cover fielder. 87/3
26.3 N Lyon to Vince, Defended solidly with a stride forward. 87/3
26.2 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter on the pads, flicked away. Short leg does well to stop that. 87/3
26.1 N Lyon to Vince, Aimed at the off stump, defended off the front foot onto the ground. 87/3
25.6 M Starc to D Malan, Similar line but this one moves in more prodigiously than the previous one. Defended nicely off the front foot. 87/3
25.5 M Starc to Malan, A hint of reverse swing there. Hurled just outside off, the ball moves in a touch. Malan blocks it with a straight bat face. Another look reveals that Starc has the shinier side inside and the rough one out. 87/3
25.4 M Starc to Malan, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. 87/3
25.3 M Starc to Malan, Fuller around off, Malan defends with his bat close to his front pad. 87/3
The wind has picked up now. Every pacer loves this, but not what is being mentioned next. The groundsmen are getting ready to get into the mix now. The trees are seen swaying heavily. Signs of a storm brewing as some drops of rain are visible as well...
25.2 M Starc to Malan, Starc spears this wide outside off, the ball nips in after landing. Not enough to make Malan play. 87/3
25.1 M Starc to Malan, On off, blocked from the crease. 87/3
MITCHELL STARC has the cherry in hand now. His current figures of 4-0-22-0 show how easy to handle he had been in his first spell.
24.6 N Lyon to Vince, Vince lunges forward and blocks it watchfully. 87/3
24.5 N Lyon to Vince, FOUR! James Vince is looking so good out there. Lyon serves it on a length outside off, Vince gets back quickly and slaps it through the cover-point region for a boundary. Moves to 45 now. 87/3
24.4 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter on the pads, turned away to deep fine leg for a single. 83/3
24.3 N Lyon to Vince, Vince uses his feet to this flighted ball and drives it to long on for a single. 82/3
24.2 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter outside off, Malan goes back and punches it to deep cover-point for one. 81/3
24.1 N Lyon to Malan, Floated up outside off, defended back towards the bowler. 80/3
23.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, This ball is flicked to mid-wicket. 80/3
23.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, FOUR! This shot proves that Vince has watched the ball till the very end. Another back of a length delivery just outside off, Vince hangs back and cuts it powerfully through backward point for a boundary. Vince goes to 40. 80/3
23.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Bumper around off, Vince sways back and lets the cherry fly to Paine. 76/3
23.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, A touch fuller than the previous one, pushed towards covers. 76/3
23.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Similar delivery on the stumps, blocked solidly. 76/3
23.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, On a length in the line of the middle and off stumps, Vince goes back and presents a straight bat in defense. 76/3
22.6 N Lyon to Malan, Malan again drives it confidently towards mid off. 76/3
22.5 N Lyon to Malan, Driven back towards the bowler. 76/3
22.4 N Lyon to Malan, What's that? Floated around off, Malan uses his feet and looks to drive it but hits it straight back to the bowler. Lyon catches it and asks the umpire whether it came off Malan's boot. The umpire rightly refers it upstairs, the soft signal being not out. Replay shows that the ball bumped up off a crack and went to the bowler. 76/3
22.3 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter on middle and leg, Dawid gets his bat in front of his pad and defends it back towards the bowler. 76/3
22.2 N Lyon to Malan, Malan comes down the track and eases it towards covers. 76/3
22.1 N Lyon to D Malan, Malan had handled Lyon well in the first outing and looks at ease so far even this time round. Gets his right foot to the pitch of the ball and drives it to mid off. 76/3
21.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, Length ball on the stumps, kept out safely from the crease. 76/3
21.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, Yorker on off and middle, Vince does well to dig it out towards the bowler. 76/3
21.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Banged short in line of the stumps, Vince crouches to let that go. 76/3
21.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, Four Leg byes! Now the crack makes the ball go the other way. Hurled on a fuller length on middle, Vince again looks to clip it away. The ball lands on the crack and moves in, taking James' pads on the way to the fine leg fence. 76/3
21.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Careful Vince, careful! Playing across the line could be dangerous. This is a fuller ball on middle that straightens after pitching. Vince looks to work it away but the ball takes the face of the bat and rolls towards mid off. That straightened off the crack. 72/3
21.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Landed around middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket for a single. 72/3
20.6 N Lyon to Vince, Vince gets it off the inside edge of the bat towards backward square leg. 71/3
20.5 N Lyon to Vince, This stays a touch low as James keeps it out towards short leg. 71/3
20.4 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter on the stumps, defended off the back foot. 71/3
20.3 N Lyon to Vince, Vince goes back to this one and blocks it with a straight bat. 71/3
20.2 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter on a length outside off, Vince goes back to cut it but the ball just passes the outside edge and through into the keeper's mitts. 71/3
20.1 N Lyon to Vince, Floated outside off, pushed towards mid off. 71/3
NATHAN LYON continues.
19.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length around middle and leg, defended from the crease. 71/3
19.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Driven towards the man at mid on. 71/3
19.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Blocked off the front foot towards mid on. 71/3
19.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Shout straightaway for an LBW! Cummins steams in from over the wicket and pitches it on a fuller length around leg. Malan misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The Aussies ask the question but the umpire stays put. Pitching outside leg, as confirmed by the Hawk Eye. 71/3
Rain has eased off! We're done with the tea break and are set to resume. The players are back on the field. Pat Cummins to continue...
...Day 4, 3rd session...
The responsibility to save this game and the urn has once again fallen on the shoulders of the middle and lower order batsmen. James Vince has looked delightful with his stroke play and is in the company of Dawid Malan, who got a century in the first innings. It's a tall ask for them from here onward but they have the batting depth. Let's see how they respond after the break, provided the rain stops. Do join us to find out.
Another session belonging to the home team. They batted for a little while after the lunch break before declaring their innings with a lead of 259 runs. England, in their reply, were rocked early as their openers failed to provide any solid platform. It became even worse for them when their skipper got dismissed without contributing much to the cause.
And the players are off! The rain is coming down hard and the umpires have called for covers. EARLY TEA has been taken.
19.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, In the channel outside off, Malan watchfully lets it through to the keeper. 71/3
It has started to rain. The Barmy Army is making a lot of noise, they are certainly excited. They don't want any more play in this Test match so that England can survive and keep their hopes of retaining the urn. Won't judge them for this. It appears to be the best option they have at the moment.
19.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Angles across a back of a length delivery outside off, Malan jumps on the back foot and pushes it with an angled bat to point. 71/3
18.6 N Lyon to Vince, Bowls it in the flatter trajectory, quicker than the usual pace, James covers the line and blocks. Tidy over. 71/3
18.5 N Lyon to Vince, Quicker through the air again, shortish and on off, Vince moves across the stumps and defends it back. 71/3
18.4 N Lyon to Vince, Leans forward to a full ball and defends it off the outer half of the bat to point. 71/3
18.3 N Lyon to Vince, Quicker one, short and on middle, turned on the leg side but straight to short leg. 71/3
18.2 N Lyon to Vince, This one is served full and outside off, Vince takes a good long stride forward in defense. 71/3
18.1 N Lyon to Vince, Flighted ball outside off, a touch on the shorter side, Vince defends it off his back foot. 71/3
17.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Extra bounce from a length around leg, Malan goes back and defends it on the leg side. 71/3
17.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, Straying down the leg side, Vince eases it through backward square leg for one. 71/3
17.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Straighter in line on a good length, James gets behind the line and defends it towards mid on. 70/3
17.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 70/3
17.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Once again it's on the shorter side, outside off though, Vince defends it off his back foot and then immediately looks behind thinking it's going back onto the stumps. 70/3
17.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Back of a length delivery on off, Vince solidly gets behind the line and defends. 70/3
16.6 N Lyon to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 70/3
16.5 N Lyon to Malan, Tossed up ball on middle, defended on the leg side. 70/3
16.4 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter ball outside off, staying low, Vince chops it down towards point for one. 70/3
16.3 N Lyon to Vince, Shortish and on middle, Vince keeps it out from the crease towards the right of mid on. 69/3
Huge dark angry clouds surrounding the WACA! They are looking quite threatening.
16.2 N Lyon to Vince, FOUR! Tossed up ball on off, Vince walks down the track and drills it through the gap between covers and mid off for a boundary. This is the danger period for Vince. He looks good for his first 25-30 runs but then loses his concentration. 69/3
16.1 N Lyon to Vince, Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot. 65/3
15.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, In the line of the stumps, Dawid defends it from the crease. 65/3
15.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Malan pushes at it and misses. 65/3
15.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Helps it off his pads through backward square leg for one. 65/3
15.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, Good length ball on off, Vince defends it off his back foot. 64/3
15.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 64/3
15.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Fullish and outside off, driven back without much timing. 64/3
14.6 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter and on middle, defended off the pads towards short leg. 64/3
14.5 N Lyon to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 64/3
14.4 N Lyon to Malan, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. 64/3
14.3 N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Good shot to get off the mark. It's a bit on the shorter side around off, Malan stays back and plays at it late. He runs it wide of backward point for a boundary. 64/3
14.2 N Lyon to Malan, Gets on the front foot and defends it back. 60/3
The centurion from the first innings, DAWID MALAN arrives with his team in a spot of bother.
14.1 N Lyon to Root, OUT! Steven Smith takes a fantastic reflex catch! Not easy when there is a deflection from the keeper's gloves. Lyon is up and roaring in celebration. England lose their third wicket and trail by 199 runs. A flighted delivery landing full outside off, Root strides forward to drive it through covers but gets a thick outside edge behind. Paine tries catching it but it brushes his gloves and flies behind towards first slip. Steven Smith stationed there initially looks to move to his left but then realizes that it's coming to his right. Immediately shows good reflexes to grab it with his mouth wide open. The Aussies are delighted. They are inching closer to winning the urn after hunting down the opposition captain cheaply, yet again. 60/3
NATHAN LYON to roll his arm.
13.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, EDGY FOUR! A length delivery just outside off, Vince gets forward in defense but it takes the outside edge of his bat and speeds past the slip cordon for a boundary. Runs are coming at a good rate for England in this partnership. 60/2
13.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, Vince has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 56/2
13.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, FOUR! Excellent shot off the back foot. Vince has looked quite positive from the onset. Cummins dishes out a back of a length delivery just around off, James goes on the back foot and packs a punch through cover-point for a boundary. 56/2
13.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, A rising delivery from a shortish length around off, Vince goes on his toes to block it. The ball drops nearby the stumps and James shapes up to keep it out if it heads towards the sticks. 52/2
13.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Shortish and around middle, turned to square leg. 52/2
13.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Good line first up, no gentle looseners. Keeps it on a length around off, decent pace, Vince gets behind the line and blocks it back. 52/2
PAT CUMMINS replaces Josh in the attack.
12.6 M Marsh to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 52/2
12.5 M Marsh to Root, FOUR! Misfield in the deep by Shaun Marsh! He did the hard work of reaching the ball but then fails to stop it with a dive. Marsh once again keeps his length short around off, Root stands tall and pulls it with a swivel through square leg. Shaun runs across to his left from fine leg but as mentioned above failed to prevent the boundary. 52/2
12.4 M Marsh to Root, Another back foot defense by Root. He loves staying back inside the crease. 48/2
12.3 M Marsh to Root, Back of a length ball on off, Root remains back and defends it on the off side. 48/2
12.2 M Marsh to Root, Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 48/2
12.1 M Marsh to J Vince, Short and on middle, pulled down to fine leg for one. 48/2
11.6 J Hazlewood to Root, A length ball around middle and off, Root stays back in defense. Two boundaries from the over. 47/2
11.5 J Hazlewood to Root, Pulls his length back and lands it around off, Root shifts his weight on the back foot and punches it on the off side. 47/2
11.4 J Hazlewood to Joe Root, FOUR! Getting Root to drive early in his innings is a good idea. Australia won't be minding these boundaries as there is always a chance of an outside edge. A conscious effort here by Hazlewood to pitch it up outside off, Root unveils a lovely cover drive for a boundary. 47/2
11.3 J Hazlewood to Root, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 43/2
11.2 J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Hazlewood overpitches it slightly outside off, Root strides forward and drives it through extra cover. Warner gives it the chase from mid off but fails to pull it back. Ian Chappell on air - If David Warner can't catch up with it, nobody can! 43/2
Rain in the air...
11.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Full and on middle, defended back. 39/2
10.6 M Marsh to J Vince, Once again it's full and straight, Vince keeps it out safely on the leg side. 39/2
10.5 M Marsh to J Vince, FOUR! Lovely shot! Too full in length this time by Marsh, it's around middle and Vince clips it past the right side of the mid on fielder. It just races past and reaches the fence in no time. 39/2
10.4 M Marsh to Vince, Shaping back into the batsman from around off, Vince plays it off his pads to mid-wicket. 35/2
10.3 M Marsh to Vince, FOUR! Nicely played! A short delivery angling into the batsman, Vince gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg. Nice placement to beat the fine leg fielder and the deep square leg fielder. 35/2
10.2 M Marsh to Vince, Outside off, on a length, Vince stays back and pats it down to point. 31/2
10.1 M Marsh to Root, Sliding down the leg side, Root flicks it fine down to leg side for a run. 31/2
Mitchell Marsh to continue after the drinks break...
Drinks are on the field now. England are in a situation that they would have got in their worst nightmare. They are rocked back early with a couple of scalps. Cook's horrid run with the bat continues and he will be spending time in the dressing room contemplating where his midas touch has disappeared. Hazleweood is going through an impressive spell that reads 5-2-8-2! Starc meanwhile hasn't found his radar yet. Will England manage to stand their ground atleast till the time the weather has a try to bail them out?
9.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Bowled outside off, left alone. 30/2
9.5 Hazlewood to Vince, An appeal for LBW dies down after Hazlewood spots that Vince got an inside edge there. Vince had looked to flick that full delivery to the on side. 30/2
9.4 J Hazlewood to Joe Root, Root gets off the mark with a risky single. Taps it towards covers and sets off. Lyon gets to his right and misses his shy at the bowler's end. England should be careful in taking on Lyon's arm as they have paid the price for doing so earlier in the series. 30/2
9.3 J Hazlewood to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 29/2
Two slips and a catching mid-wicket in place.
9.2 J Hazlewood to Root, Root punches this off the back foot towards covers. Lyon there misfields a touch and Root looks to make use of this opportunity to get off the mark but Warner runs in from mid off to quell any such chance. Throws it to the keeper. 29/2
9.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Root hangs on his back foot and keeps it out towards mid on. 29/2
8.6 M Marsh to Vince, Bumper in line of the stumps, Vince ducks under that to let it pass. 29/2
8.5 M Marsh to Vince, On a length in line of the stumps, driven towards mid on. 29/2
8.4 M Marsh to Vince, Bowled outside off, left alone. 29/2
8.3 M Marsh to Vince, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 29/2
8.2 M Marsh to Vince, Vince gets ahead and defends it off the front foot. 29/2
8.1 M Marsh to Vince, Begins with a delivery in line of the stumps, Vince stays in the crease and defends it solidly. 29/2
MITCHELL MARSH into the attack. He bowls more in the line of the stumps and that would mean that he exploits the cracks available more.
7.6 J Hazlewood to Root, Root stays in the crease and blocks this with a straight bat. 29/2
7.5 J Hazlewood to Root, Outside off, left alone. 29/2
7.4 J Hazlewood to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 29/2
Skipper JOSEPH EDWARD ROOT strides out with the bat to play an important innings. He needs to emulate his counterpart for his side to save the game and hang on to the urn.
7.3 Hazlewood to Cook, OUT! Cook's misery continues! Josh Hazlewood is breathing fire at 'The Furnace'! Cook has been guilty of hanging on the back foot and he eventually pays the price for that. Gets a full length delivery on middle, he looks to work it away from the crease. Is a touch early into the shot and ends up getting it close to the edge of the bat back towards the bowler. The speedster is alert and gets low to his right and grabs it inches over the ground with his right hand. This is Cook's 10th Test innings without a fifty, his most barren spell. The tourists have lost both their openers cheaply in pursuit of saving the game. Not at all ideal. 29/2
7.2 J Hazlewood to A Cook, FOUR! Short ball in line of the stumps, Cook is already on the back foot. Just pulls it through mid-wicket. Cummins hares after it from mid on but fails to prevent the boundary. 29/1
7.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 25/1
6.6 M Starc to Vince, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 25/1
6.5 M Starc to Vince, FOUR! Lovely shot yet again! Starc hurls it full outside off, Vince drives it through covers for a boundary. The elbow position was so good there. 25/1
James Vince needs to be aware of where his off stump is. He has been out nicking four times in this series so far. Awareness of where his off stump is will make it easier for him to know which ones to play at and which ones to leave.
6.4 M Starc to Vince, Driven towards mid off. 21/1
6.3 M Starc to Vince, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. 21/1
6.2 M Starc to Vince, FOUR! Starc is not on the radar here! Comes round the wicket and sprays it on the pads. Vince just tickles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 21/1
6.1 M Starc to Cook, Alastair Cook's confidence seems to be on a low here. He is not getting his feet moving at all. He is seen hanging on the back foot on many occasions when he should be forward. Does so again to a full delivery angled in to him. Ends up flicking it off the inner half of his blade towards fine leg. 17/1
5.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Defended off the front foot onto the ground. 16/1
5.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 16/1
5.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, Outside off, left alone. 16/1
5.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, Flicked away towards square leg. 16/1
5.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Similar delivery outside off, Cook plays it with soft hands. Guides it through the slip cordon. Smith hares after it from second slip and dives to save a run. He's making sure that the out-of-form Cook doesn't get easy runs. 16/1
5.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Cook fishes and misses! Hazlewood delivers this on a length outside off, a length similar to one that got Stoneman. Cook pokes at it away from the body and the ball just misses the blade. Needs to be careful, the batsman. 13/1
4.6 M Starc to Vince, Solidly defended by James from the crease. 13/1
4.5 M Starc to Vince, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 13/1
4.4 M Starc to Vince, Bouncer on the stumps, ducked under by James. 13/1
4.3 M Starc to J Vince, FOUR! Classy, crisp and delicious! Starc bowls it full outside off, Vince gets a nice stride forward and drives it nicely through covers to get going with a boundary. 13/1
4.2 M Starc to Vince, Well outside off, James doesn't bother getting bat to that. 9/1
4.1 M Starc to Vince, In the zone of apprehension, Vince hangs back and defends it solidly. 9/1
3.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Blocked out safely from the crease. 9/1
3.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. 9/1
3.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Cook stays in the crease and presents a straight bat in defense. 9/1
3.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Outside off, left alone. 9/1
3.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Another delivery outside off, left alone. 9/1
3.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Speared close to the off stump but outside that. Cook watchfully lets it go. 9/1
2.6 M Starc to Vince, Kept out from the crease. Fine back foot defense. 9/1
2.5 M Starc to Cook, Fuller around off and middle, Cook hangs on his back foot and drives it off the inner half of his bat towards mid-wicket for a single. 9/1
2.4 M Starc to Cook, Well outside off, left alone. 8/1
2.3 M Starc to Cook, Sprayed down the leg side, Alastair misses his flick. 8/1
2.2 M Starc to Cook, FOUR! Starc hasn't found his rhythm yet and he sprays this on the pads. Cook flicks this through backward square leg for a boundary. This is the first of many to come in this innings, England would hope. 8/1
2.1 M Starc to Cook, Landed around off, Cook defends it from the crease. 4/1
1.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince blocks it off the front foot towards covers. 4/1
JAMES VINCE is the next man in. He got to a start in the first innings yet couldn't carry on for long. Needs to rectify that wrongdoing.
1.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, OUT! Josh Hazlewood draws first blood! For a change today, this isn't a good wicket that is aided by a crack on the surface. Hazlewood angles this across Stoneman on a length, the English opener has a tame nervous poke at it. That's enough for the ball to grab the outside edge and land in the waiting hands of Paine, who accepts it gleefully. No doubt the ball was good, but the batsman could be faulted here as well. He never got his feet moving - a cardinal sin - as he got stuck inside the crease. When you are so deeply rooted inside, you'd rather not look to hang your bat out like Mark did here. For now, England are rocked back early. 4/1
As seen earlier, there are visible cracks on the surface. If there is an accurate bowler who can exploit that, it is Josh Hazlewood, who is bowling right now.
1.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Short delivery, Stoneman looks to pull it but misses. 4/0
1.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Stoneman blocks this by getting solidly behind that. 4/0
1.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. 4/0
1.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, This is hurled outside off, Mark just lets it be. 4/0
0.6 M Starc to Cook, Fuller on off and middle, blocked towards mid on watchfully with a straight bat. 4/0
0.5 M Starc to Stoneman, Bowled in the line of the stumps on a length, Mark flicks it aerially past short leg for one. There is a man stationed at deep square leg. 4/0
0.4 M Starc to Stoneman, Length ball on off, defended from the crease. No real swing seen from Starc so far. 3/0
0.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Speared outside off, Stoneman drives it through point for a brace. He gets going as well. 3/0
Two slips and a short leg in place.
0.2 M Starc to Cook, Cook's away! On a length on middle and leg, the former skipper hops and clips it away through square leg for a single to get going. 1/0
0.1 M Starc to Cook, A misdirected back of a length ball to start with. Bowls this down the leg side, Cook has nothing to do with it and just lets it be. 0/0