Aussies take the third day, as England and Cook fall short

Australia are definitely back and looking for blood as they tighten their grip in the second test of this Ashes series.

The Aussies look set to return with a vengeance after the horrid loss in the first test and the series could be levelled within four days after they forced England towards almost self destruction with a nightmare start yesterday evening.

England were left astonished having seen the top order batsmen fall for 30-4 and it was down to captain Cook and ferocious all rounder Ben Stokes to sturdy the ship.

The third day started with England on 85-4 and apart from Cook being dropped by Smith on 64, he and Stokes slowly picked up runs to enter lunch on a sturdy 186-5.

Stokes lost his wicket only a few overs before lunch in what would have been a successful start to the day for England, if he had not lost his wicket. Stokes fell victim to all rounder Mitchell Marsh as he played on his stumps, finishing his innings on an impressive 87. Cook and Stokes’ partnership helped keep England in the match, having made a fifth wicket stand of 145 runs.

England were then relying on hard hitting batsmen Jos Buttler, who is in dire need of some runs in the test squad. Controversy soon ensued as Buttler edged to keep Nevill on 9 runs, the catch from the keeper looked to be a fantastic piece of work from the debutant but the video replay showed the ball just hitting the ground before hand. Aussie captain Michael Clarke soon stormed over to umpire Erasmus protesting that the wicket should have stuck.

Frustration soon turned to elation as Buttler edged again to Nevill from the superb spin of Lyons and as soon as the screams happened, Buttler was already walking back to the pavilion with his head straight looking straight down. Buttler could have been the perfect man to partner Cook and give England a real chance at a run chase.

Things went from bad to worse as Alastair Cook played on to his wicket from a superb ball from Mitchell Marsh just shy of a century. Cook looked devastated has he fell to his knee before walking off, this the seventh time he has lost his wicket while into his 90’s.

As England lost Cook on 266-7, only 101 runs away from avoiding the follow on. The stage was then set for the out of form with the bat Stuart Broad. Who in 2010 scored a fantastic 169 runs against Pakistan at Lords as England went for tea at 285-7.

As Broad and Moeen Ali returned to carry on England’s fight back after tea, Ali was caught lbw off the bowling of Hazelwood on 39 as England looked set for another battle going Australia’s way at 294-8.

History then repeated itself after a mad hour after tea on day 2 put England in this mess, another mad hour forced them to see the game completely tilt Australia’s way.

England were bowled out for 312 with Wood adding 4 runs and being bowled by Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson finishing the rout forcing Broad to edge the ball to second slip on 21 runs.

Michael Clarke then decided instead of forcing England to follow on after a shocking spell for most of their batsmen, to give his batters the chance to bury the game within the last few hours. A move that now looks to have sealed this second test on the third day.

After a shaky start which was Anderson nearly claim Warner’s scalp on 0, if only the usually sturdy hands of Adam Lyth wouldn’t have dropped him in the slip cordon, Australia were back on top at the end of day 3.

Warner went on to claim a 71 ball 50 as Australia ended the day on 108-0, with Rogers picking up 44 runs and Warner finishing on 60. The Aussies are now Leading by 363 runs as they head into the fourth day with Michael Clarke set to give his batsmen creative freedom before forcing England to attempt to climb a mountain ahead of a probable huge score and attempt to keep this test to a draw.

Australia won the day with their fantastic bowling on an unfavourable wicket, finishing the day with some terrific batting to set the stage for two fantastic and exciting days of cricket.