An enthusiastic Australia tore through England’s weak batting on Thursday, leaving the visitors facing a third Test loss and, barring a miracle, their Ashes campaign in jeopardy.
At stumps on a sweltering day two, the visitors slumped to 213 for 8, still 158 runs adrift after Australia added 45 to their overnight 326 for 8 as temperatures soared to 40°C.
A gutsy Ben Stokes battled through the searing heat to remain unbeaten on 45, having faced a marathon 151 balls, with Jofra Archer offering support on 30 in a must-win Test for England on a pitch tailor-made for batting.
“He’s worn out as you can imagine,” said England batting coach Marcus Trescothick of Stokes.
“Lots of cramping, he’s struggling to get the fluids in. He’s struggling to get the carbohydrates in as he says he feels pretty sick. He’s pretty broken in there at the moment.”
Another dubious Snicko technology judgment did not improve the captain’s mood, but at least his valiant knock—which included a blow to Mitchell Starc’s helmet—helped his team avoid the follow-on.
After consecutive eight-wicket thrashings in Perth and Brisbane, Australia leads the five-match series 2-0 and will keep the urn if they win or draw.
Starc and Pat Cummins’ early overs were seen off by opening duo Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. However, England’s recent chapter in a well-known story—losing three wickets for five runs in a 15-ball blitz—was a mirage.
In the Australian captain’s first Test since July due to lower back problems, Cummins initially tempted an edge from Crawley on nine to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Then, in a brilliant move, he brought on spin master Nathan Lyon, who had been controversially left out of the Gabba’s pink-ball second Test. After Ollie Pope (3) flicked to Josh Inglis at midwicket, Lyon took two wickets in an incredible first over. He then bowled Duckett for 29.
“Nice to contribute and finally get into the series,” said Lyon, who admitted being “filthy” at being dropped for the second Test.
“I just had to bowl good balls and do the basics well,” added Lyon, whose 564th Test wicket moved him past fellow Australian Glenn McGrath and into sixth on the all-time list.
“There’s no secret to what I do, just bowl in the right areas. (For) our fast bowlers to get them eight down in 68 overs is a pretty big effort.”
A review revealed that Joe Root’s victory over Scott Boland to Carey did not carry. The most seasoned player in England was dismissed by Cummins in the third over following lunch after failing to capitalize, and Carey gained took another catch. Root was removed by Cummins for the 12th time, more than any other bowler.
Stokes displayed what he described as “a bit of dog” with the Ashes on the line, and he hardly flinched when a Starc bouncer thudded into the rear of his helmet. However, he lost a series of companions. The first was Harry Brook, who was removed by Cameron Green and captured by Carey once more.
When Carey took what Australia said was a slight bottom edge off Cummins, Jamie Smith was dismissed for 22. Despite a gap between bat and ball, Snicko displayed a tiny spike, and Stokes shook his head in shock as Smith lumbered away.
Due to a Snicko blunder when he was on 72 and ruled not out, Carey’s first century on his home field was marred by controversy. Despite video showing a noise spike far before the ball struck his bat, England was unable to have the decision overturned on review.
Later, Carey acknowledged that he probably outperformed Josh Tongue in the delivery, and the tech operator acknowledged making a mistake.
“In my view it’s not good enough,” Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg said of the technology before play started on Thursday. “We’re hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won’t happen again.”
Will Jacks (6) and Brydon Carse (0) were swiftly dismissed by Scott Boland, and Archer battled Stokes to see the day through.
Before being bowled for 54 by Archer, Starc had earlier amassed five fast fours. After a 23-run last-wicket partnership between Lyon and Boland, Lyon was trapped lbw for nine by Archer, who finished with 5-53 as Australia scored 371.
