Day-Night Ashes Test: Australia heading toward another triumph over England
What's the story
Australia have taken a commanding position in the ongoing Day-Night second Ashes Test against England at The Gabba, Brisbane. Day 3 of the contest saw the hosts conclude their first innings with a score of 511/10. This was in response to England's total of 334/10. The Brits then lost six wickets in the day while managing 134 runs. As they still trail by 43 runs, Australia's win looks all but inevitable. Here is the day report.
Australia innings
Carey, Starc power Australia with fifties
Australia started the day at their overnight score of 378/6. Carey, who resumed at 46*, went on to complete a fine half-century. The baton was then passed on to Starc, who looked set to complete his maiden Test hundred. He held his ground against the English bowlers and dominated a 75-run stand with Scott Boland for the ninth wicket. Though Starc missed out on a hundred, his 77-run knock meant Australia finished at 511/10 - securing a massive 177-run lead.
Carey
12th Test fifty for Carey
Carey, who was holding the innings together, was dismissed for 63 by Gus Atkinson on the last ball of the 83rd over. He smoked six fours during his 69-ball stay. The left-handed batter has raced to 2,099 runs from 45 Tests at 34.98. This was his 12th fifty in Tests. He also owns 2 hundreds. 472 of his runs have come in 12 Ashes Tests at 23.60 (50s: 3).
Starc
Starc accomplishes this Ashes feat
Starc's 77 off 141 balls was laced with 13 fours. As per ESPNcricinfo, he became only the fourth player this century to take a five-fer and register a 50-plus score in the same Ashes Test. Notably, the pacer claimed six wickets for 75 runs in the first innings of the ongoing game. Meanwhile, Starc has raced to 2,411 runs at 20.60 (50s: 12). In the Ashes, the veteran has raced to 688 runs from 24 Tests at 25.48 (50s: 5).
Carse
Carse claims his third Test four-fer
Though Brydon Carse was expensive, the pacer was the pick of the England bowlers. Carse, who finished his spell with 4/152 from 29 overs, has now raced to 45 wickets from 11 Tests at an average of 29.44. His tally includes three four-fers, one fifer, and a match 10-fer. The pacer also owns a half-century in Test cricket. In the ongoing series, the pacer has recorded nine scalps at 26.77.
Stokes
Three wickets for Stokes as well
England skipper Ben Stokes also made key breakthroughs by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis, but had to cut short his bowling spell due to cramping. He finished his spell with 3/113 from 24 overs. The right-arm pacer has now raced to 238 Test wickets at an average of 31.22 (5W: 6). Versus the Aussies, Stokes now has 49 Ashes scalps at 35.73.
3rd innings
England collapse after fine start
England, in their second innings, were off to a decent start as their openers Zak Crawley (44) and Ben Duckett (15) added 48 runs. The former and Ollie Pope (26) further took the score to 90/1 before a collapse hit them. England had a terrible last hour of the day as they lost five wickets for 38 runs. As they (134/6) still trail by 43 runs, the Aussies would back themselves to seal the game on Day 4.
Bowlers
A combined show from the bowlers
Four Aussie pacers operated on the day, and three of them - Michael Neser, Starc, and Boland - trapped two batters each. Brendan Doggett was the only one without a wicket. For England, skipper Stokes (4*) and Will Jacks (4*) returned unbeaten. The two all-rounders will have a formidable job at hand on Day 4.