Yorkshire pair unite to propel England back into Test on day three of the Ashes
Joe Root and Dawid Malan repelled Australia.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England jump-started the Ashes after two one-sided days at The Gabba, with captain Joe Root and Dawid Malan leading the tourists to 220 for two.
Root (86no) and Malan (80no) will both be dreaming of the big hundreds that are needed to turn a brave fightback into a real chance of a result, while Australia have seen a lead of 278 slimmed down to just 58.
The pair’s stand of 159 is already worth 12 more than England’s first-innings team total from day one, with plenty of batting still to come.
Root’s record breaking year
- Joe Root - 1,541 in 2021 )
- Michael Vaughan - 1,481 in 2002
- Joe Root - 1,477 in 2016
- Jonny Bairstow - 1,470 in 2016
- Joe Root - 1,385 in 2015
Tech trouble
A day after it became apparent that front foot no-balls were not being monitored due to a camera malfunction in the ground, another piece of Test cricket’s technological puzzle was found to be missing. Cricket Australia confirmed that due to Covid-era border restrictions in Queensland, there was insufficient ‘tech support’ to operate the RTS ‘snicko’ device which helps detect edges. The home side would have welcomed extra information when a confident appeal against Malan on 16 was dismissed in the absence of the audio tool.
Otherwise engaged
It has been a Test to forget for most England fans, but Rob Hale of ‘Brisbane Barmies’ will remember it for all the right reasons after proposing to his Aussie girlfriend Natalie in the stands. The pair had their first date at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the previous tour four years ago.
Beast of Burdon
David Warner was unable to take the field on day three, resting up some bruised ribs after taking a couple of painful blows from Ben Stokes during Australia’s first innings. With the Big Bash T20 league ongoing at the moment, the hosts summoned a local Gold Coast player who has never played a professional game to help with 12th man fielding duties. Hugo Burdon did not let anyone down as he made his unexpected bow on the big stage.
Lions fail to roar
The second string England Lions team are playing against Australia A down the road at Queensland’s Ian Healy Oval, with several Test hopefuls in their ranks. But any hope that any of the reserve batters would bang the door down went up in smoke as they were bowled out for 103. The top four made just nine runs between, leaving Lancashire’s Josh Bohannon to top score with a modest 22. The bowlers did not fare any better, with the locals racking up 158 for one.
Langer’s words fall flat
One of the things we have a massive competitive advantage is we have a world class spinner. Jack Leach and Dom Bess, they're still quite young spinners. We want to put them under pressure.
Australia head coach Justin Langer admitted there was a premeditated plan to go after Jack Leach, who shipped an eye-watering 102 off his 13 overs. But in doing so he also lavished praise on his own slow bowler, Nathan Lyon who started the game on 399 Test scalps. After 33 overs in the match, he is still waiting for number 400, rendering Langer’s comments somewhat ill-timed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments