Ashes 2019 3rd Test, England vs Australia Day 2 preview: England gain upper hand, time for batsmen to deliver

There was a time in the first afternoon at Headingley when Australia seemed to be headed for a total around 400. David Warner (61) and Marnus Labuschagne (74) had taken them to 136/2, and it seemed that they have been able to recover from Steven Smith’s absence. Unfortunately, they lost 8 for 43 in just over 20 overs – largely against Jofra Archer’s (6/45) searing pace – to get bowled out for 179.

England‘s top order – even Joe Root – has not impressed so far. This is their chance to stamp their authority on the series, to bat as long as they can, and if possible, bat Australia out of the Test. Pat Cummins & co. will definitely test them in the first session, but if they see through that with the loss of one, even two wickets, there are runs to be scored.

Marcus Harris, playing his first Test of the series, was caught behind early off Archer after a delayed start. Stuart Broad went out flat at the other end, matching Archer in hostility; he was rewarded with the wicket of Usman Khawaja, also caught behind.

Warner reached double figures for the first time in the series. He played some attractive shots, especially once Broad and Archer were taken off before edging one off Archer. At the other end, Broad produced a peach that landed on middle, beat Travis Head’s bat, and hit off. Then Archer bowled Matthew Head off his thigh pad. Australia had lost 3 for 3 in 15 balls.

Tim Paine hung on before Chris Woakes trapped him leg-before; James Pattinson slashed at one outside off and was caught-behind; and Pat Cummins edged one to become Archer’s fifth wicket and Bairstow’s fourth catch.

Labuschagne stood defiantly amidst the ruins, leaving the ball judiciously but never allowing the England bowlers to tie him down. He pounced on anything slightly straight and short, and he produced an overall faultless performance till Ben Stokes deceived him with a slower delivery and had him leg-before. Archer then trapped Nathan Lyon leg-before to polish things off.

Key players

Rory Burns (England): Burns’ 226 runs (at 56.50) in the series are the more than anyone barring Smith’s tally. He has been cautious, but the failure of his teammates at the top left him with little option. It will up to him to play that one big innings to bat Australia out of the Test.

Pat Cummins (Australia): With 13 wickets (at 16.30), Cummins is the leading wicket-taker of the series, but there is more to him. His current ICC rating of 914 is the joint fifth in the all-time list and joint best among Australians. If he can continue to perform the way he has been over the past two years, he may threaten Syd Barnes’ all-time record of 932.

Brief scores

Australia 179 (Marnus Labuschagne 74, David Warner 61; Jofra Archer 6/45) vs England.

Prediction

England to bat through the day and gain reasonable lead.