By India Blooms News Service Jul 22, 2023
Manchester, July 21 (UNI) Riding on Jonny Bairstows rollicking unbeaten knock of 99, England helped themselves to a commanding position at the end of Day 3 of the 4th Ashes Test at Old Trafford here on Friday.
England managed to gain a massive first innings lead of 275 runs due to Bairstows knock, but Australian batsmen made a determined effort not to fritter away the match.
Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 317 in the first innings. In reply, England put on a massive 592 all out.
In the second innings, Australia were 113/4, trailing England by 162 runs.
Quite some batting is left in Australias line-up, and with plenty of rain around the corner, it could well be an on and off affair Saturday, when it is likely to be a testing time for the visiting batsmen.
Australias plans of quickly snaring the last two England wickets went haywire as Bairstow tore into their bowling, much like Zak Crawley did on Thursday during the same period.
The visitors adopted a defensive tactics, but this did not stop Bairstow as he rolled into T20 mode after reaching his fifty.
Slap-pulls, backfoot punches and cuts square of the wicket adorned his wagon-wheel.
Some streaky edges also made it to the fence after the ball kissed the green deck occasionally.
Australia tried their best to tie down Bairstow, but could not as he was in a different realm after lunch break.
The wicket-keeper batsman agonisingly was stuck on 99 as James Anderson could not defend Cameron Greens delivery aimed at the timbers.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood ended with a five-wicket haul, a rather laborious one at that. Though Bairstow did not get to his century, it was in the classical mould that showpieced Englands ascendency in the Test match as their lead widened to a colossal 275.
Australia were left with a tricky little period to negotiate till tea. David Warner and Usman Khawaja started off on a cautious note wearing down the new ball spells by Anderson and Stuart Broad.
They handled spinner Moeen Ali pretty well, but the introduction of Mark Wood wreaked havoc.
He packed off Khawaja in his very first over, the DRS which he opted went against him.
Chris Woakes sent back Warner (28) for the second time and the opener threw away yet another start in the series.
Steven Smith (17) and Travis Head (1) were bounced out by Wood, leaving Australia struggling at 108/4.
At stumps, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh were batting on 44 and 1, respectively.