Suburb Smith puts Australia in front
Well, well, well, another drama-packed day of test cricket has unfolded at the Gabba as Australia find themselves in a commanding position leading into day 4 of the first test. It is probably the first time in the test match where a team has ended the day in more control as England are in a struggling position sitting on 2/33 with a lead of 7.
After being 7/209, Australia was certainly looking well and truly out of the game before a Steve Smith (141 not out) masterclass and a defiant Pat Cummins (41) helped Australia to reach a first innings score of 328. I honestly see that the innings that Steve Smith composed today was one of the most responsible and controlled that I have seen. After coming to the crease in the middle of a crisis with Australia at 4/76, the captain's strike of 43 was fairly justified. There is no doubt that in order for Australia to have some chance of reaching England's total, someone had to play the long innings. This is where Smith becomes a captain that leads with the bat. His 326 ball 141 wore the English pace attack down before he upped the ante after tea prior to the dismissal of Nathan Lyon. Besides the brilliance of Steve Smith and the character that he showed on that pitch reminded me of the stubbornness of retired Pakistan captain; Misbah ul Haq, who simply grinded through his innings, tiring the bowlers before going big towards the end. However, it is also important to praise the efforts of Shaun Marsh who struck a classy 51 before he was undone by a brilliant slower ball. His exceptional timing and the assistance he provided in getting Australia back into the game certainly will give him plenty of confid
ence going further into the series. However, a massive ovation must be given to Pat Cummins, who compiled a watchful yet solid 120 ball 42. Whilst he did not reach his maiden half-century, his technique and ability to deal with the second new ball was a brilliant display of the character that he possessed as a character and the determination that he had shown in that innings. I believe that his innings was a major part of Smith being able to reach his century and for Australia reaching past England's total.
After allowing Australia to go past England's total with a handy lead of 26 runs, things went fairly south for the English camp. Alistair Cook's poor form continued as he was dismissed for 5 before Josh Hazelwood picked up the first innings hero; James Vince to leave England for a dismal 2/17. Joe Root and Mark Stoneman slowly brought England into a bearable position to leave them at 2/33 at stumps.
Overall, the bowling that England showed today was not poor and in some cases was very impressive. However, some days a batsman like Steve Smith must be applauded for being simply outstanding and just too good on that day for the English. There is no doubt that England can still get back in this game, however, someone in that team needs to stand up and "go big". Meaning, a player like Joe Root needs to take the England innings to the fifth day in a positive manner to allow a result to be made out of the first test. Whereas, Australia needs to apply the hostility that was shown late on day 3, early in the first session and aim take at least 2 or 3 wickets before lunch. As the first innings showed that the English tail is very vulnerable to the Aussie bowling attack, hence early wickets will be key to allow Australia to have a firm grip on the match. Considering that, I feel that any target above 270 will be a tough to chase, especially considering the pressure and conditions of fourth innings chase. Hence, I am firm on the belief that the line and length approach by Hazelwood and economy of Lyon will be key for enabling Starc and Cummins to attack in an aggressive and hostile manner in the morning.
After watching this test match, my verdict on the outcome of this match is still unchanged, as I believe that Australia will certainly have the momentum to take early wickets tomorrow and win the first test. However, let's hope for another fantastic
day of cricket on day 4 of the first test, where Australia will look to blow England out as the tourists will look to bounce back.
After being 7/209, Australia was certainly looking well and truly out of the game before a Steve Smith (141 not out) masterclass and a defiant Pat Cummins (41) helped Australia to reach a first innings score of 328. I honestly see that the innings that Steve Smith composed today was one of the most responsible and controlled that I have seen. After coming to the crease in the middle of a crisis with Australia at 4/76, the captain's strike of 43 was fairly justified. There is no doubt that in order for Australia to have some chance of reaching England's total, someone had to play the long innings. This is where Smith becomes a captain that leads with the bat. His 326 ball 141 wore the English pace attack down before he upped the ante after tea prior to the dismissal of Nathan Lyon. Besides the brilliance of Steve Smith and the character that he showed on that pitch reminded me of the stubbornness of retired Pakistan captain; Misbah ul Haq, who simply grinded through his innings, tiring the bowlers before going big towards the end. However, it is also important to praise the efforts of Shaun Marsh who struck a classy 51 before he was undone by a brilliant slower ball. His exceptional timing and the assistance he provided in getting Australia back into the game certainly will give him plenty of confidence going further into the series. However, a massive ovation must be given to Pat Cummins, who compiled a watchful yet solid 120 ball 42. Whilst he did not reach his maiden half-century, his technique and ability to deal with the second new ball was a brilliant display of the character that he possessed as a character and the determination that he had shown in that innings. I believe that his innings was a major part of Smith being able to reach his century and for Australia reaching past England's total.
After allowing Australia to go past England's total with a handy lead of 26 runs, things went fairly south for the English camp. Alistair Cook's poor form continued as he was dismissed for 5 before Josh Hazelwood picked up the first innings hero; James Vince to leave England for a dismal 2/17. Joe Root and Mark Stoneman slowly brought England into a bearable position to leave them at 2/33 at stumps.
Overall, the bowling that England showed today was not poor and in some cases was very impressive. However, some days a batsman like Steve Smith must be applauded for being simply outstanding and just too good on that day for the English. There is no doubt that England can still get back in this game, however, someone in that team needs to stand up and "go big". Meaning, a player like Joe Root needs to take the England innings to the fifth day in a positive manner to allow a result to be made out of the first test. Whereas, Australia needs to apply the hostility that was shown late on day 3, early in the first session and aim take at least 2 or 3 wickets before lunch. As the first innings showed that the English tail is very vulnerable to the Aussie bowling attack, hence early wickets will be key to allow Australia to have a firm grip on the match. Considering that, I feel that any target above 270 will be a tough to chase, especially considering the pressure and conditions of fourth innings chase. Hence, I am firm on the belief that the line and length approach by Hazelwood and economy of Lyon will be key for enabling Starc and Cummins to attack in an aggressive and hostile manner in the morning.
After watching this test match, my verdict on the outcome of this match is still unchanged, as I believe that Australia will certainly have the momentum to take early wickets tomorrow and win the first test. However, let's hope for another fantastic
day of cricket on day 4 of the first test, where Australia will look to blow England out as the tourists will look to bounce back.
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