Superb hundred from Bairstow and, considering we were 36-4 at lunch, a pretty good day for England, with good knocks from Stokes and Wood.
Bairstow got a bad hit on his right thumb as well, but batted on. Stokes appeared to be playing through all sorts of pain but did really well. It's going to be a good couple of days, if the weather holds off. Australian Press (added)
Just watched the highlights. Superb innings from Bairstow. Nice to see some fight and determination. Very good also from Stokes, playing through the pain and Wood, who has apparently worked hard on his batting. I wonder whether we should have gone into one day mode more often, as that is our strength in the batting department, especially as this wicket looks increasingly like a minefield. England had some luck for a change too. However, it's clear that the Aussies' intensity is just down a notch now the series is won. We see it in all sports. Once a player or team are in an unassailable position, like being 5-0 at half-time in football etc, their intensity drops. They don't mean it too and will do everything they can to not let it happen, but it's a subconscious thing that kicks in when they know they've won. Now the Aussies are dropping catches and getting wickets off no balls. Two other observations. How bad an umpire is Reiffel? How big a gobshite is that weasel Lyon? Please Mark Wood, get a few very fast overs at that scrote.
Good job Stokes, Bairstow and Woods made some runs otherwise it would have been another embarrassment....... If Bairstow can go into one day mode before the new ball is due and get England to within 50 or so runs deficit then there's a modicum of hope but I wouldn't like to bet on it........ England currently rated at only 2% chance of winning.......
Like to see us get up to 300 but have my doubts, agree Trammers about Bairstow taking attack to Aussies & if Broad can connect with a few who knows
The weather forecast isn't looking too great for the next 48 hours. We might get some windows for play but tail end and two innings I suspect not.
I think we should stop trying to make this an entertaining game, 4-128!!! Another 150 required and leave England 400 to win
Bit clueless from Cummins in my eyes seeming we haven't made 300 in the series and the possibility of rain tomorrow. Root's obviously had a bet on Khawaja to get a ton in both innings as he throws down more pies for him to whack to the boundary !
I know 400 was just me getting a bit stressed with 4 wickets down. The only reason I can think he waited was that he wanted to have a relatively new ball in the morning rather than a 20-30 overs old ball.
I thought we Aussies declared too late and bowled wide & short. Poor bowling if l’m honest. At the start of an innings, the opening bowlers need to make a batsman play every ball, don’t let them get comfortable at a crease by letting balls thru, wide of stump. Just my take on it.
Sadly looks like another defeat heading our way after great innings from Khawaja. Forget winning, England need to concentrate on batting out the day in the slim hope of a draw. Highly unlikely, but we can hope!
