"There was a time when England players threw around phrases like the more the better, such was their confidence in the chase. But tasked with knocking off a world record 435 runs to stop Australia winning this Ashes series at the earliest opportunity, one suspects similar words were not uttered on Saturday. Instead, having picked up six cheap wickets first thing to set up this unlikely five-session challenge, it was first about seeing where they could get to by stumps."
"Believe it or not, they had been semi-percolating. In the 48th over England had patiently chiselled their way to 177 for three and, save for Cummins and his remarkable ability to conjure something nothing, very little was happening out there. Zak Crawley was in the zone and Harry Brook was 30 runs into his work, only mildly unsettled by Alex Carey's presence up at the stumps."
"But then it happened, Brook dropping down to reverse sweep Lyon, meeting fresh air, and hearing this fizzing off-break clatter into leg stump. It triggered a collapse of three for 17 in six overs, Lyon soon bowling Ben Stokes neck and crop for five, then finally drawing the mistake from Crawley as he pushed forward and was beaten for a stumping that Carey happily completed."
England began a daunting chase of 435 but reached only 206 for six from 63 overs at stumps, preserving some momentum on a difficult tour. Australia claimed six early wickets before Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon each took three as they controlled the contest on a flat, sun-baked Adelaide Oval. Zak Crawley produced a controlled 85 from 151 balls to steady the innings. Harry Brook was dismissed attempting a reverse sweep and Ben Stokes fell for five, triggering a collapse of three for 17 in six overs. Australia enter the final day strongly placed to secure a 3-0 series lead.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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