At the end of day two, Australia have absolute control of the third match in the Ashes series 2021/2022. England need 51 more runs to escape an innings defeat with six wickets in hand. If Australia win this Test match, they will clinch the series with two games to spare. Following that, Australia will aim to finish the series with a total of 60 points. On the other hand, losing this series will surely be a major blow for England in their quest for the ICC Test Championship final of the second cycle. Let’s take a look at the current scenario of the third Ashes Test.
AUS vs ENG Third Ashes Test 2021: Match Scenario
England must win the third Ashes Test in order to stay in the series. They will have to put in some outstanding performances to overcome an inspiring Australian team. Considering the current situation of the play, England’s chances of winning this Test are very slim.
England’s First Innings
England batted first and they were knocked out for only 185 runs in the third session of day 1. Once again, England’s top order struggled with the bat, losing both openers for 13 runs. Dawid Malan and Captain Joe Root tried to rebuild the innings With 48 runs between them. The Australian captain Pat Cummins struck again for the hosts, sending Dawid Malan back to the pavilion just before lunch.
Joe Root (50), Ben Stokes (25), and Jos Buttler (35) sought to put up some resistance in the middle but were unable to prolong their innings. England lost all of their wickets within the first hour of the third session. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon each took three wickets for Australia.
Australia’s First Innings
In reply, Australia gained an 82-run lead in the first innings before being bowled out for 267 in the second session on day 2.
David Warner (38) and Marcus Harris (76) got Australia off to a good start with a 57-run opening partnership. Australia failed to form any big partnership in this innings, although they did have several successful stands that allowed them to gain a significant lead in the first innings.
England’s most efficient bowler in this innings was veteran pacer, James Anderson. He took the most wickets with four with an economy rate of 1.43.
England’s Ongoing Second Innings
England needed to get off to a good start in order to overcome Australia’s 82-run lead. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals in the second innings, just as they did in the first. England are 31/4 at the end of day two of the third Ashes Test, which means they need another 51 runs to avoid an innings loss.
Joe Root (12*) and Ben Stokes (2*) both have stayed unbeaten, and they will have to shoulder most of the responsibility if England are to post a substantial score in the second innings. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland each have two wickets for Australia so far.
Verdict
England batters have suffered a lot in the ongoing Ashes series 2021-2022. In other words, the Australian bowling unit outperforms the English batters. The best result England can hope for in this encounter is to avoid an innings defeat. With Australia’s strong bowling attack, even averting an innings defeat appears to be a long shot at this point. This underwhelming English Test team has a small chance of winning at least one match in the remaining Ashes series.
Source: United News of Bangladesh