***Official*** 3rd Test at the WACA

[GIMH]

As bad a day as it was, we aren't in the worst position.

Feel like this is the epitome of a game in the balance.

 

[Burgey]

England need at least three before lunch tomorrow. There’s about 20 overs still with the old ball so TPC and Marsh will have a good chance to play themselves in. If Smith goes early I reckon England will get a lead. If he’s there at lunch with no more than 5 down Australia will end up 150 odd in front.

 

[Heboric]

Had the sound down and the subtitles on a while back. That wouldn't have been Warney who said 'energy' about 10 times in a minute before would it?

Is he still talking energy.

He was doing that when South Africa toured Australia last

 

[Compton]

Smith is seriously ****ing incredible.

 

[oblongballs]

The very definition of a match in the balance. If England pick up a couple of quick wickets then they are right back in the game...however, if Australia build even a one big partnership, they have England by the balls.

First thing first, stop bowling negatively to Smith. Apart from a few balls that were on target or aggressive, most of the stuff was back of a length with a defensive field. Have they not learned Smith can play that all day long?

 

[Zinzan]

Smith is seriously ****ing incredible.

You said it for me.

 

[hazsa19]

If we can open the door to the middle lower order before the new ball then we have a chance. Because without a lead I can't see anything other than another 3rd innings collapse.

 

[vcs]

Smith is in danger of making it a Big One.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Smith is in danger of making it a Big One.

He's already done that

 

[stephen]

He's already done that

Not by his standards.

 

[Woodster]

Decent day for the Aussies, disappointed with us getting just over 400 from the position we were in overnight, but at 131-4 would have snatched anyone’s hands off for a score over 400.

Smith obviously the key again tomorrow and that one wicket could decide whether we get a lead or not. I think for us to have a sniff, psychologically we need a lead, if Australia sail past our score we’re going to struggle to stay in the game.

 

[vcs]

He's already done that

Yeah, statistically he's in a league of his own. Kohli will have to bat out of his skin to keep up with him given he'll be playing around 10-15 Tests away from Asia over the next year or so. Williamson just doesn't play enough and Root still can't convert.

 

[Tangles]

Looking at those dismissals in the collapse the Ali one is so soft for a guy who was batting top 6.

Game wise Smith will determine if this is a win I feel. If he gets a lead the Poms will deflate and that tail is soft as.

 

[S.Kennedy]

I could envision it going two ways, either England bowling Australia out for around 460 or Smith declaring on 600/7 or something similar.

 

[vcs]

i can see Australia getting a lead of 50-100 and chasing down <200 again to win in the 4th innings.

 

[Victor Ian]

Damn! Looks like I missed a great days play. Glad to hear Bairstow got his hundred before the English challenged Australia's collapsing supremacy.

 

[Gob]

Sorry if i come across as ignorant or anything but wtf happened to the usual Skysports coverage of the ashes? Greame Swann is painful on BT

 

[Kirkut]

This is the most balanced Ashes series I've seen since 2005, there is a fight from both the teams every session. The series score does not do justice to how good the cricket has been.

 

[Gob]

This is the most balanced Ashes series I've seen since 2005, there is a fight from both the teams every session. The series score does not do justice to how good the cricket has been.

nah

 

[vcs]

TBH, England may have lost 4-0 in India but it was closer than the scoreline indicated. They would usually be competitive for 2-3 days in most Tests and then fall away. This Ashes series seems to be following a similar pattern.