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Ashes 2023 | Khawaja Extends Australia’s Lead After England’s Day 3 ‘BazBall’ Collapse

image-ljitwto5Australia have extended their lead to 221 [AP Photos]

Usman Khawaja leads Australia’s batting command late on Day 3, after hosts England were bounced out for 325 in their first innings. The opening batter unfurled his third fifty-plus score of the series, and formed crucial 50-plus stands with David Warner and run-machine Marnus Labuschagne.

Earlier in the day, England fell prey to their own ‘Bazball’ approach by losing wickets in succession. Surviving just a little over 15 overs on the day, the Englishmen ended up handing Australia a commanding 91-run first innings lead.

Australia thrives amidst England’s self-destructing hour

England resumed their first innings on Day 3 at their overnight score of 278-4, with a well-set Harry Brook and captain Ben Stokes still batting at the crease. While looking all settled to go past Australia’s 416 with ease, captain Stokes was removed off his first ball of the day by Mitchell Starc.

Harry Brook soon followed his skipper after playing a rash shot off a short ball from a charged-up Starc, thus worsening England’s crisis.

Travis Head also pocketed two wickets with his part-time off-breaks and ganged up with the Australian pace attack to polish off the English tail. The specialist batter sent down seven overs from his end, and proved to be an ideal replacement for injured Nathan Lyon for a day as Australia gained a 91-run first innings lead from their efforts.

Australian batters stretched the same lead past the 200-run mark before rains curtailed the final session of the day. Opener Usman Khawaja remains undefeated at 58 and will resume his side’s response on Day 4 with in-form Steve Smith.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 416 (100.4)
Steve Smith 110 (184), Travis Head 77 (73)
Josh Tongue 3-98 (22), Ollie Robinson 3-100 (24.4)

England: 325 (76.2)
Ben Duckett 98 (134), Harry Brook 50 (68)
Mitchell Starc 3-88 (17), Travis Head 2-17 (7)

Australia: 130-2 (45.4)
Usman Khawaja 58* (123), Marnus Labuschagne 30 (51)
Josh Tongue 1-21 (9), James Anderson 1-41 (14)

Australia lead by 221 runs