The ABC’s cricket analyst Dean Bilton does not think Australia has much of a chance to claim victory today – and he’s pinned the entire reason for that on that opening salvo from England’s batters.
This was it for Australia, the session in which these fast bowlers would cement their legacies and set up a famous series win. The moment had arrived, and they knew it.
Then Starc ran in, bowled an absolute pie and watched Crawley belt it to the cover fence.
By the end of that opening over, which went for 13, Australia’s overnight lead was gone. England never looked back, and Australia never recovered.
On day two, Australia scored 54 runs in the entirety of the morning session. On day three, England brought its 50 up in the ninth over and had 130 on the board by lunch.