Defiant Australia stretch lead over floundering England

Australia ground out a 116 run lead during the first session of day three, as England’s bowlers continued to toil in the Brisbane sun at the Gabba.

An unbroken partnership of 34 between Mitchell Starc (46*) and Scott Boland (7*) saw the hosts reach 450 – 8 at the tea break and consolidate their dominant position in the second Test.

England started brightly on the third day, with Ben Stokes drawing an edge from Michael Neser (16) through to Jamie Smith, before Gus Atkinson became the first English-born bowler to claim a wicket in the series.

The aforementioned Surrey man found Alex Carey’s (63) outside edge, with Smith pouching a second catch of the morning and putting in a tidy performance behind the stumps, after a difficult second day.

However, Starc and Boland frustrated England with a gritty stand that lasted until the interval, with Australia’s Player of the Series so far, Starc, playing an innings that fluctuated from brilliant stroke play to him receiving the rub of the green.

Amongst some powerful cuts and sumptuous drives, the ball regularly flashed past the outside edge and when the ball did find the edge, it dropped short of the waiting cordon.

With the upcoming second session feeling pivotal for England and their Ashes hopes, they could do worse than attempting to replicate a Stuart Broad inspired bail swap to reverse their luck and get batting sooner rather than later.

First though, they will need to pick up the last two Australian wickets, before setting about digging into Australia’s lead and trying to post some sort of a total that can challenge Travis Head, Steve Smith and co.

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