Australia starting the day with a 44-run lead built it further as England had a better outing with the ball taking 2 wickets and keeping the runs down to a minimum. But Australia through Mitchell Starc in particular has increased the lead past 100 and they still have their noses in front at this stage.
Michael Neser & Alex Carey falls as England peg things back a little bit
Alex Carey and Michael Neser came back to resume proceedings for Australia while England captain Ben Stokes had ball in hand. The 50-run stand came up between the duo as Stokes bowled a decent over. Brydon Carse took the ball from the other end. He bowled a decent over. Stokes continued as Carey completed his 12th Test fifty in 52 balls. Stokes got the breakthrough for his team as he removed Neser for 16 off 41 balls with one four to his name as the edge was snaffled by Jamie Smith.
Mitchell Starc came out to bat next. Carey nicely guided Carse past the slips for a boundary as the lead went past 50. Stokes continued and bowled a probing over. Carse continued as Starc slapped the ball between covers and mid-off for a boundary and the bowler overstepped as well. Starc hit another boundary by cutting it through covers as the 400 came up for Australia in 78.2 overs. Stokes continued and delivered a decent over.
The second new ball was available and England took it as well with Gus Atkinson coming back into the attack. Atkinson bowled a good first over with the new ball. Jofra Archer had ball in hand from the other end. Starc tickled him away through fine leg for a boundary. Atkinson continued and removed the big fish Carey for 63 off 69 balls with 6 fours to his name as he found the edge through to the keeper. Scott Boland came out to bat next.
Archer continued and kept things tight as well. Atkinson bowled another probing over. Archer too bowled good lines and lengths. Atkinson bowled another good over. Australia reached 419/8 in 87 overs with Starc on 22* off 46 balls with Scott Boland on 0* off 4 balls. Drinks was taken in the first session.
Mitchell Starc alongside Scott Boland frustrates England
Jofra Archer continued after the Break as Starc punched the ball sweetly behind square for a boundary to deep third man. Gus Atkinson bowled a maiden. Archer too followed it up with maiden. Brydon Carse returned to the attack and he too bowled a probing over as well. Captain Ben Stokes came back into the attack and bowled another good over. Carse delivered yet another maiden. Stokes continued and bowled a testing over.
Carse continued as Starc broke the shackles as Starc flayed at the nothing delivery over extra covers for a boundary. Starc did it again as drove the full ball past Stokes at mid-on for a boundary as the lead went past 100 runs. Stokes continued and Boland got into the act as he played the late dab through an open bat face past backward point and gully for a boundary. Starc too joined in the fun as he drove the good length ball through extra cover and mid-off for a boundary.
Carse continued and bowled a maiden. Will Jacks came into the attack next with few minutes to go for Tea and he bowled a quiet over. Carse bowled the last over before Tea as Starc took a triple off him to bring up the 450 for Australia in 99 overs. Australia were 450/8 in 99 overs with Boland on 7* off 27 balls with a boundary to his name and Starc on 46* off 95 balls with 7 fours to his name. 19 extras given by England so far.
The England bowlers bowled better but not at their best. Ben Stokes has figures of 3/113 in 24 overs while Brydon Carse has figures of 3/144 in 25 overs. Jofra Archer has figures of 1/87 in 25 overs while Gus Atkinson has figures of 1/85 in 23 overs. Will Jacks has bowled 2 overs for 10 runs. Australia lead by 116 runs with 2 first innings wickets in hand.
What Lies Ahead in 2nd Session
It’s been a better bowling display by England but Australia have consolidated their position and increased their lead over 100 with 2 wickets in hand. They lead by 116 runs currently with Mitchell Starc looking good alongside Scott Boland. For Australia, it will be adding more runs as possible to put England under pressure. England will desperately hope to get the last 2 wickets and get to bat soon with deficit in sight. Advantage Australia for now.
An interesting second session comes our way after the Tea Break. Can England get back in it? Find out soon.
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