England struggle for runs in Ashes finale
Hosts 181 for three at tea as Australia dismiss top-order.
England's Ian Bell plays a shot during play on the third day of the fifth Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at the Oval in London on August 23, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Runs dried up for England as Australia dismissed their top-order in an attritional second session on the third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval yesterday.
England, who at 3-0 up have already won the five-match series, were 181 for three at tea, 311 runs behind Australia’s first innings 492 for nine declared and still needing a further 112 to avoid the follow-on.
Kevin Pietersen was 29 not out and Ian Bell, who came into this match having scored exactly 500 runs in the series with three hundreds, four not out.
England resumed yesterday on 32 without loss after Shane Watson’s Test-best 176 and Steven Smith’s 138 not out – his maiden hundred at this level – had taken Australia to their imposing total.
Alastair Cook, the England captain, was 17 not out and Joe Root 13 not out.
The openers made a solid start, with Root clipping Ryan Harris off his legs for four while left-hander Cook square-drove the fast bowler for a boundary.
But Cook’s mediocre series with the bat continued when, three balls after drinks, he followed a delivery angled across him from Harris, Australia’s best bowler of the Ashes, and edged to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 25.
Root’s fell tamely for 68 when he top-edged a sweep off Lyon straight to Shane Watson at short fine leg, ending a stand worth exactly 50, with England 118 for two.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.
Runs dried up for England as Australia dismissed their top-order in an attritional second session on the third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval yesterday.
England, who at 3-0 up have already won the five-match series, were 181 for three at tea, 311 runs behind Australia’s first innings 492 for nine declared and still needing a further 112 to avoid the follow-on.
Kevin Pietersen was 29 not out and Ian Bell, who came into this match having scored exactly 500 runs in the series with three hundreds, four not out.
England resumed yesterday on 32 without loss after Shane Watson’s Test-best 176 and Steven Smith’s 138 not out – his maiden hundred at this level – had taken Australia to their imposing total.
Alastair Cook, the England captain, was 17 not out and Joe Root 13 not out.
The openers made a solid start, with Root clipping Ryan Harris off his legs for four while left-hander Cook square-drove the fast bowler for a boundary.
But Cook’s mediocre series with the bat continued when, three balls after drinks, he followed a delivery angled across him from Harris, Australia’s best bowler of the Ashes, and edged to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 25.
Root’s fell tamely for 68 when he top-edged a sweep off Lyon straight to Shane Watson at short fine leg, ending a stand worth exactly 50, with England 118 for two.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.