5th Test Played at Oval, England from 27-31 July 2023
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Three
England 1st Innings: 283 All Out in 54.4 Overs (Harry Brook 85 /91, Ben Duckett 41/41, Chris Woakes 36/36, Moeen Ali 34/47, Michell Strac 4/82, Todd Murphy 2/22, Josh Hazelwood 2/54)
England 2nd Innings: 389/9 in 80 Overs (Joe Root 91/106, Jonny Bairstow 78/103, Jack Crawley 73/76, Ben Duckett 42/55, Ben Stokes 42/67, Mitchell Starc 4/94, Todd Murphy 3/110)
Australia 295 All Out in 103.1 Overs (Steve Smith 71/123, Usman Khawaja 47/157, Pat Cummins 36/86, Todd Murphy 34/39, Chris Woakes 3/61, Joe Root 2/20, Suart Broad 2/49 and Mark Wood 2/62)
England Led by 377 runs with One 2nd Innings wicket at hand.
Australia Led the series 2-1
England displaying yet another entertaining innings of their epic Basball style produced 389/9 in 80 overs of day three of final test. Taking impressive 377 runs lead with the last wicket pair Broad and Anderson at the wicket and two more days to play England looks set for squaring the series 2-2. Australia may have to climb the mountain.
However, the current holder of the Ashes, the urn will stay with them whatever be the outcome of the test. Another news of importance is that prolific English pacer Surat Broad announced his retirement after the test. Who knows whether tomorrow may also witness his bowling partner James Anderson may also join him soon.
England started the day three with 12 runs in arrear as Australia replying to their first innings score of 283 all out managed to reach 295. English team spearheaded by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum stayed put on their aggressive Basball cricket. Score of 389/9 in 80 overs on the 2nd innings of a test match rarely happens. That is how flamboyant style of English cricket is changing test match making it truly attractive to the viewers in the age T20 franchise cricket. Joe Root (91 in 106), Jonny Bairstow (78 in 103 balls) , Jack Crawley ( 73 in 76 balls ), Ben Duckett (42 in 55 balls ) and Ben Stokes ( 42 in 67 balls ) playing carefree aggressive cricket took England to a position of command. Mitchell Starc taking 4wickets for 94 runs and Rookie Todd Murphy (3/110) could somehow restrict the home team from batting Australia completely out of the match.
England will witness at least one if not both of its prolific bowling legends (Broad and Andrson) hunting in pairs tomorrow when Australia starts chasing a steep target. The two are together as partners in the English batting tail for the last time. England is the favorite for winning and squaring the series 2-2. But cannot also rule Australia completely out of the test. Never know what cricket is in store. Can Stuart Broad sign off in grand fashion? His trusted partner James Anderson has also almost reached the end of a glorious journey.
Whatever Ashes 2023 has seen mouth-watering epic contests with three out of the four going down to the wire. The final is also set for an entertaining finish. Australia will its first Ashes series in England after 2001 if they can climb to the top of the run mountain already set for them.
BDST: 0926 HRS, JULY 30, 2023
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