Pacemen’s reign under rain threat
AUSTRALIA’S bowlers unleashed a reign of terror on the English batsmen yesterday afternoon, but Perth’s rubbish weather could see all their hard work undone today.
England were 4-132 when play was abandoned due to bad weather last night, with the final day of the third Test set to resume today at midday.
Rain is forecast throughout this morning’s session, before easing after 2pm (Qld time).
A drawn match would be a devastating result for the Australians, who have dominated this Test and looked set to bring the Ashes home before the grey clouds rolled in.
Nathan Lyon was pilloried for saying this Ashes series may end careers but he might prove to be Nostradamus.
Australia are just six wickets away from lifting the urn, with England still 127 runs from making the home side bat again.
An unplayable delivery from Mitchell Starc that deviated 42cm to cannon into James Vince stumps gave a taste of what’s in store today if the elements allow Australia to get up a full head of steam.
England were last night on their knees at the WACA with the futures of star players Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson hanging by a thread.
Lyon shredded through Joe Root with his very first ball to also leave the England skipper with plenty to digest on the impact the captaincy is having on his batting.
England cricket appears at a major crossroads and if Australia can execute a second Ashes whitewash in as many tours down under it would be a damning indictment on the ECB system and culture.
Cook has looked a shadow of his former self in his 150th Test match and despite his determination
to play on, the wolves are now at the door.
An average of 13 this series and a highest score of 37 from his past 10 Test innings is becoming a worry for an England side desperate for good starts.
The drums are beating even louder for Broad – the fallen Ashes pantomime villain who appears all but out of steam.
Broad finished with bruising figures of 0-142 – the equal 12th worst performance by a fast bowler in the history of Test match cricket.
Anderson ultimately finished with four wickets, but like in Adelaide, it was too little too late by the time he found his mark.
Josh Hazlewood heaped further pressure on Cook (14) thanks to a blinding caughtand-bowled grab where he somehow pulled in a return drive low to his right as the big fast bowler dived at the end of his follow-through.
Hazlewood feasted on the crack that had opened up down the Lillee-Marsh end at the WACA and his own keeper Tim Paine was there to take the first offering, with Mark Stoneman the first victim as he edged behind for just 3.
England found themselves 3-60 with rain their only potential saviour after Australia nailed down the highest score against England on home soil.