‘Tactics played into my hands’

Stokes takes time out to get rid of an inflatable watermelon

LIFE’S A BEACH

two. Smith’s 211, his third Ashes double-century, underpinned a massive 497-8 declared. In reply, England were 23-1 at the close, with Joe Denly the man out.

England also suffered a worrying injury scare for Ben Stokes, who was pulled from the bowling attack and left the field with soreness in his right shoulder before returning.

And with the hosts on the back foot following a sloppy day in the field, Wednesday night’s heated meeting and yesterday’s response to it was high on the agenda.

Jonny Bairstow felt England’s players backed up well despite the numbers on the board.

“[Wednesday] was a completely different kettle of fish, the wind and the rain,” said Bairstow. “The guys still gave a blooming good effort, running into those winds.

“It was hard toil today – Jofra [Archer] running in right at the end, [Stuart] Broad changing his plans to bowl cutters. Jack [Leach] generally bowled well with the drift on the breeze and the control he showed was nice.”

Smith dominated proceedings once again despite being dropped by Archer on 67 and then being let off by a no-ball after edging Leach to slip.

Smith later said that Root’s efforts to ask Archer to bounce him out played into Australia’s hands.

“I’ve faced a lot of short-pitched bowling in my life and haven’t had too many issues with it,” Smith said.

“For a day-one, day-two wicket, them bowling up there means they can’t hit me on the pad or nick me off. And it softens their ball up as well. It played into our hands.”

Bairstow offered praise, saying: “He’s obviously got the bit between his teeth and is in great form. You’ve got to give him a lot of credit.”