Joe Root (86*) and Dawid Malan (80*) stitched an unbroken 159 for the third wicket to help England finish Day 3 at 220/2 in the second innings after Australia were bowled out for 425 in the first Ashes Test match at the Gabba. They need another 58 to make Australia bat again.
Australia can claim the second new ball available after 10 overs on Day 4. They had no answers against Root and Malan in the entire final session on Day 3, but with the pitch showing signs of uneven bounce and offering turn, they seemed always a wicket away to trigger a collapse.
Australia are still favourites, largely because of England’s first-innings total. England have to set a challenging target to keep the game alive, but they have an uphill task ahead against Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, especially with the second new ball. Nathan Lyon, yet to take a wicket in this match, will be in focus as well.
With Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, and Jos Buttler yet to come, England will back themselves to set Australia at least 200. However, it is worth a mention that a second-string Indian side had chased 329 at the same venue to claim a remarkable win earlier this year.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- You can trust Cummins and Starc to take wickets with the second new ball. Hazlewood can chip in with a couple as well.
- Expect Buttler to make an impact on Day 4.