Key posts
Welcome to day three, moving day
Evening sports fans,
Another day, another intriguing proposition ahead of us that could decide the series. Feels like we say it every day they’ve played, but it’s been that type of series. Australia hold a lead of just 12 after the tail wagged yesterday when a hefty first-innings deficit loomed in the context of a low-scoring match.
England begin their second dig today and the way they play, one hour could make or break this Test. I’m with you from the Maroubra bureau all night, Malcolm Conn and Dan Brettig are on the ground in London with first ball at 8pm AEST. Let’s go.
Broad gets under Aussies skin yet again
Runs were a precious commodity during the first session on Friday as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne dropped anchor against some impressive English bowling in dark and difficult conditions.
Having batted for more than an hour with little progress in what had become a stalemate, Stuart Broad decided to walk up to the stumps at the striker’s end midway through a Mark Wood over and switch the bails to opposite sides.
“I’ve heard it’s an Aussies change of luck thing. And I’ve seen Nathan Lyon do it and I feel like I’ve seen Justin Langer do it,” a mischievous Broad said later.
Stuart Broad grabbed the attention of the Australians by winding up Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja.Credit: Nine
“I could have just made that up. But we had a few play-and-misses in the morning session and we needed to make a breakthrough. And I thought I’ll have a little change the bails. Marnus is someone who would notice everything, so he took notice of it.
“It just worked out pretty magically that he nicked the next ball and Rooty (Joe Root) took a great catch. So yeah, I randomly went and celebrated with Uzzy for some reason.”
Broad charged up to Khawaja and grabbed him as if they were going to dance before running off to join his teammates. Labuschagne, who had battled to just nine from 82 balls, was clearly unhappy. He had words with umpire Joel Wilson as he walked off.
Read the full story here.
Watch: How day two played out
Conn: Why Australia are in trouble already
By Malcolm Conn
It will take a supreme bowling effort from Australia today to keep alive their dream of becoming the first Ashes touring team to win in England for 22 years.
Just 12 runs ahead thanks to some gallant work by the tail after another generally poor batting display, Australia must hold England’s Bazballers at bay to ensure a realistic target.
England in the midst of their day three warm-up.Credit: Reuters
In the last Ashes clash at the Oval four years ago, Australia were bowled out for 263 in their second innings, losing by 135 runs. This allowed England to level the series two all.
The best fourth innings run chase at the Oval was England’s 9-263 to scramble home by one wicket against Australian in 1902. The best score by Australia to win batting last at the ground was 5-242 in 1972, when Australia levelled the series 2-2.
Poll: How will day three play out
Welcome to day three, moving day
Evening sports fans,
Another day, another intriguing proposition ahead of us that could decide the series. Feels like we say it every day they’ve played, but it’s been that type of series. Australia hold a lead of just 12 after the tail wagged yesterday when a hefty first-innings deficit loomed in the context of a low-scoring match.
England begin their second dig today and the way they play, one hour could make or break this Test. I’m with you from the Maroubra bureau all night, Malcolm Conn and Dan Brettig are on the ground in London with first ball at 8pm AEST. Let’s go.
