Perth: Mitchell Starc came up with what many called the ‘Ball of the Century’ to enable Australia have one hand on the Ashes at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test against England at the WACA here, Sunday.
Trailing by 259 runs in the first innings after Australia declared at 662 for nine, England were 132 for four when stumps was called early after a rain-interrupted final session, with Dawid Malan (28 batting) and Jonny Bairstow (14 batting) living to fight another day. England are still behind by 127 runs and it would be a monumental effort to save the match.
England’s best hopes of staying alive would appear to rest with the weather, and there was a loud cheer from England fans when the forecast rain first arrived just minutes before tea.
But before that Starc (1/32) bowled what Ian Chappell and Ian Healy termed ball of the century to dismiss the most solid of among the England batters, James Vince (55, 95b, 12×4). Bowling round, left-arm pacer Starc angled the ball which was pitching mid and leg stump. It jagged away a wee bit, squared up Vince and hit the top of middle and off. The batsman left with a bemused look on his face as Starc celebrated.
Prior to that the tourists’ second innings got off to a dismal start when opener Mark Stoneman was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood (2/23) for just three in the second over. Alastair Cook’s woes then continued when Hazlewood snared a brilliant one-handed return catch to remove him for 14, leaving the former skipper with just 83 runs from the six innings he has played.
Captain Joe Root (14) was the third man out, to spinner Nathan Lyon’s first ball of the innings, caught at first slip by his Australian counterpart Steve Smith off the glove of wicket-keeper Tim Paine.
Earlier Australia scored their highest Ashes total at home and fifth-highest against England. Although Smith added just 10 to his overnight total before being dismissed for 239 by James Anderson.
Brief scores
England 403 and 132/4 (James Vince 55; Josh Hazlewood 2/23); Australia 662/9 decl (Tim Paine 49 n o, Pat Cummins 41; James Anderson 4/116). Match to continue.
Agencies
