Perth: An epic and unbeaten 301-run stand by Australia captain Steve Smith (229 batting, 390b, 28×4, 1×6) and Mitchell Marsh (181 batting, 234b, 29×4) left England’s hopes of retaining the Ashes in jeopardy on day three of the third Test at the WACA here, Saturday.
On an agonising day for Joe Root’s team, Smith broke English hearts with his second double century after recalled all-rounder Marsh celebrated his maiden ton. The pair pushed Australia to 549 for four and a first innings lead of 146 runs, rendering England’s 403 a hopelessly inadequate total on a featherbed wicket.
“It felt really good yesterday (Friday when he scored 92). I was in the zone. I wanted to cash in today,” Smith said before he exited the ground to roaring applause. “We wanted to be out in the middle and just keep batting.”
On day two, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow had English chests bursting with pride after compiling 237 runs for a record fifth-wicket partnership at the WACA. But the mark lasted less than a day, as Smith and Marsh smashed 57 boundaries between them to leave England praying for the mercy of rain.
Having torched England for 107 runs in the middle session, Smith and Marsh plundered another 128 after tea, as the tourists’ lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed. “It’s been a very, very tough day for our team,” England assistant coach Paul Farbrace told reporters.
Smith punished England with 215 at Lord’s in 2015 but set himself a new personal best at the WACA in a masterclass of patience, precision and timing. He reached the three-figure mark, his seventh against England, when he whipped paceman James Anderson through the leg-side for four. The second hundred came with a single off all-rounder Moeen Ali, and he bounded down the wicket roaring in triumph to the delight of a big day three crowd.
Marsh completed a rare family trio of Ashes tons. His older brother Shaun Marsh scored an unbeaten 126 in the second Test win at Adelaide Oval, and his father Geoff, beaming with pride in the heaving WACA crowd, posted 138 as an opener at Nottingham in the 1989 series.
The younger Marsh cut paceman Stuart Broad to the fence to bring up his ton from 130 balls and pumped his fist in jubilation, having scored only two half-centuries in his previous 21 Tests.
The only success for England in the day came in the first hour when Moeen had Shaun caught at slip for 28. However, that proved to be the only highlight for England on a day of bowling disaster.
Brief scores: England 403; Australia 549 for four (Steve Smith 229 batting, Mitchell Marsh 181 batting). Match to continue.
Reuters