Perth: Australia won back the Ashes after bowling England out cheaply despite rain delays and a pitch controversy to secure an innings win on the final day of the third Test at the WACA here Monday.
Having confirmed his status as the world’s best batsman with a match-winning double century, Steve Smith added victorious Ashes captain to his ever-expanding resume as England were dismissed for 218 in their second essay to lose the game by an innings and 41 run. It gave the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.
Pat Cummins secured the famous urn for the home side when he had Chris Woakes caught behind for 22, prompting Australian celebrations.
But while it was a comfortable win, there was high drama on the final day courtesy of yet another WACA pitch controversy.
Victory seemed assured for Australia when they had England 132 for four at the conclusion of the fourth day, but a rain-damaged pitch threatened to end the match without a ball being bowled on the final day.
Showers had caused play to be abandoned early on the fourth day and they continued through to Monday morning. Complicating matters further was a damp spot on the pitch, just outside the popping crease at the southern end of the ground.
How the water got onto the wicket was unclear, although there was speculation it might have been linked to strong winds lifting the covers. But umpires Chris Gaffaney and Marais Erasmus would not allow play to resume until they believed the pitch had been returned to the same condition as at the end of day four.
Play did not get under way until after lunch, and even then to the chagrin of an English camp who felt the conditions were dangerous. England’s batsmen also had to contend with balls jagging violently off cracks on the pitch. Uneven bounce also caused a problem and England’s last batsman James Anderson had to receive on-field treatment after he was hit flush on the grill covering his right off a Pat Cummins delivery.
Wickets tumbled quickly for England upon the delayed resumption, with overnight batsman and first-innings centurion
Jonny Bairstow bowled for 14 by the first delivery he faced for the day from Josh Hazlewood (5/48), which kept low. Hazlewood also removed England’s last hope Dawid Malan (54, 135b, 8×4) who defended dourly for more than three hours. Trying an attempted hook off Hazlewood he got a faint nick which was gleefully accepted by Tim Paine behind the stumps.
Prior to that, Nathan Lyon (2/42), like he does in every game, got rid of Moeen Ali (11) with one that went through with the arm to catch the batsman plumb in front.
The tail folded without much resistance as Hazlewood removed Craig Overton, caught at gully, for his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and Cummins had Stuart Broad caught by Paine.
Brief scores: England 403 and 218 (Dawid Malan 54, Josh Hazlewood 5/48, Nathan Lyon 2/42, Pat Cummins 2/53) lost to Australia 662 for 9 decl by an innings and 41 runs.
Smith praises selectors, exceptional teammates
Perth: Australian captain Steve Smith paid tribute to some bold selections and hiss ‘exceptional’ teammates after his team regained the Ashes here Monday.
The Australian selectors brought in wicket-keeper Tim Paine into the side even though he was not even keeping for his state side Tasmania, while the recall of 34-year-old Shaun Marsh raised plenty of eyebrows. Then for the third Test here, they brought in all-rounder Mitch Marsh in place of batsman Peter Handscomb and he responded with a magnificent 181.
“I thought they were really good selections,” Smith said after the end of the game, Monday. “Painey (Paine) has been mentioned as the best keeper in the country for a long period of time and the way he has kept has been exceptional. He has also been handy with the bat at No.7. “Shaun as well, he’s come in and done a terrific job.”
Smith credited his bowling attack’s firepower for providing the difference between the sides, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins all capable of bowling considerably quicker than their English counterparts. “Here in Australia it (speed) certainly makes a difference on the flatter tracks where there isn’t much sideways movement, that extra air speed can make a big difference,” Smith asserted.
Talking about the side and the performances, the Australian captain said, “It’s been an amazing couple of weeks. What the boys have delivered has been exceptional. England have had their foot in the door in a couple of games and we’ve been able to claw our way back to get back in the game, and then keep the foot on their throat.”
Meanwhile a disappointed England captain Joe Root defended his underperforming senior players like Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad. The opener has scored only 83 runs in the six innings he has played in Australia while Broad returned his career-worse figures at the WACA.
“I’d like to think so,” Root said when asked if Cook, Broad and Jimmy Anderson would still be in the team in 12 months. “They’ve got huge amounts of experience and they do offer a lot to the group and their performances over a long period of time speak for themselves. It’s important we don’t panic and make hasty decisions after three games.”
Agencies
