Good morning to those just waking up in the UK! The cricket match between Australia and England has reached an intriguing point with the umpires calling stumps. Australia currently holds a significant 134-run lead, largely thanks to the outstanding performances from Steve Smith and Travis Head.
Despite the sunny weather, the situation hasn’t been favorable for England in this final session. Their bowlers have faced challenges, struggling to claim wickets and often delivering balls that are too short, giving Australian batsmen an edge.
Steve Smith’s century was a highlight, marking him as the second Australian in the innings to achieve this feat. Earlier in the day, Travis Head’s remarkable innings concluded with him scoring 163 runs, setting a strong foundation for the team’s lead.
Their bowlers have once again struggled to take wickets, placing deliveries far too short on the wicket.
Smith became the second Aussie of the innings to make a century, after Head walked for 163 runs earlier today.
The stand-in Aussie skipper has been exceptional, playing some very clever shots to bat back England’s bowling attack and become the second-best leading Ashes runs scorer in the history of this age-old rivalry.
There was heartache for Usman Khawaja in his final Test match with the retiring Aussie batsman facing 49 deliveries for just 17 runs, before he was trapped by Brydon Carse for lbw.
Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue have both had hard days in the field, with the former expensing 141 runs for no wickets at an economy of 5.64.
Smith will return to the crease alongside Beau Webster on Wednesday, with England in danger of letting this Test match slip through their fingers if they are unable to find an early wicket in the morning.
Australia 518-7 and lead England by 134 runs.
