MX23RW : Wednesday, August 7 15:53:02| >> :600:161473:161473:

England lead but lose four wickets at Edgbaston

England lead but lose four wickets at Edgbaston
© Reuters
Burns goes for 133 after Anderson gives fans a lift with some light training.

England nudged into the lead but lost four wickets as Australia rallied on the third morning of the first Ashes Test.

Resuming 17 behind on 267 for four, the hosts were forced on to the back foot by disciplined bowling from the touring attack.

Ben Stokes was first to go for exactly 50 before three followed in the space of 11 deliveries – centurion Rory Burns falling for an epic 133 before Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow joined the collapse.

England v Australia – First Test – Day Three – 2019 Ashes Series – Edgbaston
England's Rory Burns walks off after being dismissed (PA)

At 300 for eight the job of forging ahead had begun but it was the Australians who were carrying the momentum.

Stokes was the only batsman to show any fluency, driving James Pattinson down the ground with the full face of the bat and angling Pat Cummins wide of gully, but he nicked a flat-footed cut off the latter shortly after reaching his half-century.

Burns had started at the same watchful tempo which saw him grind out his maiden hundred, taking 25 minutes to get off the mark with a single and adding just eight to his overnight 125 in 70 minutes at the crease.

Australia v Australia A – Tour Match – Day One – Ageas Bowl
Nathan Lyon (pictured) combined with Tim Paine to snare Burns (PA)

There was no indication he was about to increase the tempo and it was no real shock when his marathon seven-hour stay ended, Tim Paine snaring a fine catch off Nathon Lyon.

The off-spinner also reasserted his dominance over Moeen, who he tortured during the previous Ashes series Down Under. Blatantly spooked by the off-spinner, Moeen shouldered arms to a straightening delivery that left him red-faced as it crashed into off-stump.

Bairstow's first scoring shot, a crisp flick off the hips, put England into the lead but he managed only eight before steering Peter Siddle to David Warner at slip.

England v Australia – First Test – Day Two – 2019 Ashes Series – Edgbaston
James Anderson gave England fans a lift with some light training on Saturday morning (PA)

Earlier James Anderson had a gentle bowl on the practice wickets, tentatively going through his action following the calf injury which restricted him to just four overs in the first innings.

The 37-year-old has been passed fit to bat if required but no decision has been made on whether or not he will bowl again in the game.

body check tags ::
Share this article now:
Sports Mole Instagram banner
Rory Burns in action for England on August 2, 2019
Read Next:
Day three of the Ashes - Burns carries the flame for England
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Click here to log in with Facebook and add your favourite team's news and scores to this panel

6

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account