ASHES DAY THREE, SECOND TEST – SESSION-BY-SESSION: Australia dominate on a miserable day for England

Australia dominated a miserable day for England on the third day at Lord’s in the second Ashes Test. 

After losing three cheap wickets on Thursday night, England began the day in dire fashion after Ben Stokes was dismissed second ball to Mitchell Starc. 

Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow quickly followed before the tail was swiftly mopped up, with Australia leading by 91 after the first innings. 

Usman Khawaja then starred for the visitors with a resolute 58 not out by stumps, which was called prematurely after rain cut short play by around an hour in the evening, with Australia leading by 221 runs. 

Here, Mail Sport’s LAWRENCE BOOTH runs through the day session-by-session. 

Australia mopped up the hosts’ tail in quick fashion after dismissing Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow

MORNING SESSION – AUSTRALIA (1 POINT)

Was this the session that settled the Ashes? 

Resuming at 278 for four, England lost Stokes to Starc’s second ball of the day, before Brook became the latest to fall into Australia’s short-ball trap. 

In all, England lost their last six for 46, before Australia reached lunch at 12 without loss, an overall lead of 103. 

For England fans, it was sorry stuff. 

AFTERNOON SESSION – AUSTRALIA (1 POINT) 

England needed at least three wickets, and probably four, in the middle session to give themselves a chance, but could manage only one, as Josh Tongue continued to impress by trapping David Warner for 25. 

But Khawaja stayed inside his bubble, amid some playing and missing, and Marnus Labuschagne survived a couple of scares, extending Australia’s advantage to 172. 

EVENING SESSION – SHARED 

A session limited to 13.4 overs by rain produced 42 runs for the loss of an all-at-sea Labuschagne, who was lucky England failed to review one of Stuart Broad’s ‘celebrappeal’ lbw shouts, then cut Jimmy Anderson straight to point for 30.

Khawaja, meanwhile, provided a masterclass in how to play the short ball – duck under it, mainly.

VERDICT: Australia take the honours (3-1)

The early dismissal of Brook was play of the day after he lobbed a gentle catch to Pat Cummins

Play of the day 

Brook had somehow reached his first Ashes 50 while being peppered with short stuff, and couldn’t resist another big shot when Starc banged one in.

Instead, he lobbed a gentle catch to Pat Cummins at cover, and Australia couldn’t believe their luck.