England lost Jonny Bairstow to the first ball he faced as their bid to save the third Test got off to a miserable start following a controversial three-hour rain delay at the WACA.
Frantic efforts to ready the pitch for the final day, including leaf-blowers of varying sizes and a heavy roller, were comically hampered by frequent squally showers blowing groundstaff and their covers across the playing area.
England’s Jonny Bairstow is bowled by Australia’s Josh Hazelwood (Jason O’Brien/PA)
England coach Trevor Bayliss told broadcasters the tourists would abide by the officials’ decision but also suggested conditions were at that stage potentially “difficult … maybe even a little dangerous” and “unacceptable” after overnight rain had somehow got underneath the covers on to the pitch.
When play did start after an early lunch, Bairstow’s tentative forward prod was defeated by low bounce and movement as Josh Hazlewood immediately located the danger area to hit off-stump – and after half-an-hour England were 149 for five, still 110 runs away from avoiding a series-sealing innings defeat.
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