Rain played spoilsport as it wiped off most of the post lunch session on day 3 of the 1st Ashes test. England were 28/2 after taking a 7 run lead in the 1st innings against Australia on Sunday. Scott Boland and captain Pat Cummins then bowled an inspired ten minute spell before rains came down once again. The umpires called an early end to the day after it was deemed the play was unfit to restart.
The story so far –
England had scored 393/8 declared in their 1st innings thanks to a ton by Joe Root and half centuries from Bairstow and Crawley. In response it was a century from Usman Khawaja that got Australia back into the contest. Khawaja was well supported by Alex Carey who scored 66 as the Aussies were all out for 386.
Cummins gets the wicket of Pope with a perfect yorker –
England had made a cautious start to the day which was a bit different from their Baz-Ball approach. Joe Root though got things moving as he was seen stitching a key stand with Ollie Pope. The pair had added 50 for the 3rd wicket as Cummins came in to bowl. The Australian captain bowled a perfect yorker to Pope who had no answer and was out bowled for 14 off 16 balls with 2 fours.
Lyon pegs back England –
Joe Root who had scored a century in the 1st innings was keen to get things moving. Root hit Boland for 16 runs in a single including the now famous reverse scoop six. Root was joined by Brook as the pair added 52 runs for the 4th wicket.
Just when Root was looking to get another big score, Lyon did the damage. Root was stumped for 46 off 55 balls with 5 fours and a six. Brook continued on his merry ways as he kept the score board ticking. Lyon then got Brook for 48 off 52 balls with 5 fours as he was caught by Labuschagne.
Twitter reacts –
Cricket fans took to Twitter to have their say on the dismissal of Ollie Pope and you can read all the reactions below.
The perfect yorker 😍
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 19, 2023
Pat Cummins at his sizzling best ♨#SonySportsNetwork #TheAshes #ENGvAUS #RivalsForever pic.twitter.com/E6EIHQBI2u
One hell of a yorker from Captain Cummins! #Ashes #ENGvAUS
— Kevin Yam 任建峰 (@kevinkfyam) June 19, 2023
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
— Protea Man (@Red_devil_Shrek) June 19, 2023
PAT CUMMINS
WHAT A YORKER
POPE DISMISSED pic.twitter.com/Nilun0jfuJ
Pat Cummins' celebration shows how much this means to him. He's not one for an over-the-top celebration but this was a gem. #Ashes
— Aakash Sivasubramaniam (@aakashs26) June 19, 2023
My gawd Pat Cummins that was beautiful. Can a yorker be sexy? 😍 #TheAshes
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) June 19, 2023