Ashes 2019: 3rd Test – Archer six-fer spears through Australia on opening day
The first day of the third Ashes Test at Leeds, Headingley was dominated by three factors – Rain, David Warner-Marnus Labuschagne partnership and Jofra Archer. The three-act drama finished late on the opening day with the visitors being all out at 179. England will begin their innings today in fresh conditions.
Rain peers through the spectacle
Much like Lord’s, the first day of the third Test also witnessed delayed proceedings. The rain relented soon enough but the overcast conditions refused to budge. The first patch of play lasted just four overs. The match was paused immediately after Marcus Harris’ fall while Warner at the other end had managed to scrape through Stuart Broad’s new-ball jaffas. It took another 90 minutes for the battle to resume.
Warner-Labuschagne take control
Archer and Broad continued to trick the Australian batsmen with the devilish dark red Dukes ball. Khawaja was strangled down the leg side, thus bringing Steve Smith’s replacement at the crease. Labuschagne playing his part to the perfection displayed a similar ball-leaving technique as that of the man he replaced.
Playing through the rain and tea break, the pair of Warner-Labuschagne grew in confidence. They then attacked England’s second line of bowlers. From the overs 24 to 30, the duo added 44 runs. At 136/2, Australia looked poised to dominate the day.
Archer and Broad skittle Aussies
The collpase was triggered by Warner’s dismissal. Archer found the outside edge of the opener which eluded Broad by millimetres just five balls ago. The blonde bowler exacted revenge in the next over with a sensational delivery that knocked Travis Head’s off-stump while the batsman was playing inside the line. Archer continued the streak with a lucky bowled dismissal of Matthew Wade. Australia tumbled from 136/2 to 139/5.
Captain Tim Paine tried to salvage the situation with his doughty batting but soon he fell to Woakes who used DRS to claim an LBW. Labuschagne, well-past his fifty, remained the only hope for the visitors with the tail falling prey to Archer. It took another DRS appeal for Ben Stokes to send back Labuschagne. The batsman was flat on the ground against the sudden full-toss. Archer wrapped up the day by claiming his sixth spoil of the day.
The play was called off after Australia’s innings ended. The weather allowed only 52.1 overs on the opening day. England shall hope for a reversal of weather conditions whereas the Aussies will want the second day to replicate the first exactly.
