Ashes 2021-22: 3rd Test Review – Scott Boland clinches the Ashes for Australia
Australia continued their dominance in the Ashes as they sealed the deal by winning the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On day 3 of the third Test, the hosts took only 12.4 overs to wrap up the visitors. England has thus fallen 0-3 down in the series after this loss.
The visitors did a decent job with the ball on Day 2. However, it was their batting unit that let them down. Yet again, England experienced a batting collapse wherein they lost four quick wickets and were trailing by 51 runs with six wickets left in their second innings at stumps on Day 2.
Ben Stokes and Joe Root resumed on Day 3 but Mitchell Starc soon sent the former back to the hut. Post that Scott Boland chimed in to display his sheer flair. He ran through the opposition’s batting unit as he picked up six wickets and England were bundled out for just 68 runs losing the Test by an innings and 14 runs.
Top Performers of the Match
Marcus Harris
Alongside David Warner, Harris provided Australia with a good start as they stitched together a partnership of 57 runs before Warner lost his wicket to James Anderson. He thus walked back to the hut with 38 runs to his account.
Harris on the other hand exuded resilience to hold the fort for the side. He played an impressive knock of 76 runs and top-scored for Australia. His innings included as many as seven fours.
Scott Boland
Player of the Match, and recipient of the Johnny Mullagh Medal, is Scott Boland! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/NMhXUTLII9
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2021
The bowler scripted a fairy tale debut as he was one of the architects of Australia’s splendid victory. The pacer picked up seven wickets in the match and made his debut in his distinct style.
He registered the impressive figures of 6-7 in the second innings and fashioned the team’s win in the opening session on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test. He scalped the crucial wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, and skipper Root in quick succession.
Stats and Milestones
England’s batting unit has struggled in all three Tests so far. Rather they have struggled the whole of 2021. They ended the year with 55 ducks as 4 batters got out for 0 in the second innings.
World Record 54 English 🦆 in 2021:
Burns🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆
Sibley🦆🦆🦆🦆
Hameed🦆🦆🦆🦆
Crawley🦆🦆
Malan🦆
Root🦆
Lawrence🦆🦆🦆🦆
Butler🦆🦆
Bairstow🦆🦆🦆🦆
Bracey🦆🦆
Curran🦆🦆🦆
Bess🦆
Ali🦆
Leach🦆🦆
Archer🦆🦆
Stone🦆
Wood🦆🦆
Robinson🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆
Broad🦆🦆🦆
Anderson🦆🦆🦆🦆— A. (@Abdevilloirs) December 28, 2021
James Anderson has been one of the pivotal cogs of the team’s wheel. The pacer has now picked 13 four-wicket hauls in the Ashes. These are the joint second-most for an England bowler. Ian Botham is on top with 14 such hauls.
What next for both teams?
Australia has made most of the home conditions to take command of the series. Heading into the fourth Test, the team will aim to continue their domination over England. The Joe Root-led side on the other hand will aim to bounce back stronger to win the match as they have pride and WTC points to play for in the last two Tests.
