Ashes 2021-22: 3rd Test, Day 2 Review – Aussie bowlers tear England apart
Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England ended Day 2 reeling at 31/4, and still trail the Australian first innings total by 51 runs. Australia were bowled out for 267 in the first innings, with Marcus Harris leading the way with a half-century. On that note, let us take a look at the three talking points of the day.
3. James Anderson slices through the Australian batting lineup
James Anderson ripped through the Australian batting lineup. The England bowling great scalped four wickets in the Australian first innings, including the two crucial scalps of David Warner and Steve Smith. Anderson cleaned up Smith with an absolute ripper of a delivery. Apart from that, Anderson also picked up the wickets of Marcus Harris and Pat Cummins.
Our bowlers couldn’t have done any more today 👏
Scorecard: https://t.co/1tFqfbGYm2#Ashes | 🇦🇺 #AUSvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/ztiCeMbLLt
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 27, 2021
2. Marcus Harris plays a crucial knock for the Australian side
Aussie opener Marcus Harris stood up for his side when they needed him the most. Even though the kangaroos lost the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith early, Harris kept the fight going. The left-hander scored a patient 76 off 189 deliveries, to help the Aussies post 267 on the board, and take a lead of 82 runs in the first innings.
1. Australian pacers send down a fiery spell of bowling in the final session
Hat-trick balls don’t get much closer than that! 🥵
Mitch Starc on fire and the MCG has erupted! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/lVniO4V0k1
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2021
The Australian pace battery had the England side in all sorts of trouble in the final session of the second day. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland sent down a fiery spell, as England lost a flurry of wickets in the final session. Starc removed Zak Crawley and Dawid Malan off consecutive deliveries, before Scott Boland dismissed Haseeb Hameed and nightwatchman Jack Leach, as the Joe Root led side lost four wickets in the 12 overs that they faced in the final session.
