The Ashes 2023

Bairstow let's Smith off the hook.

Another wicket Chucked away

Brutal from Smith. Some of the Australian shot selection has been baffling.

Australia in the lead. Didn't look likely at one stage but they've put on some very useful lower order runs.

I hope Labuschagne took a long look at the batting of Cummins and Murphy and was embarrassed, his approach to his innings was terrible.

Essentially it's a one innings match, England will look to score quickly and get a decent lead. Australia based on today will need twice the length of time to get England's total!

It wasn't Labuschagne's role to try and hit the bowling out of the ground. I'm quite sure he could have had a lash, knocked off 20-30 runs in quick time and then fallen to a rash shot just as quickly. Instead he occupied the crease, absorbed the tricky conditions and allowed the Eng bowling to tire a bit. He was unlucky to an extent too and could just have easily been spilled or gone for 4. You could more justifiably criticise Head or Marsh. Even Smith gave away his wicket a bit needlessly.

If the Aussies can take their chances that will inevitably come tomorrow morning, they're favs.

Fair to say the test is evenly placed at the halfway mark. Seems the series could well come down to the final innings for each time.

Plenty of time for a result, will be an interesting days play tomorrow.

Can see Stokes hoping to bat most of the day, put Aussies in with an hour to go say and then hoping for a few weather breaks in next couple of days.

To do that, they'll have to balance aggressive batting with a bit of caution. Otherwise could offer an easy win.

Australia are all over the shop. England rack up a big total and the Aussies will have to revert from their ultra cautious approach. Be interesting to see if there is a swansong innings for a few of them

Lyon is such a huge loss for the Aussies. The lad played 100 tests in a row, took wickets and could hold up an end. He had started the series in fine form too. Murphy is a young fella and has plenty of promise but Lyon's absence has taken out a key piece of their bowling attack. They've looked a bit befuddled at times without him.

Australia needed that wicket but need 2/3 quick ones. They will be chasing 300 plus at this rate

Aussies not really making any impression here. They've very little chance of winning this match without something dramatic happening.

Forecast really looks like still being questionable as to a result being attainable…

should get a full session tomorrow morning but not much play after lunch. Monday has improved slightly but with showers on and off the number of overs we’ll see….between covers on/off and the cleanup etc…be limited.

Wonder if the English will put the boot down now after tea. Probably should, a draw is pointless….

About 25 minutes since tea ended and a glove change and a drink on the field now, umpires, sort it out !

Not a chance Australia chase this sort of lead down. They've been completely outplayed in this 3rd inning.