Ashes 2021-22: 4th Test, Day 3 – Australia blunt English counter-attack

England finished 258/7 on the third day in Sydney on the back of Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten century and Ben Stokes’ 66 after being pushed into a massive spot of worry by the Australian bowlers, who plucked out the English top-order once again in no time. However, a 128-run stand between Bairstow and Stokes before Mark Wood positive 39 off just 41 means England is still in the game, trailing by 158 runs. Meanwhile, here are the Talking Points from the third day’s play:

England top-order falters again

In a series where hardly anything has gone visitors’ way, England top-order continued with its lacklustre show in the fourth Test as well, with Scot Boland and Mitchell Starc running rampage. England were reeling at 36/4 at one stage, including Joe Root’s dismissal for a seven-ball duck, before Bairstow and Stokes bailed them out.

70 dots on the trot

England were pushed into a complete shell by the Australian bowlers before Lunch when they played one maiden after another, with Scott Boland delivering an inspirational spell. Ben Stokes finally scored a single off him after play resumed post Lunch, but the score-less passage lasted for a whopping 70 deliveries.

After a gritty passage of play where the Stokes-Bairstow duo denied to drop anchor, Stokes laid his defensive instincts to rest as he upped the ante by charging against the Aussies. He struck three boundaries off Starc and notched up his half-century. His 66-run knock had one six and nine fours, as he batted fighting pain due to his side injury.

Stokes-Green bizarre moment

Stokes counterattack 

One of the strangest things ever I have seen in cricket – Stokes was given LBW but actually, the ball hit on the stumps, and the bails didint move. pic.twitter.com/h2ZMNwNd2X

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 7, 2022

Before Stokes was trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon, who dismissed him for the eighth time in Tests, he had a bizarre moment as luck favoured him when Chris Green’s delivery hit his off-stump but the bails stood unmoved. Stokes was interestingly adjudged lbw only for replays to show the ball had hit the stumps. The decision was overturned and the southpaw survived what was a belief-defying moment.

Bairstow stands tall with a ton

Jonny Bairstow brings up his century 👏🏼 very very well played. Had the whole SCG crowd on their feet! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/NTw5hIobAq

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 7, 2022

Jonny Bairstow defied all adversity to notch up a brilliant century in difficult conditions when barely any other batter stood to support him. He remained unbeaten on 103 off 140, including eight fours and three sixes, at the end of the day, having strung crucial stands with Stokes followed by Wood.