Ashes 2017-18, 3rd Test: Who Said What

Neither rain nor their lower order could save England as the Australian pace battery charged in with their tale up. All they needed was 5 wickets and though the day started late due to rain, it was a matter of less than a session once the game was underway. England needed 128 runs to make Australia bat again.

But nothing of that sort was to happen as Josh Hazlewood sent Jonny Bairstow packing on his first ball this morning. Though Dawid Milan tried his best and continued to be the one visiting batsman who impressed he fell to Hazlewood after his half century and that opened the floodgates.

There was no resistance thereafter and Australia bowled them out for 218 before the tea break and with that, they reclaimed the Ashes. Steve Smith was ecstatic having led the team to a series victory. It was a moment of greater joy for him since he led the team’s batting charge from the front and laid the foundation for this win.

While England have a plenty of questions to answer at this point as they stand 0-3 down, almost everything seems to be working for Australia and they would want to continue this momentum. Smith, for his double ton was also awarded the man of the match.

Steve Smith said:

“Captaining an Ashes winning side is an amazing feeling. It’s a moment we’ve been looking forward to, so much has gone into the preparation, the way we’ve gone about it was spectacular, 400 is a pretty good total but we come out and got a massive score and only had to bat once.

The bowlers have done a massive job, Nathan Lyon has been exceptional. So many emotions coming out, the boys are going to celebrate hard tonight. Josh Hazlewood was exceptional, he hit really good areas and got Bairstow early. To win an amazing Ashes series, to be 3-0 up and get that urn back, I’m really proud.”

The young English captain has to make tough calls now, their batting looks feeble and their bowlers haven’t threatened on wickets Australia’s pace battery has had them hopping and popping.

Joe Root said:

“Very difficult to take but fair play to Australia, they’ve outplayed us in all three game and we’ve got to be better. (Talking about the pitch) It wasn’t fit to play this morning, it obviously dried up and I think by the end there it was probably fit to play.

(On being restricted to 400 in the first innings) Yeah, that’s not ideal, but the partnership (Malan-Bairstow) and the way those two played was outstanding, they should be really proud. From the position of 100/4, that’s not good enough.

We’ve got to learn from it and get better but there’s good thing to come from this week. Those guys putting in big performances under pressure was outstanding, the way Vincey played in the second innings was proper batting, it took that delivery to get him out. We’ve got to make sure we got to Melbourne, prepare well and put in good performance there.”