Fifth Ashes Test, Oval, Day Three

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the third day:

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott lead an entertaining batting display by England with his debut century on day three of the final Ashes Test at the Kennington Oval. With their lack of spin, Australia were unable to get an early breakthrough, Trott and his captain batting patiently and defiantly to a century partnership. When the wickets started to fall, the lower order added entertainment, flamboyancy and plenty of runs and boundaries, giving the Aussies a record total of 546 to win the match and retain the Ashes.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 157 for 4 (329 ahead) at lunch: England for some defiant cricket, making the Aussies look unimposing and unperilous.

2nd session, England 290 for 7 (462 ahead) at tea: England for smashing away any glimmer of hope for Australia, even after losing wickets.

3rd session, England declared 373 for 9 (546 lead), Australia 80 for 0 (466 behind) at the end of day three: England for setting Australia an impossible task, needing to break all records to retain the Ashes.

Partnerships:

- 118 runs between Andrew Strauss (48) and Jonathan Trott (50): Both dominated the Australian bowlers with patience and defiance, nothing extravangant, no flash and bang, just quality test match cricket. They confidently walked down the pitch against Stuart Clark, hitting fours down extra cover, square, backward point, all over the ground. Strauss obviously cursed himself after he gave away his wicket, a lovely little edge for a bowler, caught by Michael Clarke for 75 off 191. Trott stayed on more of a background player, watching the others bash and smash whilst he contributed with some beauties and plotted on.

Matt Prior's bad judgement led to him being run out for just four, a direct hit by a brilliant throw from Simon Katich. Andrew Flintoff fired 22 off 17, his last contribution as a England test batsman. He tried to play a lofted shot to Marcus North, over deep long on, when he was caught by Peter Siddle. Stuart Broad continued the flash, 29 off 35, with some beautiful drives and graceful boundaries, dismissing the Aussie bowlers. After consecutive boundaries, Broad spooned one in the air, caught by Ricky Ponting. But England had already extended the lead to over 400.

- 90 runs between Jonathan Trott (20) and Graeme Swann (63): The entertainment continued with Swann joining the party, coming down the pitch against North with some lovely reverse sweeps. He was eventually caught behind when he tried to hook the shot but it spooned off the slice of the bat to Brad Haddin. James Anderson came on to watch Trott finally pass the 100 mark, a committed, clynical, solid innings with drives, cuts and pull shots, making Australia look woeful. The declaration came as soon as the centurian fell, caught by North for 119 off 193, England 333 for 8, leaving Australia chasing a massive 546. Australia started strong on 80 for 0 at stumps, but will need a miraculous innings and partnership if they want to stay in the match and Ashes with a shout.

Bowling: Australia's lack of spin has cost them dearly. North was the most effective with four wickets, Mitchell Johnson contributing with two, Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus more anonymous but one wicket each. None of them was a constant threat though, each conceding a bulk of runs and boundaries, Siddle and Clarke ditto. In the end, it was England's smashing and bashing batting that led to the wickets and catches, less the bowling, Strauss' wicket the exception, lovely little edge for North.

Ups: Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries in many beautiful varieties and ways - Trott leading the lot with his debut century.

Downs: Captain Strauss could have reached the sky if only he had not given away his wicket just before lunch. He is still the leading run scorer of the series though.

Hero to zero: After the fourth Ashes Test, everyone was on about the Aussies being a threat and in form, a big threat. I have seen nothing of that in this test. Shocking.