Key Takeaways:
- Jofra Archer was criticized by Matthew Hayden for bringing a pillow to the field, which Hayden believed showed a lack of intensity and focus.
- England’s bowlers, including Gus Atkinson, finally started to make an impact, with Atkinson becoming the first English-born player to take a wicket in the series.
- Mitchell Starc continued to excel, top-scoring for Australia and pacing Stuart Broad for the most runs ever scored by a number nine in Tests.
- England’s opening pair, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, survived the first over of an innings without losing a wicket, a rare feat in the series.
- Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Sharfuddoula had a difficult time, making several controversial decisions that were overturned on review.
Introduction to the Ashes
The Ashes series between England and Australia has been a thrilling contest, with both teams giving it their all on the field. However, on day three of the series, English bowler Jofra Archer was caught napping, literally, as he brought a pillow to the field. This move was widely criticized by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who believed it showed a lack of intensity and focus. Hayden’s comments were echoed by many, who felt that Archer’s actions were unprofessional and unacceptable.
Archer’s Pillow Incident
Jofra Archer’s decision to bring a pillow to the field was met with widespread criticism, with many feeling that it showed a lack of dedication and commitment to the game. Matthew Hayden was particularly vocal in his criticism, stating that if he were a batsman, he would be motivated to perform well against an opponent who seemed so relaxed and unbothered. Hayden’s comments highlighted the importance of mental toughness and focus in cricket, and Archer’s actions were seen as a lack of respect for the game and his opponents.
England’s Bowling Efforts
Despite Archer’s lackluster performance, England’s bowlers finally started to make an impact, with Gus Atkinson becoming the first English-born player to take a wicket in the series. Atkinson’s dismissal of Alex Carey marked a rare highlight for England’s bowling attack, which had struggled to make an impact in the series. The fact that it took until day three for an English-born player to take a wicket was a testament to the dominance of Australia’s batting lineup.
Starc’s Heroics
Mitchell Starc continued to excel, top-scoring for Australia and pacing Stuart Broad for the most runs ever scored by a number nine in Tests. Starc’s performance was a testament to his skill and determination, and he has been one of the standout players of the series. His ability to perform under pressure and make an impact with both bat and ball has been a key factor in Australia’s success.
England’s Batting Efforts
England’s opening pair, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, survived the first over of an innings without losing a wicket, a rare feat in the series. This was a significant achievement, given that both players had fallen to Mitchell Starc in the first over of previous innings. The fact that they were able to navigate the first six balls without losing a wicket was a testament to their skill and determination, and gave England a glimmer of hope in the series.
Umpiring Controversies
Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Sharfuddoula had a difficult time, making several controversial decisions that were overturned on review. The first incident involved Joe Root, who was given not out by Holdstock despite a clear deflection to Alex Carey. The decision was overturned on review, and Root was eventually dismissed. The second incident involved Harry Brook, who was given out by Sharfuddoula despite a clear gap between bat and ball. The decision was also overturned on review, highlighting the challenges faced by umpires in making accurate decisions in high-pressure situations.
Conclusion
The Ashes series has been a thrilling contest, with both teams giving it their all on the field. While England’s bowlers have struggled to make an impact, they finally started to show some signs of life on day three. Mitchell Starc’s heroics have been a key factor in Australia’s success, and England’s opening pair has shown some promise with the bat. However, the series has also been marked by controversy, with umpiring decisions coming under scrutiny. As the series continues, it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to the challenges they face, and which team will ultimately emerge victorious.