Ashes score LIVE: Captain Joe Root leads England fightback against Australia on day three of 1st Test
England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane
England captain Joe Root was celebrating record-breaking 2021 as he and Dawid Malan dug deep to launch a brave fightback in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba.
After two despairing days at The Gabba, and a first-innings deficit of 278, the tourists finally landed some blows of their own to reach 220 for two on the third evening.
Dismissed for a duck in England’s underwhelming 147 all out, Root showed all his class and charisma to make 86 not out while Malan knuckled down for a highly impressive 80no.
Unlike Malan, Root has never scored a century Down Under but will spend the night dreaming of putting that right at the earliest opportunity as the duo resume their 159-run partnership.
While salvaging something from this match – a draw, the unlikeliest of wins, even just a measure of pride in defeat – would have been the only thing on Root’s mind, he scooped up a significant landmark along the way.
Until now no Englishman had ever scored more Test runs in a calendar year than the 1,481 Root’s mentor Michael Vaughan reeled off in 2002. But by the close he was sitting on a total of 1,541 and, with games at Adelaide and Melbourne still to come, he may have the Mohammad Yousuf’s world record of 1,788 in his sights.
Ashes 2021: England 107-2 at tea as former spinner hopeful
There are still 39 overs left in the day after losing openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed in that session. England is in deficit of 171.
“England have finally got themselves a foothold in the Test which is good to see. They have just got a bit of a partnership going. England are finally trying to trade a few blows with the bowling attack,” Phil Tufnell, former England spinner says on BBC Test Match Special.
Ashes 2021: Nathan Lyon eyes 400th wicket of career
Australia’s premiere off-spinner Nathon Lyon is desperate for a wicket as he remains stuck on 399, just a wicket away from the milestone. He got 390 in January 2020 after hauling 10 wickets from a match against New Zealand. After nearly two years since, he has got a chance into his fifth Test and has taken nine wickets. Too close!
Ashes 2021: Eng 98-2 as Root plays safe
Joe Root continues to swat boundaries as his partnership continues with David Malan. The England skipper is at 20, Malan at 32.
England is trailing by 182 runs.
Ashes 2021 - England 66/2 at drinks break
Captain Joe Root is on the strike with Dawid Malan, who survived the replay and the first hour of the second session. I
t’s again a frustrating day for England as it lost its two openers after lunch.
Haseeb Hameed fell to Mitchell Starc while Rory Burns was knocked out by Captain Pat Cummins.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia in Brisbane.
Ollie Robinson has spoken about the “dream” coming true at the Gabba after taking his first Ashes wickets despite a tough day for England.
“Today was quite surreal for me,” Robinson told BBC Test Match Special. “I took a step back at one stage to take it all in. I’d have liked the team to have a better day but from a personal point of view it was a dream come true.
“We need to get early wickets tomorrow - hit those good areas, come hard again. If we can have a good first hour and then hopefully pile on the runs.”
Ashes 2021: Finn backs Leach after torrid day two
Steven Finn has backed Jack Leach despite a torrid day bowling at the Gabba.
“I have no doubt that Jack Leach is still the right man to be England’s spinner on this trip but Australia have just been incredibly ruthless today,” he told BBC Test Match Special.
“They had their foot on England’s throat and they took it off for a little half an hour period but as soon as they had the opportunity to put it back on they have.
“They’ve executed their game plan. They’ll have spoken about not letting the three seamers having a rest.”
Ashes 2021: Ollie Robinson encouraged by bowling performance
“It was a warm one. They were tough conditions for us but the boys toiled hard. There were some missed opportunities early and on another day we could have them four down.
“My body is doing OK. I came off for some strapping and maintenance but I’ll rest up tonight and come back tomorrow.
“It came out well today. I was consistent and had a lot of plays and misses. I sort of felt like I was going to get Warner out every over. He left well at times but there were times when I thought he was going to nick it.
“I’ve not really played anywhere like this. The closest place would be Headingley - it’s nice to have bounce as a big guy and get that extra carry. It definitely helped [having spent time over in Australia before] - whenever you can come over here and learn to bowl with the Kookaburra ball, it definitely helped me today and hopefully for the rest of the series.”
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