Bazball assault leaves Australia in trouble at The Oval
Australia face a monumental task to claim a drought-breaking Ashes series win in England after falling victim to another prolonged Bazball assault on day three at The Oval.
England went to stumps on Saturday night at 9-389 and with a lead of 377, after Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow all cashed in on one of the most one-sided days of the series.
Mitchell Marsh is safe under the high ball. Reuters
And the hosts will also have the added motivation of sending Stuart Broad out a winner, after Australia’s arch-nemesis prompted surprise by announcing his impending retirement on Saturday night.
The visitors will need to pull off the highest successful fourth-innings chase at The Oval to win the fifth and final Test, with that landmark of 263 having been set 121 years ago in the 1902 series.
Australia have already retained the Ashes with a 2-1 series lead, but they need a win or draw at The Oval to take their first Test series victory in England since 2001.
Some rain is forecast for London late on Sunday and Monday, but the rate at which England have scored means a result is likely.
Still, Australia insist victory is possible.
“The boys will be confident they can chase whatever they put on in the morning,” spinner Todd Murphy said.
“We spoke about it at the start of the day, just keeping ourselves in the game today and backing our batters to chase whatever we get set.
“We knew England were going to come out today and put the pressure on us and they did, they batted really well. But we’re definitely still in the game.”
The hosts will now firmly believe after Saturday they have been the far better side in this series, with the reality being their own brain implosions hurt them in the first two Tests and the rain saved
Read more on afr.com
