Ashes D4: 3rd Test – What did they think was going to happen?

Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test on day
four, leaving England 228 runs away with just four wickets in
hand as the match heads into a decisive final day. With special
guest Stuart Clark joining Corbin Middlemas, the mood was one of
inevitability. As Corbin put it, “the shorthand of the day is
that Australia are on the cusp of victory.”


Nathan Lyon was central to that squeeze, ripping through
England’s middle order in a decisive evening spell. Clark summed
it up succinctly: “Lyon had them in a spin in that final
session,” triggering a collapse that tilted the match firmly
Australia’s way. Pat Cummins again underlined his value, striking
before and after the breaks and dismissing Joe Root for the 13th
time in Tests. “He’s a freal, your strike bowler and your
workhorse,” Clark said.


The conversation also turned to England’s shifting approach, with
Bazball increasingly shelved under sustained pressure. Clark was
blunt in assessment: “Bad planning. Bad preparation. What did
they think was going to happen?”


With four wickets left and history stacked against them, England
face a final-day climb Australia expect to finish.


ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by
special guest Stuart Clark to bring you all the highlights and
match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key
players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda.
Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you
just need a hit of cricket banter.


Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,’ hosted by
Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts,
and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This
podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast’