Australia frustrate England on day three amid Ben Stokes Ashes concern and Jofra Archer worry

England have it all to do to save their Ashes series after the first session on day three at the Gabba with Australia’s tail end still at the crease

England are facing an uphill battle to salvage their Ashes series on day three at the Gabba, with Australia’s tail-enders still holding fort. The hosts have built a lead of 168 runs at the rime of writing, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland proving a thorn in Ben Stokes ‘ side.

The England skipper landed the first punch of the day, but the Aussies have fired back and the visitors have been left reeling. Starc was unbeaten on 46 at the first break of the day, tantalisingly close to his half-century before eventually getting it, with nearly every Aussie batsman chalking up a respectable score.

Here, we delve into the key moments you might have overlooked from the opening session on day three…

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Worries over Ben Stokes

England had a woeful start to day two at the Gabba yesterday and knew they couldn’t afford a repeat performance. So it’s hardly surprising that captain Stokes took charge with the pink ball for the first over of the day.

Unlike England’s bowlers yesterday, he found a sweet spot with his line and length, securing that crucial early wicket.

Stokes sent Michael Neser packing with a beautiful delivery that was edged behind and safely caught by Jamie Smith. It was a routine catch, but one the England wicketkeeper needed to make after yesterday’s performance.

The England skipper was keen to keep the heat on and quickly dispatch the tail end. They couldn’t risk letting the situation spiral out of control further.

Stokes didn’t dawdle in handing over the new ball to Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson, giving them a chance to swiftly dismiss the tail.

Atkinson, the latter of the pair, made the next significant breakthrough. He lured Alex Carey into a drive through the covers with a wider delivery, which took a thick edge and landed safely in Smith’s gloves.

However, as the middle session of the day approached, there were growing concerns, with Stokes being the only bowler posing a consistent threat.

England’s bowlers’ woes – again

Archer, much like yesterday, struggled to find his groove. On the second day, he should have had more wickets to his name, but his teammates let too many catches slip through their fingers.

Today, the spotlight was on the England quick to leave his mark.

Australian cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden spent more time in the commentary box discussing Archer walking into the ground with a pillow under his arm than his bowling performance. That said it all.

Hayden, the former opener, urged the hosts to frustrate the English quick, and they did just that.

England’s bowlers had to slog for minimal returns. Stokes was the only one who posed a threat to the Aussie tail-enders, who dug in and surpassed the 100-run lead.

The elephant in the room

One should never dismiss this England team under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, but as the first session on day three concludes, things appear bleak.

No team batting second at the Gabba with a lead has ever lost a Test match. Australia remain undefeated at the iconic Brisbane ground.

England are aware they’ll need to make history, and it’s been a vexing second Test Down Under for the visitors. If the Three Lions repeat their errors from the first Test in Perth and their initial innings, this could be over rather swiftly.

The top-order batsmen need to dig in and withstand Mitchell Starc when they eventually get the chance to bat.

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