England were facing an embarrassing 4-0 Ashes series defeat after a day of thankless toil in the fifth Test at the SCG.
Usman Khawaja’s painstaking, five-and-a-half-hour 171 and Shaun Marsh’s unbeaten 98 helped Australia cruise into a lead of 133 on 479 for four after the third day.
Other than a maiden Test wicket for Mason Crane, there was little else to celebrate for Joe Root’s beleaguered side.
Stumps! The Marsh brothers dominate the final session with Shaun unbeaten on 98 and Mitch to resume tomorrow on 63: https://t.co/vhFwlbdpM8 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/iuFLN6dJ0d
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
Morning session
Australia and England players present their pink caps to former fast bowler Glenn McGrath in support of his charity – the McGrath foundation – before the day’s play.
Always a special moment as the Aussie players present their Baggy Pink caps to @glennmcgrath11https://t.co/x1xkPZLrdF @McGrathFdn #Ashes pic.twitter.com/VlaHrWfh7h
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 5, 2018
Joe Root and England paying their tribute on #JaneMcGrathDay ???#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/xDpAy7vWDQ
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 5, 2018
England start the day in search of some valuable early wickets – but run-machine Steve Smith registers another half-century in the series.
Another day, another Test half-century for Steve Smith.https://t.co/vhFwlbdpM8 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/g4iS8i79uq
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 5, 2018
Day three is underway and another Test fifty for Steve Smith ??
The Aussie skipper continues his fine #Ashes form…
? BT Sport 1 HD pic.twitter.com/o1nqJKJjkk
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 5, 2018
Shortly after, Usman Khawaja notches his first 100 against England.
Sixth Test centuryFirst #Ashes?#ItsTheAshes pic.twitter.com/oWP0gGve04
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Take a bow, Usman Khawaja! A brilliant ton at the SCG #MagellanMilestones pic.twitter.com/saJC3shMP8
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
Smith and Khawaja continue to frustrate the England bowling attack but Moeen Ali comes in and takes the vital wicket of the Australia captain, two overs before lunch.
Early contender for Shot of the Day from Usman Khawaja! https://t.co/vhFwlbdpM8 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/SvznxfgKCh
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
What a moment for Moeen Ali who gets the huge wicket of Steve Smith!
Massive for England ?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/pxN0g8zlwq
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Disaster for Mason Crane…
The England debutant denied his first Test wicket due to a no ball! ?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wHjT6FMgpw
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Oh dear. Big shout for lbw from Crane and England against Khawaja. Given not out, they send it upstairs and the leggie has bowled a no-ball: https://t.co/vhFwlbdpM8 #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
✅ Joe Root review? Mason Crane no ball
Unbelievable!#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/uboOBhOezz
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Australia go to lunch on 277 for three.
An eventful end to the morning session!
Match centre: https://t.co/zVOvsct4hL #ashes pic.twitter.com/9x4UPXkiCt
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 6, 2018
Afternoon session
Khawaja makes the most of his reprieve and passes 150, while new partner Shaun Marsh remains at the crease with a successful review before earning the lead for Australia.
150 up for Usman Khawaja ?
Fine innings from the Australian.
Will he get the double century?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/EleZMniKMK
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
Shaun Marsh goes…
But he’s quickly back after a successful review.
Australia are 320-3, trailing England’s first innings total by just 26.
? BT Sport 1 HD pic.twitter.com/Wxig4yJbEL
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Shaun Marsh with the successful review! #CloseMatters#Ashes @Gillette pic.twitter.com/FGoaKUVgeZ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
Australia are into the lead…https://t.co/43eHBoPfOX #Ashes pic.twitter.com/hSs771bsWI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 6, 2018
Marsh goes past 50 for the fourth time in the series as the hosts go in front by 19 runs ahead of the final session.
Steve Smith gone, no problem…
Shaun Marsh notches Test half century number 10 ??#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/BJ7WC9EDJ6
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Australia lead by 19 at tea.https://t.co/5uoQxKeGsN #ashes pic.twitter.com/2xOHoBHqx8
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 6, 2018
Evening session
Khawaja can only add five runs to his total from tea, with Crane finally getting his first wicket.
? FIRST TEST WICKET ?
He’s battled away and England debutant Mason Crane gets Usman Khawaja for his first Test wicket!
What a moment! ?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/i2isB91e4k
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Fantastic moment for @masoncrane32 .. 1st Test Wicket .. 20 yrs old .. bowling the hardest skill to master in the game .. he looks very very promising to me .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 6, 2018
This brought Mitchell Marsh to join older brother Shaun at the crease.
Look’s who’s at the crease together…
The Marsh brothers ?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/nTOGX2A0dK
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Crane thinks he gets his second wicket when bowling at Mitchell Marsh but is denied on review – and the all-rounder goes on to register a half-century.
England lose a review as Snicko confirms MMarsh hit the ground #CloseMatters#Ashes @Gillette pic.twitter.com/SxnGmuGv80
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
And that’s 50 for Mitchell Marsh ??
He’s enjoying himself in the SCG sun alongside brother Shaun…#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/OJfsTvNd0p
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
The brothers put on a century stand together before giving Australia a sizeable lead to build on.
That’s the first century stand between Shaun and Mitch Marsh in their fourth innings batting together #Ashes
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) January 6, 2018
A tough day – Australia lead by 133 at close of play.
Full scorecard here:➡️ https://t.co/VoLFTuuctq#Ashes pic.twitter.com/DTnb5m5QUz
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 6, 2018
Crane joins an exclusive group with his near-miss for a maiden Test wicket earlier in the day.
Here’s a stat for you…
The last four English players to take wickets off no balls have all been on their Test debuts and it would have been their first Test wicket… ?
Mason Crane v AusTom Curran v AusMark Wood v NZBen Stoke v Aus#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/fYHltsOIK1
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
No, no, no ball! Mason Crane joins England’s unwanted #Ashes club. pic.twitter.com/FeKCjlwA33
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
