Key takeaways from Day 3 of fourth Ashes 2019 Test
England ended a rain-hit Day 3 at 200/5 in the ongoing fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Resuming the day at 23/1, England saw Rory Burns (81) and Joe Root (71) doing the repair work. Josh Hazlewood (4/48) had other ideas. From 166/2, England lost three quick wickets. Here are the key takeaways from Day 3.
Burns and Root offer significant values
Opener Burns and skipper Root added a significant 141-run stand for the third wicket. It was hard work by these two batsmen after England lost Craig Overton early on Day 3. The partnership gave the side a platform to build upon. They struck 19 fours between them. Burns has been a positive factor for England. Root gave him solid company.
Root's failure to convert his scores a stark feature
Root slammed his third fifty of the series. He had earlier scored 57 at Edgbaston and 77 at Headingley. This was another valiant knock. However, the England cricket team depends largely on Root and the inability to convert these scores into big hundreds has hurt the side. Root is no Steve Smith here. That's been the biggest difference in the ongoing series.
Hazlewood shines at Old Trafford with a superb display
Hazlewood was incisive for Australia and he is in top form. After claiming nine wickets at Headingley, the right-arm pacer was on song. He got Burns and Root in a decisive spell. Hazlewood also removed Jason Roy (22) after rooting his middle stump. This was sheer brilliance from the effective pacer. England lost their last three wickets for 30 runs.
How did Day 3 pan out?
The highlight of the day was the century-plus stand between Burns and Root. They targeted Nathan Lyon and a wayward Mitchell Starc after the early discomfort. Both scored square off the wicket on both sides. The position at least gives England a chance to avoid the follow-on. They need 98 runs more. For Australia, Hazlewood was a top draw. He bowled intelligently.
