Ball continued to dominate bat, as Australia assumed command on day of the third Ashes series Test at Headingley in Leeds on Friday.
Australia won the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham by 251 runs earlier this month, while last week’s second at Lord’s in London was drawn.
The Australians won the 2017-18 Ashes series four-one. If Australia win at Headingley, the Ashes title will be retained. Defeats in the fourth and fifth matches at Old Trafford and The Oval, respectively, won’t affect the overall result – a series draw will suffice for Australia.
The bowlers again reaped the rewards the bowlers haven’t this series – and England’s 67 all out on Friday typified this.
The total is the 18th lowest in the history of the Ashes rivalry – and England’s eighth smallest in the same contest.
What fast bowler Jofra Archer started with a telling six-wicket haul on day one, seamer Josh Hazlewood continued with an impressive five-for 24 hours later.
Australian David Warner, meanwhile, weathered a topsy-turvy performance. Having overcome a four single-figure failures in the series so far with a redemptive half-century on Thursday, Warner perished for a duck on Friday. He was, again, seamer Stuart Broad’s victim – a familiar theme lately. Warner, too, held four catches. He had dropped three opportunities at Lord’s.
Australia moved to 171 for six, for a lead of 283. The South African-born Marnus Labuschagne, who has struck three consecutive half-centuries, will resume on 53 not out on day three.
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