Flaccid England punished by Smith

Australia skipper Steve Smith partnered by Mitchell Marsh made light work of the England bowling attack to seize control of the third Ashes Test.
The pair came together in the morning session when Shaun Marsh (28) edged Moeen Ali to slip to leave Australia 248 for 4.
But that would prove to be the final wicket of the day with Australia largely untroubled by what England had to offer.
Australia were 314/4 by lunch with Smith having moved to 139 with Mitch Marsh on 39 at the other end.
It's a free lesson here from Steve Smith: https://t.co/57Bmg3zS3P #Ashes pic.twitter.com/0HTyvhSkog
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 16, 2017
James Anderson thought he had Smith shortly after lunch but the review showed that while the ball would have hit the stumps after striking the skipper’s pad the England quick had overstepped.
The younger Marsh notched his maiden Test century after earning a contentious call-up and bowling just a handful of overs in England’s first innings.
At tea Australia were 424 for four leading 21 runs and well and truly on top.
Freak! Steve Smith is on another level #MagellanMilestones pic.twitter.com/GPKzHVbLJa
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 16, 2017
Both Smith and Marsh turned their hundreds into ‘daddy’ hundreds punishing an England bowling attack that looked uninspired at best.
Smith passed 1000 runs in Test cricket in 2017 making it the fourth year in a row where the unorthodox batsman has broken the four figure mark.
Mitch Marsh putting on a clinic and the WA fans are loving it! https://t.co/57Bmg3zS3P #Ashes pic.twitter.com/numVHYzb4V
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 16, 2017
Marsh went past 150 and Smith beyond 200 and England must now have hit a low point.
At the close of play Australia were 549/4 leading by 146 runs, Smith had gone to 229 while Marsh is threatening a double ton on 181 not out.
Latest
-
News
Tom Banton enjoying break from Covid bubbles as he weighs up IPL entry
The batsman is determined to find the best way of proving his England credentials.
-
Australia
Australia name squads for NZ T20Is and Tests in South Africa
As expected, Australia’s National Selection Panel has named separate playing squads for the upcoming series in New Zealand and South Africa.
-
News
Elgar relieved Proteas on top despite ‘very very under par’ total
South Africa opener Dean Elgar was relieved the Proteas find themselves in a good position in the first Test against Pakistan.
-
News
Rotation, rotation, rotation – Chris Silverwood stands by selection policy
England will continue resting players this winter in a bid to combat challenging Covid restrictions.
-
News
Rahane happy to fill in for Kohli, but ‘Virat is the captain’
Ajinkya Rahane impressed when he skippered India to a dramatic 2-1 series win against Australia earlier this month.
-
News
England spinner Jack Leach extends Somerset stay
The news comes days after Leach helped England secure a Test series win in Sri Lanka.
-
News
Q & A: How will Joe Root’s England fare against Virat Kohli’s India?
Having beaten Sri Lanka, the tourists face a step up in quality with a four-Test trip to India.
-
News
A closer look as England claim fifth-successive overseas Test victory
The last time England achieved such a sequence was when they came from behind to defeat Australia 4-1 in the 1912-13 Ashes.
-
News
The stats that show Joe Root is on track to become England’s record Test run-scorer
The captain is now up to fourth on England’s all-time list
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 4: England sweep series with devastating display
Joe Root’s side had spent most of the first three days chasing the game in this second Test but made their move emphatically on Monday.