Join Football Join Football Newsletter Football After Their hopes of reclaiming the urn were fading faster than ever as they faded to 134 for six, still 43 adrift.It was abject viewing at a ground that has become synonymous with English heartache, Australia’s tailenders grinding the visiting attack into the Brisbane dirt.Their last three wickets put on 128 runs as England’s weary bowlers struggled to make a dent against a lower-order who were taunting them with their mere presence.In building a total of 511 and a lead of 177 they batted just long enough to use up the last of the natural light, then set about chopping down opponents who were unable to show the same diligence and dedication.After an opening stand of 48, the wickets tumbled with an air of desperate inevitability, Zak Crawley’s 44 both a top score and a mirage.open image in galleryMitchell Starc impressed with bat and ball on day three in Brisbane (Getty Images)None of the England batters came close to the 77 runs scored by Australia’s number nine Mitchell Starc and none ever looked like occupying the crease as long as the 72 balls faced by No 10 Scott Boland, who boasts a Test average of 7.54.The seeds were sown in first session and a half, as the home side toyed with their prey, sapping their energy and guaranteeing themselves the perfect bowling conditions.The tourists looked spent by the time they finally ended an Australian innings that had stretched longer and deeper than they could ever have feared as they resumed at 378 for six.When England finally trudged from the field after 118 overs baking in the heat, the skies were darkening and the artificial lights were beginning to take over.open image in galleryMitchell Starc played patiently for an excellent 77 (Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)Australia had earned the right to cash their chips in perfect conditions and it qualified as a major surprise that there was no breakthrough in a short stint just before the interval.Starc had taken a wicket in the first over of the previous three innings and must have fancied…
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2025-12-06 11:59:13
