ENGLAND has set up a winning position in the fourth Ashes Test, but will hope Manchester’s fickle weather allows for enough time to secure victory over the final two days. Among the day three highlights were Jonny Bairstow‘s brash unbeaten 99, and Mark Wood‘s frightening third session spell.

HOW IT HAPPENED

YJB, you’ve done it again!

Bairstow was fired up, first-pumping and at his brash best with bat in hand. Though he became just the seventh batter in Test history to be left stranded on 99, the England gloveman put Australia to the sword and took the mick out of his opponents in a dominant display at the crease. His theatrics, cricket smarts and clean hitting helped put England in the box seat at 275 runs to the good, with the visitors under mounting pressure. Unfortunately, he ran out of partners at the other end.

Hazle’ and Wood

Though England was just shy of notching 600 first innings runs, and Australia’s three front-line seamers were tonked for over 100 each, Josh Hazlewood was a shining light on day three. Along with unrewarded skipper Pat Cummins, he bowled to better plans and ended up with 5-126 off a tough 27 overs. He was on a hat-trick at one point, too. Once the hosts came out to bowl, it was Wood who did the crucial damage by removing Steve Smith and Travis Head late in the day, finishing with figures of 3-17 off seven overs. He’ll likely have to claim a few more quick wickets to secure the win.

“I’m only happy when it rains” – Australia, probably

The only hope for Australia now is a draw, and the weather over Manchester may well bring that result to fruition. Though England’s acceleration has put the hosts in a very winnable position with two days to play, there may not be enough action if the two-day forecast is anything to go by. Rain is coming, but how much of it stays and halts play will determine the outcome of this match. A reminder, if the match ends in a draw, Australia retains the Ashes.

DAY THREE SCORECARD

1st Innings: Australia 317 (90.2)
Mitch Marsh 51 (60), Marnus Labuschagne 51 (115), Travis Head 48 (65)
Chris Woakes 5-62 (22.2), Stuart Broad 2-68 (14), James Anderson 1-51 (20)

2nd Innings: England 592 (107.4)
Zak Crawley 189 (182), Jonny Bairstow 99* (81), Joe Root 84 (95)
Josh Hazlewood 5-126 (27), Cameron Green 2-64 (15.4), Mitchell Starc 2-137 (25)

England lead by 275 runs.

3rd Innings: Australia 4-113 (41)
Marnus Labuschagne 44* (88), David Warner 28 (53), Usman Khawaja 18 (34)
Mark Wood 3-17 (7), Chris Woakes 1-18 (9), James Anderson 0-17 (11)

SESSION BREAKDOWN

SESSION 1:
England 4-122 (24), lead by 189 runs
Points to… England

Notes: England signals its intent after dropping anchor late on day two, though Australia stems the flow with the new ball as talk of a declaration around lunch mounts. It’s not to be.

SESSION 2:
England 2-86 (11.4) | Australia 1-39 (12), trail by 236 runs
Points to… England

Notes: Rain briefly halts play before Hazlewood picks up his fifth wicket and a fired-up Bairstow bashes his way to 99*, but is left stranded by Anderson’s dismissal. Australia begins eating into the 275-run deficit but loses Khawaja to Wood’s second delivery just before tea.

SESSION 3:
Australia 3-74 (29), trail by 162 runs
Points to… England

Notes: Warner gets another start, while Wood knocks over Smith and Head within four overs of each other to put Australia in a precarious position before the close of play on day three.