Odds against Australia in 1st Ashes

The most any side have made to win an Ashes Test is Australia´s 404 for three against England at Headingley back in 1948 when Arthur Morris scored 182 and Donald Bradman an unbeaten 173.

Australia will have to chase an Ashes record tomorrow in order to take a lead in the series as England ended day 3 on a strong note.

The 34-year-old’s dismissal sparked a collapse of 5-43 in in 13.1 overs to see Australia bowled out for 308 and concede a sizeable 122-run first innings deficit.

Those keen to mention Steve Smith in the same breath as Australia’s greatest cricketer were given a stark reminder of why they shouldn’t in the first innings.

Since being dropped in Sydney, Root has scored 1,512 runs at an average of 84.

Root’s formula is, well, anything but.

Earlier In the day, England bowlers got rewards for being disciplined.

First-innings century-maker Root and Ian Bell each made valuable scores of 60, with both batsmen facing 89 balls apiece on Friday’s third day as England maintained a brisk of run-rate of just above four an over.

The 33-year-old Bell, appearing in his 111th Test, had struggled since making 143 against the West Indies in Antigua in April.

However, Bell, who returned to form with a fluent 60 in England’s second-innings 289 on Friday (July 10), said, “In Ashes cricket, anything’s possible”.

However, Josh Hazlewood (2-49) got Gary Ballance (0) with a brilliant short ball, in the first over in the post-lunch session.

A spell of seven fours off 17 balls – four for Ian Bell, three for opener Adam Lyth – brought the crowd alive and swung the momentum just as the Aussies were buoyant.

The fielder took the catch low down and Rogers was sent on his way after television replays showed Bell had got both hands under the ball.

“We’ve got to learn from our first innings with the bat: Be patient a little bit more, and be hungry”, spinner Nathan Lyon said.

The important catch got Australia back into the contest with England at 3/73. Australia will have to bat close to their best simply to stop the totals in this game following a decreasing sequence.

Moeen Ali believes Australia are falling into the same trap as India by under-estimating his bowling. Stuart Broad and Mark Wood kept things simple and straight, and reaped benefits, scalping the overnight batsmen within the first five overs.

HALF-CENTURY: Bell put England in control [GETTY]. “Credit to our bowlers – we dug deep and held on to a few good catches”.

Before England took the second new ball, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson tried to replicate their partnership in the opening Test of 2013-14, which turned the tide at the Gabba.

Just one had been added before Australia lost Shane Watson (30) and Lyon (6).

The tourists have more than played their part in a terrific contest – Mitchell Starc bowled beautifully and with menace – but England have responded in the pressure moments.

“We need to be positive with our intent with our batting but if it takes us to the last hour of day five and the result goes Australia’s way I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be boring”.