Fifth Ashes Test, day three – in pictures and social
Australia dominate the third day as Usman Khawaja records his first Ashes century while Mason Crane finally takes his maiden Test wicket
England were facing an embarrassing 4-0 Ashes series defeat after a day of thankless toil in the fifth Test at the SCG.
Usman Khawaja’s painstaking, five-and-a-half-hour 171 and Shaun Marsh’s unbeaten 98 helped Australia cruise into a lead of 133 on 479 for four after the third day.
Other than a maiden Test wicket for Mason Crane, there was little else to celebrate for Joe Root’s beleaguered side.
Morning session
Australia and England players present their pink caps to former fast bowler Glenn McGrath in support of his charity – the McGrath foundation – before the day’s play.
England start the day in search of some valuable early wickets – but run-machine Steve Smith registers another half-century in the series.
Shortly after, Usman Khawaja notches his first 100 against England.
Sixth Test centuryFirst #Ashes?#ItsTheAshes pic.twitter.com/oWP0gGve04
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Smith and Khawaja continue to frustrate the England bowling attack but Moeen Ali comes in and takes the vital wicket of the Australia captain, two overs before lunch.
What a moment for Moeen Ali who gets the huge wicket of Steve Smith!
Massive for England ?#ItsTheAshes #Ashes pic.twitter.com/pxN0g8zlwq
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2018
Australia go to lunch on 277 for three.
Afternoon session
Khawaja makes the most of his reprieve and passes 150, while new partner Shaun Marsh remains at the crease with a successful review before earning the lead for Australia.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 6, 2018
Marsh goes past 50 for the fourth time in the series as the hosts go in front by 19 runs ahead of the final session.
Evening session
Khawaja can only add five runs to his total from tea, with Crane finally getting his first wicket.
This brought Mitchell Marsh to join older brother Shaun at the crease.
Crane thinks he gets his second wicket when bowling at Mitchell Marsh but is denied on review – and the all-rounder goes on to register a half-century.
The brothers put on a century stand together before giving Australia a sizeable lead to build on.
Crane joins an exclusive group with his near-miss for a maiden Test wicket earlier in the day.