Just when England gained some momentum and breathing space in the ongoing Day-Night Ashes Test in Adelaide on the back of splendid half-centuries from Joe Root and Dawid Malan, they slipped rapidly into yet another batting collapse in the evening session on the third day.
Joe Root was worked over in an impressive spell of seam bowling by Cameron Green while Malan was sent back by a charged up Mitchell Starc. The duo added 138 runs for the third wicket but was sent back in quick succession in a space of seven runs to leave the middle order fighting for England’s survival in the game.
They were clearly not up to it and while Ollie Pope paid the price for being too unsettled for the accuracy and guile of Nathan Lyon, Jos Buttler was guilty of becoming greedy against Starc’s away going delivery.
Pope looked jittery and was not able to get on top of Lyon and a desperate attempt of reaching out to the pitch of the ball saw him handing an easy catch of Marnus Labuschagne.
Four wickets in space of 15 overs or so and 21 runs derailed whatever progress England had made in the afternoon session of the third day and are staring at a big deficit in the first innings. They are left relying once again on the miracles of Ben Stokes and the grit of Chris Woakes.