England’s new opening combination for the series failed once again on Sunday, 26 December in the third Test match of the Ashes series. Being forced to bat first after losing the toss, England openers survived for a total of 7.2 two overs. Both of them edged their deliveries forcing Dawid Malan and Joe Root to come out much earlier than anticipated.
Returning captain Pat Cummins took it upon himself to open the bowling with Mitchell Starc on Boxing Day and was rewarded in his very first over dismissing Haseeb Hameed for his 100th Test wicket.
Australia were not hit for a single boundary in the opening spell of Starc and Cummins and that pressure bore another wicket in the 8th over with Cummins removing Zak Crawley.
At the time of writing Joe Root and Dawid Malan were once again forced into the rebuilding act and had put up a partnership of 18 runs from 28 balls.
England were 31/2 in 12 overs.