England vs Australia 3rd Test Day 4: Hazlewood strikes twice as Australia close in on regaining Ashes

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Josh Hazlewood Australia England Ashes cricket

Josh Hazlewood removed Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook is quick succession

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia inched ever closer to regaining the Ashes as Josh Hazlewood took two of the four wickets England lost in their second innings on the fourth day of the third Test in Perth.

Starting off the day on 549/4, Australia were unable to add a single run to their overnight score before all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was trapped lbw off the bowling of James Anderson for a career-best 181, which came off 236 balls and included 29 boundaries.

Marsh opted for a review, but it went in vain as the umpire’s decision was upheld.

To make matters worse, Australia captain Steve Smith fell shortly after as he was also given out lbw off the bowling of Anderson for a career-best 239, which came off 399 balls and included 30 boundaries and a six.

Like Marsh, Smith decided to review the decision, but he was still forced to trudge back to the pavilion.

Even though Mitchell Starc was run out by James Vince for one run, wicketkeeper Tim Paine and pace bowler Pat Cummins stabilised the innings with a 93-run partnership.

However, Anderson returned to take out Cummins and Nathan Lyon for 41 and four runs respectively before Australia declared on 662/9, which gave them a 259-run lead.

Paine remained undefeated on 49 off 85 balls, which included six boundaries.

Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Craig Overton took two, and Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Trailing by 259 runs, England made a horrible start to their second innings as opener Mark Stoneman was caught behind off the bowling of Hazlewood for three runs.

Alastair Cook’s struggles with the bat continued as he was caught and bowled by Hazlewood for 14.

Just as England were rebuilding their innings, Lyon sent captain Joe Root packing for 14.

England managed to add another 40 runs to their score before James Vince was clean bowled by Starc for 55 off 95 deliveries, which included 12 boundaries.

Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who starred for England in the first innings, put together an unbeaten 32-run stand before the rain came and brought play to an end for the day.

Malan finished on 28 off 62 balls, which included five boundaries, while Bairstow remained undefeated on 14 off 25 deliveries, which included three boundaries.

Hazlewood was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Starc and Lyon claimed one wicket each.

England ended day four on 132/4 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:30 local time or 02:30 GMT.

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