Ashes 2019: England v Australia first Test, day three – live!

Updates from the third day of the first Test at EdgbastonThe Spin: sign up and get our free weekly cricket emailAny thoughts? Email Rob here 3.03pm BST 133rd over: England 367-9 (Woakes 32, Anderson 1) “Is there an unsentimental argument that, given that Buttler keeps, that Curran brings more value to the Test team as a lower-order counter-puncher than World Cup hero Young Jonny Bairstow?” asks Christian Cummins. “Curran must have outperformed him with the bat in the past 18 months.”I think it’s a bit too early for that, especially as it would be a relatively seismic change. But Bairstow’s Test form has been a worry for a while. In the last two years he averages 29, which is absurd for a player of his ability. I’d love him to bat No5 and not keep wicket, but it seems that isn’t going to happen. As for Curran, if he plays I think it needs to be as the third seamer, certainly for the time being. 3.00pm BST 132nd over: England 365-9 (Woakes 31, Anderson 0) I think I would promote Woakes above Moeen in the oder; he’s in much better form and has a higher Test average. He can’t add any runs in that over, with Cummins bowling a very wide short ball to ensure Anderson is on strike for the next over. “Was in England for glorious World Cup campaign,” says Mark Davies. “Now back in my newly built house in the Ecuadorian Andes at 2,600metres of altitude. There are folks here from the subcontinent who play cricket at weekends. Not enough Brits to get a team out though. My Ecuadorian partner actually enjoys watching cricket when we are in the UK, but not sure if she is on top of all the rules!” Continue reading…
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