England endured another day of misery and self-inflicted problems in the first Test and it is hard to see anything other than a massive defeat.
For a while, Joe Root’s men found themselves back in contention, taking four for 29 on either side of the tea.
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But a scintillating century from Travis Head – reaching three points in just 85 balls – put the match out of England’s grip once again.
In terms of balls, it was the third fastest Ashes century ever, behind Adam Gilchrist (57 balls) and Gilbert Jessop (76 balls).
Till close, Australia were leading 343-7 and 196.
David Warner rode on his luck with 94, Marnus Labuschagne 74 and Head brutally punished a tired and injured England attack in the evening session.
Whether it was a catch, a run out, a Ben Stokes injury, Ollie Robinson’s cramp or a no-ball causing a wicket to be abandoned, problems piled up for England.
The audience insisted throughout the day that Stokes was fine. But he struggled to chase the ball at full force in the outfield and his third spell lasted just one over.
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Robinson removed opener Marcus Harris early and was on a hat-trick after dismissing Warner and Cameron Green in successive deliveries.
England’s other best bowler was Wood, who regularly pushed speedos past 93 mph and certainly kept the batsmen on their toes.
Wood removed Steve Smith, who had averaged over 100 in his last two Ashes series, for only 12.
It came during a good period in England’s day when they reduced Australia from 166-1 to 195-5.
But Head quickly took the game away from England with exciting shots.
Warner’s 94 was just one run short of the runs he achieved in the entire 2019 Ashes.
This was the series in which Stuart Broad teased and tormented him – but now there can be no repeats as Broad was abandoned by England.
The spectacle of Broad and Jimmy Anderson bowling at full tilt in the nets once again reflects the bizarre decision to take them both out.
Instead spinner Jack Leach played and his eleven overs were wasted for 95 runs.
Warner was bowled by Stokes for just 17, but TV replays showed the Durham all-rounder – playing his first Test match since March – was overstepped.
miserable couple of days
It turned out that the no-ball-taking technique had crashed by feeding pictures to the third umpire.
In fact, Stokes bowled 14 no-balls in his first five overs – but only one was noticed by the on-field umpires.
Warner was dismissed for 48 by Rory Burns at second slip from Robinson – an opportunity that completed a miserable two days for the Surrey batsman.
Remember, he was bowled on the very first ball of the series on the very first day.
Warner should also have been run out for 60 when he swung Haseeb Hameed over short leg and in a frantic scramble to get back to his crease, the Australian opener dropped his bat and ended up on the deck. done.
But Hameed’s throw missed the stumps from close range.
Warner and Labuschagne put on 156 runs for the second wicket before Labuschagne’s cut shot against Leach ended straight in the hands of Wood at backward point.
Smith shoved one of Wood’s thunderbolts to the side and Warner then caught Stokes at short extra cover.
Cameron Green was bowled on the next ball for a golden duck without a shot.
Debutant Alex Carey survived Robinson’s hat-trick attempt and helped Head post 41 runs for the sixth wicket.
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But it was Head’s 70-run stand with Pat Cummins that really screwed up England.
Hameed caught Cummins off Root’s off-spin delivery but the head continued to flourish.
He even struck Wood twice—one on his left hand and the other on his chin when the beamer inadvertently took off his glove.
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