An aggressive century from opener David Warner powered Australia to a formidable total of 235 for three – and a fat lead of 369 – on day three of the third Ashes Test at the Western Australia Cricket Association Ground in Perth on Sunday.
England, attempting to stave off an insurmountable three-nil series deficit, were without seamer Stuart Broad throughout the innings – and his absence was entirely telling.
Broad, instead, was at a local hospital undergoing x-rays after copping a quick delivery from fast bowler Mitchell Johnson to the right foot. The right-armer is, indeed, in doubt for the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Resuming on 180 for four, the tourists boasted high hopes of gathering a handy lead. However, 251 all out was a far cry from Australia’s first-innings effort of 385 all out.
The in-form Ian Bell departed despite an lbw review, all-rounder Ben Stokes was iffy outside the off-stump, wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior’s trying stretch of form continued, the same delivery that injured his foot also sent Broad packing lbw, the right-handed Tim Bresnan’s fight was not substantial enough and tail-ender James Anderson couldn’t successfully negotiate seamer Peter Siddle’s steep bounce.
Siddle and fellow right-armer Ryan Harris proved the pick of the bowlers, snaring three victims each, while left-armer Johnson’s dangerous December quietened with a mere brace.
The Aussies’ response was swift and decidedly tactical. Warner and opening partner Rogers complemented each other superbly during a fine 157-run stand inside 54 overs.
The alliance, admittedly, would have read substantially shorter – had slip fielder Alastair Cook not grassed a reasonably comfortable catch and Prior not missed to stumping opportunities.
An entertaining stand ended with the reintroduction of Bresnan, who shared the new ball with pace ace James Anderson in the absence of Broad. Rogers, after wearing a short ball to the ribs from Stokes, slapped wide delivery to point fielder Michael Carberry.
Warner welcomed three figures soon thereafter, cherishing a second ton in as many weeks to all but cap an otherwise tumultuous year off the field. His 112 featured 17 boundaries and twin sixes, ending when some uncharacteristically weak timing found Stokes at deep mid-on.
Stokes was at hand, again, sniping through the defence of captain Michael Clarke, who departure left all-rounder Shane Watson and first-innings centurion Steven Smith to block out the remainder of the day.
