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

5.49am EDT
05:49

“Hi Adam.” Morning, Paul Baalham. “When was the last time an English batsman batted for three consecutive days in the *same* innings in a Test Match?”

It has to be Cookie. Maybe his double ton in India? Or the UAE?

“England to get to 420 as Stokes goes nuts,” says Dean Bainbridge in Cardiff. (More like blaaaaze 420, ayyy. Sorry, I can’t help myself) Dean continues with his prediction: “Broad rips through the Aussie top order, Moeen wipes up the tail & England win by an innings with a day to spare. Sorry, Sunday ticket holders.”

As a freelancer, curse you for saying such a heinous thing! The push for four-day Tests might be strong, but I want them to go TIMELESS.

“I notice on Sky that Sir Ian’s wearing the same shirt as yesterday,” observes Simon Richards. “Must’ve been a good night in Birmingham!”

It was loose on Broad Street last night, I can tell you that much. Cricket punters from both nations mixed with the usual, predicably wild, Friday night crew. And yes, I stayed out of the Walkabout.

5.38am EDT
05:38

“Good morning, Adam.” G’day, Geoff Wignall. “I’d be interested to know what single thing others would most like to occur today. My choice would be for Modern to find some form and make a decent (60+) score; simply because it would make the world a better and happier place. Except perhaps for Australian fans and I can live with that.”

Moeen’s role is crucial later today – with the ball. Given that Anderson surely won’t actually bowl, they need to set-and-forget with him from the City End and rotate the quicks. He can’t afford to have a bad day. But yes, runs first. He needs those quite a lot.

5.27am EDT
05:27

Today’s global TMS link. For overseas listeners only. If you’re in the UK, grab their coverage in the usual BBC places. Here it is, with thanks to Peter Haining for sending it through.

5.25am EDT
05:25

Jimmy Anderson update. From the England camp: he will bat if required and do some running before play today. They will “take a view later” on whether he will bowl in Australia’s second innings.

5.17am EDT
05:17

Welcome to day three at Edgbaston!

Adam Collins

Clears throat for a necessary cliché. Big first hour, innit?

Isn’t it ever. The sun has successfully burned through the morning cloud cover here at Birmingham and we’re in for what will probably be the day that defines the outcome of this First Ashes Test of 2019. What a lovely way to spend a Saturday? Welcome to you all.

In 45 minutes from now we will pick up the action with Rory Burns and Ben Stokes some 17 runs away from banking a first innings lead, the former having batted through the duration of day two for his maiden Test ton. It wasn’t pretty but do you think he cares? This isn’t a beauty pageant. Stokes can do the pretty for both of them.

The all-rounder was the most assured man at Edgbaston yesterday. Walking in at the moment Australia were threatening to ruin the afternoon for Joe Root and co, he picked up where he left off at Lord’s a few weekends ago. If he can bat for a couple of hours this morning, Tim Paine’s men are in a lot of trouble.

To their credit, despite only taking four wickets yesterday, the Australian bowlers did very little wrong. Epecially James Pattinson, who was outstanding in his first Test since February 2016, and Pete Siddle landed it in a shoebox all day. Pat Cummims bounced back well late in the day and Nathan Lyon was Nathan Lyon. They will bowl a lot worse and bowl teams out. That’s their job today: ripping through England’s lower order and keeping the deficit in check.

Righto, I’ll leave it there for the time being as we make our way towards the first ball of morning three. Do drop me a line in the usual way, or ping me a tweet if that’s more your style. This should be fun.