The words of the ancient sea shanty were peculiarly appropriate today. Travis Head and Alex Carey are Croweaters born and bred, and during the evening session they all but snuffed out England’s dying hopes. Which was a thousand pities, since the day began with the redoubtable Stokes and Archer continuing to resist. The ninth wicket stand of 106 in 30 overs demonstrated with stark clarity that the pitch was still at its best, and those prepared to fight it out could survive and prosper. It took Starc’s best ball to crash through Stokes’ defences. His 83 had occupied five hours of watchful defence, and judicious strokeplay. Boland removed Archer for an excellent 51. By this time Australia’s lead had shrunk to less than a hundred.
When Wetherald declined the opportunity to challenge his dubious leg before decision the home team were on the back foot. Labuschagne was not himself, finding that Josh Tongue’s fast in-cutters were squaring him up. He must fix this defect in his technique if he wishes to keep his spot, and it was no surprise when he edged behind. As did Khawaja, though in the languid Queenslander’s defence he had made a sumptuous 40. Usman makes batting look so easy. Green was abominably thoughtless for the second time and edged Tongue to Brook. With Australia at 4/149 England were still in the game.
Head and Carey soon put paid to that. Batting looked suddenly the simple proposition it was. England sprayed the ball around; their spin attack was helpless, and the two local men delighted the immense crowd with their succulent strokeplay. Head’s only blemish was when on 99 he edged a low catch to Brook, who grassed it. After lofting Jacks over his head he raised his bat for his second hundred of the series. Perhaps opening really is his metier after all. And Carey was every bit as impressive. By stumps the home side had reached 4/271. England still may entertain faint hopes; but the horizon suddenly looks a long way distant.
And Stokes did not bowl at all? Give the man a break. He had been cramping horribly during his marathon innings. Despite some dubious captaincy – massively exacerbated by his bowlers’ inability to maintain a decent line and length – he has carried this team on his mighty shoulders with bat, ball, and in the field. He deserves far more help than he has received. One would imagine he will front up tomorrow, with the old ball, and bend his back once more.