In what can be termed as a ‘must-win’ game for England, Joe Root’s men failed to deliver anything noteworthy in only the second day of the third Ashes Test, as Josh Hazlewood’s five-fer, followed by Pat Cummins’s three and James Pattinson’s two bowled England out for a mere 67.
Apart from Joe Denly, who scored 12, none of the other players even managed to reach double figures. However, England’s slump was no great surprise, but rather the latest in a line of recent Test collapses that have seen them dismissed for 58 by New Zealand (Auckland 2018), 77 by the West Indies (Bridgetown 2019) and 85 by Ireland at Lord’s last month.
Their slump, understandably, hasn’t been taken well by the supporters. For the Australian fans and the neutrals, they have become the ‘troll of the town’ after such a questionable performance.
The England batsmen will end up injuring Archer soon. Over-reliant on him during a day in the field and now he’s going to have to bowl again. His workload is already extreme. #ENGvAUS
Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst), August 23, 2019
England innings highlights. (Again)
Fred Boycott (@FredBoycott), August 23, 2019
England all out for 67, their lowest #Ashes total since the 52 at The Oval in 1948. It’s also the lowest Ashes total at Headingley, beating the 87 by England in 1909.
Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez), August 23, 2019
England’s batting order..#Ashes
Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68), August 23, 2019
Top three scorers this match.
Heath Kelly (@HeathKellyDT), August 23, 2019
1. Marnus Labuschagne 74
2. England 67
3. David Warner 61#Ashes
Shambles from England! Big changes needed, throughout the whole of English cricket
4D (@Fordamous), August 23, 2019
Shocking. I couldn’t watch it. That’s how much pain England put me through. All very well winning a world cup, but would love to see a coach who concentrates on English test cricket & brings them up to standard #Ashes
Mish Holman (@mishjholman), August 23, 2019
Surely the repeated collapses can’t just be blamed on individuals or even the coaching? This is a cultural problem which has to lay at the door of the captain first up. Selection too. #England
Thomas Rutherford (@Tom__Rutherford), August 23, 2019
Steve Smith could probably beat this england team on his own #AUSvENG
FFP (@robhlufc), August 23, 2019
Understand Jofra Archer has enquired about requalifying for the West Indies. News report said he wanted to play for a side who could set the opposition a decent target to bowl at. #bbctms #TheAshes #ENGAUS
Quentin Colborn (@qcpeople), August 23, 2019
Test Match Batting at an all time low this week … #Ashes
Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan), August 23, 2019
Saving the best for the end:
Jofra Archer tweeted this in 2014, and today England all out for 67 with Warner took a screamer at slips.
سفیان (@AlpSufyan), August 23, 2019
While the English fans will hope that the current World Champions do rise from the ashes, their Australian counterparts are basking in glee.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis