England ended the 3rd day of the 5th Test match in a strong position played at Kennington Oval, London on Saturday.
Starting on the overnight score of 9 for 0, Joe Denly and Rory Burns looked aggressive with their intent hitting boundaries which put Australia under pressure. Denly took on Nathan Lyon in his 1st over. England openers put on 54 runs. Nathan Lyon got the breakthrough dismissing Burns with a good catch from Tim Paine. Joe Root came to the crease and looked positive with his intent. Lyon struck again getting the wicket of England captain for 21. Joe Denly struggled but stayed on the crease with Ben Stokes at the crease. The hosts went into lunch at 88 for 2 with a lead of 157 runs.
In the second session, Ben Stokes and Joe Denly showed their class against the Australian bowling line up. Both survived a few chances which they could not grab. Denly reached his fifty off 127 balls. Ben Stokes played with positive intent taking on Australian bowlers. The all-rounder reached his 50 off 89 balls. England went into a tea break in a strong position at 193 for 2.
The Australian bowlers struck after the tea break as Nathan Lyon dismissed Nathan Lyon with a beauty. Stokes and Denly added 127 runs for the 3rd wicket. Soon after Joe Denly got out for brilliant 94 by Peter Siddle.
Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow played with positive intent putting pressure on Australian bowlers. Bairstow and Buttler added 37 runs for the 5th wicket. Bairstow was brilliantly caught by Smith. Buttler cut loose by smashing the Australian bowlers. Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler fell late in the day. England ended 3rd day at 313 for 8 with a lead of 382.
England 294 in 87.1 overs ( Buttler 70, Joe Root 57, Mitchell Marsh 5/46, Pat Cummins 3/84 Josh Hazlewood 2/73) and 313 for 8 in 91 overs ( Joe Denly 94, Ben Stokes 67, Nathan Lyon 3/65, Nathan Peter Siddle 2/52, Mitchell Marsh 2/40) lead Australia 225 in 68.5 overs ( Steve Smith 80, Labuschagne 48,Jofra Archer 6/65, Sam Curran 3/46) by 382 runs.
