Postpublished at 08:51 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Time for a look at the reaction from the Aussie media, who have given a grim assessment of Australia's chances after yesterday.
Summary
Australia close on 113-4, trailing by 162
Superb Wood dismisses Khawaja, Smith & Head to move past 100 Test wickets
Warner chops on off Woakes for 28
England 592 all out - leading by 275 - after Bairstow's sparkling 99*
Australia are 2-1 up in the five-match series
Rain forecast on days four and five
Postpublished at 08:51 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
TMS podcastpublished at 08:46 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
BBC SoundsIf you fancy reliving yesterday's action on your morning commute then check out the latest Test Match Special podcast.
Jonathan Agnew, Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath, Vic Marks and Andy Zaltzman react to the day's play. Hear from Zak Crawley after his sensational innings of 189 and also Australia coach Andrew McDonald.
Check it out over at BBC Sounds.
Daily ZaltzQuizpublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match SpecialEngland reached 300 in 51.5 overs yesterday, for the loss of just two wickets. Not only was the fastest either team has ever reached 300 in an Ashes Test innings, but it prompted a feeling that England cricket fans have not enjoyed since 1985 – the joy (and perhaps confusion) of seeing their team put 300 on the board with fewer than three wickets down.
For today’s Guesswork Challenge: in the 51 men's Ashes Tests in England between 1985 and the current game at Old Trafford, what was the average score at the fall of England's third wicket?
Daily ZaltzQuizpublished at 08:39 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Time for today's Daily ZaltzQuiz from Test Match Special's resident statistician Andy Zaltzman.
Don't forget to send in your guesses via Twitter at #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply).
We will reveal the answer at 10:30 BST.
'It's Fleetwood Zak'published at 08:37 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
But the winner is the Mirror, with this great headline combining Crawley's knock at Old Trafford and Tommy Fleetwood's opening round at The Open.
Image source, Mirror'Zak's entertainment'published at 08:36 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
MetroMy pun of the day runner-up goes to the Metro.
Image source, Metro'Zak attack'published at 08:34 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
This is a decent effort from the Express.
Image source, Express'Crawl over 'em'published at 08:30 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
The Daily StarZak Crawley's name has also lead to a variety of headline puns, including this effort from the Star.
Image source, Star'The perfect storm'published at 08:29 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
The Guardian says Crawley's innings repays the faith shown in him by England despite his early struggles.
Image source, Guardian'You've been Bazballed'published at 08:22 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
The Telegraph says that yesterday was the day England finally Bazballed Australia.
Image source, Telegraph'Ton of fun'published at 08:19 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Yep, Zak Crawley's stunning century means he leads the sports pages of pretty much all the papers this morning.
Image source, MailPostpublished at 08:18 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Let's take a look at some of this morning's back pages.
No prizes for guessing who features heavily...
Postpublished at 08:15 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Zak Crawley and Joe Root both fell to deliveries that kept low. Jonathan Agnew on Test Match Special thinks that may alter England's tactics and they will now look to get a lead of 200 to wear the pitch out further, giving their seamers something to aim for in Australia's second innings.
Crawley repays England faithpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Old TraffordBefore the Ashes began, Ben Stokes was asked to describe each of his England team-mates in one word. He labelled Zak Crawley "argumentative".
For so long the only argument, among fans at least, was whether Crawley was worth his place at the top of the order.
But on a thunderous Thursday at Old Trafford, with the fourth Test and the urn on the line, the opener repaid England's unwavering faith with a swashbuckling 189 that may have provided the decisive swing in the momentum of this series.
This knock was an awesome demonstration of what Crawley is capable of. An innings most hoped he could play but very few believed he could. Transformed from the second coming of James Vince to a pitch-perfect impersonation of Kevin Pietersen.
Media caption, Watch the best shots from Crawley's brilliant 189
Starc suffers shoulder injurypublished at 08:09 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
To complete a nightmare day for Australia, pace bowler Mitchell Starc picked up a hamstring injury and then hurt his shoulder diving in the field.
Starc left the field before close of play, though the noises from the Australia camp this morning suggest he will be able to bowl today.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 08:06 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Old TraffordEven the most optimistic England fan could not have predicted this. Their day-one performance with the ball, reducing Australia to 299-8, created the prospect of one good batting innings levelling the series. There was also the danger of one collapse surrendering any chance of lifting the urn.
What transpired was England's best day of the summer - a celebration of everything good about the cricket they have played under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, lapped up by the Old Trafford Party Stand.
If Australia were yet to be fully Bazballed, they have now, steamrollered by Crawley and co in a trail of destruction that scattered fielders, frazzled minds and did horrific damage to bowling figures. Off-spinner Todd Murphy, the notable absentee from the Australia XI, would have been relieved to be running drinks rather than bowling.
Astonishing Crawley century stuns Australiapublished at 08:04 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
For an England fan, days like yesterday do not come much better.
Zak Crawley took the headlines with a thrilling 189, the highest score by an England batter in a home Ashes Test for 26 years, to help England reach 384-4, a lead of 67.
Crawley shared a stand of 121 with new number three Moeen Ali, who hit 54, before a stunning double-century partnership with Joe Root that saw the ball dispatched to all parts of the ground.
After Root fell for 84 Harry Brook and Ben Stokes then saw out the day with an unbroken partnership of 33.
Earlier, James Anderson removed Pat Cummins with the first ball of the morning and Chris Woakes completed his maiden five-wicket haul in an Ashes Test to dismiss Australia for 317.
Postpublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Welcome to coverage of day three of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Day three was simply extraordinary, as England pummelled their way into a commanding position.
Stand by for all the reaction from Old Trafford, plus all the build-up to today's play, including the all-important weather forecast.
Good morningpublished at 07:59 British Summer Time 21 July 2023
Yesterday was fun. Fancy some more?
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
