England finally collapses. Test 3 Day 4 Review!
Tom Gallop and Harry Conway reflect on a Day 4 in Adelaide that saw Australia dismantle England's resistance, putting them on the verge of retaining the Ashes.
The Return of the GOAT
After being left out of the second Test, Nathan Lyon silencing his critics by tearing through England's middle order in the final hour. Gallop describes Lyon as "putting the icing on the cake" for Australia’s victory. A "visible frustrated" Lyon had earlier watched Travis Head bowl his overs, but he responded with vintage dismissals of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes, the latter of which Gallop calls the ball that effectively "ended the series."
England’s Methodical Madness
The hosts are scathing in their review of England’s batting approach, particularly the "listless" dismissals of Zak Crawley and Harry Brook. Despite a valiant 80 from Crawley, his stumping just before the end of play was labeled "horrific" by Gallop. Conway critiques the "theory of Bazball" for failing to prioritize a draw over a loss, noting that players like Ben Duckett and Harry Brook—the "crown jewels" of the new era—have offered "absolutely zero" across the series so far.
Captain Pat: A One-and-Done Masterclass?
Pat Cummins’ return to the side was marked by his 13th Test dismissal of Joe Root, further solidifying his "wood" over the England great. Conway speculates that if Australia secures the win tomorrow, Cummins might be rested for Melbourne and Sydney to prioritize his long-term back health. "There’s no way he plays... he’ll prioritize his long-term health," Conway predicts, noting that Australia’s depth—with players like Scott Boland and Michael Neser in the wings—allows for such luxury.
The Management Gap: McDonald vs. McCullum
While the media has been obsessed with "Bazball" and Brendon McCullum, Gallop gives credit to the "back-office team" at Cricket Australia. He praises coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey for their "meticulous" planning and successful management of players like Usman Khawaja and the rotation of the bowling attack. In contrast, England’s preparation—including a last-minute scramble for a bowling coach—is described as "bereft of ideas."
Jamie Smith’s "Freezing" Form
The struggle of England’s young keeper-batter Jamie Smith is a focal point. Conway, who knows Smith personally, observes that the batter looks "all at sea" and "shot of confidence," looking more like a tail-ender than a specialist. Conway notes that Smith’s body language has shifted from energetic to "nowhere," and while calls for him to be dropped might be premature, he is currently "in the bush."
Looking Ahead to 5-0
With England six wickets down and trailing by a massive margin, Conway and Gallop don't expect the match to last past the first session on Day 5. Conway believes the Aussies are "going for the jugular" and will push for a 5-0 whitewash, viewing England as a "wounded animal" that is "resigned to their fate."
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