The 2nd Day of the 3rd Ashes Test produced another three sessions of quality cricket, as the pendulum kept swinging from one team's favour to the other.
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head were batting at the end of day's play, with no team looking like having a firm grip over the match, making for an interesting Day 4 play on Saturday.
The 2nd Day of the 3rd Ashes Test produced another three sessions of quality cricket, as the pendulum kept swinging from one team's favour to the other.
England started their day at 68-3 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 263, but quickly lost Joe Root, who was dismissed by Pat Cummins for the tenth time in Tests.
Jonny Bairstow joined captain Ben Stokes at the crease, but could not produce much with the bat, as he was removed for just 12 by Mitchell Starc.
The pattern of losing wickets at regular intervals continued for England as Stokes helplessly watched the back of every new batter return to the pavilion.
Chris Woakes provided a breath of fresh air in the England innings, striking an 8-ball 24, including 3 sixes before he was dismissed by a Cummins bouncer.
With his team now reeling at 167-8, Stokes took matters into his own hands, as he did in the Lord's Test, smashing 5 sixes and 6 fours in his innings of 80 runs from 108 balls. He was the last batter to be dismissed, as the home team folded for 237 with Australia securing a 26-run lead. Cummins registered the figures of 6-91 from 18 overs.
Australian opener David Warner's horrid run with the bat against Stuart Broad continued, as he got his man for the 17th time. The record for a batter getting out the most number of times to a single bowler is 19 registered by Michael Atherton against Glenn McGrath.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne saw Australia through tea and later, stitched up a 57-run partnership before Moeen Ali struck twice in two overs, removing Labuschagne (33) and Steve Smith (2) to bring England back into the game.
Khawaja, who looked well-set, was dismissed in the latter stages of the day for 43 by a Woakes delivery that zipped and took the outside edge for Bairstow to complete the catch behind the wickets.
Australia's first innings centurion found himself in similar territory, walking in at 90-4, just like he did on Day 1 before striking a run-a-ball 118.
Marsh (17*) was accompanied by Travis Head (18*) at the end of Day 3's play with Australia at 116-4 and 142 runs ahead.
England will like to get early wickets in the morning session, Marsh in particular. Australia, on the other hand, will need a solid partnership to get them over and possibly take an unassailable lead in the 5-match Ashes series.