Nightwatchman day four: Alastair Cook and Joe Root already out as Ashes series defeat looms

Scyld Berry
Updated
Hear the drummer get wicket: Alastair Cook is out - Getty Images AsiaPac
Hear the drummer get wicket: Alastair Cook is out - Getty Images AsiaPac

Cracking up

At the start of day four there appeared a crack wide enough to be visible to the naked eye 100 metres away. For a right-handed batsman standing at the Swan River end, facing a bowler from the Prindiville or Gloucester Park end, it could not have been in a more inconvenient place: it ran straight down the pitch along the line of off-stump halfway back to the bowler. It is hard to put to the back of your mind something that is right in front of your nose.

A crack on the Waca pitch - Credit: BT Sport 1
Pitch cracked, and so did England Credit: BT Sport 1

James Anderson hit this crack regularly, Stuart Broad with one ball which proceeded to behave like a legbreak. The extra pace of Australia’s fast bowlers was only going to exaggerate this erratic behaviour. Just what Alastair Cook needed during his fruitless run.

Not. SB

Five centuries

James Anderson speaks with teammate Stuart Broad - Credit: AFP
Not their happiest: James Anderson speaks with teammate Stuart Broad Credit: AFP

It was only the eighth time in Test history that five bowlers have conceded 100 runs or more. Stuart Broad’s 0-142 made for his most unsuccessful Test figures.

Until James Anderson revved up on the fourth morning, at the sight of some cloud overhead and the cracks in the pitch, Craig Overton was the only England bowler to threaten. He bowled one over on day four before making another whole-hearted dive in the field then limping off with his hairline-fractured rib.

Mark Wood does not have a lot of overs under his belt but it reverse-swings in Melbourne owing to its abrasive square. Or else Jake Ball for the fourth Test? SB

Big hundreds

Mitchell Marsh was dismissed without adding to his overnight score of 181, and Steve Smith added only ten to his 229, but their point was already made.

Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh of Australia leave the field after their unbeaten partnership of 301 runs on the third day - Credit: Getty
Sick of the sight: at least Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith didn't get too much more use out of those bats on day four Credit: Getty

Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow scored very fine centuries; Smith and Marsh made very fine and very big centuries: Smith’s 239 is the fourth highest in Tests at the Waca. SB

The twilight of Alastair Cook?

Australia's Josh Hazlewood, center, celebrates with the teammates after dismissing England's Alastair Cook - Credit: AP
Australia were really, REALLY pleased with Josh Hazlewood for dismissing Alastair Cook Credit: AP

His series aggregate is now 83 runs in six completed innings. For the first time in his England Test career he has gone ten innings without a 50.

He had been looking good too, clipping a four and hooking another. Then he looked to work to his favourite area of mid-wicket, eagerly, his bat in front of him, not the ball beneath his eyes - and it might have held up. Josh Hazlewood dived to his right and clung on one-handed.

It was only the second time that Cook has been caught and bowled in Tests. SB

Made of Stoneman

The man they call Rocky looked punch-drunk as he began his innings with England up against the ropes.

He had been subjected to a bouncer barrage (and hit) in the first innings here: was that on his mind as he failed to get forward to a ball from Josh Hazlewood?

Mark Stoneman never got his feet moving in his brief innings - Credit: AP
Lead boot: Mark Stoneman never got his feet moving in his brief innings Credit: AP

It was full, he didn't move his feet, and just poked tamely at the ball, trapped on the crease. Regulation catch for Tim Paine, and England had lost their first wicket after just 11 balls of the innings. AT

Root loop

Another soft dismissal for the skipper, driving at a nothing ball from Nathan Lyon and finding the edge.

It clanged off Tim Paine's gloves, but they say you make your own luck and England cannot argue that they deserve much of it.

Australia's Steve Smith celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss England's Joe Root off the bowling of Nathan Lyon - Credit: PA
Sinking feeling: Root is caught by a Smith-Paine combo Credit: PA

Paine tipped the ball in the direction of slip, and who was there but Steve Smith to take the catch? AT

Ball of the century?

Good luck playing that. Even the master himself, Wasim Akram, nodded his approval: Waz 'liked' a tweet praising the dismissal.

James Vince can leave with his head held high.

Mitchell Starc was simply incredible in that moment. AT

Rain Song

The Barmy Amry danced for rain, and they got their wish.

At about quarter to nine UK time it suddenly started tipping down. The clouds came and went, and the teams were a minute away from getting back on.

General view as rain stops play during day four of the Ashes Test match at the WACA Ground - Credit: PA
Gloomy, but cheerful for England: General view as rain stops play during day four of the Ashes Test match at the WACA Ground Credit: PA

As it is, we will be back on Monday morning to finish things off. There is further rain forecast but surely not enough. AT

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