STEVE SMITH was proving a problem once more after an England batting collapse tossed away a near-impregnable position.
England lost their final six wickets for just 35 runs and, instead of posting a first innings total beyond 500, they were dismissed for 403.
The touring team was hugely indebted to Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who scored 140 and 119 respectively and compiled a partnership of 237.
It was England’s all-time highest stand for the fifth-wicket against Australia beating the 206 put on by Denis Compton and Eddie Paynter at Trent Bridge in 1938.
Then Aussie skipper Smith made England pay for the collapse with another imposing innings.
After Craig Overton dismissed David Warner and Cameron Bancroft and leave Australia tottering at 55-2, Smith and Usman Khawaja compiled a partnership of 124 that ended when Chris Woakes trapped Khawaja lbw.
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Overton later went off the field after apparently aggravating the side problem he suffered when struck in the ribs by Pat Cummins while battiing on the final day of the Second Test.
Smith hardly looked in any trouble as he peeled off a string of drives and cuts. His century in the First Test was key to Australia’s victory and he was is to make a match-defining contribution.
By the close of day two of the Third Test, Australia had reached …
England’s collapse began when Malan, after his maiden Test century, aimed something extravagant against spinner Nathan Lyon and skewed the ball to point where sub fielder Peter Handscomb ran and held a fine diving catch.
It is an innings Malan will never forget – he showed skill, bravey and a solid temperament.
Moeen Ali’s second ball was short from Cummins, hit the glove and flew straight to second slip. Then Woakes connected with a legside hit and it went to fine leg, where Cummins dived forward and clung on. A careless dismissal for Woakes.
Jonny Bairstow, who marked his first Ashes century by kissing the badge and then head-butting his helmet three times in honour of his greeting to Bancroft on the first night of the tour, was bowled as he aimed across line.
Overton gloved a catch to short leg and finally Stuart Broad attempted an unorthodox hoick over fie leg and succeeded only in toe-ending a catch to short leg.
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