Twitter Reactions: Australia’s series-win dream in danger as England ‘Bazball’ their way to 377-run lead on Day 3

Cricket Australia. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

The exhilarating action continued in the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 at the Oval in London as England began their second innings on Day 3. After seeing off a few deliveries, the acceleration peddle was pressed on by the England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett as the duo got involved in a 79-run opening stand. Duckett (42) was the first man to be dismissed as he edged one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey against Mitchell Starc.

Crawley continued his innings and further extended his lead as the highest run scorer of the series (480 runs) before getting dismissed for 73. England captain Ben Stokes walked in at number 3 and got involved in a 73-run stand with Joe Root for the third wicket. However, his innings was cut short by Todd Murphy on 42. Harry Brook failed to get going and edged one against Josh Hazlewood on 7 to leave England on 222/4.

Jonny Bairstow walked in number six and joined Root at the crease who was scoring at a strike rate of over 100 putting his sensational reverse scoops on display. Bairstow also started the innings in his usual attacking fashion and took England to tea along with Root.

The duo got involved in a massive 110-run stand to take England’s lead past 300. Root, unfortunately, missed out on his hundred as he lost his stumps against Todd Murphy on 91. Bairstow slowed down after the initial burst and scored 78 (103) with the help of 11 fours in his innings before edging one to Carey against Starc.

England tail extended their lead above 370 with one wicket left

Following his dismissal, England tail came out all guns blazing and swung their bat around to add as many runs as possible before stumps. Moeen Ali (26) and Mark Wood (9) made valuable contributions to take England’s lead beyond 360. A couple of boundaries from James Anderson took England to the score of 389/9 at stumps on Day 3 leading by 377 runs in the second innings.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on another entertaining day’s play in the Ashes.

Here is how fans reacted to Day 3 of the final Ashes Test:

A James Anderson reverse sweep is better than most batters #Ashes2023

— mathew hibbert 💙💛 (@matteohib94) July 29, 2023

Every run is cheered. #Ashes2023

— Abhisek Dahal (@abhii_99) July 29, 2023

My favorite pick from this Ashes was Toddy. He should have been trusted more by the captain! Cannot wait to see more of him! #Ashes2023

— Monisha Dikshit (@monishadikshit) July 29, 2023

Getting result is good .. but playing soo limited time on crease .. puts soo burden on bowlers… this will back fire very soon .. when they visit australia or india .. #Ashes2023

— Mohammed ayman (@maymandt) July 29, 2023

Awwww bless #Aussies delaying tactics cos they don’t want to have bat tonight… #Diddums #Ashes #Ashes2023

— GDyTwoshoes (@GDyTwoshoes) July 29, 2023

I just love watching Starc bowl.
When he is in full flow their is no better sight in world cricket.
He is not someone who depends on new balls.
He just bowls his heart out.
Has played 4 tests this ashes and is the leading wicket taker.
Team man!! #Ashes2023 #ENGvAUS #Starc

— Milin Kejriwal (@milinkejriwal25) July 29, 2023

Just enough time for one more Joel Wilson classic before the day is out! #ashes #Ashes2023

— Nigel Haworth (@nth09) July 29, 2023

Anderson and Broad aren’t even slogging. England should have declared after Wood’s wicket and bowled a couple of overs at the Aussies #Ashes2023

— Sherlock (@Zallion) July 29, 2023

Why on earth have they sent Broad and Anderson out tonight? Why have they batted past 6pm with a 350+ lead?

If either gets hit with the inevitable short ball, they could be out of the 4th innings.

Seems daft to me. 🤷‍♂️#Ashes #Cricket #Ashes2023

— Michael Batty (@Michaelbatty19) July 29, 2023

Your card’s marked Starc. Doing that to our 🐐#Ashes2023 #Ashes23 #ENGvAuS#Ashes
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 v 🇦🇺 🏏

— Pauline 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💃🌹 (@PaulineMilligan) July 29, 2023

here’s an idea – England run rate approximately 5rpo for today. Australia 11 overs shy of the 90 required. So 55 penalty runs to England for today. That’ll soon put a stop to all this messing around, wasting time and crowd not getting their 90 overs #Ashes2023 #bbccricket

— Brian Murphy (@brian_bugle) July 29, 2023