Ashes 2017/18, 3rd Test Day 2: 5 Talking Points

Having already lost the Adelaide Test, England went into the third Test knowing that they needed to win if they wanted to retain the Ashes. However, by the end of the third day’s play, even their biggest supporter would not place any bets on them.

It was evident at the close of Day 2 that Steve Smith was looking to counter-attack after England had gained an upper hand. Before lunch, he had found an ideal partner in Mitchell Marsh. The duo plundered England's attack to all parts of Perth as they put an unbeaten 301-run partnership.

Here are five talking points from Day 3:

#5 Craig Overton plays with a cracked rib

A couple of weeks back Craig Overton was not even in the starting XI picture. After making his debut in the Adelaide Test – where he took four wickets, including Steve Smith – the youngster was seemingly becoming more and more important for England.

The fast bowler got both the Aussie openers out and was even troubling Smith initially. However, he injured his rib while attempting a caught-and-bowled chance last afternoon and had to leave the field. It was the same area where he had been struck a painful blow to the ribs while batting in Adelaide.

After undergoing scans, which revealed a hairline rib crack, Overton was deemed fit to take the field. The 23-year-old, though, hardly made an impact as Smith and Mitchell Marsh made merry on Day 3.

#4 Australia take first innings lead

Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh grinded the English bowlers with an epic partnership. While Smith notched up his double century, Marsh finished the day just 19 runs shy of a maiden double century.

The pair walked off at stumps to a standing ovation, having put on 301 runs together as Australia took a lead of 146 runs in the second Ashes Test.

The first innings lead is crucial for the Aussies as it rules out any chances of England retaining the Ashes, barring any meteorological intervention.

It will be interesting to see how the hosts go about their tactics on Day 4 and when they declare. If they manage to get another 200-250 runs on the board by tea, we might have a terrific match on our hands.

#3 England simply can’t get Steve Smith out

Steve Smith is unreal. By now, England, surely, have given up on getting him out. Before the start of the day’s play, it was a simple enough equation for Joe Root and his men - get Smith out or lose the Ashes.

From the moment Smith came on, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Moeen Ali – all the English bowlers tried and tried to get him out. Root even tried his hand at bowling and brought on Dawid Malan for a while.

But Smith just wouldn’t buckle. He batted in a manner that suggested that he was fully aware of his role in the side. He hardly broke a sweat on his way to his second double century and went on piling on the misery of the English bowlers through the day’s play.

#2 Matthew Hayden’s grand record within Steve Smith’s reach

On the way to his second double hundred, Steve Smith breezed past the 1000-run milestone for the 2017 calendar year. In the process, he became only the fourth Australian after Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to reach 1000 runs in a calendar year four times.

Smith is also the second player worldwide, after Hayden, to achieve the feat in consecutive years. With this achievement, the Australian captain is now within reach of Hayden’s grand record of scoring 1000 runs in a calendar year five times.

Between 2001 and 2005, Hayden achieved the feat five times in a row, a record Smith could match if he crosses the 1000-run barrier again in 2018. Based on the form he is displaying at the moment, it would not be a surprise if he emulates the former opener.

#1 Mitchell Marsh scores maiden hundred in front of his home crowd

It was only fitting that a hometown hero would score a brilliant hundred in the final Ashes Test at the iconic WACA Ground. Mitchell Marsh went on to score his maiden Test match century in front of his home crowd and his parents as he plundered England's attack to all parts of Perth.

It was indeed a brilliant century, the first of his career in his 22nd Test match. The modification and adjustments made to Marsh’s technique were clearly visible. He looks like a more versatile player, one who was intent on playing aggressively but could also hold the fort if necessary.

Marsh notched up his 100 in just 131 balls. By the end of the day’s play, he was unbeaten on 181 off just 234 balls. He hit a total of 29 boundaries as the English bowlers were left toiling hard throughout the day.