Preamble
Hello and welcome!
Trust everyone’s fresh from yesterday’s restorative day’s play. For many contemplating a Friday evening in front of the cricket, no doubt Jonny Bairstow’s hundred and Stokes’ half century warmed the heart. It was swashbuckling, it was gutsy, and as we’ve since learned, not without a bit of crowd boorishness to boot. So, all round, stirring stuff.
It leaves England with half a glimmer in this match, but only that. Quite simply, Australia will want to knock them over and get to work setting up a target today, while England will be trying to take it as deep as is possible with the bat.
I expect we’ll see Bairstow farming the strike, which will be quickly followed by conversations about bowling and fielding tactics in these situations.
My early understanding is that there were overnight storms, but the weather is looking okay to start on time. I write it tentatively. I’m going to comb around now for some more detail on that, but in the meantime if you’re keen to catch up on yesterday’s action, here’s Ali Martin’s report from the SCG.
I’m around on Twitter and email while bringing you the first half of the day’s play. Get me at [email protected], or @sjjperry on Twitter.