Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 3 - Steve Smith Masterclass Puts Australia On The Verge

A direct quote from the previous article makes me wonder why I didn't put a bet on it. "You wouldn't bet against Australia reaching 500 on Day 3." I don't think in their wildest dreams the Australians would have thought Steve Smith would bat through the day unbeaten to finish on 229 not out alongside Mitchell Marsh, who finished 181 not out. Shaun Marsh was the only wicket to fall, caught at slip off Moeen Ali, but in reality you would be struggling to call that a highlight given how dreadful the day was for England.

Quite frankly, the day's play has been summed up in that one paragraph; England toothless, Australia mighty. It only makes the collapse on Day 2 more frustrating, because it really is the same old England. The Australian press had previously lambasted the Australian selectors for including Shaun Marsh, he responded with his hundred in Adelaide. The Australian press were almost equally critical of the inclusion of brother Mitchell Marsh. Boy, haven't the Australian selectors earnt the right to serve some humble pie to the gathered journalists in Perth.

549-4, just let that sink in for a moment. England lose 6 for 35 to get 403, which they weren't too displeased with at the time. Australia just have a knack of finding a way to grind the opposition down, especially when that opposition is England. Anderson and Broad, 907 wickets between them, go wicketless. Overton couldn't add to his 2 from yesterday, Woakes is still off colour, Ali is no threat at all and his confidence is shot.

You can't take anything away from Steve Smith, you begin to run out of superlatives for the man even though he is not the easiest on the eye. There's a passion about him, look how he celebrates his hundreds (yes, plural at times). He is an intense character, and an intense cricketer. Then there's Mitchell Marsh, where he pulled that innings from is anyone's guess. His driving was sublime, which suggests England actually pitched the ball up. I still feel they are bowling too short.

The only thing left to wonder is whether the Ashes will belong to Steve Smith's Australia on Sunday or Monday. Clearly I'm not a betting man, but it would not surprise me to see Australia end up with a lead of 250 plus, and England to not make Australia bat again. Any trophy engravers in the vicinity of the WACA should drop a business card off tomorrow.