Shane Watson falls to an lbw dismissal for the 28th time - Top Spin Ashes special

  • Shane Watson feel victim to an lbw decision for the 28th time in Tests
  • His place is under threat unless he performs in the second innings
  • Jimmy Anderson moves ahead of Curtly Ambrose on wickets list
  • England have lost only one home Ashes Test after taking a first-innings lead - when Richie Benaud spun the tourists to victory in 1961
  • England secured a first-innings lead in the first Ashes Test for the first time since 1997 when Nasser Hussain made a double century
  • England close in on Cardiff victory - Paul Newman's day three report 

There are few things more certain in life than Shane Watson reviewing an lbw dismissal. 

So when he saw umpire Marais Erasmus answer Stuart Broad’s appeal in the affirmative in the second over the day, Watson duly obliged. 

Much to Broad’s delight, the decision stood and Watson had fallen victim to a 28th Test-match lbw — 26.66 per cent of his total Test dismissals and the highest proportion of anyone with at least 100 innings under his belt. 

This has become a familiar fate for Watson against England — illustrated by the way Alastair Cook’s seamers have targeted his pads — and nearly half of these dismissals (13) have come in Ashes series. 

Shane Watson was dismissed lbw by Stuart Broad on the third morning of the first Test in Cardiff

Shane Watson was dismissed lbw by Stuart Broad on the third morning of the first Test in Cardiff

Watson needs a performance in the second innings or his place in the team could be under threat

Watson needs a performance in the second innings or his place in the team could be under threat

In fact, only Graham Gooch (19) has been given out lbw more times in the Ashes. Gooch played in more than twice as many matches as Watson — 42 compared to 19. 

Since the start of the year, Australia’s experienced all-rounder has scored only 163 runs at an average of 32.60. And barring a decent display in the tourists’ second innings, he could easily find himself dropped for Mitchell Marsh at Lord’s.

 

Shot of the day - Adam Lyth’s slog-sweep for six off Nathan Lyon shortly after lunch symbolised England’s determination to make sure Australia’s bowlers did not settle.

Ball of the day - Glenn McGrath would have been proud of the bail-trimmer produced by Josh Hazlewood to get rid of the in-form Joe Root, who has started this series with 194 runs in two innings.

Josh Hazlewood clean bowled Joe Root with a beautiful bail-trimmer on day three at the Swalec Stadium

Josh Hazlewood clean bowled Joe Root with a beautiful bail-trimmer on day three at the Swalec Stadium

Hero of the day - The pressure was on Ian Bell after scoring only 56 runs in nine innings. But his adventurous 60 eased England’s concerns after they slipped to 22 for two.

Villain of the day - More of a pantomime villain, really. Undeterred by the fact that he had conceded 161 runs before his first wicket, Mitchell Johnson responded to bowling Bell with an old-fashioned send-off.

Moment of the day - The skill with which Jimmy Anderson worked over Brad Haddin with the second new ball was a pleasure to watch. He eventually had Australia’s keeper caught behind off a beauty that seamed away.

Jimmy Anderson celebrates the wicket of Brad Haddin after giving him a working over with the new ball

Jimmy Anderson celebrates the wicket of Brad Haddin after giving him a working over with the new ball

Jimmy climbs higher

Jimmy Anderson continued to climb the Test wicket-taking list. His three for 43 took him to 406, one clear of West Indies’ Curtly Ambrose and into 11th. Next is Pakistan’s Wasim Akram on 414.

When Richie ruled

England have lost only one home Ashes Test after claiming a first-innings lead of 100 or more. That was at Old Trafford in 1961, when Richie Benaud famously spun Australia to victory.

Nasser reboot

When England bowled out Australia for 308 in reply to their 430, it was the first time they had secured a first-innings lead in a first Ashes Test since 1997, when Nasser Hussain with 207 gave them a 360-run cushion at Edgbaston.

Nasser Hussain celebrates reaching a double century during the first Ashes Test in 1997 at Edgbaston

Nasser Hussain celebrates reaching a double century during the first Ashes Test in 1997 at Edgbaston

NUMBER CRUNCHING 

150 - Nathan Lyon has become the first off-spinner to take 150 wickets for Australia in Test matches.

30 - For the first time in Test history, a side’s No 3, 4, 5 and 6 were all dismissed in the 30s in the same innings.

THE ASHES-O-METER 

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