Australia on cusp of Ashes triumph as Nathan Lyon dulls England’s glimmer of hope

Third Test, D4: Australia 371 & 349; England 286 & 207-6 Spinner strikes late as tourists briefly threaten record run chase There was a time when England players threw around phrases like “the more the better”, such was their confidence in the chase. But tasked with knocking off a world record 435 runs to stop Australia winning this Ashes series at the earliest opportunity, one suspects similar words were not uttered on Saturday. Instead, having picked up six cheap wickets first thing to set up this unlikely five-session challenge, it was first about seeing where they could get to by stumps. The upshot was 206 for six from 63 overs which, while progress of sorts on this malfunctioning tour, means Australia will go into the final day of this third Test within touching distance of an unassailable 3-0 lead . Continue reading...