hero-image

Ashes 2017/18, 3rd Test: What went wrong for England

<p>

Steve Smith led Australia to an emphatic win by an innings and 41 runs in the third Test to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

With the win on Monday, Australia reclaimed the Ashes series and England, who have now lost seven away Tests in a row, are on course for the third 5-0 thrashing in four visits Down Under.

The fourth Test will be played from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Now, let's have a look at what went wrong for the touring party at Perth as the iconic Ashes urn returns to Australia.

#5 Top-order batting failure

<p>

England, who lost the first Test by 10 wickets, the second by 120 runs and the third by an innings and 41 runs, failed in all three departments of the game, but the top-order failure has been the biggest cause of concern for the visitors on their current trip to Australia.

England's most-capped Test player, Alastair Cook has a series aggregate of 83 runs in six completed innings and has been a serious worry for the visitors, who are desperate for good starts.

Cook's 150th Test appearance resulted in two cheap dismissals at WACA, which has become something of a pattern for the former England captain in the ongoing Ashes series.

Skipper Joe Root, who often holds the key to a successful England innings, contributed with scores of 14 and 20 before playing some really lazy shots and making things even more difficult for his team.

You may also like