After another action-packed day’s play, the day finished with bad light not allowing the game to continue. Australia ended the day with a 34-run lead to their name, but they already lost three wickets in their pursuit to set a big target. England definitely have the edge at this point, but as long as Steve Smith is in the middle, we never know.

Ben Stokes was dismissed early on the third day, but not before completing his half-century. Pat Cummins provided the breakthrough and Peter Siddle joined the party, finding Bairstow’s outside edge which went straight to the slips. Nathan Lyon then cleaned up Moeen Ali’s stumps, which set the tone beautifully for Australia to finish well.

But Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes had other ideas and they launched a brilliant fightback. The duo eased their nerves, worked hard to stitch a much-needed 65-run partnership for the ninth wicket. This helped England finish with 374 runs on the board, earning a brilliant 90-run first-innings lead. Chris Woakes remained unbeaten on 37 for the English.

Openers fail again but Smith continues his purple patch

With a couple of boundaries to get underway, it seemed like David Warner will have his say in the second innings. But as it turned out, Stuart Broad once again got the better of him, this time without any controversy. Moeen Ali then found Bancroft’s inside edge, which went straight to the short-leg fielder and put Australia in trouble.

Usman Khawaja was in counter-attack mode on the day and looked brilliant in the middle. He batted at a strike-rate over 80 and was hitting the ball cleanly. But he under-estimated Ben Stokes in his very first over and played a slightly casual shot, resulting in his dismissal. Jonny Bairstow took an easy catch behind the stumps leaving Smith as the lone warrior once again.

The former captain was clear in his mind that there weren’t many overs left in the day and he wanted to garner as many runs as possible while the pitch is still behaving normally. He stitched an unbeaten 49-run partnership with Travis Head before the day ended abruptly. Australia ended the day at 124/3 in 31 overs with Smith unbeaten on 46 and Head batting on 21.

Here’s how the Twitterati reacted to the third day’s action.

Quite simple … England get @stevesmith49 tonight they win the Test … if not it’s a nipper … #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 3, 2019

Counter attack from Khawaja and Smith, brilliant batting! Looking to score vs looking to survive 👌🏻🏏

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 3, 2019

Back being officially concerned about this Test Match … 175 chase batting last will be a dog fight … !!!!! #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 3, 2019

While Siddle gets a wicket.. I am quite bemused why he is bowling so wide on the crease? He is asking the ball to do miracles from there. 🧐🤔

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) August 3, 2019

Love @benstokes38 batting at 6…. #TheAshes2019

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) August 3, 2019

Didn't want to see joe denly anymore in test cricket its better to have Ben Foakes or @CurranSM in the playing XI. @englandcricket @ESPNcricinfo @CricketAus @cricbuzz #Ashes19

— supriya saha (@supriyasaha749) August 3, 2019

No cricket is best compared to #Ashes #Ashes19….#ENGAUS

— Smith Soumavo (@smithsoumavo) August 3, 2019

This ashes test is on a knifes edge and you wouldn’t have it any other way. And I get to experience live tomorrow! What a day it will be! Come on you Aussies #Ashes19 #ENGAUS

— Joshua Bolling (@Obi_Josh_Kenobi) August 3, 2019

The good thing about Australia's batting today was their RPO. They scored at 4+ an over which means that at the end of day-3 they're 34/3 in front. They need 170 more somehow to make a match out of it, Smith holds the key of course. #Ashes19 #Ashes #ENGvAUS #AUSvENG

— Sukhinder Anand (@AnandSukhinder) August 3, 2019

More stronger
More Skillfull
More determined 
More Dangerous@stevesmith49 #Ashes19 @ICC @CricketAus#ENGvAUS

— Vivek Jadhav (@Vivek21Jadhav) August 3, 2019

Can we drop our captain from playing XI in next match ? #Ashes19

— Roshan Gautam (@RoshanGautam949) August 3, 2019

Aus get another 200 here and were in for a cracking finish #Ashes19

— mani darr (@mani_darr) August 3, 2019

Congratulations @StuartBroad8
4️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Test wickets

Broady!!! Ur magic 🙌#Ashes19

— عبدالودو (@va_vadud) August 3, 2019

Steve Smith 🐐🐐🐐🐐#SteveSmith #Ashes #Ashes19

— Tarun M (@Tarunmsd7_) August 3, 2019

I don't think I'll ever get my head around umpires taking teams off when the floodlights are on and spinners are bowling. Cricket can be played safely in these conditions, hence day/night matches! #Ashes #Ashes19

— Graeme Copas (@GraemeCopas) August 3, 2019