As It Happened: England vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 3 in Cardiff
Live cricket score and ball-by-ball commentary from the third day of the first Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Friday.
Australia were set a target of 412 to win the first Ashes Test after dismissing England for 289 in their second innings to force the close of the third day in Cardiff on Friday. Catch all the highlights of the match here: (SCORECARD | SCHEDULE)
The most any side have made to win an Ashes Test is Australia's 404 for three against England at Headingley back in 1948 when Arthur Morris scored 182 and Donald Bradman an unbeaten 173.
Ian Bell and first-innings century-maker Joe Root were England's joint top-scorers in their second innings with 60.
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon took four for 75.
If Australia, who have two days to get the runs, succeed it will be the third-highest fourth innings total to win any Test match and highest in England.
West Indies made 418 for seven against Australia in St John's Antigua in 2002/03 and South Africa scored 414 for four, also against Australia, in Perth in 2008/09.
Live Score - England vs Australia
So here we go then! Players are out in the middle, Chris Rogers will be on strike and David Warner at the other end. James Anderson to start the proceedings.
Welcome to the penultimate day of this first thrilling Test match. England lost 6 wickets for 84 runs on day 3 but that didn't cost them much as they had a 122-run lead which clubbed nicely to their first innings total and they managed to get over 400 runs. Aussies have a tough task in front, they have chased down 404 way back in 1948 but that's history. They will want their batsmen to do some serious talking or else Anderson, Broad and Wood will clean them right up and don't forget Moeen Ali, he too can be handy with his off spin. Stay tuned, the match will begin shortly!
Day 4... Session 1...
Tomorrow could be the final day of this Test. Or could it stretch to Sunday? Join us at 1000 GMT (1530 IST) for the action from Day 4! Adios! Take Care!
If Australia bat for the whole day tomorrow and lose not more than 5 wickets, they should fancy themselves to win this game. But in actual reality, England should fancy themselves to finish the game tomorrow itself. The pitch has started to turn and bounce and Lyon's 4 wickets would have been closely observed by Moeen Ali. Johnson managed to get a couple of wickets while a limping Starc and Hazlewood got 2 wickets each.
The day started with Australia trailing by 166 with 5 wickets in hand and their lower order didn't fight today. They folded up for 44 runs and then England started to build on the lead of 122. The top order departed cheaply but the middle order fought again, scoring quickly and frustrating Australia. Once the lead went past 300, the acceleration happened and the Aussies were pegged back.
Clarke applauds his bowlers as the Aussies walk off the field. No one is smiling, but at least they can take heart from the fact that they managed to get 10 wickets in under 3 sessions. But the big thing is that AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN SET A TARGET OF 412 with 2 days to spare.
OUT! Bowled! Australia have managed to bowl England twice in this Test. Full and straight, a bit of flight, Anderson looks to slog sweep but misses and the ball hits the timber. ENGLAND BOWLED OUT FOR 289.
Full and outside off, Wood looks to drive but gets a bottom edge to mid off.
Oohhh.... almost. Perfect yorker on middle, Wood looks to dig it out and very nearly gets hit on the toe. Just about gets the bat down in time to defend.