Australia's bowlers struck twice in quick succession in a devastating spell against England at Edgbaston on Sunday, before heavy rain washed out the later sessions on the third day of the series-opening Ashes test.
Play was abandoned at around 5.15pm after a lengthy rain-enforced break with England on 28-2, a lead of 35 runs, after Australia were bowled out for 386 in the morning session in reply to the hosts' first-innings total of 393-8 declared.
The match was first halted after lunch with England cruising on 26 for none and looking firmly on course to build up a sizeable lead.
However, those plans were derailed when they lost openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett in the span of just three overs as Australia took advantage of favourable conditions in a brief restart, with the tourists' fast bowlers getting the ball to move dangerously.
Pat Cummins dismissed Duckett for 19 after Cameron Green pulled off a spectacular diving catch in the slips.
Three balls later, Crawley (7) followed him off the field after edging a Scott Boland delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, leaving the pair of Joe Root and Ollie Pope on strike – both of whom are yet to get off the mark.
The outlook for Monday is more promising, with Britain's Met Office predicting a largely rain-free day.
Ashes first Test day three - in pictures
-
Australia's Scott Boland celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Zak Crawley caught behind on day three of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Sunday, June 18, 2023. AP -
England's Zak Crawley walks after losing his wicket, caught by Australia's Alex Carey off the bowling of Scott Boland. Reuters -
Australia's Scott Boland celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Zak Crawley. Reuters -
Storm clouds gather over Edgbaston during the third day of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia. PA -
Ground staff work to clear the standing water on the pitch. PA -
Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates taking the wicket of Ben Duckett of England, caught by Cameron Green. Getty -
Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Ben Duckett. AP -
Australia's Cameron Green celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss England's Ben Duckett off Pat Cummins. Reuters -
Australia’s Scott Boland is caught by England’s Ollie Pope off a shorth ball from Stuart Broad. PA -
England's Ollie Robinson, left, celebrates with England's Ben Stokes after taking the wicket of Australia's Pat Cummins. AP -
England's captain Ben Stokes takes the catch to dismiss Australia's Pat Cummins off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. AFP -
Usman Khawaja of Australia is bowled by Ollie Robinson of England. Getty -
Ollie Robinson of England celebrates after clean bowling Usman Khawaja of Australia. Getty -
Australia’s Usman Khawaja is bowled by England’s Ollie Robinson. PA -
Usman Khawaja of Australia walks off after being dismissed for 141 runs. Getty -
England’s James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Alex Carey. PA -
Australia's Alex Carey is bowled out by England's James Anderson. Reuters -
England's James Anderson celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey. Reuters -
England's Jonny Bairstow reacts after dropping a catch from Australia's Alex Carey off the bowling of James Anderson. Reuters -
Australia's Usman Khawaja hits a six off the bowling of England's Moeen Ali. Reuters
Australia's first innings total was seven runs short of England's 393, with Usman Khawaja's mammoth innings coming to an end when he was bowled for 141 by Ollie Robinson before lunch.
The visitors, who resumed on 311 for five, lost both settled batters, Khawaja and Carey, before three more wickets fell in quick succession.
Khawaja played with great composure for most of his knock, but when England captain Ben Stokes piled on the pressure with an aggressive field placement, the 36-year-old took the bait.
He came charging down the wicket in his attempt to blast a shot over the "reverse umbrella" field, but Robinson's inch-perfect yorker uprooted his off stump.
Earlier on Sunday, James Anderson was denied Carey's wicket in the day's first over due to a Jonny Bairstow drop, but an angling delivery from the veteran bowler snared the Australian for 66 two overs later, ending his 118-run stand with Khawaja.
Captain Cummins contributed 38 runs, hitting Moeen Ali for two sixes in an over, before holing out to deep square leg to bring the innings to an end.
