Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has praised the resilience of England after a solid batting performance on day three, while also questioning the mental character of the Aussies.
“This Australian side, we know, under pressure, have cracked, haven’t they?” he said on BT Sport’s coverage overnight.
“Against India last year [in] Headingley — England are getting closer to seeing what happens to this new captaincy and this new side.”
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Cook said that if England could get through the next new ball with minimal losses, they’d be in a position to test new captain Pat Cummins — particularly if either Dawid Malan or Joe Root could carry their bat through the day.
Both are closing in on centuries, and the skipper’s presence in the middle has provided reassurance for the rest of the side so far during an unbeaten 159-run partnership.
“He seems to somehow find a way of putting the pressure back on the bowlers,” Malan said of his batting partner after the day’s play.
“It’s great signs for us as a team that Joe is playing well out here and leading from the front.”
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If Australia are forced to chase a reasonable total, it could be without a key man.
Even getting England out could be an issue, as the status of one of their marquee bowlers remains up in the air.
“You’ve got no Warner, question marks on Hazlewood,” Cook’s ex-teammate Steve Harmison said.
England will resume play on Saturday morning at 2-220, needing another 58 runs to make Australia bat again.
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