Well that was a much more fun and closer to normal day of test cricket. Figured we chose to bat first as it gave us the best chance of getting their top order in under the lights but we actually batted out a whole day! At 5-2 it felt like it was all going to be over pretty quickly again but then Root arrived in this series. Wonderful innings. So happy he finally got the century in Australia to get that one off his back and properly cement his name as a great. I'm sure Aussies will still come up with some reasons why it doesn't really count though ("it's only one," "still not red ball," "B grade attack" which still includes Starc, and Boland who averages 14 in Australia or whatever). Felt a big moment for him to break that duck early in the series and I wouldn't bet against him making more in this series now. Lovely innings from Crawley too coming off a pair. He actually averages 74 when he gets to 30, he just doesn't make it to 30 often enough. If he can survive through the opening spell he actually can be a lovely batsman to watch.
Still looked like being nowhere near enough runs when Stokes was run out, but this last wicket partnership has got it up to something that should hopefully make a game of it. Really surprised they left out Lyon. He could have offered something different yesterday when it other than Starc, the other bowlers all really offered pretty much the same thing and none of them seemed hugely threatening if you batted properly. Big day coming up to see if this first innings total is anywhere near par.
