Australia has been bowled out for 371 runs on day two of the third Ashes Test, with Jofra Archer emerging as the standout bowler for England, securing his third Ashes five-wicket haul. The hosts’ innings concluded with Nathan Lyon trapped lbw by Archer for 9, a decision that was upheld on review. This crucial breakthrough sets the stage for England’s first innings, where they will aim to build a substantial lead on a pitch described as flat and docile.

The Australian tailenders, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon, offered stubborn resistance in the closing stages, adding 22 runs for the ninth wicket. Boland, in particular, found the boundary on several occasions, exploiting some wayward English bowling. His aggressive approach, including edges through the slips for fours, frustrated the English attack as they struggled to maintain consistent line and length. The home crowd cheered each run, a testament to the resilience shown by the lower order.

Jofra Archer was instrumental in breaking through the Australian resistance, consistently troubling the batsmen with his pace and accuracy. His ability to pick up crucial wickets, especially at the end of the innings, demonstrated his importance to the England bowling attack. The pitch, despite initial expectations, proved to be a good batting surface, making Australia’s total a respectable, though not insurmountable, score.

With Australia all out, the focus now shifts to England’s opening pair, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. They face the daunting task of setting the tone for England’s innings against the potent new ball attack of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. The challenge will be to bat positively without taking undue risks, weathering the initial onslaught and then building a significant score to put pressure on the Australians.

England’s bowlers, despite the flat nature of the pitch, can take credit for their efforts in eventually dismissing the opposition. Archer’s five-wicket haul was the highlight, but the collective effort ensured Australia’s innings did not extend further. The success of England’s campaign in this crucial Test match will heavily depend on their batsmen’s ability to perform under pressure.

The fate of the series now hinges on England’s first-innings performance. They will need to bat for close to two days, accumulating a large total to gain a significant advantage. This will not only put the Australians under pressure but also test their endurance in the field during what are expected to be hot conditions.

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