Pat Cummins truth exposed by England great after 'terrible' Ashes scenes

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the gloomy conditions on day three rammed home a worrying truth for Pat Cummins' Aussie cricket side, following criticism of their negative tactics in the first Ashes Test. Australia has faced backlash over their uncharacteristically defensive fields, but found stunning success on day three when they chose to get more aggressive.

With Usman Khawaja's stunning 141 helping the Aussies to a solid total of 386, Cummins' men again opted for defensive field settings to try and blunt 'Bazball', as England cruised to 0-26 before the first rain delay. When play resumed under ominous skies, it took Australia just 22 balls to snare two England wickets, leaving the hosts at 2-28 and with a 35-run lead before rain set in and washed away the rest of the day.

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In that decisive period, the Aussies reverted to what most consider their typically aggressive field settings for the new ball, with Cummins and Scott Boland the beneficiaries of the conditions. Cummins removed Ben Duckett after a brilliant catch from Cam Green, before Boland had Zak Crawley caught behind on 7 in a blistering 20-minute spell.

Gone were the many Aussie fielders dotted around the boundary ropes as Australia's more aggressive approach - albeit aided by the conditions - paid dividends. Vaughan no doubt echoed the thoughts of many cricket greats by pondering whether Australia could have had more success in the first innings if they'd just played their normally aggressive game.

"That is the Australian team I have known for all of the time I have been watching Test cricket," Vaughan said after witnessing Australia's brutal two-wicket assault. Joe Root then survived multiple lbw and caught behind appeals before more rain returned to wash away the rest of the day, leaving Vaughan to rip into Australia's earlier approach.

"In that first period before the rain, Australia were terrible," Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special. "Since Australia came back out it has been a different mindset, different fields.

"There has been help with the conditions, and the ball started to move, but it is just the mindset. Australia have said to the batters 'we are here to get you out, not just spread the fields and let you knock it around'."

Aussies go aggressive after change in conditions

Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey put Australia's shift in tactics down to "reading the play", perhaps suggesting that when the favourable conditions return, so too will the defensive Aussie fields. "There was a little period tonight when it was more bowler friendly and was swinging around a bit," Carey said at the end of the day's play. We thought there was rain coming as well so you get in a bit of a rush to keep bowling."

The fact Australia had boundary fielders in the first over on day one summed up their defensive tactics against England's 'Bazball' juggernaut. On day three, the more conventional three slips and a gully returned with a tight, ring field preventing singles.

"We started with the field out on Friday and they got away with singles," Carey added. "It was always trying to restrict that boundary, we have seen England play so well and aggressive.

"Today we saw an opportunity to bring that field in and squeeze pressure. We felt we got back to hitting some nice line and lengths and hitting the wicket."

Aussies commended for changing approach due to conditions

Former England skipper Michael Atherton commended Cummins and his side for making the necessary field changes, based on the conditions. "The beauty of the game is that you have to adapt accordingly as the conditions change and Pat Cummins was very quick there, he recognised it," Atherton said on Sky Sports.

"He obviously got the ball in his hands and he could sense it. Suddenly, in comes the field, in come the catchers and it is a very different game."

Clear skies are predicted on day four before the gloomy conditions return on day five, with suspicions the pitch will deteriorate and turn. That would normally play into the hands of England spinner Moeen Ali, but a nasty blister on his bowling finger leaves England in a potentially precarious position.

Moeen's injury was compounded by a fine equating to 25 per cent of his match fee for the illegal use of a spray to dry his hands on day three. Umpires had prohibited players from using any substance without prior approval, with Moeen breaking the rules by using the drying spray on his bowling hand just before being reintroduced into the attack.

with agencies

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