Ashes 2017: Five key moments from day three as England once again have no-ball issues and Steve Smith proves he’s human after all

ENGLAND suffered yet another bruising day Down Under as Australia took control of the Fifth Ashes Test.

Usman Khawaja hit a stylish 171, before the Marsh brothers put on an exhibition in middle-order batting to leave the hosts with a lead of 133 at stumps.

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Here are five moments from a tough day for England at the SCG.

He’s only human, after all

STEVE SMITH looked absolutely nailed on for a fouth Test century of the series.

But Moeen Ali persisted wonderfully in the morning session, getting into a rhythm and for the first time in five games, looking a real threat.

He got the breakthrough ten minutes before lunch, as a rare lapse in concentration from the Aussie skipper saw him pop one straight back to Ali – who took a smart catch.

No-ball disaster

MASON CRANE thought he had his first Test match wicket – but his joy lasted about 15 seconds.

The young leggie bowled well in a decent spell, and got one to fly out the rough at the left-landed Khawaja.

No shot was offered but despite a huge appeal, the umpire gave it not out.

England sent it upstairs, yet for the second time in the series a debutant was shown to have overstepped – with HawkEye confirming that it would’ve been overturned.

Swann vs Boycott

THERE was heated debate at lunch as ‘no-ball gate’ exploded – and it was great viewing over the break-time cuppa.

Graeme Swann was adamant that Crane did have a flicker of his boot behind the line and it was a dreadful decision.

But Geoffrey Boycott, in typical fashion, didn’t pull his punches.

A very Marsh review

THIS summed up England’s day.

Joe Root brought himself on to bowl and got a bit of turn out the footholes.

And Shaun Marsh, a notoriously poor starter, looked to have feathered behind.

The umpire agreed – but the review showed that it passed the bat by about an inch. Shocker.

Try, try a-Crane

AFTER that disaster with the no-ball, Mason Crane deserved some luck – and this was one positive on a tough day for England. 

It took until the evening session, but he finally picked up his first Test scalp – and it was the big one.

Khawaja tried to charge down the track, but seeing him coming the 20-year-old leggie threw it hard down leg.

Bairstow did the rest.

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