Brisbane, Dec 6: Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has taken aim at England fast bowler Jofra Archer for what he described as a “shocking look” after the pacer was spotted walking into the Gabba on Saturday morning with a pillow tucked under his arm, moments before the start of a crucial third day in the second Ashes Test.
England, desperate to claim the final four wickets of Australia’s first innings to keep their Ashes campaign alive, watched the hosts grind their way through a stubborn morning session. Australia moved from their overnight score to 450 for 8 by lunch, stretching their lead to 116 runs despite losing two wickets.
Hayden, speaking on Channel 7, said the image of Archer walking in with a pillow before such a pivotal day sent the wrong message.“I’m sorry, but that’s a shocking look,” he said. “If I was a batsman, I’d be digging in forever. You’d look over and think, ‘You are never going to sleep on that. Not today, not tonight.’”
England’s frustrations grew as Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland added a gritty 34-run stand for the ninth wicket, batting through 16 overs and further tightening Australia’s grip on the match. Starc went to lunch on 46, with Boland on seven.
Earlier in the session, Ben Stokes removed Michael Neser for 16, before the second new ball brought a breakthrough for Gus Atkinson, who had Alex Carey caught behind for a valuable 63. Archer took the new ball from the other end but went wicketless during a five-over spell, conceding 13 runs.
The extended daylight batting time proved invaluable for Australia, setting England up to face a fresher ball under the Gabba’s floodlights — conditions that have historically troubled touring sides. (Agencies)
