WHITEWASH AVOIDED!

There is no worse situation than starting a test match 0-3 down in a 5 match series with the possibility of whitewash looming in sight. Joe Root couldn't have started the day any worse than by losing the toss and having to field first on a belter of a pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Cameron Bancroft complemented an attacking David Warner brilliantly​ as they put on more than 100 runs in the first session. Warner reached his hundred before he was given a life after getting caught off a no-ball by debutant Tom Curran. Shaun Marsh joined Steven Smith at the crease as they batted right through the day. What happened on the second morning came as a lovely Christmas gift for England as Anderson and Broad range through the remaining batting line up after Tom Curran managed to get Steve Smith out off an inside edge on to off stump. After Stoneman and Vince had failed to get going it was left to Joe Root and Alastair Cook to revive the innings with a big partnership. English skipper and England's leading run getter then put on almost 150 runs before Joe Root mishit a hook in the hands of deep square leg. Alastair Cook notched up his 32nd test ton but kept losing partners regularly at he over end. With a lead of less than 50, Cook found an ally in Stuart Broad and they put on 100 runs to take England to a secured position from where for the first time in the series they could hope to beat Australia. Alastair Cook carried his bat through with an unbeaten 244. It was a very emotional moment for him and England because of all the talks about his retirement. My eyes were literally covered with tears when arguably England's greatest cricketer raised his bat to the Barmy Army at the end of Day 3. England kept believing till they again saw Steve Smith at the crease. Warner played very patiently for his 83 after a couple of wickets fell for not too many. Steve Smith looked in no mood to accelerate after almost two full sessions were washed out of the penultimate day. He along with Mitchell Marsh ensured that there was only one result possible. I do think that England's strong batting performance had as much to do with their technique and mental strength as the absence of Mitchell Starc. Starc has been outstanding in this series but this shouldn't take a lot of credit away from the English batters especially Alastair Cook. England can take a lot of heart and pride from this performance just because of the fact that at least once in the match they looked to be dominating this Australian unit. All four of their match winners Cook-Root-Broad-Anderson stood up but they have missed the services of a quality spinner very dearly. They considered Moeen Ali as their premier spinners on the back of his performances in England where pitches are very different and also the Dukes ball keeps its seam intact for a little longer than the Kookaburra ball. Anyways a draw is not a bad result from England's perspective by looking at the wounds which were inflicted upon them in the first three matches. Australia will be looking to bounce back and take the series 4-0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.