Crane's heartbreak Mason Crane, the England legspinner, has impressed on debut - apart from continual troubles with his run-up, which required several aborts. In a tough initiation on a flat pitch, the 20-year-old created several half chances on day two and continued to showcase his trickery on Saturday (January 6).
After a lifeless start on day three for England, Crane caused a stir before lunch when he troubled centurion Usman Khawaja. His toil hit a crescendo when he trapped Khawaja in front and confidently appealed, sensing a maiden Test wicket was imminent. The appeal was turned down but referred by a confident England although instant replays showed Crane had overstepped negating the review.
However, in a cruel twist, ball tracking confirmed the decision would have been overturned gifting Crane his first Test wicket. A dejected Crane complained to the umpire underlying his bitter disappointment.
It was the second straight Test a debutant was denied a maiden wicket through overstepping following Tom Curran's heartbreak on Boxing Day during the MCG Test. Ben Stokes and Mark Wood are other recent England bowlers who have suffered the ignominy.
Crane finally picked up his first Test wicket when he eventually claimed Khawaja after tea. He finished with 1 for 135 from 39 overs but bowled better than those unflattering figures.
Broad's milestone awaits Stuart Broad, the England quick, has had a tough series and his middling output over the opening three Tests brought into question the veteran's place in the team. Impressively showcasing his resiliency, Broad bounced back in Melbourne with a terrific performance and continued the momentum when he bowled struggling opener Cameron Bancroft in his first over of Australia's innings on day two.
Things were noticeably more difficult for Broad on day three as wickets were hard to eke out on the flat pitch against a confident Australia. An unwavering Broad gallantly tried to breakthrough to get his side back into the contest and claim his 400th Test wicket.
Only 14 players have reached the coveted landmark, including just one Englishman - James Anderson, who has 523 wickets. Just nine quicks have made the list underlining Broad's indefatigable and, perhaps, underrated career.
He will be hoping to claim the coveted wicket on day four in what looms as his final chance to claim the feat during the Ashes with the hosts likely to bat just once in this Test.
Pink Day Day three of the SCG Test has become the traditional Jane McGrath Day, in honour of the late wife of Glenn McGrath, the legendary Australian paceman. Jane passed away in 2008, aged 42, after a long battle with breast cancer. In her later years, she became a breast cancer advocate and started the McGrath Foundation.
On day three of the Ashes finale, the SCG was turned into a sea of pink, which was Jane's favourite colour, with a good proportion of the crowd wearing pink attire. The entire Channel Nine commentary team were garbed in pink clothing, while police officers patrolling the ground sported pink cricket caps and donated their day's salary to the McGrath Foundation.
There was some creativity with men dying their facial hair pink, while both teams posed with pink caps before play started. It was the 10th anniversary of the Pink Test match. "The generosity of the cricket community has seen the Foundation raise over (AUD) $6.4 million through the iconic Pink Test in the last decade," James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said.
