Ashes Series

LIVE Ashes Score: Captain Joe Root leads England's comeback against Australia on the third day of the first Test.

As England captain Joe Root and Dawid Malan dug deep to launch a valiant fightback in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, they were celebrating a record-breaking 2021.

On the third evening, after two depressing days at The Gabba and a first-innings deficit of 278 runs, the tourists finally landed some blows of their own to reach 220 for two.

Root showed all his class and charisma to make 86 not out, while Malan knuckled down for a highly impressive 80no after being dismissed for a duck in England's underwhelming 147 all out.

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Root, unlike Malan, has never scored a century in Australia, but will spend the night dreaming of rectifying that as the duo resume their 159-run partnership.

While the only thing on Root's mind would have been to salvage something from this match – a draw, the most unlikely of victories, even a measure of pride in defeat – he also picked up a significant milestone along the way.

No Englishman had ever scored more Test runs in a calendar year than Root's mentor Michael Vaughan did in 2002 (1,481). But by the end, he had a total of 1,541 and, with games in Adelaide and Melbourne still to come, he could be on his way to breaking Mohammad Yousuf's world record of 1,788.

Labuschagne is unsurprised by England's comeback in the Ashes 2021.

Marnus Labuschagne of Australia expects his bowling teammates to wreck havoc with the new ball when play resumes on Saturday, despite England's stirring comeback in the first Ashes test in Brisbane.

"It's test cricket," Labuschagne said. "You never expect any test nation, especially when you're playing England in the Ashes, to come in and roll over and you're going to knock them over."

"Test cricket is a grind; it's supposed to be difficult; otherwise, both countries wouldn't care as much."

"So it's just another day at the office for us, and we'll make sure we come back tomorrow and review our plans from today, come up with some ideas, and get those last eight wickets."

Australia emphasises the importance of the new ball in the Ashes 2021.

"The key tomorrow is getting a wicket in the first 10 overs and then getting the new ball," Australia batsman Travis Head said.

"We've created some opportunities for two high-quality players (Root and Malan), but it's no surprise how they came out and applied themselves."

"We have a 60-run lead and the new ball is right around the corner. Tomorrow's new ball is going to be massive."

McGrath impressed with England's batting in the Ashes 2021.

Quick ex-Australian "The way Malan and Root batted, they looked at ease," Glenn McGrath added.

"They handled both the full and short, and they're in a good spot."

"They are in complete command of this match at the moment, and I believe the pitch will improve even more for batting tomorrow."

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