Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer shines as rain curtails 1st session in 3rd Test

Leeds, Aug 22: England gun-quick Jofra Archer threatened to wreak havoc once again as he snared a wicket before rain continued to disturb play on the opening day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley. At Lunch, Australia were 12/1 when the umpires were forced to call an early end to the opening session on Thursday. Only four overs of play was possible after a rain-induced delayed start.

England skipper Joe Root asked the Aussies, without star batsman Steve Smith, to bat first. While the hosts named an unchanged squad, Australia made three changes in their playing XI as Marcus Harris, James Pattinson and Marnus Labuschagne replaced Cameron Bancroft, Peter Siddle and the injured Smith.

At lunch, David Warner (0 batting) was at the crease after Harris was squared up by an unplayable Archer delivery which kissed the outside edge of his bat and flew to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Archer (1/8) and Stuart Broad had Australian openers in all sorts of trouble with the ball moving off the seam under helpful overhead conditions.

Warner, who is woefully out of form, struggled to middle the ball and looked all at sea in the 12 balls he faced. Harris managed to hit two fours before Archer had him and the skies opened up.

Brief Scores (Lunch): Australia 1st innings: 12/1 (Marcus Harris 8, Jofra Archer 1/8) vs England