BAT'S NOT FAIR

Tresco jumps to Stokes' defence as heat turned up

- FROM RORY DOLLARD

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes has not been let down by his teammates.

That's the verdict from England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.

The scene was set for a struggling batting lineup to finally make its mark in response to Australia's total of 371, but instead of cutting loose, they were cut down to size. In sweltering heat of more than 40 degrees, and on a pitch holding no demons, they scraped together a grossly underwhelming 213 for eight.

The entire top three was in the pavilion inside 10 overs and the rest were not far behind as bowlers Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon split the spoils in conditions that should have stretched them to the limit.