England's hopes melt away in sun as Cummins glows with authority

Tourists teetering 158 behind after Australia captain leads fine bowling display by hosts

- Ali Martin

Leading from the front now he is back Pat Cummins celebrates the key wicket of Joe Root as he claimed three for 54 on his return from injury

(PHIL CARPENTER/EPA)

On a sweltering second day in the so-called city of churches, faith appeared to evaporate. Faith in technology, certainly, a sentiment shared by both sets of players. But for England there was a broader loss of belief in their attacking philosophy after having it systematically dismantled by Australia.

This could have been the day that England finally made a statement with the bat in this Ashes series. It was a 40C (104F) furnace out in the middle for the bowlers, the breeze akin to a hairdryer. And the pitch, bone dry, had none of the bounce that proved England's undoing during those sorry defeats in Perth and Brisbane.

And yet by stumps they had crawled to 213 for eight from 68 overs, still 158 behind, and a 3-0 scoreline in Australia's favour was loading. Ben Stokes was unbeaten on 45 after three hours of bullish defiance but only one captain glowed with authority. Pat Cummins had led a remarkable display of bowling by the hosts with figures of three for 54 on a stellar comeback.

Indeed, for all the talk of England's problems with the bat - and minds are now seemingly scrambled - the biggest difference has surely been with the ball. Even with key men missing Australia have been relentless all series and here, despite the sapping heat, they stuck their guests in a straitjacket of nagging lines and lengths, extracting every shred of movement on offer.