To beat Australia, you are supposed to be flawless. You cannot miss a beat, cannot waste a moment, cannot blink at all, never mind first. Even then, usually, you need something more: a favourable wind, a shed full of rabbits’ feet, a meadow of four-leafed clovers. In other words, you are not supposed to be able to do this.
But against all probability and despite the most generous of catching displays England have, for the third time in eight days, beaten the serial world champions to keep their bid for the most remarkable of Ashes heists on track.
