England lost their last six wickets for 47 runs in the morning session on Day 3 at Lord's.
In reply to Australia’s first-innings score of 416, England reached 278/4 at the close of play on Day 2. However, the hosts lost their last six wickets for 47 runs in the opening session on Friday (June 30) to concede a significant 91-run lead to the visitors.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Morgan raised questions over England’s all-out attacking approach against the pace best attack in the world.
“It will certainly pose a few questions in the changing room, simply because their (Australia’s) attack is express pace. It’s accurate. It is the best in the world. You can’t just go and belt the best team in the world’s attack all over the place, it has to be more calculated than that,” Morgan said at the end of the first session.
Heading into the third day, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook were unbeaten in the middle for England with swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow still to come.
However, the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood troubled the English batters with short-pitched deliveries to bundle out the Three Lions for 325.
“I actually thought Australia had a brilliant morning. They were reacting to everything that England does. At Edgbaston, here. Cummins being under the spotlight being a bowler. Going against the grain, doesn’t necessarily suit him but he has been excellent. Again, calculated. Mitchell Starc this morning, bowling fast and hitting the hard length. It was all out of aggression last night with just bumper warfare but to come back this morning, recognise how Ben (Stokes) is going to play, which is a bit more calculated and then it’s just Australia’s plan accordingly. So a little insight into how England have changed their aggression last night. I think even Harry Brook even tamed it down this morning but it was excellent bowling and excellent planning from Australia,” Morgan added.
Talking about the match, Australia were 130/2 at stumps on Day 3, stretching their second-innings lead to 221 runs. Usman Khawaja (58*) and Steve Smith (6*) were unbeaten in the middle for the tourists.