Australia satisfied with state of Test, says James Pattinson: "We'll bat as long as we can"

SAM MORSHEAD AT EDGBASTON: Pattinson described a contented atmosphere in the Australian dressing room at the close, and believes his side are well placed to set England a challenging target to chase

Scorecard | Talking Points | Sam Morshead

Australia are happy with the state of play in the first Ashes Test despite effectively finding themselves 34 for 3 in their second innings going into the fourth day, according to fast bowler James Pattinson.

A fightback with the ball early on day three at Edgbaston hauled Australia back into the match, with England lurching from 282 for 4 to 300 for 8, before Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad's 65-run ninth-wicket partnership handed the hosts a lead of 90 on first innings.

The Aussies then lost David Warner and Cameron Bancroft cheaply, and Usman Khawaja before the close, to gather a slender lead going into what will be a critical fourth day.

Pattinson described a contented atmosphere in the Australian dressing room at the close, and believes his side are well placed to set England a challenging target to chase, especially given Steve Smith is unbeaten and looking in fine nick.

"If they got another strong partnership and still for or five down, and if they’d gone in front by 150-160, it would have been pretty hard to come back from," he said.

^{Darren Pattinson says Australia are happy with the state of play in the first Ashes Test}

"I know I was sitting last night thinking if we can manage to keep them to a 80-run lead, we’ll be right in the game, considering we bat well.

"We managed to lose a couple of wickets tonight but we kept the runs ticking. So we have got a little bit of a lead today and tomorrow the message is for the boys to just try and bat as long as we can tomorrow and score as many runs as possible.

"Obviously the ball is bit older now, over 25 overs, hopefully it will stop doing as much and Smudge is there. Smithey’s batting unbelievably and it looks like he’s taken off from the first innings. Travis as well. I think those players will be trying to bat as long as possible."

Warner's second failure with the bat came after a day in the field during which he was engaged in a constant back-and-forth with England fans in the boisterous Hollies Stand.

VISIT THE ASHES HUB

The batsman blew kisses in the direction of spectators, waved and turned out his pockets in retort to songs about his involvement in the sandpaper scandal - a good-natured exchange, especially compared to some of the receptions he has experienced on these shores this summer.

Pattinson said Warner was not downbeat despite his meagre return with the bat in this Test.

"The good thing with Davey is he's just the same person whether he's going well or not.

"He's always bubbly around the team, he's always helping out, that's the great thing about him.

"And also with everything that's gone on with the crowd, he seems to handle it pretty fine and that's the kind of person he is.

"He's all for the team, whether he gets runs or he doesn't he's always up and about in the dressing room."

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more