Stuart Broad's irresistible late spell ensures England have the edge
ASHES DAY FOUR – SESSION BY SESSION: Stuart Broad’s irresistible late spell ensures England just edge Australia in fascinating day of action
- Australia ended day four of the first Ashes Test 107-3, chasing 281 for victory
- The momentum ebbed-and-flowed before England edged it following tea
- Here, Mail Sport’s Lawrence Booth runs through the day session by session
It was another pulsating day of Ashes cricket on Monday with the first Test all set for a blockbuster finish.
The fourth day started in dramatic fashion as Joe Root attempted a reverse scoop off Pat Cummins’s first ball of the day.
England eventually mustered 273 all out with several batters perhaps guilty of throwing their wicket away too easily as three reached 40 but none passed 50.
In response, Usman Khawaja and David Warner got off to a fine start in the pursuit of 281 to win as they put on 61 for the first wicket before Ollie Robinson dismissed Warner for a well-made 35.
Stuart Broad then delivered a fine spell as he got rid of danger men Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to leave Australia 107-3, requiring another 174 runs to win on the final day.
Here, Mail Sport’s Lawrence Booth runs through the day session by session.
A fine spell of bowling from Stuart Broad ensured the first Ashes Test is set for a stunning finale
Earlier, Pat Cummins’s four wickets helped Australia to dismiss England for 273, meaning they require 281 for victory
After a 61-run first wicket partnership, Ollie Robinson made the breakthrough as he got Warner
MORNING SESSION shared (1/2 a point each)
A session of two halves. By drinks, England had added 93 to their overnight score in 13.3 overs for the loss of Ollie Pope. But Joe Root, who spent the first hour reverse-scooping Australia to distraction, was stumped off Nathan Lyon for 46, and Harry Brook caught at midwicket off the same bowler for the same score. Had Jonny Bairstow not overturned Scott Boland’s lbw shout in the last over, it would have been Australia’s morning.
AFTERNOON SESSION shared (1/2 a point each)
It was ebb and flow, as it has been all match. The wickets in quick succession of Bairstow and Ben Stokes meant the pendulum swung to Australia. But Ollie Robinson helped squeeze some vital runs from the tail, and Jimmy Anderson reached double figures for the first time in over two years. The session ended with Australia needing 281.
EVENING SESSION ENGLAND (1 point)
At 61 without loss, Australia were doing it easily. But Robinson found David Warner’s edge, then Stuart Broad embarked on one of his irresistible spells, having Marnus Labuschagne caught behind for the second time in the match, then taking the big scalp of Steve Smith as Edgbaston erupted. Australia need 174 more runs, England seven wickets.
VERDICT: ENGLAND (2pts) Australia (1 PT)
Play of the day
As thrilling as Joe Root’s array of reverse-scoops were, it was hard to look beyond Stuart Broad’s late removal of Steve Smith, caught behind as he was drawn into a rare indiscretion outside off stump. After making 144 and 142 here four years ago, Smith has been limited this time to 16 and six.
Stuart Broad’s late removal of Steve Smith, caught behind as he was drawn into a rare indiscretion outside off stump was the ‘play of the day’
Broad embarked on one of his irresistible spells during the final period of a pulsating day
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