(Cricket News) The opening Ashes Test still hangs in the balance as England need 7 wickets to win while Australia are 174 runs away. England were 28/2 leading by 35 runs. Australia bowled really well to keep chipping wickets at regular intervals. All 11 England players apart from Zak Crawley got double-digit scores but none of them were able to get a big one that would’ve batted Australia out of the game. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes all got 40s but the visitors managed to pick up wickets at just the right time. England’s tail frustrated the Aussies and also added some crucial runs.
Joe Root went into day 4 on 1* and on the very first ball against Pat Cummins he tried an audacious reverse ramp shot. He did miss the ball but the intent was pretty clear. Later he did connect with a couple of Scott Bolland which went for boundaries. Root managed to score 46 off 55 balls before getting stumped for the first time in his Test career off Nathan Lyon’s ball.
Harry Brook made a quickfire 46 off 52 balls but he was dismissed by Lyon thanks to a fantastic catch by Marnus Labuschagne. Ben Stokes played a decent knock of 43 off 66 before being trapped in front by Cummins. Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson all added crucial runs to set Australia a target of 281.
Captain Pat Cummins was incredible with the ball as he picked 4/63. Nathan Lyon got 4/80 and all 4 of his wickets came at crucial times. Australia came out to bat and were given a brilliant start by their openers. Usman Khawaja and David Warner put up an opening stand of 61 runs to swing things massively in Australia’s favor. Ollie Robinson came into the attack and got rid of Warner on 36.
Ben Stokes brought back Stuart Broad who bowled an incredible spell. Broad got rid of both Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply to bring England back in the game. Scott Bolland came in as night watchman and managed to survive whilst adding 13 runs. The important part is that the centurion of the first innings Usman Khawaja is still at the crease and he will play a big role.
Also read: World Cup Qualifiers: Hasaranga takes six-for as Sri Lanka thrash UAE by 175 runs
