Ashes 1st Test, Day 4, Talking Points – Visitors ahead in the chase despite Broad’s damage

Australia concluded Day 4 with a score of 107 runs for the loss of three wickets, needing 174 to win the first Test on the final day. Notably, England managed to get 273 runs in the third innings to set a 281-run target courtesy of their seven-run lead prior to the innings.

The Three Lions got 28 runs at the close of Day 3, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root on the crease. The pair added a steady 50-run partnership which kept England at a comfortable spot to get to a solid total. However, it was Australia’s bowling attack that helped claw their way back into the contest by landing the breakthroughs.

With the wickets falling at regular intervals, England were restricted to 273 runs in their innings. In reply, the Aussies got off to a dominating start with David Warner and Usman Khawaja keeping the scoreboard ticking.

However, after Warner’s dismissal, England momentarily gained control as they swiftly followed it with the prized scalps of Marnus Labuschagne for mere 13 runs and Steve Smith for six runs. Australia concluded the day’s play with a score of 107 runs and will need 174 runs so as to take the lead in the five-match series.

Here are the talking points from Day 4 of the first Test

Root, Brook, Stokes contribute invaluable knocks

Joe Root played an invaluable knock as he got 46 off 55 balls which featured five fours and a solitary maximum. However, he was unable to push through and carve out a big innings. Furthermore, in the middle order, Harry Brook and skipper Ben Stokes too compiled scores of 46 and 43 runs, respectively, which helped the side get to a 200-plus score.

Lyon, Cummins’ four-fer restricts England to 281

Despite their contributions, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon and Cummins’ rose to the occasion and landed the blows as they got eight wickets between them. While Lyon got four wickets for 80 runs in his 24 overs, Cummins too got as many scalps in his 18.2 overs for 63 runs. In the process, England were restricted to 273 runs in the third innings.

Broad strikes twice despite Australia’s commanding start

The opening pair of David Warner and Usman Khawaja got off to a dominating start as they got the runs with ease. Adding a 61-run partnership, Australia kept their momentum intact during the chase on the penultimate day. Despite this, England’s Ollie Robinson got the important wicket of Warner as he departed for a score of 36 off 57 which included four fours. Stuart Broad then struck twice as he got the prized scalps of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne for six and 13 runs, respectively. With this, the Aussies got 107 runs at the close of Day 4.