Ashes 2019: 4th Test – Smith, Cummins shine as Aussies go for the hunt on Day 4

Australia took a giant stride in their mission to retain the urn on Day 4 of the Manchester Test. For most parts of the day, they had England under the gun. The brilliance of Steve Smith was again the key difference between the two sides after England had made some quick breakthroughs in the second innings. Overall, the match moved at a rapid pace throughout the day as Australia tried to force through the momentum. First bowling out England for 301, Australian scored at a decent click to declare their innings at 186-6. Set a target of 383 to win, England got off to the worst possible start facing the wrath of Pat Cummins. At the end of the day, they were under the pump at 18/2, with a mammoth task of survival ahead of them on Day 5.

Aussies get the business done

Australia had a clear task in front of their eyes. With England starting the day at 200/5, the mission was to dismiss them as quickly as possible. They got down to business early on with Starc finding his rhythm to castle Jonny Bairstow. Ben Stokes soon followed suit, with Starc again striking with another big scalp. It was now left to Jos Buttler to bat alongside the tail and try to avoid the follow-on. Buttler played one of his most impressive innings of the series, scoring a fighting 41. He had no option but to attack the bowlers and the clarity of thought certainly helped his cause. His efforts just about helped England to avoid the follow-on as Starc and Cummins ran through the tail.

It’s that man, Steve Smith, again!

AND…AGAIN!!! 🙌

Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/rDgrysSBQA#Ashes pic.twitter.com/VCJzZQIJfj

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2019

England got off to an incredible start, with Broad and Archer causing havoc. Broad again dismissed Warner for a duck, the sixth time he had gotten better of the opener this series. Broad then got the scalp of Warner’s opening partner Harris with another lbw. It was now Archer’s time to join the party as Labuschagne and Head became victims of the pacers fury. Australia suddenly found themselves in a world of trouble at 44-4.

But Steve Smith quickly got down to business, playing some audacious shots to up the scoring rate. He was watchful at the start, but it didn’t take him long to torment his English counterparts. He quickly brought up his half-century, with the lead swelling. All credit to Matthew Wade, as he hung around at the other end to let Smith strutt his stuff. Another century appeared in sight for the Aussie maverick. But in his efforts to keep the scoring rate flowing, he went for a big shot against Leach through the off-side. The connection was not as crisp as he would have liked with Stokes holding on to the catch with Smith walking back to the pavilion for a highly entertaining 82.

Wade then quickly followed Smith for a resilient 34 with Jofra getting his third wicket. Skipper Tim Paine though played a purposeful cameo of 23 off 18, before finally declaring the innings on 186-6.

The task was set. England had a challenging few minutes of play ahead of them.

Cummins’ sensational over

Skipper Paine among his variety of options, decided to hand Pat Cummins the new ball. The ploy was to make the English batsmen play as many deliveries as possible. It was the perfect plan. The No.1 bowler in the world first induced a leading edge from Burns as he tried to guide the ball through his favoured leg-side. England were one down without registering a single run on the board.

The worst possible start.

Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/rDgrysSBQA#Ashes pic.twitter.com/PQbWa9J3Lz

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2019

Joe Root then walked out to the middle, opting not to send the nightwatchman out. He would end up regretting the decision. He got a peach of a delivery first up, which knocked his off-stump out. The scorecard now read 0-2. Jason Roy then walked out and somehow managed to survive a barrage from the Australian bowlers. Denly stood at the other end.

With the weather forecast being good for the final day, it will require a herculean task from the English team to retain any hopes of regaining the urn.

Brief scores: Australia 497/8 decl. & 186/6 decl. (Steven Smith 82; Jofra Archer 3-45) lead England 301 & 18/2 (Joe Denly 10*; Pat Cummins 2-8) by 364 runs.