The fourth day of England vs Australia, Test-1 of The Ashes 2023, was full of action as the English side got bowled out at 273 runs wherein both Australian skipper as well as ace spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 4 wickets each. Other the other side, Joe Root and Harry Brook made individual contributions of 46 runs each. So, finally, Australia has got a target of 281 runs for the fifth day.
The Ashes 1st Test (Day 4) : England’s innings wrapped up on 273 runs
England started off with Pope and Root on the pitch. But soon after that, England lost Pope (14 runs) as its first wicket of the day, who was bowled by Cummins at a score of 73/3. Upon posting 129/4 on the score board, the hosts lost the most crucial wicket of Root who got stumped out at 46 runs, just 4 runs short of his half-century. Interestingly, it was the first time in his Test career that Joe Root got stumped out. The situation started becoming difficult for England when Brook was departed by Lyon for 46 runs at a score of 150/5.
From hereon, the skipper Ben Stokes build important partnership of 46 runs with Bairstow for the sixth wicket which took England to 196 runs on the board when Lyon again struck the well building partnership by getting Bairstow LBW. Within a matter of three over, England lost Stokes as their seventh wicket when a ball by Cummins struck the knee rolls which was in alignment with the middle stump was given LBW for it. With this, Stokes departed for 43 runs and became the third English batter to miss a half-century in the second innings. Before England’s innings ended on 273 runs, the tail-enders gave their significant contribution to the total by adding 63 runs for the last three wickets.
The Ashes 1st Test (Day 4) : How Australian bowlers did?
Talking about the Australian bowlers, they were able to restrict the English side on a limited which brought Australia back to the track. Both Cummins and Lyon played a pivotal role in subjugate the opponent batting attack by claiming four wickets each. So far, Lyon is leading charts for the highest wicket taker by claiming 8 wickets by giving away 229 runs in the first match only.
The Ashes 1st Test (Day 4) : How England bounced back?
The Aussies started off well in their second innings with Usman Khawaja and David Warner building a strong partnership of 61 runs when Warner got caught out by Bairstow on a brilliant delivery by Robinson. Following this, Broad gave a big blow to Australia by claiming two back to back wickets of Lobuschagne and Smith. Picking up the big wickets early on, brought the hosts back to the game which would make the last day even more thrilling.
The Ashes 1st Test (Day 4) : What to expect on Day 5?
At stumps, Australia trailed by 174 runs by posting 107 runs at a loss of three wickets. It is interesting to note that during the England vs Australia of the Ashes 2005, England gave the Aussies a target of 282 runs and registered a thrilling win by 2 runs by wrapping up the Australian side at 279 runs. For the ongoing match, in case rain interrupts the game, it will make it more difficult for Australia to be on the winning side as the overcast conditions along with strong winds would highly favour seamers. So, this makes this match of England vs Australia, a highly unpredictable one about who will win the match.