Australia [497/8d & 186/6d] beat England [301 & 197] by 185 runs in the fourth Ashes Test

[sweep_shot]

It really should be a draw. Rain is robbing Aussies here.

 

[MenInG]

Australia solidified their position of strength on day three in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, dislodging both Rory Burns and Joe Root after a stoic 141-run stand.

Burns (81) and Root (71) fought valiantly to prevail unscathed through a rain-affected morning and full afternoon session, before an inspired spell from Josh Hazlewood saw three wickets fall for 30 runs in the latter stages.

England began day three on 23/1, having lost Joe Denly deep into the evening session on day two, and it was initially up to Burns and nightwatchman Craig Overton to quell the threat of the Aussie pacers following a lengthy rain delay in the morning at Old Trafford. Overton fell to Hazlewood for 5, making way for a patient and effective partnership between Burns and his captain.

Burns and Root soaked up 318 balls for their stand of 141Burns and Root soaked up 318 balls for their stand of 141
Both batsmen passed half-centuries as the Australian bowlers toiled away through the afternoon, Pat Cummins coming close on a few occasions in an enthralling battle with Root and Nathan Lyon getting some serious spin out of the foot-holes.

The home supporters enjoyed the spectacle until tea, where England went into the interval still 372 runs behind, but buoyed by the aptitude of their batsmen on an increasingly bright day in Manchester.

What ensued following the break was all in Australia's favour, as Hazlewood entered a higher gear and began to make the ball move off the seam. Burns departed first, nicking off for 81 to Steve Smith who caught easily in the slip cordon, and Root falling just two overs later, pinned back onto his pads for a plumb lbw having been duped by a testing length.

Hazlewood finished day three with figures of 4/48Hazlewood finished day three with figures of 4/48
Jason Roy then played positively in his accumulation of 22 runs before Hazlewood took his fourth wicket of the innings, seeing one nip in on a full length, sneaking between Roy's bat and pad and taking out middle stump.

England's Headingley hero Ben Stokes was still there at the close, when poor light brought an end to proceedings, and he was joined by Jonny Bairstow, who was only made to play two deliveries before the conclusion of the day's play.

The hosts go into day four needing 98 runs to avoid the follow-on. Anything other than a draw or a home victory would see Australia retain the Ashes.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1338342

 

[Robert]

It seems that he has gone off injured.

Wonder if the injury has been there since yesterday or if it just appeared in this session. He has been poor on both days.

Either way, he bowled himself into the ground in the second innings at Headingley and I guess this is the result.

He would still merit his place in the side as a pure batsman though.

Root cannot handle his bowlers. He overbowled poor Archer and reduced him to medium pace for this match. Then he overbowled Stokes when Archer went off and hardly bowled Woakes who should be the donkey work bowler.

 

[James]

After this series (or after this match if we lose), Root needs to step down as skipper and Broad - great cricket brain, understands the physical limits of bowlers - can be the caretaker captain. Stokes to remain as vice-captain.

 

[Robert]

After this series (or after this match if we lose), Root needs to step down as skipper and Broad - great cricket brain, understands the physical limits of bowlers - can be the caretaker captain. Stokes to remain as vice-captain.

Agreed.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

What a boring end to a good series. Only good thing in this match was Smith's double century.

 

[James]

What a boring end to a good series. Only good thing in this match was Smith's double century.

There is another match next week.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

There is another match next week.

There is? I thought it was a 4 match series. Nvm then

 

[MenInG]

AUS 497/8 decl
ENG 212/5 (80.3) CRR: 2.63
Day 4: 1st Session - England trail by 285 runs

2nd new ball in operation.... England fighting

 

[MenInG]

There is? I thought it was a 4 match series. Nvm then

The Ashes.

4 match series?

 

[Ellipsism]

Hoff bowling some absolute jaffas here.

 

[MenInG]

Bairsrtow gone

Starc to Bairstow, out Bowled!! Bairstow b Starc 17(37) [4s-2]

 

[Robert]

Bowledstow bowled again.

 

[Ellipsism]

Bowledstow bowled again.

Couldn’t have done much about that, near unplayable.

 

[Robert]

Couldn’t have done much about that, near unplayable.

It’s a trend with Bairstow. He keeps getting bowled. I would drop him from the test side permanently.

 

[James]

Bairstow and Stokes gone. Depressing stuff - Australia all over us on this “flat pitch” and we have no answers. The Ashes are slipping away again.

 

[James]

Jofra Archer nearly run out off a single, not because a single wasn’t there but because he was casually jogging to the non-striker’s end and not taking the fielder seriously. Funny but embarrassing.

 

[MenInG]

AUS 497/8 decl
ENG 248/7 (90.2) CRR: 2.75
Day 4: 1st Session - England trail by 249 runs

 

[MenInG]

Bairstow and Stokes gone. Depressing stuff - Australia all over us on this “flat pitch” and we have no answers. The Ashes are slipping away again.

Remember the Alamo or Headingley!

 

[Manunited18]

It’s a trend with Bairstow. He keeps getting bowled. I would drop him from the test side permanently.

Well not permanently, but agree if bairstow, buttler Roy don't perform in this test then they need a stint in counties again, foakes, pope, may be mahlan needs another chance

 

[Ab Fan]

Australia would be thinking to restrict England under a trail of 180+ runs,then bat again, add 160-170 runs and give England a total of 350 with one day and the final half an hour of today's play left.

If no more rain interruption, Australia favourites to win IMO.

 

[MenInG]

AUS 497/8 decl
ENG 256/8 (93.0) CRR: 2.75
Day 4: 1st Session - England trail by 241 runs

 

[Ellipsism]

England might scrape through with a draw here as well. If so, boy have they had their fair share of luck this season.

 

[Gilly]

Paine will be hoping for a lead of 199

 

[Manunited18]

They still trail by a stack England, unless Lyons form improves England have a chance of escaping with a draw, Lyons key, hes been average in this test

 

[shah_1]

Get Starc one over to broad

Tim Paine is a low IQ captain

 

[James]

Couldn’t have done much about that, near unplayable.

Disagree - it was playable for someone who can read the game, anticipate the actions of his opponents and play with a solid technique. Starc’s strategy was obvious and Bairstow fell for it. Sky ran a stat that Bairstow gets out bowled in 31% of his Test innings.

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] at least if we lose the Ashes tomorrow then we can make wholesale changes for the Oval and try some new players.

 

[MenInG]

AUS 497/8 decl
ENG 283/9 (101.5) CRR: 2.78
Day 4: 2nd Session - England trail by 214 runs

 

[James]

I know that the follow-on is hazardous and nowadays is considered unfashionable, but honestly if I was Tim Paine then I would be tempted to enforce it this time. This England side doesn’t have the bottle to do a Laxman or a Botham - if Australia go for the follow on then England could lose this today.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Umpiring doing Australia no favours here.

 

[James]

Follow on avoided

Well played Buttler and Leach.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I know that the follow-on is hazardous and nowadays is considered unfashionable, but honestly if I was Tim Paine then I would be tempted to enforce it this time. This England side doesn’t have the bottle to do a Laxman or a Botham - if Australia go for the follow on then England could lose this today.

Doubt Tim Paine will flog his 4 man attack like that. They will bat again and try to score at 4 an over.

 

[Robert]

Follow-on avoided, played Buttler.

 

[Ab Fan]

Follow on avoided

Well played Buttler and Leach.

They will send England to bat again but not now, it will happen possibly with 5 more overs to go before stumps.

 

[MenInG]

AUS 497/8 decl
ENG 301-all out (107.0) CRR: 2.81
Day 4: Innings Break - England trail by 196 runs

 

[James]

Right England, now bowl the Aussies out for 100 and chase down 300 to win. Yeah.....

 

[HappyWarsFan]

England are a very weak team. If Misbah can get our Test team going we can beat them too next year

 

[James]

Broad looks fired up here.

 

[sweep_shot]

England are a very weak team. If Misbah can get our Test team going we can beat them too next year

England focuses too much on white ball cricket. They haven't taken Test format seriously in the past 4-5 years.

 

[James]

Broad gets rid of both the openers, Australia blow another review, Smith and Labuschagne in.

 

[MenInG]

ENG 301
AUS 497/8 decl, 18/2 (7.0) CRR: 2.57
Day 4: 2nd Session - Australia lead by 214 runs

 

[sweep_shot]

Australia should set a target of 350. That should be enough to ensure they don't lose this Test.

 

[MenInG]

Australia should set a target of 350. That should be enough to ensure they don't lose this Test.

ENG 301
AUS 497/8 decl, 24/3 (9.3) CRR: 2.53
Day 4: 2nd Session - Australia lead by 220 runs

Could be bowled out for 100!

 

[delpiero10]

Could be bowled out for 100!

I assume you’re talking about just Steve Smith here?

 

[James]

Archer takes out Labuschagne and Head, 44-4: game is back on.

 

[Markhor]

I don't know why Overton was recalled. Pressure has released since Archer and Broad exited the attack.

 

[KingKhan12]

Have to rate Australia. Have completely outplayed England and the 2 umpires. Should been 2-1 and England following on and losing this test too. But just like world cup final the umpires trying their best to save England. Now please don't bring reviews waisted into this. 50-50 LBWs are given when Australia are batting not even that some were even not out in this series but still given and when England batting absolute stone wall LBWs are not given. Reason Australia keep losing reviews as they can't trust the umpires anymore and you can't blame them.

 

[James]

By bowling well, England are taking time out of the game here.

Australia could have easily been 120/1 off 21 overs in this match situation.

They may have been looking at a declaration before the close initially, but now they will probably bat on until lunch tomorrow. This increases the chances of a draw for England.

 

[James]

Have to rate Australia. Have completely outplayed England and the 2 umpires. Should been 2-1 and England following on and losing this test too. But just like world cup final the umpires trying their best to save England. Now please don't bring reviews waisted into this. 50-50 LBWs are given when Australia are batting not even that some were even not out in this series but still given and when England batting absolute stone wall LBWs are not given. Reason Australia keep losing reviews as they can't trust the umpires anymore and you can't blame them.

England were also very close to winning the 2nd Test, Australia got away with a draw due to time in the match previously lost to rain.

 

[Slog]

Lol smith fighting lone hand again.

This Aussie batting line up is a joke sans him

 

[KingKhan12]

England were also very close to winning the 2nd Test, Australia got away with a draw due to time in the match previously lost to rain.

Lol you can't England were very close when Australia only needed 110 with 4 wickets remaining. Even they could have won that.

1st test Australia won by 251 runs.

2nd test drawn. Was in balance maybe 60-40 in Englands favour.

3rd test England won by 1 wicket that was thanks to a freak Stoke innings and umpire not giving a plumb LBW.

4th test again Australia outplayed England

Except the 2nd drawn test which was even steven test match rest games Australia outplayed England. If not for umpiring mistakes and bit bias towards England the Ashes would been Australias.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

What is Warner's average this Ashes? Low 20s? What an atrocious series he has had. Probably means he due a few runs though...

 

[Joseph Gomes]

What is Warner's average this Ashes? Low 20s? What an atrocious series he has had. Probably means he due a few runs though...

9

 

[Ozymandiasza]

9

Wow, that's brutal

 

[KingKhan12]

What is Warner's average this Ashes? Low 20s? What an atrocious series he has had. Probably means he due a few runs though...

I don't understand why Warner takes strike after getting out to Broad many times in first over. Why not let Harris take strike.

 

[James]

Lol you can't England were very close when Australia only needed 110 with 4 wickets remaining. Even they could have won that.

1st test Australia won by 251 runs.

2nd test drawn. Was in balance maybe 60-40 in Englands favour.

3rd test England won by 1 wicket that was thanks to a freak Stoke innings and umpire not giving a plumb LBW.

4th test again Australia outplayed England

Except the 2nd drawn test which was even steven test match rest games Australia outplayed England. If not for umpiring mistakes and bit bias towards England the Ashes would been Australias.

The 1st Test was a squash, no doubt about it.

England were creaming it around in the 2nd Test when they declared. Practically a whole day was lost to rain in that match - without the rain then England would have batted bigger and bowled Australia out twice.

England won the 3rd Test.

Australia has been ahead of the 8 ball for this whole Test so far but it’s not over yet.

Series has been very competitive and is still alive and kicking.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Wow, that's brutal

His last 3 innings are all ducks

 

[KingKhan12]

The 1st Test was a squash, no doubt about it.

England were creaming it around in the 2nd Test when they declared. Practically a whole day was lost to rain in that match - without the rain then England would have batted bigger and bowled Australia out twice.

England won the 3rd Test.

Australia has been ahead of the 8 ball for this whole Test so far but it’s not over yet.

Series has been very competitive and is still alive and kicking.

Except 2nd test I'm sorry Australia have completely outplayed England in all tests. If it were not for umpiring mistakes the Ashes would been Australias by now.

 

[Justcrazy]

Smith is looking in groove again.

 

[sweep_shot]

Warner is having a rough time. He hasn't been the same ever since his ban was lifted.

Smith thrived while Warner completely lost it.

 

[Justcrazy]

Australia need to get at least another 120 runs

 

[ssuhaide]

Except 2nd test I'm sorry Australia have completely outplayed England in all tests. If it were not for umpiring mistakes the Ashes would been Australias by now.

Don't agree with the above. It's been a competitive series. Really it's England vs Smith and Smith is winning. So many people just moan about umpires and bias etc but for the neutral it's been great cricket.

I do expect Aus to wrap it up this time.

 

[James]

Except 2nd test I'm sorry Australia have completely outplayed England in all tests. If it were not for umpiring mistakes the Ashes would been Australias by now.

Well, the Ashes are anybody’s still and it is 1-1. A pity for you.

 

[anand99]

The crowd is almost exclusively white. Why don't British Asians show up for England games? Do they not care for their home country?

 

[Justcrazy]

If Smith gets another hundred it will be absolutely magical.

 

[Justcrazy]

The crowd is almost exclusively white. Why don't British Asians show up for England games? Do they not care for their home country?

Maybe whether they cannot connect .

 

[KingKhan12]

Don't agree with the above. It's been a competitive series. Really it's England vs Smith and Smith is winning. So many people just moan about umpires and bias etc but for the neutral it's been great cricket.

I do expect Aus to wrap it up this time.

Lol Smith didn't play the 3rd test and Australia outplayed England and it was just a umpiring mistake and Stoke freak innings won it for them.
Australian bowlers especially Hazlewood and Cummins have been all over England

 

[James]

Lol Smith didn't play the 3rd test and Australia outplayed England and it was just a umpiring mistake and Stoke freak innings won it for them.
Australian bowlers especially Hazlewood and Cummins have been all over England

Are the Aussies paying you to post these things? Or are you just a sycophant?

 

[Justcrazy]

300 runs lead .

 

[Savak]

Lol you can't England were very close when Australia only needed 110 with 4 wickets remaining. Even they could have won that.

1st test Australia won by 251 runs.

2nd test drawn. Was in balance maybe 60-40 in Englands favour.

3rd test England won by 1 wicket that was thanks to a freak Stoke innings and umpire not giving a plumb LBW.

4th test again Australia outplayed England

Except the 2nd drawn test which was even steven test match rest games Australia outplayed England. If not for umpiring mistakes and bit bias towards England the Ashes would been Australias.

Australia has been in England since May 2019. For a team which has had a good 3 months to acclimatize, having the home team 1-1 is not really much to speak off

 

[Joseph Gomes]

The crowd is almost exclusively white. Why don't British Asians show up for England games? Do they not care for their home country?

It's because they're British, not English. They're born in same country but don't have same culture.

 

[Justcrazy]

for smith

 

[James]

I don’t like these defensive tactics from England but they are quite shrewd. Attack attack attack before tea, get the top order out to eliminate the chances of a quickfire runfest; then step back afterwards and let the Aussies quietly accumulate. Even that review just now was a shot in the dark aimed at wasting time. Taking overs out of the game.

 

[KingKhan12]

Are the Aussies paying you to post these things? Or are you just a sycophant?

Just stating the facts which you can't accept as usual

 

[Justcrazy]

400 would be nearly impossible to chase in the last innings

 

[James]

Just stating the facts which you can't accept as usual

Your posts were ifs, buts and opinions. Full of irrelevance.

The fact you were keenest to omit is that the series is currently tied at 1-1.

 

[KingKhan12]

Well, the Ashes are anybody’s still and it is 1-1. A pity for you.

Did I say it's not 1-1. What pity I'm just giving my point of view of the Ashes and stated whats been happening. Just because the umpiring have been in your favour you would not mind but if it was other way around you would see the English commentators, media and fans like you moaning non stop like always.

 

[KingKhan12]

Don't agree with the above. It's been a competitive series. Really it's England vs Smith and Smith is winning. So many people just moan about umpires and bias etc but for the neutral it's been great cricket.

I do expect Aus to wrap it up this time.

Really it's been Australia vs Ben Stokes then lol. Other then that Australia has bossed this whole series

 

[Justcrazy]

Smith 71 not out .

 

[ARK Rafay]

Steve Smith. And he bats differently, really differently.