The Ashes 2024 has reached an exhilarating climax as England and Australia gear up for a riveting final day of the 1st Test. With Australia needing 174 more runs to secure victory and England needing 7 wickets, the match hangs in the balance, promising cricket fans a captivating finish to this thrilling encounter.
England vs Australia Ashes 2024 1st Test Day 4 Highlights
The fourth day witnessed a flurry of action at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, as both teams displayed their mettle and fought tooth and nail for supremacy. England, having declared their first innings at 393/8, held a slim lead over Australia’s first-innings total of 386. They started the day at 27/2, their overnight score from Day 3, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root on the crease.
Pope and Root made a good partnership of 50 runs for the third wicket before Pat Cummins bowled out Pope with a seemingly unplayable delivery. Root then managed to string another strong partnership with Harry Brook before falling to Nathon Lyon’s tricky spin. Brook made a quick 46 off 52 and was followed by Bairstow and Moeen Ali in the dressing room. England Captain Ben Stokes added another 43 runs while significant contributions from Robinson (27), Broad (12), and Anderson (10) took the home side’s total to 273.
Cashing a target of 280, Australia started positively with Warner and Khawaja putting up a 50+ opening stand but Robinson struck at the right time sending Warner back to the pavilion. Thereafter, Labuschagne and Smith got out cheaply to Broad before nightwatchman Scott Boland steadied the ship with Khawaja. Australia will start day 5 at 107/3 with Khawaja batting on 34 and Boland on 13.
Source: AP Photo
Speaking to Sky Sports at stumps on day 4 Stuart Broad said, “I wanted one more tonight, honestly, the ball had a delightful amount of movement.”
“It seems that when you’re bashing away, nothing much is occurring, but suddenly, one delivery veers off,” he explained.
“With that in mind, my strategy was to really thump the pitch with all my might, generating some movement and adding to the overall spectacle,” Broad continued.
He further added, “When you can get the crowd involved and create that sense of theater, it almost gives the illusion that something significant is unfolding, even when it’s not.”
What to Expect on Day 5?
Besides Khawaja, Australia will pin their hopes on their in-form batter Travis Head, who scored a crucial half-century in the first innings as well. By sending Boland ahead, the Kangaroos have also increased their batting depth with Green, Carey, and Cummins also left to bat. Seeing the batting prowess Ausies will fancy their chances to chase 174 but it won’t be an easy task on this pitch on day 5.
England and Ben Stokes will intrust Robinson and Broad to continue taking wickets and hope Anderson’s reverse swing finishes the job later. Moeen Ali and Joe Root might have a significant say in the proceedings as the day 5 pitch may offer some help to the spinners.
Source: Reuters
Nevertheless, the stage is set for an enthralling conclusion to this 1st Test. Cricket aficionados are advised to buckle up, for a thrilling conclusion awaits. Will Australia stage a remarkable comeback and secure victory, or will England thwart their efforts and emerge triumphant? The answer will soon be revealed in what promises to be an unforgettable day of Test cricket.
