Ashes 2019, Day 4: Steve Smith and Matthew Wade pile on runs
Ashes 2019, Day 4 progresses with Steve Smith and Matthew Wade scoring centuries for Australia.
ASHES 2019: FIRST TEST, DAY FOUR
ENGLAND: 13/0 in 7 overs
Rory Burns: 7(21) | Jason Roy: 6(21)
AUSTRALIA: 487/7 declare in 112 Overs
Steve Smith: 142(207) | Matthew Wade: 110(143)
Ben Stokes: 3/85 | Moeen Ali: 2/130
MATCH SUMMARY:
Ashes 2019, First Test, Day 4: Steve Smith and Matthew Wade steal the day as Aussies pile on the runs. England clearly looks out of sorts as they need to put in a really mammoth effort to clinch a victory.
Starting the day at 124/3, Smith and Travis Head continued their good run. England started on the wrong foot as Anderson was supposedly not coming onto the field, and Chris Woakes also not being 100% fit.
However, England also had an interesting strategy in place as the first 13 overs were bowled by the duo of Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali. This further confirmed the injury scare for Woakes.
With Aussie running away, Stokes lured Travis Head into a needless shot, picking him with a slower one. A 130 run partnership ended and it brought Wade into the middle and he, along with Steve Smith churned runs at a positive pace. Smith was at his usual best as he milked the English bowlers with his unorthodox batting.
The 30-year-old brought up his second century of the match with a trademark off drive off Broad. This was his 25th Test Century as he became the second quickest to 25 centuries; only behind “THE DON“.
WADE GETS TO HIS CENTURY; PATTINSON AND CUMMINS EXTEND THE LEAD
84th over saw England taking the new ball, and over after that Chris Woakes dismissed Steve Smith. The run machine’s dismissal brought an end to a sublime 126 run partnership.
Wade and Tim Paine upped the ante as declaration seemed very happening. Meanwhile, Wade brought up his century off 131 deliveries.
Two quick wickets of Wade and Paine pegged Australia back a little. However, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins played positive cricket and pushed the target outside England’s reach. Pattinson was extremely severe as he belted four maximums in his 47* run knock.
Tim Paine declared the innings after a good phase of cricket for Australia, setting England a target of 398.
ENGLAND OPENERS SURVIVE THE SEVEN OVER BURST FROM THE AUSSIES
42 deliveries, the English openers faced before the day’s play ended. Jason Roy and Rory Burns survived the little, but an interesting phase of the day. Nathon Lyon was introduced very early to take advantage of the spin available, but the batsmen somehow managed to get through.
WHAT LIES AHEAD?
England have a daunting task ahead of them. If they manage to pull the chase of, it will go down as one of the best chases ever.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon holds the key on a dead surface. The pacers will need to strangle the batsmen up, for Lyon to bowl aggressively in order to pick wickets.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE ASHES CONTENT:
Ashes 2019: Dark times as early stumps see Australia gaining slender lead on Day 3.
Lakshman is an 18-year-old cricket fanatic. Just like millions of fans, his love for cricket is unparalleled. He has a passion for writing, and his emotion for the sport can be seen in his words.
