Australia lost three crucial wickets despite remaining solid during the chase of 281 runs on Day 4 of the first Ashes Test, at the Edgbaston, in Birmingham. Notably, the Three Lions could only manage to post 273 runs in the third innings, thereby setting a target of 281 runs after a comprehensive performance by the Aussie bowling unit.
After concluding Day 3 with a score of 28/2, Joe Root and Ollie Pope added 50 runs between them to keep England steady in the contest. However, the Aussies got the breakthroughs at regular intervals which left the Three Lions reeling, as Root headed back to the dugout for 46 off 45 balls whereas Pope got out for 14 off 16 balls.
Meanwhile, Harry Brook and skipper Ben Stokes compiled scores of 46 and 43 runs, respectively, which momentarily got England back the control to post a competitive total. Despite this, rival skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon ripped through the batting line-up as they got a four-wicket haul each to restrict England to just 273 runs.
With a lead of seven runs prior to the innings, Ben Stokes-led England set a target of 281 runs. In reply, Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Usman Khawaja got off to a commanding start which kept their side well on course to clinch the content.
Operating in tandem, Warner and Khawaja combined to raise a fifty-run partnership off just 91 balls. However, Ollie Robinson drew first blood, as Warner headed back to the pavilion with a score of 36 runs off 57 balls, which featured four boundaries at a strike rate of 63.15.
Soon after, seasoned pacer Stuart Broad landed twin blows as he sent Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne packing for scores of six and 13 runs, respectively. Australia decided to send Scott Boland up the order in a peculiar move during the chase. At the close of Day 4, the Aussies concluded with a score of 107 runs, as they require 174 runs to win on the final day of the first Test.
Here's how Netizens buzzed during Day 4 of the first Ashes 2023 Test:
ICC No1 Test Batsman Marnus Labuschagne, This is Englnad it's not easy to retain the Rank .#Ashes23 #Ashes2023 #TheAshes #theAshes2023 #ENGvsAUS #AUSvENG #Bazball pic.twitter.com/sThThWqJsa
— Cricket Vibes (@Cricket_Vibe1) June 19, 2023
Marnus Labuschagne : Trust me bro I'm world's number one test batter🤦♂️ #Ashes23 #Bazball #Ashes2023 #broad #marnus #AUSvENG #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/51buNZH2dy
— The Indian (@Bhushan85441256) June 19, 2023
Field set by Ben Stokes for Marnus Labuschagne... Great going Skipper#Ashes23 #Ashes2023 #TheAshes #theAshes2023 #ENGvsAUS #AUSvENG #Bazball pic.twitter.com/rVHtWDETbA
— Cricket Vibes (@Cricket_Vibe1) June 19, 2023
Broad set up Labuschagne but he could have left the one he edged (in both innings.) #ashes pic.twitter.com/uXe3xn68Jk
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) June 19, 2023
Eng let 50odd runs go in that 1st inn. Big difference chasing 330 vs 281. Will it cost them the 1st Test? Too close to call now, but time will tell..
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 19, 2023
Who’s winning this? Head, not heart!! #Ashes
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 19, 2023
Field set by Ben Stokes for Marnus Labuschagne... Great going Skipper#Ashes23 #Ashes2023 #TheAshes #theAshes2023 #ENGvsAUS #AUSvENG #Bazball pic.twitter.com/rVHtWDETbA
— Cricket Vibes (@Cricket_Vibe1) June 19, 2023
Test cricket at its best 😍
— The Frustrated Common Man 😶🌫️ (TFCM) (@MemeTradingCo) June 19, 2023
#Ashes2023 #Ashes23 #ENGvsAUS
Proper test cricket this 🏏 #ENGvsAUS #Ashes2023
— Batsirai (@Batsie07) June 19, 2023
Defensive approach by England in the closing moments of day 4 #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Ezb63MWkI2
— Sylvester (@shhaantanu) June 19, 2023
Smith, out Caught by Bairstow!! Game On!! 🔥🔥
— TheCricketCorner (@ashok_t7) June 19, 2023
Stuart Broad what a ball.. Australia 103/3 , need 178 runs!!#Ashes2023 #Ashes23 #ENGvsAUS
Just keep winding up Broad, he's in the zone #ENGvsAUS
— Ian Parkes (@Parksy) June 19, 2023
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