Wood leaves Australia reeling as big-hitting England on brink of test win

21.07.2023 - 18:21 channelnewsasia.com

MANCHESTER, England : A hostile spell of bowling from Mark Wood helped restrict Australia to 113-4 in their second innings on day three of a thrilling fourth Ashes test, still trailing England by 162 runs as the hosts close in on a win that would level the series.Looking to extend their first innings lead, Jonny Bairstow produced a blistering display with the bat to finish unbeaten on 99 as he helped England post a colossal 592 all out in front of a raucous Old Trafford crowd on Friday.With rain forecast for the weekend and England holding a 275-run lead, it was clear Australia were playing for a draw that would help them to retain the Ashes.

After a steady start, Wood struck to dismiss Usman Khawaja (18) and after David Warner (28) had played onto his own stumps, the Durham fast bowler removed Steve Smith (17) and Travis Head (1) to put England on the verge of a famous victory.

bowling win Test on as David Warner Jonny Bairstow Steve Smith Australia

Stuart Broad got the dream finish he wanted as England signed off a memorable Ashes summer in style, flooring Australia in an intoxicating finale at the Kia Oval to square the series 2-2.

Warner and Khawaja hold firm as Australia begin big run chase

LONDON :Australia set about chasing down their target of 384 by reaching 75 without loss by lunch on a gloomy fourth day of the final Ashes test at The Oval on Sunday, with David Warner (30) and Usman Khawaja (39) keeping the score ticking over steadily.

Watch: Joe Root's One-Handed Blinder Leaves Fans And Experts Stunned During Ashes 2023

Joe Root held a brilliant slip catch to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne as Australia ground their way to 115-2 at lunch on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Friday. Labuschagne was the only man out in an attritional morning session that ended with Australia still 168 runs behind England's first-innings total of 283. Opener Usman Khawaja dropped anchor to be 47 not out off 152 balls, with star batsman Steve Smith, adding some impetus, unbeaten on 13. Australia, as the holders, are already assured of retaining the Ashes at 2-1 up, and only need to avoid defeat at The Oval to secure their first Test series win away to England in 22 years.

England vs Australia, 5th Ashes Test, Day 2: Steve Smith Leads Australia's Revival, Match Hangs In Balance

Steve Smith's 71 helped Australia recover from a batting collapse as the tourists frustrated England by establishing a first-innings lead in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Friday. Australia were eventually bowled out with what became the last ball of the second day for 295, 12 runs ahead of England's 283. It looked as if England would enjoy a sizeable advantage as veteran seamer Stuart Broad sparked a slump that saw Australia decline from 115-2 to 185-7.

England vs Australia, 5th Ashes Test, Day 2 Live Score: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne Eye Steady Start For Australia

ENG vs AUS, 5th Ashes Test, Day 2 Live Updates: Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne aim to keep one-down Australia going against England in the fifth and final Ashes Test. On the other hand, England eye early wickets. Australia resumed at 61 for 1, trailing England by 222 runs. Earlier, Harry Brook's quickfire 85 was the centrepiece of England's 283 all out, although he should have been dismissed for five on a day where Australia, unusually, dropped five catches.(Live Scorecard)

England vs Australia, 5th Ashes Test, Day 1, Live Score Updates: Australia Win toss, Opt To Bowl vs England

ENG vs AUS, 5th Ashes Test, Day 1, Live Updates:Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl against England in the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Ashes series at The Oval. After the fourth Test ended in a draw due to rain, Australia retained the Ashes series with a 2-1 lead. Nevertheless, a win for England at The Oval would deny Australia their first away Ashes series victory since 2001. It will be interesting to see whether the Ben Stokes-led side will prevail over Pat Cummins and his men. (Live Scorecard)