Stuart Broad strikes late for England to leave first Ashes Test on a knife edge
An opening Ashes Test already featuring more twists than a novelty cocktail straw now heads into a decisive final day in which all four results are possible and shades of 2005 abound. Australia have made inroads into a pursuit of 281 for victory but England, buoyed by the latest trademark Stuart Broad burst, still believe.The tourists had seemingly taken full control of the game’s destiny on a see-sawing, gripping fourth day. Led by four wickets from their blue-eyed captain, Pat Cummins, and supported by four more from Nathan Lyon, they rolled for England 273 all out, thus setting a target one run shy of their famously thwarted chase here 18 years ago. Though it would represent their second highest chase on these shores, the placid nature of this much-maligned pitch - and Moeen Ali’s issues with his spinning finger - are in their favour. They started their pursuit in good order too, first innings centurion Usman Khawaja surviving a chance fourth ball - an edge flying between Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root at first slip - before he and David Warner set about compiling a 61-run opening stand that calmed any Australian nerves.
