• England got bundled out for 273 in their second innings.

  • Australia need 281 runs to win the first Ashes Test.

Ashes 2023 [Twitter reactions]: Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon shine as Australia pack England to set up a 281-run target to win Edgbaston Test
Australia need 281 runs to win Edgbaston Test (Image Source: Twitter)

It’s all set, Australia have bundled out England for 273 in their second innings and now they need 281 runs to win the ongoing first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Senior batter Joe Root displayed his intentions clearly on the fourth day by playing aggressively and forging a quick 50-run partnership with Ollie Pope in just 47 deliveries. As the game progressed, Pope departed after a decent start, but Harry Brook ensured that the momentum did not wane. Root and Brook then combined for a 52-run partnership in 49 balls, driving England’s innings forward.

Unfortunately for the hosts, both batters fell just four runs short of their respective half-centuries before the Lunch break. After the break, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow took charge and steadied the ship with a 46-run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, the departure of Stokes, who scored a valuable 43 runs, triggered a flurry of wickets for England at regular intervals.

Bairstow and Moeen Ali got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Lower-order batter Ollie Robinson contributed crucial runs, pushing England’s lead past the 250-run mark. With some late-order resistance, England managed to swell their lead to 281 runs, giving themselves a fighting chance to win the game.

The Australian bowlers performed admirably in the second innings, with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon impressively claiming four wickets each. Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green chipped in with one wicket apiece, contributing to England’s batting collapse.

Australia’s bowlers have set up an achievable target for their batsmen. The Australian team will be looking for a solid start from their openers as they aim to chase down the total and secure victory in this gripping Test match.

With only two higher successful chases in Test cricket history, the Australians understand the magnitude of the task ahead. Graeme Smith‘s brutal assault on Monty Panesar in 2008 and the astonishing display by the Yorkshire team against India last summer serve as reminders that such feats are rare but not impossible. However, the looming threat of rain tomorrow adds another layer of uncertainty to the already finely balanced contest.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.