Australia’s pacemen, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, showcased their bowling mastery on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test, leaving England reeling at 114-4 and still requiring 257 runs for victory. The hosts got all out for 279 in their first innings, falling victim to Australia’s monotonous short-pitched bowling. England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes now hang by a thread.
Starc made an immediate impact, removing opener Zak Crawley for three and later dismantling the middle stump of Ollie Pope with a sensational delivery.
Swing Bowling Masterclass ft. #MitchellStarc 🥵
The Aussie pacer produced a marvelous spell to send two English batters back to the pavilion 💯#SonySportsNetwork #Ashes2023 #RivalsForever #ENGvAUS #TheAshes pic.twitter.com/mDdotodj7D
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2023
Captain Cummins joined the party, snaring Joe Root and Harry Brook in quick succession. England found themselves tumbling to 45/4, with the game potentially ending a day early.
.@PatCummins30 taking charge 🔥💯
The Australian captain gets two important scalps to bring his team into complete control 👏🇦🇺#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023 #RivalsForever pic.twitter.com/oosP8YYBfX
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2023
However, Ben Duckett, who scored a brilliant 98 in the first innings, once again stepped up with skipper Ben Stokes. They provided resistance to the England innings, with Duckett surviving a close call when he was caught by Starc, only to be sent back due to incomplete control of the ball. The partnership gave the home team some hope, but they still have a challenging task ahead.
Earlier in the day, Australia started on a commanding 130/2, with a lead of 221. But inform pacer Stuart Broad frustrated the visitors. England’s tactic of employing a barrage of bouncers proved effective in restricting Australia’s progress.
England giving the visitors a taste of their own medicine 💥
The hosts get rid of @Uz_Khawaja & @SteveSmith49 with a short-ball ploy 🎯#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023#RIvalsForever pic.twitter.com/Dw6lK7BJc5
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2023
Australia’s scoring rate slowed significantly after lunch, with only 17 runs coming off 13 overs at one point. England’s patience paid off as they claimed further wickets, including Cameron Green and Alex Carey. Cummins fell to a well-directed bouncer from Broad, while Stokes removed Josh Hazlewood.
In a courageous display, Nathan Lyon, who had sustained a calf injury, hobbled to the crease and faced a barrage of deliveries. Lyon and Starc managed to add valuable runs before Broad ended Lyon’s stay at the crease.
