Ashes on knife’s edge after Aussies miss golden opportunity

The fourth Ashes Test is on a knife’s edge after Australia’s batsmen surrendered the momentum on a irritating opening day at Old Trafford.

The guests got a golden alternative to slam the door on England’s hopes of a miraculous Ashes comeback after being requested to bat first on a sunny day in Manchester.

But Australia’s high order didn’t capitalise, throwing away lazy wickets regardless of making helpful begins.

A blistering half-century from West Aussie Mitchell Marsh practically rescued the day for the Aussies, however an unbelievable catch from Jonny Bairstow noticed the customer’s limp to 8-299 at stumps.

Ben Stokes opened the day together with his fourth straight win on the toss, barely hesitating to place Australia in to bat regardless of no crew ever successful in Manchester after deciding to bowl first.

It was Stuart Broad who got here up trumps early, although, as he trapped Usman Khawaja, the main run scorer within the collection, LBW on evaluate for 3 as his 599th Test scalp.

Embattled opener David Warner seemed good for a brisk 32, however a half-hearted drive had him caught behind and turned the warmth up on the growing older left-hander’s spot once more.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne seemed like batting all day earlier than Smith missed a quick straight one from Mark Wood after stepping throughout his stumps, trudging again to the sheds for 41 after one other good English evaluate.

Steve Smith of Australia walks off after being dismissed by Mark Wood. Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Labuschagne notched a much-needed half-century, his sixteenth within the Test area, however a lazy prod in opposition to Moeen Ali noticed him out subsequent ball on 51.

It compelled Marsh to outlive a nervy 10 balls earlier than Tea.

Travis Head had survived a brutal bouncer barrage early in his innings, being smashed within the grill by Wood.

But a crazy bouncer within the first over after Tea proved an excessive amount of because the South Australian hooked it straight to the boundary rider two runs shy of a half-century, leaving Broad grinning from ear to ear with wicket 600.

Stuart Broad of England celebrates the wicket of Travis Head and his 600th Test Career Wicket. Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Cam Green seemed nervy, however his intent to attain mixed nicely with state teammate Marsh who skipped down the wicket to belt seamers and spinners alike.

Green (16) might contemplate himself unfortunate as Chris Woakes lastly fired one excessive into his pads.

Umpire Joel Wilson fired him on the sphere, and a evaluate confirmed the ball clipping the highest of the leg stump by a coat of lacquer.

Marsh seemed like being the savour once more, however Woakes discovered the burly blaster’s edge earlier than Bairstow, who has been woeful behind the stumps all through the collection, caught out a glove and plucked a stunner simply earlier than the ball hit the bottom.