Australia are three wickets away from sealing the Ashes – however England are even nearer, as they shut in on victory within the Headingley Test to maintain the sequence alive.
The residence aspect are on high, having been set a goal of 251 with two days nonetheless to play – regardless of Ben Stokes being unable to repeat his Headingley heroics from 4 years in the past.
England rapidly began to eat into the run chase on day 4, regardless of wickets falling often as each groups raced in direction of a end result with showers forecast for later within the day.
FOLLOW THE ALL THE LIVE ACTION BELOW
12.30AM: WOOD BECOMES ENGLAND’S UNLIKELY HERO
Absolutely bonkers stuff from Mark Wood!
Brilliant work on the boundary by Todd Murphy saves three runs off Chris Woakes and places Wood on strike, and he responds with an almighty six off Pat Cummins.
Leaning right into a pull shot, Wood high edges the stroke however swings with such ferocity that it goes a dozen rows again.
England want simply 11 runs now.
12.21AM: WICKET! STARC GETS BROOK AND A FIFTH
ANOTHER TWIST?
Mitchell Starc returns to devastating impact, eradicating England’s harmful Harry Brook with a brief ball.
Brook makes an attempt a pull shot but it surely goes straight to Pat Cummins and mid-off and there’s a second of horror for the Australians as Starc and Cummins almost collide whereas each trying to take the seize.
But Cummins manages to carry his nerve as Starc runs into him, leaving Australia three wickets shy of victory – and England 21 runs from residence.
In comes Mark Wood.
12.18AM: MURPHY OVER GOES FOR SIX, STARC RETURNS
That Pat Cummins gamble has not paid off – he brings Todd Murphy again with England needing simply 30 runs, and Harry Brook instantly capitalises.
Six runs come from it, together with a crisp Brook minimize shot slammed by way of the vacant level area.
And with simply 24 runs to defend, Cummins performs his ultimate card: one final burst from Mitchell Starc.
12.14AM: BROOK IS ENGLAND’S NEW HERO
Harry Brook is steering England to a well-known victory with a sensational innings right here.
England want 30 runs to win after Brook lotions a large supply from Pat Cummins by way of level for 4.
That brings up the 50 partnership of 62 balls – a outstanding fightback from England after the lack of Stokes and Bairstow.
It’s all trying very grim for Pat Cummins and his crew, who now want a miracle (one other one, after so many already this sequence) as this Test slips away.
And it’s Brook who’s on the brink of write himself into Ashes historical past, identical to Ben Stokes earlier than him.
Cummins now turns to Todd Murphy. But is it too late?
12.00AM: ENGLAND ON VERGE OF GUTSY WIN
The clock has ticked previous midnight on the east coast of Australia, and England have simply 40 runs required.
Brook and Woakes have added 40 runs between them up to now eight overs and look to be doing issues comfortably, with Pat Cummins operating out of concepts for his crew.
He’s turned to Mitchell Marsh, rather than Scott Boland, looking for the essential breakthrough.
But you sense it could’t be lengthy earlier than Mitchell Starc will get one final crack at pulling off a miracle.
11.45PM: ENGLAND CREEP CLOSER TO VICTORY
England have bounced again brilliantly from the dual dismissals of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow – simply in case you thought this Test didn’t have one other twist in it – to trim the victory margin to only 52.
Harry Brook has taken on the Ben Stokes position, notching a half-century and changing into the quickest man in historical past to achieve 1000 Test runs.
There is a whole lot of nervous vitality round Headingley as each run is cheered.
And the sport has turned again towards Australia, with edges falling desperately out of attain as England creep nearer and nearer to the win that will hold their sequence alive.
11.30PM: SMITH’S PERFECT RESPONSE TO BAIRSTOW BARB
Steve Smith noticed his alternative and took it.
Two days after changing into enraged at being given a send-off – admittedly of the mildest potential selection – by Jonny Bairstow, he returned serve after the latter’s low cost dismissal late on day 4.
After Smith threw his wicket away cheaply, Bairstow was heard on stump mic chirping ‘see ya, Smudge’ which despatched the Australian into an sudden rage.
But Smith barely waited 48 hours to get one again when Bairstow chopped on off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.
“See ya, Jonny!” was heard on the stump mic as Bairstow departed, with the voice sounding suspiciously like Smith’s.
10.17PM: WICKET! STARC ON FIRE, ENGLAND HAVE THE WOBBLES
This is extraordinary from Australia – Mitchell Starc has landed an unlimited double blow to properly and really rock England’s runchase.
Jonny Bairstow is gone for five, with England 80 runs shy of victory.
Bairstow rode his luck, with an inside edge off Scott Boland going for 4 the earlier over, however he has no such luck towards Starc as he chops on whereas chasing a large supply exterior off stump.
Australia, one way or the other, 4 wickets from victory as Chris Woakes joins Harry Brook on the crease.
11.07PM: WICKET! STOKES IS GONE!
This is THE wicket that Australia wished – Ben Stokes, the miracle man, is gone for 13.
An over after being hit within the groin, this one will damage much more as Stokes is strangled down the legside off Mitchell Starc.
It’s an unpleasant dismissal, and a considerably muted attraction by the Australians, however the finger goes up and Stokes has no objections.
He’s strolling.
England wants 90 to win, Australia want 5 extra wickets. This goes all the way down to the wire as Jonny Bairstow arrives on the crease.
11.05PM: STOKES FLOORED AFTER AUSSIE LOW BLOW
Ben Stokes is within the wars – to go along with his dodgy knee and criminal again he’s simply been levelled by Scott Boland, who has hit the England hero beneath the belt.
Charging down the wicket to the Victorian, Stokes missed the road of the ball because it jagged again and paid the worth, instantly doubling over in ache earlier than he desperately scrambled again into his crease.
“He’s cracking a little bit physically, but it just seems to lift his game,” says Sri Lankan nice Kumar Sangakkara.
“And he does something incredible or superhuman.”
10.55PM: THE SESSION THAT COULD DECIDE THE SERIES
The center session is underway at Headingley – the session that can resolve this Test, and maybe the one that can resolve all the sequence.
England have the higher hand, with simply 98 runs required for victory and with Ben Stokes and Harry Brook on the crease.
Scott Boland might be given the honour of taking the ball within the first over after the break – he’s been beneath his greatest right this moment, and probably Australia’s least threatening bowler all through the Test.
But he has an opportunity write one other chapter in his unbelievable late-blooming profession. A wicket right here would throw a cat amongst the pigeons.
LUNCH: ENGLAND 98 FROM VICTORY AFTER GRIPPING SESSION
England want 98 runs to maintain the Ashes alive – after an interesting first session by which Australia landed blow after blow to offer themselves an opportunity of sealing a well-known sequence win.
Australia took 4 wickets within the elongated first session, together with dangerman Joe Root shortly earlier than the principle break when he was caught behind off Pat Cummins.
That wicket introduced England’s talismanic Ben Stokes to the crease, able to steer his nation residence in one other well-known runchase.
Even earlier than he arrived, England had scored rapidly in making mild work of the Australian goal of 251.
Zak Crawley fell to Mitchell Marsh simply in need of a half-century, however led the best way because the hosts scored 126 within the opening session.
10.00PM: WICKET! CUMMINS LANDS MASSIVE BLOW ON LUNCH
That is the large one!
Pat Cummins has claimed the wicket of Joe Root as soon as once more – for the third time in three innings.
The quick ball does the trick, with Root carelessly gloving an opportunity down the legside to Alex Carey.
Root goes for 21, with England 120 shy of victory.
That is a vital wicket with lunch simply quarter-hour away – but it surely brings England’s matchwinner, Ben Stokes, to the crease.
9.55PM: ENGLAND PASS HALFWAY AS ROOT, BROOK TAKE HOLD
The crowd has erupted right into a rendition of Jon Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer, primarily due to its refrain: oooooh, we’re midway there.
Because they’re. England handed the midway mark of their chase with Joe Root hitting a blistering cowl drive off Pat Cummins.
Root’s partnership with Harry Brook has rapidly settled the England innings after Zak Crawley’s dismissal, and with 20 minutes to play within the elongated morning session the hosts are as much as 3-129.
Still no signal of Todd Murphy on this opening session.
9.45PM: BROOK PUNISHES AUSTRALIA IN BRUTAL BURST
This is the most important hazard (not named Ben Stokes) for Australia – Harry Brook has discovered his rhythm and is starting to assault.
After a quiet begin when he examined the waters, Brook has appeared extra just like the batsman he’s been the previous 18 months as he raced to 21.
He can rating so rapidly that Australia merely can not let him get going. And he’s received going alright.
In commentary, Mark Taylor is pondering why Pat Cummins hasn’t turned to Todd Murphy as an choice.
I’m solely speculating, however I feel Australia really feel that with the alternative ball – and the motion they’ve seen because it was launched – Cummins is attempting to squeeze as a lot out of his seam bowlers earlier than turning to the younger spinner.
But if he waits too lengthy, it is perhaps too late.
England are 3-120, needing an extra 131 runs.
9.30PM: AUSSIES ON THE WARPATH AS BALL CHANGE WORKS WONDERS
Things are beginning to occur for Australia in the intervening time. A few overs in the past they satisfied the umpires to vary the ball which had suffered a bit of injury – probably on one in every of Zak Crawley’s thumping boundaries.
But its beginning to swing a tad extra, and Australia have claimed the wicket of Crawley since that change.
And Mark Taylor believes this can be a vital second within the match – an important partnership for England, however a golden alternative for Australia to essentially ram residence the inroads they’ve made this morning.
“Joe Root who is a fine player, but just not at his very best at the moment. Harry Brook who has gone from 5 to 3 and back to 5 and looks a little out of sorts – and all of a sudden the pressure is on the England batters,” says Mark Taylor.
9.19PM: WICKET! MARSH ENDS CRAWLEY’S DANGEROUS KNOCK
The runs are flowing, however this has quietly became a really fruitful session for Australia.
Mitchell Marsh is available in, and as he’s carried out all Test he comes up with a giant second – this time taking the important thing wicket of Zak Crawley.
Crawley appeared properly set and with a giant rating on his thoughts, however he was crushed by Marsh’s additional bounce and is out trying to drive a ball that simply will get a bit large on him.
Thick edge to the keeper Alex Carey, and instantly England are 3-93.
Crucial partnership arising for each groups – Joe Root and Harry Brook within the center, with England needing 158, and Australia an extra seven wickets.
9.05PM: WARNEY’S EPIC PREDICTION IDENTIFIES AUSSIE DOWNFALL
Even from past the grave, the late, nice Shane Warne continues to be two steps forward of the remainder of the cricketing world.
With Zak Crawley doing a demolition job on Australia this morning, motoring in direction of a half-century as England steadily eat into this run chase, it’s value remembering Warne was an unlimited fan of the tall opener.
So a lot in order that he predicted the often maligned batsmen could be a ‘superstar’ – and one that will hassle Australia.
“He is a superstar in the making and he’ll love the Australian pitches,” Warne informed the Daily Telegraph two years in the past, forward of the newest Ashes in Australia.
And whereas Headingley isn’t Hobart, it’s the wicket that has performed the quickest this sequence and maybe essentially the most just like what Crawley has confronted in Australia.
At drinks within the morning session on day 4, Crawley is unbeaten on 40 with England 2-82 – needing an extra 170 runs to maintain this sequence alive.
8.55PM: GREEN PUSHES CASE FOR MANCHESTER RETURN
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green missed the Headingley Test after selecting up a minor hamstring damage, changed by Mitchell Marsh who has gone on to carry out admirably – notably with the bat.
Australia have been all the time optimistic that Green could be match for the fourth Test in Manchester, although Marsh could have thrown a spanner in that plan along with his great efforts in Leeds.
Green is raring to show his health, nonetheless, and had a mild trundle with the ball earlier than play earlier than becoming a member of the motion in its place fielder earlier right this moment.
Meanwhile, CODE Sport’s Daniel Cherny studies that seam choice Michael Neser has been launched to play for Glamorgan this week, however will rejoin the squad forward of Manchester Test.
8.45PM: WICKET! ENGLAND BATTING SHAKE-UP BACKFIRES
England are two down – and Mitchell Starc has each scalps.
This one, an arrow-straight thunderbolt that zeroes in on Moeen Ali’s center stump, shatters the poles and provides Australia a critical increase early on day 4.
Moeen, who was promoted to No.3 rather than younger star Harry Brook, lasted 15 deliveries and scored 5.
England require an extra 191 runs to maintain the sequence alive, whereas Australia want eight wickets to retain the Ashes.
But did England’s batting lineup shake-up repay? No, says former England captain Nasser Hussain.
“The move to No.3 hasn’t worked for Ali, or England,” says Hussain.
8.35PM: ENGLAND’S CHASE GOES SUB 200
England’s shock shift of Moeen Ali up the order could possibly be value watching. He performed a pleasant attacking knock within the first innings that helped set off England’s fightback on this Test.
He’s a assured batsman who will go after the bowling, as England look to eat into the Australian goal rapidly.
It’s a daring tactic, however one that might pay giant dividends if Moeen is ready to survive the early fireworks from Australia.
England have already whittled the chase all the way down to beneath 200, with Zak Crawley main the best way on an unbeaten 25.
8.20PM: WICKET! STARC MAKES THE EARLY BREAKTHROUGH
Mitchell Starc with one other robust LBW shout towards Ben Duckett – and it’s given!
It appeared stay as if it is perhaps simply sliding down legside, and Duckett critiques instantly.
But it proves in useless, he’s shuffled far sufficient throughout the stumps for that to be hitting midway up leg stump.
He goes for 23, and England at 1-42.
And Duckett’s exit brings a shock batting order shake-up from England – with Moeen Ali promoted to No.3 rather than Harry Brook.
A constructive transfer? Or a knock on Brook after his lacklustre first-innings?
“Moeen came into this Test averaging less than 15 at No. 3 in Test cricket,” says CODE Sport’s Daniel Cherny.
8.18PM: STARC DENIED ON STRONG LBW SHOUT
Mitchell Starc has a really robust LBW attraction to Ben Duckett turned down, and Australia decide towards a evaluation.
It appeared very, very shut stay and ball-tracker signifies that Starc was proper to grouse after being hit with a not-out verdict: Duckett was hit in line, and the ball would’ve hit the stumps, however Duckett has been saved by the peak.
Had Australia tried for a evaluation, Duckett would’ve survived as it could’ve been umpire’s name.
But that’s the type of probability the vacationers have to go their approach if they’re to offer this England chase the wobbles.
8.10PM: ENGLAND CHASE OFF TO A FLYER
A assured begin from England, with two openers who know just one approach of taking part in: assault, assault, assault.
Two overs in they usually’ve performed on the entrance foot and with conviction to shave one other 10 runs off the chase (simply 214 required now)
Mitchell Starc was capable of generated some tasty motion on his inswinger to the right-handed Crawley, which ought to give him lots to consider.
8.00PM: IS THERE ANOTHER TWIST COMING IN THIS MADCAP SERIES?
England want an extra 224 runs. Australia want 10 wickets. There are some clouds within the sky, however not a drop of rain to talk of.
“England will feel this is their time to get back in the series,” says Mark Taylor.
One factor I’ll assure you – there might be one other twist or two.
The approach all the sequence has been performed, the rule has been clear: when one crew is on high, they’re solely moments from a fall.
The Ashes rollercoaster has been so wild that if it have been at Disneyland it could have a 16+ age restrict.
“Both sides have gone toe to toe every day, every session,” says former England captain Eoin Morgan.
7.50PM: IT’S ALL TO PLAY FOR
There’s 10 minutes till the primary ball of the fourth day – an elongated day, with an additional half hour accessible if required and rain allowing, owing to the time misplaced to dangerous climate yesterday.
Will we see a end result right this moment? It’s very a lot on the playing cards.
England require an extra 224 runs and historical past exhibits that chasing at Headingley has turn into a better proposition in recent times.
The hosts will again themselves to not simply chase down the goal of 251, however to do it rapidly. That’s been their Bazball mantra and also you shouldn’t count on it to vary right here.
And with 98 overs on supply right this moment, there’s loads of time for each nations to push for a end result if the rain manages to overlook Leeds for the following eight hours.
However Australia might be inspired by the truth that every of the three innings have been comparatively low scoring – and getting smaller, because the Test has gone on – suggesting there are sufficient demons within the wicket to trigger some issues for the batsmen.
7.30PM: MURPHY LAUGHS OFF BARMY ARMY’S CRUEL SLEDGE
Australia’s Ashes debutant Todd Murphy has been thrown a baptism of fireside following the series-ending damage to Nathan Lyon.
And he’s studying rapidly about simply how hostile the historic showdown between Australia and England could be.
The 22-year-old off-spinner was given an intimidating welcome by the England followers at Headingley, with the Barmy Army singling him out for notably harsh therapy – dubbing him a ‘shit Harry Potter’.
But exhibiting he has the temperament for this enviornment, Murphy laughed off the nasty barbs.
“I copped a bit of everything out there,” Murphy mentioned.
“I’m an shit Moeen Ali, I’m an shit Harry Potter, it is all in good fun.”
Replacing Lyon, nonetheless, is a distinct prospect solely and one the promising star should ship on on Sunday for Australia to be an opportunity of sealing the Ashes.
“It’s a challenge. I think it’s always going to be hard to live up to what Nath has done. He has been so good for so long,” Murphy added.
“I know I’ve got a few different strengths to him so it’s about trusting that and not trying to do exactly what he has done because I’m not capable of that. So try to bring a few things to the table and keep playing my part.”
7.00PM: DAY FOUR WEATHER WATCH
And now to the all-important query: will it rain right this moment?
The quick reply is: sure.
But the longer reply is that the rain isn’t anticipated to reach till after lunch, with the morning session trying like excellent batting situations for the not out batsmen Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to make hay whereas the solar shines.
From about 2pm native time onwards, there may be a couple of 75 per cent probability of rain by way of till the early night – with an analogous forecast tomorrow, ought to the Test match not be accomplished right this moment.
Once the clouds begin to roll in after lunch it could seem like the perfect bowling situations for Australia to make their mark.
6.45PM: ‘SUPERHUMAN’ STOKES CAN’T DO IT ALL HIMSELF
England know they’ve a not-so-secret weapon as they put together for a day 4 runchase.
But they don’t need to be counting on Ben Stokes, he of the superhuman chasing capability, as they embark on a goal of 251 to land their first main blow on this Ashes sequence.
England are 0-27 within the chase and, rain allowing, have two days to wipe off these runs.
And all-rounder Chris Woakes says the crew ought to have a aim of knocking it off earlier than having to financial institution on one other Stokes miracle.
“Although we do realise he’s superhuman, he can’t do it every time,” Woakes mentioned after starring with the ball on day three.
“Naturally we don’t want to be reliant on Ben all the time. Of course, we don’t. We want to be putting in performances all the way down the batting line-up.
“At certain points in this series, you’re always going to rely on certain people to put their hands up.
“Particularly in a run chase, you want your top six to get a score or one to do the bulk of the work.
“We realise he’s a world-class player and puts teams under pressure. But at the same time we know across the board from No.1 to No.11 we’ve got to put a good shift in.”
6.00PM: CAN AUSSIES COMPLETE ULTIMATE REVENGE?
Chris Woakes urged England to recreate the spirit of Headingley 2019 as they give the impression of being to revive their Ashes hopes towards Australia, however with none of the accompanying pressure.
England ended Saturday’s rain-marred third day of the third Test on 27-0 in pursuit of a victory goal of 251.
They have two days by which to attain the remaining 224 runs they require however the strain is on England in a match, at 2-0 down with three to play, they need to win if they’re to regain the Ashes.
In 2019, England made 362-9 to beat Australia by only one wicket in an exciting Ashes conflict at Headingley thanks primarily to present captain Ben Stokes’s astounding 135 not out.
That sequence ended all sq. at 2-2.
“I hope so, because that means we win the Test match,” mentioned Woakes, when requested if England would invoke the spirit of 2019 on Sunday’s fourth day.
“It would be nice to do it a little bit easier this time,” added the seamer, who has taken six wickets in his first Test in over a yr, together with a precious 3-68 as Australia have been dismissed for 224 of their second innings on Saturday.
The previous 12 months have seen England obtain a number of spectacular run chases, together with a nationwide Test report 378 towards India at Edgbaston final yr.
Originally printed as Ashes 2023: Follow all of the motion from day 4 at Headingley as Australia takes on England
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
