Stuart Broad insists there is still a lot of dangerous Australia batsmen for England to face as the first Test of the Ashes heads into a nail-biting fifth day at Edgbaston.
England set Australia a target of 281 to win the first Test, but late breakthroughs from Ollie Robinson and Broad helped keep the hosts, who need seven wickets on the final day in the contest.
- Scorecard: England vs Australia, first Ashes Test, Edgbaston
- England vs Australia – day four in Birmingham, as it happened
- Live cricket on Sky Sports | Watch with NOW | Get Sky Sports
After England were all out for 273, David Warner and Usman Khawaja, a first-innings centurion, helped Australia make ideal start with a half-century opening partnership on a lifeless surface.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Stuart Broad turned up the heat late on in day four of the first test as he bowled both Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession for England.
While Warner escaped the clutches of his nemesis Broad this time, he was out for 36 after nicking off to Robinson.
But there was no keeping Broad out of the game as he kissed the outside edges of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, ranked respectively at one and two in the Test batting rankings.
Trending
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Rashford set for new deal? | Gerrard snubs Saudi switch
- Papers: Silva receives Saudi offer | Pep rules out City move for Mbappe
- England ratings: Saka and Rashford cement spots in star showing
- Hits and misses: Sensational Saka but woe for Wales
- Brundle on Verstappen’s landmark Canadian GP and Norris penalty mystery
- ‘His assessments don’t fit with reality’ – Courtois hits back at Tedesco claim
- Broad: There is danger to come | Ponting: He has kept the Test alive
- Arsenal transfers: Gunners submit £30m ‘opening’ Timber bid
- Moore leaves Sheff Wed ‘by mutual consent’ despite promotion
- Premier League transfers: Club by club
- Video
- Latest News
Despite removing some of the top Australian batsmen, Broad knows there is still a lot of talent to dismiss if England want to beat the world No 1 ranked Test side and claim victory in the first Test.
“It’s all set up to be a fantastic day,” Broad said. “We’re obviously delighted to have Warner, Marnus and Smith back in the pavilion because they’re world class players.
Also See:
“But we know the Aussies have got a lot of danger to come so we’ve got to be right on the money.
“I don’t think any batter is going to come in and say it’s a fantastic pitch to bat on. It’s turgid and hard to time the ball on. And no bowler’s going to say it’s not carrying or moving particularly.
“It’s a hard working pitch, you’ve got to create pressure and hit the pitch as hard as you can.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Australia lose their first wicket as David Warner edges one off Ollie Robinson and Jonny Bairstow is on hand to take the catch.
Broad is also hoping for some inclement weather on day five to boost England’s chances after Australia’s success under cloud cover on day three.
Scott Boland and Australia captain Pat Cummins managed to remove England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett just before rain stopped play and Broad admitted he would enjoy a similar spell for England on the final day.
“There is still two results on the table I think,” said Broad.
“The intent from ball one was pretty clear.
“We are not a results driven team in any way, shape, or form and you almost add pressure on yourself when you set targets of what you want to achieve.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England’s Stuart Broad reflects on their batting performance and handed their bravery on the front-foot to Joe Root who revealed before he entered the field that he was going to attempt his reverse scoop shot!
“This could have been a draw on this type of pitch so us forcing the game forward makes a result possible tomorrow.
“I think there is supposed to be a bit of cloud around tomorrow.
“We saw how much it zipped around when there was the cloud the other day.
“If you can get lucky as a bowling group and get an hour of that you can bring the game home pretty quickly.
“We feel pretty confident we can go and get 7 wickets and if we turn up tomorrow and there is a bit of cloud, I will have a smile on my face.”
Ponting: Broad has kept the match alive
Ex-Australia captain and Sky Sports Cricket pundit Ricky Ponting believes Stuart Broad’s spell, dismissing Smith and Labuschagne, has kept England’s hopes in the first Test alive after Australia had wrestled the momentum.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The best of the action from day four of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
“Right through the course of this game it has gone back and forth between either side,” said Ponting.
“England were very dominant on day one, Australia found a way to get back into it and Khawaja was outstanding.
“At the start of this fourth innings, 50-0, everything is looking good, then enter Stuart Broad with a couple of big wickets his team needed.
“His team needed that spell and the Series needed that spell because it looked like it was slipping away.
“You can’t predict anything. It takes one innings.”
The Ashes – Live
Tuesday 20th June 10:15am
Watch day four of the first Ashes Test, from Edgbaston, live on Sky Sports Cricket on Monday. Build-up starts at 10.15am ahead of the first ball at 11am. Do not miss it!
Sourse: skysports.com
