• Steve Smith and Matthew Wade hit tons to build 384-run lead
And so the English attack was blown to smithereens by you-know-who. Steve Smith, effortlessly taking charge of an increasingly unyielding strip of brown turf – at least for the faster bowlers – glided to his second century of the match, a new achievement for him in Test cricket. In the process he has helmed his side out of the choppy waters of Saturday evening into a position of calm serenity twenty four hours later.
At the end of the fourth day the outcome of the match is still unknown but it is now certain that England will not win it. They might draw it if they bat well. Australia were able to declare with a lead of 397 and inn the circumstances England’s latest opening pair did well to negotiate a tricky half an hour without being parted. Bear in mind that there has only been one draw in the last 33 Tests in this country.
Written by Vic Marks at Edgbaston
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/aug/04/england-australia-ashes-first-test-day-four-match-report under the title “Australia take control of Test after batsmen turn the screw on England”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
