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England strike late to leave first Ashes Test in balance

England strike late to leave first Ashes Test in balance
© Reuters
England take three wickets during the final session of day four to leave the first Ashes Test in the balance, Australia requiring another 174 runs to win at Edgbaston.

England took three wickets during the closing session of the fourth day to keep them in an enthralling first Test match with Australia at Edgbaston.

Having made 273 all out, England set their rivals a target of 281-3, and the Baggy Greens reached 107-3 at the close after being pegged back by the home side's bowling attack.

Australia now require another 174 runs to win, with that total being achievable despite the prospect of heavy rain during the morning on Tuesday.

Resuming on 28-2, Ollie Pope and Joe Root had work to do to get England back on track, and the rapid scoring of the latter helped the hosts add a further 49 before Pope was bowled by Pat Cummins for 14.

Root would have hoped to get to lunch and make his half-century, yet neither materialised as he went for 46, the same score as Harry Brook with Nathan Lyon taking the wickets.

At 150-5, England were coming under pressure, and knocks of 43 and 20 respectively from Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow progressed the score further, albeit not by the margins that they would have liked.

To a certain degree, the England tail wagged, progressing the score from 210-7 to 273 all out with Moeen Ali (19), Ollie Robinson (27) and James Anderson (12) all contributing while Stuart Broad was left on 10 not out.

Left requiring 281 to win, Australia started strongly with Usman Khawaja and David Warner putting on 61 for the opening wicket before Robinson dismissed the latter for 36.

Marnus Labuschagne followed for 13, with Broad taking his wicket for the second time in the match, and Steven Smith then followed for just six, with the potential difference-maker edging through to Bairstow.

Australia were rocking at 89-3, but to their credit, Khawaja (34*) and night-watchman Scott Boland (13*) negotiated the remaining four-and-a-half overs of the day to leave the Test marginally in their team's favour ahead of what is expected to be a rain-hit final day.

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Written by
Darren Plant

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England batsman Joe Root celebrates hitting a century against Australia on June 16, 2023.
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