Ashes: England bowlers shine on day 4, restrict Australia’s top batting order

England’s day four at the second Ashes clash started off on a high with the bowlers stepping into action and securing wickets early in the innings. The performance halted Australia’s push for victory.

The innings resumed on Sunday with 45 runs in the back pocket of Australia with a loss of just one wicket. Things turned around soon after nightwatchman Michael Neser, Steve Smith and Marcus Harris were dismissed early.

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Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne gave a strong fight to the ace bowlers and lead Australia to a score of 134-4 at the break, maintaining a lead of 371 runs.

At dinner, Labuschagne was 31 not out with Head on 45 from 44 balls.

Australia will likely look to push its lead past 400 runs before declaring sometime in the middle session to maximise the use of the evening conditions to attack England’s top order under lights, according to reports from Associated Press.

Before play, England skipper Root was hit in the lower abdomen while batting in the nets and was taken to hospital for further assessment. Fortunately, Root was cleared of any serious injury and returned to the field later in the session.

Allrounder Ben Stokes stood in as captain for Root as the tourists found their line and length early to make inroads into Australia’s batting line up.

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In the space of three balls Neser was bowled by James Anderson for three, before Harris was caught spectacularly by Jos Buttler diving to his left off Stuart Broad for 23.

Buttler then dropped Smith from Broad’s next ball. The following delivery Broad thought he had trapped Australia’s star batsman leg-before-wicket, but the television review upheld a close on-field decision of not out.