The fourth Test match of the Ashes Test series is played at SCG – Sydney Cricket Ground between Australia and England. The Australian team aims for a clean sweep series win against the visitors, England. With four days and lots of cricket to be played, the Aussies can achieve this feat against a clueless England side, who have failed to raise their batting display in this series.
Day one of the fourth Test match at Sydney Cricket ground had many rain interruptions, and that is why only 46.5 overs were bowled. The toss was also delayed due to the morning showers. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. Still, they couldn’t make an impact on the rain-hit day as England continued to shine with the red cherry.
Australia was eight for no loss when the proceedings were halted after 4.3 overs. Stuart Broad was recalled for this test match, and he looked good with the veteran James Anderson. The play was started, but David Warner couldn’t break the shackles. Then Ben Stokes was introduced, and Mark Wood also started bowling from the other end.
Stuart Broad was recalled to the attack in the post-lunch session, and he gave the much-needed breakthrough to England. Warner and Harris shared a fifty-run opening partnership. But Warner crawled his way to score 30 runs from 72 balls, which we don’t usually see from the dashing Aussie opener.
Stuart Broad was the one who got Warner out, and things didn’t seem like that it would go the Aussies way. Harris and Labuschagne shared a partnership that kept Australia in the hunt, and it looked like England pace bowlers would struggle again.
Australia went past the hundred run mark with a half-century stand between the opener and number three batter. But Jimmy Anderson broke this threatening looked partnership before it caused any further damage.
Marcus Harris scored a patient 38 runs from 109 balls. But he edged the ball to slips.
Anderson had opened the window again for England. The veteran did this similar magic at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Boxing Day Test match. Marnus Labuchagne looked good for his 28 runs. But he also fell quickly after the fall of Marcus Harris. Mark Wood again squared the number three batter as he did in the third Test match at MCG. Labuschagne again edged the wide ball from Wood, and Jos Buttler took a comfortable catch behind the stumps.
Usman Khawaja was added to the side for this test match. Khawaja made his Test debut o this ground ten years ago. The Pakistani-born cricketer had played his debut Test match against the same opposition on this venue.
Steve Smith, the vice-captain of the Aussie team, partnered with Khawaja to consolidate the day’s play.
England tried to bowl some short stuff, but that was put away for the boundary. Steve Smith is unbeaten on six runs from 23 balls, and Usman Khawaja is not on four runs from 22 balls. James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Stuart Broad are the bowlers from England who have picked up one wicket each.