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Ashes cricket 2023: Late wickets get England back in the game after day one of fourth Test

There were plenty of starts for Australia’s batsman, but no match-defining partnerships, with England always in the fight on a seesawing opening day of the fourth Test. RECAP THE ACTION

Daniel Cherny and Tim Michell
19 min read
3:34AMJuly 20, 2023.
Updated 8:03AMJuly 20, 2023
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Honours shared after even Day One in Manchester

Australia is 8-299 at stumps on day one of the fourth Test after being sent in by England at Old Trafford.

While eight of Australia’s top nine reached 16, none could go past 51 as the hosts kept the game evenly poised.

Here are the key talking points:

BAIR FACTOR

It was the most stunning moment of the day on so many levels. Jonny Bairstow took a catch, and not just any catch. The much-maligned England gloveman, who had blown more than half a dozen chances through the series, dived to his right to pouch a one-hander and send danger man Mitch Marsh packing for 51, giving Chris Woakes his second wicket of the over and third of the match. Bairstow roared in relief, and was mobbed by teammates.

Jonny Bairstow grabs a screamer to remove Mitch Marsh
Jonny Bairstow grabs a screamer to remove Mitch Marsh

HOWLERS GALORE

West Indian umpire Joel Wilson lives in Ashes infamy for his error-riddled performance in the 2019 Headingley thriller. He was back at it on Wednesday in Manchester, turning down Moeen Ali’s appeal for lbw when Marnus Labuschagne was on 51. But England went upstairs, and three red strikes sent Australia’s No. 3 packing. It wasn’t a good middle session for the umpires. Wilson’s counterpart, Indian Nitin Menon, denied England’s appeal for a leg-before shout from Mark Wood to Steve Smith. It was another review, and so plumb was this one that Smith started heading to the boundary before his dismissal was confirmed.

HEAD CHECK

To no great surprise, England resumed its short-ball tactics against Travis Head. The left-hander was struck on the helmet after failing to get out of the way of a Mark Wood bounce. Head was OK and batted on, with the hosts changing tack during his innings. Head played a couple of loose shots en route to a rollicking 48 before eventually hooking to Joe Root in the deep and becoming Stuart Broad’s 600th wicket in Test cricket.

MARNUS BREAKS THROUGH

While Labuschagne was doubtless disappointed not to go on with it, he did at least snap his run of scores on this tour without a half-century. It was just Labuschagne’s second Test 50 since the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in February. England looked to frustrate Labuschgane, employing a ring field to deny him singles. He was on 40 for 19 balls but Moeen ultimately got him again, albeit with a ball that turned in what was perhaps an ominous sign for an Australian side that entered this match without a frontline spinner.

END OF STORY

If you’d been told before this Test that David Warner would face just five balls in the first innings from Broad, it would have been reasonable to assume it meant Broad removing Warner for the 18th time in Test cricket. That would have been the wrong assumption. Warner whacked Broad for four off the first ball of the match, got off strike later in the over and by sheer quirk of rotation barely faced Broad thereafter. Broad’s first spell had finished by the time Warner nicked off to Chris Woakes for 32.

HISTORY AGAINST THEM

This wasn’t a pitch screaming “bowl first” but it wasn’t a major shock when Ben Stokes decided to insert Australia after winning his fourth straight toss to start the series. Given looming bad weather, the desperate series situation and England’s preference to chase in the Bazball era, it made sense for the hosts to field and give themselves the best chance of taking the 20 wickets needed to win the match and push the series to a decider at The Oval. But England was going to have to buck a trend. This was the 11th time a team had won the toss and bowled in a Test at Manchester, and never had it resulted in victory (seven draws and three losses).

TOUCH OF THE FUMBLES

Stokes had the chance to run out the red-hot Mitch Marsh on 35 when Cameron Green turned back his fellow all-rounder after initially looking at a quick single to cover. But the England skipper couldn’t pick it up cleanly, allowing Marsh to dash back to safety.

RECAP ALL THE ACTION FROM THE FIRST DAY

STUMPS: AUSTRALIA 8-299

A third-session Chris Woakes blitz has left Australia in danger of surrendering its Ashes advantage in Manchester.

Seeking to become the first team in history to win the toss and bowl at Old Trafford to be successful in a Test, England holds the upper hand after a frustrating opening day of the fourth Test for Australia.

Pat Cummins’ side had partnerships of 46 (Warner-Labuschagne), 59 (Labuschagne-Smith), 63 (Labuschagne-Head) and 65 (Green-Marsh) and four batsmen who scored between 41 and 51 (Smith 41, Head 48, Labuschagne 51 and Marsh 51).

Yet every time it looked like Australia had seized control and bat England out of the Ashes, the hosts found a breakthrough to halt momentum.

“England can be proud of what they’ve done today. They will be the happier side. I think Australia will see it as a missed opportunity to start to close the door on the series,” former England skipper Nasser Hussain said.

Woakes was the chief destroyer with four wickets on a day where Stuart Broad took his 600th Test scalp.

Broad tempted Travis Head with a short ball that was well caught by Joe Root in the deep.

Woakes earlier dashed the locals’ hopes that David Warner would be Broad’s milestone wicket when he drew an edge from the Aussie opener and had him caught behind.

The other moment of the day belonged to Jonny Bairstow, who dived sharply to his right after being wrong-footed to latch onto a one-handed catch to remove Marsh moments after he reached fifty.

Australia finished at 8-299, losing Alex Carey caught behind in the first over with the second new ball and about eight minutes before stumps.

RECAP ALL THE TALKING POINTS FROM DAY ONE BELOW

3.21AM: CAREY CAUGHT BEHIND! HUGE BLOW FOR ENGLAND

Just when it looked like Australia would safely navigate its way to stumps, Woakes strikes again.

Alex Carey tries to leave a ball but it catches the end of his bat and flies through to Jonny Bairstow who has no issues with the catch.

The new ball does the job and Australia is 8-294 with Pat Cummins joining Starc.

3.18PM: NEW BALL TAKEN

Although it’s taken us most of the day to get to 80 overs, England will get a 12-minute burst at Alex Carey and Mitch Starc before stumps with the new ball.

Chris Woakes will kick things off with the second new ball.

2.55PM: ENGLAND CLOSES ON NEW BALL

Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc have done a good job to keep England at bay, but will be well aware the new ball is just around the corner.

There’s still over half an hour of play today and although we won’t get the full 90 overs in, England should get a tricky 4-5 over period at the Australian No. 8 and No.9.

Moeen Ali has just hustled through the 75th over, so it’s likely England might get 15-20 minutes with the new ball.

2.20AM: DRINKS, AUSTRALIA 7-258

We’re into what should just about be the last hour of play today but there are still 24 hours due to be bowled.

We’re either going to go late into the night (local time) or that isn’t happening.

Either way, England will be thrilled with its last half an hour.

The partnership between Green and Marsh was getting dangerous but both are now back in the pavilion in even getting to 300 looks like it might be a stretch for Australia.

2.02AM BAIRSTOW SCREAMER SENDS MARSH PACKING

Jonny Bairstow — wow!

He looked to be completely wrong-footed but dived to his right to reel in an edge from Mitch Marsh.

That is a stunning catch from a player that has been under all sorts of pressure and dropped 4-5 balls in the first session alone today.

Chris Woakes has two wickets in an over and Australia is reeling at 7-255.

“It’s fair to say he’s pretty happy about it as well, Athers, as he should be,” says Ricky Ponting.

“There has been a lot of criticism around about his keeping in the series so far. As a keeper, you’re not just expected to catch everything, you’re expected to make some. Make half chances. That’s what he’s done there.”

1.58AM: GREEN LBW, AUSTRALIA 6-254

Joel Wilson gave Cameron Green out lbw and that proves his downfall on review.

Aussie fans would have hoped briefly that Green’s height might be enough for the ball to be heading over the stumps, but DRS classed it umpire’s review and upheld Wilson’s on-field call.

“He looks like he’s a bit timid at the crease at the moment, not looking to get on top of the bowling and put pressure back on the bowling and put pressure back on the bowlers,” Callum Ferguson says of Green on Channel 9.

Massive boos ring out at Old Trafford as Alex Carey joins Mitch Marsh.

1.55AM: ANOTHER FIFTY FOR MARSH

If you’re still awake, you’re being treated to another episode of BisonBall.

Backing up his hundred in the third Test, Mitch Marsh has reached a half century in 56 balls in Manchester.

Marsh has hit seven boundaries and one six already in this innings.

1.40AM: STOKES MISSES CHANCE TO END MARSH STAY

That could have been disastrous for Australia.

Cameron Green called Mitch Marsh through for a single, promptly sent him back but by the time Marsh had turned to start making his ground, Ben Stokes had closed in at cover.

The English skipper’s urgency to get the ball away meant he failed to pick it up, which saved Marsh and spared Green’s blushes.

Joe Root could barely look after a big missed opportunity, especially with third Test centurion Marsh already on 35.

All-rounders Cam Green and Mitch Marsh have a big job to do for Australia.
All-rounders Cam Green and Mitch Marsh have a big job to do for Australia.

1.20AM: AUSSIES LASHED FOR ‘LACK OF FAITH’ IN MURPHY

Commentary legend Ian Smith says Australia risked being “burned” by its decision to leave spinner Todd Murphy out of the fourth Test.

Nathan Lyon’s understudy will watch from the sidelines after being dropped in favour of returning all-rounder Cameron Green.

The selection call has left Travis Head as Australia’s first-choice spinner with two West Australian all-rounders in the team.

“I never thought I’d see the day where Australia did the same as New Zealand did in cricket,” Smith told SEN NZ.

“In other words, went with a batting insurance policy. That’s, for me, what they have exactly done by picking Cameron Green to come in at possible No.7. Really? Do they need him there?

“They would never have considered this if Nathan Lyon was available. First picked all the time. That’s just total lack of faith in Todd Murphy. Absolute total lack of faith and they might get burned by it if they’re able to get five reasonable days of cricket and the pitch at Old Trafford starts to turn.

“They might get embarrassed and caught short here and level the series.”

Smith’s pre-Test prediction may prove prophetic with Moeen Ali finding turn on day one.

Australia's Todd Murphy bowls during the third Test. Picture: Paul ELLIS/AFP,
Australia's Todd Murphy bowls during the third Test. Picture: Paul ELLIS/AFP,

1.05AM: HEAD BECOMES BROAD’S 600TH TEST WICKET

Travis Head has fallen for England’s short-ball ploy just after tea.

It was obvious with England’s field that it was going back to the bouncer plan and it paid dividends in the first over of the third session.

Broad was overjoyed as Joe Root took a great catch running in and then rolling his body to ensure he held on.

“To do it as a fast bowler with all the stresses and strains on your body is quite incredible,” former England skipper Michael Atherton says.

“In the context of this game and this day that is a big wicket of Travis Head. It is a very special wicket that Stuart Broad will remember for a long, long time.”

Australia is 5-189 and England has the impetus in this Test now.

12.41AM: TEA, AUSTRALIA 4-187

Australia was firmly in control of the opening day, recovering from the loss of Steve Smith to put itself in a commanding position just before tea.

But Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket has given England an opening and left a crucial last session of the opening day to decide which way this match heads.

12.28AM: LABUSCHAGNE LBW ON REVIEW

Oh no. Moments after reaching his first 50 since March, Marnus Labuschagne is out lbw on review to Moeen Ali.

Umpire Joel Wilson initially gave the Aussie batsman not out, but the DRS overturned the decision after another successful English review.

Michael Atherton describes it as “such a soft dismissal” and Ricky Ponting adds: “There was no way in the world that ball should get you out.”

Mitch Marsh is in at No. 6 just before tea.

Marnus Labuschagne was given out lbw on review.
Marnus Labuschagne was given out lbw on review.

12.20AM: AUSTRALIA WOULD BE HAPPY — PONTING’S TAKE

The partnership between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne has stretched beyond 50 despite some quality bowling from England.

The ball is still swinging and seaming around which would have England buoyed.

But Head and Labuschagne — in particular the latter — have picked their moments well and been prepared to be patient in the second session of day one.

At 3-170, Ponting said: “Australia would be happy with the position that they find themselves in right now.”

Not that I make a habit of disagreeing with Ricky, but it’s hard to argue with that.

Although as I type, Moeen Ali is into the attack and almost has Labuschagne in a spot of bother.

12.05AM: LLOYD’S CONCERN FOR ‘FRANTIC’ WARNER

English cricket and commentary great David Lloyd says he can’t understand David Warner’s “frantic” approach during this Ashes series.

After Warner was dismissed by Chris Woakes for 32 earlier, Lloyd said Warner had been “all over the place” and admitted his surprise the Aussie opener was selected for the fourth Test.

“He is frantic. I don’t get it,” Lloyd told Channel 9.

“He is a wonderful player. He is 36 years of age. He’s seen it all, done it all, I think he should be so calm at the crease and he looked skittish.

“He is all over the place at the crease. It’s a long day opening the batting. Set your stall out.”

Asked about Warner’s place in the Aussie side, Lloyd added: “I don’t know what he is like in the rooms but I would have thought his time was up after the last game. Stuart Broad is all over him. I can’t get away from the fact that he is 36 years of age, calm down. Just calm down a bit.”

David Warner heads off after being dismissed. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images.
David Warner heads off after being dismissed. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images.

11.35PM: STOKES — WE’RE NOT HIDING BROOK

Ben Stokes says England’s decision to use Moeen Ali at No. 3 again in the fourth Test has nothing to do with protecting Harry Brook.

Brook was out cheaply in the first innings of the third Test but responded with a matchwinning 75 when Ali stepped up to No. 3 in the second innings.

The plan will continue at Old Trafford, but Stokes said it was more about Ali’s strengths than where England would prefer Brook to bat.

“It’s more about Mo’s ability to have an impact on the game to be honest,” Stokes said earlier today.

Harry Brook starred when he went back to No. 5 in the last Test. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.
Harry Brook starred when he went back to No. 5 in the last Test. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

“You look at when he came back in he was batting down at eight and obviously it’s great to have a long batting line-up. But now we have got (Chris) Woakesy in the team we have sort of covered that.

“Mo wants to impact the game, that’s sort of how I spoke to him about the series, ‘I want you to come in and make as big an impact as possible as an individual’.

“And we feel giving him that No. 3 slot in this game, he’s more than capable of doing that. Nothing to protect Harry whatsoever.”

Regular No. 3 Ollie Pope shared an update from hospital after undergoing surgery on his injured shoulder.

11.15PM: ENGLAND LAUNCHES BOUNCER BARRAGE AT HEAD

England has a clear plan to Travis Head, peppering the Australia No. 5 with short balls since his arrival at the crease.

It’s been a brutal start for Head, who was struck by a searing delivering from Mark Wood.

Play was briefly delayed as he was assessed but has been cleared to bat on.

Even Chris Woakes tried a similar tactic to Head at the opposite end.

“Thank goodness for helmets and grills and all of those technologies that have come into the game,” notes Mark Taylor in commentary.

11PM: SMITH LBW, AUSTRALIA 3-120

Steve Smith has been given out lbw after England reviewed a not out decision off Mark Wood.

It looked pretty adjacent on first viewing and Smith shuffled a long way across his stumps before being struck on the pads by wood.

Umpire Nitin Menon gave Smith not out but the review showed it was crashing into middle stump.

Steve Smith was given out lbw on review.
Steve Smith was given out lbw on review.

10.50PM: THE VIEW FROM OLD TRAFFORD'S PARTY STAND

As someone who hates heights, I’m very glad I’m not watching day one of this Test from the party stand at Old Trafford.

Just look at it.

They say it fits 8500-9000 fans and the BBC’s Henry Moeran has done the match on just how many kilograms of cricket fan that temporary stand is holding up - roughly 600 tonnes.

England’s official account earlier posted a view from the top of the stand and our own Daniel Cherny posted these pictures at lunch which give you an idea of just how high the stand is.

10.25PM: STOKES’ BOWLING CALL ‘PERPLEXING’

Ben Stokes’ call to bowl first in Manchester has been branded “wrong” and “perplexing” after Australia reached 2-107 at lunch.

The hosts removed openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner in the opening session, but Australia took control late as Steve Smith upped the ante against Moeen Ali.

Callum Ferguson told Channel 9 Stokes had handed Australia the initiative by going against history and electing to bowl.

England's captain Ben Stokes (C) won the toss and bowled in Manchester.
England's captain Ben Stokes (C) won the toss and bowled in Manchester.

“It’s perplexing to me,” Ferguson said.

“They’ve disregarded history altogether. In the last 10 Test Matches the team batting first has made on average 386, which gets you into the Test Match and gets you ahead of the Test match.

“If Australia can keep looking at that total as an opportunity to get ahead and get in a position where it’s hard to lose the Ashes.”

Ian Healy agreed, saying Stokes made the “wrong” decision.

“But both captains would have done it,” he said.

“If Ben Stokes thought I am going to fire up these quicks of mine and really come at the Australians and get that crowd on its feet, it just hasn’t happened.”

10PM UPDATE: LUNCH, AUSTRALIA 2-107

Daniel Cherny in Manchester

David Warner saw off Stuart Broad but couldn’t convert a bright start as England made inroads on day one of the fourth Test.

Seeking to secure its first away Ashes series win in 22 years, Australia was 2-107 at lunch, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuchgane holding the keys to an imposing first innings total.

Given a reprieve by selectors despite twin failures in the third Test at Headingley, Warner thrashed a loosener from tormentor Broad to the cover boundary off the opening ball of the Test and barely faced him thereafter before Broad was replaced by Chris Woakes at the Staham End.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will lead Australia’s charge after lunch. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will lead Australia’s charge after lunch. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

However the paceman still had his say on proceedings in the first hour, removing Usman Khawaja for three with a ball optimistically reviewed by the Australian opener, which technology showed was clattering into middle stump. It was Broad’s 599th Test wicket, set up perfectly at the time to make Warner No. 600.

Smith lived dangerously, almost gone first ball when he pulled Woakes to deep backward square leg where Mark Wood had crept a few metres in from the rope. Had Wood been stationed more conventionally, Smith probably would have made a hasty exit.

While there was intermittent cloud coverage during the first session, the rain stayed away, with the weather forecast to stay largely clear until the weekend.

9.15PM UPDATE: WARNER EDGES BEHIND, AUSTRALIA 2-61

David Warner did so much right this morning and then falls for the sucker punch just after drinks.

Chris Woakes gets the ball to nibble after Jonny Bairstow holds onto an edge behind the stumps.

That will only fuel those calling for Warner’s head.

“It was there to drive if he really committed to it,” says Callum Ferguson.

“It looked like he sort of half-heartedly pushed at it rather than really committing which he had done previously in the innings. He will be really disappointed to have let a good start to his innings slip.”

And the very next ball, Steve Smith pulls Woakes for four and just over Mark Wood.

If he’d been on the boundary, Woakes would likely have been on a hat-trick but he was a few metres in.

9.10PM UPDATE: GLARE DELAYS PLAY

This is bizarre.

Stuart Broad appears to be asking members of the crowd to sit further back in their bay to stop sun glare which had halted play.

And showing Broad’s influence, they are listening.

Marnus Labuschagne had complained about the glare which is what led to drinks being called earlier than expected.

“They have called drinks early, because I think it’s the bar that attaches to the seats or the seats attached to that bar there. There is a bit of shine coming off there,” Mark Taylor explains on commentary.

“The ground was reconfigured in about 2012. So I’m assuming this is the not the first time the sun has come out at Old Trafford. But maybe it is. It’s taken 11 years to finally see it at that angle.”

The word is some duct tape has been used along with fans being moved to resolve the problem …

9.05PM: DRINKS UPDATE, AUSTRALIA 1-57

After being sent in, Australia has to be happy with that — in particular David Warner.

He has looked busy since the opening ball when he crunched Stuart Broad through cover for four.

He’s 32 off 37 balls and Marnus Labuschagne is 12 from 27 balls.

Warner has been the man under pressure all series, but this stat suggests maybe the heat should have been going elsewhere.

“In general what I’ve liked is he’s looking to score,” Callum Ferguson says on 9.

“He’s not just sitting on the crease and allowing them to bowl to him. That was a tough period. It did swing a little bit.

“Not as much seam movement as what England would’ve been hoping for but certainly the Aussies have set up the first session quite nicely in that hour.”

Could today be the day Smith and Labuschagne cash in?

8.50PM: PAINE’S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF BAIRSTOW

You have to wonder what Tim Paine is making of this Jonny Bairstow display in the first session at Old Trafford.

Bairstow has already dropped the ball 4-5 times behind the stumps and looks to be low on confidence after several howlers in the opening three Tests.

A few days ago, former Aussie captain and gloveman Paine gave a frank assessment of Bairstow’s performance in this series.

“His keeping has been woeful, let’s be honest,” Paine said on SEN.

“But again, I have played a lot of cricket against Jonny Bairstow and normally his keeping has been pretty good.

“He’s obviously coming off a really long and horrible injury, a big layoff, and to step straight back into international cricket has been hard for him, no doubt.

“I don’t think he’ll have another Test match as bad as he did with the gloves.”

Jonny Bairstow has made several bloopers behind the stumps this series.
Jonny Bairstow has made several bloopers behind the stumps this series.

8.20PM: KHAWAJA GONE, AUSTRALIA 1-15

Honestly not sure why Usman Khawaja has reviewed that.

It looked plumb and sure enough the DRS confirmed Stuart Broad has his 599th Test wicket.

Not the start Australia wanted and even more pressure on David Warner now to stabilise the innings with Marnus Labuschagne.

Former English Test cricketer Derek Pringle tweeted: “Talk about delusions of grandeur … Khawaja must think he’s 6ft 4in tall to review that lbw off Broad …. crashing into middle stump.”

Usman Khawaja trapped LBW by Stuart Broad.
Usman Khawaja trapped LBW by Stuart Broad.

8PM: CUMMINS DEFENDS MURPHY OMISSION

Pat Cummins says England’s Bazball style played a role in the decision for Australia to go into a Test match without a spinner for the first time in more than a decade.

The Australians have dropped Todd Murphy and recalled all-rounder Cameron Green for the fourth Test.

“Just conditions based and probably more than anything else, the game is played at quite a quick pace here,” Cummins said at the toss.

“We feel like we’ve got plenty of bowling and having two all-rounders plus Trav Head gives us plenty of options.”

Asked whether the Australians were taking a risk by leaving Murphy out, Cummins said: “Whenever you select, there’s always a bit of a risk. Losing Nath Lyon makes it a little bit different. We’ve gone for a slightly different line-up than normal.”

7.30PM: ENGLAND WINS THE TOSS

The expectation was that whichever captain won the toss in Manchester would bowl and that’s been the case.

Ben Stokes has more success at the coin toss and England will bowl first.

Michael Atherton tells Stokes after his decision that no team has ever elected to bowl in Manchester and won a Test …

“It would be a nice time to be the first to do that,” Stokes says.

Pat Cummins says he would have bowled as well.

“Not a bad toss to lose I think. Looks like a good wicket,” Cummins says.

7.05PM: WEATHER LATEST

There has been rain in Manchester for days — and more is forecast for days four and five of this Test.

But the good news, for now, is that despite gloomy skies it is dry at Old Trafford.

The expectation is play will start on time for day one.

6.45PM: STOKES WARNS AUSSIES TO PREPARE FOR BAZBALL EXPLOSION

Ben Stokes says forecast bad weather in Manchester could make England even more aggressive as they bid to keep their Ashes hopes alive with victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

England remained in contention to regain the urn from arch rivals Australia with a three-wicket win at Headingley that left the hosts 2-1 down with two to play ahead of the concluding two Tests at Old Trafford and The Oval.

Since England captain Stokes joined forces with coach Brendon McCullum last year, the team have become renowned for their bold ‘Bazball’ approach to red-ball cricket.

But with heavy rain forecast on the fourth and fifth days in Manchester, England may have to up their tempo while trying to force a win in a match starting Wednesday.

“You never want to look too much into the weather but in the position we find ourselves in, we find we might have to,” Stokes told an Old Trafford news conference on Tuesday.

Captain Ben Stokes knows England might have to double down on their Bazball approach to win in Manchester. Picture: Getty
Captain Ben Stokes knows England might have to double down on their Bazball approach to win in Manchester. Picture: Getty

“We know we have to win this game to take it to the last game for us to have a chance of getting the urn back.

“Going into the last game 2-0 down, we knew we had to win that so I think that helped us a little bit.

“Maybe again with the weather that’s predicted, it might bring more out of us again knowing that we might have to push the game on even more than we normally do.

“We’ll just have to wait and see. If the weather is what it’s predicted to be, we might have to.”

England are bidding to become only the second side in history to win an Ashes from 2-0 down following the Australia team of 1936/37 that, inspired by batting great Don Bradman, overturned such a deficit to triumph 3-2.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-cricket-2023-australia-v-england-fourth-test-live-coverage/news-story/540f8ada22a4c0fc006fa51816896628