Fourth Test: Records galore at Nottingham as England take early advantage on day one
England, 274 for the loss of four wickets at stumps, did exceptionally well in the morning session to rattle Australia. Stuart Broad, opening the bowling for his team, ploughed through the Aussie batting line up as he registered a career best of 8 for 15. 5 of those 8 wickets were taken in the first 19 balls he bowled, as he matched the record for the fastest to take five wickets, in terms of balls bowled, in an opening spell. The only other man to do so was Ernie Toshack, an Australian, in 1947 against India.
Broad also achieved his personal landmark of 300 wickets after dismissing Chris Rogers. He now has 307 wickets in his kitty. Mark Wood and Steven Finn picked up a wicket each.
Australia was sent into bat after England’s skipper Alastair Cook won the toss. Barring two batsmen and the extras column, none could reach the two figure mark. In fact the extras (14) scored more than any singular Australian batsmen. Mitchell Johnson (13) finished a close second, followed by his skipper, Michael Clarke’s 10.
Clarke off late has been the talk of the town, his recent form have made followers of Australian cricket calling for his head, today’s performance just weighed in on them. Steven Smith, the man who had a fairy tale Australian Summer with his bat, failed yet again after disappointing his fans in the third test of this tour.
It was a bright day for the England skipper as cook completed 2000 Ashes Test runs. His joy was however short-lived as he was dismissed by Starc for a score of 43. Adam Lyth edged yet again, trying to play at a delivery away from his body and succumbed for 14. Ian Bell (1) was slow to react to an incoming yorker from Starc as he was adjudged leg before.
Starc looked menacing with the new ball, picking up 3 wickets but a 4th wicket partnership of 173 runs by Jonathan Bairstow and Joe Root uprooted any plans of an Aussie comeback on day one. Bairstow having made 74 got out to a Hazlewood delivery.
Root (124) carried on his rich form to compile yet another century, his third in the Ashes, eighth overall. He and night watchman Mark Wood (2) are at the crease.
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