England vs Australia 1st Test, Day 4 highlights
England vs Australia, Eng vs Aus 1st Test highlights: Australia hold the upper edge at the end of Day 4 with England requiring 385 more to win the match when the play resumes on final day. Rory Burns, who scored a brilliant century in the first innings, will resume the England innings along with Jason Roy on the fifth day. Australia, on the other hand, will look to bundle up the English innings and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.
Steve Smith continued his brilliant form as he completed his second century of the match. The former Aussie skipper was dismissed by Chris Woakes while he was batting on 142. After Smith’s dismissal, Matthew Wade continued the attack and completed his third Test ton, before he was removed by Ben Stokes on 110.
England
374 (135.5) & 146 (52.3)Australia
284 (80.4) & 487/7 decAustralia beat England by 251 runs
Australia hold the upper edge at the end of Day 4 with England requiring 385 more to win the match when the play resumes on the final day. Rory Burns, who scored a brilliant century in the first innings, will resume the England innings along with Jason Roy on the fifth day. Australia, on the other hand, will look to bundle up the English innings and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.
With nine overs still remaining in the day, Australian skipper Tim Paine signals his batsmen to return to the dugout. James Pattinson and Pat Cummins add 78 for the eighth wicket as Australia post 487/7 on the board. England need 398 to win the first Test.
Pat Cummins and James Pattinson add over 50 runs for the eighth wicket as Australia extend their lead to 370. Pattinson is playing on 32, while Cummins is batting on 15.
Runs are coming quick for Australia as they extend their lead to 336 runs. Australia have lost two wickets in this session but with over 400 runs already on the board the Aussies are currently sitting at the driver's seat and it's only a matter of time before Tim Paine decides to declare the innings.
Matthew Wade slams a boundary off Joe Root to complete his third Test century. He along with Tim Paine has added over 50 runs for the sixth wicket helping Australia extend their lead by 296 runs.
Another gritty session of Test cricket comes to an end as Matthew Wade and Aussie skipper Tim Paine take Australia to 356/5 at Tea on Day 4, extending their lead to 266 runs. Wade is batting on 86, while his partner is new to the crease and has just faced 9 deliveries.
Chris Woakes gets the breakthrough as Steve Smith's incredible knock finally comes to an end. It was slightly fullish and there was a hint of movement, Smith tries to play it towards the off side but unfortunate for the centurion as the ball takes an edge and Jonny Bairstow completes a simple catch at the end. Smith departs after scoring 142.
With Steve Smith still unbeaten on 127 and Mathew Wade 51*, Australia are 207 runs ahead of England now. Smith and Wade have stitched a 96-run partnership so far. Things are falling Aussies way now.
Steve Smith hits another hundred, second of the match. He reaches the milestone with a four, in the slot, lashed through cover to bring up his second hundred of the match! Off comes the helmet, a big beaming smile this time - not quite so draining as the first - as he tons up again, the first man to do so in an Ashes Test for Australia since Matthew Hayden in 2002. Magnificent effort.
Lunch, Day 4: What a morning session for Australia. Massive pressure on them when they came out today, but Smith and Head did a fantastic job. England were erratic with their bowling and they just couldn't stop the batsmen from scoring. Such was Smith's class that he was so intimidating even when he was leaving the ball with his fancy movement after the ball passed the stumps. Smith is just 2 runs away from his second hundred in the Test. AUS 231/4 (Smith 98*, Wade 15*)
Ben Stokes finally claimed Trevis Head's wicket. There's the edge and caught by the keeper. This has come completely against the run of play. Head doesn't want to leave. That climb upstairs to the dressing room must take him an eternity, he tries to cover his face with his hand. Head c Bairstow b Stokes 51(116). 130 runs between Steve Smith hand Head. AUS 205/4 now.
Steven Smith and Trevis Head have made things easy for Australia as Head has also hit much needed fifty. Both have piled up 124 runs so far and Australia's lead on Day 4 has reached 109 runs. Smith is 86 not out and Head 51 not out. AUS 203/3
It has been a great first hour for the Aussies as Steve Smith is well set and Trevis Head is also chipping in nicely. Both have made an over 100-run partnership with Smith is unbeaten 67 and Head has reached 46. AUS 177/3 and lead by 87 runs.
Smart batting from Australian batsmen. In the absence of James Anderson, English bowlers are struggling. Jofra Archer is on the field and English fans would be hoping if only he was in the side instead of an injured Anderson. England need a breakthrough. They need a Pat Cummins-like delivery to dismiss Ben Stokes on day four. Meanwhile, Broad is not happy with the ball's shape. ENG - 163/3 in 46 overs
Steve Smith equals Mr. Cricket Michael Hussey's record of most consecutive fifty-plus scores in England vs Australia Test. Smith has six fifty-plus scores now. Meanwhile, the partnership for the fourth wicket between Travis Head and Smith continues to grow. AUS - 147/3 in 40 overs
Steve Smith is in sublime form. It would not be an overstatement to say that Smith is carrying Australia on his back. His 25th Test fifty, crucial considering the situation Australia were in having lost both their openers early on in the second innings. AUS - 131/3 in 35 overs
Stuart Broad causes trouble for Travis Head straight away. He is trying to do what he did in the first innings, trying to trap the left-handed batsman by creating an angle from around the wicket. A maiden over to start with. AUS - 129/3 in 33 overs
Interestingly, Moeen Ali bowls the first over of the day. He bowls a beamer to Steve Smith as he tried to hit that one for a big one. Five runs from the first over. AUS - 129/3 in 32 overs
Hello and welcome to the live blog of England vs Australia Ashes 2019 opener. Day four of the first Test promises thrills and chills as Steve Smith holds the key to Australia's survival in the third innings. With each run, the pressure will mount on England as it has been confirmed that James Anderson will not bowl on day four as well. Stay tuned for live updates as day four is about to get underway.