World Test Championship (Ashes series) played at Birmingham August 1-5, 2019

England Vs Australia

Brief Scorecard at Stumps on Day Four

Australia 1st Innings: 284 All Out (SPD Smith 144, PM Siddle 44, TM Head 35, SCJ Broad 5/86, CR Woakes 3/58) and 2nd Innings 487/7 Declared (SPD Smith 142, Matthew Wade 110, TM Head 51, JL Pattinson 47*, UT Khawja 40, TD Paine 34,BA Stokes 3/85,MMAli 2/103 ) England 1st Innings 374 All Out (RJ Burns 133,JE Root 57,BA Stokes 50, CR Woakes 37, SC Broad 29, PJ Cummins 3/84, NM Lyon 3/112, PM Siddle 2/52 and JL Pattinson 2/84) and 2nd Innings 13/0

Brilliant batting by top quality Steve Smith scoring yet another century (142) in the second innings inspired Australia declaring at 487/7 in the second innings. Despite of conceding a hefty 90 runs lead in the first innings Australia stormed to 397 over all lead. England at stumps on day four was 13/0 still 385 more to win or survive 90 overs on a day five wearining wicket to deprive Australia winning the test.

Earlier Smith became only the fifth Australian batsman in the history of the Ashes scoring century in the either innings of a test. His innings inspired the team to such and extent that Matthew Wade (110), Travis Head (51) and James Pattinson (47*) also made major contribution and Australia took impregnable 387 runs lead. On a wearing pitch of day five against quality spinner Nathan Lyon England will have to play out of their skin to save the match. 

Century in Both Innings in Ashes for Australia

Player                               Venue/Year              1stInnings                2nd Innings

Steve Smith                Birmingham, 2019             144                             142
Matthew Hayden          Brisbane, 2002                197                             103
Steve Waugh             Manchester, 1997              108                              116
Arthur Morris             Adelaide, 1947                   122                              124*
Warren Bardsley      The Oval, 1909                   136                              130

Head and Smith resuming the day four at 124/3 proceeded smoothly at times attacking the English bowlers. English attack minus Anderson at times looked toothless. The partnership added 130 before Travis Head was removed by Stokes the most successful English bowler of the day. At the departure of Head, Smith found another great allay in Matthew Wade. This two plundered a bit clueless English attack batting aggressively. 

The match was slowly and assuredly taken out from English grasp. Smith’s brilliant innings ultimately ended at 142 getting out caught behind to Woakes. But before that Smith and Wade added possibly a match directing 126 in the 5th wicket partnership. Smith after hibernating a bit in CWC2019 appears back in his top form. With his back to back century in the test he is again back among the top three best performing batsmen in present day cricket. Compared to the first innings he was more aggressive in the second. Wade also went on scoring his century 110 in 143 deliveries striking 17 fours. Pattinson (47*), T Paine (34) and PJ Cummins (26*) also made useful contribution. 

Kangaroos once again proved the strength of their hind legs and powerful tail. With 387 runs lead Australia declared creating huge challenge for England surviving day five wicket. Test cricket appeared with his magical uncertainty. Till stumps of day three England was in control but at stumps on day four only Australia has realistic possibility of winning the Test.  Strange things do happen in cricket but it is highly unlikely that England would score another 375 required to causing a huge surprise.

BDST: 1022 HRS, AUG 5, 2019
SI