If the weather forecast for the back end of this fourth helping of Ashes drama is to be believed then a make‑or-break second day lies in store for England. There are two Australian wickets still to claim and then it is over to the batters for what is shaping up to be the ultimate test of their aggressive approach under Ben Stokes.

Stokes is under no illusions that, with rain expected to hit Manchester this weekend, fast-forward cricket is very much required here. It informed his decision to bowl first after what was his fourth success at the toss in this series and, having reduced the tourists to 299 for eight by the close on day one, just about paid off. England, 2-1 down with two to play, are very much in the hunt provided quick, big runs now follow.

There was some minor irritation before stumps, Mitchell Starc finishing unbeaten on 23 as the players walked off and seven overs left unbowled. But across the course of three sessions there was plenty for the latest sell-out crowd to cheer, not least a 600th Test wicket for Stuart Broad, a remarkable one-handed catch from Jonny Bairstow that lifted some of the clouds engulfing his wicketkeeping, and a continuation of the fresh energy that Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have brought to proceedings.

If there was one source of local lament it was Jimmy Anderson’s wickets column ending up blank on his return to the side (even if the one for runs was typically thrifty). Still, on a beige surface that didn’t scream to insert the opposition – and on a ground where the 10 sides to do so previously failed to secure the win – the fact that five Australians passed 30 and yet none went past 51 was a huge tick for Stokes and his men.

So much of this came down to Woakes and immaculate figures of four for 52 from 19 overs, even if in typical Woakes fashion, we will start by focusing on Broad. The 37-year-old is enjoying a fine series and though the radar was a little off initially, and the duel with David Warner began with the first ball of the match racing to the rope, his removals of Usman Khawaja and Travis Head brought up a celebrated milestone.

Broad hit 500 at Old Trafford three years ago when he removed the West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite lbw but that was the dreaded Covid summer; the season behind closed doors that meant the stands were deserted and deathly silent. This time his breakthroughs were met with a wall of sound, Broad moving to 599 first thing when he pinned Khawaja lbw for three and becoming just the second seamer after Anderson to reach 600, when Head pulled to long leg straight after tea.

But really, for all the attention Broad demands – not just with the ball but for the weird moments that follow him, such as stewarding spectators to cover a piece of metal reflecting sunlight into the batters’ eyes – Woakes knitted the day together for England. Fresh from his Headingley heroics he bowled an immaculate line, got the Dukes ball swinging, and meant Anderson’s struggle for penetration was well covered.

Source: The Guardian

BDST: 0947 HRS, JULY 20, 2023
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