Brisbane: A pulsating Ashes opener that had promised a grandstand finish will more than likely end early Monday with a handsome win to Australia after Steve Smith’s side pushed within 56 runs of victory at the close of day four at the Gabba here Sunday.
Australia were 114 without loss at stumps, with Cameron Bancroft (51 batting, 119b, 5×4, 1×6) celebrating his maiden half century in his Test debut after vice-captain David Warner (60 batting, 86b, 8×4) raised his 25th as shadows crept across the ground.
“Obviously a great day for our team, to finish the way we did with the bat, none down with 56 runs to get,” Australia paceman Mitchell Starc told reporters. “Heading over to (the second Test in) Adelaide, England will have to chase us. I’d rather be in our changeroom than theirs.”
Till lunch, England looked like making a fight out of it when they lost their last five wickets for 40 runs and three for 10.
The loss of captain Joe Root for 51 (104b, 5×4) before the first break was a blow but there was still hope as Moeen Ali (40, 64b, 6×4) and Jonny Bairstow (42, 75b, 2×4, 1×6) drove England to 155 for five.
From there it went sour, the capitulation triggered by a third umpire decision that may be debated for years to come. Having breezed to 40, Moeen was beaten by spinner Nathan Lyon (3/67) and wicket-keeper Tim Paine whipped the bails off in a flash.
The all-rounder’s foot was planted squarely on the line and long, tortuous deliberations followed as New Zealander Chris Gaffaney pondered various angles. None of the footage showed Moeen’s foot safely behind the line, so Gaffaney sent him packing. Then Starc blew England away with the wickets of Bairstow, Chris Woakes (17) and Stuart Broad (2).
Brief scores: England 302 and 195 (Joe Root 51, Josh Hazlewood 3/46, Mitchell Starc 3/51, Nathan Lyon 3/67); Australia 328 and 114 for no loss (David Warner 60 batting, Cameron Bancroft 51 batting). Match to continue.
Reuters
