England will be seeking to build an imposing lead before getting into Australia’s batters on the third day of the must-win fourth Ashes Test – although the hosts could be frustrated by the elements.
Zak Crawley produced an Ashes innings for the ages, blazing his way to 189 from just 182 balls, as England ended day two on 384 for four and a lead of 67 to seize control of the penultimate Test.
Half-centuries from Joe Root (84) and makeshift number three Moeen Ali (54) in assertive ton-plus stands with Crawley boosted England, who had earlier bowled out Australia for 317 as Chris Woakes claimed his maiden Ashes five-wicket haul at Emirates Old Trafford.
This was as close to a perfect day for Ben Stokes’ side, where almost everything went in their favour, but England fully capitalising on their position might be compromised by the unsettled weather that has been forecast for the next three days.
There is a strong possibility of morning showers lasting until mid-afternoon on Friday, while rain is predicted for Saturday and Sunday, but England will be hoping there is enough playing time to build a sufficient advantage and then bowl out Australia without then having to bat again.
Zak attackCrawley’s boom or bust approach might vex his detractors but England’s unwavering faith was repaid when they needed him the most. After four middling scores between 33 and 61, he finally went big. There were moments of fortune but he grew in confidence and unfurled some glorious drives and cultured whips as he attacked to the tune of 21 fours and three sixes. A game-changing knock which is England’s biggest in a home Ashes Test since Nasser Hussain’s 207 at Edgbaston in June 1997.
Three is the Moeen numberThere was plenty of scepticism and trepidation at Moeen continuing to bat at number three. But while the all-rounder lived on the edge at times, there were plenty of his trademark elegant cover drives as Moeen justified his elevation with a priceless 54 as he put on 109 with Crawley. It was his first half-century in Tests since January 2019 while this innings also saw him join a club containing just 15 other men’s cricketers to have reached 3,000 runs to go with 200 wickets in Tests.
Five-star Woakes gets just rewardA marginal no-ball call went against Woakes after he had persuaded last man Josh Hazlewood to edge to the cordon in his first over. It was close and there was probably just millimetres in it, while some pundits suggested the television umpire should have given Woakes the benefit of the doubt. But while the overstep allowed Australia to add 17 runs, Woakes did get a maiden Ashes five-for with a carbon copy of the dismissal later in his spell. Woakes has taken 11 wickets at an average of 18.45 since his recall – only Stuart Broad, among England bowlers, has registered more in this series.
Pat splatsPat Cummins chipped the first ball of the day tamely to cover and it all went downhill from there. Australia’s captain reprieved Moeen twice – once after being unsighted as he had the indignity of watching the ball land just a couple of metres from him before fluffing a catch. He had a couple of moments of misfortune but also bowled too many four balls as he was plundered for an eye-watering 93 in just 16 overs. This was a bad day at the office for Cummins – possibly his worst in his career – as he was powerless to stop a buccaneering stand of 206 in just 186 balls from Crawley and Root.
Tweet of the dayAmid a jaw-dropping onslaught from Crawley and Root as England scored 178 in just 25 overs between lunch and tea, former footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker took time to salute England’s efforts.
No Balls duo take centre stageEngland seamer Kate Cross became the first female to ring the bell before the start of play at an international fixture at Emirates Old Trafford. Cross was a pivotal figure in the drawn multi-format Women’s Ashes series, which the England and Wales Cricket Board announced had drawn an attendance of 110,000 – almost five times greater than four years ago. Cross’ Lancashire team-mate and fellow co-host of their popular ‘No Balls’ podcast Alex Hartley, meanwhile, had a floodlight at the ground named after her following a light-hearted campaign to achieve just that. “I’m beaming with pride,” she said on the BBC’s Test Match Special.
India thrash Australia to take advantage in Border Gavaskar Trophy
India completed the turnaround against Australia on day four, sealing a 295-run thrashing in their first Test in Perth.
The hosts had a daunting task ahead of them on Monday as they resumed at 12-3, needing 522 runs to win after India had declared their second innings on 487-6 on day three.
However, India's attack picked up where they left off, with Usman Khawaja (four) and Steve Smith (17) struggling to raise any hopes of what would have been a sensational comeback.
Mitchell Marsh (47) started nervously but hung in to help Travis Head (89) restore some pride as Australia finally settled into their rhythm after lunch.
Head was stopped short of his century by Jasprit Bumrah, who finished the second innings on 3-42, taking his eighth wicket of the Test as the tourists regained control.
Alex Carey's 36 steadied some late nerves, but it was in vain, as Washington Sundar took two wickets before Harshit Rana finished Carey's stand, with Australia only on 238, to seal India's third-biggest away Test win in history.
Data Debrief: Leading by example
Things did not look bright for India when they racked up just 150 runs in their first innings, but India's attack restored faith before finishing the job on Monday and clinching their biggest Test win (by runs) in Australia.
With bowling figures of 8-72 in the first Test, captain Bumrah (40 wickets) became India's third leading wicket-taker in men's Tests played in Australia (Kapil Dev - 51, Anil Kumble - 49); all 40 of those wickets have come on Australian soil.
While a 1-0 lead in the series does not rule out a comeback for Australia, the hosts have won just one Test series when losing the opener (home and away since 1970). They have lost 24 series and drawn five, though three of those five draws were two-match series.
West Indies in control as Bangladesh battle to avoid follow-on
West Indies will take a 181-run lead heading into day four of their opening Test against Bangladesh.
Having dominated day two, West Indies turned in another excellent display on Sunday to further gain control of the match.
After resuming on 40-2, Bangladesh saw Shahadat Hossain fall to Kemar Roach (1-30), but Mominul Haque did reach 50 before he was pinned lbw by Jayden Seales (2-42).
Shamar Joseph dismissed Litton Das (40) soon after as the Windies bowlers stepped into their rhythm, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23) was soon sent packing by Alzarri Joseph, who grabbed his second wicket when he bowled Taijul Islam (18).
However, that wicket came after Taijul had combined with Jaker Ali (53) to offer some resistance and ensured the tourists avoided the follow-on.
Jaker was caught by Seales when attempting to slog Justin Greaves (2-34), with Taskin Ahmed (11 not out) and Shoriful Islam (five not out) guiding Bangladesh to 269-9 at stumps, chasing West Indies' first-innings total of 450.
Data Debrief: Bravery needed for Bangladesh
It is all about hanging on now for Bangladesh, who have to somehow see out the next two days if they are to avoid a fifth straight Test defeat.
West Indies, meanwhile, look all set to make it five Tests unbeaten at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where Bangladesh are out to avoid a third loss.
Greaves hits unbeaten ton as West Indies dominate Bangladesh
Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten century – his first red-ball ton – as West Indies ended day two of their first Test against Bangladesh with a commanding 410-run lead.
Greaves resumed alongside Joshua Da Silva with West Indies 250-5 after day one in Antigua, eventually slamming 115 runs off 206 balls faced as the hosts established a dominant position.
His steady knock ensured the Windies recovered nicely after slipping to 261-7 early on, while Kemar Roach hit a career-best 47 through four defiant hours at the crease.
Hasan Mahmud took three day-two wickets for Bangladesh, including that of Roach, as his short delivery angled in to clip the top of middle stump.
Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite declared to put Bangladesh at the crease late on, and there was no respite for the tourists against the hosts' four-man pace attack.
Zakir Hasan fell to Jayden Seales for 15, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Alzarri Joseph for five shortly after being dropped, leaving Bangladesh 40-2 at stumps.
Data Debrief: Career-best for Greaves
Greaves' unbeaten 115 marked his first century in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best knock – a score of 33 versus Australia in January – by some distance.
His strike rate of 55.83 on Saturday, while steady, also bettered his effort of 55.00 during that match in Brisbane. Thanks to his efforts, Bangladesh have a real mountain to climb on day three.
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