Eyes on the skies as England chase victory

England can have their eyes on the skies as they try and dodge the rain and switch three dominant days into victory within the fourth Ashes Test.

The hosts have to win at Emirates Old Trafford to have any likelihood of reclaiming the urn and have carried out every part of their energy to arrange a successful place.

A thumping first-innings lead of 275, constructed round Zak Crawley’s 189 and an unbeaten 99 from the stranded Jonny Bairstow, gave them full management earlier than Australia slipped to 113 for 4.

With Mark Wood tearing in to say three for 17 and a cushion of 162 runs, England would again themselves to get the sport transferring over the weekend however might discover the climate forecast more durable to defeat than the vacationers. Long, heavy showers are anticipated on Saturday and Sunday and the stress shall be on to maximise any passages of play which might be doable.

With six classes on the desk they are going to be hoping a contemporary bowling assault has sufficient time, however Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood has already damaged cowl to confess he can be completely happy to look at the heavens open. Marnus Labuschagne stays in place on 44 not out, with in-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh at the beginning of his innings.

England pile into toiling Australia

Crawley laid the foundations for England, who added 208 to their in a single day rating which took them to a formidable 592, with fifties for Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Bairstow. This was England’s highest complete in a house Test since August 2011, their finest rating within the Ashes since January 2011 at Sydney and the primary time they’ve gone previous 500 on their very own shores towards Australia since August 1985.

Tweet of the day

All eyes shall be on the skies this weekend – and the view of the BBC lead climate presenter doesn’t augur nicely.

Quote of the day

Jonny 99

Bairstow was left excessive and dry, one wanting a thirteenth Test ton, after quantity 11 batter James Anderson was trapped leg-before by Cameron Green. The earlier supply, Bairstow had turned down a dangerous return run which might have taken him to a few figures. This was Bairstow’s second 99 at this floor – though on that event towards South Africa six years in the past Anderson was innocent because the Yorkshireman was lbw lacking a sweep off Keshav Maharaj.

Pat down

An evaluation of 23-0-129-1 makes for grim studying for the Australia captain, who likely wouldn’t have been consoled by claiming the wicket of his reverse quantity Ben Stokes. Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting questioned aloud on Sky Sports whether or not Cummins was “starting to get a bit mentally and physically worn out”, having performed in and captained the aspect within the World Test Championship ultimate and 4 Ashes matches contained in the final seven weeks. His companions in crime Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc hardly fared any higher because the trio leaked a barely plausible 392 between them from 75 overs.

Duck-ing the development

Chris Woakes, whose priceless 32 not out received England over the road within the Headingley run-chase, nicked off from his first ball to gather England’s first duck of the sequence. In the final Ashes in 2021-22, there have been 17 scoreless dismissals. Woakes’ fortunes improved with the ball in hand as he snared David Warner for the second time within the match courtesy of an inside edge on to his stumps.

Century Mark

Wood snaring the dear wicket of Steve Smith for a second time within the match, after Australia’s vaunted quantity 4 was given the hurry up by a steeply rising bouncer, was Wood’s a centesimal Test wicket. It has taken Wood 30 matches and eight years to succeed in the milestone. Interestingly, the id of his first Test wicket was a sure Brendon McCullum – now England head coach – at Lord’s in May 2015.