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 pick up and then it is over to the batters for what is shaping up to be the ultimate test of their aggressive intent under Ben Stokes.
Stokes is under no illusions that, with rain expected to hit Manchester this weekend, fast forward cricket is required this week. 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, the call just about paid off. England, 2-1 down with two to play, are very much in the hunt here – provided quick, big runs now follow.
There was some minor irritation before stumps, Mitchell Starc finishing unbeaten on 23 as the players walked off. But over the course of three sessions there was plenty for the latest sell out crowd to cheer about, 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 this summer, 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 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 have failed to secure the win – the fact that five Australians passed 30 and none went past 51 represented a solid shift overall.
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 reached 500 here three years ago when he pinned West Indies’ opener Kraigg Brathwaite lbw but that was the dreaded Covid summer, meaning Old Trafford was deserted and deathly silent. This time it was a wall of sound, Broad moving to 599 when he pinned Khawaja in front for three first thing and becoming just the second seamer after Anderson to 600 when Head pulled to Joe Root at long leg after tea.
But really, for all the attention Broad demands – not just for this vintage summer but for the weird moments that follow him, such as stewarding spectators to cover a piece of metal reflecting light into the batters’ eyes – it was Woakes who knitted the day together for England. Having terminated a promising 32 from Warner with an outswinger to see Australia 107 for two at lunch, he truly broke things open in the evening session by removing Cameron Green (16), Mitch Marsh (51) and Alex Carey (20).
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And with Wood having snuffed out a slightly frenetic 41 from Steve Smith in the afternoon, and Moeen Ali highlighting Australia’s lack of a spinner when he trapped his, err, fellow No 3 Marnus Labuschagne lbw for 51, the tourists were consistently kept in check. The question now is how England’s batters respond.
Ali Martin’s full report to follow…
