Australian bowlers did a magnificent job to restrict England within 195 leaving the Australian batters with an easy task of taking their team home in the first Test of the Magellan Ashes at Gabba. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon reached his 50th scalp in this calendar year as he picked three important wickets in the second innings. Australian openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft took their team one inch closer to the winning mark as they scored an unbeaten hundred run partnership leaving only 56 runs for the final day.
Lyon provided the initial breakthrough as he removed Mark Stoneman and Dawid Malan in the morning session of the fifth day to reduce England for 73 for 4. Other overnight batsmen Joe Root, who was hit by a bouncer from Mitchell Starc on the day 3, played some glorious shot before getting out on 51. It was the turning point as Root played a wrong length with his head falling over off a full-length delivery from Jose Hazlewood hitting right in front of the wicket. Moeen Ali, who was looking good, got out off a controversial stumping of Lyon. The lower-order was removed quickly, and England was bowled out for 195 as Starc, Hazlewood, and Lyon picked three wickets each.
With 171 runs to win, Australia got off to a flier as both the openers looked comfortable in front of the English bowlers. Warner (61) and Bancroft (51) reached their fifties as Australia ended the day at 114 runs for no loss with 56 runs needed on the final day.
Here is how the twitter reacted after Australia’s dominance on the fourth day of play:
Warner and Bancroft should smash the remaining runs in 30 minutes tomorrow just to troll the catering at the 'Gabba.#Ashes
— Greig White (@schnozzman) November 26, 2017
Warner and Bancroft march Australia towards victory https://t.co/jnGml3htA9
— gilbert das (@gilbertdas) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/ScottyFreak/status/934687547531264000
Great work by Warner and Bancroft to put Australia in the winners seat.
— Greg Gibson (@greggibbo) November 26, 2017
And the first Ashes Test is over with that last session. Sublime from Warner and Bancroft #1nilup
— brad davidson (@braddavo) November 26, 2017
Warner and Bancroft showing how to bat on this old dog #Gabba. Brilliant batting this. #Ashes2017
— Pawan Kumar (@itspawanhere) November 26, 2017
Full marks to the Aussie players @cbancroft4 @shaunmarsh9 @tdpaine36 while some questioned raised they have all been outstanding this test match great team players. #Ashes
— Dan Smith Zampa Stapleton (@Dan_Stapo) November 26, 2017
? Australia close in on victory in first Ashes Test as David Warner and Cameron Bancroft frustrate England | ✍️ @TomCStandard https://t.co/IbpOmR64MR
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/934687243955879936
https://twitter.com/MrMattNicholas/status/934685519723692033
https://twitter.com/CricketCAREER/status/934684977182146560
#Ashes Laid bare how clearly this will be another 5-0 Australia. This @englandcricket side probably not far of best they could pick but their flaws are more chasms and will be exposed.
— Eddie Gibbs (@eddiegibbs) November 26, 2017
Brief Score: England: 302 & 195/10 ( Root 51) Starc: 3/51
Australia: 328 & 114/0 ( Warner 61*, Bancroft 51*) Australia need 56 runs to win.