Australia vs England: Highlights

The Ashes, a celebrated cricket series that stands as a testament to the fierce rivalry between England and Australia, never fails to deliver moments of brilliance, strategy, and drama. This latest chapter, the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, promised high stakes with England keen to make a mark and Australia on the verge of retaining the coveted urn.

Every ball bowled and shot played becomes an integral part of the rich tapestry of this rivalry. As England made the brave decision to bowl first, we saw a day of cricket that oscillated between momentum shifts, audacious play, and pure passion.

Woakes Dominates the Day

Chris Woakes was the star for England, taking four wickets for just 52 runs. His spell turned out to be a pivotal moment as he ran through Australia's middle order on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. Australia ended the day with a score of 8-299, with their tail-enders holding the fort.

Australia's Missed Chances

While Australia needed just a draw to retain the Ashes, they might rue the missed chances. Four of their key batters, including Labuschagne and Smith, got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. The top score was only 51, and as Ricky Ponting aptly put it, Australia let a golden opportunity slip away.

England's Historical Toss Decision

Ben Stokes took a courageous decision by choosing to bowl first. Historically, no team has won at Old Trafford after putting the opposition in to bat first. The decision seemed to pay off when Stuart Broad dismissed Khawaja early on.

Warner and Labuschagne's Resistance