England’s Stuart Broad grew to become simply the fifth bowler to take 600 Test wickets, as Australia ended Wednesday’s opening day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford on 299-8. Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh every made 51 after England captain Ben Stokes gained the toss in a match the hosts should win to take care of their hopes of regaining the Ashes at 2-1 down with two to play. Chris Woakes led England’s tempo assault with 4-52 in 18.5 overs whereas Broad took 2-68 in 14 en path to his landmark.

James Anderson was the one change to the England aspect that gained the third Test at Headingley by three wickets.

On his Lancashire residence floor a fortnight in need of his forty first birthday, Anderson had a irritating day.

England’s all-time main Test bowler with 688 wickets, had figures of 0-43 in 17 overs.

History is in opposition to England. No aspect has gained a Test at Old Trafford after successful the toss and bowling.

Broad was aiming to heap additional distress on David Warner, having already dismissed the Australia opener 17 occasions in Tests — together with twice for a complete of simply 5 runs at Headingley.

But from Wednesday’s first ball, Warner thrashed a large supply from Broad for 4.

Broad, nonetheless, moved to 599 Test wickets when he had Usman Khawaja, Australia’s different opener, lbw for 3.

Woakes strikes

Woakes struck subsequent to finish a second-wicket stand of 46 when he had Warner caught behind off an edged drive, following an assured 32.

The subsequent supply noticed star batsman Steve Smith top-edge a pull off Woakes that simply cleared Mark Wood at high quality leg earlier than going for 4.

An more and more assured Smith drove off-spinner Moeen Ali for a straight six.

Having made 41, on a floor the place 4 years in the past his double century helped seal a 185-run win over England, Smith was lbw to precise fast Wood.

Head was struck on the helmet by a Wood bouncer early in his innings and once more regarded uncomfortable in opposition to the quick ball.

But he battled by. Both Head and Labuschagne unfurled a number of high quality drives.

Labuschagne, nonetheless, fell one ball after finishing his fifty, lbw to Moeen — the one specialist spinner on both aspect after Australia dropped Todd Murphy.

Australia have been 187-4 at tea solely to lose Head 5 balls after the resumption as Broad took his 600th Test wicket.

Left-hander Head had made 48 when he hooked at a Broad bouncer and Joe Root held a low catch as he ran in from the boundary at high quality leg.

Marsh, who had marked his first Test since 2019 with 100 at Headingley, once more drove strongly and made England pay for any unfastened deliveries as he led the way in which throughout a partnership of 65 with fellow all-rounder Cameron Green.

Their stand was damaged when the recalled Green was lbw to Woakes.

Australia’s 254-6 grew to become 255-7 when Jonny Bairstow, whose wicketkeeping has proved fallible this sequence, held a one-handed diving catch to take away Marsh from an outdoor edge off Woakes.

The crowd roared in celebration as Marsh departed after hitting seven fours and a six in a quickfire keep of 60 balls.

Alex Carey virtually made it by to stumps however fell to the brand new ball, caught behind off Woakes making an attempt to withdraw his bat.

Mitchell Starc was 23 not out on the shut.

England have gained 13 of their final 16 Tests at Old Trafford however haven’t loved an Ashes victory on the Manchester floor since Ian Botham hit a celebrated hundred in 1981.

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