The ongoing first Ashes Test between England and Australia is changing into extra fierce with each passing day. As the match has reached it is Day 5 with Australia needing 174 runs to win, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a daring prediction concerning the five-match sequence. Australia misplaced three wickets within the type of David Warner, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne on Day 4 and at present have opener Usman Khawaja and nightwatchman Scott Boland standing unbeaten on the crease. Vaughan acknowledged that the winner of the primary Test at Edgabaston will finally declare the sequence.

According to Vaughan, England might be beneath the scanner relating to their choice to declare within the first innings, in the event that they find yourself on the dropping facet in Birmingham.

“It all comes down to today – it will define this Ashes series. If England get the win, then Ben Stokes will continue to go ultra aggressive. If England lose they face so many questions about the declaration, their batting approach at times,” Vaughan was quoted as saying on BBC Test Match Special.

“If Australia lose, then Pat Cummins is under the spotlight and there are questions about spreading the field. There will be fingers pointed to whoever loses. I think whoever wins this Test will win the Ashes,” he added.

England’s Stuart Broad took two late wickets to pile stress on Australia because the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston headed for a dramatic end.

Australia have been making regular progress at 78-1 in pursuit of a victory goal of 281 when veteran paceman Broad eliminated each Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith — the world’s two top-ranked Test batsmen — to depart the Ashes holders 89-3.

At stumps on Monday, the World Test champions have been 107-3, nonetheless needing an additional 174 runs to win on Tuesday’s last day. Usman Khawaja, who ended his decade-long watch for an Ashes hundred in England with 141 in Australia’s first-innings 386, was 34 not out.

(With AFP Inputs)