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 claim and then it is over to the batters for what is shaping up to be the ultimate test of their aggressive approach under Ben Stokes.
Stokes is under no illusions that, with rain expected to hit Manchester this weekend, fast-forward cricket is very much required here. 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, just about paid off. England, 2-1 down with two to play, are very much in the hunt provided quick, big runs now follow.
There was some minor irritation before stumps, Mitchell Starc finishing unbeaten on 23 as the players walked off and seven overs left unbowled. But across the course of three sessions there was plenty for the latest sell-out crowd to cheer, 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, 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 up 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 failed to secure the win – the fact that five Australians passed 30 and yet none went past 51 was a huge tick for Stokes and his men.
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 hit 500 at Old Trafford three years ago when he removed the West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite lbw but that was the dreaded Covid summer; the season behind closed doors that meant the stands were deserted and deathly silent. This time his breakthroughs were met with a wall of sound, Broad moving to 599 first thing when he pinned Khawaja lbw for three and becoming just the second seamer after Anderson to reach 600, when Head pulled to long leg straight after tea.
But really, for all the attention Broad demands – not just with the ball but for the weird moments that follow him, such as stewarding spectators to cover a piece of metal reflecting sunlight into the batters’ eyes – Woakes knitted the day together for England. Fresh from his Headingley heroics he bowled an immaculate line, got the Dukes ball swinging, and meant Anderson’s struggle for penetration was well covered.
This began with a crucial incision from first change, Woakes replacing Broad from the Brian Statham End and cutting down Warner’s promising 32 immediately after the first drinks break. Warner’s eyes were already rolling back in their sockets in frustration before the ball nestled in Bairstow’s gloves, the opener having been drawn to drive by a full delivery that moved away and tickled the edge.
It was in the final session, once Broad had shut down Head, that Woakes broke the day open for England, however. Australia have picked two all-rounders instead of a frontline spinner and though Cameron Green did not entirely convince on his comeback, Mitchell Marsh was again looking in touch. The man they call the Bison was stampeding once more, clobbering seven fours and one six to take Australia to 254 for five.
But in the space of five balls Woakes changed the complexion of the day, with Green trapped lbw for 16 – the ball projected to be trimming the leg-stump bail on the replay – and Marsh then falling for 51 to a sparkling one-handed pouch low down from Bairstow. With Alex Carey, stationed down at No 8, later falling to the same combination for 20 attempting a leave, Woakes had once again underscored his wizardry on home soil.
The 34-year-old also highlighted the benefit of England playing five frontline bowlers when Stokes is unable to play a full role with the ball, a tactic that has returned 10 wins from 10 since 2018. The captain has variety and options at his disposal, something which came to the fore when, from 61 for two at the fall of Warner in the morning, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne appeared to be rebuilding ominously.
Wood was the bowler to break a third-wicket stand of 59 on another day of high speeds and lion-hearted effort with Smith struck in front for 41 by a 92mph full ball. Labuschagne ploughed on with Head, his confidence growing en route to his first half-century of the series. But on 51 the right-hander was undone by a bit of dip and turn from his fellow No 3, Moeen Ali, even if, like Smith, it took a review to confirm the lbw.
There was a bit of purchase for Moeen to work with out there, something which immediately made Australia’s jettisoning of Todd Murphy look questionable. How much this comes back to haunt Pat Cummins later in the game remains to be seen, however, with England’s batters first needing to fire when their time comes on day two.
