Australia need just 56 runs from tomorrow’s final day to win the first Ashes Test match in Brisbane.
After skittling out England for 195 in the tourist’s second innings Australia were set a target of 170 runs to win at the Gabba.
At the close of play today they were 114 for the loss of no wickets as openers David Warner (60) and Cameron Bancroft (51) dominated the England bowling attack.
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England’s second innings only saw Joe Root make more than a half-century with Jonny Bairstow (42) and Moeen Ali (40) backing up their skipper.
Mitchell Starc (3-51), Josh Hazlewood (3-46) and Nathan Lyon (3-67) were the bowling stars for Australia as England collapsed from 33-2 to 195 all out.
With 56 runs needed on the final day in Brisbane Australia are set to take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series. The second Ashes Test - a day-night match - starts on 2 December at the Adelaide Oval.
How the players reacted to the fourth day:
Australia bowler Mitchell Starc speaking to the BBC: “It’s a big part of the Ashes, but the first Test is huge in the course of any series. If we can knock them off tomorrow, we’re in a strong position heading to Adelaide. They have to chase us. Lot of cricket to be played but a great spot for us to be in. Rather be in our changing room.”
England all-rounder Moeen Ali: “It’s been a disappointing day. It’s cricket. Australia don’t really lose here. In the first couple of days we played quite well. The Steve Smith innings - we found it difficult to get him out. We came out thinking today to bat as long as we can. As a team we’ve played OK in bits. To have no wickets today was disappointing.”
Here’s what the media thought of Australia’s domination at the Gabba:
Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain speaking on BBC Radio 5 live: “I felt before this Test that Australia would win the series and win it comfortably and now they are starting to flex their muscles. They probably have a few more good players in their side who can contribute regularly and we’ve started to see a few cracks opening up in England’s side.”
Herald Sun: “Australia is on the verge of clinching a remarkable landslide Ashes victory in Brisbane, after a resounding team effort left England back at square one. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft breathed life into a promising new opening combination, and Mitchell Starc opened old scars with the English tail to turn what was a pulsating arm wrestle into a technical knockout in the blink of an eye. England are now facing a multitude of problems heading into the second Test in Adelaide after their carefully crafted game plan to suffocate Australia failed to come off and ultimately blew up in their face.”
Brisbane Times: “Australia will win the first Test despite the thwarting of most of their plans. England executed most of their plans and will lose anyway, and by a wide margin. It doesn’t leave this Ashes series with much place to go. Australia were grumpy throughout about the pitch, which lacked pace, swing or seam. The Gabba might yet be had up for false advertising. Mitch Starc was out of sorts for most of the match, Josh Hazlewood took a long time to work his way into it. Australia’s vulnerability, a minimum of bowlers, seemed to be exposed.”
