Bairstow battering leaves Australia on back foot

Scott Bailey | July 22, 2023

Australia require a monumental resistance or serious rain intervention to retain the Ashes at Old Trafford, after England took a 275-run first-innings lead on day three of the fourth Test.

After England were bowled out for 592 midway through day three, Australia went to tea at 1-39 after James Anderson had Usman Khawaja caught behind for 18.

While Zak Crawley’s hard hitting provided the heroics for the hosts on day two, Jonny Bairstow was the man for England on Friday with a brutal assault on Australia’s quicks.

After his form was questioned in the lead up to the match, Bairstow smashed 10 boundaries and launched four sixes in 81 balls before he was left stranded on 99 not out.

His innings included a 66-run last-wicket stand with James Anderson, before Anderson left him one short of a century when trapped lbw by Cameron Green for five.

Bairstow’s innings ensured six of England’s top seven would pass 50, as their batters made the most of their starts in the way Australia could only have dreamed of on day one.

Ben Stokes (51) and Harry Brook (61) also posted half-centuries in the morning session, after England decided to bat on rather than declare early.

Josh Hazlewood finished with 5-126 for Australia, but this will be one of the least memorable of his 10 five-wicket hauls.

After bowling Joe Root late on day two, Hazlewood had Brook caught in the deep, Chris Woakes (0) caught behind, skittled Mark Wood (six) and Stuart Broad (seven) caught and bowled.

Australia’s poor Thursday also continued into the first 30 minutes of Friday, as Cummins and Alex Carey missed chances to run out Brook and Stokes.

And while they regrouped for the rest of the first session, they were at England’s mercy after the lunch break as Cummins’ 1-129 marked his most expensive Test innings.

After being all out for 317 in their first innings, Australia’s only saving grace in this game may be rain.

There was a brief 13-minute stoppage after lunch on Friday, but a heavier downpour is forecast for the final two days of this match.

While a win that would wrap up a series victory is now out of the question, Australia will retain the Ashes if they are able to hold on for a draw.

A loss, however, would see the 2-0 lead the tourists held a fortnight ago completely evaporate, with the sides going to the finale at The Oval level at 2-2.

The one positive for Australia on Friday was that Starc was able to resume bowling after hurting his shoulder in the field late on day two.

But in another concern, Mitch Marsh stayed off the field for the first 75 minutes due to soreness and did not bowl at all on day three.