David Warner and Cameron Bancroft put Australia on course for an emphatic victory in the first Ashes Test after England was bowled out for 195 on Day Four at the Gabba.
We summarise the action on the penultimate day in Brisbane , where Australia only needs another 56 runs on the final day to go 1-0 up.
THE HEADLINES
- Joe Root (51) is the only England batsman to make a half-century as the team folds for less than 200 after being 62 for 2, Mitchell Starc (3 for 51), Josh Hazlewood (3 for 46) and Nathan Lyon (3 for 67) doing the damage.
- Starc takes three wickets and Pat Cummins one to blow the tail away, the last four falling for only 10 runs, leaving Australia needing only 170 to win.
- Moeen Ali is controversially stumped off Lyon in a marginal call when third umpire Chris Gaffaney ruled that his toe was on the crease and not behind the line as Tim Paine whipped the bails off.
- Debutant Bancroft (51 not out) makes a maiden Test half-century and Warner is unbeaten on 60, with Australia 114 without loss and on the verge of a crushing win.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Moeen was looking well set, playing positively and using his feet well against Lyon. He was on his way in contentious fashion for 40, though, stumped by Paine after the left-hander was deceived by a delivery from Lyon which turned sharply. Third umpire Gaffaney ruled that the all-rounder's foot was not behind the line to leave England 155 for 6 and it could only add another 40 runs for the last four wickets.
Read - Ponting: 'Smith set to become cricketing great'
OPTA FACTS
- Australia is poised for its second-highest successful Ashes chase at the Gabba (a target of 188 achieved in 1982-83).
- This was the first time Moeen had been stumped in international cricket.
- Root averages 48.63 versus Australia in second innings. He averages 38.09 in his second visit to the crease against other nations.
- James Anderson's bowling average in the fourth innings against Australia is 65.57.
REACTION
Moeen told Test Match Special : "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."
Paine on Moeen's dismissal: "We were confident when he came forward. We were really confident - we could see paint behind his foot. Moeen had been staying at home [not going forward]. That ball dropped a bit in front of him and we took our chance."
A MATTER OF TIME
England looked deflated in the field on Day Four of a Test which has swung one way and the other before Australia provided the knockout blows. It should not take Australia long to wrap up the victory on Monday.
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