Australia Wins the Fourth Ashes Test 2019
England's
hopes of saving the Ashes Test Series 2019 faded with the loss of two
last-minute wickets on the fourth day of the fourth Test against Australia at
Old Trafford.
Faced
with the prospect of having to beat 30 minutes on Saturday night and another 98
Runs on Sunday, the locals saw Rory Burns and Joe Root leave for successive
deliveries from Pat Cummins. From the third ball of the innings, Burns had an
advantage in the middle, while Root was rewarded with a superb performance that
reduced bail. One way or another, Joe Denly and Jason Roy managed the next six
when England closed 18-2.
Earlier
In England, Steve Smith had foiled a failed rebound. When the tourists were
reduced to 44-4, while Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer lost, their lead was 240,
but Smith added 82 in second and 211 runs in first innings. That allowed
Australia to declare 186-6 and score England at 383 to win or, more
realistically, beats the rest of the match.
If
they fail, incumbent Australia will have a 2-1 record with only one test
and will be assured of bringing the ballot box back for the first time since
2001. England failed on the last day of a test to earn a draw for plus-six,
but the tone remains placid, although there have been occasional signs of a
weak rebound.
One
way or another, on Saturday at Old Trafford, most of the themes of this Ashes
series were filled: batting, fantastic new-ball bowling, Stuart Broad sacking
David Warner, the local crowd taunting the Australians and, of course, Smith
Scoring points. Life seemed to have been lost from the match when England was
eliminated for 301, giving up a deficit of 196 in the first set.
But
this was triggered by the break-up of Broad and Archer who believed in England,
Australia rocked and the party - with its Teletubbies, referees and Chelsea retirees
- Whipped in fervor. Even the indomitable Smith seemed shaken. If England had
managed to remove it, the door would have been open, but it played against the
bowling change and then ruled out Australia. However, nothing could have
surpassed the drama of The magnificent premiere of Cummins, who knocked out
England and let them hang on to their hopes of finding the ashes.
Hope
Remains. If England can fend off Australia's relentless attack and produce a
heroic rearguard on the final day, they will write another chapter of this
fascinating series and host a grandstand finale at The Oval.
