Usman Khawaja, David Warner lay base for series-sealing chase with unbeaten century stand
Australia 295 and 135 for 0 (Khawaja 69*, Warner 58) want one other 249 runs to beat England 283 and 395 (Root 91, Bairstow 78, Crawley 73, Starc 4-100, Murphy 4-110)
A day which began with Stuart Broad receiving a guard of honour from the Australians following his retirement announcement the earlier night time, ended with David Warner and Usman Khawaja having given them a terrific base from a the place an unlikely goal of 384 appeared achievable at The Oval.
In all, solely 40 overs have been potential on the fourth day earlier than rain closed in, however they went virtually completely Australia’s means. When the rain arrived, at drinks within the afternoon session, they wanted an additional 249 runs to take the collection 3-1 and climate allowing can have 98 overs on the ultimate day.
After strolling by means of the line-up of Australian gamers, Broad confronted the primary over the day from Mitchell Starc and considerably comically farmed the strike for 5 balls earlier than launching the final six off his Test profession over deep midwicket. James Anderson, too, declined a single when he reverse-swept Todd Murphy and was then lbw lacking one other three balls later.
And so, the ultimate innings of this enthralling collection started with Australia needing what can be their second-highest profitable chase in historical past to safe a primary collection win in England since 2001. It felt a good distance off when Warner and Khawaja first walked to the crease, however considerably nearer after they headed off for the ultimate time within the day.
They compiled Australia’s first century opening stand in England since Warner and Chris Rogers added 110 at The Oval in 2015. Khawaja, in the meantime, crossed 5000 Test runs and is all-but assured of ending the collection because the main run-scorer. His common as an opener stood at 62.10 and as of the shut of play, that was the very best for an opener with a minimal of 20 innings.
Broad, with the group in full voice behind him, took the primary over of the innings from the Pavilion End however apart from one thick edge by Warner, which fell wanting Ben Duckett at third slip, there have been valuable few uneasy moments in an underwhelming three-over burst. In reality, the entire bowling effort from England quickly felt oddly flat.
Anderson helped construct a bit strain as three consecutive maidens have been despatched down, however a drive from Warner and two boundaries in a row by Khawaja punctured that. Moeen Ali, defying his groin harm, was launched for the tenth over and although there was some help from the pitch he served up sufficient free deliveries to maintain the scoreboard ticking.
Broad returned to no avail however the seamers have been in a position to hold a lid on the scoring. Joe Root bowled forward of Moeen both facet of lunch and did a serviceable job till his ninth over value 13, together with a slog-sweep from an more and more assured Warner.
A number of overs earlier, Warner had dismissively launched Anderson over mid-off after which managed to information an unintended beamer down to 3rd as he ended flat on his again within the crease.
The pitch appeared to lose most of its life from the sooner days and plenty of of England’s ways resembled these seen on slower subcontinental surfaces with a hoop of catchers in entrance of the batter and the quicks utilizing cutters to attempt to make the ball transfer.
There have been questions raised concerning the delayed entry into the assault of Mark Wood who was not used till the thirty third over with Australia 99 with out loss. His introduction introduced a roar virtually as large as these to greet Broad earlier and his tempo, though not on the ranges of Headingley or Old Trafford, made Warner and Khawaja hop round greater than had beforehand been the case.
Two thick edges from Khawaja ran by means of the cordon all the way down to deep third, between which he was caught on the again of the helmet as he ducked a brief ball. A brand new helmet was wanted (so new that the producer’s label needed to be eliminated) and the tip of a full of life over noticed a vanguard pop safely into the off facet.
There was solely time for yet one more over earlier than the rain closed in from the west. Played was deserted shortly earlier than 5pm leaving an attractive state of affairs for the ultimate day of a collection that has not often been something lower than gripping.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo