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As it happenedended

Ashes 2019: Australia wrestle back control after Joe Root and Rory Burns give England hope in fourth Test

Re-live all the action from the fourth Test at Old Trafford

Michael Jones
Friday 06 September 2019 13:42 EDT
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England v Australia: Ashes Fourth Test preview

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England face a fight to the keep their Ashes campaign afloat after Josh Hazlewood squashed a brave resistance from Rory Burns and Joe Root on day three of the fourth Test.

Responding to Australia's formidable declaration mark of 497 for eight, England closed on 200 for five, still 98 short of the follow-on target at Old Trafford.

Their hopes of saving the game and the urn were aided by conditions in Manchester, with morning rain and bad light in the evening allowing just 64 overs possible out a planned 98, while for long periods Burns (81) and Root (71) appeared in control of matters.

In the end the pair shared a defiant stand of 141 in nearly 53 overs - their second-century partnership and England's biggest of the series - only for Hazlewood to intervene with a late, decisive spell. Re-live the action live:

When is the fourth Ashes Test?

The fourth Test takes place on 4-8 September at Old Trafford.

What time does it start?

The toss will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday 4 September, with play due to get underway each day at 11am.

Where can I watch it?

The Test will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am.

Teams

England: Burns, Denly, Root, Roy, Stokes, Bairstow, Buttler, Overton, Archer, Broad, Leach.

Australia: Warner, Harris, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Wade, Paine, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Hazlewood.

ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

With England's batting line up, you feel if they play to the best of their ability they may make it up to 400.

But with test cricket, wickets often come in a flurry. England have lost 3 wickets in the last 40 minutes.

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:46

ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

The two umpires have a conference. They've decided it's too dark for any quick bowling and have told Paine if he wants to stay out there he needs to bowl the spinners.

Marnus Labuschagne has been given the nod. 

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:48

ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

Nope. Not even spinners are allowed. 

The umpires take a light reading and they're taking the players off the pitch. 

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:49

ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

Stokes and Bairstow are more than happy to go off. It's tricky work out there, it's dark and isn't likely to brighten up tonight.

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:49

ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

I think that'll be it for the days play. 

England have fought hard and got themselves into an okay position but they've still got a lot of work to do over the next two days.

They require a further 98 runs to avoid the follow on and another 298 runs to overtake Australia's first innings total.

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:53

Stumps - ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

It's now officially the end of the day.

Three wickets in 40 minutes for Josh Hazlewood has restored Australia as firm favourites to win the game. 

But as the heroics at Headingley have taught us, it isn't over until it's over. 

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:56

Stumps - ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

England need a big, big partnership tomorrow but the new ball is only six overs away.

Saturday at Old Trafford will decide the test match and possibly the Ashes.

Can England bat through the day and get close to Australia's total? Will they get a lead or will Australia rip through them and set up the game to retain the Ashes?

Michael Jones6 September 2019 18:59

Stumps - ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

We knew last night that England would probably have to bat the better part of three days to save this match and keep the Ashes alive.

That's one day down. They've got fifteen wickets to survive two more days, the odds here are better than the odds at Headingley and we all know what happened there.

Michael Jones6 September 2019 19:10

Stumps - ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

The first session will be interesting tomorrow. England don't bat well in the mornings of test matches. 

Australia will get a new ball and England need as many runs as possible. 

If they can get through to lunch, they'll have done well.

Michael Jones6 September 2019 19:13

Stumps - ENG 200-5, Stokes 7, Bairstow 2

The weather has played a big part in the test match so far but it's going to be sunny over the weekend. 

There's 180 overs left in this game and England have work to do.

We'll be covering it all for you, so join us again tomorrow as England look for another Ben Stokes masterclass to save them again. 

Michael Jones6 September 2019 19:15

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