In Short
- Ricky Ponting says it’s been back and forth affair since the start
- Australia end Day 4 of the first Ashes Test at 107 for 3
- Australia need 174 runs more to win Edgbaston Test
By India Today Sports DeskFormer Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on pacer Stuart Broad, saying England needed that spell from him. Broad claimed two late wickets on Day 4 as Australia ended at 107 for 3, needing 174 more runs to win the first Test of the five-match Ashes 2023 series.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the end of play on Day 4, Ponting said it has been back and forth throughout the Edgbaston Test. Australia bundled England over for 273 on Day 4 before putting up 107 for 3 on the scoreboard at stumps.
“Right through the course of this game it has gone back and forth between either side. England were very dominant on day one, Australia found a way to get back into it and Khawaja was outstanding,” said Ponting.
He went on to say that England needed that spell from Broad since it looked like the game was slipping away from them. Broad dismissed the dangerous duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to leave Australia reeling at 107 for 3.
“At the start of this fourth innings, 50-0, everything is looking good, then enter Stuart Broad with a couple of big wickets his team needed. His team needed that spell and the series needed that spell because it looked like it was slipping away. You can’t predict anything. It takes one innings,” Ponting added.
Australia bowled England out for 273 runs on Day 4, with Cummins and Nathan Lyon picking up four wickets each. Root, Harry Brooks and Ben Stokes were the top-scorers for the hosts, chipping in with 46, 46 and 43 respectively.
Australia ended Day 4 for 107 for 3 on the scoreboard, with opener Usman Khawaja and night watchman Scott Boland in the middle. The Baggy Greens now need 174 more runs to win the Edgbaston Test and take a 1-0 lead over England in the five-match Ashes series.
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