With an exceptional double-wicket over, Pat Cummins sent Joe Root and Harry Brook back to the pavilion in quick succession, firmly placing Australia in a commanding position.
England found themselves in a precarious situation after losing two early wickets. The responsibility fell on Root’s shoulders to rescue his team once again, but he fell victim to Cummins’ brilliance.
A formidable back-of-the-length delivery from Cummins proved too much for Root to handle, resulting in a glove and a safe catch by David Warner. The Australian camp erupted in celebration.
Here is the video of the both dismissals:
.@PatCummins30 taking charge 🔥💯
The Australian captain gets two important scalps to bring his team into complete control 👏🇦🇺#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023 #RivalsForever pic.twitter.com/oosP8YYBfX
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2023
Stokes and Duckett stabilize the innings after Cummins’ initial breakthroughs
Cummins displayed remarkable rhythm, and Brook, anticipating a barrage of short deliveries, tried to hang back in the crease. While he managed to score a boundary, it was his downfall.
Cummins cleverly delivered a good length ball that straightened enough to deceive Brook, ultimately shattering his stumps. It was a testament to Cummins’ skill and form.
Australia had set a target of 371 runs for England, and with Mitchell Starc’s impressive performance, removing Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, the hosts’ hopes were quickly fading.
Cummins’ double blow left England reeling at 45/4, but captain Ben Stokes and opener Ben Duckett fought back, forming a resilient partnership of 69 runs for the fifth wicket.
As the day concluded, England finished at 114/4, still a daunting 257 runs away from victory.
Australia’s strong performance has put them in a favorable position, and they will eagerly pursue the remaining six wickets to secure a 2-0 lead in the series.
Pat Cummins’ exceptional display of bowling on Day 4 has significantly impacted England’s chances in the match.
His double-wicket over, coupled with Mitchell Starc’s contributions, has put Australia in control.
England’s batsmen face an uphill battle as they strive to achieve a challenging target and avoid falling further behind in the Ashes series.
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