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Ashes 2023 | 'Edgbaston Test Even, But England Marginal Favourites': Micheal Atherton 

image-lj3s9hvlBroad picked up the wickets of Smith and Labuschagne [AP Photos]

As expected the ongoing first Ashes 2023 Test between England and Australia is going down to the wire at the iconic Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Heading into Day 5, England needs seven wickets, while Australia requires 174 runs to win the Test and take a crucial 1-0 lead. 

Day 4 of the Test produced riveting cricket with both teams fighting to gain supremacy as the match headed into the final day of play. Australian bowler tied down England's power-heavy batting lineup to under 273 in their second innings, thus needing 281 to win.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja did manage to provide Australia with a solid start adding 61 runs, but Ollie Robinson got the better of the former. Stuart Broad instilled life into the game claiming two quick wickets, as Australia ended Day 4 on 107 for 3 with Khawaja and Scott Boland batting on 34* and 13*, respectively.

Former England batter Michael Atherton feels that Edgbaston Test is quite evenly poised and that Ben Stokes and Co. are marginal favourites to win. Speaking to Sky Sports during lunch on Day 4, Atherton also praised Pat Cummins and his troops for keeping up with England and not letting them off-the-hook.

Here's what Atherton said

"You feel England have been making the running most of the game. Australia have been holding on to England's coattails. Not many times have Australia been ahead. There were times today - when Bairstow and Stokes got out - when you thought they were but now it's even, with England marginal favourites," 

The second Ashes Test will take place at the mecca of cricket, Lord's on June 28.