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Ashes 2023 | England, Australia Share Honours On A Riveting Opening Day Of Old Trafford Test

image-lka153a4England had a great day with the ball on Day 1 (Twitter)

England and Australia both shared the spoils on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. The visitors, who were invited to bat first went into Stumps on Day 1 at 299/8.

How did Day 1 of the fourth Ashes 2023 Test pan out?

Stokes' gamble pays off as England snag 8 wickets

Choosing to go against the grain and stats, England captain Ben Stokes decided to bowl first at Old Trafford, Manchester, a venue known to favour teams batting first. However, his calculated gamble paid off as England managed to take 8 Australian wickets on the first day.

The day started on a dismal note for Australia as they lost opener Usman Khawaja for a solitary run to veteran bowler Stuart Broad. Subsequently, Marnus Labuschagne paired up with David Warner, who was unshackled and scoring at a commendable strike rate. Warner, however, was caught behind off Chris Woakes’ bowling after scoring 32 from 38 deliveries. A sweet little partnership between Labuschagne and Steve Smith saw Australia into Lunch at 107/2.

Post-lunch session sees run flow, wickets tumble

Following the break, the game continued to hang in balance as Australia accelerated the run rate while England picked a few crucial wickets. Mark Wood sent a well-settled Smith back to the pavilion, leg before wicket, for 41.

A key partnership emerged between Labuschagne and Travis Head, taking Australia to 183/4. However, Moeen Ali broke this threatening stand, dismissing Labuschagne (51) shortly after his half-century.



Australia reels under England's bowling assault; Broad  celebrates landmark wicket

The beginning of the final session saw England jubilant as an aggressive-looking Head was sent back by Broad, marking the bowler's 600th Test wicket. All-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh, who had been subject to much pre-match speculation, stepped up, stitching a 65-run partnership.

However, Woakes had other plans as his deadly spell saw the Australians crumble. He first ousted Green for 16 and soon had Marsh edging one behind to Jonny Bairstow for 51. Thereafter, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc's 39-run partnership offered brief respite until Woakes once again dismissed the threatening-looking partnership by dismissing the Aussie stumper for 20.

Australia wobbles into Stumps, match evenly poised

As stumps were drawn, Starc (23*) and Pat Cummins (1*) held fort taking Australia to 299/8. The match hangs in the balance at the end of Day 1, with the forecast hinting at possible rain disruptions in the coming days. It will be fascinating to see how this Test unfolds as both teams seem to have their skin in the game.

Brief Scores

Australia (1st innings): 299/8 (83)

Marnus Labuschagne 51 (115), Mitchell Marsh 51 (60)

Chris Woakes 4-52 (19), Stuart Broad 2-68 (14)