The outcome of the first Test in the highly anticipated 2023 Ashes series remains uncertain as Australia bowled out England for 273 and reached 107/3 in their second innings, trailing by 174 runs with one day remaining at Edgbaston on Monday.
Led by captain Pat Cummins' impressive figures of 4-63 and spinner Nathan Lyon's 4-80, Australia dismantled England's batting lineup in their second innings after conceding a small lead. Despite a quick start from Joe Root, supported by Harry Brook and Ben Stokes, England could not capitalize on their psychological advantage.
Australia's chase began with an early scare as an edge off Usman Khawaja was missed between Jonny Bairstow and Root at first slip off the bowling of James Anderson. The openers, however, formed a solid 61-run partnership before Ollie Robinson dismissed David Warner for 36, providing England with a breakthrough.
Stuart Broad's late wickets gave England hope of a possible victory, especially with some cloud cover and potential rain delays expected on the final day. Broad removed Marnus Labuschagne (13) for the second time in the match and dismissed Steve Smith for six.
Despite the setbacks, Australia finished the day at 107/3, with Khawaja and nightwatchman Scott Boland set to resume the chase on the final day. The target of 281 runs remains within their reach.
Earlier in the day, Joe Root's attempted reverse scoop off Pat Cummins' first ball set the stage for an intense first hour of play. Cummins responded with a superb display of fast bowling, delivering a perfectly-executed inswinging yorker to dismiss Ollie Pope for 14. However, England continued to attack Australia's bowling attack.
England raced to triple figures, scoring 127 runs in the opening session and losing three wickets. Root's aggressive knock of 46 off 55 balls came to an end when he charged Nathan Lyon and was stumped for the first time in his Test career. Harry Brook also departed for 46, falling to Lyon and being caught by Marnus Labuschagne.
Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow altered the approach, slowing the scoring rate until the lunch break. With the score at 155/5 and England leading by 162, the game was finely balanced, with five sessions and potential rain interruptions to come.
Bairstow's dismissal, trapped lbw by Lyon for 20, and Cummins' successful dismissal of Stokes for 43 halted England's momentum. As Moeen Ali also fell, England's innings seemed to be losing steam.
However, the tailenders contributed valuable runs, with Ollie Robinson (27), James Anderson (12), and Stuart Broad (10*) pushing the total to 273, setting Australia a target of 281 for victory. Although all nine English batsmen reached double figures, none managed to reach a half-century as Australia kept the target within control.
The first Test of the 2023 Ashes series is poised for an exciting climax, with both teams vying for a crucial victory on the final day of play.
Brief scores: England 393/8 decl & 273 in 66.2 overs (Joe Root 46, Harry Brook 46, Ben Stokes 43; Pat Cummins 4-63, Nathan Lyon 4-80) lead Australia 386 & 107/3 in 30 overs (Usman Khawaja 34 not out, David Warner 36; Stuart Broad 2-28) by 174 runs