Ashes 2013-14, Test 3, Day 4.

  Australia 385 runs/10 wickets – 1st Innings

  England 251 runs/10 wickets – 1st Innings

  Australia 369 runs/6 wickets – 2nd  Innings

  England 251 runs/5 wickets – 2nd Innings

   England trail by 253 runs with 5 wickets remaining.

            The Ashes fever continues as the 3^rd Ashes Test Match proceeds into the 4th Day today. Note that Australia holds the lead 2-0 in the previous matches during the series, the Aussies, yet again with a good all-around performance are now eyeing towards winning the series in the 3^rd Test Match in order to regain what had been lost in the past 5 years. Once again the HOME Side continues to bull-doze the British lanes as they move an INCH closer to the ASHES victory.

      

     The 4th day started with Steve Smith and Shane Watson on the crease with 3 batsmen gone back in the hut. England looks once again drowned in trouble as the Aussies to deliver a strong performance with David Warner scoring 2nd Century in the series followed by another Century of Shane Watson which clearly marked the Rule of the Aussies.

     

Australia started up the day with Steve Smith and Shane Watson on the pitch.  Previously David Warner also scored his 2nd Century in the current series. This time the Home side started solidly as the day's opening pair was looking good. It took Australia towards a solid journey as both of them successfully put together 78 runs. But the 1st ball of the 80th over broke the partnership as it was Steve Smith’s turn to leave the ground after playing a little innings off 15 runs. This time he was undone by Ben Stokes. Meanwhile Shane Watson reached his excellent 50. Soon he was joined by George Bailey who gave James Anderson a nightmare by EQUALING THE WORLD RECORD OF SCORING THE MAXIMUM RUNS IN AN A fast Bowler's TEST OVER. He thrashed James Anderson for 28 runs in an over. Finally the things ended up for the Shane Watson as was finally dismissed by Graeme Swann adding 102 run(11 x fours, 5 x sixes) to his team total. George Bailey remained Not Out at the end of the innings with his 39* runs. Australia made a good total of 369 runs at the end of their turn setting a mighty total of 504 runs.

       

 England had a huge task upfront if they had to stay alive in the series. England once again started with the skipper Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry and this time it failed badly.The opening made a disastrous start as the skipper Alastair Cook for dismissed on a DUCK.Courtesy to a brute of the ball that gave the Home side a GOLDEN DUCK. Meanwhile the Michael Carberry tried to answer all the questions that were being asked but neither could he make his opponents silent as was caught right in front of the wickets 'lbw' by the centurion SHANE WASTON.. After adding just 19 runs to the total , Joe Root was also uprooted from the crease by Mitchell Johnson. Meanwhile Kevin Pietersen made a good partnership with Ian Bell but finally he was sent to the pavilion by Nathan Lyon.
     

 Ian Bell and Ben Stokes stood in the way of the Australia as they put together a partnership of 99 runs falling 1 short of a 100 stand. Finally Ian Bell left the pitch as he was dismissed by Peter Siddle. Now at the end of the 4th day Ben Stokes(72* runs) stand along with Matt Prior(7* runs) trying their best to save the day but with 253 runs still required. Remember that England will be 1 batsman short as Stuart Broad broke his ankle on the bowl Mitchell Johnson. England stand at a disastrous place with 251 runs/5 wickets. Let's see if Australia break the shackles and win the TINY TROPHY or the visitors can do something miraculous to take the match home..............