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Stuart Broad strikes late for England to leave first Ashes Test on a knife edge

An opening Ashes Test already featuring more twists than a novelty cocktail straw now heads into a decisive final day in which all four results are possible and shades of 2005 abound. Australia have made inroads into a pursuit of 281 for victory but England, buoyed by the latest trademark Stuart Broad burst, still believe.

The tourists had seemingly taken full control of the game’s destiny on a see-sawing, gripping fourth day. Led by four wickets from their blue-eyed captain, Pat Cummins, and supported by four more from Nathan Lyon, they rolled for England 273 all out, thus setting a target one run shy of their famously thwarted chase here 18 years ago.

Though it would represent their second highest chase on these shores, the placid nature of this much-maligned pitch - and Moeen Ali’s issues with his spinning finger - are in their favour. They started their pursuit in good order too, first innings centurion Usman Khawaja surviving a chance fourth ball - an edge flying between Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root at first slip - before he and David Warner set about compiling a 61-run opening stand that calmed any Australian nerves.

But once Ollie Robinson produced a beauty to finally remove Warner for 36 caught behind, it set the stage for Broad to provide the latest lurch in the match. Replacing his colleague at the Pavilion End, and typically whipping up the packed house at Edgbaston, he sent Marnus Labuschange and Steve Smith packing in the space of four overs to leave Australia 107 for three, still 174 runs shy of the target.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/IwKuzqQ

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