The fourth day of the Edgbaston Test started with Joe Root unleashing reverse ramps to rattle Australia. The conditions have aided the batters hitherto in the Ashes opener and England went about scoring quickly, with Root fetching a four and a six through his reverse scoops.
Ollie Pope got off the mark with a sublime punch through mid-off, but Pat Cummins bowled a top-notch inswinging yorker to send him on his way. England nonetheless kept up the scoring rate as Harry Brook attacked Nathan Lyon with a couple of boundaries. However, when Root tried to chance his arm against the off-spinner, he was out stumped. The dismissal of the half-centurion dampened the scoring rate as Ben Stokes came out and embarked on a stonewalling spree.
The dot balls piled up and Brook felt the heat. In the bid to break free, he pulled Lyon flat to a diving Marnus Labuschagne at short mid-wicket. England are now trying to rebuild with Jonny Bairstow and Stokes, but Australia know they are one wicket from exposing the tail.
"Marnus takes a beauty" 😍👏 pic.twitter.com/VUfjaIuAdm
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 19, 2023
