Former England captain Michael Vaughan described Day 1 of the fourth Ashes 2015 Test as ‘bizarre’. Vaughan made the statement following the end of the day, that saw England reach a strong position of 274 for four after bowling Australia out for a paltry total of 60 in just 18.3 overs. Stuart Broad was the destroyer-in-chief with his destructive figures of 8 for 15 in 9.3 overs, five of which were maidens. Australia displayed one of its worst batting performances in the recent past, with the number of extras being conceded in the innings being more than the individual score of any of the visiting batsmen. UPDATES: England vs Australia 2015. 4th Test at Trent Bridge, Day 1
England had won the toss, and skipper Alastair Cook instantly chose to field first. With the pitch having quite a bit of grass on it, the batsmen were expected to face some hostile spells during the day. Few could have predicted the carnage that was in store for the Australians. Australia’s innings was wrapped up in just 18.3 overs – the quickest any team has ever been bowled out in the first innings in the 138-year history of Test cricket. Joe Root’s unbeaten century then compounded Australia’s misery as England reached stumps on 274 for four, a lead of 214 runs. READ: Stuart Broad terms 8-wicket haul vs Australia ‘unbelievable’
Root was 124 not out after putting on 173 for the fourth wicket with Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow (74). Nightwatchman Mark Wood was unbeaten on two. For the second match in a row England, 2-1 up in the five-match series and needing one more win to regain the Ashes, had all but assured themselves of victory with their first-day performance following last week’s eight-wicket success at Edgbaston.
(With inputs from AFP. Video Credit: England and Wales Cricket Board Official Youtube Channel)