Ashes 2017-18, 4th Test, Day 4, Review: Rain plays spoilsport on a crucial day, game heading towards a draw

The fourth day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne was marred by persistent rain as only 44 overs of play was possible. England had their noses in front for the first time in the series and would’ve loved to be on the field for the whole day. But the heavens opened up in the post-lunch session only to frustrate them further on the tour. However, Alastair Cook became the first England opener to carry his bat since 1997 earlier in the day as he remained unbeaten on 244 during his marathon knock.

The last pair of James Anderson and Cook came out in the morning to add few quick runs but Pat Cummins dismissed the former off the very first delivery of the day. England finished their innings on 491 without adding a run to their overnight score but with a huge lead of 164 runs in the first innings. Cook carried his bat after returning to form and rejuvenated himself with a timely knock in his career. Australia toiled on a flat deck with Cummins being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets. Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon picked three wickets each in their tough outings.

England own the first session

Australia, for the first time, were lagging in the series and the viewers were looking forward to their response. The openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft started well in their second chance and kept England devoid of any wicket. But the series of dragging the ball on to the stumps continued as the latter fell slashing an outside the off-stump delivery off Chris Woakes. Soon Anderson picked Usman Khawaja who nicked it to the wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow as the home side were under the pump with the scoreboard reading only 65.

They were still trailing by 99 runs and that is when their skipper Steve Smith joined his deputy to save the game. The approach of Warner was strange as he curbed his natural instincts and concentrated on his defence a lot. Smith, however, looked in no trouble whatsoever and stormed his way through to 25 with a couple of fours before rain stopped play. Warner backed up his first innings century with a patient 40* off a whopping 140 balls. Australia were 103/2 when the heavens opened up much to the relief of the hosts.

England didn’t look happy as this was their best chance to make amends on what has been a torrid tour for them. The persistent rain forced umpires to call stumps on day 4 as the draw is the likeliest result now. Only the visitors can force the result now with some quick wickets on the final day provided the rain gods stay away. The play will begin half an hour over to make up for the lost overs and 98 overs will be bowled. The likes of Stuart Broad and Anderson have to step up to bowl Australia out.

On the other hand, the home side would want their overnight batsmen to stay put on the wicket and draw the game. Even a few showers might help them as the forecast on the final day is not good either.

Brief Scores

Australia 327 & 103/2 (D Warner 40*, S Smith 25*; C Woakes 1/24, J Anderson 1/20)

England 491 (A Cook 244*, J Root 61; P Cummins 4/117, J Hazlewood 3/95)

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