Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja hit unbeaten fifties because the vacationers reached 135-0 on a rain-shortened Sunday in pursuit of a mammoth goal of 384 runs to win the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.
They stored Stuart Broad ready for a farewell wicket after the England fast-bowling nice made a shock announcement on Saturday that he was retiring following this match.
Warner was 58 not out and fellow left-hander Khawaja unbeaten on 69 when rain at 2:41 pm (13:41 GMT) stopped play on the fourth day.
The Ashes, fifth Test: Read the scorecard right here
Australia wants 249 extra runs to finish a 3-1 sequence win and a primary Ashes marketing campaign triumph in England since 2001.
If Australia does handle to succeed in that concentrate on, it will likely be the eighth-highest fourth-innings whole to win any Test and the second-highest in England, behind Australia’s 404-3 at Headingley in 1948 when Arthur Morris made 182 and batting nice Don Bradman an unbeaten 173.
It would even be a brand new floor file — the best profitable fourth-innings chase in a Test at The Oval is England’s 263-9 in opposition to its arch-rival in 1902.
‘Outstanding start’
“It was an outstanding start from our openers,” Australia batting coach Michael Di Venuto advised reporters after stumps.
He added, “There’s a lot of (Australian) guys who have been on Ashes series over here (England) in the past…We are in a great position, for some of those boys to get that on their resume.”
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick, nonetheless, insisted the host remained in assured temper.
“We’re still pretty positive about the job we’ve got to do,” he stated. “They (Australia) have had a good start with the bat, and seen off the new ball.”
But the previous Ashes-winning opener added: “A couple of early ones (wickets) in the morning and suddenly we’re right in the mix again.”
Fast-medium bowler Broad has dismissed Warner 17 occasions in Test cricket. Neither he, nor the remainder of England’s tempo assault have been capable of break by, nonetheless, earlier than a persistent downpour lower quick the day’s play.
Warner, 30 not out at lunch, lofted England veteran James Anderson, who turned 41 on Sunday, straight again over the paceman’s head for a powerful boundary.
Two balls later Anderson, struggling to supply swing, shook Warner up with an unintentional head excessive full-toss, or beamer, the bowler instantly apologising because the ball sped away to the boundary.
Khawaja, the main run scorer within the sequence, went to fifty together with his fifth 4 in 110 balls when he edged quick bowler Mark Wood.
Warner, who against this has been struggling for runs, then adopted him with a 90-ball fifty that includes seven fours. Australia, because the holder, has already retained the Ashes after arriving in London 2-1 up within the five-match sequence.
Broad farewell
Earlier, Broad was given a guard of honour as he made his option to the wicket for the ultimate time, however England added simply six runs to their in a single day whole of 389-9.
The 37-year-old seamer is the fifth most profitable bowler in Test historical past, with 602 wickets to this point.
England’s Stuart Broad receives a guard of honour from the Australian gamers as he takes to the sphere earlier than the beginning of the day’s play.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
England’s Stuart Broad receives a guard of honour from the Australian gamers as he takes to the sphere earlier than the beginning of the day’s play.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
“I’ve had a love affair with the Ashes my whole life and the thought of being able to bowl my last ball and face my last ball against Australia fills me with joy,” he stated.
Broad, whose highest Test rating is 169, was batting together with his long-time bowling associate Anderson. He confronted the primary over delivered by fellow paceman Mitchell Starc, with Broad pulling the sixth supply for a towering six.
But Anderson was lbw to off-spinner Todd Murphy within the second over as England have been dismissed for 395.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com