Day of agony as Australia miss multiple chances against England
Australia have been left to rue several missed chances to push home their case for a drought-breaking Ashes series win in England, after going to stumps at 8-299 on day one of the fourth Test.
On a day where Stuart Broad became the fifth man in history to take 600 Test wickets, Australialet England off the hook time and time again at Old Trafford.
Seven men got starts but none went on to post a big score after the tourists were sent in, with Mitch Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne both out for 51.
Travis Head became Stuart Broad’s 600th victim when he was caught hooking on 48, Steve Smith was lbw to Mark Wood on 41 and David Warner caught behind for 32.
Alex Carey was also caught behind late in the day on 20, becoming the fourth man to fall to Chris Woakes when he nicked a ball he was trying to leave.
England have made clear their desire to control this penultimate Test of the series with rain forecast on the final two days, knowing they must win to keep the battle for the urn alive.
Anything other than an England victory would be success for Australia, given a draw will ensure they retain the Ashes and a win enough to wrap up the series.
Steve Smith hits out. Getty
The match remains in the balance after Wednesday, but Australia will know they missed an opportunity to put themselves in a commanding position for their first Test series win in England in 22 years.
Labuschagne will likely walk away from Old Trafford the most frustrated, after a series of teasing starts for him but no big scores.
The Queenslander showed the kind of patience and determination he is renowned for on Wednesday, at one stage going 19 balls without scoring a run late in his innings.
But after he brought up his first half-century of the tour by pulling
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