Sydney: Australia scored 126 runs for the loss of three wickets on the first day of the rain-hit fourth Ashes Test against England on Wednesday. Due to rain, only 21 overs could be bowled in the first two sessions, while in the last session, runs were made quickly and two wickets also fell. At the end of the first day’s play, Steve Smith was playing six and Usman Khawaja four runs.
The game started 30 minutes late due to rain. Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat. 12 in the first session due to further rain. Only 3 overs could be bowled. Harris and David Warner added 50 runs for the first wicket. Stuart Broad, who was out of the third Test due to poor form, made his selection worthwhile, giving England success in the 21st over and Warner was caught by Jacques Crowley at second slip. Warner scored 30 runs in 72 balls with the help of six fours.
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Broad has taken Warner’s wicket for the eighth time in the last seven Ashes Tests. It was only after four balls of the 22nd over were bowled after Labushen came to the crease, that the rain started again. Only nine overs could be played in the second session. When play resumed after tea, Harris and Labuschagne picked up the run. Harris made 38 but could not convert a good start into a big innings like Warner. He was caught by England captain Joe Root at first slip off Jimmy Anderson.
After this, Mark Wood caught Labuschagne behind the wicket in the hands of Jos Buttler. Australia has already taken an unassailable lead of 3.0 in this series. One change has been made for this match in both the teams. Usman Khawaja replaced the corona-infected Travis Head in the Australian team, while the injured Ollie Robinson was replaced by Stuart Broad in the England team. (agency)