Nathan Lyon stars as Australia take a one-nil lead
The power went down at the Gabba and England went down with it as Nathan Lyon finally claimed his 400th Test wicket and Australia claimed a one-nil series lead after another calamitous collapse from the visitors handed the hosts a comfortable nine-wicket win.
Lyon took four wickets on the fourth morning, including Dawid Malan for his 400th to start the rot prior to the new ball being taken, while Cameron Green claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root for 89 as England lost 8 for 74 to be bowled out for 297 and set Australia just 20 runs to win.
Australia’s only concern came when David Warner did not come out to bat in the fourth innings. He did not field during England’s second innings after he was hit in the ribs by Ben Stokes during his first innings 94. Cricket Australia released a statement on day three saying he had bruised ribs and Warner told Channel Seven on the morning of day four that he was sore but would bat with the aid of some pain killers. However, with only 20 runs required to win Warner did not take to the crease raising concerns about his fitness for the second Test in Adelaide, with just four days off to recover.
Alex Carey opened alongside Marcus Harris. It was just the third time Carey has opened in first-class cricket having opened in just his third first-class match back in 2013. He tried to play positively. He was nearly run out twice before Ollie Robinson found his outside edge with a superb delivery that nipped off the seam. Harris was far from convincing early as the new ball zipped around but played a glorious cut shot and equally good square drive to bring up the winning runs without Marnus Labuschagne having to face a ball.
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Carey to open with Harris
Alex Carey and Marcus Harris are set to open in the fourth innings as Australia need just 20 runs to win. David Warner did not field in the third innings of the match after copping a nasty blow in the ribs while batting in Australia's first innings. Cricket Australia have stated he has bruised ribs but there must be some concerns with only a short turnaround to Adelaide as the second Test starts on Thursday.
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Australia on the brink
20 Number of runs Australia need to win the first Test
Cameron Green wraps up England's innings with his second wicket and Alex Carey claims the record for the most catches taken by a Test wicketkeeper on debut. England lost 8 for 74 this morning with Nathan Lyon the destroyer taking four wickets and becoming the third Australian and 17th overall to take 400 Test wickets. Australia were magnificent with the ball and England equally meek after such a great display from Joe Root and Dawid Malan yesterday. Australia need just 20 to win after the lunch break. Australia's only concern is the fitness of David Warner who has not fielded at all in this innings due to a rib injury. England can also inflict a psychological blow on Marcus Harris given there is not much to gain for him other than a small not out.
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Lyon back with a bang
The last time a spinner took a five-wicket haul at the Gabba was in 2005. Lyon needs one more.
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What if Warner isn't fit for Adelaide?
David Warner is expected to bat in the second innings but it is only a short turnaround to Adelaide and he is still very sore in the ribs. Who should Australia choose should he not be fit for the next Test?
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Carey equals debut catching record
7 Most catches taken by a wicketkeeper on Test debut
Alex Carey has equalled the record for the most catches taken by a wicketkeeper on Test debut. Carey caught Jos Buttler off Josh Hazlewood to claim his seventh catch in a pretty flawless display behind the stumps so far. He joins a group of seven male wicketkeepers including Australians Peter Nevill and Brian Taber to claim seven catches on debut but Taber and England's Chris Read hold the record for the most dismissals on debut with eight, having both made a stumping. Thilak Ram has noted that Australian women's Test cricketer Alice Wegemund took seven dismissals on Test debut in 1937 but five of those were stumpings. Carey has an opportunity to break the catching record with three wickets still to take.
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Normal service resumes
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Australia closing in for the kill
An eventful first hour and a bit at the Gabba. Nathan Lyon takes his 400th wicket and Cameron Green knocked over Joe Root. England's heroes from yesterday both missed out on a century and the visitors have still scored just four centuries at the Gabba since 1990, with three of them coming in 2010. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have survived the second new ball so far with Josh Hazlewood back into the attack finally. But we haven't seen much because the TV broadcast went down due to a power failure. As Bill Lawry would say, "it's all happening!"
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Pope in a spin
23.75 Ollie Pope's Test average against spin
Matt Roller has noted that Ollie Pope is struggling against spin in Test match cricket, particularly this year. Although he did play four Tests in India this year. When he fell to Nathan Lyon today it was Pope's 12th dismissal against spin in Tests, at an average of 23.75 compared to 20 dismissals at 35.95 against seam. This year Pope has 9 dismissals against spin at 17.33. Pope is also averaging just 14.07 in the second innings of Tests, compared to 43.21 in the first.
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Root misses out again
7 Number of half-centuries for Joe Root in Australia without a century
Joe Root's century drought in Australia is extended with Cameron Green catching the outside edge with a beautifully away swinger. Root didn't need to play but he was drawn in. There have been lots of questions about Cameron Green the all-rounder but his first-class record is excellent considering all the back issues he has had.
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The goat climbs the mountain
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Finally, Nathan Lyon roars
Nathan Lyon has Dawid Malan caught at bat pad to become the 17th man to take 400 Test wickets and just the third Australian behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
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New ball the key
The sun is shining at the Gabba and will it shine on England again today? This first session will hold the key. Joe Root and Dawid Malan were magnificent yesterday but the new ball looms just 10 overs away. Josh Hazlewood it seems has been held back for one major burst this morning. But if England can get through, Australia will start to get nervous given their recent record in the second innings of Test matches. In their last three Tests, Australia's quartet of bowlers have failed to strike in the second innings, with Pat Cummins striking at 64, Nathan Lyon at 151, Josh Hazlewood at 112 and Mitchell Starc at 312. Meanwhile David Warner is still off the field. He confirmed to Channel Seven this morning that he won't field but he will bat despite having very sore ribs. Henry Hunt has been called up from the Australia A side to field after being dismissed in Australia A's second innings yesterday against the England Lions.
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Hobart confirmed to host the 5th Test
Hobart has been confirmed as the venue for the fifth men’s Ashes Test – which will be the second day-night fixture of the series – after seeing off competition from the much larger MCG and SCG.
It will be the first Ashes Test hosted in Tasmania and the first in the state since 2016 when Australia played South Africa.
A new host was required for the final match of the series after Western Australia’s hard border restrictions meant it was not possible to hold the contest at Optus Stadium.
Hobart’s Bellerive Oval had been the frontrunner – backed strongly by the state’s government while also being endorsed by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison – but Cricket Australia had to weigh up the commercial considerations alongside their duty to take the game around member states. The capacity for the game is expected to be just under 14,000.
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