Ben Stokes breakthrough puts England on verge of Ashes victory
BEN STOKES provided the breakthrough wickets as England cracked through a stubborn opening partnership and a soft middle order to tee up a possible Ashes victory on day two of fourth Test.
Ben Stokes celebrates taking the wicket of Shaun Marsh
For much of the middle session, England struggled to break down Chris Rogers and David Warner, the pair reaching 113 without loss as the tourists dug in.
But with three wickets in three overs and an excellent catch off the bowling of Stuart Broad, Stokes proved the catalyst to crack open Australia’s middle order and put England within touching distance of victory.
By tea Australia had slumped to 138-4 with Michael Clarke (0) and Adam Voges (2) unbeaten, but crucially still trailing by 193 runs.
Mark Wood looked to have dismissed Rogers for 47, Joe Root taking a scrambling catch to his left at third slip as the Australian fended a rising ball away.
Joe Root (right) took a superb catch to dismiss Chris Rogers but a no ball was called
Yet England celebrations were cut short when Wood’s front foot was shown to have strayed a millimetre or so too far.
Any disappointment was shortlived with Stokes producing an excellent spell of away swing bowling from the 24th over of the innings onwards to bag his three wicket burst.
Stokes was responsible for the catch of the series before today’s play but two muscled in on the act here, Steve Smith’s effort to dismiss Moeen Ali at the end of England’s first innings and a replica dive at third slip from Joe Root to get rid of Rogers.
Stuart Broad took the catch as David Warner was sent packing by STokes
The loss of Rogers appeared to unsettle Warner who himself had been dropped off Stokes’s bowling on 42 – a difficult chance going to Ian Bell’s right at second slip.
Stuart Broad made no mistake when Warner cross batted a top edge high to mid on after making 64.
Stokes struck a third time to get the struggling Shaun Marsh after just six balls, edging once again to Root at third slip.
Smith became a fourth victim on the cusp of tea when Stokes turned catcher at point taking a low catch to get rid of the Australia No 3.