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Late wickets lift England on rain-hit day


By AFP
Published : 05 Jan 2022 09:05 PM | Updated : 06 Jan 2022 04:17 PM

James Anderson and Mark Wood hit back late on a rain-marred opening day to give beleaguered England some hope in the fourth Ashes Test at  Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Australia, holding an unassailable 3-0 series lead, looked in a strong position at 111 for one before pacemen Anderson and Wood struck in the space of seven balls.

At the close, after only 46.5 overs were possible following four rain interruptions, Australia were 126 for three with Steve Smith on six and Usman Khawaja, playing in his first Test since 2019, not-out four.

Marcus Harris, coming off his 76 in Melbourne, batted obdurately for his 38 off 109 balls before he was stuck on the crease and nicked Anderson to Joe Root at slip.

In the next over Wood, charging in, got the prized wicket of Marnus Labuschagne for 28, leaving Australia at 117-3.

Wood angled one back off a length and Labuschagne, looking to defend from the crease, edged to Jos Buttler in a crucial double breakthrough for England -- and put Australia under pressure.

"Two massive wickets. You want to try and test yourself against the best players," Wood said.

"I feel like I have bowled well but haven't got the wickets I would have liked. 

"A bit of good luck and important to make them play as much as possible. Thankfully, I made Marnus play at that ball and found the edge." 

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Earlier, the recalled Stuart Broad again proved David Warner's nemesis, enticing a thick edge to Zak Crawley at second slip for 30. It was the 13th time in Ashes Tests Broad had snared his "bunny" Warner after tempting him to drive at a shorter delivery.

"He's very consistent, holds his length well and tries to create that false shot," Warner said of his battle with Broad.

"Today I tried to drive the ball too straight, where the other ones I drove through the covers were a bit squarer.

"But it is awesome just to see Broady back out there. You want to face a world-class bowler and to have him and Jimmy Anderson bowling at us is great."

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