The Ashes 2013 - 1st Test at Trent Bridge: Five talking points for Day 4

The fourth day of the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge ended with England nudging ahead of Australia in the final hour of the last session of play. This has been a most engaging exhibition of Test match cricket so far as both sides have remained in the reckoning for 12 sessions of the game, and while the winner cannot be declared till the last wicket falls (a lesson we learnt from the heroics of a certain number eleven who is currently at the crease), England seem to be in the driving seat going into the final day.

Play began on Day 4 with Ian Bell and Stuart Broad at the crease on the verge of personal milestones. Ian Bell wore his emotions on his sleeve as he brought up his century punching the air, as his family cheered him on from the stands. Stuart Broad received a generous ovation for his half-century, and a standing ovation when he was eventually dismissed as the English fans showed their unwavering loyalty to a player who has been called the ‘victim of circumstance’. They brought England close to the 300 run mark but their dismissal triggered a minor meltdown as England set a challenging total of 311 to Australia.

Australia began the chase in the best possible fashion as Chris Rogers and Shane Watson batted with controlled aggression while England tried their best to roughen up the ball so as to escalate the probability of extracting reverse swing. At 84/0, Australia looked in control and on their way to cause an upset of sorts, given the tag of the underdog prior to the series.

England made the first dent through Stuart Broad, who caught Shane Watson in front of the stumps, and Ed Cowan followed soon after. Chris Rogers’ departure would have set the alarm bells ringing for Australia but Michael Clarke and Steve Smith steadied the ship a little only before Graeme Swann caused a meltdown, leaving Australian languishing at 174/6 with Haddin and Agar on the crease.

Here are five talking points that were generated from the day’s play:

5. Alastair Cook‘s captaincy

The English captain has an understated style and too often fell short when compared to Michael Clarke in the run-up to this series. However, he made the right moves on day four. He had to handle the difficult task of setting wicket-taking field placements while making sure that he does not leak runs. He did not repeat some of the mistakes that he was committing in the first innings, like that of setting fields for the short length delivery. He encouraged Anderson and Broad to bowl full and bring the slips and the leg-before dismissal in play. He surprised everybody by handing the ball to Joe Root and that worked like magic as he picked up his first wicket in Test match cricket when Ed Cowan edged one to the slips.