The Ashes 2013 – 4th Test, Day 1: Nathan Lyon takes four as Australia dominate

Nathan Lyon picked up four wickets

England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to bat on a dry looking surface in the fourth Test match at Chester-le-Street. While England played the same playing 11 as the last test match, Australia made one change with Jackson Bird replacing Mitchell Starc.

Having lost two test matches already, Australia needed to make this one count to keep the series alive. They have started on the right note, restricting England to 238/9 at the end of the first day.

The England batsmen, respecting the conditions, were circumspect to start off with and they were not given any opportunities to break free as well by the Australian pacers who bowled a disciplined line and length. Shane Watson accounted for Joe Root, caught behind by Brad Haddin, in the 18th over of the game. No further wickets fell as the first session ended with the home team on 57 for 1.

Runs started flowing in the post lunch session with Jonathan Trott breaking free. Combining with Cook, Trott put together a 73 run partnership in 21.4 overs taking England past 100 in the 39th over.

Just when the partnership started looking dangerous, with Cook remaining solid at the other end, Nathan Lyon’s introduction did the trick. Lyon dismissed both Trott (49 of 60 balls) and Kevin Pietersen, as Cook trudged off to his half century.

Pietersen’s wicket opened the floodgates. Soon after reaching to his half century, Bird got Cook padding upto to a ball that nipped back in and the batsmen who followed did not last long either with Australian bowlers striking at regular intervals. Lyon added two more to his tally with all the other bowlers chipping in.

James Anderson added valuable runs in the last few overs and along with Tim Bresnan saw off the day for England.