Australia have been set a record fourth-innings target of 311 to win the first Ashes Test in Nottingham.
England were finally bowled out for 375 in the 150th over of their second dig on day four, with Ian Bell (109) and Stuart Broad’s (65) superb 138-run stand responsible for taking the home side from despair to dominance.
Australia’s stuttering batting line-up must break the previous mark for the highest successful chase at Trent Bridge if they’re to go 1-0 up heading to Lord’s.
However, in Australia’s favour, that there are almost two full days of the Test remaining and the wicket and overhead conditions seems good for batting.
Mitchell Starc finished with 3-81 and Peter Siddle 3-85, as England lost their final four wickets for 19 runs.
On the first ball of the day, Starc let a shoulder-high full toss go to Bell that had Michael Clarke ducking for cover at first slip.
It is challenging Steve Harmison’s infamous delivery to second slip to open the 2006 Ashes as the worst ball of all time.
At least former England fast bowler Harmison made the ball bounce.
Australia will be hoping Starc’s wide beamer hasn’t set the tone for disaster, in what’s been one of the most eventual Ashes Tests on record.
As well as the five no-balls his errant delivery went for, Starc bowled another full toss in his first over and was dispatched by Bell for four.
Then in the next over off James Pattinson, England’s non-walker Broad sent an even thicker edge flying to the slips than he did on day three.
But instead of the umpire not sticking his finger up, the problem this time around was Shane Watson and Clarke at first and second slip standing motionless looking at each other, while the ball whizzed between them at a very catchable height.
It gave Broad his half century and, perhaps ironically, the villain of the first Test waved his bat so everyone in the ground could see.
More sloppiness in the field from Australia allowed Bell to bring up his century, a fantastic knock that will likely prove match-winning.
However, justice was finally served as far as Broad’s outside edge is concerned.
He nicked one to Brad Haddin off Pattinson and was out for 65 – a crucial innings, with England closing in on a lead of 300-plus with three wickets in hand.
Broad was happy to walk and raised his bat in triumph as he received a standing ovation from English fans and his dressing room.
Bell was finally caught behind off Starc, before Siddle cleaned up the rest of the tail.
