Australia takes full control of Ist Ashes Test against England

Monitoring Desk

BRISBANE: Australian cricket team needed only 56 more runs to get with 10 wickets remaining on the fifth day to win the first test compehinsively against the England at Ashes.

The teams will return to the Gabba on Monday to go through the motions, with Australia openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft looking to mop up the winning runs after protecting their wickets with aplomb after tea.

At the end of the fourth day, Australia was 114 without loss at stumps, with Bancroft (51) celebrating his maiden half-century in his test debut and David Warner made unbeaten 60 runs, now they needed only 56 runs on the last which is likely to be completed early in the day.

Australian Fast bowler Mitchell Starc told media that we are happy because we are on commanding position and it was a great day for us and now we only need 56 runs to clinch the victory.

The denouement happens on Sunday but the game broke open after lunch, however, when England’s middle order suffered a ruinous collapse for the second time in the match.

Earlier, England showed performance in the second innings with a bat and after the loss of captain Joe Root for 51 before the first break was a blow but there was still hope as Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow drove England to 155 for five.

From there it went sour as the tourists fell for 195, the capitulation triggered by a third umpire decision that may be debated for years to come.

All-rounder Chris Woakes added 30 runs with Bairstow but his uneasy 57-ball knock ended on 17 when caught in the slips by Smith after being worked over by a short ball from Starc.