England edge Day 1 after Woakes four-fer

England took the honours on day one of the fourth Test at Old Trafford on the back of a superb spell from Chris Woakes. The Warwickshire seamer grabbed four scalps to lead the charge for the hosts, helping them restrict Australia to 299 for 8 at the close of play. Four Australian batters scored 40 or more, including half-centuries for Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh, but none managed to convert their starts into a big knock to give England the edge in Manchester.

Having won his fourth toss of the series, Ben Stokes made the brave call of bowling first, despite no side ever winning at Old Trafford after sticking the opposition into bat. It was a profitable start to the morning for the hosts as Stuart Broad accounted for Usman Khawaja, beating the left-hander’s inside edge with a fuller delivery that cannoned onto the pads.

Warner and Marnus Labuschagne mitigated Khawaja’s early departure, taking a positive approach against the English seamers to keep the runs flowing against the new ball. Warner looked good for his 32 but nicked Chris Woakes to Jonny Bairstow to end the brisk 46-run stand.

Smith kept up the positive approach from number four, racing away to 33 off 34 balls to put Australia in a solid position at Lunch. However, the 34-year-old couldn’t capitalise on his platform after the break and was caught on his pads by Mark Wood on 41. Umpire Joel Wilson gave the decision not out on the field, but a clever review from Ben Stokes reversed the call, with hawk-eye showing three reds. DRS also came to England’s rescue later in the session, helping the hosts reverse another on-field LBW decision to remove Marnus Labuschagne just as he reached his first fifty of the series.

Travis Head, meanwhile, raced to 48 in typical fashion, taking on the short-ball, but became Stuart Broad’s 600^th victim in Test cricket after Tea as he hooked the veteran seamer to long leg.

Australia slumped to 189 for 5 at the time of Head’s dismissal before Mitchell Marsh led the counter-attack. The all-rounder cracked seven fours and a stunning straight six, showing ominous signs that drew parallels to his 118 at Headingley, but was sent back to the pavilion by a phenomenal diving catch from Jonny Bairstow after Chris Woakes found his outside edge on 51.

The seamer also pinned Cameron Green on his pads and dismissed Alex Carey late in the day with the second new ball, reducing Australia to 299 for 8 at stumps to leave England with their noses in front at the close of play.