Manchester: Steve Smith continued his outstanding Ashes form, striking an unbeaten 60 as Australia recovered from another failure by their openers to reach 170-3 at the close of the rain-affected first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
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Rain caused a delay of over two hours after lunch but plans to extend play to regain that lost time were abandoned after rain came in again during the break for tea.
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The afternoon delay did little to disrupt Smith, though, who returning from missing the last Test due to concussion, made his eighth straight Ashes half-century.
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The series is tied a 1-1 with two Tests remaining and victory for the Australians would ensure they retain the urn.
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Smith and Marnus Labuschagne put on 116 for the third wicket before the latter was bowled by a beautiful delivery from Craig Overton for 67.
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It was a much-needed stand after England, on a high after their remarkable comeback win at Headingley, made a great start, bringing their supporters to their feet with just the fourth ball of the day.
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Stuart Broad claimed the wicket of David Warner for the fifth time in this series with the left-hander caught behind as he made a belated decision to leave the ball but gave a thin outside edge to Jonny Bairstow.
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Australia found themselves at 28-2 when Broad rapped the pads of Marcus Harris and, after some consideration, umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger and his verdict was upheld by video review.
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Australia’s openers have averaged 15.14 not since 1888 have their top two contributed less during an Ashes series.
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The departure of Harris brought the returning Smith to the crease after 38 minutes of play, the world’s No. 1-ranked batsman having missed the previous Test due to concussion as a result of a bouncer from Jofra Archer.
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To the delight of the crowd, Archer had the ball in hand and it took him three deliveries to attempt another bouncer.
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But with England sensing a chance to eat into the Aussie middle order before lunch, Smith and Labuschagne quickly settled and set about upping the run-rate.
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Labuschagne, retained in the side after replacing Smith as a substitute for the second innings at Lord’s and at Headingley, went on to make his fourth straight half century.
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Ominously for England, Smith, who has two centuries and a 92 to his name in the series, looked as if he had never been away as he calmly dealt with Joe Root’s attack.
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He brought up his fifty, lavishly driving Ben Stokes for four through cover but the Manchester weather prospect of a third ton in this series will have to wait until Thursday. Travis Head was unbeaten on 18 at the close.
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Australia captain Tim Paine had won the toss and chose to bat with fast bowler Mitchell Starc given his first appearance in the series after replacing Peter Siddle.
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Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford on Wednesday:
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Australia 1st innings
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D. Warner c Bairstow b Broad 0
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M. Harris lbw b Broad 13
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M. Labuschagne b Overton 67
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S. Smith not out 60
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T. Head not out 18
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Extras (b4, lb8) 12
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Total (3 wkts, 44 overs, 207 mins) 170
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To bat: M Wade, T Paine, P Cummins, M Starc, J Hazlewood, N Lyon
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Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Warner), 2-28 (Harris), 3-144 (Labuschagne)
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Bowling: Broad 10-2-35-2; Archer 10-0-28-0; Stokes 8-0-36-0; Leach 6-2-18-0; Overton 10-0-41-1
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England: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (capt), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Jos Buttler, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach
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Toss: Australia
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Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
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TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI)
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Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)
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