Reactions on Twitter: Mitchell Starc’s four-for-four at the Oval keeps Australia in the lead

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combined to take three wickets, leaving England on 212/7 as Australia once more fought their way back into the game.

Australia and England squared off in the fifth Test at Kennington Oval in London on Thursday, July 27, ushering in the thrilling conclusion to the gripping Ashes 2023. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, called England to bat first after winning the series’ last toss in the cloudy weather.

The hosts gladly accepted the offer thanks to the opening partnership of Zak Crawley (22) and Ben Duckett (41) who together scored 62 runs for the first wicket. In order to strangle Duckett down the leg side, Mitchell Marsh drew the first blood for his side. The wicket let England run riot as Crawley and Root (5) made a hasty return to the pavilion, leaving their team reeling at 73/3.

At number five, Harry Brook entered the game and played in his typical style, leading England to a score of 131/3 at lunch. As they started pummeling the Australian seamers all over the place, Moeen Ali (34) and Brook increased their partnership to 111. As he broke through Moeen’s defense, Todd Murphy put an end to Australia’s potentially hazardous alliance.

England reached 283 thanks to effective contributions from Chris Woakes (36) and Mark Wood (28) lower down the order. Toddy Murphy (2/22) and Josh Hazlewood (2/54) both took two wickets, with Mitchell Starc taking the most wickets for Australia with statistics of 4/82 in 14.4 overs.

For the third time in a row, Warner reached out to Woakes

The rivalry between David Warner and Stuart Broad was once again the focus as Australia started their innings. After a few narrow escapes against his arch-enemy, the southpaw and Usman Khawaja went on to add 49 runs for the first wicket. Warner (24), who had a strong start, was eventually dismissed, losing his wicket to Chris Woakes for the third time in a row.

Usman Khawaja (26*) and Marnus Labuschagne (2*), who came in at number three and batted all day to get Australia to stumps. Australia concluded the day with a 61/1 record and a 222 run deficit over England. On another action-packed day of the Ashes, Twitter was humming with commentary.

There must be something about those Oval changerooms… #Ashes pic.twitter.com/i2vH1T74kJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 27, 2023

Morning so far #Ashes pic.twitter.com/V2S5GIkFrw

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 27, 2023

Mitchell Starc on England soil (Test)

2013: 11 wkts @ 32
2015: 18 wkts @ 31
2019: 4 wkts @ 32

-Failed in England
-Lost his Prime
-Dropped from the Ashes playing XI

Then he made a comeback

Mitchell Starc in Ashes 2023
-Matchs 4
-Wickets 19
-Avg 27
Never write him off pic.twitter.com/GDU9hKvjBi

— Rafi Sikder (@rafi_sikder17) July 27, 2023

You know, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Moeen play for England again. If this is indeed his last hurrah, I’m pleased Ben Stokes gave him the chance. pic.twitter.com/zyfiUNrBll

— WG RumblePants (@WG_RumblePants) July 27, 2023

Harry Brook has the most 50+ scores in the series

4 – Brook
3 – Khawaja, Stokes, Head
2 – Crawley, Root, Labuschagne, Duckett, Bairstow, Marsh

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) July 27, 2023