Ashes 2023: On Day 4 Pat Cummins vaults Ollie Pope with a lethal yorker.

England resumed their second inning on Day 4 of the first Test of the Ashes 2023 on 28/2, leading by 35 runs, with Joe Root (0*) and Ollie Pope (0*) at the crease. Root started the day by attempting to reverse-scoop Pat Cummins over the slip cordon, signalling England’s intent from the very first delivery. However, the star batsman was successful a few overs later when he dispatched Scott Boland for a six using the same shot and then scored a boundary off the next delivery using the same shot. The Pope and Root duo scored 43 runs in the first five overs of the day and soon put the game out of reach by accelerating.

Seeing that he was losing control of the game, Australian captain Pat Cummins assumed responsibility for bringing his team back into contention.

In the 17th over of the inning, the fast bowler bowled a yorker that smashed into Pope’s stumps, giving his team a desperately needed breakthrough. As a consequence, the 50-run standoff off 47 balls came to an end when Pope was dismissed for 14 runs. Day 3 saw Cummins achieve a crucial 38.

Earlier on Day 3, Pat Cummins played an outstanding innings of 38 (62), bringing his team closer to England’s first-inning total of 393/8. He hit three sixes and played a vital role in the lower order. Following his batting prowess, Cummins also excelled with the ball, dismissing Ben Duckett (19) caught at gully to deliver the first strike for his team in the second inning.

The perfect yorker

Pat Cummins at his sizzling best #SonySportsNetwork #TheAshes #ENGvAUS #RivalsForever pic.twitter.com/E6EIHQBI2u

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 19, 2023

After taking three wickets for under 100 runs, Australia will attempt to restrict England to under 250 runs so that they can confidently pursue in the fourth inning. As a result of the preponderance of overs lost on Day 3 due to rain, there will be an extra 15 minutes added to the first and second sessions on Day 4 to make up for the time lost.