Root, Bairstow set Australia enticing chase: 5th Test, Day 4 (Oval)

David Warner and Usman Khawaja gave Australia hope of winning the 5th Test at the Oval.

England resumed on 389/9 on Day 4 and were bowled out for 395, thanks mainly to contributions across the order — with Joe Root (91), Jonny Bairstow (78) and Zak Crawley (73) the major scorers in the second innings. Todd Murphy finished with 4/110 and Mitchell Starc 4/65 for Australia.

Chasing a target of 384, Australia made a superb start as David Warner reached 58* and Usman Khawaja 69* in an unbeaten opening stand of 135/0 at stumps.

Rain shortened play in the afternoon, limiting England’s chance to strike. Australia will begin Day 5 needing 249 more runs, with all ten wickets in hand and strong momentum.

Match Summary (end of Day 4) England 1st inns: 283 (Crawley 73, Root 31; Starc 5/78) Australia 1st inns: 295 (Steve Smith 71, Khawaja 47; Woakes 3/61) England 2nd inns: 395 (Root 91, Bairstow 78, Crawley 73; Murphy 4/110, Starc 4/65) Australia 2nd inns: 135/0 (Warner 58*, Khawaja 69*) — need 384 to win and currently 249 more required.

July 2023.