Key Players To Watch Out In Ashes Day 5: The first Ashes Test between England and Australia has lived up to its billing. There was a lot of chatter around England’s bazball approach in the series. Whether they would stick to this method under pressure, the answer to this question has been a definite yes. Joe Root’s reverse-ramp attempt on the first ball of day 4 signified just as much.
Australia has managed to hang in there despite the English onslaught. They looked set to take ascendancy until late wickets on day four pushed them back. The match is poised for a thrilling finish.
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We look at Key Players To Watch Out In Ashes Day 5
#1 Usman Khawaja
He was the centurion from the first innings. Usman Khawaja appeared to be batting in a different zone almost isolated from the happenings around. It was only a tactical brilliance from Ben Stokes that saw Khawaja throw away his wicket. He started the second innings on a tentative note but slowly grew into confidence. David Warner who looked in good touch ended up nicking one of Ollie Robinson to open the floodgates.
Australia soon lost their two best batters – Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. But Khawaja held his ground firm. He appeared unflustered in tense moments. Australia will look at Khawaja to continue holding one end strong as others rally around him to get closer to the total.
#2 Stuart Broad
There is a different tune to Stuart Broad when it comes to the Ashes. He is ahead of the much-acclaimed James Anderson when it comes to picking wickets in the Ashes. If Broad gets on a roll there are very few batsmen in the world who have answers to his question. England needed something special from Broad on a sunny fourth-day evening.
The veteran stepped in to do just that. He has had an edge over Labuschagne in this Test. Broad got one to hold its line prompting a nick from the world’s number-one batter. He then got one to nip away slightly to Steve Smith and he too edged one to the keeper.
Broad will be England’s key player heading into day 5. He is the X-factor player who can change the game within a single over. Broad will fancy his chances if England happens to take the second new ball.
#3 Travis Head
Australia need 174 more runs to win and with weather conditions playing their part it will be a tough ask for the visitors. This is where someone like Travis Head can play a strong role. He can swiftly change the momentum of the game decisively. Head will be wary of England’s short ball barrage. If he is able to wade through the short-pitch stuff then he might well prove to be England’s number one threat.
#4 Ben Stokes
It was Ben Stokes who got Steve Smith out in the first innings. He has the ability to break partnerships. On a day when England needs all its bowling might to come together, it will boil down to Stokes’ energy to zap something out. England hasn’t played Mark Wood who could have been a big weapon on day 5. In his absence, it will be Stokes who has to do the heavy lifting. He will be the most important architect for England on the day of the first Test.
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