Ashes 2019, 4th Test, Day 1: Labuschagne, Smith Guide Australia To 98/2 At Lunch

With the Aussies tottering at 28 for 2, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith helped Australia recover from the early blows by stitching a partnership for the third wicket.

Australia posted 98 for 2 against England at Lunch on Day 1 of the Fourth Ashes Test being played at the Old Trafford ground at Manchester. Australian skipper Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first on the Old Trafford strip in conditions which seemed ideal for batting . The visitors got off to a torrid start as English paceman Stuart Broad accounted for both the openers - David Warner and Marcus Harris in quick succession . Broad continued to win his battle against Warner, dismissing him for the fifth time in the series. The tall seamer send back Warner's  opening partner Harris by trapping him leg before wicket. With the Aussies tottering at 28 for 2, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith helped Australia recover from the early blows by stitching a partnership for the third wicket. Both Smith and Labuschagne scored a fair click and helped Aussies maintain a healthy run rate all through the session. The pair helped the Aussies post 98/2 at lunch on Day 1. Australia have brought in left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith in place of James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja. Usman Khawaja was dropped owing to his poor run of form in the ongoing series. On the other hand, England have also made one change to their Playing XI, which featured in the last match at Headingley by including right-arm fast bowler Craig Overton for Chris Woakes. Playing XIs: Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. England: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.