Ashes 2019, 4th Test, Day 1: Smith, Labuschagne Gritty Half Tons Help Australia Post 170/3 At Stumps

The Aussies posted 170 for 3 at Stumps on Day 1 of the 4th Ashes Test as their batting mainstay Steve Smith along with in-form batsman Marnus Labuschagne continued to pile up the runs in the post lunch session

Australia were in a pretty comfortable position against England at Stumps on a rain-hit opening day of the 4th Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. The Aussies posted 170 for 3 at Tea as their batting mainstay Steve Smith along with in-form batsman Marnus Labuschagne continued to pile up the runs in the post lunch session, which got delayed considerably due to rain. There was no play after Tea as the rain came down heavily once again at the Old Trafford ground, as it had done all day long since the start of play. When play ended on Day 1, Steve Smith was batting at 60, while Travis Head was unbeaten at the crease with a quick-fire 18 off 17 deliveries. In the post lunch session, the Aussies lost the solitary wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who was clean bowled by English seamer Craig Overton. Earlier in the day, Australian skipper Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester. 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 the out of form Australian opener 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 at 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.