England hammered home their advantage over Australia in the first Test on a fast-moving third day to put themselves in pole position to take the lead in the Ashes.
The hosts claimed Australia’s last five wickets for just 44 runs on Friday morning to bowl them out for 308 and secure a first-innings lead of 122.
Ian Bell and Joe Root both scored 60 and Ben Stokes 42 as England surged further ahead in the afternoon session to the delight of a buoyant Cardiff crowd.
And although wickets fell regularly in a frenetic finale, Mark Wood’s unbeaten 32 helped England reach 289 all out to set Australia an improbable 412 to win.
Only two teams in Test history have successfully chased that many runs, with Australia’s best effort the 404-3 by Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ at Headingley in 1948.
Bell & Co Tourist Fixture
Derbyshire vs Australia
Thursday 23, Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July
Derbyshire welcome Australia to Derby in the Bell & Co Tourist Fixture on Thursday 23 July for the start of the three-day tour match. Buy your matchday tickets in advance & save £4 per adult ticket purchased. Watch international stars including Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and David Warner in action at Derby.
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