Ashes T1 Day 4 Stumps: Cook, Strauss Rally England Back into the Lead with Test Centuries

England had it all to do at the end of the third Test. All of Australia was buoyant with the prospect of the first Ashes Test tilting overwhelmingly in their favour after three days. But England showed their mettle, fighting back to not only stay alive but also, make a strong statement along the way irrespective of the result.

alastair cook jonathan trott

On the back of a deficit of more than 200 runs in the second innings is never an easy proposition for any team, particularly when there are still two days remaining in the Test match. However, England converted the first of the two remaining days into a resolute effort, bringing much cheer to their beleaguered fans at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The fight back developed overnight with Andrew Strauss, the England captain and Alastair Cook (see pictures), led England from deficit to lead on the back on individual Test centuries in a defiant partnership that was beginning to eat into the Australian team's confidence.

What really broke Australia's radiance was the enduring partnership of the day, the first wicket partnership of 188 runs between Strauss and Cook that took away from Australia the cushion of the lead. While Australia would have wanted to tear into the England line up by picking up at least three wickets before England to cross over to the other side of the deficit, England's openers led the charge in a mood of determination but also, with flair, tucking into their favourite shots when the opportunity presented itself. With the pitch itself not really proving to be a nightmare, the openers not only negotiated Australia's bowlers but the mental aspect of the situation England found themselves in overnight.

In that their partnership was absolutely critical to bringing balance back into the game. When Strauss eventually departed for 110, England were placed at 188 and the Australians could have once again tried to unsettle England. But with Cook going strong himself, the dogged appreciation for occupying the crease from Jonathan Trott proved to be the very thing England needed to finish the day without drama.

Australia's day of frustration continued because at stumps, Trott earned himself a deserved half century while Cook was batting on an unbeaten 132 to go with his own half century from the first innings in a testimony to suggest it was a mistake to write him off early. The 121 unbeaten dalliance holds the promise of more because England have now only lost a wicket in the entire day's play and garnered a lead of eighty-eight going into the fifth and final day of the Test.

The picture for England is rosy for the moment. But they know it could all change, which is why their defiance will need to include another day's work before they can be truly satisfied.