England set Australia 412 to win opening Ashes Test

Joe Root again put Australia’s bowlers to the sword and together with Ian Bell gave England the platform to push for victory in the first Ashes Test after setting the tourists 412 to win with two days remaining.

Root followed up his first-innings century with another stylish knock of 60 and Bell (60) ended a poor run of form as England, desperate to atone for their humiliating 5-0 reverse in 2013-14, were bowled out for 289 to end an eventful third day’s play in which 15 wickets fell.

Australia did fight back in the last hour by taking five wickets but some lusty blows from tailender Mark Wood (32 not out) allowed England to set an imposing target on a pitch offering some signs of life after a docile first two days.

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Australia have chased down only one 400-plus total in Ashes history – 404 in 1948 – but forecast rain may come to their aid on the final day on Sunday.

Establishing a lead of 122 after the tourists lost their last five wickets for the addition of 44 in the morning, England recovered from the early departures of Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance with Root again to the fore.

Root was quick to seize on anything with width, much to a capacity-crowd’s delight at Sophia Gardens, and may have lost concentration when he was pinned on the back foot by Josh Hazelwood and was bowled off his pads.

Earlier, Australia were on the backfoot from the start of day three when they lost Shane Watson (30) and Nathan Lyon (six) with the addition of one run to their overnight score.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who enjoyed a superb Ashes series in 2013-14 when he finished top of Australia’s averages with 493 runs, fell to James Anderson who polished off the innings with the new ball.

Scorecard:

England 430 all out & 289 all out (Bell 60, Lyon 4-75)

Australia 264-5 (Rodgers 95, Ali 2-67)