Steve Smith, who returned after missing the third Test from concussion, scored his 3rd double hundred in Test cricket which helped Australia post a mammoth first innings total of 497/8 decl, putting them in the driver's seat as they finished Day 2 leading by 474 runs. England got off to a poor start as they lost Joe Denly, who was promoted to open the innings in place of Jason Roy, early. Rory Burns was unbeaten on 15 while the nigh watchman Craig Overton was batting on 3. Earlier, apart from Smith, Tim Paine and Mitchell Starc, playing his first game in the series, also scored a half-century. (SCORECARD)
Ashes 2019 4th Test Day 2 Match, Highlights England vs Australia, Straight from Old Trafford, Manchester.
It was a treat for the fans to watch Steve Smith bat in the manner he did. Don't forget to join us tomorrow for some exciting cricket as England look to close in on Australia's first innings total.
Rory Burns once again decides to cut Nathan Lyon's delivery only this time it was way too close to his body thus manages only an inside edge which beats the keeper and everyone around him and races away to the fence behind him.
:Lyon bowls short which moves away from Burns after turning and he cuts it in the air but luckily goes in the gap and travels all the way to the fence.
Pat Cummins gets Australia the first breakthrough as Joe Denly fails to keep the short ball down and hits it straight to Matthew Wade who takes an excellent catch fielding at forward short leg in the second attempt.
Still no signs of declaration from Australian camp. Nathan Lyon is on strike to face Joe Root. Nathan Lyon gets on one knee to sweep it, misses completely and so does the keeper, ball beats the short fine leg and races to the fence.
Mitchell Starc gets to his 10th Test fifty with a single. Nathan Lyon comes rushing from the non-striker's end to congratulate him. Australian players are also up in the pavilion doing the same.
FIFTY! Starc brings up his 10th half-century off 49 balls in an entertaining return to the Test side #Ashespic.twitter.com/I0K84ywiou
Mitchell Starc finishes the over with two back to back boundaries. He is fetching the ball from outside off and dispatching them on the leg side with ease.
Huge LBW appeal from Joe Root has been turned down by Marais Erasmus and England lose their review after the replay showed the ball had nicked Starc's gloves before hitting the pad.
Jofra Archer went short and Nathan Lyon pulled it towards fine leg, 'catch it' was the call from the bowler and the keeper but it was going away from the fielder. The ball raced to the fence.
After a sweep, Steve Smith goes for a reverse sweep but fails to clear the infield, hits it straight into the hands of backward point fielder Joe Denly.
Finally! A fantastic innings from Steve Smith comes to an end.
Mitchell Starc shows what he is capable of in this over. He smashes England's most senior bowler to all parts of the ground. He hit him four back to back boundaries.
Starc tries to slog Jack Leach over midwicket but misses, Jonny Bairstow also fails to collect it properly and it goes to hit Ben Stokes standing at first slip.
Steve Smith charges down the track and lofts Jack Leach's full ball over extra cover for a six. Australia go beyond 400 now. Smith now just a boundary away from his double ton.
Jack Leach lures Pat Cummins forward by bowling up into the stumps, the ball takes sharp turn and the outside edge is caught comfortably at first slip.
Jack Leach straight and full but Steve Smith lunges forward to make contact with ball on the full and succeeds in that. The ball races away to the midwicket fence, giving him four runs.
England Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team