Australia star Steve Smith looked like he had never been away as he marked his first Test since suffering concussion with a fourth fifty in as many innings against England this Ashes series at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Smith, a shining light for the tourists on a dull day in Manchester, was 60 not out in an Australia total of 170/3 at stumps on the rain-marred first day of the fourth Test where only 44 overs of a scheduled 90 were bowled. This was Smith's eighth succesive Test fifty against England -- a run that started during Australia's 4-0 home series win in 2017/18 -- with the 30-year-old extending his own Ashes record. The star batsman had come in with Australia struggling at 28/2 after an early double strike by Stuart Broad, who had 2/35 from 10 overs at the close. But together with Marnus Labuschagne, whose 67 was his fourth successive Test fifty since replacing Smith as a concussion substitute, the former Australia captain added 116 in 33 overs for the third wicket. (SCORECARD)
Ashes 2019 4th Test Day 1 Match, Highlights Between England vs Australia, Straight from Old Trafford, Manchester
Play has been called off on Day 1 with Australia at 170/3 at stumps. A rain-marred day comes to an end with Australia dominating the opening day. England will have to come back stronger on Day 2 and find early wickets from here on.
Steve Smith has stood firm for Australia, troubling the England bowlers. Travis Head is playing a perfect second fiddle to him. Australia 170/3 in 44 overs at Tea on Day 1.
Craig Overton pitches the ball into the stumps, Steve Smith shuffles across and works it gently towards square leg and comes back for three runs as the fielder manages to stop it from racing away to the fence.
Craig Overton pitches the ball into the stumps, Steve Smith shuffles across and works it gently towards square leg and comes back for three runs as the fielder manages to stop it from racing away to the fence.
Travis Head opens his account with a boundary. Overton gifted him one the leg stump and he flicked it off the pads to collect a boundary towards the fine leg fence.
Overton gets the breakthorugh... Labuschagne departs!
Craig Overton beats Marnus Labuschagne with his pace and bounce. Labuschagne plays the wrong line and the ball rattles his stumps. Once again he fails to convert his start into a big one and departs for 67.
Steve Smith completes his 26th Ashes fifty. He has played six innings in this series and scored six half-century. He brought that up with an awkward-looking shot which raced away to the fence.
Craig Overton once again gets the ball to wrap on Marnus Labuschagne' pads above knee roll. Overton knows that and conveys the same to skipper Joe Root.
Steve Smith offers no shot and Craig Overton and others go straight up appealing for leg before but umpire Marais Erasmus doesn't buy their thought. Overton also knows it was not out hence shakes his head to stop Root from wasting a DRS.
Craig Overton charges into bowl as a first change bowler after lunch and rain interruption. Meanwhile, the umpires have put back the bails on. With that we are back to normal playing conditions.
Stuart Broad drifts on the pads and Marnus Labuschagne tries to flick it but fails, ball hits the thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence. Broad made a huge leg before shout but Erasmus rejected the appeal straightway. The replay also concurs his decision as it shows the ball would have missed the stumps.
Looks like the rain unlike last time didn't last for long and has stopped completely. The play will resume very soon, we reckon. England players are walking to the middle.
Marnus Labuschagne brings up his fourth consecutive fifty of the series. What a revelation he has been for Australia! This is his fifth Test half-century.
The covers are back on, meaning we are up for a longer wait time. Looks like this will how this day's play will pan out. The weather forecast predicts not one but several rain interruptions.
Lunch is over but the weather condition in Manchester doesn't look impressive. The pitch as well as square wicket are under covers as it is raining at Old Trafford, not very heavy but enough to halt the play and keep us waiting.
Australia did well to recover from the two early blows to reach 98/2 at lunch on Day 1. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith played with real positive intent and scored runs freely. Apart from Stuart Broad not other English bowler could trouble the Aussie batsmen.
Another good shot from Marnus Labuschagne earns him another boundary. Overton bowled a half-volley and Labuschagne opens the face of the bat at the last moment to breach the gap between gully and backward point.
Exquisite cover drive from Marnus Labuschagne earns him four runs. Overton pitched the ball wide outside off stump which allowed Labuschagne to free his arms.
England Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Joe Root
Old Trafford, Manchester