The riveting first Ashes Test was tantalisingly poised as England were all out for 273 in their second innings on the stroke of tea on Day 4 at Edgbaston, leaving Australia to chase down 281 for victory.

To brighten Australia’s hopes, openers David Warner and first-innings centurion Usman Khawaja took the visitors off to a steady start as they were 61/0 midway in Monday’s final session. But Stuart Broad struck twice late in the day, including the prized scalp of Steve Smith, to reduce Australia to 107/3 at stumps.

Ollie Robinson, contributing with the bat with 27 during England’s second essay, gave his team the breakthrough when he had Warner (36) caught behind. No.3 Marnus Labuschagne, failing to open his account in the first innings, began well with three boundaries.

But Broad, setting Labuschagne up with deliveries on or just outside the off-stump, had his man once again in this Test and in a similar manner (caught behind) as well. Broad and England then couldn’t have asked for a better finish to the day as the veteran pacer picked up Smith soon after, who too nicked one to keeper Jonny Bairstow.

From 61 without loss, Australia had slipped to 89/3. Australia will be under immense pressure going into the final day as their hopes of a win rely a lot on Khawaja, Travis Head and Cameron Green.

Earlier, England reached 155/5 at lunch and had extended their lead to 162. But Australia regained control when Bairstow, skipper Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali fell.

Fortunately for England, their tail wagged with pacer Robinson’s gutsy knock helping the hosts push the lead beyond 250 before he became off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s fourth victim in the innings.

With the England fans in full voice, the last-wicket pair of James Anderson and Broad further frustrated the bowlers to eke out a few more runs, which were valuable for the home team. Australia captain Pat Cummins finally had Anderson caught behind to pick up his fourth wicket in the innings.

Precisely, Australia could have wrapped up England’s second essay far more quickly had the quicks, especially comeback man Josh Hazlewood, looked to pitch the ball up and bowl the yorker length. Instead, too many short balls were dished out at Robinson in particular that gave away some extra runs to England.

Written with Reuters inputs