England vs Australia Live Score, Ashes 2019, 4th Test, Day 1

UPDATE - 2.30 PM LOCAL (1450 GMT) - On. Off. On again. Off again. That is the current status of the covers. We were in to start around 10 minutes ago but again, a heavy band of rain came across to spoil our plans. It is currently not raining but that heavy spell might have made the outfield damp, which could cause some delay.

Welcome back. Sorry. Go back. Play should have started by now, but a light drizzle is holding up play. Should not be a long delay.

... Day 1, session 2 ...

So, what will happen after the Lunch break? Will Australia continue to score freely or will England come back strongly with all their might? Join us in a while to find out!

The tide started to turn as Steven Smith arrived onto the pitch after missing the last match. His batting and counter-attacking stance sucked the wind out of the English sails. Labuschagne put his foot on the gas soon after and he too started scoring quickly. Smith took the back seat as he saw his partner oozing in confidence. They brought up their 50-run stand in just 70 balls and Marnus Labuschagne continued to score at a good rate even after. He is just one short of his half ton and will be looking to complete it and then go for the ton.

The hosts started the day in the best possible manner after being asked to field by Australia as Warner was dismissed in the first over itself by Stuart Broad. There was some resistance offered by Marcus Harris but he too perished against Broad who showed his class in the opening hour of the day. Jofra Archer looked a bit gentle today as compared to the previous matches and maybe he is saving his energy. Leach also bowled good but had no luck although one can clearly see there is some purchase on this surface for him.

26 overs. 98 runs. 2 wickets. England's opening hour, Australia's latter. As expected, good contest between bat and ball in the first session of the fourth Ashes Test.

C Overton to Labuschagne, Down the leg side, Marnus misses his flick. LUNCH ON DAY 1!

C Overton to Labuschagne, Full and around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on.

C Overton to Labuschagne, A length ball outside off, ML thinks about playing at it but withdraws his bat at the last moment. Almost has a Warneresque dismissal.

C Overton to Labuschagne, A good thinking bouncer, down the leg side, Marnus is surprised and ducks awkwardly at the last moment.

C Overton to Labuschagne, Around off, pushed to the off side.

C Overton to Labuschagne, FOUR! Nicely timed. Full and outside off, Labuschagne leans and drives it behind point. The ball beats the diving gully fielder and races to the fence. Moves to 49.

J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, watchfully kept out.

J Leach to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, Smith pushes it towards long on. Labuschagne wants a single but he is sent back as short mid-wicket dives to his left.

J Leach to Smith, Full and just around off, watchfully defended in front of silly point.

J Leach to S Smith, Around middle, pushed towards cover.

J Leach to Smith, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

C Overton to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone.