Ex-Indian Cricketer Gives This Verdict On The Fourth Ashes Test

England are in need of a win to level the series 2-2 in the five-match series. Australian pacers struggled to find rhythm as Zak Crawley and Joe Root made merry in England's first innings.

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 21 July 2023 6:11 am

Australia players leave the field at the end of play on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test match

Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has claimed that Australia missed the services of Nathan Lyon in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Australia had played spinner Todd Murphy in the previous Test at Headingley but dropped him for the ongoing Test. (More Cricket News)

England are in need of a win to level the series 2-2 in the five-match series. Australian pacers struggled to find rhythm as Zak Crawley and Joe Root made merry in England's first innings.

Manjrekar tweeted, "One way to counter ‘bazball’ is having one or two skilled spinners in the attack. Then batters with just power won’t be effective, only skilled batters against spin would. And today those are rare to find. That’s why Aus missing Lyon massively!?
#Ashes

One way to counter ‘bazball’ is having one or two skilled spinners in the attack. Then batters with just power won’t be effective, only skilled batters against spin would. And today those are rare to find.
That’s why Aus missing Lyon massively! #Ashes
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 21, 2023

In the first innings of the fourth Ashes Test, Chris Woakes' five-for (5/62) led England to bundle out Australia for 317 despite some resiliance shown by Steve Smith (41), Marnus Labuschagne (51) and Mitchell Marsh (51).

In reply, England ended day 2 on 384 for the loss of four wickets thanks to an improbable ton by Zak Crawley (189) and Joe Root's fighting 89.

England have won 13 of their last 16 Tests at Old Trafford but have not enjoyed an Ashes victory at the Manchester ground since Ian Botham hit a celebrated hundred in 1981.