In a thrilling showdown at Old Trafford, England asserted their dominance from the get-go, leaving Australia rattled like never before. The fourth test had England riding high on momentum after their recent triumph, and they showed no signs of slowing down, excelling both in batting and bowling.

Surprisingly, England won the toss for the fourth time in the series, but results had not always favored them. Despite the historical advantage Aussies enjoyed at Old Trafford, Ben Stokes, the English captain, decided to do the opposite and chose to bat first, defying expert opinions.

David Warner, a source of worry for his supporters, silenced the critics with a fiery start, confidently taking on Stuart Broad and hitting an elegant boundary through the covers. It was reminiscent of Crawley’s iconic four off the first ball in the Ashes, signalling Australia’s intention to put up a strong fight.

However, England’s bowlers had other plans. They maintained a relentless assault on the Australian batsmen throughout the day, with Broad leading the charge and feeding off the energetic crowd. England’s enthusiasm was palpable, perhaps at times making the opponents uncomfortable.

At lunch, Australia had mustered a decent total of 299, but their start had fizzled out, and they struggled to find any substantial partnerships. The experienced English bowlers capitalized on every opportunity, keeping the Aussie batsmen on their toes. Steve Smith looked promising but soon fell victim to England’s relentless attack.

Chris Woakes was the star of the day, bagging a well-deserved fifer. His skilful swing bowling proved to be a nightmare for the Australian lineup. Jonny Bairstow, after a series of drops, finally took a crucial catch, and the crowd hailed him as a saviour, though redemption might require more consistent performances.

The spotlight, however, belonged to Stuart Broad, who reached a remarkable milestone of 600 wickets. Despite being an annoying figure to the opposition, Broad’s tenacity and determination made him a legend of the game. Even at 36, he bowled with sheer ferocity, evoking fear in the hearts of the Australian batsmen.

As the day concluded, Australia must have been ruing their decision not to include Murphy in their lineup. England’s ever-changing field and bowling varieties had them constantly guessing, and the unpredictable nature of the game kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

With England firmly in control after the first day, the Ashes battle was far from over. Fans on both sides held their breath, unsure of what the following days would bring. The series had already delivered moments of pure cricketing magic, and there was no doubt that more drama and excitement lay ahead. As the sun set over Old Trafford, one thing was certain – cricket’s fiercest rivalry had once again taken centre stage, leaving everyone hungry for more.