Australia 308 all out against England

The most either side have made to win in the fourth innings of an Ashes Test was Australia’s 404 for three at Headingley back in 1948 when Arthur Morris scored 182 and Donald Bradman, widely regarded as cricket’s greatest batsman, an unbeaten 173.

Only one side has pulled off a similar run-chase in Ashes history.

In the run-up to the first Test, there has been much discussion about “sledging” or verbal abuse of opponents, which the global Cricket Council – having started a crackdown at this year’s World Cup – wants eliminated from the game.

“Records are made to be broken”.

Someone who knows what is required for England to regain the Ashes is ex- champion all-rounder Sir Ian Botham, and he said serving up flat tracks like the one at Cardiff in 2009 would be a disaster. We have got younger guys now who have been raised that way.

He plans to stick to the formula that has earned him a spot for the first Test.

As well as Rogers, Steve Smith (33), Michael Clarke (38) and Voges (31) all got decent starts before falling to attacking shots, the latter perishing within sight of the end of the day’s play.

Shane Watson, not for the first time, was lbw playing round his front pad, as he fell for 30 to Stuart Broad.

The Australian has arrived in the nick of time, following another management overhaul as England seek the right formula for a resurgence.

This was also Root’s first Test innings against Australia since he was dropped for the climax of the 2013/14 Ashes campaign in Sydney – a match England lost as they were routed 5-0.

“There’re no big footmarks for the spinners to bowl into so it’s a pretty good wicket…”

Bayliss told Sky: “There’s obviously a few talented players in that line-up and if we can go out and reproduce that there’s no reason why we can’t win this Ashes series”.

“We just have to be patient with our batting”.

It also helped home captain Alastair Cook get over being struck in the privates while fielding at first slip.

The disappointingly toothless pitch allowed Stokes to add 52, Jos Buttler 27 until five minutes from stumps, and Moeen Ali an unbeaten 26.

However, Mark Wood slapped a quick-fire 32 to further demoralise the visitors.

For Moeen, it was a third Test fifty to go with his one century, but he insisted a starring role in his inaugural Ashes Test would not rank as his career highlight to date as he proved undaunted by the series’ rich history.

“I’m sure they’ll back themselves to get close, if not knock it off. We have to work hard on our runs and maybe get a lead but that’ll be hard for us”.