England focused on completing the job – Stokes

Stokes had not even bowled during Australia’s first innings when Stuart Broad’s eight-wicket haul blew Australia away for 60 on day one of this fourth Test.

Earlier, England extended their overnight 274 for four to 391 for nine declared – a huge first-innings lead of 331 – before Cook called a halt.

– Australia’s innings lasted just 18.3 overs, or 111 balls, the seventh shortest in Test cricket history, and the shortest first innings in Test history.

The Yorkshireman, who put on 173 for the fourth wicket with county colleague Jonny Bairstow (74), resumed on 124 not out.

Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood added 13 runs for the last wicket before the former edged Broad to Stokes to give the fast bowler Test-best figures of 8-15.

Bad light stopped play on the second day with Australia reeling in their second innings still 90 runs of making England bat again and with three wickets remaining.

The Durham seamer, 25, took 3-93 on his Test debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in May and claimed 14 wickets in four Tests before missing out at Edgbaston with an ankle problem.

Warner skied Stokes to Broad at wide mid-on, Marsh edged the right-armer to Root at third slip and Smith flayed Broad to cover point where Stokes held a fine low catch.

Paddy Power shortly announced that it had closed and paid out its Ashes Series win market as the odds on an England Victory shortened to 1/9.

Their struggling captain, Michael Clarke, made 10 before edging to Cook at first slip playing a reckless drive – one of seven wickets to be caught in the cordon.

After Rogers fell, Warner contributed to his own downfall on 64 when a top-edged pull off Stokes looped gently to Broad at mid-on.

“I don’t want to go too far with this so…we hope we’re going to lift the Ashes tomorrow…that’s it”. England’s front-line bowler had suffered what looked at the time like an injury that would rule him out of the final two Ashes Test matches.

“It’s the best day’s cricket I have been involved in”, Broad said. However, they still had a mountain to climb just to get back on level terms with England.

Warner followed in the next over and by the time under pressure captain Michael Clarke was out for 10, Australia were 29-6.

England must win the series to regain the Ashes, while Australia – as holders – need only draw to retain them. England then piled on the runs and ended the day’s play in a commanding position from where they can consolidate on Day Two and that’s what they did.

But next ball Johnson had his first wicket of the match when Ali (38) was superbly caught one-handed by a diving Steven Smith at second slip.