Match Day Analysis
Australia were 214-5 during their second innings closing time, but still 61 runs short of England’s first innings 592.
England is currently down 2-1 during the series of five matches must prevail against Old Trafford if they are to keep their hopes of winning the Ashes.
The rain that had fallen caused no play until lunch, it appeared like Australia could get through the game and not lose a wicket.
Labuschagne with 111 runs, which was his first century in a Test match in England and also the all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (31 not out) were able to hold their ground with partnership of 103.
Periodic off-spinner Root, who was brought on after umpires appeared to be warning England Captain Ben Stokes that the light was fading enough that it was no longer safe to play his fast bowlers. Root made the breakthrough.
Read more:- What’s your opinion on the fabulous victory of Australia over England in the 4th Ashes test?
Labuschagne attempted to slice Root but was unsuccessful in pushing the ball towards wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow who was able to hold an untangled catch.
Nitin Menon was initially declared out, but an England review of the Indian umpire’s decision proved that the batsman made contact which left Australia with 211-5.
As play resumed on Saturday in the 1345 GMT, Australia were 113-4 but still 162 runs short of an impressive England total, which included opener Zak Crawley’s 189 runs and Bairstow’s 99 runs not out.
Labuschagne was 44 and not out, and Marsh unbeaten on one occasion.
The fast bowler Mark Wood had rocked Australia on Friday by taking three wickets, removing Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith and Travis Head.
However, neither he nor any one of the England quicks managed to make an opening on Saturday.
It wasn’t long after the start of play that Labuschagne who was struggling for runs earlier in the series, clocked another fifty in this game after his first-innings 51.
With the possibility that the umpires could have to remove players from the field because of bad light and thus take away England of a second chance to secure a victory, Stokes brought on off-spinner Moeen Ali and bowled him together with Root.
Labuschagne was then close to a hundred by launching two times Root high over long-on to six.
He scored a fortunate break on 93, when he put Root over Crawley at slip. an unbeaten catch off Moeen led to him the 161-ball century, Labuschagne’s 11th century in 42 Tests.
