The Ashes 2015 First Test will continue on Saturday as England and Australia battle it out for first blood in this summer's opening Ashes test. Day 4 will begin with England in a very strong position, setting Australia an unlikely target of 412 runs to win in the fourth innings of the match. Day 4's cricket from Cardiff can be watched online through live stream via the link below.
England consolidated their good position on Day 3 in the First Test. They dismissed the Australia tail end in double fast time, claiming the last five Australian wickets for just 44 runs on Friday morning.
That means Australia at 308 all out were 122 runs behind after the first innings, and England had the chance to set a big total for the Aussies to chase in their final innings.
England, perhaps with an eye on the bad weather forecast on Day 5 on Sunday, did not mess around and came out with intent.
Wickets fell regularly, but England also piled on the runs as they progressed to 289 all out by the end of the third day. That set Australia a massive 412 to win - if they can reach that it will be the third highest fourth innings run chase in the history of test cricket.
Only West Indies (against Australia) in 2003, and South Africa (also against Australia) in 2008 have ever scored more than 412 to win in the fourth innings of a test match - West Indies scoring 418, and South Africa 414.
Ian Bell and Joe Root both scored 60 in England's second innings, and Ben Stokes also made a significant contribution with 42.
However, things did not go all England's way, and when both Alistair Cook and Gary Ballance were out, England were left wobbling on 22-2.
But England's middle order got the job done and Ian Bell was the star of the show, hitting his 50 off just 75 balls to the delight of the home crowd.
England progressed to 207-4 before another mini collapse hit them, dropping them to 245-8. It was then that Wood and Moeen Ali put on a partnership of 43 runs to frustrate Australia and put the game surely beyond their reach.
There's no doubt that with potentially two days left Australia will feel that they are still in with a chance, but England must feel confident that they can claim the win from here and go 1-0 up in the Ashes series.
England vs Australia in Day 4 of the Ashes Series 2015 can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.
