Aussies have got a lot of danger to come: Broad

England got rid of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith in the final session of day four of the opening Ashes Test, but Stuart Broad feels there’s still “a lot of danger to come.” It was Broad who had Labuschagne and Smith caught behind, leaving Australia with only seven wickets to spare and 174 runs to get.

Usman Khawaja, who scored a stunning century in the first innings, is unbeaten on 34, while the likes of Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Green are yet to bat. England were bowled out for 273 in their second innings and set Australia a target of 281.

"It's all set up to be a fantastic day. We're obviously delighted to have Warner, Marnus and Smith back in the pavilion because they're world-class players. But we know the Aussies have got a lot of danger to come so we've got to be right on the money,”  said Broad, who also claimed three wickets in the first innings. 

"I don't think any batter is going to come in and say it's a fantastic pitch to bat on. It's turgid and hard to time the ball on. And no bowler's going to say it's not carrying or moving particularly. It's a hard-working pitch, you've got to create pressure and hit the pitch as hard as you can."

The England batters played with a lot of intent on the penultimate day, with the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes all getting 40-plus scores. However, there was still enough assistance for the bowlers and Broad is hoping they get similar conditions on day five as well.

“There is still two results on the table I think. The intent from ball one was pretty clear. We are not a results-driven team in any way, shape, or form and you almost add pressure on yourself when you set targets of what you want to achieve,” said Broad, as quoted by Sky Sports Cricket.

"This could have been a draw on this type of pitch so us forcing the game forward makes a result possible tomorrow. I think there is supposed to be a bit of cloud around tomorrow. We saw how much it zipped around when there was the cloud the other day.

"If you can get lucky as a bowling group and get an hour of that you can bring the game home pretty quickly. We feel pretty confident we can go and get seven wickets and if we turn up tomorrow and there is a bit of cloud, I will have a smile on my face."

Meanwhile, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Australia looked in control of the run-chase but Broad has cut the game open. Australia were 61 for no loss at one stage before Ollie Robinson dismissed Warner. Broad then took over and got rid of Australia’s best two batters.

"Right through the course of this game it has gone back and forth between either side. England were very dominant on day one, Australia found a way to get back into it and Khawaja was outstanding,” said Ponting

"At the start of this fourth innings, 50-0, everything is looking good, then enter Stuart Broad with a couple of big wickets his team needed. His team needed that spell and the Series needed that spell because it looked like it was slipping away.

"You can't predict anything. It takes one innings."