Twitter Reactions: Unscathed Australia on course for record chase as historic Ashes series win beckons on last day

Usman Khawaja and David Warner. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Day four of the fifth Ashes Test of Ashes 2023 began with the England seamer Stuart Broad receiving a ‘guard of honour’ from Australia, as he stepped out to bat for the final time in his Test career. Broad swung his bat around and smacked Mitchell Starc for a maximum in the first over of the day to send the Oval crowd into a frenzy. England’s innings ended in the very next over as James Anderson got out lbw against Todd Murphy.

Mitchell Starc (4/100) and Todd Murphy (4/110) were the pick of the bowlers for Australia. As a result, England got all out for 395 in their second innings, thereby setting a massive target of 384 for Australia to win the series. Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja walked out in the middle to get their team off to a great start in the massive chase.

The eyes of the fans were once again fixated on the battle between Stuart Broad and David Warner as fans wished for Broad to get Warner’s wicket one final time in his career. However, the Australian opener was up for the challenge as he showed caution early on in his innings and played every ball on its merit.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja’s excellent opening stand keeps Australia in box seat

The duo saw off the new ball and were biding their time in the middle waiting for the loose deliveries to pounce on. Warner and Khawaja batted through the first session and got their team off to a positive start adding 75 runs till Lunch. They further continued their partnership in the second session and extended it beyond 100 as both completed their half-centuries.

Khawaja was getting his eye in and setting himself up for a big score as he also became the highest run scorer of the series (493* runs) during his knock. On the other hand, Warner was taking on the bowlers after completing his fifty and began finding gaps regularly in the field. However, in the second session, the heavens opened up and interrupted their brilliant stand on 135 with Warner on 58 and Khawaja on 69, respectively. The match couldn’t resume after that and Australia went to stumps unscathed.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions to another exciting day’s play.

Here’s how fans reacted to the Day 4 play of the ongoing final Ashes Test:

Sadly rain plays spoilsport again and ruins the prospect of what would have been a mouthwatering contest between 2 of the best sides. @englandcricket @CricketAus #Ashes2023 #ENGvAUS https://t.co/dI8Jiqj4WZ

— Nikhil Ram (@Nikhil_Rams) July 30, 2023

Conceding 06 sixes to 600+ wickets in test cricket. What a amazing career of @stuartbroad never easy for a fast bowler to compete at top level for so long . Loved his battle with left handed batsman specialy @Davidwarner . Happy Retirement.#ECB #Ashes2023

— Peter Fernandes (@Peterfe1984) July 30, 2023

Khawaja’s numbers before 2022 weren’t ordinary either. Before his comeback, khawaja accumulated 2,887 runs in 44 Tests at 40.66..The tally includes eight tons and 14 fifties with 174 being his highest score #Ashes2023 #TestCricket

— Joyner (@saqib_ehmad) July 30, 2023

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐘 of the Final Test awaits of arguably, SURELY, one of the Greatest #Ashes series of ALL-TIME! 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 has gone down to the stage where you can’t put off the TV. MAN, WHAT A SERIES! #Ashes2023 #AUSvENG

— Ani (@anirudhani_) July 30, 2023

Rain is saving cheaters Australians again in back to back 2 games in this Ashes💔.

We dominated the whole Ashes and could have easily won the Ashes by 3-2 but rain saved Australian cheaters😡.#Ashes2023

— Niel (@Tyler_is_Hyde) July 30, 2023

Go for the win, Australia!#Ashes2023

— Nachiket Kanore (@nachiket_kanore) July 30, 2023

Without Usman Khawaja’s runs in this series. Australia would’ve been in big trouble. He single handedly has won them the series. Exceptional batsman pleasure watching him play. #AUSvsENG #Cricket #Ashes2023

— Waqar Mahmoud (@MahmoudWaqar) July 30, 2023

Rain god saved England arses #Ashes2023 #AUSvENG

— Deepu (@deepu_speaks) July 30, 2023

#Ashes2023 How is the forecast tomorrow , can we expect some result from day 5?

— Sai Naidu (@SaiNaid81135847) July 30, 2023

Manchester Test: Saved by rain
Oval Test: Possibly robbed by rain

Incredible turnaround of fortunes for Australia. #ENGvsAUS #Ashes2023

— Kingshuk Kusari (@KusariKingshuk) July 30, 2023

So a fifth day coming – should be exciting #Ashes2023

— Lorna Payne (@Lorna_Payne) July 30, 2023

Given how their openers were just starting to shift gears, lucky rain break for England.
Hope tomorrow is a decent day’s cricket.
Aus will do well to remember that India barely had a chance on day 5 start at the Gabba. Aus in a much better position.#Ashes2023 #CricketTwitter

— Anand (@anandkumarn) July 30, 2023

Overwhelmed by English cricket #Ashes2023 fans who are now frustrated by the weather while Australia is kicking your arse.

— Jonathon Dallimore (@jvdallimore) July 30, 2023

England fans are praying for rain tomorrow but they don’t realise that England will lose 1-2 this way and Australia will win finally in England . Moral victory won’t be enough . #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS

— Mohitnegi5 (@Mohitnegi52) July 30, 2023