Five things we learned on Cardiff's fourth day

Recap & highlights: England too strong for Australia

Expect more of the same

England coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Alastair Cook have put in an order to Lord’s and the three other Ashes venues for an exact replica of the Cardiff pitch for the final four Tests of the series.

The hosts dominated the first Test from pillar to post on a benign wicket devoid of pace, bounce and lateral movement that nullified Australia’s vaunted fast bowling attack.

In particular, the morbid pitch absorbed Mitchell Johnson’s thunder, restricting the tearaway to only two wickets for 180 runs from 41 overs for the match, with his first-innings figures on 0-111 the worst in his 67-Test career.

While Australia’s bowlers struggled, so too did their batsman. Each member of the top order made a start in the match, and only Rogers (95) in the first innings and Warner (52) in the second capitalised to register half-centuries.

England’s all-round attack consisting of three genuine bowlers and two of the part-time variety excelled, sharing the wickets while bowling fewer overs to their opponents (172.2 to 155.2) and more maidens (38 to 31).

An Australian collapse either side of lunch has seen the home side take an early lead in the five-Test Ashes series (Australia only)

And one of England’s permanent pacemen enjoyed the pitch more than most…

Broad tightens grip

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Stuart Broad was in fine form on day four // Getty Images

Stuart Broad ripped open Australia’s middle-order after lunch, removing the tourists’ vice-captain Steve Smith (33) and then skipper Michael Clarke for four with a cleverly-disguised slower ball that drew the batsman forward and through the shot too early, forcing him to spoon an easy catch to Ben Stokes at backward point.

It was the 10th time Broad has dismissed the Australia captain in 18 Tests, more than any other batsman in his career, and no other bowler has removed Clarke more often in his 111 matches.

Broad’s tall frame and high trajectory cause Clarke issues when facing short-pitch bowling, rooting the usually fleet-footed right-hander to the crease as he lurches forward searching for bat on ball.

Clarke averages 36.20 against Broad, 14 runs less than his career average of 50.31, but his mean score in the United Kingdom remains a healthy 46.38 with three centuries. 

But it’s not just Clarke who Broad has a stranglehold over. The blond fast bowler has 45 victims in 11 Ashes Tests on home soil with four five-fors and one 10-wicket haul.

While Broad has won the first round against Clarke this series, another contest has an early leader…

Root 10, Smith 9

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Joe Root takes the match-winning catch // Getty Images

In the boxing bout between two of world cricket’s best young batsmen, England’s Joe Root has taken the opening points against Australian opponent Steve Smith.

Smith entered the first Test as the top ranked Test batsman on the planet according to the official International Cricket Council player ratings, but will likely lose his mantle after scoring a pair off 33s – the first such instance in Test cricket in the British Isles.

While Smith made two solid starts and failed to cash in, Root went straight to the bank with scores of 134 and 60 in the match, playing with timing and textbook technique against everything Clarke and company threw at him.

In May, Smith was voted as the best batsman under 30 in a poll on this website, collecting 40 per cent of the vote to beat India’s Virat Kohli, while Root was tied in last place alongside Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.

The gap between the two deputies is slowly closing, while a former world-beater reminded us all how destructive he can be…

Johnson can do it all

While it wasn’t his best match with the ball, Johnson showed why he’s such a pivotal member of the Australian XI with a powerful half-century in the fourth innings.

When Johnson claimed his first ICC Player of the Year award in 2009 it was off the back of a stunning series in South Africa where he broke the bones, hearts and wickets of the Proteas to lead Australia to an upset 2-1 series win.

In the last Test in Cape Town, the brutish left-hander smacked an unbeaten 123 from 103 balls with 11 fours and five sixes.

Day four’s knock – 77 from 94 balls – wasn’t as rapid, but when Johnson gets his eye in Australia are armed with another allrounder who can tear opponents apart with either discipline.

Mitchell Johnson was Australia's highest scorer in the team's second innings in the Cardiff Test (Australia only)

Australia will need their spearhead firing on all cylinders for the remainder of the Ashes because…

England are for real

New coach. New attitude. New success.

England had an answer for every question asked of them by Australia this Test. From a thorough inspection with the new ball to a bouncer barrage with the old, Cook’s men weathered the early storm – albeit with a few casualties – to survive, then thrive and push the game forward at a rate of knots.

Root led the way with a fearless first innings century, ably supported by quick-fire knocks from Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, deleting the nightmares stored from the horror 5-0 whitewash of 18 months ago.

With the ball, England were disciplined in line and length, controlling the swinging red Duke ball far better than the visitors to create pressure through maiden overs and clever field settings.

And in new mentor Trevor Bayliss, England have a reassuring leader who backs his players to express themselves on the field and play up-tempo aggressive cricket.

“It's important for this group of players to show we can compete with Australia,” Cook said following play.

“Sitting here before the Test match and everyone was talking about what happened the previous series and I was getting frustrated.

“But for a group of player to start a series well shows if we do the basics well we can put Australia under pressure.

“It's not going to work every time and I am sure Australia will bounce back and put us under pressure at some stage.

“We have the guys who can express themselves and we are a dangerous side.”

Brad Haddin showed positive intent but was undone by a super juggling, tumbling catch from England's skipper (Australia only)

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