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Rediff.com  » Cricket » How Broad masterminded Australian collapse

How Broad masterminded Australian collapse

Last updated on: August 07, 2015 01:07 IST
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Stuart Broad of England celebrates the wicket of Adam Voges of Australia during day one of the 4th Investec Ashes Test match. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Stuart Broad took eight wickets as England skittled out Australia for 60 in a historically quick 111 balls and moved within sight of an Ashes-clinching win on the first day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

- Scorecard

Fast-medium bowler Broad took eight for 15 in 9.3 overs as he smashed through the 300 Test wicket mark in a scintillating performance he acclaimed as "unbelievable".

Australia's innings was wrapped up in just 18.3 overs -- the quickest any team has ever been bowled out in the first innings in the 138-year history of Test cricket.

Joe Root's unbeaten century then compounded Australia's misery as England reached stumps on 274 for four, a lead of 214 runs.

Stuart Broad leaves the field after taking 8 wickets during day one of the 4th Investec Ashes Test match. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Initially cloudy conditions offered some assistance to the bowlers and doubtless prompted Alastair Cook's decision to field first upon winning the toss.

But they were not 'unplayable'. Broad bowled well, maintaining an excellent line and length on his Nottinghamshire home ground.

However, several of his wickets owed much to the poor shots by Australia batsmen who again cemented their reputation as 'flat-track bullies' unable to cope with sideways seaming and swing movement.

Alastair Cook of England takes a catch to dismiss Michael Clarke of Australia off the bowling of Stuart Broad of England during day one of the 4th Investec Ashes Test match. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Eight Australians were caught in the slip cordon – all off Broad.

Mitchell Johnson (13) and Australia captain Michael Clarke (10) were the only batsmen to make double figure scores in the innings.

Australia's total -- with extras the top score on 14 -- was the lowest by either side in an Ashes innings since England were dismissed for 52 at The Oval in 1948.

"It's pretty unbelievable. It's not sunk in," Broad told Sky Sports after drawing level with England great Fred Trueman's career tally of 307 Test wickets.

"We knew Trent Bridge would offer us something but we had to bowl well and take our catches."

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