Ashes 2023

Watch: Moeen Ali finds massive turn from footmarks, takes Travis Head’s outside edge to give England big breakthrough | Ashes 2023

by Wisden Staff July 31, 2023 - 4:52pm 2 minute read

Watch: Moeen Ali found huge turn out of the footmarks after the rain delay on day five of the final Ashes Test at the Kia Oval, taking Travis Head’s outside edge to make a huge breakthrough.

Australia had made good progress towards their fourth-innings target after they lost three quick wickets in the morning session. Head and Steve Smith put on a 95-run partnership for Australia’s fourth wicket. But, after the entirety of the afternoon session was lost to rain, Moeen managed to break through in his fourth over of the evening.

He tossed up the delivery to pitch in the fast bowler’s foot marks at the other end of the wicket, with Head planting his front leg to meet it.

However, Head tried to drive the ball away into the off side, but it turned and spun past his bat, taking his outside edge on the way through. It popped up comfortably to Joe Root at slip, who took the catch easily.

That was the first breakthrough of four in quick succession for England. Australia went from 264-3 to 275-7 in four overs. Chris Woakes found Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc’s outside edges either side of Jonny Bairstow taking a stunning catch to dismiss Mitchell Marsh and put England back on top.