LIVE: English weather putting dampener on Aussie chase

Australia have lost the first hour of play on each of the first four days of the first Test to-date.

If they’re going to take a 1-0 lead tonight, Mark Taylor believes that’s something that cannot happen.

On day one, England were aggressive with the willow and forced Pat Cummins into playing defensive cricket immediately. 

On day two and three, the Aussies lost early wickets and had to rebuild throughout the day.

And then on day four, the English batters plundered 93 runs for the loss of just the one wicket in first 70 minutes of play.

“We’re losing that early battle, and we’ve got to work out some plans to combat that going forward,” Taylor said on Tubby’s Takeaway.

If they win the first session – or at the very least don’t lose it – the next requirement is a big partnership.

“There’s no doubt England are in front. They still need seven wickets, and Australia need 174. What we need is one good partnership. 

“Scotty Boland did a great job there to hold on (and) made 13 runs himself, protected Travis Head. 

“Head, Carey, Green to come, one of those three – along with Usman Khawaja – needs to stand up for Australia.”

None of the England batters made 50 in the host’s second dig. Taylor said the Aussies cannot afford for the same to happen to them.

“If one of them make 40 or fifty, we really need one of them to kick on and make a big hundred. That’s what makes chasing 270 possible.”