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Australia are closing in on victory over England in the opening Ashes Test

David Warner of Australia bats during day four of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes
Image: David Warner's half-century has put Australia on the brink of victory

Australia need just 56 more to win the first Ashes Test, closing on 114-0 after bowling England out for 195 at the Gabba.

SCORECARD | AS IT HAPPENED

Joe Root (51) was the only England batsman to pass fifty as the tourists lost wickets at regular intervals on day four, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon taking three wickets apiece in the innings.

Having lost their final three wickets for just one run, England set Australia 170 to win and needed early wickets to put any sort of pressure on the hosts.

However, David Warner (60no) and Cameron Bancroft (51no) saw off the new ball, upped the run-rate once England's change bowlers came into the attack and remained together until the close.

Cameron Bancroft of Australia bats during day four of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australi
Image: Debutant Cameron Bancroft hit his maiden Test fifty as England toiled

England began the day in a precarious position at 33-2, leading by just seven, but hoping to establish a potentially match-winning lead with Root and Mark Stoneman at the crease.

The pair survived the initial burst from the Aussie quicks but the introduction of Lyon (3-67) got the home side back on track.

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The off-spinner first had Stoneman (27) caught low down by Steve Smith at slip and found Dawid Malan's (4) edge a few overs later, allowing the Australia skipper to take another, more straightforward, catch.

Root was going well and reached his half-century from 103 balls as lunch approached. However, his 104th proved to be his last as Hazlewood trapped him lbw, the England captain falling over a straight one for the second time in the match.

Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow started the afternoon session positively and took the attack to Lyon but the Aussie spinner had the final say by having Ali (40) stumped.

Moeen Ali of England is stumped by Tim Paine of Australia during day four of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes
Image: Moeen Ali was stumped off Nathan Lyon as England fell to 195 all out

It was a tight call and there were complaints on social media about the thickness of the line on the popping crease and whether it was straight but, whatever the state of the line, Ali had nothing behind it and the third umpire sent him on his way.

Starc broke another partnership with promise soon before tea, Woakes (17) was unable to get on top of a well-controlled bouncer and sent a looping edge to Smith at second slip.

Bairstow (42) went in Starc's next over, not so much falling as jumping into the left-armer's trap by uppercutting a short, wide delivery straight to Peter Handscomb at third man.

Stuart Broad got a very thin edge behind later in the over and Pat Cummins bounced out Jake Ball to wrap up the innings.

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Chris Woakes of England during day four
Image: Mitchell Starc blasted out England's lower order before tea

James Anderson beat Bancroft's edge a couple of times early on but was unable to make the breakthrough and once he and Broad were taken out of the attack, Australia's opening pair gradually began to accelerate.

Warner eased through to his half-century and along with debutant Bancroft, who reached a maiden Test fifty shortly before stumps, will look to complete a convincing victory in a match that was so closely fought for much of the first three days.

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