On a day of twist and turns, Australia looked on top, piling on runs. A team effort by England saw the Aussies bowled out for 257 giving England 268 to win.
Another Sophie Ecclestone five-for was the talk of the day but England's strong start with the bat gave the home crowd hope. Slipping four wickets down, the hope started to fade but day five is set up to to be thriller.
England require 152 to win with five wickets remaining on the final day.
Play started on day four with the delivery off the game by Kate Cross, bowling wide outside the off stump to debutant Phoebe Litchfield, the ball nipping back to scatter her stumps.
Lauren Filer demonstrated her excellence with the ball, adding to an already successful debut, dismissing both Ellyse Perry – who she removed in the first innings on 99 – and Tahlia McGrath in quick succession, bowling back-to-back wicket maidens.
The Aussies had lost some momentum before the lunch break, leaving the field on 155/3, Beth Mooney, comfortable on 73 and the new batter, Jess Jonassen on 2.
Inevitable Ecclestone turned her left arm over once again, this time bowling Jonassen for 14
Scenes of ecstasy were present as it was yet again, Ecclestone with the breakthrough, bowling wide of the crease and bowling Beth Mooney for 85, Australia falling to 195/5.
Mysteriously, skipper, Alyssa Healy who came in six in the first innings was nowhere to be seen, Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner coming in ahead of her. It was only a matter of minutes until another wicket fell, Gardner edging Cross’ delivery to Heather Knight at gully.
Eventually the skipper strode to the crease, looking extremely nervy from the first ball. Healy did manage to get off the mark but her batting partner was quick to go, a poor shot becoming an easy catch for Danni Wyatt.
The momentum started to swing England’s way and this only continued for the pommies. England’s heroic left-arm spinner was once again among the wickets, taking another 5-fer in this Test match. Lauren Bell also made her contribution, taking a wicket early into her spell.
As England approached Australia’s tail end, Trent Bridge announced tickets for day five were free, causing a sizeable queue online for tickets.
Ecclestone’s magic saw Australia all-out for 257, giving England 268 to win.
With boundaries flying at 6 an over, England’s opening pair were off to a flying start. The intent was clear and head coach John Lewis’ style of play was coming to fruition. Australia’s wicket-taker, Gardner caused disruption, seeing Beaumont off for 22 before Lamb went lbw for 28.
It brought two new batters to the crease with just over 16 overs left in the day. Cracks started to show as Nat Sciver-brunt registered a duck, top edging an attempted sweep into the air, just to be caught by Garth behind the keeper.
Yet again, there was a change of momentum and England started to collapse. Knight went for 9 with Gardner persisting and taking a third wicket. The game was slowly grasped by Australia even further, strangling England's top order.
Kate Cross came in as the nightwatcher as Dunkley suffered under the bowling of Kim Garth.
Play closed with England 116/5, needing 152 runs tomorrow to win.
Debutants: Phoebe Litchfield (AUS), Kim Garth (AUS), Lauren Filer (ENG), Danni Wyatt (ENG)
England XI: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Heather Knight ©, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Australia XI: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Jess Jonassen, Alyssa Healy © (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown
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