Paceman Stuart Broad of England celebrates with his teammates after completing eight wickets haul on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia. (AP)
England paceman Stuart Broad took 8-15 as Australia collapsed to 60 all out in 94 minutes on the first day of the fourth Ashes test on a remarkable morning session at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Seeking a victory to clinch the series, England put the Australians in to bat in overcast conditions and had them at 15-4 after 16 balls in 14 minutes, with three batsmen — Chris Rogers, David Warner and recalled Shaun Marsh — out for ducks.
Ben Stokes took a sensational one-handed catch at fifth slip to remove Adam Voges (1), leaving the score 21-5, and Broad completed the fastest-ever test five-fer when Australia captain Michael Clarke (10) edged a slog to first slip.
Broad then ripped through the tail to dismiss Mitchell Starc (1), Mitchell Johnson (13) and Nathan Lyon (9), ending the innings after just 18.3 overs. It was the shortest first innings in test history, and extras — 14 of them — was the top score.
It was Australia's joint-seventh lowest test score, and the tourists' chances of taking the series to The Oval for the fifth test appeared in tatters.
England reached lunch at 13-0 in reply, after three overs. Adam Lyth was on 8 not out and Alastair Cook had an unbeaten 4.
A feeling of disbelief swept through Trent Bridge as the wickets tumbled, starting on the third ball of the day when Broad reached 300 test wickets by enticing an edge from Rogers to Cook. The fast bowler was playing on his home Nottinghamshire ground.
Nine of the dismissals were catches behind the wicket, as Australia's batsmen showed poor technique against the moving ball with their bats crossed or away from their bodies.
England's catching was sharp, especially Stokes' jaw-dropping take diving to his right off Voges, and every opportunity was gobbled up.
It was another chastening session for Clarke, whose captaincy and place in the Australia team has been under scrutiny. He has scored 104 runs in seven innings this series — although he was the second-highest scoring Australian batsman Thursday.
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