Ashes 2017/18: 4th Test, day 4, 5 things we learnt from the day

A rain-truncated day 4 saw England maintain their hold in the Test but with just one day remaining in the Test, a draw seems the most likely result particularly with the forecast for the final day not so pleasing.

Earlier, it took Australia just one ball to finish off England's innings as Pat Cummins sent back James Anderson to finish with four wickets. Alastair Cook was stranded on 244 as Australia came out to bat again. Though they lost wickets upfront, rain saved them from further plummeting and day 5 hopefully has more action.

#5 Alastair Cook stranded

Cook was stranded on 244 as Anderson got out for a duck

It took just one ball in the day for Australia to find the last England wicket - that of James Anderson, who was dismissed for a sixteen ball duck. What this meant is that Alastair Cook could not add to his overnight score of 244. He remained stranded at one end, batting from ball one to the last ball of England's innings and carrying the bat.

Cook's 244 was the highest score by anyone carrying the bat in Test cricket history. After a dismal start to his Australian tour, averaging less than 20 in the first three Tests, Cook's Ashes has taken a U-turn and he now has an average greater than 50 in seven innings in the series.

#4 Bancroft and Khawaja fall early

Bancroft chopped on to the stumps off Woakes

Australia lost two wickets early after Cameron Bancroft chopped Chris Woakes onto the stumps - after looking more than decent in his 42-ball stay at the crease. The hosts got off to a positive start courtesy the openers, but Bancroft's dismissal pegged them back.

Usman Khawaja started off with a bang, hoisting Ali into the long-on tiers, but nicked an Anderson peach to the keeper. Australia were suddenly reduced to 65/2 with the onus once again on David Warner and Steven Smith to resuscitate the innings. That they faced a huge deficit did not help matters either.

#3 James Anderson in ball-tampering conundrum

James Anderson was under the scanner for a ball tampering episode

James Anderson endured the wrath of Australians and fans (not for the first time) when he was shown to be altering the condition of the ball, according to Channel Nine. The umpires were seen in a heated discussion with Joe Root, Stuart Broad and James Anderson apparently about throwing the ball on the bounce.

Channel Nine reported that umpire Sundaram Ravi wasn't happy about England bouncing the ball while throwing to Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps. Footage also emerged on Anderson trying to clean the shiny side with his thumb finger nail.

#2 David Warner and Steven Smith steady the ship

Australia v India: 3rd Test - Day 1

After Australia had lost two upfront, senior guns David Warner and Steven Smith steadied the ship with a sluggish 38 run stand coming in 136 balls. Warner was unusually circumspect while Smith also took his time to get into the groove, particularly with the English bowling looking sharp.

However, rain intervened shortly and England's progress was marred. Rain persisted for the rest of the day as stumps was called with Australia at 103/2. A result looks rather unlikely unless England manage to run through Australia's batting line-up on day 5 before they overcome the deficit.

#1 Tom Curran impresses again

Curran once again looked threatening with the ball

Tom Curran is having a dream run on debut. He sent back the best Test batsman in the World at the moment - Steven Smith - in the first innings and then bowled with heat and purpose in the second. He was disciplined and rarely let Warner or Smith off the hook on day 4.

Curran's ability to stick to his length and line, move the ball and extract pace and bounce makes him a tricky customer to deal with. With Craig Overton set to return for the final Test, it remains to be seen if he gets a further chance - but day 5 could change everything.