Smith on cloud nine as Stokes shows captaincy credentials... ASHES TALKING POINTS

NICK HOWSON AT OLD TRAFFORD: David Warner is in line for the chop as Manchester prepares to host another day five thriller

You had been warned

As one-sided sporting duels go, Stuart Broad v David Warner deserves significant elevation.

The England seamer has arguably been at his very best this summer - many felt this might be his final series - and the way he has nullified and quashed one of Australia's danger-men has been devastating.

While Steve Smith's return to Test cricket has been like he has never been away, Warner has endured a torrid time.

During the World Cup he played his way into the tournament and eventually finished as the second-highest run-scorer as Australia reached the last four.

He has notably tried the same approach in this Test series, but without anywhere near the same success.

Since making his only half-century of the series in the first innings at Headingley, three straight ducks have followed, including his first pair in Test cricket. Now, a position in the team which looked solid is now deeply uncertain with a Test to go.

Warner is now the third Australian opener to record three scores of nought on the bounce. Victor Trumper and Graeme Wood have additional company.

Broad meanwhile has claimed Warner's wicket 11 times, the most of any bowler. His total figures are 32 for 6 across the series. Warner has been blown away.

It leaves Australia with a major selection headache for The Oval. Marcus Harris too has struggled since replacing Cameron Bancroft while Usman Khawaja was dumped for this Test but will surely be considered for a recall.

And to think, it was meant to be England with problems at the top.

^{Warner's struggles against Broad continued on day four}

Ben Stokes: Legend, leader?

It was impossible to ignore that as England entered the field for the Australia second innings, 196 runs behind, that it was Ben Stokes and not captain Joe Root who issued the rallying cry to the team ahead of the resumption.

Root gave a brief message before Stokes took over, barking at the team with the Ashes perilously on the line again for the second straight Test. He even read the riot act to Jofra Archer after some relaxed fielding allowed Australia to run a two in the evening session.

Anyone who watched, listened or read about Stokes' heroics at Headingley will know that leadership qualities emanate from him as readily as his bludgeoning blows and marathon spells with the ball.

He was mortified to be removed as vice-captain after the events in Bristol, a responsibility which he regained ahead of the Ashes this summer.

There is plenty of conversation around the future of Root as captain, regardless of the outcome of this series. Failure to beat Australia will make it two bilateral series wins in the last seven under his leadership.

Though many will understandably question what impact the captaincy would have on Stokes' success with bat and ball, in light of the problems Root has encountered, there is little doubt he is ready if the opportunity arose.

Old Trafford poised to host another dramatic climax

"I've never seen anything like it."

This quote directly relates to one of the most iconic images of the 2005 Ashes series. But which one?

Glenn McGrath's five-for at Lord's? Andrew Flintoff hitting Brett Lee onto the Edgbaston roof? Shane Warne's ripper to Andrew Strauss? Kevin Pietersen's century at The Oval?

Indeed, it doesn't even refer to a passage of play during any of the five Tests. It came from Jim Cumbes, the then Lancashire cricket chief executive, after he was forced to turn away 10,000 fans before the fifth day of the Old Trafford Test 14 years ago. Manchester United legend and England football World Cup winner  Sir Bobby Charlton was nearly among those locked out, before stewards came to their senses.

On that occasion, England were chasing 10 wickets to beat Australia and go 2-1 up in the series. They would eventually be denied, but nonetheless it was an exhilarating day during a rollercoaster series.

With the series identically poised, another classic fifth day beckons but a repeat of those scenes are unlikely. To avoid leaving fans disappointed, tickets have been sold in advance with the club confident they will be at capacity come the start of play.

The only question now is whether Australia will be left celebrating come the end of the day once again.

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Smith on cloud nine

You'd think it was barely possible, but Steve Peter Devereux Smith was in among the records once again on day four.

Not content with going beyond 600 runs for the series, Smith's second innings 82 was the ninth time in a row he has recorded a score of fifty or more in Tests against England.

He is now the second player to reach the landmark against any nation, joining Inzamam-ul-Haq who completed his own streak, also against England, between 2001 and 2006.