England vs. Australia: 1st Ashes Test Day 4 Takeaways

England wrapped up the first Ashes Test in hugely convincing style on Saturday, thrashing Australia by 169 runs in Cardiff.

Despite half-centuries from David Warner and Mitchell Johnson, the tourists had no answer to England's relentless accuracy.

The Australians will have expected that from James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Durham duo Mark Wood and Ben Stokes backed up the good work from their more senior colleagues, keeping the pressure on throughout Day 4.

Spinners Moeen Ali and Joe Root chipped in with crucial wickets, and Alastair Cook captained the side in some style.

The visitors have much to ponder ahead of the second Test, which starts at Lord's on Thursday. There are serious questions about the positions of Shane Watson and Brad Haddin after disappointing efforts on Saturday.

Read on for the biggest takeaways from Day 4.

Ball of the day—Moeen Ali to David Warner

With the score at 97 for one in the last over before lunch and David Warner and Steve Smith looking fairly comfortable, Australia were inching back into the game.

Moeen Ali made sure that Alastair Cook enjoyed his sandwiches a whole lot more after sending Warner back to the hutch.

The England spinner had been smashed for 22 from his first two overs but came up trumps when it really mattered.

Was it a doosra or one that just went straight on? Either way, Warner was late on the delivery and trapped in front.

After Moeen pushed the Australian door ajar, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood kicked it down. The relative security of 97 for one became 122 for six, and England were well on the way.

Ninety-two runs in the match plus the wickets of Warner, Smith, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Josh Hazlewood mark a fine return for the England offie.

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WICKET! Warner falls for 52, lbw to Moeen right on the stroke of lunch! Australia are 97-2 #myashessummer pic.twitter.com/dMf2Doml39

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 11, 2015"

Shane Watson's LBW Woes

Shane Watson may as well draw a big red target on the middle of his front pad. We're not quite into Shane Warne versus Daryll Cullinan country but the Australian all-rounder's leg before wicket woes must be playing on his mind every time he walks out to bat.

As has so often been the case during his international career, Watson looked untroubled until faced with a full, straight delivery. The result was depressingly familiar for the 34-year-old.

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WICKET! Watson trapped lbw for the 29th time in his Test career http://t.co/nUPtPYEb7Z #MyAshesSummer pic.twitter.com/oEmUG4uVyX

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 11, 2015"

As was the decision to review it, which caused much hilarity in not just the crowd but also the press box.

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Cheers in the press box as Watson reviews his lbw

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) July 11, 2015"

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Watson: the gift that keeps giving.

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) July 11, 2015"

Out of Watson's 35 dismissals against England, 14 have been by lbw. With Mitchell Marsh knocking on the door, the burly all-rounder may not get the opportunity to add to that unwanted total.

Cook's Captaincy Worked a Treat

Alastair Cook may not have had a special game with the bat, but his captaincy was excellent throughout. Day 4 was no exception.

Helped by a supremely disciplined effort by his seamers, England maintained the pressure throughout the final day.

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'This is here, this is a different side, different players. We always tried to attack, take the hunting option' - Cook #Ashes

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 11, 2015"

Cook's bowling changes worked nicely, too. Chucking the ball to Moeen just before the interval proved a masterstroke. Even Joe Root got in on the act.

The captain could have easily whipped the Yorkshireman out of the attack after he was taken for 17 from an over. He kept the faith and was rewarded with the wicket of Mitchell Starc an over later.

The skipper led from the front in the field, too, taking a sharp chance to dismiss the dangerous Haddin.

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WICKET! Ali strikes! Cook takes the ball on the 2nd attempt, Aus now 6 down! http://t.co/nUPtPYEb7Z #MyAshesSummer pic.twitter.com/At6bwVzzcs

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 11, 2015"

Slapdash Batting Throws Up Selection Questions

Chasing a target of 412 on a wearing pitch was always going to be nigh on impossible. Australia will still be disappointed with the manner of their second innings display, though.

The middle order of Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges and Shane Watson all struggled against the probing accuracy of England's four-pronged pace attack. Mitchell Johnson showed what was possible, albeit against a much older ball.

The pressure was already on Shane Watson. Brad Haddin's name can be added to the list of potential selection casualties at Lord's.

It's early days, of course, but if the tourists can't find an answer to the swinging Duke ball it could be a long few weeks for Michael Clarke's men. The pressure really is on now.

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WICKET! It's that man Broad again! Clarke departs chipping tamely to Stokes. http://t.co/nUPtPYEb7Z #MyAshesSummer pic.twitter.com/iUcAKQsmTN

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 11, 2015"