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Australia vs England Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Highlights: Jacob Bethell Solid, 8-Down England In Trouble vs Australia
Australia vs England Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Highlights: Rock-solid Jacob Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century Wednesday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge.
Australia vs England Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Highlights© AFP
Australia vs England Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Highlights: Rock-solid Jacob Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century Wednesday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge. By stumps on day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the tourists were 302-8 with Bethell not out 142 and Matthew Potts yet to score. The 22-year-old Bethell saved the day after Zak Crawley fell early and veteran Joe Root cheaply, powering to his hundred in style off 162 balls. England are desperate for another morale-boosting win after victory in the previous Test at Melbourne. Australia lead 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes. (Live Scorecard)
Topics mentioned in this article
Australia Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Steve Smith
Ben Stokes
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Australia vs England 5th Test Day 4 Live
Welcome back for the final essay in this Ashes series. The English players spread across the field and take their respective fielding spots. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald are the two openers for Australia. Brydon Carse to get us underway in the chase with the first over, as Australia require 160 runs. Travis Head to face. Here we go...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Okay then, 160 is exactly what Australia need to win in two and a half sessions and end with a scoreline of 4-1. England, on the other hand, will need to produce a masterclass in bowling as they realistically cannot win this without taking all ten Aussie wickets. Making the most of the new ball on this up-and-down wicket would be crucial for England if they are to turn this around in their favor. Or else, this is going to end in a canter. An interesting run chase coming up very shortly. Stay tuned.
Mitchell Starc of Australia is up for a chat. Starc indicates that despite being a day five pitch, the wicket still had enough life in it, necessitating patience due to how Jacob batted in the second innings. Starc adds that his team would be happy with 160 runs required for victory, though he stresses that the chase would likely not be straightforward due to the opposition's quality bowling attack.
When the likes of Root and Brook couldn't produce much, barring the starts they got, the headline creator for the tourists was Jacob Bethell, who played a knock so mature that it will be etched in the SCG folklore for a long, long time. Not only did he face the most deliveries in the entire match, but on a deteriorating surface, he hardly looked bothered, that too, against a high-quality bowling attack. He went on to mount 154 before Starc finally ended his marathon. There was some resistance through Potts and Carse though, which did help England to get their lead past the 150-run mark.
Well, it was just a matter of time for Australia to snag this final wicket. But not before the last three English men adding 40 valuable runs to this English total. As has been the case throughout the series, England have been brilliant in patches, but Australia have won the crucial moments again and again, repeatedly. After being reduced to 117/3, and once again, the opening partnership failing to deliver the goods they were expected to, the English middle order stepped up nicely. The surface was still a good one for batting, as the last three men faced more than 12 overs overall, but England's case wasn't helped by a couple of brainfades.
OUT! CHIPPED AND TAKEN! Wicket number 31 for Mitchell Starc in this Ashes as he finishes off with a 3-for. Lands it around off, on a good length, and it seemingly kicks up a bit. Josh Tongue tries to crack the drive through the off side, but does not account for the bounce. Chips it straight to short cover where Marnus Labuschagne takes a straightforward catch. Josh Tongue is gone on 6 off 14. ENGLAND ARE BOWLED OUT ON 342, WITH THE LEAD OF 159 RUNS!
Swings back in on a length, on middle and leg, Josh Tongue hangs back and bunts it to the off side.
Good length around off, Matthew Potts dabs this back to the bowler.
Hard length, around off, Matthew Potts pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.
Good length around off, Potts leaves it.
Back of a length around off, Matthew Potts punches this towards sweeper cover and doesn't take the single. Number 10 protecting number 11.
On a length around off, Matthew Potts keeps it out.
Back of a length, around the pads. Matthew Potts looks for the flick but misses.
Short and on off. Josh Tongue plays within the line of it and leaves it.
Full and wide outside off, Josh leaves it.
FOUR! CRACKED! Pitched up, around middle and off, Josh Tongue gets on the front foot and presents a straight bat at it. Punches this down the ground towards the long off fence for four runs.
On a length, wide of off, Josh Tongue pokes at it away from his body but gets beaten.
Short pitched, down the leg. Tongue leaves it.
Good length, around off. Josh Tongue pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.