Ashes 2021-22 2nd Test Day 4, Australia vs England Highlights: England 82/4 At Stumps, Need 386 Runs On Day 5

We are back! Australian players stride out to the middle. Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns are the openers for England. Mitchell Starc to open the bowling for Australia. England roughly have 44 overs to bat tonight and another 90 tomorrow - that means 134. Winning looks out of question, but if they manage to end today well, they can aim for a draw tomorrow, especially with Starc not fully fit.

... FOURTH INNINGS ...

AUSTRALIA DECLARE at 230/9! Steven Smith signals from the pavilion and asks his players to walk out of the field. Australia’s intention was clear to score runs at a brisk rate and due to that Head and Labuschagne holed out looking to go big. Green stayed out in the middle longer than expected and did well to extend their lead. And guess what? Once again it was the pair of Root and Malan, yes you read that right, this time it was with the ball. The combination took 4 wickets is total. The English batters have steep mountain to climb, as the target is 468 runs. They would hope to remain unscathed till the Tea break, as they will come out for their reply with the bat in a short while. All eyes would be on whether Mitchell Starc opens the bowling attack. Looking at the way he batted, do not think he will come out before Tea. Smith might use him for one spell under the lights and that might be it for him for the day. So that it gives him enough rest to bowl with fire tomorrow. Do not go anywhere, as an intruiging passage of play awaits.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dawid Malan bags his second wicket. This was a tossed up delivery, on middle. Jhye Richardson gets down on one knee and again goes for the slog sweep. This time, it goes off the top edge and just ahead of the keeper on the leg side. Jos Buttler gulps it down easily. And with that, Australia have declared their innings on 230. They lead by 467 runs.

SIX! What a shot! Right into the slot, on middle. Jhye Richardson gets low and slog-sweeps it over wide of long on for a biggie.

Tossed up, on off. Cameron Green gets down on one knee and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and outside off. Jhye Richardson rocks back and hammers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Very full, on the pads. Green flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short and outside off. Cameron Green powers it down to long off for a couple of runs.

Outside off, Cameron Green swipes this one to long on for a single.

This is flicked to deep square leg for a single.

On the pads, worked to wide of long on for a single.

Jhye Richardson comes out to bat now. No other movement in the pavilion, that means no signs of declaration.

OUT! CAUGHT! Loopy ball, on middle. Mitchell Starc takes the aerial route and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball goes high up in the air. Ollie Pope dives in front of him and pouches it with both hands. Joe Root has two wickets now and Mitchell Starc departs.

On off, Starc cuts it to point.

Tossed up, fuller, outside off. Starc drives it through point for a brace.

DRINKS! Well, for all the criticism being poured on England for the last 15 days, it is time for change of direction. Really unnecessary from Starc and Australia. He is a bowler and not a batsman. And Australia do not require the extra cushion of runs. They are just playing for time, so that they can start bowling when the lights are on. And with a pulled muscle, do not understand why is Starc trying to play the big shots. And cannot understand even further why are Australia allowing him to be out there. In the quest of wanting to bowl under lights, they might end up losing their best bowler with the pink ball.

This is punched down to long off for a single.

Flatter, on leg. Green flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. Australia lead by 450 runs!

Slower through the air, on off. Starc drives it firmly to long off for a single.