England trail by 127 runs and have six wickets in hand ahead of the final day of the Test at the WACA, with Australia looking to be a in a strong position should the skies stay clear to win the Test and the series.
Scores at end of day
England 403, 4/132
Australia 9/662d
Science can’t explain why Mitch Marsh is on the verge of a double-century – while at the other end of the crease, Steve Smith already has one – but that’s the position we find ourselves in today on Day 4 at the WACA. Join The Roar for a live blog of the day’s play, starting from 1:30pm AEDT.
Australia were in a decent enough position at the beginning of Day 3, starting to build a respectable total with Smith well entrenched at the crease and Shaun Marsh, coming off a century at Adelaide Oval, just starting at the other end.
It was not to last though as Shaun was taken early, to be replaced by his brother Mitch.
There were plenty of nervous faces at the WACA as Mitch took up his spot – a controversial selection for this Test, the vast majority believed he did not belong there, and not entirely without good reason.
But, his form on Day 4 made a mockery of any scepticism around him. He has shown immense confidence to notch 181 runs off just 234 balls, while Smith has played the patient man at the other end, and currently totals 229 off 390.
As a result Smith and Marsh have put up a 301-run partnership and Australia has overtaken England’s first innings total for a lead of 146 runs with six wickets still in hand.
However as there is only two days left in the Test the Aussies will need to look to give England back the bat at some point today if they are going to have any hope of winning the match rather than seeing it end in a draw.
Prediction
Expect Australia will bat for a part of today before eventually declaring, unless of course England is able to bowl them out quickly. The match will then likely come down to whether or not England’s top order can settle in as they did in their first innings, or be taken down more quickly. Fingers crossed Mitch Marsh can notch a double-ton somewhere along the way.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the day’s play, starting from 1:30pm AEDT.
Ozibatla
Guest
Still well off the 160 mark that is claimed to have been the fastest legitimate delivery bowled in Australia. The speed gun does lie occasionally. Still a quality bowler though.
Rasty
Guest
no, I don't like either. What I like is seeing the pommes get their asses handed to them like they are now. What about you D?
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
You could replace the name "Slats" with just about any other name and that sentence would still work....
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
you prefer "aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi" over and over...???
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Yes, definitely no drunk Aussies in London..... #guilty #funpolice
doogs
Guest
great ball. beautifully bowled but definitely hit a crack. it was like a 145kph spinner
Josh
Expert
Yup, they have officially given up on the day, I'm afraid. Thanks all for joining me for this blog. Hopefully bright, sunny skies tomorrow on Day 5!
anon
Roar Pro
Looking at the forecast, rain is predicted until mid-afternoon tomorrow. Slight glimmer of hope for the poms. I wish they'd stop putting the camera on the Barmy Army's drunken antics. The only people they're entertaining are themselves. Shouldn't be encouraging this kind of behaviour. Have some respect for your hosts. You could imagine the reaction from the poms if you had drunk Aussies running around in their underwear at Lord's.
anon
Roar Pro
No Marsh relatives in the England squad -- otherwise he'd be in trouble for sure.
Josh
Expert
Rain falling very heavily now. I'd be a little surprised if play continues today at this rate.
Josh
Expert
England trailing by 127 runs as the rain forces a break in play.
Over: 38.2 Score: 4/132
Josh
Expert
Bad news all, it's raining again, the players are off the field and the cover is coming out. I'm gonna grab a snack and then hopefully it'll clear up quickly.
Over: 38.2 Score: 4/132
Josh
Expert
Cummins to Malan.
Over: 38.0 Score: 4/132
Josh
Expert
A couple of appeals in that over, but none of them on target.
Over: 37.6 Score: 4/132
Josh
Expert
FOUR! Another boundary from Bairstow. 12 runs for him, all from boundaries.
Over: 37.4 Score: 4/130
Josh
Expert
Hazlewood to Bairstow.
Over: 37.0 Score: 4/126
Josh
Expert
A maiden by Cummins.
Over: 36.6 Score: 4/126
Josh
Expert
Cummins to Malan.
Over: 36.0 Score: 4/126
Nate
Guest
Watching the BT Sports stream as I just find it better coverage than Channel 9. Listening to Fleming ask Boycott if he would have hit that ball. Boycott replied "No, I would have got a single and been down the other end! I'm not a fool!" Had a good laugh at that.
Josh
Expert
England with 24 runs off their last 17 balls... all from boundaries.