After the disappointment that was the Boxing Day Test, attention turns to Sydney for the final match of the Ashes as England attempt to get a win against Australia. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Day 1 from 10:30am (AEDT).
The hosts dominated the first three Tests of the series, regaining the urn after they lost it in England during 2015, but the Melbourne Test was a farce.
A pitch which didn’t deteriorate across the five days was provided. While Australia found themselves under plenty of pressure towards the end of Day 4 and early on Day 5 batting to save the match, the result which we were always destined for was reached.
The match was called with an hour to go and saw plenty of warranted criticism afterwards from players, the media and fans.
Despite the disappointment of Melbourne where England were in a good position, taking a big lead out of the first innings and leaving themselves 140 overs to knock over Australia, they must turn their attention to Sydney as they search for a first win on tour.
The tourists showed positive signs in Melbourne. From Alastair Cook’s double century to the collapse they caused in the Australian first innings, there was enough to suggest they may be in with a chance at the SCG.
Still, the problem of getting Steve Smith out remains. He was unbeaten with another century to his name at the end of the match and is in the form of his life. He is almost unarguably the best batsman in the world and if England can’t find a way to get him out, they can forget about competing in Sydney.
David Warner too found some form in Melbourne, hitting a century in the first innings and then playing a patient knock in the second.
He scored a century before lunch against Pakistan on the same ground last year and could well take down an English attack lacking penetration in a similar way.
Then there will be dealing with the Aussie quicks as Mitchell Starc returns to the side for Jackson Bird. He is joined by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, the trio ripping England in half more than once this summer.
On a pitch likely to turn, England has decided to beef up their spin stocks with Mason Crane replacing the injured Chris Woakes. Given the poor performance of Moeen Ali this series, Crane can’t do any worse but probably isn’t up to Test standard.
Against one of the top spinners in the world – Nathan Lyon – it could get ugly on multiple fronts for England.
Prediction
Australia have dominated and even though they weren’t in a good position in Melbourne, England’s middle order is still vulnerable and their attack poor after openers Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson. Australia should bounce back and wrap up the Ashes the way they started them over the next couple of days.
Australia to win the Ashes 4-0.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 1 from 10:30am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Bairstow did the right thing by coming out.Not sure that his shot selection matched his courage
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Trouble is ,who would you send out? Anderson could go first ball with shadows and failing light.Crane too has no wraps on his batting.Tom Curran maybe
JoM
Roar Rookie
Yeah, they don't want to be out there for a whole lot of Sunday. 37 degrees in the city but awful out in the middle.
Linphoma
Guest
300-odd to chase tomorrow. Then maybe a session on Sunday. 500 first innings. Chase that England, the weekend is going to bake England in the field.
Ouch
Guest
Brilliant finish. Props to Malan. Had him down for a bunny this series.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I didn't think we were behind, and couldn't understand why 70% (according to Ch9 survey) had England in front. Yes, they were only 3 down, but they only had 230 runs on the board. And with England's soft underbelly / long tail, it was only going to take a couple of wickets and we'd be on top. Presto! The fact we got those two wickets tonight puts us MASSIVELY ahead in this game. Can easily envisage Eng being all out for less than 300 tomorrow. It will take some tide-turning from Ali et al for that not to happen.
JoM
Roar Rookie
I am now really glad we picked tomorrow to go and not today. Getting to see our bowlers bowl them out and then hopefully a good opening stand.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
That indeed was a stinker of a review. The ICC should fine captains who review such blatantly good umpiring calls! Match fee gone, and the removal of a review from the next game too! Did you see Dharmasena smiling? I would have been even less subtle if I was umpiring!
Slane
Guest
I thought the Poms were well on top till we knocked off Root and Bairstow. What a fantastic end of the day for Australia.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me today on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017-18 Ashes Series. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Given we lost seven overs due to rain, we will be back for the first ball shortly after 10am (AEDT) tomorrow, so do join me for Day 2 then. Bye for now.
Mattw
Guest
Errrr, was all ready to write that had been a hard day after the ball got old and we were set for some pain tomorrow after a few lucky moments for England and a dropped catch. Never mind, England’s tail to be ripped apart by the new ball tomorrow, unbelievable seizing of the moment by our bowlers then, enough for me to forgive that awful review.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the day Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
AUSTRALIA BOWLING SCORECARD
Scott Pryde
Expert
ENGLAND BATTING SCORECARD
DJW
Guest
Looks a really bad decision not to send out the night watchman
Scott Pryde
Expert
STUMPS That'll be the end of the day's play! The new ball was taken there by Australia and they have taken two wickets in the space of ten balls to put themselves back on top of this match. You'd have to say that five wickets for only 233 runs at less than three per over on a pitch not doing heaps once the ball loses its shine puts the Aussies on top. It was Joe Root and Dawid Malan who did most of the damage for England. Malan is still not out at stumps, but Root was the first of the final two to go, flicking one to Mitchell Marsh at square leg on 83. There will be plenty of pressure on England tomorrow morning to score plenty more runs before they get out into the field. Scorecards in a moment.
Over: 81.4 Score: 5/233
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! Jonny Bairstow, Caught Tim Paine, Bowled Josh Hazlewood 5 (7) This has absolutely flipped the game on its head! Hazlewoodd goes on a good length this time, just a hint of nibble off the wicket and Bairstow was caught on the crease, playing the off drive well away from his body. He gets an edge and it goes through to Paine who takes the catch! What a finish to the day for Australia.
Over: 81.4 Score: 5/233
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hazlewood goes outside the off stump, on a good length. Great carry to Paine, but Bairstow is able to leave that alone easily.
Over: 81.3 Score: 4/233
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bairstow leaves the next alone off a good length.
Over: 81.2 Score: 4/233
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Hazlewood starts this over with a half-volley. Bairstow gets all over it and cracks the cover drive into the gap for a boundary.
Over: 81.1 Score: 4/233