Australia are in a commanding position heading into Day 4 of the fifth Ashes Test, but will be keen shut England completely out of the match. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:30am (AEDT).
While the hosts can’t sweep the series after a draw in Melbourne, they have been back at their dominant best in Sydney, with England spending another 157 overs in the field for the return of just four wickets.
Even if the pitch and scoring rate has been a little slow, the tourists are a long way behind in this fifth Test. From the position they are in, a win looks impossible, the only way for them to avoid a 4-0 series loss being to draw.
That’s going to require a lot of application with the bat on a pitch likely to take turn more and more over the final two days, and with Nathan Lyon in superb form, it’ll be easier said than done to do what Australia did in Melbourne.
After the Poms fell short with the bat in their first innings, scoring 346 and being well below par, they have been made to pay over the last day and a half.
Usman Khawaja led the way with 171, but the only batsman to fail for Australia was Cameron Bancroft, as they went to stumps at 4 for 479, for a lead of 133.
At the crease are the Marsh brothers – Shaun is 98 not out, while Mitchell is 63. Both will be on the hunt for a century, but they need to do it quickly so Australia can firstly build their lead to more than 200 or 250, batting most of the first session, then get back into the field.
While this pitch isn’t as tame as the one presented in Melbourne, it’s still going to take a lot of time for the hosts to roll England and then potentially have a chase on Day 5. They likely going to want the best part of five sessions to do so, meaning there won’t be much mucking around this morning.
The one thing the Aussies may take into account is the weather forecast. Almost 40 degrees is on the menu for Sunday, so they won’t want to spend all day in the field, meaning Steve Smith may elect to bat on for a little longer.
Once Australia do declare, it’ll be up to England. They are demoralised and another two days in the field won’t have done any positives for their batting. It’s hard to see them surviving any great length of time, but stranger things have happened.
If they can see off the new ball, then runs may come easier against the quick bowlers, but it’ll still be a struggle to see off Nathan Lyon, who is likely to do a lot of bowling in the hot conditions.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 4 from 10:30am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
FreDono
Roar Rookie
Great day for the boys
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate. And no, the only reason was terribly slow over rates. They are only allowed to add half an hour to get them in and they still ended up six short. An extra drink break or two hurt, but England were barely going ten overs an hour for the second and third hour.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Thanks for the blog Scott. Haven't been able to follow all day but what is the reason for the lack of overs? Is there a provision for slower days for heat? Lyon's ball to Cook was the highlight for me.He is going to be a handful in South Africa.
Jameswm
Guest
Biathlon is better.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me today on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017-18 Ashes Series as Australia took complete control of the fourth Test. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back at 8pm (AEDT) tonight for the final of the Brisbane Tennis International as Nick Kyrgios plays Ryan Harrison and again tomorrow from 10:30am (AEDT) for the final day of the Ashes Series. Until then, it's bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
BOWLING SCORECARD
Scott Pryde
Expert
ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS
TOTAL: 4/93 (46)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the day's play Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
STUMPS Root pushes at the final ball of the over, outside off stump and Khawaja stops it at silly mid off. That'll be it on Day 4 at the SCG. So, Bairstow and Root survive until stumps. They have fought well to stumps and 90 overs left in the match, at least give England half a chance of surviving tomorrow. It's unlikely, but they will stick at the task. The big question is whether Root has done any serious damage to his hand after that bouncer about an hour ago from Starc, and whether he will be able to hold onto the bat tomorrow. Nonetheless, it's Australia's day. They got the lead to 300 and then picked up four wickets before stumps, almost halfway to victory.
Over: 46 Score: 4/93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quicker one darted into the pads from Lyon, but Root is equal to it, defending to short leg from the crease. One more ball.
Over: 45.5 Score: 4/93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Root defends the next two. Three balls left.
Over: 45.3 Score: 4/93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon starts with a good length ball into the pads of Root who defends off the back foot. He is 42 off 119 now.
Over: 45.1 Score: 4/93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a single from the Cummins over. Root grabbed it on the third ball, then Bairstow saw it off with a few outside the off stump. One over to go.
Over: 45 Score: 4/93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon pads another full one away outside the line of off stump, then defends a slightly straighter one, smothering the spin. Seven minutes to go - probably two overs.
Over: 44 Score: 4/92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fuller from Lyon, turning into the pads of Bairstow and he defends to mid wicket. Lyon getting lots of spin at the moment, but Bairstow looks comfortable.
Over: 43.4 Score: 4/92
Scott Pryde
Expert
The next is shorter and turns into the pads, the ball being blocked to short leg. Lyon then goes fuller and it's defended as well by Bairstow.
Over: 43.3 Score: 4/92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon starts with a full one outside off stump and Bairstow pads it away.
Over: 43.1 Score: 4/92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Long delay while Usman Khawaja waits for a helmet to be delivered. We are going to lose about six overs today... Australia shouldn't need 90 tomorrow, but if they come up short, they will be ruing a slow over rate today.
Over: 43 Score: 4/92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nathan Lyon back into the attack ten minutes before stumps after a quick breather.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just two from that Cummins over. Not a great deal going on with the ball and Root is more than happy to leave, defend and leave some more.
Over: 43 Score: 4/92