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- Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test, Day 4 highlights: England 302/8 at stumps, lead by 119 runs vs Australia at SCG
Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test, Day 4 highlights: England 302/8 at stumps, lead by 119 runs vs Australia at SCG
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.
But wickets tumbled around him with Harry Brook (42) and Will Jacks (0) removed in the space of three balls by the off-spin of Beau Webster two overs after Bethell reached the landmark.
A calamitous mix-up then saw Jamie Smith (24) run out.
Ben Stokes (1) came in at seven after limping off clutching what appeared to be his groin while bowling the third over of the day, but only lasted five balls with Webster again doing the damage.
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.
Remarkably, it was not just Bethell's maiden Test ton but the only one he has scored in red-ball cricket, with his previous best 96 against New Zealand.
Bethell was recalled for Melbourne to replace the under-performing Ollie Pope, scoring a gritty 40 in difficult batting conditions with the number three position now his to lose.
His exploits came after the hosts were dismissed for 567 before lunch on the back of Travis Head's 163 and 138 from skipper Steve Smith.
That left England chasing a 183-run deficit after their first innings 384.
- Starc strikes early -
They needed a solid start, but chief tormentor Mitchell Starc once again conjured up a first-over breakthrough -- his 29th wicket for the series.
The pace spearhead delivered a beautiful inswinger that Crawley misjudged and left, with the ball smacking his pads and he was out lbw for one.
Fellow opener Ben Duckett was dropped on 38, but failed to capitalise and was bowled by Michael Neser on 42, his highest score in a wretched series.
Root, fresh from his first innings 160, was terrorised by Starc and Neser.
He finally fell lbw after facing 37 balls for his six runs to the relentless Scott Boland, with the 35-year-old trudging off dejected.
But Bethell proved unmovable.
A single off Neser overhauled Australia's lead soon after tea and the youngster passed three figures emphatically with a cracking boundary through midwicket.
But Webster then swung the momentum back to Australia with his double strike, trapping Brook lbw before Jacks inexplicably holed out to Cameron Green in the deep.
Smith's run-out compounded England's problems, the wicketkeeper-batsman setting off for a single but sent back by Bethell and caught well short by Jake Weatherald's throw.
Stokes edged Webster to Smith in the slips with Brydon Carse doing the same off Boland on 16.
Australia resumed at 518-7, with Smith on 129 after his 13th Ashes century -- more than any other player except the legendary Don Bradman -- and Webster on 42.
Smith flogged Stokes through the covers for a boundary in his first over, while Webster dished out similar treatment to Carse.
But the Australia skipper did not last long, nicking a fuller length delivery from Josh Tongue to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Webster reached a fifth half-century in his eighth Test with a single and put on 20 with Starc before the big paceman was bowled by Tongue for five.
Boland suffered a golden duck to leave Webster unbeaten on 71.
Tongue ended with 3-97 and Carse 3-130.
- Usman Khawaja 0 (1)
- Marnus Labuschagne 16 (20)
Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Full, on off, blocked watchfully off the front foot to the off side.
The SCG cheers for Usman Khawaja as he walks in for one last time to bat in the whites. Good gesture from the English players as they give a guard of honor to Uzzie.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, OUT! BOWLED! That's a ripper from Jacks! Dishes out a sharp off break that lands around off and spins across into the batter prodigiously off the rough patch. Steve Smith is sucked into the defensive shot on the front foot, but plays all over it as the ball beats the inside edge to rattle the stumps behind. Steve Smith is left stunned at the crease and falls for 12 (12). Australia are 92/3, needing 68 more runs.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Spins in from off, on a fuller length, Steve Smith gets on the front foot to defend, but the ball goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Too full, around off, Smith drives inside out to cover.
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Straight and short, on the stumps, tucked across through widish mid-wicket for a single.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Good effort by Duckett in the deep, as he saves a run for his side. Full and tossed up outside off. Smith drops to one knee and goes for the sweep towards deep backward square leg, but gets a top edge and the ball slows on its way towards the fence. Duckett sprints to his right from deep square leg and slides to flick the ball in. Has he managed to stop it? The TV umpire takes a look, and the replays confirm a clean save. It will be three runs.
- Marnus Labuschagne 15 (19)
- Steve Smith 9 (8)
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Stump-to-stump, full, blocked right under the bat.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Back of a length, outside off, steered off the back foot to deep point for a single.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, FOUR! Caressed away! On a fuller length, on the fifth stump line. Steve Smith throws his bat at it, plays through the line, and drives it to the left of cover as the ball races away to the boundary. Australia need 73 runs more.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Around off and full, Steve Smith gets on the front foot and eases it to extra cover.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Full and on middle, Smith shuffles in the crease and clips it to mid-wicket again.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Gets across a long way, and blocks this length ball across to mid-wicket.
- Marnus Labuschagne 15 (18)
- Steve Smith 4 (3)
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and in front of the sticks, Marnus takes a giant stride forward and smothers the spin.
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Spins in from a length, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and blocks it straight.
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, SIX! Here we go! Jacks serves a genuine half volley, on off, Marnus Labuschagne charges down the track, gets underneath the ball nicely, and smokes it over wide long on for a six. That's a 92-meter biggie over cow corner.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Much fuller than the previous delivery, on middle, Smith flicks it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.
Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Tossed up, full and spinning in from middle, Steve Smith advances down the track and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Full, on middle, clipped away to deep square leg for a single.
Will Jacks (1-0-1-0) to bowl the next over from the Randwick Stand End.
- Marnus Labuschagne 8 (14)
- Steve Smith 1 (1)
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne flicks off the pads to deep backward square leg for a single.
Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Straight at the stumps, full and on off, Steve Smith brings his bat in front to defend, but the ball nips in and rolls off the inner half of the bat to deep backward square leg for a single.
Welcome back for the post-Lunch session. The umpires and players have punctually made their way to the middle. The English players spread out on the field and take their spots. Steve Smith, the Aussie skipper, joins Marnus Labuschagne at number 4. Josh Tongue will complete his remaining over. Here we go...
... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...
With the Aussies in a pole position to seal the series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline, the upcoming session could very well be the final session of the Ashes 2025/26. Coming into the afternoon session, Tongue, who has snagged both the Aussie wickets till now, will expect more support from his bowling colleagues to prevent Australia an easy win. Can the tourists make a few more inroads? We shall find out in the post-Lunch session. Play resumes at 2.10 am GMT. Join us then.
LUNCH, DAY 5. England, resuming from their overnight score of 302 for 8 with a lead of 119, added a valuable 40 runs this morning to set Australia a target of 160. A crucial partnership blossomed early on as Jacob Bethell placed his faith in Matthew Potts, who batted admirably and didn't disappoint. The pair navigated the early morning session with composure until Mitchell Starc was reintroduced into the attack with the new ball, making the breakthrough by dismissing Bethell for a superb 154. Potts and Tongue cobbled together a little 14-run stand for the final wicket, pushing the target to 160 before Starc claimed his second scalp of the morning to wrap up the innings.
In response to the 160-run target, Australian openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald strode to the crease with an aggressive intent, sending a clear message that they were looking for an early finish rather than letting the tension linger. Their positive mindset was evident from the outset, as they tore into the English bowling attack, plundering 50-plus runs in just the first 10 overs before perishing. This aggressive approach put the home side in a commanding position, requiring a mere 89 more runs for victory. It was an entertaining and action-packed morning session. 28 overs were bowled, with 111 runs scored, along with 3 wickets to fall. England would be happy that they at least got both the Aussie openers dismissed in a modest run chase. But still, they need eight wickets to pull off an unlikely turnaround from here.
Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! Tongue with an important wicket and both the Aussie openers are back in the hut now. A well-directed short ball from Tongue does the trick. It kicks sharply from a length, and with Weatherald pressing forward, he gets himself in a bit of a tangle. He looks to decide on leaving at the very last moment, but he just cannot get his bat out of the way from this rearing delivery. The ball balloons high off the top edge and travels behind towards deep fine leg. Matthew Potts charges in off the ropes and dives forward to take the catch. Another start cut short for Jake Weatherald as he departs for 34 (40). Australia are 71/2, needing 89 more runs. And that will be LUNCH on Day 5!
Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, This one nips back in on a good length, Jake Weatherald fends it to the off side.
Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Big flash and a miss! For the umpteenth time. Back of a length, nibbling away with bounce, outside off. Jake Weatherald throws his bat at it swinging hard for a cut shot, but misses.
Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, In-between length, around off, Jake waits back and blocks it to mid on.
- Jake Weatherald 34 (36)
- Marnus Labuschagne 7 (13)
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Serves it full, on off, Jake Weatherald drills it down to long off for a comfortable single.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Full and on off, Jake Weatherald carves it inside out to short extra cover.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Not too short, around off, steered off the back foot to cover-point.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, JUST SHORT! Very full from Jacks, dipping in on off, Jake Weatherald gets on the front foot and ends up chipping it off the toe end of the bat to the right of the bowler. Will Jacks dives full length on his follow-through, to his right, but the ball just yorks his right palm and rolls around him.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Lands on one of the cracks around off and turns away sharply. Jake watchfully lets it go.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Starts with a full ball, sliding in on middle, Jake pushes it back to the bowler.
Spinner replaces spinner as Will Jacks is brought into the attack for Bethell.
- Marnus Labuschagne 7 (13)
- Jake Weatherald 33 (30)
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Gracefully driven! Josh feeds in a fuller ball, just outside off, Marnus Labuschagne leans on it with a steady head and effortlessly laces it through the cover gap for a crisp boundary. Australia need 90 more runs.
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Another one slanted down leg, on a length, Marnus Labuschagne ignores that again.
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Nips in from a length, on off, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and bunts it down the strip using soft hands.
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Short and at the rib height, angling down leg. Marnus Labuschagne lets it be.
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Straighter line, on middle, blocked straight back to the bowler.
Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, A bit too straight down leg, on a fractionally fuller length. There is a leg slip in place, in the form of Harry Brook, but Marnus Labuschagne tries to flick it behind square on the leg side by getting far across and misses.
- Jake Weatherald 33 (30)
- Marnus Labuschagne 3 (7)
Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Goes back in the crease and bunts this length ball back to the bowler.
Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, Touch short, on middle, clipped off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.
Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, In-drifter on a fuller length, at 87.3 kph, Marnus Labuschagne takes a giant stride forward to smother the spin.
Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, Pushed full, on off, Marnus leans forward and eases it to short cover.
Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length, around middle, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket.
Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Flicked with the spin to the mid-wicket region for a single.
Match Statistics
Venue
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
