Australia vs England The Ashes, 2021/22

THE MATCH IS DRAWN! James Anderson delivers with the bat for England! Smith looks to land it in the rough, outside off. But he drops it too short. Anderson keeps it away and the match ends in a hard-fought draw!

DOWN TO THE FINAL BALL! Ben Stokes cannot watch it! Flatter, on off. Blocked out by Anderson after coming to the front foot!

A solid front-foot defence by James Anderson! 2 to go!

Usman Khawaja goes to have a chat with the bowler. There are plenty of fielders around the bat.

Shorter, around off. Blocked out by James Anderson yet again.

Blocked again! Full, on off. James Anderson blocks it.

Dot ball! 5 to go! Flatter, around middle and leg. Anderson works it to short leg.

DOT BALL! 1 over to go in this clash and James Anderson will face it! Broad trusts his fellow pacer to survive. Full, on off. He blocks it out. Everyone, hold on to your seats.

Tossed up, on middle. Broad works it to the leg side.

Full, on off. Blocked out.

Beaten! But not out! Tossed up, around off. It turns away and goes past Broad's attempted block. Not too far from the off pole too. 9 balls left.

Fuller, around off. Blocked out nicely again.

Full, on off. Blocked out well. 11 balls to go.

James Anderson walks out to bat. Apparently, he is the man with most not outs in Test cricket. 101 and counting!

OUT! TAKENNNNN! SMITH HAS DONE IT! He tosses it well, around off. Leach has to play at it. But the ball takes the outside edge. It goes towards first slip after taking a small deflection off Carey's gloves and David Warner takes a good low catch to his right. First wicket for Smith in 6 years and what a time to get it! He is surrounded by his teammates! Jack Leach who played so well so far has to walk back now, disappointed. This is getting quite intense and exciting here. Test cricket at it's best!

Shorter and outside off. It stays low but Leach cuts it past point for a couple.

Well played! Flatter, on middle. A bit of extra bounce but Leach goes back and blocks it nicely.

Flatter, on off. Leach goes back and blocks it.

Full, on off. Blocked out. 16 balls to go.

Tossed up, on off. A nice defence by Leach.

A chat again between the umpires. Spin is the way now as the umpires have decided that the pacers won't bowl now. Who will it be? Steven Smith is given the ball!

Quicker and flatter delivery on off.  Broad blocks it out yet again. 18 balls to survive now for England.

Another delivery that is fuller and slower in the air on off. Broad blocks it out solidly yet again.

Another loopy delivery on off. Broad is nicely forward to defend it.

Nicely tossed up on off. Broad is well forward to block it.

Drifting on the pads. Broad stays on the back foot and blocks it towards the leg side.

Marnus Labuschagne is getting chatty with Pat Cummins, who is under the lid. They are giggling but they must be a bit nervous too.

A loppy delivery on off. Broad defends it quite well.

FOUR! Boundary for Leach! A full delivery on off. Leach drives it beautifully towards long off for a boundary. Runs don't matter here though.

Fuller this time on off. Broad drives it to covers and takes a single.

Back of a length, on off. Broad hops and looks to defend it. The ball catches the outside edge of his blade and goes off the bounce to Starc at gully.

Back of a length, angling into body. Broad jumps to defend it and gets hit high on the pads.

A fuller delivery by Cummins on middle. Leach nicely clips it through mid-wicket. The batters run three again. Broad will be on strike now.

Ohh..jaffa! Too good a delivery to catch an edge! A good-length delivery around off. Jack Leach looks to defend but the ball seams away sharply to beat the outside edge of his blade.

The umpires are having a chat with each other about the light and informing the batters to not take too long.

Nicely floated in the air on middle. Broad defends this off the inside half of his blade towards short leg. Another over down.

Plenty of chatter from the close-in fielders. Broad is taking his own time to pat the pitch and take his guard. Mind games.

A tad fuller and Jack Leach drives it through covers. The batters run three.

Another loopy delivery around off. Jack Leach leaves it alone.

A full ball, on off. Defended towards the off side.

This is the line and pace he should bowl at! A tossed up delivery around off. Leach leaves it alone but the ball is close to the off stump.

Shorter length on off. Leach punches it to covers off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon comes on now. He took the wicket of Stokes when his captain needed it. Can he take one again? Let me count. There are three slips, two leg slips, a silly point, a short leg and a silly mid-wicket in place.

A length ball, on off. Broad defends it solidly again. 6 overs to go now.

Broad is down but not out!  A good short ball from 'round the wicket angling into the body. Broad sways away from the line of the ball and falls down in the process.

Another good-length delivery outside off. Broad lets it go again. They need to make him play here.

A good-length delivery outside off. Stuart Broad leaves it alone comfortably.

Too dark? Not yet says the umpire after Broad asks him politely. It has certainly gotten much darker in the last few overs.

Back of a length, on off. Broad defends this off the back foot again. Rides the bounce very well.

A length ball from 'round the wicket angling into body. Good bounce there as Stuart Broad hops and blocks it.

Time is running out now. Cummins needs to do something in these last 7 overs. The plan of sticking with Starc and Boland hasn't worked.

There comes the change in bowling. Pat Cummins decides to take matters in his own hand.

Fuller, around off. Driven past covers for a couple.

FOUR! Whipped away! Full, on the pads. Leach whips it off his pads for a boundary.

Starc goes full, on off. Broad gets the outside edge past cover for one.

Starc changes the angle. Going 'round the wicket now.

Back of a length, outside off. Left alone.

Single taken! Full, on off. Leach pushes it past mid off for one. That brings up the 250 if anyone is couting.

A bumper, on off. Leach sits under it.

Another over gone! 8 left in the day! Full, on off. Pushed past covers for a couple.

JAFFA! This lands on a length, just outside off and takes off. Broad is forward to defend it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Short of a length, around off. Blocked out.

Nicely left! Short ball, on off. Right on the off pole. Broad sways away and drops his bat down at the right point.

Fuller and wider outside off. Broad pulls his bat back at the last moment and leaves it.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Full, lands on off and comes back in. Leach pushes it past mid on for a couple.

Short again, around off. Broad rises up and pushes it past cover for one.

Four slips, silly point, short leg and a leg slip in place. Exciting stuff!

Full and on the pads. Flicked wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Short of a length, around off. Leach taps it past the slip cordon for one.

Short of a length, outside off. Left alone.

Length and down the leg side. Leach misses the flick.

Mitchell Starc is back into the attack now. Can he finish off the tail?

Fuller, around off. Leach works it past mid on and runs three. He will keep the strike.

Length, on off. Broad pushes it past cover for one.

Length, on the pads. Broad gets it past short leg.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

Stuart Broad walks in at number 10.

OUT! TAKEN! GONE! That should seal the Test for Australia! Length ball, lands way outside off but it snakes back in. Bairstow wants to block it from the crease but gets the inside edge on the pads. The ball pops up to Marnus Labuschagne at silly point and he takes a sharp catch! He surely heard the edge this time and one can hear the cheers getting louder. Just two wickets away Australia now and new ball has done the trick for them.

Full, on off. Bairstow blocks it from the crease.

Short of a length, outside off. Leach is beaten while looking to block. Another over gone.

Single! On a length, on off. Bairstow taps it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single.

FOUR! Huge cheers from the Aussie fans as this reaches the fence! Short, on off. Jonny Bairstow pulls it to the square leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off. Left alone.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Short and way outside off. Left alone.

Cameron Green is back into the attack.

A jaffa to end the over! A good-length delivery coming in with the angle from 'round the wicket. Jack Leach looks to defend it but the balls straightens after pitching and beats the outside edge of his blade.

Back of a length, on middle. Leach looks to work it away but gets hit on the thigh.

Review time! Not the most convincing review but Marnus Labuschagne says that he heard something! Nope, no bat on that one. Well, at least this time Marnus Labuschagne said this while standing at silly point and not at cover!

NOT OUT! A good-length delivery around off. Jack Leach pushes at it tentatively but misses. Australian players are not convinced but they still go for a review. No one with the exception of Marnus Labuschagne seems convinced but the review is taken out of hope. The replays roll in and it shows nothing on the Hotspot. It also does not show anything on UltraEdge. So Leach survives.

A good-length delivery outside off. Jack Leach leaves it alone.

This time a solid defence! A length ball, on off. Jack Leach gets behind it and blocks it.

A length ball angling into off from 'round the wicket. Jack Leach defends and gets the inside edge onto his pads.

FOUR! Good shot but Jack Leach will be on strike now! A short ball around off. Jonny Bairstow upper-cuts it over the slip cordon for a boundary.

A good-length delivery around off. Jonny Bairstow pushes this ball to point.

A full ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow gets across and pushes it to mid on.

A length delivery outside off. Jonny Bairstow leaves it alone.

NO BALL! Overstepping by Cummins! A short ball on off. Jonny Bairstow ducks under it.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this out.

A length ball, on middle. Jonny Bairstow works it to backward square leg. Denies a single here.

A length ball nipping into Leach. He looks to defend but the ball beats his blade and brushes his pads on its way to keeper.

This is insane! The fielder wants that ball to go for a boundary while the batter wants only a single. A full ball on middle. Jonny Bairstow drives it past mid on but the ball fails to clear the fence. Nathan Lyon casually runs behind it while Jonny Bairstow casually takes a single. All this because Jonny Bairstow wants Leach to face the last ball and keep the strike for the next over.

A length ball, on off again. Jonny Bairstow blocks it.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow blocks it out.

Back of a length, on off. Jonny Bairstow punches this off the back foot through covers and he sprints back for the second.

Boland bowls this around leg. Jonny Bairstow looks to clip it but misses. The ball brushes his pads. Mitchell Starc dives to his right from leg slip and Carey to his left to catch it but they both fail to pouch it. There is no bat involved anyway.

Drinks break! The last hour of play begins. The match will go on for an hour or at least 15 more overs. 3 wicket-taking deliveries and Australia will have a 4-0 lead while going for the final Test at Hobart. How long can Jonny Bairstow hold off? Australia have gone back to Scott Boland to provide them with a wicket.

Cummins goes slightly fuller around off. Jack Leach resists the drive and leaves it alone. Jack Leach can bat solidly and he has shown that at this level earlier. An interesting passage of play coming up.

A length ball, outside off. Jack Leach lets it go.

All English hopes on Jonny Bairstow. He needs to pull off a Headingley here. Not go for the win of course, but save the Test with Jack Leach as his partner. Seems very tough though.

A length ball on middle. Jonny Bairstow works it to leg side and gets a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length, around leg. Jonny Bairstow is surprised by the bounce and looks to clip it. He misses. The ball hits his body and goes in the gap between leg slip and keeper for a boundary.

Ohh...another jaffa! A good-length delivery around off. This one first comes in with the angle as Jonny Bairstow looks to defend it but the ball seams away sharply and beats the outside edge of his blade.

A full ball on middle. Leach drives it past mid on and gets a single.

A short ball this time on middle. Jonny Bairstow ducks under it.

Starc goes fuller on off. Jonny Bairstow drives it off the inside half of his blade back to the bowler.

A length ball and down the leg side. Jonny Bairstow looks to clip it but misses.

Dropped! A chance gone down! A good-length delivery around off. Jonny Bairstow looks to drive but gets a thick edge. The ball goes towards Smith at second slip and is dipping on him. He fails to grab it and this can prove costly for Australia.

A good-length delivery outside off. Jonny Bairstow lets it go again.

A good-length delivery around off. Jonny Bairstow leaves it alone. A hint of in-swing there.

Jack Leach is the next batter in.

Review! Mark Wood has been given LBW here! He reviews it! It looks dead straight. The replays roll in and Ball Tracker shows THREE REDS! So the original decision stays and Mark Wood has to walk back!

OUT! LBW! That is as plumb as it gets! A yorker, on off. Wood fails to get his bat down in time and gets hit on the boot. That has hurt him but there is a big appeal and the finger goes up right away. Wood has a word with Bairstow and he knows that he is likely out but the review is taken with a second left on the clock. The replays roll in. No bat on that and the ball is hitting the stumps! This over has changed the game and Australia can smell the victory.

A short ball, on middle. Wood taps it to the leg side.

OUT! LBW! GONE! First wicket for Pat Cummins in this innings and what a time to strike! He bowls a fiery yorker, on middle. Buttler looks to flick it away but the bat hits the left boot and the ball goes onto hit the back pad! There is a big appeal but the umpire is unmoved. The review is taken by Cummins. UltraEdge shows a spike but that is of the bat hitting the boot. Ball Tracker rolls up and it has three reds! Mark Wood is the new man in.

Review! Australia have taken a review for LBW against Jos Buttler. Replays roll in and the Hotspot shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker rolls and it shows Three Reds. So the decision will be reversed and Jos Buttler has to walk back. Big wicket for Australia.

Fuller, outside off. Left alone.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

Jaffa! Beautiful bowling. Cummins comes wide of the crease and pushes the ball in through the air towards the ball. It lands around off so Buttler is forced to play at it. But it shapes away after landing to go past the outside edge.

Length ball, way outside off. Bairstow won't chase that. 18 overs left in the day.

Full, on the pads. Worked to fine leg for a couple.

Short of a length, outside off. Slapped to point.

Back of a length on middle and leg. Jonny Bairstow looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh and rolls towards short leg.

Oohs and ahhs from the slip cordon. This lands on off and shapes away just enough to go past the off pole as Bairstow leaves it. If that comes in a bit, Bairstow could be in trouble.

Length ball, angling across off. Left alone with ease.

Full, on off. Blocked out by Jos Buttler to end another over. 19 remaining in the game.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

Beaten! Length ball, around off. Buttler reaches out for it with his hands looking to block but pulls his bat back in time. There is a big gap between the bat and the ball but the excited Marnus Labuschagne puts in a big appeal. Not from the slips, but from cover!

Full, on middle. Worked past mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Jonny Bairstow looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh and rolls towards square leg.

Length ball, on off. Bairstow goes back to block it.

Full, on off. Blocked out.

Review! Australia have taken a review for LBW against Jos Buttler. The replays roll in and the Ultra Edge shows no bat involved. The Ball Tracker rolls and it shows that the ball is missing the stumps and going over the stumps. So the original decision stays and Jos Buttler survives.

NOT OUT! Shapes back in a bit too much! Length ball, lands on middle and shapes back in. Buttler looks to flick it away but gets rapped on the pads. There is a big appeal but not given. Cummins decides to take the review though. There is no bat on that, in fact, the umpire doesn't need more than one replay to ask for Ball Tracker. The ball would have been going down the leg stump.

Nice and full, angling across off. Buttler blocks it off the front foot.

Even better! Length, on middle. Buttler looks to block but gets hit on the back thigh.

Better. Length ball and closer to the off pole. But Buttler is happy with leaving it.

Starc bowls it full, outside off. Buttler won't chase it.

Mitchell Starc (13.0-0-52-0) is back into the attack now.

On a length, around off. Buttler gets the outside edge but the ball goes along the ground through the slip cordon for one.

Back of a length, around off. Buttler lets Carey collect the new cherry.

Length, on off. Buttler stays in the crease to block it.

On a length, on off. Buttler blocks it from the crease. No ball called.

On a length, on off. Pushed past cover for one.

FOUR! Slashes it away! Short and outside off. Bairstow rocks back and cuts it past point for a boundary.

Short of a length, on middle. Buttler rises and works it past deep square leg for a single.

New ball is now available! Pat Cummins takes it straightaway! He is back into the attack to use the new cherry. Three slips, a gully and a short leg in place.

Again drifting on the pads. Jonny Bairstow works it behind square on the on side for a couple.

Drifting on the pads now. Buttler clips it to fine leg and the batters run three. Wrong line and gives away three runs.

Flatter on middle. Buttler blocks it out.

A low full toss on off. Buttler drives it to covers.

A fuller ball on middle. Buttler works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Around leg this time. Buttler looks to clip it but gets hit on the pads and ball goes towards short fine leg.

Shorter length again on off. Jonny Bairstow is right behind it to block it.

Shorter length on middle. Jonny Bairstow defends this off the back foot.

On off. Jonny Bairstow blocks it out again.

A fuller ball on middle. Jonny Bairstow is solid in defence.

Lyon pulls his length back a little. Jonny Bairstow defends this off the back foot.

Lyon bowls this fuller outside off. Jonny Bairstow blocks this off the front foot.

Tossed up wider outside off. Jos Buttler leaves it alone.

On middle and leg. Blocked out by Buttler.

On middle this time. Buttler watchfully defends it to the leg side.

Another loopy delivery outside off. Buttler drives it to point.

A full ball, outside off. Jonny Bairstow drives it crisply to deep cover for a single.

Smith bowls it right on the spot. Fuller, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this solidly off the front foot.

Wow. Pat Cummins is ringing in the changes before the second new ball is available. Steven Smith is brought on. Haven't seen him bowl in a long time.

Fuller, on off. Buttler gets forward to block it.

Shorter, on off. Blocked out.

Fuller, on middle. Worked to short leg.

Sharp turn! This is shorter, lands outside off and comes back in. Buttler looks to block it from the crease but gets rapped on the pads. There is an appeal but not given.

Shorter, around off, Buttler goes back to block it.

Tossed up, on off. Buttler gets forward to block it.

Length ball, around off. Bairstow blocks it.

Length ball, down the leg side. Worked to fine leg for one.

Marnus Labuschagne is at third slip. He is quite close and has a helmet on. He is there for the ball that may not carry due to the batters playing with soft hands.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Shorter, around off. Pushed past cover for one.

Ooh, that will interest Starc! He bowls it full and wide outside off. Buttler goes at it with his hands and drives it past covers. Green chases and slides to stop it. Three taken.

Length, on the pads. Worked to deep square leg for one. Brilliant by Marnus Labuschagne. He sprints in from the fence and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. Bairstow is well in though.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out.

Shorter, on off. Blocked out.

Jos Buttler walks in at number 7.

OUT! TAKEN! GONE! Lyon does it! Stokes is furious with himself and he cannot believe what has just happened! He thinks about slamming his bat on the ground for a brief moment. This is good bowling by Lyon. A bit of drift, a bit flatter, on off. Stokes stays in the crease looking to block it out but Lyon gets a bit of turn and gets the outside edge. The ball goes to Steven Smith at first slip. He fumbles a bit but manages to hold on! Australia needed to break this partnership and they have finally broken through before the second new ball.

FOUR! Ooh, that is interesting! Tossed up, on off. Stokes comes down the track but doesn't reach the pitch of the ball. He goes through the shot though and lifts it to the long off fence.

Tossed up, outside off. Left alone.

Sigh. Throughout the Test, there have been countless instances of people walking near the sightscreen. Once again, the same happens and Stokes backs away.

Shorter, on middle. Worked to the leg side.

Pacy, full, on off. Easily blocked out yet again. 28 overs to go.

Full and on the pads. Nicely flicked away by Stokes for a single.

Starc goes 'round the wicket and bowls a short one, on off. Bairstow has to take off his hand from the handle due to the injury. It goes past short leg for a single.

Fuller and just outside off. Left alone.

Length ball, on middle. Jonny misses the flick.

Beaten! Length ball, lands on off and angles away. Bairstow looks to block from the crease but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Mitchell Starc (11.0-0-44-0) is back into the attack.

Now, Stokes comes down the track and pushes it back to Lyon.

A bit quicker and flatter, outside off. Stokes leaves it.

Flatter, around off. Pushed to cover,

Tossed up, on off. Bairstow pushes it to long on for one.

A single as this is pushed to long off.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out.

Change. Nathan Lyon gets a chance to bowl now.

Here comes the lose shot! A length ball, outside off. Jonny Bairstow drives it away from his body and gets beaten as the ball goes past the outside edge.

On a length but his one nips back in sharply! There is an appeal but the umpire is unmoved. A length delivery on off. Jonny Bairstow looks to defend but the ball nips in sharply to hit him high on the pads. Cummins decides not to review this one.

Boland bowls this on a length again. Jonny Bairstow solidly blocks it.

Another length ball on middle. Jonny Bairstow blocks it out.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this from his crease comfortably.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow is solid in defence.

Shorter delivery again but down the leg side. Stokes ducks under it.

A full ball, on middle. Stokes drives it to mid on now.

FOUR! Short ball and pulled away by Stokes! A shorter delivery on middle. Stokes pulls it to backward square leg for a boundary. He is looking quite comfortable now. Boland there thought that he was in play for a brief moment but he had no chance.

Length, on off. Blocked out by Stokes.

Back of a length, on middle. Worked to leg side.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

The Barmy Army is getting louder now. They can sense a draw here.

A solid front-foot defence to end another over.

Nice and full, around off. Bairstow blocks it from the crease.

Length ball, on middle and leg. Bairstow works it towards fine leg for a couple.

Length, on off. Extra bounce but Jonny blocks it well.

On a length, around off. Pushed to covers.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

FOUR! Fifty for Ben Stokes! England under the pump and Ben Stokes delivers again! A fuller delivery on middle. Stokes flicks it wide of mid on and gets it in the gap for a boundary. Superb shot and Australia need to take out Ben Stokes quickly if they want to win this game.

A length ball again, on off. Stokes blocks it out.

A length ball, on off. Defended off the back foot solidly.

A length ball, on off with that steep bounce. Stokes defends it out with soft hands after getting surprised a bit by that bounce.

Drifting on the pads this time. Jonny Bairstow clips it to fine leg for a single.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow blocks this off the back foot towards the leg side.

Pat Cummins to start from the other end.

Length, on the pads. Worked to the leg side.

A good-length ball on off angling into the body. Stokes plays it well with soft hands and blocks it.

A length delivery outside off. Stokes leaves it alone.

On a length, outside off. Left alone.

Beaten! Length ball, around off. Stokes looks to block but is beaten.

Right then. The final session is underway. Nathan Lyon is unlikely to get many overs to bowl once the second new ball is taken so it is likely that he could bowl before that. Also, a good move by Cummins to go Boland right away as he has looked their best bowler so far.

Length ball, outside off. Left alone. Scott Boland is straightaway on the mark.

... DAY 5, SESSION 3 …

A beautiful piece of bowling by Scott Boland saw Joe Root walk back but apart from that, it was an uneventful session. The English batters have done well so far but they will face a big challenge when the second new ball will presumably be taken by Pat Cummins. These two batters haven't let their injuries hamper them so far and would want to see their team to safety. Pat Cummins would need to be innovative and lead from the front now. 35 overs and 6 wickets, one would feel that 2 more wickets and Australia will seal the game, but given the grit shown by the English batters in this game, one shouldn't count them out just yet. Do join us at 10:30 am IST (5 am GMT) for the final session.

This is going right down to the wire! England have lost Root but apart from that, it has been a good session for them. Bairstow and Stokes are fighting with all their might in the middle. This sets up a brilliant final session with the second new ball just 13 overs away.

Quicker and flatter on off. Jonny Bairstow is solid in defence again. So England are 174/4 at Tea on Day 5.

Shorter and around off. Jonny Bairstow defends this off the back foot square on the off side.

Flatter and slightly shorter on off. Jonny Bairstow blocks it out.

Loppy delivery around off. Carefully defended off the front foot.

Slower in the air on middle. Bairstow gets back and blocks it.

Lyon bowls this flat and on off. Jonny Bairstow defends it towards the leg side.

A quicker delivery and very full on off. Stokes blocks it out.

Fuller again on off. Jonny Bairstow drives it to long off for a single.

Fuller on middle. Jonny Bairstow drives this off the inside half of his blade towards the leg side.

Ohh..nicely bowled by Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up on middle. Jonny Bairstow defends this towards short leg.

A halt in play. Stokes is having a word with the umpire. Looks like someone in the crowd was saying something to Stokes.

A quicker delivery on middle. Stokes pushes it past mid on for a single.

A fuller ball on off. Jonny Bairstow drives it to covers for a single.

On middle and leg. Worked behind square on the leg side for a single.

Lyon bowls this on middle. Jonny Bairstow works it towards mid-wicket.

Lyon goes little fuller but solidly defended by Jonny Bairstow.

Slightly shorter in length on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this off the back foot.

A flatter and quicker ball on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this off the back foot.

Flatter and shorter in length on middle. Jonny Bairstow works it towards the leg side.

Tossed up, on off. Stokes gets forward to block it.

A single as this is worked to long off.

Loopy ball, on off. Pushed to mid on.

Shorter, on middle. Blocked away.

FOUR! Whacked away! A high full toss, on off. Stokes smacks it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary.

Tossed up, wide outside off. Blocked out.

Edge but falls short! A length ball, outside off. Jonny Bairstow looks to defend but the ball catches the outside edge of his blade. Bairstow plays it with soft hands and the ball doesn't carry to the slips. It runs through the gap between second and third slip but it is cut off near the third man fence. Two taken.

Change in bowling. Marnus Labuschagne comes on now.

A touch wider outside off, on a length. Jonny Bairstow leaves it alone.

Boland hits the hard length again and bowls this on off. Jonny Bairstow defends it right under his eyes.

Back of a length, on off. Jonny Bairstow solidly blocks this from his crease.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends this nicely off the front foot.

Boland goes fuller on off. Jonny Bairstow pushes it to mid on.

Quicker and flatter on off. Stokes blocks it out.

Slower in the air this time on off. Stokes defend this off the front foot.

Flatter outside off. Stokes leaves it alone.

Lyon bowls this quicker again but fuller. Stokes pushes this off the front foot to covers.

Shorter and quicker on off. Stokes gets back and defends it.

Tossed up around off. Stokes defends this towards point.

Boland goes fuller on off. Jonny Bairstow drives it to mid off.

Reverse swing! Michael Hussey reckons that the ball might be reversing a bit. The fourth ball of this over when Bairstow was beaten, Hussey reckons did reverse a bit.

Back of a length, on off. Jonny Bairstow works it towards the leg side.

A hint of reverse swing there! A length ball, around off. Jonny Bairstow pushes forward to defend but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade.

Full and around off. Jonny Bairstow defends it towards the off side.

Full and outside off. Left alone.

A length ball, outside off. Jonny Bairstow looks to drive but gets the inside half of his blade towards the on side.

Loopy ball, on off. Stokes blocks it nicely.

Quicker, on off. Blocked out.

A quicker delivery outside off. Stokes leaves it alone.

A fuller ball, around off. Pushed off the front foot to covers.

A flatter ball again coming in with the arm. Stokes defends this off the inside half of his blade and gets a single behind square on the on side.

Flatter ball on off. Stokes defends this off the front foot.

Direct hit could have been curtains for Jonny Bairstow! Length ball, on the pads. He gets the inside edge towards deep square leg. He wants the second and sprints back for it. But the throw comes in and it looks on target. Bairstow dives and luckily for him, the ball misses the stumps. Good work by Carey though. The square leg umpire has a word with him and Carey immediately says that it is not out. Replays show that his hand brushed the stumps while the ball missed out. Saved time for all of us did Carey.

Incredible consistency by Scott Boland. Mark Howard on air talks about the 'hanky' referring to bowlers bowling at the same spot over and over with great consistency but he reckons that Boland has shrunk the hanky further due to his brilliant consistency.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Length, on the pads. Flicked away for a couple. Bairstow gets off the mark.

Length, on off. Blocked out.

On a length, quite wide outside off. Left alone.

Jonny Bairstow walks in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! The dream continues for Scott Boland in Test cricket! He must be over the moon currently! That is the big wicket of Root and Australia are delighted now. Boland bowls a length ball, around the fifth-stump channel. Root puts in half a stride to block it. But the ball moves away just enough to get the faintest outside edge! Carey does the rest and Root is disappointed. He cannot believe it and he stays in that position for a couple of seconds after playing that shot.

FOUR! Up and over! A bit more flight and Stokes dances down the track. He hits it over mid on for a boundary.

Loopy ball, on off. Pushed down to long on for one.

Flatter, on middle. Blocked out.

Shorter, wide outside off. Root leaves it alone.

Flatter, on off. Blocked out.

Flatter, on off. This comes back in and bounces a bit extra too. Root works it nicely round the corner though.

Fuller, angling across off. Stokes stays in the crease to block it.

On a length, on middle. Pushed to mid on.

Short of a length, on off. Stokes comes down the track and blocks it.

Back of a length, outside off. Left alone.

Ohh! Length ball, on middle and leg. Root gets hit on the pads while looking to glance it away. The ball goes to fine leg and they cross off. There is a big appeal for LBW but not given. Carey comes up to have a chat with Boland as Cummins comes forward too but they decide not to take the review. Good decision as it was going over and down the leg stump as confirmed by the Ball Tracker.

Back of a length, around off. Root goes back to block it.

Lyon goes fuller this time on off. Stokes pushes this right of Lyon. He dives and stops it.

Shorter and quicker on off. Stokes gets back and blocks it.

A fuller ball, on off. Stokes drives it and hits the silly point fielder.

Slightly quicker around off. Stokes leaves it alone.

Nicely tossed up and this time on middle. Stokes is again well forward to defend it.

Tossed up around off. Stokes defends this off the front foot.

Lyon is here! He has been brought back on. Hasn't bowled much today just 9 overs so far.

Ohh..this is superb bowling by Boland! A good-length delivery around off. Root pushes forward to defend but the ball seams away a little and beats the outside edge of his blade.

Another delivery on that good length, on off. Root blocks it solidly.

A full ball by Boland, on off. Root pushes this off the front foot to mid on.

Full, on off. Blocked out.

On a length, on off. Another solid defense by Root.

Pitched up, on off. Root gets forward to block it.

Change. Scott Boland (12-5-13-1) is brought back. Can the man with the golden arm provide Australia with a wicket here?

Back of a length, around off. Stokes rides the bounce and punches it to covers.

A shorter delivery on off. Root pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Another shot with good timing.

Another good shot and equally good fielding by Lyon. A short and wide delivery outside off. Root cuts it towards point. Lyon dives to his left and stops it.

A fuller delivery on middle. Root flicks it to mid on. Good shot but no run.

Green hits the hard length again and bowls this on middle. Root defends this off the back foot towards the on side.

Nicely done! Short of a length, outside off. Root rises with the bounce and punches it past point for a couple.

Very full now, on off. Blocked out.

FOUR! Thumped away but that will hurt Stokes! Any time that he plays a cross-batted stroke, he has a grimace on his face. Short, on middle. He rocks and pulls it away for a boundary. That brings up the 50-run stand and these two are looking quite good now.

Short of a length, on off. Pushed back to the bowler.

Fuller, on off. Pushed past mid on for a couple.

Starc goes fuller on off. Stokes drives it to mid off.

A length ball, on off. Root defends it solidly off the back foot.

Ohh..awkward negotiation! A length ball with some extra bounce angling into body. Ben Stokes is surprised with that delivery as he takes his eyes off the ball. The ball hits him on the body.

Green bowls a yorker on off this time. Stokes does well to dig it out.

'A minimum of 41 overs from the resumption of play must be bowled prior to the commencement of the final hour of play, in which a minimum of a further 15 overs must be bowled.' says the latest tweet from Cricket Australia. Tea will be taken at 10:10 am IST (4:40 am GMT) and the scheduled close of play will be at 12:30 pm IST (7 am GMT).

A length ball, on off. Stokes defends it towards point this time.

FOUR! Fluent shot from Ben Stokes. An overpitched delivery outside off. Stokes drives this off the front foot crisply through covers for a boundary.

A length ball, around off. Stokes gets slightly across and defends this off the front foot.

A full ball, angling into middle from 'round the wicket. Stokes works it to mid-wicket.

A full ball, on off. Root drives it to covers watchfully.

He bowls the money ball this time. A yorker on off, at 144 clicks. Root digs it out quite well in the end. The pace is also up here now.

On a length, on off. Stokes pushes it to mid on and gets a single now.

A length ball angling into middle. Stokes looks to work it towards the on side but gets the leading edge towards the off side.

Starc pulls his length back a little. A good-length delivery around off. Stokes lets it go.

A full ball, on off. Stokes drives it to mid off.

Wonder when Lyon will be brought back on. He has bowled quite well and got the wicket here but hasn't bowled much. With the pitch not doing much for the pacers, might be worthwhile to have him operate from one end. His first spell was only a 3-over one and the second one was 6 overs. No long spells so far.

Full and outside off. Left alone.

Nice and full, around off. Root pushes it to cover.

Short of a length, outside off. Root leaves it alone with ease.

Full and on off. Pushed to cover.

Short of a length, on off. Root goes back and blocks it.

Length ball, outside off. Root gets forward to block it.

Cameron Green is getting some repairing work done on his shoe.

Back of a length, around off. Stokes looks to block but the ball rises a bit more than he expected. He takes his bottom half off in the end.

Full, on off. Pushed to mid off by Stokes.

Beaten! Fuller, outside off. Stokes gets forward to block it but his hands go wider. The ball zips past the outside edge.

Play and a miss! Short and outside off. Stokes goes back to cut it but misses.

SIX! All the way! Short ball, on middle and leg. Stokes rocks and pulls it nicely over the square leg fence.

Some news about the Ashes then. No, not from this game but for the next Test. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the fifth Test as he has failed to recover from the side injury that ruled him out. Also, Sam Billings has been called up to join the English side after Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow got injured in this game. He drove 9 hours from Brisbane to reach Sydney and he was reportedly 90 minutes away from taking a flight back home!

Back of a length, on off. Stokes goes back and taps it to point.

Short of a length, outside off. Left alone by Root.

Full and on off. Pushed to mid off.

Full and on the pads. Root works it wide of deep square leg for a couple.

Again! Back of a length, on off. Root goes back to block it but gets hit near the box.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Nice and full, on off. Pushed down the ground by Stokes. The man from mid off gets across and keeps it to one.

Cameron Green (5.0-0-23-1) to start from the other end.

Length, on off. Blocked out.

This will be a test for Pat Cummins the captain too. He will have a couple of things on his mind. Rain and bad light. England will not go for a win now but if these two put on a good stand then Cummins could be under a bit of pressure. Will be interesting to see how he responds then.

FOUR! Top shot! Back of a length, angling away from Root. He cuts it past backward point for a boundary.

Full, on off. Blocked out.

Length and on middle. Root stays in the crease and blocks it.

Length, way down the leg side. Root leaves it alone.

Back of a length, outside off. Root cuts it away but the man at backward point dives and stops it.

We are back for the middle session! Australiam players stride out to the middle. Joe Root and Ben Stokes jog out to resume their innings. Mitchell Starc will start with the ball for Australia and Joe Root will be on strike to face him. Here we go...

UPDATE - 8.18 am IST (2.48 am GMT) - The rain has eased down at SCG. The groundstaff are in the middle doing their work. Hopefully, we will get some action soon. The covers are coming off! We have start time folks! Play will resume at 8:40 am IST (3:10 am GMT).

As Covid-19 seems to be taking center stage again, there are some question marks arising on the scheduling of the India- West Indies series that is set to start on February 6. The six white-ball games are originally scheduled to take place at six different venues but there have been reports that the BCCI might conduct these games in just one or two venues. Nothing official as of now, just unconfirmed reports.

Meanwhile in Christchurch, the second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh is underway. The toss was won by the visitors but it is New Zealand who have dominated the game. A fifty by Will Young and a brilliant ton by Tom Latham has taken them to 184/1 at the end of the 48th over. They would now look to put on a massive score in the first innings after losing the first game of the series to Bangladesh. Do join my colleagues just by switching tabs as they bring you all the action from that game. We will bring you updates from Sydney as and when we get them.

UPDATE - 7.38 am IST (2.08 am GMT) - There is some bad news folks! We should have been starting in a few minutes time but the rain has started pouring in at SCG. The covers are on and hopefully, this will not be a long delay. It is light rain so it is not terminal for sure.

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 …

Post the wicket of Crawley, Stokes and Root have gone quiet. They are simply looking to block each and every delivery. There were a couple of big heaves by Stokes and one by Root each but other than that, they have been content with blocking and leaving. How long they continue to bat like this remains to be seen though. Another big issue would be the injuries of Bairstow and Buttler and how well they manage to bat here. A tough session awaits England but if they can manage to get through the next session without much damage, then the Aussies would be under a bit of extra pressure with bad light likely to play a role later on. Do join us for the second session at 7:40 am IST (2:10 am GMT) to find out which team gets closer to their desired result here.

A nice session for the Aussies. They were a bit flat at the start but knew that it was only a matter of time before a wicket came. Hameed was dropped early but the tall Boland continued his dream run in Tests to get that wicket. Malan too did not last long and Australia had their second. But there was one batter who must have made the hosts a bit nervous and that was Crawley. Boy, the tall right-hander was looking in sublime touch. Punishing the bad deliveries and scoring at a nice pace. The question was who will get the wicket of Crawley? Green obliged when he served a brilliant yorker and ended Crawley's innings and that wicket put Australia right on top of the game.

A really good session for Australia as they have sent the English top order back early. The rain stayed away thankfully and the Aussies have two more sessions to go 4-0 up in the Ashes.

Darted on the pads. Stokes pushes it to mid-wicket. That will be Lunch on Day 5!

Stokes comes down the track and blocks this one.

Flatter and shorter, around off. Stokes blocks it from the crease.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out.

Shorter, around off. Pushed past covers for one.

Tossed up, on off. Blocked out.

A good-length delivery outside off. Stokes lets it go.

DROPPED! Ben Stokes has been dropped here by Marcus Harris! A shorter-length delivery. Stokes looks to work it away towards the on side. Hits it straight to Marcus Harris at short leg. He gets in a good position but fails to pouch it. It hits his palms and goes back to hit his abdomen but he fails to hold onto it. Maybe, it was a bit too fast. Will this prove costly for Australia?

FOUR! A slight misfield gives away a boundary! A short ball around leg. Stokes pulls it well towards backward square leg. Scott Boland there slides and tries to stop it but fails and the ball goes past the fence.

NO BALL! Pat Cummins has overstepped here! A short ball on off. Root pulls it to deep square leg and gets a single.

A length ball and down the leg side. Root looks to clip it but misses.

Back of a length, on off. Root defends it onto the turf. The ball rolls back but Root stops it in time. Not sure it would have gone onto hit the stumps though.

A length ball and nipping in. Root looks to defend but the ball jags in sharply to hit him high near the box. Not again!

Shorter-length outside off. Stokes pushes this off the back foot towards the off side.

A tossed-up delivery on off. Stokes defends this nicely off the front foot.

Fuller on off. Stokes is right behind it to block it.

Fuller and slower in the air on middle. Nicley defended off the front foot.

Shorter-length delivery on off. Stokes pushes this off the back foot towards the off side.

A tossed-up delivery on middle. Stokes defends this off the front foot towards the on side.

A length ball on middle. Root defends this towards the on side.

FOUR! Nice shot by Root! A shorter-length delivery on off. Root is quick to pick the length and pulls it strongly towards deep square leg for a boundary.

Fuller and drifting on the pads. Stokes looks to flick it but misses. The ball hits his pads and a leg bye is taken towards fine leg.

Pulls his length back a little this time. Bowls this on a length, outside off. Stokes lets it go again.

A fuller delivery outside off from 'round the wicket. Stokes leaves it alone.

This one keeps low and comes back in a little. Root looks to defend and gets the inside edge onto his pads. A single taken square on the on side.

Shorter and quicker on off. Defended towards the off side.

Nicely bowled on off. Stokes skips down the track and defends this off the front foot. Lyon almost beats him in the flight.

An arm ball this time on off. Stokes defends it quite well.

Another loopy delivery on off. Stokes defends this off the front foot.

Nice use of the feet! A fuller ball on middle. Stokes skips down the track and pushes it past mid on for a couple.

Tossed up on middle. Stokes defends this off the front foot solidly.

Back of a length, around off. Pushed to point.

Cummins fires it in full, on off. Root blocks it from the crease.

Short of a length, on off. Root taps it towards point.

On a length, around off. Left alone.

Off the pads! Length ball, down the leg side. Root looks to flick but it comes off the pads. Carey dives to his left and gathers it but it won't matter.

Length ball, outside off. Left alone.

FOUR! There comes the release! Tossed up, on off and coming back in with the angle. Stokes gets low and slog-sweeps it to the square leg fence. He would look to play such shots at regular intervals to not let the pressure get to him.

Darted on off. Blocked out.

Tossed up, outside off. Stokes pushes it square of the wicket.

Shorter, around off. Stokes goes back to block it.

Nicely defended off the front foot again.

What must be going on in Root's mind? He is one of the best batters in the world, capable of scoring runs in any conditions and any format but his captaincy and the team's result must be weighing on his mind. How does he in such a situation then just ignore those thoughts and focus on saving the Test for his team? A tough task indeed.

Tossed up, around off. Stokes gets forward to block it.

Shorter, outside off. Left alone.

Length ball, on middle. Root misses the block and gets hit on the pads.

Root gets on the front foot and nicely pushes it to mid off.

Short of a length, around off. Root taps it towards the slip cordon.

Full, on middle. Root blocks it off the front foot.

Back of a length, landing outside off and coming back in. Root looks to block but gets the inside edge on the pads.

Pat Cummins (9.0-1-36-0) is back into the attack.

A bit shorter, outside off. Punched to covers.

Nice and full, on off. Stokes blocks it off the front foot.

Now, Stokes comes down the track to block it out.

Flatter, on off. Stokes goes back to block it.

Fuller, on middle. Root works it past mid-wicket for one.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out.

Shorter, down the leg side. Left alone.

Past short leg! Full, landing on off and coming back in with the angle. Stokes looks to block but gets the inside edge on the thigh pad. The ball goes past Harris at short leg. He goes to his left but it goes past him in a jiffy. Two taken.

This is going to be a test for England now. Stokes is injured and so are the next two batters slotted to come in after him. Plus, their natural game is to look for runs constantly but the match situation requires them to show tremendous patience. Will be interesting to see how these supremely talented players respond.

Length, on off. Blocked out with ease by Stokes.

Back of a length, on off. Blocked out.

A bit fuller, wide enough to be left alone with ease.

Back of a length, outside off. Stokes offers no shot.

Loopy ball, around off. Blocked out.

Nicely tossed up, on off. Root gets forward to block it.

Flatter, on off. Blocked out.

Nice and full, outside off. Root comes forward to block it well.

Flatter, on off. Root goes back and blocks it.

Tossed up, on off. Root comes forward to block it.

Nathan Lyon (3-1-3-1) is back into the attack. A slip and short leg in place.

A solid defence to end the over.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow. Full, on off. Stokes offers the full face of the bat and drives it to the long on fence. 100 up for England now. They have scored at a decent rate this morning.

Just over the off pole! On a length, lands outside off and comes back in. Stokes shoulders his arms and the ball goes just over the off pole. Well, Stokes must have probably thought that it wouldn't have mattered even if it clipped the off pole. Given what happened in the first innings!

Short of a length, around off. Left alone.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

Full, outside off. Left alone.

A solid front foot defence to end the over.

Back of a length, no room on it whatsoever but Root is solid in his defence.

Nice and full, around off. Root is solid in his defence.

Length, on off. Blocked out.

Short of a length, outside off. Left alone.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

Ben Stokes is the next batter in. He has a bit of side strain to deal with so will be interesting to see how he bats.

OUT! LBW! And, out of nowhere, Green produces a corker of a yorker! Nicely done by him. He pushes Crawley back in his crease and then fires in the perfect yorker. Right on the middle pole. Zak Crawley looks to get his bat down in time but fails to do so. The ball hits him low on the pads and the umpire raises the finger right away. That looks plumb but Zak Crawley has a word with Root and then decides to review it. It looks like a review taken in hope. The TV umpire checks Hotspot and UltraEdge but finds no evidence of any bat on it. Then comes the Ball Tracker, impact in line and it is hitting the middle of the middle stump! Zak Crawley walks back to the hut after what has been a brilliant knock by him. A delight to watch and cover this knock by the young lad.

Review! Zak Crawley has been given LBW here! It looks dead straight! The replays roll in and Hotspot shows no sign of bat involved. There is nothing on UltraEdge either. The Ball Tracker rolls in and it shows THREE REDS. So Zak Crawley has to walk back and Australia get the third wicket.

Short of a length, outside off. Chopped to backward point. A loud 'NO RUN' follows.

Length, on middle. Root gets the inside edge past square leg for one.

Full and outside off. Left alone.

Well bowled by Green. He goes for the length and just outside off. Root thinks of playing it but leaves it in the end.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Root! Too full and down the leg side. Root flicks it nicely to the fine leg fence. Nice way to get off the mark.

Full, on off. Blocked out.

Fuller, on off. Blocked out.

FOUR! What timing on that! Length ball, on the pads. Zak Crawley flicks it nicely towards deep square leg. Starc runs to his left from deep backward square leg and puts in a slide but cannot stop it. A boundary off Boland, don't really remember the last time that happened. Also, the required runs are under 300 now if anyone is counting.

Similar delivery to the previous one and like all morning, Zak is solid with his defence.

Back of a length, just outside off. Crawley goes back and taps it out.

On a length, around off. Left alone.

Green digs it short, around off. Root has no interest in playing that one.

A bit too full, on off. Root blocks it off the crease.

Back of a length, lands outside off and comes back in. Root leaves it alone.

Length ball, on off. Worked wide of mid on for one.

FOUR! Crawley keeps growing in confidence and this innings by him has been a delight to watch! Full, on off. He drives it past mid on and collects another boundary. Into the 70s now.

Nice and full, outside off. Crawley leaves it alone.

Fuller, on off. Blocked out.

Quick single. Length ball, on off. Zak taps it to mid on and sets off for a single. Lyon runs in and underarms the ball but misses the stumps at the bowler's end.

Length, on off. Blocked out.

On a length, on off. Tapped towards gully but the fielder dives and stops the attempt to take a single.

Length, outside off. Zak shoulders his arms.

On a length, on off. Pushed to mid off.

Scott Boland (9-4-8-1) is back on.

Root goes for a big pull shot but misses! Back of a length, outside off. Root stays in his crease and looks to pull but misses.

Back of a length again, outside off. Root plays away from his body and towards the point fielder.

Back of a length, outside off. Zak Crawley punches this off the back foot through covers and the batters run three.

FOUR! Zak Crawley just enjoys anything short of the length. A short delivery on off. Zak Crawley pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

A good-length delivery on off. Zak Crawley defends this solidly off the front foot.

Back of a length on off. Zak Crawley defends this off the back foot.

Change. Cameron Green is on now.

Nicely tossed up on off. Root looks to drive but gets the inside edge onto his pads.

Drinks! That wicket would make Australia very happy. The English batters were having a good session so far but are in a spot of bother now. With Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow carrying injuries, the onus lies on Crawley and Root now to bat for a long, long time. The Aussies just need to be patient and keep sticking to their plans. Smith is having a word with the broadcasters. He mentions that they are trying to bowl at the stumps and hoping that the Day 5 pitch will have some uneven bounce to assist them.

OUT! BOWLED! This one skids through and shatters the off stump! A natural variation from Lyon that goes straight on with the arm. He bowls this on off and quicker in pace. Malan stays on the back foot and looks to play it square on the off side but misses. The ball shatters the off pole and Dawid Malan departs. Australia get the second wicket just at the stroke of Drinks and they will be looking to capitalise on it now. England have started cautiously and they will hope that they can go to Lunch without further damage,

A shorter length delivery around off. Zak Crawley pushes it to square on the off side for a single.

A quicker delivery on off. Malan defends this square on the off side and gets a single.

A fuller delivery around leg this time. Malan works it towards the on side.

A fuller delivery on middle. Malan defends it solidly.

FOUR! Another boundary! Back of a length outside off. Zak Crawley plays it away from the body. It dabs it onto the ground and it bounces back up to go over the leaping gully fielder for a boundary.

FOUR! Nicely played! A fuller delivery drifting on the pads this time. Zak Crawley is very good with the flick shot. He flicks and gets this through mid-wicket for a boundary.

This is good line from Starc! A good-length delivery around off. Zak Crawley leaves it alone. He is testing the patience of Zak Crawley here.

A fuller delivery outside off. Zak Crawley plants his front foot forward and lets it go.

A good-length delivery around off. Zak Crawley leaves it alone.

Back of a length, around off. Zak Crawley hops and pushes it to point.

A fuller ball on off. Malan drives it wide of mid off.

Slightly shorter on off. Malan pushes this off the back foot to covers.

A fuller delivery on middle this time. Malan defends this off the front foot.

Nicely bowled! A fuller ball around off. Malan leaves it the ball.

A fuller delivery on off again. Defended off the front foot.

Tossed up on off. Malan drives it and the ball goes hit the silly point fielder.

Back of a length on middle. Zak Crawley looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads but it is too high for even to make a loud appeal there.

Pulls his length back a little and bowls this on a good length outside off. Zak Crawley lets it go.

A fuller ball on off. Zak Crawley drives it to mid on this time.

Little fuller this time from Starc, on off. Malan defends this off the front foot to covers and gets a single.

Back of a length on middle. Malan defends it solidly left of the bowler.

Back of a length on middle. Zak Crawley clips it to square leg. The fielder there gets a bit of bad bounce and fumbles. Single.

A bit of drift there for Lyon. Bowls this fuller around off. Malan defends this off the front foot.

Michael Hussey reckons that having Marnus Labuschagne at silly point is a good move against Malan. He says that the left-hander doesn't like a fielder placed there and this might have him do something outside his comfort zone early in the innings.

Slightly shorter on middle. Malan blocks it solidly.

Slightly quicker this time on middle. Malan defends this again off the front foot.

Nicely tossed up on off. Malan is right forward to defend it.

Quicker and flatter on off. Malan defends this off the back foot.

FIFTY for Zak Crawley! A brilliant innings and his team would like him to get a big one here! A fuller ball on off. Zak Crawley drives it to covers and gets a single. Top innings so far. The English openers have not had the best of series here but this lad has looked quite solid, at least in this game.

Right then. Time for some spin action as Nathan Lyon will bowl now. He will likely play a big role here. A silly point, a short leg and a slip in place for him.

Starc finally goes fuller, on off. Malan drives it to covers. These two need to pick the right ball to attack here.

Back of a length around off. Malan rides the bounce and punches it to covers.

Starc goes shorter again, outside off. Dawid Malan leaves it alone comfortably.

Back of a length on middle. Zak Crawley works it to mid-wicket for a single this time.

FOUR! Zak Crawley again, superb shot! A shorter delivery on middle and leg. Zak Crawley picks the length quickly again and pulls it to backward square leg for a boundary. He moves to 48.

Starc bowls this on a shorter side around leg. Malan works it to fine leg for a single.

Change in bowling now. Mitchell Starc (4-0-10-0) comes into the attack.

A good-length delivery and seaming away from off. Zak Crawley leaves it alone. Good over from Scott Boland.

A good-length delivery outside off. Zak Crawley leaves it alone comfortably.

On a length, on off and steep bounce there. Malan works this behind square on the leg side for a single.

A length ball on off. Malan goes across and looks to defend and gets rapped up on the pads. There is a slight appeal again but no damage done.

Ohh..an appeal there but the umpire is unmoved! A good-length delivery around off, coming in with the angle and then straightens after pitching. Malan looks to defend it but the ball goes past the outside edge and there is a bit of noise. There is a pretty loud appeal by Boland but the rest of his mates are not as enthusiastic as he is. A good decision by the umpire as the replays show that there was no bat on it.

On a length angling into off from 'round the wicket. Malan defends this off the front foot.

Cummins bowls this on a good length, outside off. Zak Crawley leaves it alone.

FOUR! Another superb shot! A short delivery on off again. Zak Crawley picks the length quickly and pulls this well in front of square for a boundary. Top shot!

On a length, on off. Zak Crawley defends this off the front foot towards the off side.

There is a man at fine leg and one at deep square leg. Might see some chin music here.

Back of a length, on off. Zak Crawley defends this solidly onto the pitch.

FOUR! Zak Crawley is looking in good touch here. A slight misfield in the deep gives him a boundary. A short ball around leg. Zak Crawley pulls this towards fine leg and Scott Boland there slides to stop it but fails and it's a boundary for Zak Crawley. That brings up the 50 for England. They would have liked Hameed to still be out there to get their first 50-run opening stand of the series though.

Cummins bowls this back of a length, outside off. Zak Crawley lets it go.

Boland gets a nice welcome as he goes to field at fine leg. Not the biggest crowd here but they show their appreciation for the tall pacer.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Length ball, outside off. Malan plays it towards gully.

Boland comes 'round the wicket now and bowls a length ball, outside off. Malan blocks it well.

On a length, angling across off. Left alone.

Dawid Malan walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! This time Carey takes it! He redeems himself! Ruthless Boland provides Australia with the first wicket to get them started. The best opening stand for England in the series comes to an end. They looked together so far but Hameed has to depart now. Boland yet again hurls a length ball, right on the off pole. As we have seen many times in the series, Hameed looks to block it from the crease with his feet glued to the crease. The away movement takes the outside edge. Carey dives to his right now and takes it nicely. Australia have the opening now and would be ruthless.

Fuller, around off. Hameed gets forward to block it well.

Full, outside off. Crawley shoulders arms to it.

FOUR! Top shot again! Full, on middle and leg. Crawley flicks it nicely past mid-wicket to get a boundary. This is nice and positive batting by Crawley.

That takes off! Back of a length, outside off. It takes off after landing but Crawley leaves it well.

Fuller, on off. A nice stride by Zak Crawley to block it out.

Length, outside off. Zak gets forward and then leaves it alone.

FOUR! Lovely timing on that! Length, on the pads. Crawley works it nicely past deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Full, on off. Hameed blocks it from the crease.

A length ball, drifting on the pads this time. Crawley clips it to mid-wicket and gets a single as the fielder there fails to stop it cleanly.

Good-length ball, on off. Crawley gets forward to block it.

Length ball, on middle. Zak taps it to mid on.

Length, around off. Left alone.

Short of a length, outside off. Left alone.

DROPPED! Second catch that Carey has dropped in this game! Full, on off. Hameed is once again looking to block it from the crease. He gets a nice healthy outside edge but the ball is dipping on its way to the keeper. Carey dives low and to his right with his right hand stretched out but the ball hits the wrong part of the glove and the catch goes down!

Jaffa! The perfect delivery by Cummins. Length, on off. Hameed is stuck in the crease while looking to block. The ball goes past the outside edge.

Length ball, outside off. Crawley plays it wide of gully and takes off for a single. Green gets across in no time and fires a throw at the batter's end but misses.

On a length, on off. Blocked out.

Fuller, on off. Blocked out.

Was there an edge there? Length ball, around off. It shapes away a bit after landing and beats Crawley's attempted defence. There is a noise as the ball goes past the bat and even a mild appeal but the umpire is not interested. Marnus Labuschagne is the excited one as he says that he heard a noise but Cummins is not convinced and opts against the review. Good decision as Hotspot and UltraEdge show nothing.

Interesting conversation between Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne. The former keeper-batter feels that these two batters should look to play their natural game here. Going in a shell and looking to block it out may not suit every batter. Warne says that Hameed would be happier to block every ball away as it suits his natural game but Crawley is someone who likes to score runs and he shouldn't look to go in a shell. Both of them agree that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution though.

Length, outside off. Left alone.

Length and on off. Blocked out.

Nice and full, on off. Pushed to mid off.

Fuller, on off. Blocked out.

Back of a length, around off. Hameed taps it towards gully.

Length ball, fifth-stump line. Hameed gets forward and plays it with soft hands towards gully.

Fuller, on off. Pushed back to the bowler.

Length ball, wide outside off. Left alone with ease again.

Short of a length, down the leg side. Crawley looks to glance it away but misses.

A bit too wide and Crawley leaves it after getting to the pitch of the ball.

Length ball, lands outside off. Crawley has no qualms in leaving this alone.

Nice and full, on off. Crawley blocks it from the crease.

Shane Warne on the air opines that Australia are looking a bit flat right now. He points out that there isn't a big crowd at this point and the Aussie players have gone quiet here. Warne feels that they need a wicket to get that energy back and get chirping again.

Fuller, on off. Blocked out.

Full, on off. Hameed blocks it from the crease.

Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

A single as this length ball is worked to fine leg.

On a length, lands outside off and comes back again. Left alone. Nice carry on that as Carey collects it over his head.

How will the English batters approach the final day? Attack is the best form of defence. This is a phrase thrown around way too many times but by no means it is expected that the batters will 'attack' here on Day 5. The other option is to go in a shell and undertake a blockathon. But doing that for 98 overs will take heaps of patience as a player. Well, the middle path of punishing the bad balls and respecting the good ones is the most ideal one but it is easier said than one.

Length ball, on off. Crawley gets forward and blocks it out.

Bit of away shape! A similar delivery to the previous one but this shapes away after landing. Hameed looks to block but it goes past the outside edge. It doesn't carry to the keeper as Carey collects it on the bounce.

Fuller and outside off. Wide enough for Hameed to leave it with ease.

This one lands on a length, outside off and comes back in sharply. Hameed leaves it alone and Carey has to move a bit to his left to gather it.

Nicely done. Fuller and straighter. Worked past deep square leg and the batters get three.

Length ball, on middle. Hameed works it to deep backward square leg for one leg bye.

Length, on the pads. Crawley gets some pad on it and it goes to fine leg for one.

Pat Cummins to start from the other end.

On a length, on off. Hameed takes the bottom hand off as he blocks it out. One over gone 97 to go for England.

A bit of extra bounce. A touch fuller, just outside off. Hameed gets forward to block but it rises and hits him on the chest.

On a length, on off. Hameed gets behind the line of the ball and taps it out.

Boland hits the deck on a length, on off. Hameed blocks it from the crease.

Back of a length, around off. Hameed shoulders his arms.

A mild appeal right away! Length, on middle and leg. Hameed gets rapped on the pads. It pops up to Harris at short leg and there is a polite inquiry but not given.

Here we go! Live visuals show the openers walking out! Australian players stride out to the middle. The English openers, Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed jog out to the middle as well. Haseeb Hameed will be on strike and Scott Boland will start with the ball for Australia. Here we go...

Well, the English team could take inspiration from how India played in Sydney in early 2021. Chasing a target of 407, the Indian team earned a well-deserved draw. Despite the injuries to Pujara, Pant, Vihari and Ashwin, these four batters batted with all they had to save the game. The stand between Ashwin and Vihari was particularly impressive as they were struggling big time with their injuries but made sure that the series stood 1-1 going into the final Test. It is quite unlikely that this English side would go for a win here but a draw is within the realms of expectation and would be a big morale booster for the visitors given how the series has gone.

The first session could well turn to be the deciding session of this Test match and whichever team manages to clinch it would get a big boost in their attempt to get the desired result at the end of this Test. It is time for England to show some character as a Test side. Can they salvage a draw here? Or will the rampant Australian team take a 4-0 lead in the series? We have mentioned that there are 98 overs to be bowled but rain is a big factor. It stayed away on Day 4 but the weather in Sydney has been quite unpredictable during this game. Well, let us hope that the weather gods stay away.

England have shown the fighting spirit they lacked throughout the series in this Test match. Their performance with the bat in the first innings will go a long way in building their confidence coming into the final day and with some astute batting they can salvage a draw here. The pitch is still decent to bat and if English batters bat to their potential we might see some happy English faces at the end of this Test match. But how they play the GOAT, Nathan Lyon, here would be a big, big factor on Day 5. England would also hope that the fitness of Bairstow and Buttler doesn't hurt them. Australia, on the other hand, will go all out to get those 10 wickets required and they have shown time and again in this series that they are more than capable to do so.

Hello and a warm welcome to Day 5 of the fourth Test match between Australia and England. The series has been dominated by Australia so far and this is the day for England to redeem themselves. By that, I don't necessarily mean winning the game here. The equation is quite simple - Australia need 10 wickets to win this Test match and England need to bat out 98 overs to save this Test. They also need 358 runs to win this Test but even the most optimistic English supporters will not have that equation in their mind. England might also get some help from rain but let's hope that it’s cricket that will take the centre stage for the most part of the day.

... DAY 5, SESSION 1 …

Right then. This is the game. 98 overs. 10 wickets. A bit of wet weather. How will Sunday pan out? The first ball will be bowled at 4.30 am IST (2300 GMT), WEATHER PERMITTING. But our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early then. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Big Bash and also the first ODI between West Indies and Ireland. Also, Sunday marks the opening day of the second New Zealand-Bangladesh Test and as per the instagram post by the Black Caps, one can hardly differentiate between the grass on the pitch and beside. Enjoy the carnival of cricket but do remember to catch the fifth day's action here and see if we get a good game of cricket. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

All is not gloomy for England, though. They may not be in a position to win this game but certainly can make a statement with a solid batting display in the fourth innings. They will hope for some help from the weather but would ideally prefer to get the draw by grinding it out, than by luck. They have begun well, with Adam Gilchrist informing on air that this is the best opening stand for England in the series!

That ends a mixed day of cricket. Australia began well, dismissing England off quickly but then the visitors fought back with the ball, taking 4 wickets reasonably quickly. However, the Khawaja-Green stand just pushed the English out of the Test.

He does survive! Length and on off, this one shapes back in a touch. Crawley looks to defend but it goes off the inner half to square leg. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 4!

A single which means Hameed has done his job for the day! Shorter and on the pads, Hameed nudges it on the leg side for one. Crawley will face the last ball of the day.

Two! Hameed wanted two there! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for a couple.

It has gone dark and the umpires are having a quick discussion. Play on for now.

Three balls played, three to go! On the stumps, it is played back to the bowler.

Yet again on a length and outside off, it is left alone.

Good length and on off, at 140 KPH. defended.

That is brilliantly taken! Down the leg side, Crawley looks to flick but misses. This one seams away further. Carey dives and takes it with one hand. The crowd gets excited but the Australians are rushing to the other end as they want another one to be bowled.

Outside off, Crawley shoulders arms to this one.

Outside off, left alone.

On middle, Crawley blocks.

Another delivery outside off, left alone.

EDGY FOUR! That is a nasty delivery! First ball to misbehave in this innings! Fortune favors Crawley. This is also the highest opening stand for England in this series. Length and on off, this one takes off after landing. Crawley looks to defend but it hits the shoulder and over the slip cordon. Warner hares after it and then dives but his effort goes in vain.

Good shot but only one! Fuller and on off, this is driven nicely but Lyon at mid off dives to his left, makes a half stop. Keeps it to one.

Outside off, left alone.

Just outside off yet again, another very good leave by Crawley.

That one skid through nicely! Outside off, left alone. Crawley lets it be. That slapped into Carey's gloves.

Back of a length and on middle, Crawley blocks.

Shorter and on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Pat Cummins has decided to have one last push.

Good leave! Just outside off, Crawley knows where his off pole is, moves across and lets it be.

On middle, Hameed works it towards mid on and wants a quick run. Cummins runs in but misfields, Labuschagne runs after it from short leg and keeps it down to one.

On middle, Hameed plays it right under his eyes.

On off again, Hameed this time gets in a better stride and defends.

Soft hands! Good stop by Smith! Length and on off, Hameed is rooted to his crease as he tries to block. This goes off the outside edge, it does not carry as Hameed did not push at it. Smith makes a good stop at second slip.

Back of a length and on off, Hameed plays it to point.

FOUR! That is a terrific shot! Full and on the pads, Crawley flicks it nicely and this one races away to the fence.

Lands it on a length yet again, Hameed plays it towards mid off and gets to the other end.

That is a full toss, Hameed misses out though as he drives but straight to mid off.

On middle, Hameed gets right behind the line once again.

This one does not carry! Outside off, Hameed leaves it alone. The keeper takes it on the bounce.

Outside off, left alone.

Well played! On off, length again, Crawley takes one hand off the handle and defends.

Just a little too wide outside off, left alone.

Good areas! On a length and on off, this one lands and holds its line. Crawley looks to block but it goes off the outer half to point.

That took off! Outside off, Crawley leaves it alone. This one takes off after landing. Good take.

Angles it on middle, Crawley keeps it out.

On middle, Crawley plays it to mid on.

Scott Boland is into the attack now. The clouds are building up...Looks like the rain is just around the corner. Hope we get through the Day's play.

Goes back to bowling it on a length and outside off, easy leave.

Hameed gets off the mark! That will make him feel really good! Starc serves a tempter, full and outside off, Hameed plays it through covers for two.

Good fielding from Cummins! Keeps Hameed on 0. Fuller and on middle, Hameed drives nicely but Cummins at mid on, moves to his left and stops it. Hameed might just get a little frustrated now.

Really good from Starc again! Hameed might be wondering, why are all the good balls being bowled to him here? Back of a length and just outside off, extra bounce too. Hameed shoulders arms to this one.

Relentless stuff to Hameed! Just continue to build the pressure! On a length and outside off, left alone.

More runs then for Crawley! Or run we should write! On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one.

Hameed negotiates the last ball. Remains on 0. Australia just giving nothing away to him. On off, Hameed blocks it right under his eyes.

Better! This time he's a lot still when the ball arrives, clips it through square leg and takes one. This is a good over for England.

Close! Crawley almost falls over there. He plants his front foot a little too across. Cummins bowls this on middle, Crawley ends up playing this ahead of his body. It goes off the outer half through point for two.

Misfield and two more! Now the on-drive! Length and on middle, this is played to mid on. The fielder lets it through, two taken.

FOUR! Classy! That is as good as it gets. Just shows how true a wicket this has become. Length and on off, Crawley creams it through mid off and this one races away to the fence.

Again, the ball comes onto the bat nicely. It is on off, skids through. Blocked to covers.

On middle, Hameed works it on the leg side. Hameed remains on 0. Just the one run from the over.

Yet again on a length and on middle, Hameed keeps it out solidly.

Back of a length and on middle, kept out well.

Infact, drags his length back a little and bowls it on the body. Crawley looks to flick but it hits the glove and goes down to fine leg for one.

And again, slants this one across from outside off, Crawley watches it go to the keeper. Be ready for a full inswinger now.

On the fuller side just outside off, Crawley shoulders arms to this one. Starc looking for that inward movement but none so far.

Some issue with the side screen. Actually with the public sitting behind it.

Going down leg! Angled into the pads. Hameed looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A huge appeal but turned down.

The ball seems to be coming on nicely at the moment! Angled into the pads, skids through. Hameed clips it but the short leg fielder makes a good stop.

On the fuller side and on middle, Hameed works it to mid on.

Solid! On middle, Hameed defends with his bat and pads close to each other.

Good leave! That was the one which comes in. The length is slightly short. Hameed picks it and leaves it well by covering his off pole.

Starts off with one on middle, Crawley walks across and works it on the leg side for one.

Who will bowl from the other end then? It is the skipper, Pat Cummins.

Length ball, way outside off. Easy leave for Haseeb Hameed.

Short of a length, around off. Hameed drops his wrists and lets it through to the keeper.

A full ball, this one goes with the angle, outside off. Left alone.

On a length, on middle. Hameed blocks it out.

England and Zak Crawley are off the mark! A length ball, a little bit of inward shape. Crawley tucks it to mid-wicket and takes a quick single.

Starc starts with a length ball, angling across, outside off. Crawley leaves it alone.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Just as Alex Carey started to walk off, Cummins signaled his batters to come back. A flatter ball, angling into the left-hander, on middle. Alex Carey looks to sweep but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball lobs and goes to Ollie Pope who dives to his right and does well to hold onto it. England appeal but the umpire is not yet convinced and tells them to wait but Carey started to walk off and Australia declare their innings and now England need 388 runs to win. Usman Khawaja stays unbeaten on 101.

Looks like Australia are not in a mood to declare yet as Khawaja is still standing in the middle. Who will join him? It is Alex Carey.

OUT! TAKEN! A fine innings from Cameron Green comes to an end. Tossed up, on middle. Green got an inside edge on the previous delivery as he tried to sweep and this time gets a top edge. High in the air and towards short fine leg where Joe Root runs forward and takes it.

Tossed up, on middle. Green looks to sweep it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

SIX! Cameron Green fancying a century now? A full ball, on middle. Green skips down and tonks it over long on for a biggie.

Tossed up, on off. Blocked out.

On a length, on off. 137 clicks! Usman Khawaja hops and taps it to cover.

Touch fuller, on off. Khawaja defends it out.

Slower, short ball, on middle, pulled away to mid-wicket.

A short ball, drifting down the leg side. Khawaja sits under it.

Full ball, outside off, Khawaja drives it nicely but straight to point.

Fuller and on middle, Green shuffles and pushes it to mid on for a quick single.

DRINKS BREAK. Well... is anyone getting the feeling that there is a slight window of opportunity open for Cameron Green to get his hundred? Because Australia have got more than enough. The lead reads 380 and there are 19 overs scheduled tonight, plus another 98 tomorrow. Deduct 2 for innings break, which means 115 overs and the starting required rate is already close to 3.5. It is indeed about time and Cummins does not want more than say, 10 overs perhaps tonight, so that his bowlers are fresh tomorrow and the ball is still new. Which means - 9 overs. Can Green do a Khawaja by going berserk? Can Uzzie do a Cam by playing second fiddle? And can England eke out cheap wicket (s) in the process? Clearly, no one trusts the weather forecast any more.

Short ball, on middle, Green mistimes his pull to long on for a single.

FOUR! Freebie! A full toss, on middle. Cameron Green thumps it to square leg for a boundary.

Shorter and on off. Green punches off the back foot to covers.

Full ball again, Usman Khawaja works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on off. Kept out.

CENTURY for Usman Khawaja! Take a bow! What a fantastic innings from him. A short ball, on middle, this is pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Whole of the SCG is on their feet as they applaud this incredible effort. Back-to-back centuries for him, precisely.

Review taken! Root takes the review for LBW! HotSpot shows no bat there. UltraEdge confirms the same. Ball Tracker shows wickets missing and England lose their review.

NOT OUT! That was going down with the angle and Khawaja survives! Length ball, angling on middle and leg. Usman Khawaja misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but not given. An optimistic review from England but it does not turn out in their favour as the Ball Tracker shows wickets were missing.

A low full toss, way outside off. Usman Khawaja slashes at it but misses. Nervous 90s for Usman Khawaja!

Left alone! A full ball, very full and way outside off. Khawaja lets it through to the keeper.

Full ball, on middle, this is flicked to the right of mid on for a single. Usman Khawaja on 98.

Length ball, outside off. Green slaps it to point.

FOUR! Short of a length, outside off. Green gets on his toes and powers it through covers for a boundary.

Now some boos for Cameron Green as he retains the strike. SCG are lively today! Flatter and on middle, flicked to square leg for a single.

Two is the call but settles with a single, On the pads, this is flicked to deep square leg for one.

Tossed up, on middle. Green works it to point and gives the strike back to Khawaja.

On middle, this is hit to mid-wicket for a single.

The SCG cheers as Usman Khawaja comes back on the strike! Fuller ball, outside off, pushed to long off for a single.

Slower, short ball, outside off, it stays low and Green punches it to cover.

Change. Dawid Malan to bowl now as he relaces Root.