Australia vs England, The Ashes, 2025/26 Jan 4 Full score card

FOUR! ALEX CAREY HITS THE WINNING RUNS! Tossed up, around off, Alex Carey strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this one away to the right of the extra cover fielder for a boundary to wrap the game and the series. Australia have won this game by 5 wickets and have clinched the Ashes series 4-1.

Floated into the batter. Alex Carey defends this off his front foot.

FOUR MORE! Down to a hit now. Short, wide on off, Cameron Green hops up on his toes and cuts this square, away to the right of the backward point fielder for four more runs.

Carse comes around the stumps, darts a short one, around middle and off, Cameron Green ducks down but takes one on the left shoulder for the side.

FOUR! Just 7 more needed after this boundary. Back of a length around off, Cameron Green rides the bounce of this one, hops onto his back foot and punches this behind square on off for a boundary. 150 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Short pitched, on leg. Alex Carey dabs this to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length on leg, Alex Carey glances it off the hip. Short leg gets a hand to it, but parries it behind him. Carey sets off for a run, but Green quickly sends him back on a sharp call.

Back of a length around off, Cameron Green punches this through the cover region for a single. Australia now need just 12 more to win.

Flighted around off, Alex Carey plays the reverse sweep and rolls this to point for no run.

THREE BYES! A top-spinner around middle and off, turning sharply down the leg stump from the rough, with extra bounce too. Cameron Green rocks back and bails out of the flick, as the ball beats both bat and keeper before trickling away towards deep fine leg for three byes, as it is hunted down by the deep backward square leg fielder to his right.

Quicker and flatter, on off. Cameron Green blocks.

A bit more of yes-no between the batters. Tossed up, around off, Cameron Green pushes this to the left of Jacob Bethell at cover and Alex Carey sets off for one. Green sends him back just in time.

Fuller one, wide of off, around the rough patch. Green blocks this from the inside of his bat to short leg.

Tossed up, on middle and off. Cameron Green blocks this out.

Back of a length around off, Cameron Green tucks this towards the mid-wicket region and takes one.

Back of a length on middle and off, Alex Carey hops up on his toes and keeps it out around silly point for a single.

Short and wide of off, Alex Carey leaves it all alone.

Good length on the pads, Alex Carey tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Short pitched, around leg. Alex Carey ducks down on this one.

CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCG! Short pitched, on off, Green stands tall and dabs it into the off side before setting off. Carse is quick to the ball, turns, and has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end, but misses. With no one backing up, they take off for the second. Carey is halfway down when Green starts ball-watching and has run too far. Noticing that, Carey eventually sends him back, knowing he would never have made it to the striker’s end. The throw comes to the keeper but both the batters make it to their respective ends by then.

WIDE! One for the over, says the umpire after gesturing a wide ball. Bumper, way too high over the batter and Green sits under it.

DRINKS BREAK. Australia are on the verge of a win now, needing 20 runs. But credit to the Englishmen, as they have not allowed the hosts an easy victory. Josh Tongue has troubled the batters and has made them huff and puff for every single run. They slipped from 92/2 to 121/5, but Carey and Green seem to have settled in well, for now, at least. And these two will aim to coast Australia safely to the winning mark.

Slides into the batter, full in length, Alex Carey draws the front foot forward and defends it under his eyes.

Nice and full, tossed up on middle. Alex Carey lunges ahead and gently pushes it to mid off.

Darts in a length ball, outside off, Carey leaves.

Touch short, wide outside off, steered off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Flat and full, around off, Cameron Green is drawn forward and smothers the spin into the off side.

Short and on off, Carey hangs deep inside the crease and knocks it to deep cover for a single.

Banged short, on off, bunted out to the cover region.

FOUR! SOLIDLY CRUNCHED! Short of a good length, on off, rearing up off the deck. Cameron Green rides the bounce as he stands tall and punches it wide of cover for a cracking boundary. Australia need 22 more runs to win.

Back of a length, lasered at the pads. Carey is rushed on the back foot and glances it to the right of short fine leg for a single.

Slammed hard into the pitch, on the leg stump. Green hops inside the line and tickles it behind to deep fine leg for a single.

Jags back in from a good length, on middle. Alex Carey is flummoxed by the bounce and nip into him but plays with soft hands and fends it off the inner half to the mid-wicket region. Carse rushes to his left from the follow-through to cut the ball off, but Green, who is off for a single, almost rams into him, but hops to avoid the collision and reaches the other end, completing a quick single.

Full and on off, from around the stumps. Alex Carey plays off the front foot and bumps it back to the bowler.

Drops it full, on off, defended watchfully back to the bowler's left.

Full and nicely looped around off, Green gets a big stride in and pushes it to cover.

An appeal for a catch, but not given! Miles away from the bat. Extracts prodigious turn into the batter with some bounce, does Root. Full and spinning across the bat as Cameron Green leans forward to defend it out. He gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball lobs off the front pad and is taken by Ben Duckett at short leg.

Tossed up nicely, short and spinning in from off. Cameron Green uses the depth of the crease as he hangs back and blocks it watchfully.

Hangs up there, full and on off, Green drills it back to the bowler.

Full and tossed on off, Green drives it to mid off.

A steep bouncer on middle and leg. Alex Carey sits under it to leave.

Length-delivery, on the pads, Cameron Green stands tall and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and slanted in on the pads, Care flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Full and straight on middle, Carey cracks the straight drive and it is chased down by Ben Duckett to his left from mid off for a couple of runs.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Cameron Green gets inside the line and steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Short and outside off, Alex Carey hangs back and steers it to deep backward point for a single.

On a shorter length, outside off, Cameron Green works it wide of extra cover for a couple of runs.

Pitched full, on off driven off the front foot wide of cover for a single.

Nice and full, around off, eased straight back at the bowler.

Full and pushed outside off, Cameron Green creams it through point for an easy single.

Spins in sharply from off, on a fuller length, Cameron Green leans forward to defend, but plays over the line and the ball clips the front pad and lobs into the hands of short leg.

Out goes Marnus and in walks Cameron Green at number 7.

OUT! MARNUS IS RUN OUT! Pinch yourselves because it is real. A needless throw of a wicket and England keep themselves alive in the contest. Tossed up outside off. Labuschagne strides forward to the pitch of the ball and drills it past a diving short extra cover to his right. He instantly calls for the single and charges halfway down, but Carey is ball-watching and doesn’t respond, forcing Marnus to turn back. Potts reacts sharply, moving left from mid off to collect and fire in a flat, simple throw to the keeper. Jamie Smith whips off the bails as Labuschagne dives in vain, and the replays confirm he is miles short of his ground. Marnus Labuschagne is down on his haunches and admonishes himself as he straightaway knew his fate. 37 off 40 for Marnus Labuschagne and Australia are 121/5.

Joe Root is brought into the attack now, replacing Will Jacks.

On a length, around off, pushed towards mid off.

Touch full, on middle, this is clipped to mid on.

Full and angling in and around off, Alex Carey forces the drive to mid off.

Back of a length, outside off, Alex Carey smashes it through cover and point for a couple of runs.

Bumper, around leg. Alex Carey ducks down on this.

A superb career comes to an end for Usman Khawaja. At a venue where it all started. He gets a huge reception from the SCG crowd. Alex Carey walks in at number 6.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Josh Tongue keeps troubling the Aussies as he bags his third wicket. Short of a length in the channel outside off. Khawaja hops back and looks to punch on the off side, but there is just a hint of inward deviation. It takes the inside edge and deflects onto the top of the stumps. And that brings the curtain down on Khawaja in the Baggy Green. He receives a standing ovation as the SCG rises to applaud. Marnus Labuschagne walks up to embrace him, gives him a pat on the back, as the crowd gives Khawaja a warm, heartfelt farewell. The veteran gets down on his haunches and kisses the turf before he makes a long walk back to the dressing room for one last time as his Test career draws to a close. Unfortunately, he couldn't make much of an impact in his final Test, and walks back for 6 (7). Australia are 119/4, needing 41 runs.

FOUR! Laced through the gap! Wide outside off, very full, Marnus Labuschagne strides across and carves it hard and beats the diving cover fielder to his right for a boundary.

Good length outside off at 90.4 kph. It lands and then turns back in and stays low as Labuschagne steps down the track, covering the line to defend, only to nudge it off the inside edge towards short leg.

Full and outside off at 88.5 kph. Labuschagne looks to reverse-sweep, but it comes off the bottom of the bat and dribbles out to deep point. He was aiming to place it much squarer, but will still come back for a comfortable two.

FOUR! Smashed down the ground! Full, around off, Marnus Labuschagne advances down the pitch and plays with the spin. His bat does twist at the point of contact, but he goes through his shot and lofts it over mid on to beat the long on fielder to his left for a boundary.

Turns in from the rough, on a length, Marnus Labuschagne backs away and slaps it to deep extra cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Good response! Full and turning into the stumps. Labuschagne drops to one knee, plays against the spin, rolls his wrists, and reverse-sweeps it neatly through backward point for a boundary.

EDGED AND DROPPED! A hot chance goes begging as Bethell shells what could have been a stunner of a catch. Wide outside off, on a fullish length, nipping away. Marnus Labuschagne throws his bat at it to drive towards cover, but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and gets an outside edge that is bound to fly over the gully fielder, but Jacob Bethell throws himself airborne with the leap and tries to catch it with both hands stretched over his head, but just couldn't cling on it as he lands hard on the ground and the ball pops out of his hands. A single taken. 10/10 for the effort there from the young bloke.

Angles it into the batter, full in length, at 140.6 kph. Marnus Labuschagne lets the ball arrive and solidly bunts it down the pitch.

Full and outside off. Marnus Labuschagne commits on the front foot and drives to get it past the cover fielder, but Ben Duckett dives to his left and cuts it off.

A sizzling bumper, on the leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne ducks under it.

Nips away from the seam, on a length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne lets it go.

Hard lenght, on middle, blocked watchfully off the back foot.

Nearly! Dropped short, on off, Usman Khawaja rocks back and tries to punch it in front of square on the off side, but gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots between the keeper and the first slip fielder. Ben Stokes at first slip, is a bit too wide and dives to his right to catch, but the ball evades him and rolls to the deep for a couple of runs.

Slower through the air at 86.1 kph, full and sliding on off with some turn. Usman Khawaja tries the paddle sweep, but gets a thick top edge and the ball lands safely in thereabouts of mid-wicket.

Straighter outside off, on a length, left alone by Usman.

Sharp turn, flighted full and on off, Usman Khawaja plays with soft hands and defends it out.

FOUR! Khawaja is up and running! Drifts in and on the leg stump line, full in length. Usman Khawaja gets across the line and sits down on a knee as he paddles it to deep fine leg for a boundary. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Around off, spinning in on a length, Marnus Labuschagne goes deep inside the crease and nudges it behind square on the leg side, just past the forward square leg fielder for a single.

Back of a length, rearing up a bit, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne is a bit indecisive there. He leans back and just checks his pull shot towards deep square leg for a single.

Full and on middle, nipping in. Marnus Labuschagne looks to flick it across, but closes the bat face a bit too early, which ekes out a thick leading edge towards deep backward point. Two taken.

Outside off, on a length, Marnus is stubborn in leaving.

Short on top of the stumps, Marnus ducks under it.

Nagging length, around off, left alone alertly.

A massive appeal from the bowler for caught behind, but not given. Jamie Smith is not interested and Stokes gestures that it came off the thigh pad. And the English skipper is spot on. A bit too straight on the pads, on a good length, Marnus Labuschagne misses his flick and the ball grazes his front thigh pad before Jamie Smith takes a diving catch to his left. Snicko later confirms the same.

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.

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.

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.

Too full, around off, Smith drives inside out to cover.

Straight and short, on the stumps, tucked across through widish mid-wicket for a single.

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.

Stump-to-stump, full, blocked right under the bat.

Back of a length, outside off, steered off the back foot to deep point for a single.

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.

Around off and full, Steve Smith gets on the front foot and eases it to extra cover.

Full and on middle, Smith shuffles in the crease and clips it to mid-wicket again.

Gets across a long way, and blocks this length ball across to mid-wicket.

Full and in front of the sticks, Marnus takes a giant stride forward and smothers the spin.

Spins in from a length, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and blocks it straight.

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.

Much fuller than the previous delivery, on middle, Smith flicks it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

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.

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.

Full and on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne flicks off the pads to deep backward square leg for a single.

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.

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.

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.

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!

This one nips back in on a good length, Jake Weatherald fends it to the off side.

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.

In-between length, around off, Jake waits back and blocks it to mid on.

Serves it full, on off, Jake Weatherald drills it down to long off for a comfortable single.

Full and on off, Jake Weatherald carves it inside out to short extra cover.

Not too short, around off, steered off the back foot to cover-point.

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.

Lands on one of the cracks around off and turns away sharply. Jake watchfully lets it go.

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.

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.

Another one slanted down leg, on a length, Marnus Labuschagne ignores that again.

Nips in from a length, on off, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and bunts it down the strip using soft hands.

Short and at the rib height, angling down leg. Marnus Labuschagne lets it be.

Straighter line, on middle, blocked straight back to the bowler.

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.

Goes back in the crease and bunts this length ball back to the bowler.

Touch short, on middle, clipped off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

In-drifter on a fuller length, at 87.3 kph, Marnus Labuschagne takes a giant stride forward to smother the spin.

Pushed full, on off, Marnus leans forward and eases it to short cover.

On a length, around middle, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Flicked with the spin to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Fired in at the stumps, full in length. Marnus gets a bit squared up on his back foot defence and the ball rolls off his inside edge to mid-wicket.

A rib-tickling bumper, on the leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne gets inside the line and lets it fly behind to Jamie Smith.

Full in length, on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne gets across and flicks it to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Out goes Travis Head with 629 runs to his name in this Ashes series, and in walks Marnus Labuschagne at number 3. 20 more minutes to go for Lunch.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! Josh Tongue provides the first breakthrough for England. Head's aggressive attempt becomes the reason for his downfall. Josh bangs in a sizzling bumper, angling it into the body. The ball rears up awkwardly as Travis Head looks to take on the pull, but the extra bounce forces a thick top edge that loops high over mid-wicket. Brydon Carse tracks back over his left shoulder, adjusts to the swirl, and settles underneath it to complete a fine catch. Head is gone for 29 off 35, and Australia are 62/1, still needing 98 more.

FOUR! Up and over gully! Back of a length, on the fourth stump line, Travis Head uses his wrists to square cut it over the leaping backward point fielder for a boundary. AUSTRALIA NEED 98 RUNS TO WIN!

Slammed hard into the pitch, angling in and around middle, Jake Weatherald rides the bounce and nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Josh Tongue (3-0-12-0) is back as Carse has been given a breather now.

Outside off, on a fullish length, Travis Head reaches for it and tickles it to the left of the first slip fielder.

Lands on the footmark and spins in from off, on a length, Travis Head rocks back and fends it to the off side in front of square.

Fractionally short, just outside off, steered off the back foot to the point region for a single.

FOUR! Runs coming thick and fast for Australia! Flat and full, outside off with some bounce and grip into the batter. Jake Weatherald employs the reverse sweep, but it goes off the top edge, into the backward point gap and races away to the fence for four more. Jake Weatherald moves to 30 (26).

Full and outside off, Head dances down the track and mistimes his heave across the line. The ball goes off the inner half towards long on for a single.

Lands it around off, on a shortish length, Travis Head shimmies a little and slaps it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! The hosts need 109 more runs to win.

FOUR! Textbook! That will annoy Carse a lot more. Fullish delivery, around off, Jake Weatherald gets on the front foot and nonchalantly executes the drive between cover and mid off for a cracking boundary.

He hops on to ride this length ball, on off, and drops it in front of short mid-wicket for a quick single.

FOUR! That has pinged off the bat! Much fuller from Carse, outside off. Enough width for someone like Head to deal with. He presses back and punches it crisply to the deep cover fence to collect a boundary.

Nagging length, outside off, played late off the back foot, and on the bounce to the right of the gully fielder.

Rises up from a length, outside off, Travis Head tries the uppercut but misses.

Banged in short, around off, Travis Head lines up to pull it across, but fails to get the connection.

Short, outside off, cut away off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Darted in, full and on off, Head leans to block.

Touch full, spinning in sharply around off. Travis Head covers the stumps and lets it hit his back pad. A desperate appeal from the English players behind the stumps, but nothing doing.

Full and outside off, at 90.4 kph. Head gets forward and looks to defend, but gets an inside edge and wears it on the pads.

Turns in from off, on a fuller length, forced out to extra cover.

FOUR! Welcome to the attack, mate! Pitched full and on the stumps, Jake Weatherald reverse sweeps it through backward point for a cracking boundary.

DRINKS BREAK. A perfect time to get a breather as it was getting a lot heated up. Surely, that caught behind appeal and the review against Jake Weatherald would make it to the headlines. The English players are still not pleased with that decision. They are yet to get their first breakthrough and don't have enough runs to play with. Australia are up and about in the chase as they need only 126 runs. Jacob Bethell is summoned into the attack to exploit those rough patches. He impressed the world with the bat earlier, can he produce a breakthrough for his side? Let's see.

Back of a length, on the pads, this is tucked behind square on the leg side for a single. And here we go again, Brydon Carse again walks to the batter and there is a heated exchage of words between Jake and him.

It's heating up, folks! Weatherald again flashes and misses out on the cut shot on the outside edge and Carse is in the batter's face, giving him a bit of mouthful.

DRAMA AGAIN! Back of a length, outside off, jagging back in a touch, Jake Weatherald tries to play the square cut again, but the ball whispers past his under edge and carries to Smith behind the wickets. A big appeal for caught behind, but not given. There is a lot of yelling and screaming from the men behind the stumps, including Jamie Smith, but when Stokes asks about the review, there is hardly any confidence. But still, Stokes goes upstairs for a review. There is a little murmur on Snicko when the ball is close to the bat, but after checking several times, the third umpire deems Weatherald not out as the spike is not conclusive enough to overturn the decision. Carse storms towards umpire Ahsan Raza for an animated exchange, but Stokes is quick to step in and pull him away. The England captain then stays back to have a word with Ahsan Raza himself before taking his spot.

FOUR! A left-hander's delight! That will serve as a real confidence booster for Weatherald. Width outside off, on a hard length, Jake Weatherald hangs back and square cuts it through backward point for a cracking boundary.

Slanting away from the southpaw, on a good length, nipping away further, Jake Weatherald is sucked into the cover drive. He slashes at it but misses.

Banged halfway into the pitch, on top of off. Jake Weatherald stands tall and controls the pull shot, and drags it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Overpitched, outside off, Jake fails to carve it away to the off side as the ball breezes past the outside edge.

Slammed hard at 141.5 kph, on the leg stump line, waits back and knocks it across to the leg side, in front of square.

Nagging length, on top of the stumps, Jake Weatherald rocks back and nudges it to the square leg region.

Nip-backer on a fuller length, around the middle stump line, Jake Weatherald presses forward to flick, but gets an inside edge on the front pad as the ball rolls away to point. A half-hearted appeal from the Englishmen, but the umpire stays unmoved.

Back of a length, skidding through the deck, angling into the batter. Jake Weatherald looks to steer it to the leg side, but it nips back slightly to beat the inside edge. The ball then pings him on the thigh pad before spooning towards the gully fielder who dives in front to take it.

Touch full, in and around middle at 136 kph, Travis Head hops on the toes and tucks it to widish mid-wicket for an easy single.

Fuller ball, around off, Jake Weatherald leans on it and crisply drives it, but he is unrewarded as it goes straight to the man at extra cover.

A sizzling short ball, outside off, Travis Head hangs back and drags it across with the pull shot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

SLASH AND A MISS! Not too short and not too full, around off, Travis Head weighs back and attempts to slap that in front of square on the off side, but misses.

BEATEN! Wobbles away from the batter, on a good length, on top of middle. Travis Head's feet go nowhere and he tries to drill it straight down the ground. But the ball lands and deviates away to zip past his outside edge.

Overpitched delivery, wide outside off, Jake Weatherald carves it away by playing the expansive cover drive for a single at deep extra cover.

Singles coming easily for the hosts! Back of a length, around off, Travis Head waits back and knocks it through extra cover for a single.

Hard length, rising up on top of off, Travis Head gets on the toes and dabs it away to the point region for a single. Australia need 136 runs.

And again! He tries to square cut this length ball, which is fairly outside off. But Tongue puts in an extra effort on it and extracts extra bounce that passes above Head's angled bat.

BEATEN! Tongue spears one outside off, on a hard length, and it nips away sharply. Travis Head goes fishing at it as he throws the kitchen sink to slash it away, only to get beaten on the outside edge.

Length-delivery, angling into the pads with some bounce. Jake tries to ride the rising ball, and tries to glance it to the leg side, but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad and rolls in thereabouts of square leg for a leg bye.

On a length, on the leg stump, Head stays back and knocks it to the right of mid on for a quick single.

Short of a good length, around off, with extra bounce. Jake Weatherald hops off and tries to nudge it across to the leg side, but the ball hits the splice and rolls away to the off side for a quick single.

Full and on off, Travis Head defends this one.

Yorker on off. Travis Head keeps it out.

Good length, around off, Travis Head pushes this towards cover for no run.

Good length, wide of off. Jake Weatherald dabs this in front of point and takes a single.

On a length around the pads, Travis Head flicks this through square leg for a single.

Good length on middle and off. Travis Head blocks it out to mid on.

Good length on off, Jake Weatherald defends this off his front foot.

FOUR! A bit too short and way too wide outside off. Jake Weatherald rides the bounce and slaps this through the right of the fielder at extra cover for four runs.

Good length, spraying down the leg. Jake Weatherald flicks this through backward square leg for two more.

Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Jake leaves it.

Good length wide of off, Jake cuts this to deep point for a couple.

Good length, around the pads, going down the leg. Jake Weatherald goes for the flick but misses. Loud appel for LBW but the umpire turns it down.

That was some eventful opening over. Josh Tongue to operate from the other end.

FOUR! Boundary down the ground. Full and on the pads, Travis Head gets right on top of the bounce and flicks this through the right of the mid on fielder for four runs.

FOUR! Carse was keen and England decided to review for LBW. The players had seen umpire Ahsan Raza signal leg byes before going upstairs. It was a very full delivery from Tongue. Head stayed in the crease to work the flick, but got a faint leading edge onto his pad and the ball then trickled away to the deep third fence, between the second slip and gully fielders. Snicko confirmed a clear spike when the ball was next to the bat. But, in any case, even without the bat involved, the ball had pitched outside the leg stump, so England would have lost that review either way.

Hard length, into the batter. Travis Head hops up on his toes and blocks it out.

Good length on middle and leg, Jake Weatherald tucks this through mid-wicket and gets off the mark.

Full and on the pads, Travis Head flicks this through square leg for a single.

DRAMA STRAIGHTAWAY! Full toss, swinging into the batter, around leg. Travis Head misses out on the flick. The ball clips the pads of Head and rolls back towards the slips cordon. There is a direct hit from one of the slip fielders towards the striker's end as Head tries to plant his bat inside the popping crease. On-field umpire sends this upstairs. Replay shows that Head's bat was grounded behind the crease when the stumps were hit.

OUT! CHIPPED AND TAKEN! Wicket number 31 for Mitchell Starc in this Ashes as he finishes off with a 3-for. Lands it around off, on a good length, and it seemingly kicks up a bit. Josh Tongue tries to crack the drive through the off side, but does not account for the bounce. Chips it straight to short cover where Marnus Labuschagne takes a straightforward catch. Josh Tongue is gone on 6 off 14. ENGLAND ARE BOWLED OUT ON 342, WITH THE LEAD OF 159 RUNS!

Swings back in on a length, on middle and leg, Josh Tongue hangs back and bunts it to the off side.

Good length around off, Matthew Potts dabs this back to the bowler.

Hard length, around off, Matthew Potts pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.

Good length around off, Potts leaves it.

Back of a length around off, Matthew Potts punches this towards sweeper cover and doesn't take the single. Number 10 protecting number 11.

On a length around off, Matthew Potts keeps it out.

Back of a length, around the pads. Matthew Potts looks for the flick but misses.

Short and on off. Josh Tongue plays within the line of it and leaves it.

Full and wide outside off, Josh leaves it.

FOUR! CRACKED! Pitched up, around middle and off, Josh Tongue gets on the front foot and presents a straight bat at it. Punches this down the ground towards the long off fence for four runs.

On a length, wide of off, Josh Tongue pokes at it away from his body but gets beaten.

Short pitched, down the leg. Tongue leaves it.

Good length, around off. Josh Tongue pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.

FOUR! WOW! Back of a length around off, Matthew Potts arches back, gets on his toes and punches this through the gap between cover and mid off for a boundary.

FOUR! That's a nice stroke for a number 10. Full and on the pads, Matthew Potts leans over, gets right on top of it, and flicks this all along the ground through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. ENGLAND LEAD BY 151 RUNS!

Good length, on middle and leg, Matthew Potts defends this off his front foot.

A curious, curious review by the hosts! Good length, wide of off, Matthew Potts presses in front and looks to block it but misses by some distance. There's an appeal for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. Smith from the slips and Jake Weatherald, under the lid at short leg, have heard something, and Smith sends this upstairs. Daylight gap between ball and bat on the Snicko and the batter survives. Australia have lost all their reviews now. Smith surely wants this to end quickly.

On a length, around the pads, Josh Tongue flicks this in front of mid-wicket and rotates.

On a length wide of off, Josh Tongue flashes at it but gets beaten.

Good length on middle and off, Josh tucks this to the right of mid on and takes a single to get off the mark.

Good length, around off. Josh Tongue defends this off his front foot.

Inswinging fuller one, wide of off. Josh Tongue looks to block it but geta beats by the pace of Starc.

Full and wide outside off, Josh Tongue leaves it.

DRINKS BREAK. Jacob Bethell walks out, but he has arrived well and truly in the toughest format of the sport. He has not only faced the most balls in this Test, but has also produced a gem of a knock. One that will be talked about for a long, long time. It took more than half an hour for the Aussies to get the better of him, and who better than Starc? He now has 30 wickets to his name in this Ashes. Truly exceptional and what makes him more dangerous is that his pace hasn't gone below 140 kph, throughout the series. Australia would try and get this last wicket as quickly as possible and not let England get a lead above 150. Josh Tongue is the last batter in for England. Let's see how long can the number 10 and 11 can resist against the ball, which is around 5 overs old.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Just when things started to frustrate the Aussies, Mitchell Starc stood tall and got the breakthrough. Back of a length around off, shaping it away from the left-hander. Jacob Bethell looks to cut this off his back foot but the ball keeps climbing on the batter and it catches an outside edge of his bat. Alex Carey moves a bit to his left and takes a regulation catch to end the marathon knock of Jacob Bethell. Probably a bit too close to the body for a square cut, but nonetheless, it was an immaculate knock of 154 off 265 balls by the 22-year-old. He gets a huge round of applause from the crowd as he trudges back to the dressing room. England are 328/9, leading by 145 runs.

On a length around the pads, Jacob Bethell gets it brushed off his pads to square leg and denies the single.

On a length, down the leg. Matthew Potts comes inside the line and goes for the flick but misses.

Boland comes around the stumps now, bowls it on a good length, wide of off. Jacob Bethell rocks deep inside the crease and dabs this to short third for a single.

Boland comes over the stumps, bowls it full and wide of off. Jacob Bethell chases this and goes for a drive but misses.

Pitched up, around middle and off, Jacob Bethell strides to the pitch of the delivery and punches this down to long off for another dot.

Hard length, into the batter. Jacob Bethell blocks this out.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell cuts this grounded towards deep point but denies the option to rotate the strike.

Yorker on off, Jacob Bethell gets it sliced to deep third for one.

Full and wide down the leg, Jacob Bethell goes for the flick but misses out.

Full and around off, shaping away from the batter. Jacob Bethell presses in front and looks to block it, but gets beaten.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell strides to the pitch of it but leaves it.

Good length on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell blocks it out.

FOUR LEG BYES! Short pitched around the pads, Jacob Bethell looks to get away from it but the ball cramps him and the southpaw gets hit on the left bicep as it deflects away. Alex Carey dives full-length to his right, but it is far from his reach and races towards the deep fine leg fence.

These two have safely negotiated those 'crucial' first 30 minutes of the morning, adding 20 runs to their overnight score.

On a length around the pads, Matthew Potts keeps it out.

On a length around middle and leg, Jacob rolls this through mid-wicket for one.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell leaves it.

Excellent review by Bethell! He can do no wrong, but that was a strange decision by Chris Gaffaney. He is given LBW, but he reviews straight away as he was airborne when the ball struck his pads, and it appeared to the naked eye that this must have missed the stumps. Good length, around off, nipping back into the batter. Jacob Bethell hops up on his toes and gets beaten to the inward movement of the ball. Gets hit around the knee roll on the front pad. A loud appeal by the Aussies and the umpire raises his finger. Bethell sends this upstairs. Ball Tracker shows two reds and a green with the ball missing the stumps on height saves Jacob Bethell.

Good length wide of off, Jacob Bethell shoulders his arms at it.

In the channel, wide outside off. Jacob Bethell leaves it all alone.

Change of ends for Scott Boland (21-5-35-2) as he replaces Beau Webster.

Full and wide outside off. Matthew Potts chases this and drives this towards deep third to pick up a couple.

Good length, on off, shaping away from the batter. Jacob Bethell gets it edged off the outside of his bat towards deep third for a single.

On a length wide of off, Jacob Bethell thinks to poke at it but leaves at the end.

Short pitched, wide of off, Jacob Bethell leaves it.

Back of a length, around off, Jacob Bethell hops up on his toes and takes his guard down. The ball goes really close to JB's gloves before Carey collects it behind the stumps. The keeper looks really convinced but Mitchell Starc, not so much. After some discussions, the Aussies decide not to send this upstairs. Snicko later on shows a flat line when the ball is next to the bat.

150 FOR JACOB BETHELL! A gem of a knock from the young Barbados-born as he keeps piling on the runs. Full and on the pads, Jacob Bethell flicks this through the mid-wicket region, calls for two and takes two with ease. Applause from all around the SCG for the 22-year-old lad, who has been the most fluent of all the English batters this innings. His family beams with pride in the stands.

The SECOND NEW BALL IS AVAILABLE for Australia now. And... without a doubt, the hosts opt for it. Mitchell Starc (14-2-61-1) has the brand new Kookaburra in his hand and he replaces Scott Boland.

Quicker and flatter, on middle and off, Matthew Potts blocks this off his back foot.

Tossed up, wide of off, Jacob Bethell chips this to deep cover for a single.

Pushed through around the pads, Jacob Bethell goes for the flick but misses and gets it rapped on the front pad.

Full and on off, Matthew Potts rolls this down to long on for one.

Quicker one, on off, Matthew Potts blocks it.

Tossed up, down the leg. Jacob Bethell goes for a sweep, gets it underedged through the keeper's leg for one.

Hits the hard length on off, Matthew Potts keeps it out.

Good length just wide of off, shaping into the batter. Matthew Potts covers his off-pole and leaves it. A good leave from Potts.

FYI, Australia's 2006 chase of 287 runs against South Africa is the most successful chase at SCG in Test history. In fact, in the top 10 list of highest successful run chases in Sydney, Australia thoroughly dominate as they record nine out of the top 10 most successful chases.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell cuts this through the point region for a single.

On a length around off, Jacob Bethell defends this off his front foot.

Back of a length on off, Jacob Bethell jams this out.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell blocks this off his front foot.

Tossed up, wide of off, Jacob Bethell reverse sweeps this to deep third for a single.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Matthew Potts jumps down the track and flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Quicker one, around off. Matthew Potts punches this to cover.

Flighted, wide of off, Jacob Bethell drives this through cover for one.

Tossed up, wide of off, Matthew Potts rolls this down to long on for one.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell rocks deep inside his crease and punches this down to long off for one.

Good length, wide outside off. Matthew Potts leaves it.

Scott Boland is having some issues with the spikes on his right shoe. The on-field umpire helps him out to tighten the spikes and we are good to go...

On a length, sliding down the leg. Matthew Potts misses out on the flick and is hit on his front pad.

Back of a length around middle and off, Matthew Potts blocks this off his back foot.

Full and on off, Matthew punches this down to long on for one.

Hard length around middle and off, Matthew Potts blocks it.

A strange review from the hosts! That was missing by a fair margin. Boland bowls it on a good length, sliding and nipping down the leg stump line. Potts looks to flick this but misses and is hit on the front pad. A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Steve Smith asks twice, 'You like it?' to his bowler and with a few seconds remaining on the timer, he does send this upstairs for DRS and two reds and a green where the ball misses the stumps down the leg stump, and the on-field decision is upheld. Australia burn a review!

Scott Boland (19-4-34-2) to share the attack from the other end. The second new ball is due in 4 overs for Australia.

Tossed up, wide of off. Potts drives this to sweeper cover for a single.

Full and wide of off, Matthew Potts blocks.

Tossed up, turning down the leg. Matthew Potts goes for the flick, but the ball climbs on him and hits him on the pads.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Matthew Potts defends this away.

Short of a length around off, Matthew Potts blocks this out.

FOUR! A boundary to get the day underway. Short and wide of off, Matthew Potts rocks onto his back foot and cuts this through the point region for four runs.

We are all set to get underway on this final day of the Ashes 2025/26. Aussie Test cap number 419, featuring in the last Test of his career, Usman Khawaja, leads the Australian team out to the middle. It is met with a huge cheer from the SCG crowd. Jacob Bethell, the centurion, and unbeaten at 142, along with Matthew Potts, walk to the crease as England's overnight batters. And woah! Spin to start with directly. Beau Webster (13-1-51-3) to bowl the first over of the last day. Potts to face. A slip and a forward short leg in place. Here we go...

A major subplot that will undoubtedly influence England's bowling strategy is the fitness of their captain and talisman, Ben Stokes. The all-rounder sustained a groin injury on Day 4, a significant blow that casts a long shadow over his availability. The prognosis is not good, and it seems highly unlikely he will be able to bowl in the second innings when the opportunity arises. This leaves England a bowler short and places an even greater burden on the likes of Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and the spin of Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell to exploit the conditions.

Once the English innings inevitably concludes, the focus will shift entirely to the Australian chase. Given the deteriorating pitch conditions, chasing anything north of 150 will be a stern challenge for a batting lineup that has, throughout the series, shown both brilliance and vulnerability. The pressure will be immense, as every run will be hard-fought and every wicket a potential turning point. This sets up a classic Test cricket scenario. A final day run chase against a backdrop of a crumbling pitch and high stakes. The spice in this encounter is immense, with the Aussies determined to cap off a series victory with a win in the final game, and England equally motivated to ensure their series doesn't conclude without one final, hard-fought battle.

The pitch at the SCG has evolved dramatically over the past four days. Cracks are opening, the bounce is becoming uneven, and for the batters still at the crease, every delivery will be a test of nerve and technique. England will resume their innings with a lead of 119, a precarious position with just two wickets remaining. The primary objective will be survival and accumulation, pushing that lead past the psychologically important 150-run mark to give their bowlers something substantial to defend. The brilliant maiden Test century by Jacob Bethell has been the cornerstone of this fighting position, a performance of maturity beyond his years, and England will hope he can eke out a few more crucial runs this morning.

Welcome back, cricket fans, to what promises to be a scintillating final day of this already historic Ashes series! The urn is securely in Australian hands, courtesy of their commanding 3-1 lead, but the narrative of this Fifth Test has been anything but a dead rubber. It has, in fact, been a sensational showcase of Test cricket's enduring appeal, with the first three days a batter's paradise, yielding a torrent of runs, followed by a fascinating, mixed-bag Day 4 that brought bowlers back into the game and set the stage for this grand finale. While the series may be decided, pride, World Test Championship points, and a final, emphatic statement are all on the line.

... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

Righto, the journey that started on November 21, 2025, is coming to an end with the fifth and final day of this final Test. The lead of 119 might look a bit thin, but on a deteriorating surface, anything is possible. With Bethell battling it out alone, it will be interesting to see how many more runs England can add to their lead. Australia will back themselves to blow this lower order come the fifth morning. Thursday, 8th January, marks the final day of this Ashes series, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 11 pm GMT (the previous day). You can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Beau Webster, the Aussie all-rounder, is up for a chat with Isa Guha at the sidelines. Beau expresses satisfaction with his all-around performance, noting that he hadn't specifically trained for bowling. Details that the pitch's wear and tear and his fielders' support were crucial factors in his success with the ball. He explains that his aggressive batting approach was unplanned and that he simply tried playing each delivery on its merit. Webster expresses his happiness to have contributed significantly with the bat, and views his wickets as a massive positive, regardless of whether he bowls further the next morning.

Yet most of the damage was self-inflicted, from Jacks’ reckless shot selection on his very second ball to Jamie Smith’s hesitation leading to a run out. England slid from 219/3 to 267/7, leaving Bethell isolated at one end, and with the injured Stokes dismissed too, the youngster was left with the responsibility of shepherding the tail late into the day. However, Carse came with intent and helped England push the lead in triple figures before he was fished out by Boland to help Australia take the final edge moving into the final day.

England still appeared well placed as Brook and Bethell came together to forge another excellent partnership. Brook settled in quickly, while Bethell surged towards his maiden Test hundred deep into the session. But just as the stand crossed three figures, a couple of brain-fade moments opened the door and Australia barged their way back in, a familiar pattern for England in this series. Flashes of quality followed by costly lapses that hand the initiative straight back to the opposition. Spin was introduced to target the rough and it paid off, with Beau Webster striking three times to rip through the middle order.

Duckett and Bethell carried a solid platform into the afternoon, but the 81-run stand ended abruptly as Duckett fell again, capping a disappointing tour Down Under without a single fifty. With his place under scrutiny, Bethell seized the moment, compiling a fluent, assured half-century to stake a strong claim for the number three spot. Boland was outstanding in the session, relentlessly hitting the deck and extracting movement to build pressure, before trapping Root in front and leaving England at 117 for 3.

Australia were in a far better position with England bedraggled coming into Day 4, with a lead of 134 runs. Smith, the Sydney centurion, was looking ominous for England, whereas Webster, too, got off to his fifty without much fuss. Then came Josh Tongue's inspirational spell, where he fished out Smith, and that opened up the gates for England to come crashing in. Australia could only add 49 runs to their overnight score, ending with a hefty lead of 183 runs. England lost Crawley in the first over off Starc, but Bethell and Duckett showed excellent resolve on a misbehaving pitch with uneven bounce to see off the session with one down, what potentially could have been two down, if Duckett hadn't been dropped on 38.

Even in times of adversity, there are moments of greatness to cherish. England are in all sorts of pressure right now, but amidst it all, they just might have unearthed a gem in the making in the form of Jacob Bethell. It is heartening to see the Australian players walk up and pat him on the shoulder in appreciation of an outstanding knock. A deeply special moment for the 22-year-old, as his England teammates make their way down from the dressing room to receive him for his valiant effort with the bat. Australia might feel that they have their noses ahead in this game, as they have just managed to win the crucial clutch moments yet again.

BEATEN! A corker of a delivery by Boland to wrap up the day. Good length around off, Jacob Bethell tentatively prods in front and pokes at it but the ball goes straight past his bat. A dot to end the day's play as the umpire signals STUMPS on Day 4. England lead by 119 runs.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell steps across and goes for the flick but misses on the inside. The ball beats the batter and goes really close but away from the stumps.

Back of a length on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell defends this around mid-wicket.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell drives this to sweeper cover for no run.

On a length around off, Jacob Bethell pushes tihs to cover for no run.

Less than 5 minutes left on the clock. Might get a couple of overs in at max or this could be the last over as well.

Good length, wide of off, Jacob Bethell leaves it.

Full and on off, Matthew Potts blocks.

Good length, spinning sharply from the footmarks. He looks to force it through the off side but gets a thick inside edge that squirts past short leg.

Tossed up, on off, Matthew Potts keeps it out.

Full and around off, Matthew Potts smashes this straight back at the stumps on the other end for no run.

Quicker one, on off, Matthew Potts pushes this back tot he bowler.

Day 4 attendance at the SCG - 42,864. Simply brilliant.

Tossed up, around off, Jacob Bethell smashes this uppishly to sweeper cover and takes a single on the first ball of the over.

Yorker on off, Matthew Potts blocks this one.

Back of a length on middle and off, Jacob Bethell pulls this flat to deep mid-wicket's left and takes the single on the 5th ball of the over.

Good length on off, Jacob Bethell punches this to sweeper cover for no run.

On a length around the pads, Jacob Bethell tucks this to square leg.

Back of a length around off, Jacob Bethell punches this off his back foot and hustles back for the second. 300 COMES UP FOR ENGLAND! They lead by 117 runs.

Full and wide of off, Jacob Bethell drives this to deep point for no run.

Tossed up, on off, Matthew Potts drives this to sweeper cover and stays on strike.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell cuts this to deep point for a single. Exposes Potts to face one off Beau Webster.

Tossed up, on off, Jacob Bethell rolls this to deep cover for no run.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell drives this to sweeper cover for no run.

Floated around middle and off, Jacob Bethell jumps down the track and smashes this grounded to long on.

Tossed up, around middle and leg, Jacob Bethell rolls this to long on for no run.

Tossed up, on off, Matthew Potts drives this through cover and denies the single. Jacob will be farming the strike for the majority of the over.

Back of a length on middle and leg, Matthew Potts leaves it.

On a length around off, Potts defends this off his front foot.

Again, that handkerchief line and length from Boland. He has been relentless in drawing out false strokes. Matthew Potts is in at number 10. Kerry O'Keefe calls the current English lead of 114 runs 'skinny'. Can the English tail hang around with Bethell? Let's see...

OUT! CAUGHT! Scott Boland comes into the attack and breaks this 30-run stand. Good length, on off, Brydon Carse strides in front to block but the ball holds its line and catches an outside edge of his bat. The ball goes sharply towards the right of Steve Smith at first slip, and the Aussie skipper, as alert as he has been in the cordons over the years, makes no mistake and pouches it. Brydon Carse perishes after a breezy cameo. 16 (20) for him. England are 297/8.

Good length wide of off, Jacob Bethell rolls this through cover and takes a single on the second ball of the over.

Full and wide of off, Jacob Bethell chases this and gets beaten as the ball bounces a bit more than it has in the last few overs.

With about 20 minutes remaining in the day, Scott Boland (16-3-30-1) returns into the attack, replacing Travis Head.

Quicker one, on off. Brydon Carse strides out in front and keeps it out.

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on middle and off, Brydon Carse rolls this to long on for a single.

FOUR! That's poor from the big guy. Tossed up, on off, Brydon Carse smashes this straight back to the bowler but Beau Webster is a bit casual in bending down and stopping it. The ball nutmegs him and goes to the fence down the ground.

Full and on middle and off, Brydon Carse blocks this off his front foot.

Full and wide of off, Carse leaves it.

Pushed through on off, Jacob Bethell keeps it out.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Jacob Bethell. Short of a length on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell backs away and pulls this strongly through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Short of a length on middle and leg, Carse rocks back and pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Carse takes on Head. Tossed up, around off, Brydon Carse jumps down the track and smashes this away to the left of Travis Head and the ball has raced to the long off fence for four. The lead for England breaches three digits and reads 102 runs.

Full and on the pads, Brydon Carse blocks this around mid on.

Tossed up, around off, Brydon Carse punches this to cover.

Short and on off, Jacob Bethell punts this to short cover for no run.

Full and on off, Brydon Carse drives this down to long off for one.

Full and on middle and off, Brydon Carse keeps it out. The ball did get an inside edge and ballooned off the front pad but short to the left of short leg.

Too full, on middle and off, Jake Weatherald drills this down to long on for one.

Quicker one, around off, Jacob Bethell rolls this to cover.

FOUR! Bethell is having a sight of this red cherry as big as a beach ball. Tossed up, on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell sweeps this behind square on leg for a boundary to the right of the fielder at fine leg.

Short and around leg. Brydon Carse lets it go.

Short and on off, Jake Weatherald guides this through backward point for a single.

Good length around off, Brydon Carse dabs this to point for a single.

FOUR! PULLED AWAY FOR FOUR! Crucial runs for England. Short and on off, Brendan Doggett goes onto his back foot and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary towards the left of Michael Neser at deep mid-wicket.

WIDE! A sharp bumper, way too high for the umpire's liking. Wided.

Short pitched, around off, Brydon Carse ducks down.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell pulls this to mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Brydon Carse blocks this one as well.

Pushed through on off, Brydon Carse dabs this on the bounce to first slip.

Full and wide of off, Brydon Carse leaves it all alone.

Floated on middle and off, Brydon Carse blocks.

It is all going south for England now. They have lost 3 wickets in the last 48 runs. Brydon Carse is the new batter in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! No Lyon or Todd Murphy, no problem, says the offie, Beau Webster. Wicket number 3 for the giant man. Short and on off, turning away from the batter. Ben Stokes hangs onto his back foot and throws his bat at it. Gets an outside edge towards the left of the Aussie skipper at first slip. Smith moves to his left and takes a good reflex catch at first slip to send Ben Stokes back on 1. Probably for one last time on Australian soil.

Tossed up, around off, Ben Stokes blocks this to cover.

Short one, on leg, Jacob Bethell tucks this to backward square leg and was looking for a single but Ben Stokes denies as he is nursing a groin injury.

WIDE! Bumper, a bit too high. Jacob Bethell leaves it. Wided.

Good length on the pads, Ben Stokes tucks this to long on for a single.

Another short short one, on leg. Ben sits under it.

Marnus Labuschagne comes around the stumps, bowls a short one into the batter. Ben Stokes, ducks down.

Short and on leg, Jacob Bethell pulls this to deep square leg and takes one.

That was a suicidal run out. Once again, just as England looked to be seizing the momentum with a budding partnership, they have thrown it away. In walks the English skipper, Ben Stokes, at number 8. He is already struggling with his right adductor and it would be crucial to see how he goes about with his footwork and running between the wickets.

OUT! JAMIE SMITH IS RUN OUT! Another ordinary decision-making by Jamie Smith. He got out playing an uninspired shot in the first innings, against Labuschagne and this time, he has thrown it away through a needless run out. Short pitched, around leg, Jacob Bethell fends this towards Jake Weatherald at square leg and just takes a couple of steps forward but screams 'HANG ON' to his partner. Smith, however, is already halfway down the track to pinch in a single. The throw from Jake Weatherald is sharp and towards the bowler. He actually took an extra split second to pick the right end with Smith struggling big time to retreat back. Marnus Labuschagne gathers this near the stumps and removes the bails in a flash with Jamie Smith way out of the crease. Jamie Smith departs on 26 off 41 and England are 264/6, leading by 83 runs!

DRINKS! The game is finely in the balance with around an hour to be played on Day 4. Jacob Bethell has looked rock solid throughout this innings and Jamie Smith is supporting him well so far. With Ben Stokes poised to put his body on the line and the tail to follow, England will be hoping to stretch the lead from 81 to something around 180 plus to stand a chance in this contest.

Nice and full, tossed up on off, Smith lunges forward and smothers the spin.

FOUR! HAMMERED! Webster errs in length, goes short and wide outside off, Jamie Smith is quick to pick the length and punches it hard to deep extra cover for a boundary.

Full and outside off, spinning in a touch. Jamie Smith leans on and blocks.

Looped full toss, on off, Bethell shimmies down the track and drills it to the right of long off for a single.

Shortish length, on middle, tucked off the back foot to the left of the bowler.

Pushed down leg, short in length, Jacob Bethell advances down the track and tickles it fine behind to the fine leg region for a couple of runs.

Dug in short, on the bodyline, Jacob controls the pull shot off the back foot and gets a single past square leg.

From around the stumps, short and on off, Jacob Bethell watches it closely and ducks underneath it.

On top of middle, on a length, Jamie hangs back and bunts it to the right of the bowler. Marnus Labuschagne dives to his right on the follow-through and tries to stop one-handed but the ball evades him. A single taken.

Short on off, Jacob stands tall and drags it across with a pull shot. They cross as the ball travels to deep mid-wicket.

Back of a length, outside off, shooting up from the pitch. Jamie Smith gets on his toes, and chips it a bit uppishly, but through the vacant point region for a single.

Starts off with a bumper, on middle, Jamie ducks underneath it.

The golden arm, Marnus Labuschagne, is introduced by Steve Smith.

Serves it full and around off, driven off the front foot to cover.

And again! Wide outside off, on a length, Bethell is happy to let that go.

WIDE! Miles outside off, beyond the guideline, left alone.

Short and outside off, no shot offered by Bethell.

On a fuller length, around off and middle, Jamie Smith plays with the spin and clips it to long on for a single.

Turns in from off, on a fractionally short length. Jamie Smith alertly blocks it off the back foot.

Loopy delivery, outside off and full, Jacob Bethell spreads on the crease with a huge lunge and drives it to mid off for a single.

Full and nipping in from middle, Jamie Smith drags the bat in front of the pads and eases it to mid on.

Full and around off, Smith leans forward and blocks it out.

Wide on off, on a length, punched on the up to extra cover.

FOUR! In control! Short of a good length, just outside off, kicking up a bit. Jamie Smith rides the bounce and opens the bat face to get it over gully for a boundary. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND! England's lead is now 67 runs.

A bit of cat and mouse there! Neser sees Bethell charging across the stumps and slants it on the leg stump line. Jacob Bethell is alert enough as he takes it on the full and flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Pitched full and outside off, Jacob Bethell hops forward and slaps it to the point fielder.

Much fuller, outside off, laced away to deep extra cover for an easy single.

Back of a length on middle and leg. Bethell rocks back to work it into the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his back pad.

Another full ball, on the leg stump, Jacob sweeps it to deep backward square leg. Boland cuts it off to his right from deep fine leg. Two taken.

Full and on middle, gently pushed away to long on for one more.

Full and around off, driven along the ground to long off for a single.

A muted appeal for LBW, but not given. Going down leg highly likely. Drifts it on the leg stump, full in length, Jacob misses his sweep and wears it on the pad.

A length ball, outside off, Smith gets on the back foot and punches towards cover.

Rises from the pitch, nipping in from off, Jamie Smith rides the bounce and drops it down the pitch.

A bunny-hop from Jacob as he walks to the pitch of the ball and drives this full ball to cover, where the fielder parries it to the deep for a single.

BEATEN! A rare false shot by Bethell! Neser hurls it full and outside off, Jacob Bethell goes chasing the wide line to drive through cover and the ball beats the outside edge.

On the sixth stump, full in length, Bethell charges forward and carves it to cover.

Full and straight outside off, Bethell ignores.

Shortish delivery on middle, sliding in, Bethell controls the pull shot off the back foot towards deep square leg for a single.

Fuller one, on off, Smith gets forward and drills it to long on for a single.

On that awkward length, neither full nor short, outside off. Jamie Smith goes on the back foot and blocks it down.

Outside off, on a shorter length, Smith reaches for it and cuts it to point.

Another couple of runs as Smith rocks back on this length delivery and slices it to the left of deep backward point.

Spotting Smith stepping down the track, Beau pushes it wide outside off, on a fuller length. Jamie Smith goes through his shot and drives it to the left of cover for a couple of runs.

Outside off, on a fractionally fuller length, Bethell shows no interest.

A crowd catch! Very full, around off, Jacob Bethell leans forward and caresses it straight to short cover.

Fullish ball, on middle and leg, Smith flicks it to mid on where Boland fumbles to his left and allows a single. ENGLAND LEAD BY 50 RUNS!

On a length, on off, defended out to cover.

A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but there were clearly two noises and the umpire says no as well! Brings the angle back into the batter, full and on the stumps, nipping in. Jamie Smith looks to drive it straight, but gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad. The ball then lobs towards gully and lands short of the fielder there.

Short on off, bunted off the back foot to the off side.

Full and on off, Jamie Smith plays with the spin and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

Floated fuller, on off, Jamie lunges ahead and smothers the spin.

Length ball, sliding in and around middle, tucked to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Almost dragged on! This one stays low on the bounce on a length, turning in off the rough patch. Jamie Smith goes back and throws his bat at it, trying to cut it square on the off side, but inside edges it past the leg stump. The ball trickles away to the short fine leg region for a single.

Spins in from off, on a length, Jamie Smith negotiates it nicely as he punches it off the back foot.

Flat and touch short, outside off, Jacob hangs deep inside the crease and slaps it to the left of deep point for a single.

A positive sight for the English fans. Ben Stokes is seen padded up and in his whites in the dressing room.

Length ball, drifting down leg, Jacob Bethell misses to pull off the back foot and Carey fumbles to gather it cleanly to his right, parrying the ball away to the backward square leg region. They cross for a bye. England lead by 45 runs!

Around off, on a length, Jacob Bethell knocks it to extra cover.

Short of a good length, slanting in, Bethell stands tall and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

The call is for two and they will get it! Bethell rides the bounce and punches it through the cover region for a couple of runs.

Hard length, on middle, angling in, punched off the back foot to mid on.

Carey is up to the wickets. Around off, on a fuller length, straightening off the pitch. Bethell presses forward to defend, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

This one spits and turns back in on a fractionally fuller length, Jamie Smith comits on the front foot to push it straight, but plays over it and the ball beats the inside edge to catch him on the thigh pad.

BEATEN! This lands on the seam and doesn't turn, full and outside off, Jamie Smith leans on and expects it to turn into him and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Blazed through the in-field! Bouncing off the track, and spinning in a touch, around off. Jamie Smith rocks back and punches it in front of square on the off side for a cracking boundary.

Flat and around off, on a length, stabbed off the back foot to the off side.

Similar line and length, Jamie backs away and eases it to extra cover.

Grips in with bounce on off, Jamie Smith is rushed back and dabs it to the off side.

Full and shaping in on off, Bethell meets it on the front foot and eases it to mid off.

Express pace at 145.3 kph, short and outside off, Jacob lets it be.

Shortens the length, around off, Smith rises up and taps it to the cover-point region for a single.

Speared into the batter at 143.7 kph, full and from around the stumps. Jamie Smith presses forward and blocks it out.

Hard length, on top of off, Smith hangs back and taps it back to the bowler.

Full and on middle, Smith blocks it solidly off the crease.

The length is dragged back, just outside off, Jamie Smith hangs back and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Nice and full, on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and around off, Smith blocks off the front foot.

This is highly disappointing for Will Jacks to play such a stroke knowing you are virtually a batter down and in a challenging moment in the contest. Will Jacks departs for a 2-ball duck and Jamie Smith replaces him out in the middle.

OUT! HIGH UP AND TAKEN! Beau Webster with an inspired bowling spell. A needless throw of a wicket from Jacks and the Aussies roar back in the game. Lands it fuller, on off, turning in from the rough. Will Jacks gets low and across to slog it over deep mid-wicket, but he loses his shape and his head falls over. Hence, the ball travels off the inside half of the bat to the deep. Cameron Green runs in off the ropes and dives a bit to his left and gathers the dipping ball in his big buckets safely while taking a tumble. The Aussies are ecstatic and rightly so. Webster celebrates again with both arms aloft as his teammates swamp him. Will Jacks departs on a silver duck and from 219/3, England are 219/5.

Spins across on a length, Jacks backs away and knocks it to the off side.

What an excellent review this has turned out to be for the Aussies. Alex Carey needs to be applauded for this as well because he was the one who convinced Steve Smith to go upstairs despite Beau Webster suggesting this would miss the stumps on height. With Ben Stokes suffering a GROIN INJURY, Will Jacks takes his place in the batting lineup and walks out next to bat.

OUT! LBW! What a brilliant review for Australia. Beau Webster with a huge breakthrough. Pitched fractionally fuller, spinning in from the rough patch with bounce. Harry Brook is pinned in the crease as he tries to block it straight but gets outfoxed by the prodigious turn into him. Plays over the line and the ball clips the front pad. A huge appeal for LBW, but not given. Beau Webster thinks it is a bit too high, but Carey seems certain and convinces his skipper to take the review. Snicko shows a flat line when the ball is next to the bat and the Ball Tracking comes up with three reds, with the ball projected to smash into the middle and leg stumps. Harry Brook walks back after yet another start and will remain century-less this Ashes. 42 (48) for Brook, and the 102-run partnership is broken. England are 219/4, leading by 36 runs.

Too full, on the stumps, carved straight back.

Overpitched on middle, flicked off the pads to mid on. Neser moves to his left and slides to cut it off, but parries it to the deep for a single.

EDGED, FOUR! Frustrations keep rising for Australia! Very full, outside off, Brook advances down the track and throws his bat at it, to smash through the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball shoots between the second slip and gully for a boundary.

Risky from Brook! He makes room by shuffling to the leg stump, shaping for the ramp up and over deep third on this short ball, but fails to connect.

Oh, nearly dragged on! Full and wide on off, Jacob Bethell leans on to crack the cover drive, but he inside edges it past the leg stump and the ball rolls behind to deep fine leg for a single.

On top of middle, on a length, Bethell taps it across to short mid-wicket.

Full and drifting on the pads, Jacob flicks it to the right of mid on for a single.

Tossed-up delivery, around off, pushed to the left of mid off for a single.

Shortish delivery, bouncing and turning from off, Jacob hangs deep and cuts it to deep point for a single.

In a remarkable moment at the packed SCG, Jacob Bethell brings up his maiden Test century during the final match of the Ashes 2025/26 series, a milestone that visibly moved his father to tears of joy. This emphatic announcement to the world of cricket, however, is only half the job done. Bethell knows he needs to begin from scratch again, aiming to convert this into a significant score that puts the team in a commanding position.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR JACOB BETHELL! His first-ever Test century. His maiden Ashes century, and his first First Class ton as well. A star has risen from the cauldron of the SCG. His family in the stands cheers for him with pride and the Barmy Army is up and about as well. Webster drops it full and on the stumps, Jacob Bethell shimmies down the track and launches it over mid on for a boundary. A very fluent and mature knock from the youngster against a quality bowling attack. He has batted beyond his years, and this first is worth remembering for a long, long time.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Jacob Bethell drives it inside out to wide mid off.

Pushed through, full and on off, Jacob Bethell leans on and flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Wayward! Slanted far down leg, on a hard length. Brook ignores. Carey dives full-length to his left and gathers it nicely behind the stumps.

Effort ball from Starc. Pushes it across the batter, going down leg, on a length. Brook misses to glance it across and misses.

Short at 141 kph, and it keeps flying off the pitch, around off. Harry Brook stands tall to execute the ramp shot over the slip cordon, but fails to get his bat on ball.

Hard length, on top of off, Brook is rock-solid in defence off the back foot.

Bashed hard on a length, on middle, Brook taps it back to the bowler using soft hands.

Bowls from a wider angle, does Starc. Short and on top of middle. Brook backs away and tries to play the uppercut, but misses.

Bethell remains parked on 99! Good length, lasered on the pads, Jacob hangs back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Fractionally short, slanting in and around middle. Bethell blocks it off the back foot to the leg side.

On a back of a length, cutting back in with some bounce. Bethell stands tall and bunts it back to Boland. His heart would surely be beating very fast right now.

Fullish and around off, Brook tries to push it straight, but the ball nips in to take the inside edge before the ball rolls to the right of mid-wicket. It is stopped by Neser with a dive. A single taken.

Length ball, outside off, Brook climbs on it and taps it to point with soft hands.

Wide outside off, good length, left alone by Brook.

Another one banged short, on middle, Jacob gets inside the line and ducks under it. Bethell remains on 99 for now.

Starc slams hard into the pitch, short and just outside off, Jacob Bethell leans back and drops his wrists to leave.

Easy singles! He camps back and casually steers this length ball to deep backward point for a single.

Angling into the batter, on a good length. Jacob Bethell waits back and nudges it through backward square leg for a single. He is on 99 and every run is being cheered off his bat!

On a length, outside off, Brook punches it to deep backward point for a single. England's lead is now 20 runs!

Short of a good length, just outside off, Jacob Bethell gets on the back foot and knocks it to the cover region for a quick single. Moves to 98, does Bethell!

Here comes the Australian Ace pacer, Mitchell Starc. The Aussie skipper Smith senses an opportunity to make inroads, and he has counted on his most reliable troop to get a wicket for him at this stage.

Full and around off, Jacob Bethell presses forward and dabs it through cover-point for a single.

BEAUTY! Probes in and around the channel of off, on a back of a length, nipping away. Jacob Bethell gets squared up as he tries to block and is beaten all ends up.

Nice and full, angled in and around middle. Jacob gets on the front foot and drills it back to the bowler's left. Neser sticks out his left hand and plucks the ball on the bounce.

At 133.8 kph, this is bashed on a length, outside off, nibbling away. Jacob Bethell prods forward and watchfully lets it pass.

A tempter, full and outside off, Jacob does not fall prey to it. Leaves it alone.

He rises up on his toes and taps this length delivery through backward point for a single. 200 UP FOR ENGLAND!

A very hopeful appeal for LBW from Neser, but he gets no support from the men behind the batter. Smith has a word with his bowler, but they decide against it. Slanting back in from middle, on a hard length, with some bounce. Jacob Bethell plays all over it while trying to tuck it across to the leg side, and wears it on the thigh pad. Ball Tracking shows that it would have missed the leg stump.

Nagging length, around off, bumped off the back foot to the bowler.

Touch full, on the stumps, flicked off the pads to mid-wicket.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Bethell's Test best is 96 and he is on that exact score now. Shortish length, on off, Jacob Bethell weighs on the back foot and pulls it wide of mid-wicket for a boundary, beating deep backward square leg to his right in the deep.

Another full delivery, around off, Jacob Bethell strides across and smothers the pace nicely.

Full, angling in on off, Jacob Bethell presents a solid front foot defence.

FOUR! That's a brave shot from Brook as he moves into his 30s! He steps down the track and uses his wrists to flick this full ball aerially from outside off. Beats mid on to his right for a boundary. ENGLAND LEAD BY 12 RUNS!

Full and nipping in from outside off, Brook lines up to drive it down the ground, but gets a healthy inside edge on the front pad. A stifled appeal for LBW, but nothing doing.

Short angling at the ribs, Jacob stands tall and works it to deep backward square leg for a single.

On a length, on off, defended watchfully.

On a hard length, outside off, skidding through. Jacob Bethell attempts the square cut on the back foot, only to miss.

FOUR OVERTHROWS! That will not help Australia at all. On a hard length, around off, Jacob punches it on the up to extra cover. Seeing Brook charge for a single from the other end, Marnus Labuschagne gets rid of the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowling end. Brook, however, ploughs his bat inside the crease before the stumps are hit. The ball deflects off the sticks and with no proper backup in the deep mid-wicket region, it races away to the fence gifting runs to the Englishmen.

Back of a length, on the stumps, Harry Brook with a solid forward block.

Off the edge! Nips away from off, on a good length. Harry Brook is squared up while trying to block and gets a massive outside edge to the right of gully for a couple of runs.

Huge cheers from the English fans and especially by 'The Barmy Army' as England leads Australia by 1 run.

Feeds it full and just outside off, Jacob leans on and drives it to deep point for a single. ENGLAND LEAD BY 1 RUN!

SCORES ARE LEVEL! Around off, on a length, Harry Brook deliberately plays it late to the widish short third region for a single.

Back of a length, on the stumps, Jacob nudges it to the leg side for a single. England trail by only 1 run!

FOUR! Wow, that's laced away! A half volley from Neser, outside off, Jacob Bethell gets a big stride out and hits through the line. With his head over the ball, he creams this through cover-point for a boundary.

Michael Neser will be partnering with Scott Boland from the other end to start the final session of Day 4.

Short in length, nibbling away, on off, Jacob Bethell waits for it to arrive and plays with soft hands, dabbing it through backward point for a single. The partnership is now worth run-a-ball 60 between Brook and Bethell. England's deficit is down to 6 runs now.

The line is outside off, on a length, Harry Brook hangs back and steers it behind square on the off side for a single.

This one tails in a touch, slightly fuller, Harry Brook prods forward to defend, but gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad before the ball rolls in front.

Nips in from off, on a good length, Brook presses forward and blocks it straight back at the bowler.

Beats the edge right away! On a length, outside off, nipping away. Harry Brook pokes loosely as he chases the wide line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short and outside off, Bethell rides the bounce and taps it through backward point for a single.

Welcome back for the third and final session on Day 4. England's first and foremost aim would be to bat the first crucial 15 minutes or so watchfully and scale down the deficit, which reads 9 runs. Any target north of 150-160 would be a spicy one to chase on a day five surface. Now then, the umpires and players punctually walk out to the middle. Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook to resume their alliance together. Scott Boland (12-3-15-1) to get us underway in the final session. Bethell on strike. Here we go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

Jacob Bethell is showing exactly what he is capable of. England have avoided another collapse like earlier in the series, and Harry Brook will be crucial for them in this final session. There will be plenty of focus on Brook and the question of whether he can go on to score a century in Australia, who has the highest score of 84 so far, in this Ashes. A couple of wickets early into the evening and that will bring Australia right on top of the proceedings. Let's see how far the Englishmen can extend the lead. Play resumes at 4.30 am GMT. Stay tuned.

If Duckett's place in the side was hanging by a thread, going by his performances, young Jacob Bethell had the opportunity to cement his spot at number 3 and with a fluently constructed half century, looking a million bucks, he fortified one end nicely along. Boland looked the best of the Aussie bowlers by far in this session. He created a lot of pressure by bashing the lengths and nipping the ball there and thereabouts to eventually trap Root in front and reduce England to 117/3.

The partnership between Duckett and Bethell had taken a good structure coming into the afternoon session. Duckett was batting on his highest score in this Ashes, but that 81-run stand was broken instantly through a combination of lack of confidence and ordinary technique. In a disappointing series for him, he ended up without a single half century on this tour Down Under.

Another absorbing session has flown by in this final Ashes Test. Australia are firmly in control of the game, but this is probably not the kind of resistance they were expecting from England. 94/2 in 24 overs in this afternoon's session as the tourists whittle the lead down in single figures, and have seven wickets in hand with two set batters at the crease. But, they are still not out of the woods yet.

FOUR! Harry Brook ends the session with a boundary. Short and wide of off, Harry Brook cuts this with fast hands and gets it away to the right of the deep point fielder for four runs. And that will be TEA on Day 4! England now trail by just 9 runs.

On a length around off, Harry Brook defends this off his front foot.

Back of a length around off, Harry Brook looks to cut this towards point but misses. Excellent take by Carey, standing up.

Full and wide of off, Harry Brook goes for an expansive drive but mishits it off the inside half and bumps it back to the bowler. The umpire signals NO BALL as Beau Webster has overstepped.

Good length on the pads, Jacob Bethell flicks this away for one.

Hard length, into the batter. Jacob Bethell blocks this out.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell punches this to cover for no run.

Tossed up, around off, Jake Weatherald drives this to deep cover for a single.

Full and on off, Harry Brook drives this to sweeper cover for one. 50-RUN PARTNERSHIP COMES UP BETWEEN BROOK AND BETHELL!

Top-spin on off, Harry Brook looks to cut it away but ends up chopping this around the stumps. This was bouncing on the stumps, but some handy footwork from Brook saves the day for him.

Short and wide of off, Harry Brook cuts this to deep point for a couple.

FOUR! Perfectly into the gap. Flighted around off, Harry Brook dances down the track and smashes this past the extra cover fielder to his left and beats the sweeper cover running to his right for four runs.

Tossed up, around off, Harry Brook strides a long way out and blocks.

Time for a bit of spin now. Bowler number 6 for Australia. Travis Head replaces Michael Neser. He has a knack for picking wickets and will look to extract turn and bounce via the roughs created by the quicks.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell blocks this off his front foot.

Hard length, on top of off. Jacob Bethell punches this to mid off for no run.

Good length around off, Harry Brook cuts this to point and takes one.

On a length around middle and off, Jacob Bethell flicks this through mid on for one.

On a length around off, Jacob Bethell defends this off his front foot towards the bowler.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell blocks this off his front foot.

One big man replaces another. Here's Beau Webster into the attack, replacing Cameron Green from the Paddington End.

Full and on the pads, Jacob Bethell flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Hard length, on top of off, Jacob Bethell rocks onto his back foot and blocks.

On a length around off, Jacob Bethell thumps this back to the bowler.

Good length on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell blocks this to the right of Usman Khawaja at mid-wicket.

On a length around the pads, Jacob tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Hard length, on top of off, Jacob Bethell blocks this out.

FOUR! Brook created room for himself and found the fence. Short, around middle and leg, rearing up. Harry Brook moves away and exposes the stumps and looks to slash square on the off side, but gets an outside edge that lobs over the keeper and races to the fence behind for four. 14 runs off the over.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell works this through mid-wicket for one.

5 Penalty runs awarded to England.

FIVE RUNS! Short pitched, angling away from the batter with extra bounce. Jacob Bethell leaves it. Carey tries to gather the ball with the fingers pointing upward, but the ball dips on him and he gets a stinging blow on his left fingers. The ball then deflects behind him and rolls onto the helmet. Five penalty runs added to the English tally. Carey looks in some pain and shakes it off for now. He has hardly missed anything behind the stumps this entire Ashes. Teams are permitted to keep spare helmets on the field for the wicketkeeper and close-in fielders, with the proviso that if the ball strikes a helmet, the batting side is awarded five penalty runs.

Short again, on off, Harry Brook pulls this flat and into the surface. Gets it past mid-wicket, diving to his right for one.

Short pitched, on leg, Jacob Bethell pulls this to deep backward square leg for one.

Full and wide of off, Jacob Bethell leans low and cuts this to the right of Usman Khawaja at deep third for two.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell jams this around point for a single.

Good length, around off, Jacob Bethell defends this off his front foot.

Good length, onto the pads, Harry Brook flicks this through square leg and takes one.

Good length on the pads, Harry Brook tucks this through mid-wicket for a couple more.

Good length on off, Harry Brook tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Good length around off, Harry Brook punches this to the right of the fielder at sweeper cover for two more runs.

Michael Neser (8-0-26-1) is back on and replaces Scott Boland from the Randwick End.

Hard length on off, Jacob Bethell defends this well off his front foot.

FOUR! This time off the back foot punch. Geez, this lad is showing some class in chaos around him. Good length on off, Jacob Bethell gets right behind the line of it and smashes this through the right of mid-off for a boundary more.

FOUR! That's been smashed away in the gap for four. Short pitched, on middle and off, Jacob Bethell gets quickly onto his back foot and pulls this in front of square on leg, towards the deep mid-wicket region for four runs.

Good length on middle and off, Harry Brook punches this through cover for one.

One thing worth noting is that Bethell has never made a first-class hundred. In fact, his highest first-class score is 96, which came during England's tour of New Zealand in 2024, in the second Test. So, if Bethell goes on to reach three figures, his top two highest scores in first-class cricket would be from Tests! Interesting. And this kid is just 22.

Short pitched, on middle and leg. Harry Brook looks to leave it but the ball hits him on his hands and rolls back to the keeper.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell cuts this to deep third for one.

Good length, on off, Harry Brook defends this underneath his eyeline.

Good length on off, Harry Brook punches this crisply to Marnus Labuschagne at extra cover.

Good length around off, Harry Brook gets right behind it and keeps it out.

On a length, around the pads, Jacob Bethell flicks this to fine leg for a single.

Short and on off, Jacob Bethell dabs this out.

Back of a length on off, Harry Brook dabs this past the right of the fielder at gully for one.

Good length on off, Jacob Bethell blocks this out.

FOUR BYES! Short pitched, on off, swings away from the keeper after leaving the batter. Alex Carey, already dives across to his right, but the ball shapes away late on him and beats him to race away to the fence for four extras.

Good length, around off, Jacob Bethell leaves it.

FOUR! As solid as it could be. Back of a length around off, Jacob Bethell rocks onto his back foot and punches this right through the gap at cover to his right for a boundary.

Full and wide of off, Jacob Bethell leaves it all alone.

Back of a length, around off, Jacob Bethell gets into two thoughts, one to punch or second to leave it and decides the right one and leaves it.

A massive, massive blow for England. Root walks off disappointed. Is this the last time we have seen the English maestro bat on Aussie soil? Only time will tell. But for now, he ends this Ashes with 400 runs to his name. Harry Brook, the third-highest run scorer of the series so far, walks in at number 5.

OUT! LBW! Joe Root has been trapped right in front of the stumps. Boland bowls it from wide of the crease, angling it into the batter. Joe Root covers the line, and looks to work it straight but fails to get anything on the ball as he plays all over it. The ball nips back in sharply and goes on to hit Root on his front pad. A loud appeal by the Australians as one and the umpire, Chris Gaffaney, raises his finger. Joe Root, reluctantly, sends this upstairs for a review. But it looks really adjacent. And indeed. Two reds followed by an umpire's call with the ball projected to clip the top of the leg stump. England do not lose a review, but they lose Joe Root on 6 (37). The tourists are 117/3, trailing by 66 runs.

Hard length, once again, on leg. Joe Root blocks this to mid-wicket.

Good length, wide of off, Joe Root gets it chopped off the under-edge towards gully.

Webster is seen loosening up. Might as well get a spell shortly.

On a length around middle and off, Joe Root defends this out.

Good length, on off. Joe Root pushes this to mid off for no run.

Hard length, on top of off. Joe Root keeps it out.

That's a maiden by Starc. Short pitched, on off, Jacob Bethell leaves it.

On a length around middle and off. Jacob Bethell gets right behind it and keeps it out.

Good length arond the pads, Jacob Bethell misses out on the flick.

Back of a length, angling across the batter. Jacob Bethell hops up on his toes and looks to flick this one but misses out.

Bumper, around middle and off. Jacob Bethell looks to fend this through mid-wicket but gets beaten.

Short pitched, from around the stumps, on leg. Jacob Bethell ducks down.

Good length, wide of off, Josh Inglis steps across and looks to block but gets it edged off the inside onto his midriff for no run.

On a length, angling into the batter. Joe Root rocks back and keeps it out.

Good length around middle and off, Jacob Bethell tucks this to mid-wicket for a single.

Short and wide of off, Jacob Bethell leaves it all alone.

Hard length on off, Jacob Bethell blocks this around cover.

Full and just wide of off, angling away from the left-hander. Jacob Bethell leaves it.

DRINKS BREAK. A mixed bag of an afternoon session so far, honestly. Yes, England have lost Ben Duckett, but ​​​​Jacob Bethell has shown maturity in the way he has gone about constructing his innings. He has formed a responsible alliance with Root, who has been kept relatively quiet at the other end. Can Australia manage to dismantle this brewing partnership before Tea? With the up-and-down nature of the surface, batting is not going to get easier from here. And with the sun beating down hard and the cracks opening up, there will be more uneven bounce to deal with. With the deficit brought down to 67 runs, England will aim to scale it down in the next hour and build on a healthy lead and push this into the fifth day. Scott Boland (9-2-12-0) to bowl after the hydration break.

Dug in short and on off, Jacob Bethell rises on the toes and dabs it with soft hands in the cover-point region for a single.

That's 400 runs for Root in this Ashes! He is the second-best batter and still 200 behind Travis Head. Length ball, outside off, Root square cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Length ball, around off, Joe Root knocks it to short extra cover.

Straight on middle, on a length, Joe Root blocks it off the back foot solidly.

Back of a length, on the leg stump, tucked behind square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR JACOB BETHELL! A fluent knock from the youngster. His 4th Test half century in just his sixth match. He has batted beyond his years in this innings. Bashed hard on a length, outside off, Jacob Bethell transfers his weight on the back foot and slaps it through the cover region for a cracking boundary. Surely, he will be in possession of the number three berth when the series against New Zealand comes around in June.

A yard behind fuller length, on the pads, Jacob Bethell hops off and steers it to deep backward square leg for a single. Jacob Bethell is on 49! England trail by 74.

On a hard length, on middle, Jacob Bethell watchfully blocks it off the back foot.

Short, angling into the bodyline, Jacob Bethell swivels and pulls it to the vacant deep mid-wicket region. Since it is hit off the toe end, it slows in the outfield and is cut off by the deep square leg fielder to his right. Two taken.

Full and on off, Jacob Bethell drives it away to the mid off fielder.

Just outside off, on a hard length, Jacob Bethell feels for it, but drags his bat inside the line in time.

Short of a length, slanting in, Jacob Bethell stands tall and bunts it down the pitch.

Full and around off at 142.5 kph, Root gets a good stride forward and drives it straight to cover-point.

Banged in short, on the leg stump line, Jacob Bethell rides the bounce and steers it to long leg for a single.

Length-delivery, outside off, Jacob Bethell gets on the back foot and cuts it to the left of backward point. Michael Neser slides to his left and cuts it off, saving a certain boundary. Restricts the batters down to a couple only.

Tight leave! Jags back in from a length, on top of off, Jacob Bethell trusts the bounce and offers no shot. That's not too high from the off pole though.

A typical fast bowler response! Way too short, on top of off, and it keeps rising up. Bethell arches back and drops his wrists to let it fly back to Carey.

FOUR! Now that's a shot of a confident batter! Back of a length, outside off, Jacob Bethell hangs deep inside the crease and cuts it behind square for a boundary through backward point and short third.

Good length outside off and it nips back sharply off the surface. Root is squared up as he plays from the crease. The ball brushes his thigh pad on its way through to Alex Carey.

Length ball, on off, fended off the back foot to point.

BEATEN! This one nips the other way, leaves the batter from a length, outside off, Root goes chasing the wide delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Australia burn a review! Nips in a long way from a good length, in and around the off stump line. Root strides across to defend, but plays well over the line and the ball passes close to the inside edge before lobbing off the flap of his front pad to the second slip fielder to grabs it. There's an appeal for caught behind, but the umpire says no. Australia take a review, only for it to get extinguished as the Snicko shows a clear gap between the bat and the ball. Root stays for now.

Is there an edge? Scott Boland is up and about and the Aussies appeal as one for caught behind. Steve Smith has a word with Boland and sends it upstairs for a review. The front-on replay shows a daylight gap between the bat and ball, with the ball ramming Root's flap of the front pad before spooning behind to the second slip. Snicko confirms the same. The on-field decision is upheld.

Length-delivery, outside off, Root sees that off.

Hard length, on the stumps, angling in. Jacob tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Change of ends for Scott Boland. 7-2-8-0 are his bowling figures so far. He has bowled with far mor control than the others, but hasn't reaped the rewards just yet. He replaces Michael Neser.

Back of a length, rising up, outside off. Joe Root tries to steer it to the off side, plays it late on the bounce toward the right of the gully fielder.

Hard length, on top of middle. Root rises with the bounce and bunts it back to the bowler.

OUTSIDE EDGE, FOUR! A slice of luck for Root! Full and just outside off, nipping away slightly off the pitch. Root is forced to play with the angle and tries to drive it down the ground, only managing an outside edge that flies between the second slip and the gully fielders for a boundary.

Speared in full and around off, cranking it up at 142.3 kph. Joe Root strides forward and blocks it to point.

Nips back in sharply on a good length. Root drags his bat in front to block, but gets a thick inside edge to the leg side.

Good length, on middle, climbing on the batter, Jacob hangs back and wrists it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Neser seems to have jarred his knee while landing and looks a bit uncomfortable. He hobbled away after completing his over. Nothing too serious, but Neser hasn't looked too pleased with the landing area throughout his spell. Aight, the hammer is out again to flatten out the landing region. And a bowling change as Mitchell Starc (6-0-31-1) is back on, replacing Scott Boland.

Nagging length, into the batter, tucked across to the mid-wicket region.

Hard length, at 131.8 kph, Root plays close to his body and late cuts it to point.

Back of a length, wide outside off, Bethell leans back and square cuts it to deep point for a single.

Michael Vaughan on air provides an update from the English dressing room. Ben Stokes walked off the field due to a groin issue. He will come out to bat for sure, but a bit further down the order.

Probing line outside off, on a length, left alone.

The odd one outside off, short in length, Jacob leaves.

On a fuller length, on middle, Jacob Bethell leans on and keeps it out to the off side.

Full and on the stumps, angling in, Root clips it to mid on.

Oh, this one stays low on the bounce. Touch full, jagging in and around off. Joe Root watchfully defends it off the back foot to point. There was a visible puff of dust when the ball pitched.

Nips in from off, on a fuller length, Joe Root covers the line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Fuller in length, around off, good solid defence from Root.

Folds back into the batter from a fullish length, just outside off. Joe Root strides across, tries to block, but gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad and the ball rolls to point. A half hearted appeal for LBW from the men behind the batter, but the appeal dies down instantly.

Back of a length, and this is tucked in front of square on the leg side for a single.

EDGED AND SAFE! Did it carry towards Green at gully though? Fuller ball, just outside off, nipping away and forcing Bethell to chase the wide line. He gets a thick outside edge as he pushes at it with hard hands. The ball goes flat and low to the left of the gully fielder, where Cameron Green spreads his wingspan with a dive, but parries the ball with his left hand to the deep for a single.

Hard length, on off, Bethell hangs back and punches it to the off side.

Much fuller, on off, Bethell is solid on his front foot defence this time around.

Fuller than a length, around off, angling in. Jacob Bethell presses ahead to defend, but the ball bounces and spins back towards the stumps. Bethell is alert enough to realise that and kick it away.

Nagging length, nipping away outside off, Jacob Bethell feels for it and tries to block off the back foot, but manages to drag his bat inside the line.

FOUR! Seesh, that's a shot and a half! A bit too straight and overpitched on middle, Jacob Bethell plays with a straight bat and middles it down the ground for a cracking boundary. A pure delight to watch.

Cuts back in on a fuller length, Joe Root gets across and flicks it to mid on.

Hard length, outside off, Root hops and taps it with soft hands to widish gully.

A RIPPER! Angles in and then seams away from off, on a hard length. Root presses forward to defend, but plays inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Length ball, on the stumps, blocked off the outer half.

Back of a length, around off, Root forces the drive to mid off.

Nips in from a length, on middle, Root blocks it from the pitch.

Nagging length, in front of the sticks, Jacob Bethell hops on the toes and blocks it down the pitch.

A bit loose from Bethell! A good length delivery around the sixth stump. The youngster walks down the track and throws his hands at it, trying for an expansive drive away from the body, only to be beaten on the outside edge.

BEATEN AGAIN! Length-delivery, around off, nipping away, Bethell prods forward to block, only to get beaten past the outside edge.

Root is off the mark! Length ball, around off, tapped away into the point region for a single.

BEAUTY! Good length around off, angling in before pitching and straightening with a bit of extra bounce at 131 kph. Root presses forward in defence and is beaten on the outside edge.

Australia with a breakthrough early in the second session. Here's Joe Root in at number 4.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Neser ends Duckett's resistance and he keeps chipping away at the wickets for his side. Again, the technique comes under the scanner here. With the pitch deteriorating and having uneven bounce, playing cross-batted strokes is always a big risk and Duckett does exactly that. Instead of bringing his bat vertically down to block off the back foot, he tries to slash this length ball from outside off that nips back into him and drags it back onto the stumps off the fat inside edge. Too tight a line to cut it away as well. Ben Duckett is frustrated with himself as he was looking so good barring this delivery. He trudges off for 42 off 55 and England are 85/2, trailing by 98 runs.

Hard length, into the body, bunted down the pitch off the back foot.

WHISKER! Rears up a bit from a good length, just outside off. Jacob Bethell chases the wide delivery on the back foot, hanging his bat loosely away from his body, and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full and wide on off, Bethell shows no interest.

Fractionally full, jagging back in and around off, Jacob watchfully leaves it alone.

Full and around off, Duckett prods forward and drives it between mid off and extra cover for a single.

Across off, on a length, nipping away with bounce. Jacob Bethell pushes at it on the front foot, and gets a fat outside edge that flies flat and wide of point for a single. England trail by 99 runs!

Starc to bowl from the other end? Nope. Scott Boland is the one who will share the attack with Neser. 4-1-6-0 so far are his bowling figures.

Fullish delivery, on off, Duckett pushes it off the inner half of the bat to short mid-wicket.

Well bowled! Angling into the left-hander, touch full and straightening up. Ben Duckett is drawn forward and forced to play the line. But gets beaten on the outside edge.

Rises up from the pitch, on a length, on middle, angling in. Jacob rides the bounce and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

BEATEN! A tempter from Neser! In the channel of off, on a fractionally fuller length, and nibbling away off the seam. Jacob Bethell is sucked onto the front foot to block, but plays the initial line as the ball whistles past his outside edge.

On a length, around off, sliced off the back foot to the left of deep point for a single.

On a length, around off, tapped off the back foot to the cover-point region.

From around the stumps, this is full and around off, Ben presses forward and blocks it to the off side. Uh, oh! No Ball for overstepping straightaway.

We are all set for the action to begin. Jacob Bethell has walked out in the middle alongside Ben Duckett and the duo is set to resume with England's scorecard reading 80 for 1. The visitors still trail by 103 runs and they'll be aiming to get past this number without losing many wickets in this session itself. Michael Neser is geared up to bowl the first over of this post-Lunch session. Duckett to face. Here we go again...

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Facing a daunting first-innings deficit of 183 runs, England's second innings got off to a disastrous start. Mitchell Starc continued his habit of striking in the opening over, removing Zak Crawley to leave the visitors reeling early. However, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell showed immense resolve to steady the ship, navigating a high-pressure session with a risk-free approach. The partnership had reached 76 runs as Lunch approached, though Australia will rue a missed opportunity after Cameron Green dropped a regulation chance in the slips off Duckett. England will head into the break knowing they need much more of this resolute batting to claw their way back into the contest on a deteriorating deck. With a deficit of 103 and 9 wickets in hand, England might be aiming to give themselves a good chance by scoring big in this innings. We will be back around 2.10 am GMT for the post-Lunch session.

Lunch on Day 4 in Sydney has arrived, and it has been a session defined by a rapid exchange of wickets and a gritty English recovery effort. While the first three days of this fifth Test saw runs piled up in abundance, this morning brought a shift in momentum as the wearing surface began to offer more for the bowlers. Resuming at 518 for 7, the Australian batting order was bundled out for 567, adding just 49 runs to their overnight total. Josh Tongue was the chief architect of this morning's collapse, claiming the vital wickets of a well-set Steve Smith for 138 and Mitchell Starc for 5. Will Jacks then polished off the innings by dismissing Scott Boland for a golden duck, leaving Beau Webster stranded on an impressive, unbeaten 71.

Good length around off, Ben Duckett guides this through point and takes a single. And that will be LUNCH on Day 4!

Hard length on the pads, Ben Duckett defends this towards the right of short leg.

Back of a length on off, Ben Duckett keeps it out.

Good length around off, Jacob Bethell drops this in front of a deepish mid off and takes one.

Full and on the pads, Jacob Bethell pushes this to mid on.

LEG BYE! On a length around the pads, Beau Webster gets it away off his thigh pad to square leg for a leg bye.

Should be the final over before Lunch. Cameron Green (2-0-15-0) to bowl.

Good length down the leg. Jacob Bethell steps inside and goes for the flick, but misses.

Short and wide of off, Ben Duckett cuts this to deep third for one.

Good length around off, Ben Stokes swings and misses.

EDGED AND DROPPED! Ben Duckett gets a precious life on 38. Good length around off, shaping away from the batter and rearing up from the indentation. Ben Duckett goes at it with hard hands to block, but the ball rears up and deflects off the gloves. It then shoots flat between the second slip and gully or the widish third slip. Now, Cameron Green goes with his instincts and dives to his right to catch it with his big buckets, but puts it down as the ball just bursts out of his palms. Michael Neser is expressionless, hiding his frustrations within as he walks back to his bowling mark. Smith looked in a far better position at second slip to take that catch to his left. A big let-off for Duckett.

Hard length around off, Ben Duckett keeps it out.

Neser comes in and bowls a bumper, on off. Ben Duckett ducks down.

Michael Neser (3-0-15-0) is back on. He replaces Mitchell Starc.