Day 4 in Sydney had everything you want from a Test match. England started miles behind, 265 runs to go, all wickets in hand, and needing a miracle to stay in it. Australia had its foot on the gas after their lower order tacked on more runs overnight, but cricket loves to mess with expectations.
| Score at the end of Day 4 | 302/8 in 86.3 overs, Lead by 119 runs |
| England’s top performer | Jacob Bethell 142 (232 balls, 15 fours) |
| Australia’s top performer | Beau Webster 13-01-51-03(03 wickets)71*(87balls, 07 fours) |
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 1
Australia Wraps Up, England Gets Off to a Rocky Start
Australia didn’t last long in the morning. They scraped together a few runs, then England’s bowlers wrapped things up fast. Boland didn’t hang around, and suddenly Australia were all out for 567. England needed 265 just to make Australia bat again. Not a mountain, but not a walk in the park, either.
Crawley and Duckett opened, both knowing that surviving the new ball was everything. Australia’s quicks charged in from the start, and the ball was moving all over. Crawley just never settled. He tried to play his shots, but Starc got him early, plumb in front, and he was gone for just 1. England is already wobbling.
Ducket and Bethell had rebuilding to do. Ducket oozed class, Bethell looked so calm for a guy so young. They soaked up the pressure, saw off the most demanding spell, and got England to lunch with no more drama. Solid, but the job was nowhere near done.
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 2
Australia tries to end things early, but England survives
Duckett attempted to steady the ship with Bethell. Bethell looked unbothered, finding gaps, using his feet. Duckett looked good for a bit, but then he chased one he really shouldn’t have and got played on for 27. Suddenly, England were two down, and Australia were circling.
Root came in as usual, had a lot of dependency on him, but didn’t stand up to his mark, and his innings ended on just 6. Scot Boland trapped him in front. Suddenly, Bethell had to carry the load. Brook came in swinging, trying to keep the pressure on. Together, they rattled off runs and, for the first time, Australia started to look uncertain. Brook made 24, but Bethell was already flying. Bethell reached his 50 by the near end of the session.
By tea, Bethell was 79 not out, and England was suddenly right in the thick of things.
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 3
Jacob Bethell Lights Up the SCG
Harry Brook departs after playing a good knock and holding England’s innings for a while with Bethell. Beau Webstar got him with a fantastic delivery that Brook has no answer for. He made 42 before departing. Will Jacks came in, but got out in the same over, facing just two balls. Webster got two in the over, and suddenly, again, England looked fumbled.
Jamie Smith and Bethell started to settle things again for England. Bethell didn’t stop after tea. Webster tossed one up, and Bethell smacked him over long-on for four, to bring up his Century. He made everything look easy. When things began to look good for England, another heartbreak, a slight misunderstanding between the two batsmen, and Jamie Smit was run out (26), who was looking good, just after one over, Beau Webster strikes again, and this time he got the captain himself, Ben Stokes tried to play a ball outside off and edged straight to Steve Smith.
After Stokes wicket, England’s tail had to hang in. Jacks and Stokes didn’t last long. Smith tried to stick around, but couldn’t. Carse put up a bit of a fight with 16, but at stumps, England sat at 302 for 8, leading by 119 runs with two wickets left.
Day 4 Summary
Day 4 was all about Jacob Bethell. His fearless 142* yanked England back from the edge. Australia will want to finish this off quickly and chase a small target on Day 5, but if England’s tail can scrap another 30 or 40 runs, this could get wild. Both teams are still in it, and the final day is set up for some real drama.
