ADELAIDE: Australian batters extended their lead over England, before their pacers ran riot on the English batting line-up; dismissing their four wickets on just 82.
English captain, and the highest run-getter of the ongoing year in Test format, Joe Root’s dismissal on the last ball of day four, pushed England in even more trouble. The side lost their four wickets, including their dependable pair, Root and Dawid Malan; being slumped to 82/4, chasing 468.
Earlier, in the day, Australia resumed their innings at 45/1, could only score three runs before losing their nightwatchman, Michael Neser; who scored three. His partner, Marcus Harris also dismissed a ball later. Soon after, Australian captain, Steven Smith also dismissed without troubling the scoreboard much, he scored just six. the side suddenly slipped to 55/4.
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, Australia’s only centurions from this Ashes so far, then, anchored the innings; both scoring valuable half-centuries. Both batters scored 51. Their 91-run partnership helped the Aussies to subtle their position in the game.
Following Head’s departure, Cameron Green stood up for his side and scored an important 33 runs, he remained not-out, while the rest of the batters dismissed after making small contributions. Australia, in the end, declared their innings on 230/9; setting a huge target of 468 for their opposition.
Chasing a mammoth, English opening pair, again, failed. Haseeb Hameed departed after bagging a six-ball duck. England were one down for just four. Malan, too, could not get going in the second innings; being dismissed on 20.
Soon after, Rory Burns, too, dismissed for 34 and the side were reduced to 70/3. Root, however, fought hard, and almost survived the penultimate day of the ongoing pink-ball test. But, he too, dismissed on the final ball of the day. He scored a courageous 24.
For Australia, Jhye Richardson bagged two wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Nesser each dismissed a batter.
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