The fourth day at Sydney delivered everything fans crave from Test cricket. England commenced the day trailing significantly, needing 265 runs with all ten wickets intact to remain competitive. Australia appeared dominant after their lower order added valuable runs the previous evening, yet cricket has a habit of defying predictions.
| Score at Close of Day 4 | 302/8 in 86.3 overs, Ahead by 119 runs |
| England’s Star Performer | Jacob Bethell 142 (232 balls, 15 fours) |
| Australia’s Star Performer | Beau Webster 13-01-51-03 (3 wickets)71* (87 balls, 7 fours) |
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 1
Australia Finishes Up, England Begins on Shaky Ground
Australia’s morning session was brief. They accumulated a handful of runs before England’s bowling attack brought proceedings to a swift conclusion. Boland offered minimal resistance, and Australia was dismissed for 567. England faced the task of scoring 265 merely to avoid the follow-on. A challenging assignment, though certainly not insurmountable.
Crawley and Duckett walked out to open, both acutely aware that negotiating the new ball was paramount. Australia’s pace attack came in hard from the first delivery, with the ball swinging appreciably. Crawley struggled to find his rhythm. He attempted to play his natural game, but Starc dismissed him early, trapped leg before wicket, departing for a mere 1. England found themselves in immediate trouble.
Duckett and Bethell faced the task of reconstruction. Duckett displayed elegant strokeplay, while Bethell exhibited remarkable composure for someone of his inexperience. They absorbed the pressure, weathered the most testing spells, and guided England to lunch without further setbacks. A steady effort, though substantial work remained.
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 2
Australia Seeks Early Breakthrough, England Holds Firm
Duckett endeavored to consolidate alongside Bethell. Bethell appeared unperturbed, piercing gaps and using his footwork effectively. Duckett looked in fine touch momentarily but then pursued a delivery he ought to have left alone, playing onto his stumps for 27. England had now lost two wickets, and Australia sensed an opportunity.
Root entered with customary responsibility weighing on his shoulders, yet failed to deliver when needed most, his innings concluding at just 6. Scott Boland struck him in front. The burden now fell squarely on Bethell’s shoulders. Brook arrived with aggressive intent, attempting to maintain momentum. Together, they accumulated runs briskly, and for the first time, Australia appeared unsettled. Brook contributed 24, while Bethell was already in full flow. Bethell brought up his half-century as the session drew to a close.
At tea, Bethell stood unbeaten on 79, and England had unexpectedly thrust themselves into contention.
Ashes 5th Test Day 4 Session 3
Jacob Bethell Illuminates the SCG
Harry Brook departed following a valuable contribution, having provided Bethell with crucial support. Beau Webster removed him with an exceptional delivery that Brook could not counter. He made 42 before falling. Will Jacks arrived at the crease but was dismissed in the same over. facing only two deliveries. Webster claimed two scalps in the over, and suddenly England appeared vulnerable once more.
Jamie Smith and Bethell began stabilizing matters for England again. Bethell maintained his momentum after tea. Webster flighted one up, and Bethell dispatched him over long-on for four to reach his hundred. He made everything appear effortless.
Just as England seemed to be gaining control, another setback occurred: a minor miscommunication between the batsmen resulted in Jamie Smith being run out for 26, looking well set. Merely one over later, Beau Webster struck once more, this time accounting for captain Ben Stokes, who feathered an outside edge through to Steve Smith.
Following the captain’s dismissal, England’s lower order needed to dig in. Jacks and Stokes had already fallen cheaply. Smith attempted to hold firm but couldn’t. Carse showed some resistance with 16, but at stumps, England had reached 302 for 8, establishing a lead of 119 runs with just two wickets remaining.
Day 4 Summary
The fourth day belonged entirely to Jacob Bethell. His audacious unbeaten 142 dragged England back from the brink. Australia will be eager to wrap things up swiftly and pursue a modest target on Day 5, but should England’s tail manage to scratch together another 30 or 40 runs, the contest could become unpredictable. Both sides remain in the hunt, and the final day promises genuine theater.
