Australia 326 lead England 8-1 by 318 runs (Australia lead Series 4-0)
Steve Smith saved a poor first innings for Australia with a century as they take command of the final Test. The morning session belonged to England, who took four wickets to reduce Australia to 94-4 at lunch. Broad bowled Warner before Stokes bowled Rogers. Both Clarke and Watson fell as England looked in control.
The afternoon session belonged to Brad Haddin. Smith and Haddin produced a century partnership to increase their total to 201-5 going into Tea. Haddin reached his fifty whilst Smith battled on at 48 not out. The only positive for England during this session was when Broad dismissed Bailey for 1 early in the afternoon but it was more about the Australian recovery.
It was an entertaining evening session which saw Australia bowled out for 326. Smith reached his fifty but Haddin fell on 75 to leave Australia 225-6. Borthwick took his first wicket to dismiss Johnson for 12 before Smith delighted the crowd in reaching his century. Smith and Harris produced a fifty partnership before England enjoyed a good spell of bowling as Australia fell from 325-7 to 326 all out. Siddle endured a golden duck which saw Stokes claim a five wicket haul before Smith was caught in the outfield as Australia ended their first innings. England were required to bat out the short time remaining in the day but it was Australia who had the last laugh as Johnson dismissed Carberry for 0 as England finished 8-1 at the close of play, trailing Australia by 318 runs.
My Opinion:
After a great start from England, the day got worse and worse. After winning the toss, it was really encouraging to see England take four wickets and reduce the Aussies to 94-4 at lunch. From there, England really should have bowled them out for around 200 and taken control of this Test. However, Smith and Haddin had other ideas as they produced a century partnership to put the innings back on track. Haddin left for 75 but Smith really did the damage with 115. I was really impressed with Stokes today as he took six wickets and is becoming England's best player so far on this tour. With Australia reaching 326, England really need to make 350-400 runs. However, that took a setback as Carberry failed to score and was dismissed by Johnson after nine balls. England will need to mount a strong innings tomorrow to have any chance of avoiding defeat yet again whilst Australia will be hoping they can bowl England out for under 300 runs.
Match Guide: Key Moments
England win the toss and elect to bowl
Morning Session:
Australia First Innings
2359: 28-1, Warner 16 (20), 3 fours, bowled by Broad.
0040: 50-1, Rogers 11*, Watson 19*.
0047: 51-2, Rogers 11 (39), 1 four, bowled by Stokes.
0118: 78-3, Clarke 10 (29), 1 four, caught Bell, Stokes.
0133: 94-4, Watson 43 (59), 7 fours, lbw Anderson. Lunch.
Afternoon Session:
0222: 97-5, Bailey 1 (8), caught Cook, Broad.
0233: 101-5, Smith 10*, Haddin 4*.
0323: 151-5, 50 partnership between Smith 22* and Haddin 38*.
0359: 183-5, 50 for Haddin.
0411: 201-5, 100 partnership between Smith 48* and Haddin 59*. Tea.
Evening Session:
0434: 206-5, 50 for Smith.
0447: 225-6, Haddin 75 (90), 13 fours, caught Cook, Stokes.
0525: 253-6, Smith 73*, Johnson 9*.
0543: 269-7, Johnson 12 (32), caught Sub, Borthwick.
0557: 289-7, 100 for Smith.
0605: 302-7, Smith 112*, Harris 2*.
0618: 325-7, 50 partnership between Smith 115* and Harris 22*.
0621: 325-8, Harris 22 (27), 2 fours, 1 six, caught Anderson, Stokes.
0624: 325-9, Siddle 0 (1), caught Bairstow, Stokes (5 wicket haul).
0628: 326 all out, Smith 115 (154), 17 fours, 1 six, caught Sub, Stokes. Lyon 1*(3).
Batsman of the Innings: Smith 115 (154)
Bowler of the Innings: Stokes 6-99
England First Innings
0652: 6-1, Carberry 0 (9), caught Lyon, Johnson.
0703: 8-1, Cook 6*, Anderson 1*. Close of Play. England trail by 318 runs.
Batsman of the Day: Smith 115 (154)
Bowler of the Day: Stokes 6-99
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