Australia Closes In on England's Lead in Final Ashes Test
Australia's Steady Progress in the Ashes
Sydney [Australia], January 6: In an exciting session, Australia moved closer to erasing England's first innings advantage during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Despite England claiming three wickets in the second session, captain Steve Smith's unbeaten half-century has given Australia a competitive edge, as they scored 96 runs.
At the Tea break on Day 2, Australia stood at 377/6 after 91 overs, with Cameron Green (8 off 13 balls, including one four) and Smith (65 off 115 balls, featuring nine fours) not out. The hosts are now trailing by a mere seven runs in their first innings.
Beginning their second session at 281/3 in 65 overs, Australia was 103 runs behind England's first innings total of 384. Travis Head (162 off 160 balls, with 24 fours and one six) and Steve Smith (16 off 39 balls, with one four) were at the crease.
England finally broke through when part-time spinner Jacob Bethell dismissed Travis Head for 163 runs off 166 balls, ending a 54-run partnership with Smith.
Australia surpassed the 300-run mark in the 70th over, with Smith reaching his well-earned fifty in 95 deliveries as the score moved to 336/4.
In the 84th over, Brydon Carse took out Usman Khawaja, who is playing his last international match, for 17 runs off 49 balls, including two fours.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who joined Smith, displayed aggression by hitting two consecutive fours against Carse in the 86th over, bringing Australia to 356/5.
Just when England seemed to be gaining momentum, fast bowler Josh Tongue returned to dismiss Carey for 16 runs off 13 balls, which included three fours.
Nevertheless, Green and Smith ensured that Australia did not lose any more wickets, trailing by just seven runs behind England's first innings score of 384.
Earlier, England was bowled out for 384 runs in 97.3 overs after choosing to bat first. Openers Zak Crawley (16 off 29 balls, with three fours) and Ben Duckett (27 off 24 balls, with five boundaries) contributed to a 35-run opening partnership. Jacob Bethell was dismissed after scoring 10 runs off 23 balls, including two fours.
Harry Brook (84 off 97 balls, with six fours and one six) and Joe Root's impressive 160 off 242 balls, featuring 15 fours, formed a 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Root then partnered with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who scored 46 off 76 balls with seven boundaries, adding 94 runs as England surpassed the 350-run mark in their first innings. For Australia, Mitchell Starc (2/93), Michael Neser (4/60), and Scott Boland (2/85) were key wicket-takers.
Brief Scores: England: 384 (Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84, Michael Neser 4/60, Scott Boland 2/75) vs Australia: 281/3 (Travis Head 165, Steve Smith 65*, Ben Stokes 2/63).