Australia must take all 10 England wickets on Day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground to keep their whitewash hopes alive in the ongoing series. At stumps on Day 4, England were 30/0, requiring another 358 runs for an unlikely win.
There is rain predicted during the morning session on Day 5, which may help England avoid another defeat. However, this has been England’s best opening stand (by runs) in the ongoing series, and Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed will look to survive another hour once the play resumes on the final day. Neither Ben Stokes nor Jos Buttler took field on Day 4 due to injuries, but England will hope to see them bat to save this contest.
The Australian pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland bowled 11 wicketless overs before close of play on Day 4. They looked threatening, but England openers were impressive in defence. However, the Australian attack has numerous collapses in this series, and will resume with all guns blazing again to go 4-0 up before heading to Hobart for the fifth and final Test match. Nathan Lyon and Cam Green will be in focus as well.
It is worth a mention that India batted out Day 5 at this venue last year, closing on 334/5. England will like to produce something similar sort of performance. For that, Joe Root, who had a seven-ball duck in the first innings, must stay in the middle as long as possible.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Expect Cummins and Starc to bag early wickets on Day 5.
- From England's perspective, keep faith in Root for his first hundred in Australia.