Fourth Test, day two, Melbourne
England chase down 175 to beat Australia by four wickets inside two days
Tourists skittle hosts for 132 - Carse 4-34, Stokes 3-24
Crawley & Duckett make fine start to chase, Bethell hits 40 and Brook & Smith finish the job
Hosts have unassailable 3-1 series lead
Fifth and final Test in Sydney starts on 4 January (23:30 GMT 3 January)
Target 175
Jhye Richardson helped England out with a couple of no-balls, while Joe Root also drove him down the ground for two.
But the Australia seamer then got the big wicket of Root to just sew a seed of doubt in England minds.
Mitchell Starc is coming on from the other end.
Where to start!
Australia resumed on 4-0, a lead of 46, on day two in Melbourne, and England's bowlers soon set about sending their batters to the dressing room.
After 20 wickets fell on day one, Australia may have been relatively happy to reach 82-3, but they then lost three wickets for six runs on the approach to lunch.
It was a repeat performance after the interval, with Australia losing three wickets for two runs, including Brydon Carse dismissing Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc either side of a no-ball.
Jhye Richardson was the last man to be dismissed as Australia were bowled out for 132 in 34.3 overs.
That left England needing 175 for their first win in Australia in 19 attempts.
England looked to negate a spicy pitch with an aggressive approach, and Ben Duckett struck a 26-ball 34 from the top of the order.
The visiting openers recorded their first 50 partnership of the series before Duckett was bowled by Mitchell Starc.
England then sprung the surprise of putting in the big-hitting Brydon Carse at number three, although he was removed by Jhye Richardson for just six.
Zak Crawley (37) and Jacob Bethell (40) then put on 47 for the third wicket as England raced past 100 and towards a two-day finish.
Both fell to Scott Boland while Joe Root has been trapped lbw by Richardson for 15.
That means skipper Ben Stokes has arrived at the crease to join Harry Brook, with the pair needing 17 runs to take England to victory.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
Well, it was just umpire's call from that delivery. The very edge of the ball clipping the stumps.
It was right for Joe Root to go up and review it. Out comes England's captain.
Root lbw b Richardson 15 (Eng 158-5)
Umpire's call, just brushing leg stump and Joe Root has to go.
It was the nip-backer from Jhye Richardson and Root was caught on the crease.
In fairness to the umpire, it looked a good shout but ball-tracking shows it was just about clipping leg.
Root isn't happy but he is gone with England still 17 short of their target.
Eng 158-4
Joe Root is given out lbw and it looks plumb.
But he reviews immediately. Don't think he hit it...
England need 20 to win. It's close...
Image source, CricVizTarget 175
Scott Boland's spell is over and Jhye Richardson returns to the attack.
He immediately helps England out with a front-foot no-ball.
Target 175
A single apiece for Harry Brook and Joe Root complete the scoring for the over, eight from it in total.
England are edging ever closer - 21 to win now.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
A brilliant shot from Harry Brook. He doesn't need to move his feet as the keeper is up to the stumps, so he is staying in his crease.
Target 175
Harry Brook is on the charge!
Full ball from Michael Neser and Brook hits confidently up and over mid-off for four.
That takes England past 150 and leaves them needing 23 more to win.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, ReutersZak Crawley famously said in his press conference after the last game, "3-2 sounds better than 5-0."
He's not wrong...
Target 175
Joe Root calmly defends the last three balls of the Scott Boland over.
The Australia seamer has bowled nine overs on the spin. How many more will he bowl in this spell?
Target 175
Four more byes!
Harry Brook gets down on one knee to aim a vicious slog-sweep behind square, misses, but with Alex Carey wisely trying to avoid getting clobbered in the face, the ball runs away to the rope.
A single to square leg gets Brook off the mark.
England need 29 more to win.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, PA MediaJoe Root has brought a sense of calm to the occasion.
Harry Brook, we don't know how he is going to play, but I can imagine it is the same way he tried to play yesterday.
Target 175
Back to it with Scott Boland continuing to Harry Brook and Alex Carey up to the stumps.
Goodness me, Alex. England are close but it's not over quite yet.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
England haven't thrown a strong position away after having bowled Australia out today.
England's batters have put Australia's bowlers under pressure. It has looked a bit silly at times, but it is probably what is needed on this surface at times.
I am just happy that after 10 Ashes games in Australia I will see England win.
I saw England get pummelled in the women's Ashes 16-0 and then the men went 3-0 down. The curse is well and truly on its way to being broken.
Target 175
Image source, Getty ImagesThat will do very nicely indeed!
Michael Neser slides one down leg and, with Alex Carey up to the stumps, the ball runs away for four byes.
Otherwise Neser is on the money and Joe Root is forced to defend.
England need another 34 to win as the drinks come out.
Target 175
Harry Brook gets through the last three balls of the over.
Scott Boland gets one past the outside edge first up, a reminder that this pitch is still doing plenty and it's not easy for the new batters.
Time for calm heads.
Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
Jacob Bethell plays to the off side. He couldn't have hit it better to cover.
He doesn't get hold of it, but it is a good knock from him.
Is there going to be another little turn?
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head,bowled Atkinson Head, bowled Atkinson | 12 | 22 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 54.55 |
Weatherald,caught Smith, bowled Tongue Weatherald, caught Smith, bowled Tongue | 10 | 23 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 43.48 |
Labuschagne,caught Root, bowled Tongue Labuschagne, caught Root, bowled Tongue | 6 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 31.58 |
Smith,bowled Tongue Smith, bowled Tongue | 9 | 31 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 29.03 |
Khawaja,caught Smith, bowled Atkinson Khawaja, caught Smith, bowled Atkinson | 29 | 52 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 78 | 55.77 |
Carey,caught Crawley, bowled Stokes Carey, caught Crawley, bowled Stokes | 20 | 35 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 57.14 |
Green,run out Carse Green, run out Carse | 17 | 34 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
Neser,bowled Tongue Neser, bowled Tongue | 35 | 49 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 65 | 71.43 |
Starc,caught Stokes, bowled Carse Starc, caught Stokes, bowled Carse | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 16.67 |
Richardson,not out Richardson, not out | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.00 |
Boland,caught Brook, bowled Tongue Boland, caught Brook, bowled Tongue | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Extras, no balls 1, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 8, total 13 Extras, no balls 1, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 8, total 13 | |||||||
Total,152 all out 45.2 overs Total,152 all out 45.2 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atkinson | 14.0 | 4 | 28 | 2 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
Carse | 12.0 | 3 | 42 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3.50 |
Tongue | 11.2 | 2 | 45 | 5 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3.97 |
Stokes | 8.0 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.12 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
27 for 1 (6.1 overs) | Head |
31 for 2 (9.2 overs) | Weatherald |
34 for 3 (11.5 overs) | Labuschagne |
51 for 4 (19.2 overs) | Smith |
89 for 5 (28.5 overs) | Khawaja |
91 for 6 (31.2 overs) | Carey |
143 for 7 (42.1 overs) | Green |
152 for 8 (44.5 overs) | Starc |
152 for 9 (45.1 overs) | Neser |
152 for 10 (45.2 overs) | Boland |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley,caught Smith, bowled Starc Crawley, caught Smith, bowled Starc | 5 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 35.71 |
Duckett,caught Neser, bowled Starc Duckett, caught Neser, bowled Starc | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 40.00 |
Bethell,caught Carey, bowled Neser Bethell, caught Carey, bowled Neser | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20.00 |
Root,caught Carey, bowled Neser Root, caught Carey, bowled Neser | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0.00 |
Brook,leg before wicket, bowled Boland Brook, leg before wicket, bowled Boland | 41 | 34 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 59 | 120.59 |
Stokes,caught Smith, bowled Neser Stokes, caught Smith, bowled Neser | 16 | 38 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 42.11 |
Smith,bowled Boland Smith, bowled Boland | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 66.67 |
Jacks,caught Carey, bowled Boland Jacks, caught Carey, bowled Boland | 5 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 50.00 |
Atkinson,bowled Green Atkinson, bowled Green | 28 | 35 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 80.00 |
Carse,caught Boland, bowled Neser Carse, caught Boland, bowled Neser | 4 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 33.33 |
Tongue,not out Tongue, not out | 1 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 11.11 |
Extras, no balls 1, wides 0, byes 0, leg byes 4, total 5 Extras, no balls 1, wides 0, byes 0, leg byes 4, total 5 | |||||||
Total,110 all out 29.5 overs Total,110 all out 29.5 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starc | 6.0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.83 |
Neser | 10.0 | 1 | 45 | 4 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4.50 |
Boland | 9.0 | 1 | 30 | 3 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.33 |
Richardson | 4.0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 |
Green | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
7 for 1 (2.3 overs) | Duckett |
8 for 2 (3.4 overs) | Bethell |
8 for 3 (4.2 overs) | Crawley |
16 for 4 (7.6 overs) | Root |
66 for 5 (16.5 overs) | Brook |
68 for 6 (18.2 overs) | Smith |
77 for 7 (20.2 overs) | Jacks |
83 for 8 (21.1 overs) | Stokes |
91 for 9 (23.6 overs) | Carse |
110 for 10 (29.5 overs) | Atkinson |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boland,caught Smith, bowled Atkinson Boland, caught Smith, bowled Atkinson | 6 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 35.29 |
Head,bowled Carse Head, bowled Carse | 46 | 67 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 101 | 68.66 |
Weatherald,bowled Stokes Weatherald, bowled Stokes | 5 | 15 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 33.33 |
Labuschagne,caught Root, bowled Tongue Labuschagne, caught Root, bowled Tongue | 8 | 18 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 44.44 |
Smith,not out Smith, not out | 24 | 39 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 61.54 |
Khawaja,caught substitute, bowled Tongue Khawaja, caught substitute, bowled Tongue | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Carey,caught Brook, bowled Carse Carey, caught Brook, bowled Carse | 4 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 66.67 |
Green,caught Brook, bowled Stokes Green, caught Brook, bowled Stokes | 19 | 29 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 65.52 |
Neser,caught and bowled Carse Neser, caught and bowled Carse | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 |
Starc,caught Root, bowled Carse Starc, caught Root, bowled Carse | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Richardson,caught Crawley, bowled Stokes Richardson, caught Crawley, bowled Stokes | 7 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 70.00 |
Extras, no balls 3, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 6, total 13 Extras, no balls 3, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 6, total 13 | |||||||
Total,132 all out 34.3 overs Total,132 all out 34.3 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atkinson | 5.0 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4.00 |
Carse | 11.0 | 3 | 34 | 4 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.09 |
Tongue | 11.0 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 48 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 |
Stokes | 7.3 | 1 | 24 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.20 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
22 for 1 (6.1 overs) | Boland |
40 for 2 (10.5 overs) | Weatherald |
61 for 3 (17.1 overs) | Labuschagne |
82 for 4 (20.6 overs) | Head |
83 for 5 (21.3 overs) | Khawaja |
88 for 6 (22.5 overs) | Carey |
119 for 7 (30.5 overs) | Green |
120 for 8 (31.5 overs) | Neser |
121 for 9 (31.6 overs) | Starc |
132 for 10 (34.3 overs) | Richardson |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley,leg before wicket, bowled Boland Crawley, leg before wicket, bowled Boland | 37 | 48 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 95 | 77.08 |
Duckett,bowled Starc Duckett, bowled Starc | 34 | 26 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 35 | 130.77 |
Carse,caught Green, bowled Richardson Carse, caught Green, bowled Richardson | 6 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 75.00 |
Bethell,caught Khawaja, bowled Boland Bethell, caught Khawaja, bowled Boland | 40 | 46 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 86.96 |
Root,leg before wicket, bowled Richardson Root, leg before wicket, bowled Richardson | 15 | 38 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 39.47 |
Brook,not out Brook, not out | 18 | 22 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 81.82 |
Stokes,caught Carey, bowled Starc Stokes, caught Carey, bowled Starc | 2 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 22.22 |
Smith,not out Smith, not out | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 150.00 |
Extras, no balls 5, wides 0, byes 8, leg byes 10, total 23 Extras, no balls 5, wides 0, byes 8, leg byes 10, total 23 | |||||||
Total,178 for 6 32.2 overs Total,178 for 6 32.2 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starc | 10.0 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5.50 |
Neser | 8.0 | 1 | 54 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 6.75 |
Richardson | 5.2 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4.12 |
Boland | 9.0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3.22 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
51 for 1 (6.6 overs) | Duckett |
65 for 2 (9.5 overs) | Carse |
112 for 3 (18.4 overs) | Crawley |
137 for 4 (24.3 overs) | Bethell |
158 for 5 (28.4 overs) | Root |
165 for 6 (31.2 overs) | Stokes |