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
Image source, Getty ImagesIn case anyone was getting a little too comfortable, Mitchell Starc whistles one past Jacob Bethell's outside edge with a beauty.
Zak Crawley also has a waft at the last, a ball a long way outside off.
But it's three from the over to take England to Nelson.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
I have been impressed with Zak Crawley after that horror start. He has learned a bit, it has taken a bit of time, perhaps.
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesAustralia seem to have run out of ideas.
Target 175
England continue to tick along with four from Scott Boland's over.
A pair of singles for Zak Crawley, one for Jacob Bethell and a leg-bye move them to within 67 runs of their target.
Australia need a wicket and turn to Mitchell Starc to try and find it.
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statistician
England's hundred came up in 15.5 overs. That is England's second-fastest hundred in a Test match against Australia.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you're going to break the back of a small total - this is the way to do it.
It is nice to see Jacob Bethell get a few runs. It is not like Test match batting out there, but it is better than getting nought or one.
Target 175
As it ticks to 3:50pm local time, it is time for the hat tip in honour of the late, great Shane Warne with both Australia and England fans getting involved.
It is just the away fans who are cheering a few balls later as a single for Zak Crawley brings up the 100 for England.
Jacob Bethell keeps them on their feet with a superbly-timed pull shot for four.
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special
It's like a runaway train this game and nobody seems to be able to apply the breaks.
Target 175
Two from Scott Boland's latest but still plenty happening.
Jacob Bethell drives smartly through extra cover for two then backs away to try and nail another one through the off side, this time finding the mid-off fielder.
He follows that up by dancing down the track but Boland sees him coming, bounces him and Bethell takes a blow to the shoulder as he attempts to duck it.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Reuters19 wickets in Perth on the opening day. 20 wickets here in a day. Incredible. I used to bowl for days and not get anybody out!
Does it feel a bit hollow? Or, a bit of a lottery?
Target 175
Skewed high into the off side by Zak Crawley but the field is spread and the ball drops in a large area of green space.
Two more to the England total, they need 80 more to win.
Target 175
I hate to tell you, James, but I don't think there is any probably about it.
Good running from Jacob Bethell gets England three from a Zak Crawley dab to deep third to start the over.
A couple of balls later, Michael Neser finds the edge, the ball goes at a catchable height... but through the vacant third slip region for four.
Click on 'Get involved' at the top of this page
On a flight to Melbourne from the UK with day three tickets, I can’t believe it will probably be all over by then!
James, seven hours from Melbourne
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesLooking at the body language of the Australians and they're sort of wandering around.
Target 175
After a leg-bye, Zak Crawley whips the last through square leg for a single.
Eight from the over. Michael Neser will start from the other end.
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special
It has been like a four-innings T20.
The speed of it all has been off the scale.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesI wonder what the team talk was over a cup of tea?
Why don't you give Scott Boland a reverse ramp first ball?!
Target 175
Jacob Bethell reverse ramps the first ball after tea.
Of course he does.
It goes high into the air but lands safely and they run two.
Shottttt!
Too full from Scott Boland and Bethell laces it through the covers for four.
WinViz thinks this is almost a done deal. I wish I had such confidence.
Scott Boland will start, with Alex Carey up to the stumps...
Image source, CricVizSteve Smith leads Australia out for the beginning of the evening session and here come Zak Crawley and Jacob Bethell.
This Test will end today. England need 98 more runs. Australia need eight wickets.
Strap in, folks.
| 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 |