Australia v England: fifth Ashes test, day four – live!

Over-by-over updates from the Sydney Cricket GroundGet in touch with Adam on email or via Twitter @collinsadam 1.32am GMT 183rd over: Australia 578-5 (S Marsh 145, Paine 14) Moeen to send down the final over before lunch. Paine takes another single off his pads. Marsh defends the rest to get himself through to the break. That’s the way. 99 added for one wicket in the session. Shaun Marsh got himself to three figures from the fourth ball of the morning via a gorgeous cover drive. He really enjoyed that with his brother Mitch. There was a period with the third new ball just after that where the visitors deserved a breakthrough via Jimmy Anderson, who bowled a beautiful four over spell. He found the left-handers’ edge, but sure enough, it went between Cook and Root in the slips. 1.31am GMT 182nd over: Australia 577-5 (S Marsh 145, Paine 13) Curran to Paine. He clips square for one. He keeps Marsh quiet for the rest of the set. He’s been alright, you know. “If I were captain of Australia (unlikely as I’m 57 and English/Canadian) with the series won, I’d just go for the ultimate humiliation, keep batting, and try and reach four figures.” You’re a cruel man, David Marriott. At the very least, I think they should bat until very late today. Taking that slightly longer-term view, there is absolutely nothing in it for them bowling with it like this. Maybe a stint in the final hour. That’ll do. As Chris Stocks notes here, it might be hurting their chances of a win. But still. Steve Smith’s conservatism affecting Australia’s chances of a win say @CricViz pic.twitter.com/oqLanLumWd Continue reading…
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