The Ashes: Live coverage of day four of Second Test as Australia close in on victory against England
Australia are on the brink of a 2-0 Ashes stranglehold, with just Ben Stokes looming as the sole man who could provide England resistance.
The tourists enter Sunday still 43 runs in arrears of Australia, with six wickets down, and needing a miracle to post a target that could make the Aussie batters sweat.
Mitchell Starc appears on the brink of securing Player of the Match honours, and will be looking to add to his eight wickets for the Test - not to mention his team-high 77 with the bat.
Follow all the action from Day 4 at the Gabba here!
OUT!
Doggett’s short-ball efforts finally pays off.
Atkinson couldn’t stop himself and slaps one straight Smith at forward square-leg.
One wicket needed.
ENG 9-231, lead by 54
Stoke’s vigil ends!
Neser strikes again!
With Carey up to the stumps, Stokes doesn’t get a full stride in and the ball catches the outside edge.
Carey makes the catch look easy and the Aussies are closing in now!
ENG 8-227, lead by 50
Half century
Stokes cuts a single out to point and he has another well-made half century.
All hope rests on him for England, likely with the ball latter on as well.
ENG 7-225, lead by 48
Review lost
Neser crashes one in Atkinson’s pad second ball but the umpire is not having it.
They send it upstairs but there is a small nick. It also hit outside the line of off stump.
ENG 7-224, lead by 47
SCREAMER!!!!!
From nowhere the first wicket falls!
And it took a moment of remarkable brilliance from Smith.
Neser finally catches an outside edge and Smith dives full-length to his left and snaffles a one-hander at slip.
Jacks out for 41 in a partnership that lasted longer than both of England’s digs in Perth.
ENG 7-224, lead by 47
Tough blow
Neser has hit Stokes square in the box.
The Brisbane fans give no mercy as they roar approval but the English skipper shouted in pain and is on his back.
ENG 6-221, lead by 44
P.S Volume UP!
Over rates
Australia have a decision to make as they approach 80 overs.
They are behind the over rate and if they are still this far behind at the 80-over mark, they will be docked points.
So, considering they don’t really look like getting a wicket anyway, is it worth a few overs of Head to catch up and try and buy a wicket?
ENG 6-220, lead by 43
Drop
It’s a harsh one but Head has put one down at short leg.
Jacks went back and punched it hard and the ball slammed into Head’s thumb painfully before hitting turf.
That would have been a huge catch.
ENG 6-211, lead by 34
No panic
The Aussies are still waiting for the break through but there should not be any alarm bells yet.
The lead remains under 30 and the pitch is still good for batting as long as you remain tight and smart.
Green is bowling well and the Aussies just need to remain ready.
They could also get the new ball under lights if England get that far.
ENG 6-206, lead by 29
Starc starts
Mitch Starc restarts play and Jacks has a drive first ball!
The misque goes harmlessly to mid-wicket.
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