Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Despite Jacob Bethell’s fighting knock under pressure, Australia finished Day 4 of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on January 7 in a commanding position, as the hosts reduced England to 302/8 at stumps, holding a narrow 119-run lead Australia started the day at 518/7 and added 49 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 567, taking a 183-run first-innings lead.
England’s second innings got off to a poor start as opener Zak Crawley was out in the very first over. Nonetheless, Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett stabilised the innings and took England to lunch at 80 for 1.
The second session opened with Duckett’s wicket off a delivery from Michael Neser. Joe Root, England’s top scorer in the series, appeared unsettled and was dismissed by Scott Boland in the 32nd over.
Vice-captain Harry Brook and Bethell then maintained England’s effort with a 102-run partnership, reaching 179 for 3 at tea. After the break, they resumed batting confidently, with Bethell scoring his maiden Test century off 162 balls. Just as optimism grew for Ben Stokes’ team, all-rounder Beau Webster shifted the game’s momentum. He dismissed Harry Brook, who made 42 from 48 balls, and subsequently removed Will Jacks for a duck.
