SYDNEY — A dramatic morning session at the Sydney Cricket Ground saw Mitchell Starc dismantle England’s tail-end resistance, setting Australia a challenging but achievable target of 160 runs to claim victory in the fifth and final Ashes test.
England resumed Day 5 at 302-8, holding a slender lead of 119 runs, with their hopes largely resting on young batsman Jacob Bethell, who resumed his innings at 142. The 22-year-old Barbados-born player added just 12 more runs to his overnight score before falling to Starc’s relentless pace attack, caught behind after a magnificent 265-ball innings that spanned six and a half hours.
Australia’s bowling unit immediately capitalized on the new ball, with Starc and Scott Boland creating significant problems for the English batsmen. Bethell experienced a brief reprieve at 151 when he successfully reviewed an lbw decision against Boland, with DRS technology indicating the ball would have sailed over the stumps.
Starc’s clinical performance continued as he cleanly bowled Josh Tongue for just 6 runs, wrapping up England’s innings at 342 and finishing his own remarkable series with 31 wickets at an average of 19.9.
The match now hangs in balance as Australia prepares for what promises to be a tricky run chase on a deteriorating pitch showing variable bounce. England faces additional challenges with captain Ben Stokes nursing an injury that may limit his bowling capabilities in the decisive final innings.
Despite Australia having already retained the Ashes urn with victories in the first three tests, England remains determined to narrow the series margin following their drought-breaking win in Melbourne.