AUS vs ENG 4th Test Results

8:32 AM IST Australia had a lead of 122 runs and they wanted to set a target for England which the visitors would not even attempt to chase. It was once again Usman Khawaja to lead them with the bat. He scored another ton to become the third batter after Doug Walters and Ricky Ponting to score twin tons at the SCG. Cameron Green also got a fifty and Australia had set a massive target of 388 for England.

8:30 AM IST The second new ball was due and Pat Cummins even had Steven Smith bowl a few overs before it was taken. But it was the bowling of Nathan Lyon that provided them with the wicket of Ben Stokes. That opened up the lower order with the second new ball in hand. That proved to be a gamechanger as Pat Cummins got two wickets in the same over and then Jonny Bairstow's resistance ended too. With two wickets remaining, the Aussies smelled victory especially with the new ball in hand and their pacers breathing fire. But Jack Leach and Stuart Broad frustrated the bowlers and kept their hopes alive. The Aussies tried everything from bouncers, to yorkers, to length deliveries but couldn't break this stand. It got to a point where the umpires decided that pacers can't bowl due to bad light.

8:27 AM IST Joe Root, the England skipper, says that it was important to draw this game. He adds that it has been a tough tour but he is happy that they have shown grit and determination this time. He mentions that they needed to show character and still have a long way to go as a team but says that he is pleased to see the fight shown by the guys here. He applauds Zak Crawley and says that he has the quality to succeed at the international level and has good technique. He adds that Jos Buttler will be going home as his injury is bad but it is part of playing Test cricket and applauds his fighting spirit.

8:26 AM IST THE MATCH IS DRAWN! James Anderson delivers with the bat for England! Smith looks to land it in the rough, outside off. But he drops it too short. Anderson keeps it away and the match ends in a hard-fought draw!

8:25 AM IST The Test started under quite a bit of cloud cover and we had a frustrating Day 1. Players went on and off with almost half the day getting washed out. But still, it was a pretty good show by Australia. Led by a brilliant ton by Usman Khawaja in his comeback Test, the hosts declared at 416 for 8 towards the end of Day 2. Stuart Broad took a 5-wicket haul for England as the rest of the bowlers had a tough time.

8:25 AM IST The first innings for England was an interesting one. They were reeling at 36 for 4 and it looked like they would not be able to avoid the followon either. But a brilliant stand between Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes led the recovery. They both took their time but scored quickly once they had their eyes in. Ben Stokes got a fifty and Jonny Bairstow scored a brilliant ton to make sure that they avoid the followon. For Australia, it was a good performance by all their bowlers but it was Scott Boland with his 4 wickets who impressed the most.