Australia’s hopes of an Ashes whitewash ended after England managed to secure a thrilling draw
in the fourth Test at Syndey Cricket Ground on Sunday. The match went down to the wire, with the visitors finishing their second innings at 270/9.
It was just the 24th time in the history of Test cricket where a team saved a match while nine wickets were down in the fourth innings. England’s last pair,
Stuart Broad and
James Anderson, batted out the final two overs on Day 5 to help their team escape a clean sweep in the series.
Resuming the third and final session on Day 5 at 174/4,
Ben Stokes and
Jonny Bairstow added 19 more runs to the total before
Nathan Lyon dismissed Stokes (60). England then had 27.2 overs to survive to walk away with a draw.
The equation changed again with 17 overs remaining in the day, and Aussie skipper
Pat Cummins dismissed
Jos Buttler (11) to bring back the momentum. In the very same over, Cummins removed
Mark Wood (0), reducing England to 218/7.
Few overs later,
Scott Boland joined the party and got rid of set batter
Jonny Bairstow (41), leaving England 10.2 more overs to survive. Another twist came in the match when Smith removed
Jack Leach (26) with three overs remaining in the day. But the hosts failed to pick up the remaining wicket as England registered a memorable draw.
The five-match series currently stands 3-0 in favour of Australia, and the last Test is set to begin on Friday, January 14, in Hobart. Notably, the fifth Test is a Day-Night fixture.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
That’s a step in the right direction .. Huge courage shown by the England side this week .. A draw might not seem much when you are 3-0 down but to me it is .. well done
@root66 & the team .. that’s what spirit is all about ..
#Ashes — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
January 9, 2022
Never in doubt. Don’t you just love it. Test cricket
#Ashes — Isa Guha (@isaguha)
January 9, 2022
England may have lost
#TheAshes but dramatic draw at Sydney has saved them from whitewash! What an incredible Test, once again proves that there is more to win and loss in cricket.
#AUSvENG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EdTGkrpXWz — parthiv patel (@parthiv9)
January 9, 2022
What a finish in Sydney! Couldn't take my eyes off the action. I find the idea that survival is glory to be wonderfully endearing
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
January 9, 2022
Fmd. Nerves shredded, rocks in my tummy, clammy palms. What a finish. What a fighting draw. What a sensational sport is Test cricket.
#Ashes — Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)
January 9, 2022
How blessed are those who 'get' Test Cricket.
#Ashes pic.twitter.com/mM7LFVJ8Oy — Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
January 9, 2022
Test cricket, bloody hell
#Ashes — Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket)
January 9, 2022
DRAW
What a brilliant match of Test cricket!
#Ashes — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
January 9, 2022
England survive the entire last day.
#Ashes #AUSvENG #4thTest Scorecard:
https://t.co/EcaOfIbIo6 pic.twitter.com/9oPylzjWdj — CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
January 9, 2022
Jack Leach has had a rough tour but you can’t question his character. Played his heart out today.
#Ashes — Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport)
January 9, 2022
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