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Ashes LIVE: Aussie collapse gives England an unlikely shot at glory – but they will need a world record effort to remain in the series


Ashes LIVE: Aussie collapse gives England an unlikely shot at glory – but they will need a world record effort to remain in the series
  •  Comes as England greats turn on their own: ‘he’s a net bowler’

Overs 7: England 1-26

Alison Mitchell

‘Can the impossible, the seemingly impossible, the seemingly impossible, be possible? For Australia, maybe a little bit of patience, that will be required. A tall, tall order for an England batting unit that has failed to really show up so far in this series.’

Overs 6: England 1-21

Zak Crawley just one run from 21 deliveries now

Overs 4: England 1-16

Pope is living dangerously here. A genuine outside edge, through the slips corden, just out of reach of the outstretched fingers of Inglis

Ricky Ponting

‘What did I say just a few balls ago – inside his first 10-20 balls ago – inside his first 10-20 balls, he just goes way too hard, it is too rushed, too panicked. He reaches out in front of his body and loses the bat shape. Slices across the ball, outside edge, and luckily it finds the gap.

That front foot stride is just way too short. Not getting close enough to the pitch of the ball. … Just see the outcome after his trigger, his foot goes nowhere – just up and down on the one spot. And look how he loses his shape as a result.’

Overs 3: England 1-11

A Mitchell Starc scrambled seam delivery gets away from everyone for four leg byes, but Ollie Pope is having a beast of a time picking him up as well

Overs 2: England 1-5

Pressure is back on after the lunch break

LUNCH: England 1-5

Some cat and mouse between Crawley and Cummins, both pulling out to ensure this is the final over before lunch. The crowd is loving it. But England are one wicket down already, making a very difficult task even harder.

David Lloyd

‘A great start for Australia. Just a of overs, but snared one. Ben Duckett out of sorts. He is the one back in the sheds. England are 1/5.’

Daily Mail Cricket Writer Oliver Holt

We have been taught to believe that Bazball can chase down any total. Well, at 5-1, and aiming for a world record 435 to keep hopes alive of regaining the Ashes, I’d say this is the ultimate Test.

WICKET: Duckett 4 c Labuschagne b Cummins

David Lloyd

‘A fabulous start for Australia. Captain Cummins again. He just hangs his bat out here. He is not quick – 131km/h. In two minds, around the wicket… is a nothing shot. It’s a nothing shot. It’s a beautiful waist high catch.’

Daily Mail Chief Cricket Correspondent Lawrence Booth

Poor old Duckett looks shot. That was a nothing stroke to a regulation ball from Cummins, and England are 4 for 1. Duckett now has 97 runs at 16 in this series.

Over 1: England 0-0

A maiden over to kick things off from Mitchell Starc. England will have to earn everything they get

Innings break, Australia all out for 349, lead by 434

England need to shatter records to win, but the late flurry of wickets has given them hope. They will have five full sessions and a testing period before lunch, so plenty of time to get the runs. Captain Ben Stokes is pumped up, he believes it can be done.

Daily Mail Chief Cricket Correspondent Lawrence Booth

Well, I’m not sure anyone was expecting that. Australia’s last six wickets have tumbled for 38, with England’s seamers on the money this morning (and Will Jacks nowhere to be seen). The problem is, they now need 435 to win, which would be a Test-record chase. And their openers will have to bat for 10 minutes before lunch.

WICKET: Boland 1 c&b Archer

That’s the end of it. A beautiful, short, rearing delivery from Archer that has Boland leaping in defence. The ball catches the top of the bat and spoons up for a simple catch. England still believe a win is possible. A world record 435 is required



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