Summary

  • England chasing record 354 to win

  • Root 67*, Woakes 5*

  • Malan falls for 29 late on thrilling day

  • Root dropped on 56, overturns lbw on 32

  • Aus 138: Anderson 5-43, Woakes 4-36

  • England trail 1-0 in five-Test series

  • Play starts at 03:30 GMT on Wednesday

  1. The possible dream?published at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Olga Korbut
    Image caption,

    Poised

    Gracias Amy.

    Like Olga Korbut on the beam in 1972 - this match is delicately balanced.

    A few early wickets on Wednesday and it'll be like Korbut on the beam in 2017 (I'm assuming she's less agile).

    The story on day four:

    • Australia dive bomb from 53-4 to 138 all out
    • Jimmy Anderson 5-43, Chris Woakes 4-36
    • Cook and Stoneman get off to good start chasing 354 - if achieved would be a record for an England side - before falling in quick succession
    • England 176-4 at the close; need 178 to win
    • Skipper Root (67*) and Chris Woakes (5*)

    We want your thoughts on the events of day four and how you think the fifth and final day will pan out - use #bbccricket , externaland text 81111 (UK only).

  2. Postpublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    So, the headlines: England are 176-4, having lost Dawid Malan in the closing overs of the day, and still trail Australia by 178 runs. It'll require a mammoth effort from England to chase it down, and it nearly all lies in the hands of Joe Root, unbeaten on 61.

    I'm off for a lie down in a darkened room, but Saj Chowdhury will bring you all the reaction from a ridiculously fun day.

  3. From the press boxpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

  4. Postpublished at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Australia bowling coach David Saker on TMS: "We could have enforced the follow-on. We lost the opportunity to bowl with the newer ball under the lights. Maybe we got that one wrong. There was a bit of conversation going back and forth, but it is up to the captain and the players.

    "It's easy in hindsight. Whether we would have exploited the conditions the way they did, I’m not sure. Their bowlers are specialists in those conditions. Our bowlers probably aren’t as adept as theirs at bowling in these conditions."

  5. Postpublished at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    For those of you looking to set alarms, play will start at 03:30 GMT tomorrow. I'd get the coffee on now, if I were you.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    #bbccricket

    Tommy Fennell: England were 5-0 down at half-time, scored two in first 20 mins of second half, and just added a third with 10 mins to go...

  7. 'I was pacing around the ground'published at 11:31 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    BBC Test Match Special

    More from James Anderson, asked how calm he was watching England's batting: "I would like to say cool and calm but I was pacing around the Adelaide Oval. In situations like this it is best to be out in the middle.

    "Joe (Root) showed he has a cool, calm head and Dawid (Malan) did a fantastic job. Hopefully we can build some partnerships and get somewhere near."

    Asked if before play he would have accepted bowling Australia out for 138, Anderson said: "Absolutely yeah - on a pitch that has not been doing a huge amount and we knew it wasn't going to swing as much as it did last night. We knew it would be difficult and they would show resistance but we stuck to our guns and bowled really well."

  8. Postpublished at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    The England players are leaving the ground. Moeen is still a beacon of calm. He's just sauntering across the pitch, having a laugh with Jake Ball. There's someone you'd want on your side if you're a nervous watcher.

  9. Postpublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    At end of the Test match, if England win then brilliant, but why didn't England start the game like they bowled last night and why didn't they bat like this?

    Joe Root and James AndersonImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    BBC Test Match Special

    James Anderson on Test Match Special: "It is pretty even. We definitely would have taken this position after the first two or three days. We have fought really hard to get back in the game.

    "We followed on from last night really well as a group and fought really hard with bat. We spoke about not doing ourselves justice with the bat in the first innings but we have shown what can do.

    "We are a good amount of runs short but are in a fantastic position. We have got batters in the shed to get us close."

  11. Postpublished at 11:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Australia bowling coach David Saker has just said that, with hindsight, it was "probably a mistake" not to ask England to follow on yesterday. Mitch Starc said yesterday the decision was made by Steve Smith without him asking the bowler. And I imagine being without their reviews for the remainder of the innings won't thrill them. Still, that's in the past. Australia will be looking forward to the new ball that comes their way in 18 overs time.

  12. Postpublished at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Australia weren't willing to do the hard yards today. It shows that both teams are vulnerable and that is why it is frustrating. They are nothing special. England have enough in the tank that they could compete in the series but they need these 178 runs.

  13. Postpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    This was all started, of course, by James Anderson, who took his first Test five-for in Australia. He was superb last night, getting the ball to swing, and he was solid this morning. Chris Woakes was excellent too. He's had an iffy start to the series but I wonder if his spell last night has got his confidence up. Adam Gilchrist said earlier that David Warner had mentioned to him over breakfast that Woakes was quicker than he'd seen him bowl before.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Text 81111

    In the lyrics of Bon Jovi: 'Woah, we’re halfway there. Woah, livin’ on a prayer. Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear. Woah, livin’ on a prayer.’

    Ed

  15. Postpublished at 11:19 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Phil Tufnell
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Our bowlers did better than theirs. Our bowlers got it hooping around. I don't think Australia bowled that well, but they got Malan.

    Malan did really well. He put away the hook, he looked to leave and support his captain. He played a great knock. With the concentration you have to put yourself through facing 90mph in the gloom with a pink ball, your mind is exhausted. He'll be so disappointed to get out.

    Dawid MalanImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Root looked busy from when he came in today. But it was a careful sort of busy. He was a bit edgy to start with but the singles he took were well judged, he got into the right position for the drives, and he spoke and calmed Dawid Malan down when Australia tied him down. While he is there, England have a chance. And it is just a chance. He needs to make three figures tomorrow.

  17. Postpublished at 11:16 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    The England captain is back. Joe Root played like Joe Root has played in the last three years. His head wasn't falling over. He is the key. In his eyes you could see it.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Text 81111

    Could the stat-man please calculate to what extent all this lack of work is damaging the British economy?!

    From Beccy in Wiltshire

  19. Postpublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    I'll say one thing - if I were looking to a captain to calm me down, Steve Smith wouldn't be my first choice. All the tension and annoyance he feels is written all over his face and in his posture. Still, he's got a magnificent cricketer on his hands with Pat Cummins. Quick, accurate, late movement... England did well to keep him out in that final over, especially Chris Woakes.

  20. Postpublished at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    This is down to James Anderson and the fact Steve Smith didn't enforce the follow-on. If Australia had bowled last night the game would have been done and dusted. Steve Smith has given England this chance.