The Ashes | England draw SCG Test in final ball drama

Intense drama was unveiled in the final five overs of the Sydney Test match as England escaped with a last wicket draw on Sunday, 9 January. With just two wickets in hand, Jack Leach and Stuart Broad saw through majority of the deliveries as the Australians threw everything at them in the last 5, even going as far as bowling Steve Smith for two overs.

The former captain took it upon himself to shake things up with three overs remaining and removed the defiant Jack Leach with a peach which brought Australia a glimmer of hope. However, latest to the crease and England’s final batter James Anderson managed to defend the final six balls to finally earn England World Test Championship points in this campaign.

Earlier in the day, after an entertaining knock from Zak Crawley, all England batters collectively put their hands up to try and save the Test match and saw through tough phases of play to the best of their abilities. Middle order batters built partnerships among themselves with the most significant one being between Ben Stokes and Joe Root that lasted nearly 30 overs. Stokes played through pain for the majority of his innings and secured another partnership with Jonny Bairstow, who once again played a big part in England’s rescue in the final day of the Test match.

Just when it looked like England will see this through with easy, a double wicket maiden from Pat Cummins shook things up and gave the passionate SCG crowd hope.

However, it was not to be, as the tailenders came to England’s rescue and save a Test match that was looking like a sure shot win for Australia.

The series will now move onto Hobart for the second pink ball Test match of the series. England will lose the services of Jos Buttler, who will be flying back home after a finger injury. The future of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow looks uncertain as well. Australia do have enough resources available in their arsenal if they want to chop and change in their attack and will hope to cap off a 4-0 drubbing with their famed pace attack in the seaming conditions in Hobart.