The fourth day of the PlanetCricket Ashes II and we are expecting an England win. Can Australia throw a spanner into the works? They have all of their second innings wickets in hand, but need another 216 runs to make the tourists bat again at the Gabba.
It's a bit overcast this morning but much brighter than yesterday. Here we go then. Let's get down to the middle for the start of play.
12.6 overs: FOUR! Simon Katich releases the pressure that was building with a superb on-drive for four. It's great to see a shot like that. 53 for 0.
16.4: WICKET! Well, well. The Australian openers had been taking it to the English bowlers this morning but farhans has found a way through. timchrist984 is out leg before wicket - but that did look like it might have been going down the leg side. Oh, Hawkeye shows it was clipping leg stump. hedger_14 is on his way to the crease and Australia are 72 for 1.
timchrist984 lbw b. farhans 36 (61) 6 fours, 0 sixes
30.6: WICKET! Bowled him! Too fast for hedger_14! Near's terrific delivery beats the batsman all ends up and Australia are two down. Here comes Umair2000, Australia's best batsman from the first innings. It's 114 for 2.
hedger_14 b. Near 31 (50) 5 fours, 1 six
40.6: LUNCH, DAY 4. Australia have been trying to score quick runs, but they have lost a couple of wickets. At lunchtime the situation stands with Australia needing 129 runs to make England bat again, and they have 8 wickets remaining.
LUNCH, DAY 4: AUSTRALIA 134 FOR 2 (41 OVERS)
Simon Katich 49* (114)------Umair2000 10* (23)
Near 10-2-27-1 (economy 2.70)
AUSTRALIA ARE 129 RUNS BEHIND WITH 8 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
44.4: FIFTY! Simon Katich brings up his half century with a single tapped into the infield. Oh how the Aussies need him to keep going.
Simon Katich 50* (123) 8 fours, 0 sixes
51.5: FOUR! A cracking shot from Umair2000 brings up his second FIFTY of the match. He's been working well with Simon Katich since he came out and Australia are only 63 runs behind now.
Umair2000 50* (69) 11 fours, 0 sixes
68.3: WICKET! Just as Australia level the scores, Umair2000 is out. He plays all around a delivery that didn't spin from Dipak and this great partnership of 149 between him and Katich comes to an end. swacker comes out with the scores tied and Australia 263 for 3.
Umair2000 b. Dipak 84 (123) 17 fours, 0 sixes
70.6: TEA, DAY 4. A fascinating situation in this match now. The players go off for tea with Australia leading by 1 run, and still with seven wickets in hand. Just where will this match go next? Massive session coming up.
TEA, DAY 4: AUSTRALIA 264 FOR 3 (71 OVERS)
Simon Katich 98* (189)------swacker 1* (5)
AUSTRALIA LEAD BY 1 RUN WITH 7 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
72.2: FOUR! Simon Katich reaches his CENTURY with a clever shot down to third man. If Australia end up getting something from this match, they have this man to thank. A superb innings.
Simon Katich 102* (191) 18 fours, 0 sixes
79.6: A hint of desperation from stand-in skipper Manly as Australia lead by 20 runs. He takes the NEW BALL as soon as it is available.
87.6: WICKET! What a catch! Boy did they need that. Simon Katich tries to smack one square through the offside and miscues it. It goes the other way and is brilliantly grabbed by Bevab. The centurion is gone - where is this match heading? Captain Hooper is on his way to the crease and Australia are 301 for 4, leading by 38 runs.
Simon Katich c. Bevab b. farhans 112 (244) 19 fours, 0 sixes
100.6: CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY 4. What an unbelievable day for Australia. They started the day needing 216 runs to make England bat again, they end it leading by 70 having only lost four wickets today. With one day to go, all three results are possible.
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY 4: AUSTRALIA 333 FOR 4 (101 OVERS)
swacker 37* (93)-------Hooper 16* (40)
AUSTRALIA LEAD BY 70 RUNS WITH 6 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
Before we leave you tonight at the Gabba, there is only one man in contention for player of the day.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Simon Katich 112 (244) 19 fours, 0 sixes
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