Here we are then, the fifth and final day of the PlanetCricket Ashes II's opening Test match at the Gabba. It's turning into a classic after England had dominated on the first three days. Yesterday Australia unleashed an astonishing fightback and all three results are possible today. The Aussies lead by 70 runs, on 333 for 4, with one full day to go. You would expect Hooper, the aggressive captain, to go for the win. The weather's set fair, so let's get going.
103.2 overs: WICKET! Hooper hadn't intended this when he made his way to the middle. The Australian captain departs a mere ten minutes into the day, having added just a single run. Hooper was beaten by the spin, and now here comes Marcus North.
Hooper b. Dipak 17 (44) 3 fours, 0 sixes
swacker has been holding his ground and passed FIFTY. With an hour to go this morning, he's batted well.
swacker 63* (145) 9 fours, 0 sixes
117.5: WICKET! swacker's brave resistance is over. It was a strange shot, there were men around the bat but he insisted on going in the air and it was a simple catch for Bevab. Here comes MaD. Australia 119 in front with 4 wickets in hand.
swacker c. Bevab b. Dipak 67 (152) 10 fours, 0 sixes
119.4: WICKET! That was quite brilliant from Highlander999. Dipak beats Marcus North with spin and the wicketkeeper is straight in to whip off the bails and claim a stumping. North was well out of his crease. Ryan Harris is next for Australia. The tail needs to wag or England will be in the driving seat.
Marcus North st. Highlander999 b. Dipak 14 (48) 1 four, 0 sixes
131.1: WICKET! In the last over before lunch, this is a huge wicket for England. Dipak's delivery spins sharply, confounding Ryan Harris and all he can do is tap it to stand-in captain Manly. mohsinhbk is on his way to the middle to face the rest of this over.
Ryan Harris c. Manly b. Dipak 20 (34) 3 fours, 0 sixes
131.6: LUNCH, DAY 5. This fascinating Test match has taken another turn in England's favour, but there are still two sessions to go. All the wickets this morning have been taken by the spinner Dipak, who has bowled beautifully.
LUNCH, DAY 5: AUSTRALIA 419 FOR 8 (132 OVERS)
MaD 15* (42)-------mohsinhbk 1* (3)
Dipak 42-10-124-5 (economy 2.95)
AUSTRALIA LEAD BY 156 RUNS WITH 2 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
144.5: WICKET! That was a really useful partnership for Australia, but it has been broken now. mohsinhbk was nearing his half century but he has edged a delivery from The Author to treva in the slips. Australia are 220 in front with Dougie Bollinger the last man.
mohsinhbk c. treva b. The Author 46 (50) 8 fours, 1 six
148.6: There is a surprise, as ever from Hooper. The Australian captain has decided to DECLARE with Australia on 498 for 9. England will need 236 to win the first Test, there is just about half an hour of this afternoon session to go and the whole two hours of the evening session. Game on.
END OF INNINGS: AUSTRALIA 498 FOR 9 (149 OVERS)
MaD 45* (91)------Dougie Bollinger 1* (9)
ENGLAND REQUIRE 236 RUNS TO WIN WITH 9 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
The bad news for England is that captain Skater is unable to open the batting, owing to his cracked rib in the first innings. Manly and Pakistani Army will open the innings. Do they go for the win or settle for the draw?
8.6: TEA, DAY 5: England's opening batsmen have really been going for it since they started the innings. It seems they are trying to win the match. Both batsmen have been very attacking and they are both unbeaten. What a session we've got coming up.
TEA, DAY 5: ENGLAND 58 FOR 0 (9 OVERS)
Manly 27* (24)-----Pakistani Army 31* (30)
ENGLAND REQUIRE 178 RUNS WITH 9 SECOND INNINGS WICKETS REMAINING
13.4: WICKET! Pakistani Army has been superb and almost made his second significant contribution of the match, but on this occasion he's bowled by MaD. Next man in is westindies2007.
Pakistani Army b. MaD 46 (49) 7 fours, 0 sixes
13.6: WICKET! MaD has changed the feel of the occasion with his second wicket of this over, and the fans are on their feet. Manly is out leg before wicket, and suddenly both of the settled batsman are back in the hutch for England. 88 for 2. Bevab is at the crease.
Manly lbw b. MaD 40 (35) 6 fours, 0 sixes
16.2: WICKET! Maybe now is the time for England to take the draw. They lose their third wicket, westindies2007 beaten by the pace of Ryan Harris. With treva on his way to the middle, has the gameplan changed?
westindies2007 b. Harris 9 (8) 1 four, 0 sixes
16.4: WICKET! Plum LBW! A fantastic delivery from Ryan Harris and treva is out for a duck. England surely can't win this now. Australia could! Wicketkeeper Highlander999 is on his way to the crease. 104 for 4.
treva lbw b. Harris 0 (2) 0 fours, 0 sixes
England have clearly decided to accept the draw and Highlander999 is blocking out alongside Bevab.
37.6: CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY 5. This has been a fantastic start to the series, with England dominating on the first three days and Australia raging back on day four. Today it has gone one way and then another, but in the end the captains shake hands and the series is still 0-0.
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY 5: ENGLAND 158 FOR 4 (38 OVERS)
Bevab 33* (62)-----Highlander999 21* (75)
Ryan Harris 10-1-35-2 (economy 3.50)
MATCH DRAWN
Well we are all exhausted after the thrilling end to this Test match, but we will move on to Adelaide with the score in the series 0-0. Difficult to know which side will feel happier after that - Australia have saved the game, but they let England get too far ahead to start with. Let's have a look at the player of the day.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
mohsinhbk 46 (50) 8 fours, 1 six
SERIES
AUSTRALIA 0-0 ENGLAND
4 MATCHES TO PLAY
