England close in on series win
January 06, 2011 10:08:47 UK
England are on the verge of securing their first outright series win in Australia for 24 years after a dominant fourth day's play in the fifth Ashes Test.
A century from Matt Prior (118) added to earlier centuries from Alastair Cook and Ian Bell saw England to 644 all out, which is their biggest ever total in Australia, and set up what will surely be a third innings victory, and a 3-1 series win, tomorrow.
They close day four just three wickets short of victory after reducing the hosts to 213 for seven on the back of a 364-run first-innings deficit.
Chris Tremlett took two wickets in as many balls towards the end of the day to force the extra half-hour but Australia managed to hold on to ensure some play on the final day of the series.
The tourists were in an impregnable position on the back of three successive century stands, concluding with Prior and Tim Bresnan's 102 for the eighth wicket.
Wicketkeeper Prior was delighted to have secured a first Ashes' hundred to help put England on the verge of an historic victory.
"It's a very special feeling," Prior told Sky Sports 1. "I was batting with Jonathan Trott in Melbourne when he got his and he came to me in the middle and said 'it's the best feeling in cricket' and I'd have to agree, an Ashes ton is very, very special and I'll treasure it."
After an encouraging opening second-innings stand of 46 for Australia, a self-inflicted blow started the rot again for the hapless hosts.
Shane Watson blazed seven boundaries in his 38, but has developed a strange fragility when it comes to running between the wickets.
Today's mix-up spelled the end for him, by the length of the pitch after he and Phil Hughes got their wires crossed over a second run.
Hughes was next to go soon after edging Tim Bresnan to Prior, but there was some resistance from debutant Usman Khawaja and Michael Clarke, who put on 65 for the third wicket until Khawaja departed in similar circumstances to Hughes - James Anderson the bowler this time.
Clarke then fell foul to England's pace attack and was again caught behind when pushing forward at one that left him from a tight line.
Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin teamed up but not for long, Bresnan making the key breakthrough as Hussey went for 12, hitting straight to Pietersen at gully who held the catch well.
Steve Smith came in to join Haddin in the middle but the latter fell soon after.
Chris Tremlett accounted for Haddin, then with his next ball had Mitchell Johnson for a golden duck, to leave England on the verge of victory with Australia 171 for seven.
Tremlett missed out on his hat-trick, and Smith and Peter Siddle resisted England's attack to leave the hosts 213 for seven, 151 runs behind the tourists.
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