Fifth Ashes Test, Sydney
Australia 280 & 213-7 v England 644 (day four, stumps)
January 3rd-7th
England are on the verge of another innings victory and a 3-1 series win after Australia were reduced to 213-7 on day four of the final Ashes Test on Thursday
Australia ended the day still some 151 behind the tourists, as England had earlier reached 644, their highest Test total Down Under.
Matt Prior became the third English player of the innings to hit a century as his 118 from 130 balls contributed to Andrew Strauss' side closing in on their first series win in Australia since 1987.
England batted until shortly after lunch, with Prior and Tim Bresnan putting on 102.
Mitchell Johnson, who bowled so well for Australia in Perth, failed to deliver the goods this time and ended up as the hosts' most expensive bowler with his four wickets costing a whopping 168 runs.
Australia lost two wickets in the afternoon session and were 77-2 at tea, but any slim hopes they had of staying in the series soon faded after tea as Shane Watson was ran out after a breakdown in communication with Phillip Hughes, while Hughes went shortly after.
Captain Michael Clarke and debutant Usman Khawaja put on 65 before James Anderson took both wickets.
Then Bresnan took the wicket of Mike Hussey, who mis-hit a cut shot to Kevin Pietersen at gully.
England's good work was completed as Chris Tremlett got in on the act with two wickets in two balls. First, Brad Haddin nicked the ball behind to Prior before Johnson was clean bowled first ball.
Strauss claimed an extra half hour to try and wrap things off, but Steve Smith and Peter Siddle remained solid to ensure the Test goes into the final day, where the Barmy Army are sure to be in celebratory mood.
