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10.44pm on Dec 19, 2021
That’s a wrap - and England need a miracle
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Thanks for joining once again. We’ll be back tomorrow for more Ashes blogging.
Australia began the day in a dominant position and ensured England did not get back into the match.
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head both made 51 in the second innings, while Cameron Green got some beneficial time in the middle, making 33 not out.
Australia’s bowlers did their job once again and will be chuffed by their 43.2 overs in the field tonight.
Make sure you check out our mastheads for all the latest news and analysis from our reporters in Adelaide.
See you again tomorrow, as Australia surge towards a 2-0 series lead. Cheers.
Joe Root seeks medical attention after being hit by a delivery by Mitchell Starc.Getty Images
10.32pm on Dec 19, 2021
Root out in the last over of the day!
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BANG! After a long delay, the England captain nicks off to Starc, clearly a little concerned about being hit again in the groin. Carey pouches a straightforward catch after Root was caught on the crease and not really getting his front foot to the pitch of the ball.
What a huge breakthrough on the stroke of stumps, with Root gone for 24. Stokes is not out on three.
Victory is in sight for Australia, who need six wickets on day five to make it a 2-0 series lead.
England 4-82, still need 386 runs to win
10.20pm on Dec 19, 2021
Root hit in the groin again!
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You hate to see it.
Root, who was hit in the groin this morning without a box on in the nets, has just been hit in the same spot by Mitchell Starc. Right where it hurts.
He looks in serious discomfort on the ground. He’s having a drink of water and can barely get off his knees.
Joe Root seeks medical attention after being hit by a delivery by Mitchell Starc.Getty Images
Rory Burns is making his way back to the pavilion for 34 from 95 balls after edging a ball to Steve Smith at second slip. That’s a massive breakthrough for Australia.
He might have dropped Malan earlier today, but the Australian captain takes a fantastic catch, low and to his right.
Richardson angles one into Burns and gets a hint of away movement off the seam. There’s a healthy edge and Smith does the rest.
Ben Stokes comes out to bat with about 50 minutes of play remaining.
Green, into his third over, is bowling beautifully and generating some good pace.
His fastest ball has been 142km/h and his average is 137km/h. England still need more than 400 runs to pull off a miracle victory. They’re $101 with the bookies at present.
Meanwhile, Jhye Richardson is charging in at the other end, desperately trying to induce a false stroke from Root.
England 2-63
9.23pm on Dec 19, 2021
Burns digging in deep as Root brings up milestone
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Burns has moved to 30 off 85 balls. His runs have been relatively evenly spread around the field, as the below graph shows.
Shane Warne reckons Steve Smith should be bringing on Cameron Green to bowl at Joe Root.
The young quick has removed England’s skipper twice in two innings. It’s probably a stretch to label Root Green’s bunny, but if he can pull off the trifecta, he’d have a fair case.
Australia will be desperate to not let Root settle. The home side still have at least 19 overs to bowl today. The latest we can go is 10pm local time (10:30pm AEDT).
As I type that, Neser has just bowled a sensational delivery that misses Root’s off stump by the smallest of margins.
England 2-54, require another 414 runs
Jhye Richardson signs a few autographs at the fence. Getty