Melbourne, December 30
Australia captain Steve Smith tormented England with another century as the fourth Ashes Test ended in a frustrating draw for Joe Root’s side on a lifeless Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch on Saturday.
Smith marched off unbeaten after a 275-ball knock of 102, having nudged Australia to 263/4 and a lead of 99 runs before the captains called it off midway through the final session. No. 6 batsman Mitchell Marsh was as stubborn as his captain, scoring 29 from 166 balls to protect his wicket through the last two sessions.
Dead wicket
The unyielding drop-in pitch may have been England’s biggest obstacle, however, refusing to offer their bowlers any encouragement in terms of pace, movement or turn. “I don’t think it’s good for anyone,” Smith told reporters of the wicket after his third century of the series.
“There was absolutely nothing in it for the bowlers. I’m enjoying (batting), shame we had to call it off in the last hour, I could have had another hour out there.”
With Man of the Match Alastair Cook finding form with an unbeaten 244, the tourists can perhaps claim a moral victory after their batsmen built a first-innings lead of 164 runs. But they will still head into the fifth and final Test 0-3 down in the series and desperate for a face-saving win in Sydney. While stopping short of criticising the pitch, Root said his side had performed so well in dismissing the hosts for 327 in their first innings. “On a very unresponsive wicket, to perform how we did on that first and second day with the ball was outstanding,” he said. — Reuters
from The Tribune http://ift.tt/2lz1NN8
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