Ben Stokes drops enormous probability to get Steve Smith out to finish rollercoaster session
Australia are chasing 384 for the win that might give them a primary outright collection success on English soil since 2001 and made an excellent begin on day 4, reaching 135 with out loss earlier than rain introduced an early stumps.
Chris Woakes struck twice in an excellent spell at first of day 5 to dismiss openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja, earlier than Mark Wood had Marnus Labuschagne caught in a superb first hour for the house facet, however a fifty partnership between Head and Smith steadied the vacationers to 238 for 3 at lunch, 147 runs from victory.
However, England missed a golden alternative to interrupt the partnership on the point of lunch, Ben Stokes initially grabbing onto a glove from Smith however then failing to finish the catch as his thigh dislodged the ball in his follow-through.
Warner and Khawaja had laid on the collection’s highest opening partnership as England toiled on the fourth afternoon however the pair fell in successive Woakes overs this morning, the previous feathering behind for 60 after which Khawaja – who is ready to complete because the collection’ main run-scorer – trapped leg-before on 72.
Labuschagne survived an lbw evaluation after being struck on the pad by the retiring Stuart Broad however went on to make solely 13 earlier than edging Wood to Zak Crawley at slip, the opener persevering with his superb collection within the cordon with a pointy seize .
A change of ball late on day 4 aided England’s trigger, with motion on provide for the seamers right now, however Smith and Head performed properly to place the strain again on Ben Stokes facet.