Joe Root
Image Source: Twitter

The fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 is scheduled to be played from 5th January to 9th January 2022 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia won the third Test by an innings and 14 runs and thereby seal the series 3-0. In just 12 days, they have retained the urn and now would be eying on a series whitewash.

The bowlers were yet again right on the money in the fourth Test. Skipper Pat Cummins, came out firing as he claimed the first three English wickets on 61 runs. Mitchell Starc didn’t allow Root and Bairstow to convert the starts into big scores.

Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins (Image: Twitter)

Nathan Lyon later removed the tail to help Australia bowl England out for 185 runs in the first innings. England’s batting has been a major concern. The chances of winning the Test diminishes once a team batting first gets bundled out for under 200.

Marcus Harris Victoria
Marcus Harris Victoria ( AAP)

England bowlers didn’t start well either as Warner and Harris put on a 50-run opening stand. However, a sensational spell from Jimmy Anderson helped England make a comeback.

He picked the wickets of both the openers, Steve Smith, and Pat Cummins. Robinson and Mark Wood picked 2 wickets each as well. England kept picking wickets at regular intervals and didn’t allow the batsmen to convert the starts into big scores. Australia managed to score 267 runs in the second innings.

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Australia
Image Source: Twitter

England needed to bat well and put on at least 300 runs on the board to win the Test. However, they exhibited another horrendous performance with the bat. The first five wickets got out for under 50 runs. Joe Root, once again, saw his partners getting out on low scores, while he was standing at the other end. Root was the seventh wicket to fall after scoring 28 off 59.

England succumbed to an outstanding bowling display from Scott Bolland. The debutant picked 6 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs. His spell helped the team bowl England out for just 68 runs. England. as a result, lost the game by an innings and 14 runs. England don’t have an adequate bench strength to make changes in the middle-0rder.

Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler. (Photo: Reuters)

The likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes ought to convert the starts into big scores. England can’t rely only on Joe Root to score runs all the time. With the ball, England would want to go with the same fast bowling attack. They might bring Tom Bess in place of Jack Leach in the spin department.

As for Australia, Travis Head will miss the fourth Test due to Covid. Either one from Usman Khawaja or Mitchell Marsh is likely to replace him in the playing XI.

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AUS vs ENG: Weather Forecast and Pitch Report at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney- Ashes 2021-22, 4th Test 

Ashes 2021-22
Image Source: Twitter

Pitch Report:

The pitch at Sydney Cricket Ground has assistance for both batsmen and the bowlers. The track has enough bounce and seam movement to trouble the batsmen. However, once they adapt to the bounce on the surface, batting will become a lot easier. It’s one of those rare grounds, where spinners rule the roost. The spinners are likely to come into the picture on Day 4 and Day 5 of the Test match.

Average 1st Inns scores 317
Average 2nd Inns scores 313
Average 3rd Inns scores 252
Average 4th Inns scores 170

Weather Report: 

Persistent showers are likely to interrupt on all five days of the Test match. There is more than a 60 per cent chance of drizzle on all five days of the Test match. The temperature, however, will be warm on all five days of the Test.