Bairstow unbeaten century

Fourth Ashes Test, Sydney (Day three of five)

Australia. 416-8 off 134 ov.  Khawaja 137 off 260, 13 fours, Smith 67 off 141, 5 fours, Starc 34* off 60, 3 fours. Broad 5-101, Anderson 1-54, Wood 1-76.

England 258-7 off 70 ov. Bairstow 103* off 140, 8 fours, 3 sixes, Stokes 66 off 91, 9 fours, 1 six, Wood 39 off 41, 2 fours, 3 sixes, Boland 2-25, Cummins 2-68, Starc 1-49, Green 1-24, Lyon 1-71.

 

England trail by 158 runs

 

Jonny Bairstow was 103 not out and his 128-run stand with Ben Stokes  (66) rescued England after they collapsed to 36-4 in 53 balls, against Australia on day three of the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney. Mark Wood clubbed 39 from 41 balls in a 72-run stand with Bairstow. Stokes was first dropped by Pat Cummins in his follow-through on 9 before he survived a Cameron Green delivery hitting the stumps but not dislodging the bails on 16. After being hit on the hand by Green, Stokes hit three successive fours off Mitchel Starc to bring up the 50 partnership. Stoke eventually fell lbw to Lyon. Bairstow slog-swept Lyon for two sixes. Wood swung Cummins for three sixes.

Scott Boland took 2-25 as England closed on 258-7, still trailing by 158. Persistent rain delayed the start of play, as England made a poor start when match resumed.

Australia dropped three catches and have an injury concern over Boland, who was taken for a scan after falling in his follow-through in the afternoon session.