Final Ashes Test continues to slip away from the Three Lions.
Australia has reached 248-7 in their second innings of the fifth and final Ashes Test match, a commanding lead for the game of 419 runs as the likelihood of a 5-0 drubbing grows with every hour.
Chris Rogers brought up his second ton for the series, as he provided the backbone of his side’s innings, as he continued his classy knock from day two.
The status-quo of day two quickly took place on Saturday with Chris Rogers and George Bailey continuing their side’s march towards another Test win.
In a sign of how desperate England were for a breakthrough, the a ball was thrown to Kevin Pietersen in a bid to use his off-spin to the in-form Rogers.
However, the use of a part-time spinner over a specialist in the form of Scott Borthwick raises questions why he was chosen in the side in the first place if he not trusted by the England captain.
While the young leg-spinner has not shown signs of taking a bag of wickets to help his side, despite the SCG pitch turning from day two, he was hardly given a chance in the Australian second innings.
Rogers then continued his stunning series when he brought up three figures, with his slashing cut
shot piercing a packed off-side field.
At 36-years-of-age, the left-hander had become the rock at the top of the order his side needed if they were to return the Urn, and his innings was one of class and classic stroke play.
Click here to see highlights of Chris Rogers’ century.
Bailey, who looked set to go on with his innings, was sent packing for 46, after he attempted to pull a ball from Stuart Broad but only managed to pick out the fielder in the deep.
The score became 200-5, a lead of 371 runs, with England nemesis this series Brad Haddin
striding to the crease.
England looked to tempt Brad Haddin with a barrage of short balls, and with several streaky shots, the Broad continued the length to the Aussie wicketkeeper.
Haddin’s tally for the series went past 475 runs, earning him the distinction of the most runs by an Australian wicketkeeper in a series of all-time.
After being given a message by the dressing room, Haddin started to play a one-day innings, before he played on from a Borthwick ball, as he departed for 28 with the lead 411.
Mitchell Johnson came and went quickly, belting a four, before being bowled around his legs by Ben Stokes as the Australian tail looked to hit out or get out closing in to lunch.
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