SYDNEY: England managed to hold on for a draw as the last-wicket pair of Stuart Broad and James Anderson survived a nervy couple of overs to deny Australia a chance of winning the Ashes series 5-0.
In a great advert for Test cricket, England were left hanging for dear life after Steve Smith, who took his first Test wicket since 2016, removed Jack Leach.
That left Australia needing just one more wicket with two overs remaining for the Test to end. Broad and Anderson, though, were resolute in their defence and managed to keep the Australians at bay to help England battle to a well-deserved draw.
Number 11 batsman James Anderson doggedly played out a tense 102nd and final over from leg-spinner Steve Smith in deteriorating evening light as England ended on 270 for nine chasing a 388-run target in a heart-pumping finish.
It all came down to the last six balls at the Sydney Cricket Ground with eight fielders crowding around the bat as Anderson fended off Smith’s part-time leg-spin.
“It was really important (to see it through),” England skipper Joe Root said.
“It’s been a difficult tour, we’ve found it tough, but I am proud of the determination and character in finding a way to get a result.
“I’ve said we wanted to put some pride back into the badge and give something back to people at home.”
The draw means that Australia no longer have the lure of a 5-0 series clean sweep with the fifth and final Test to be played in Hobart, as a day-night match, getting under way on Friday.
