Steve Smith’s majestic double tons on his return to Test cricket leave England scrapping to salvage a result on the final day.
Smith, back in the Baggy Green 16 months after being banned for his role in the sandpaper scandal, followed a brilliant 144 on day one with an equally fine 142 on day four to become just the fifth Australian to hit twin hundreds against England.
Where the first rescued his side from the cliff edge at 122-8, the sequel helped set a monstrous target of 398. Matthew Wade also left his mark on the home team, chiming in with a fluent 110 before the declaration came at 487-7.
The most realistic task for England appears to be to try and bat right through for a draw, with first-innings centurion Rory Burns and Jason Roy successfully navigating seven overs before stumps on Sunday.
Can England survive? Or will Nathan Lyon et al bowl Australia to victory?
The hosts resume on 13-0, needing a nominal 385 more runs to win.
