Steve Smith's nightmare and the other talking points as Adelaide Ashes Test heads for frantic finale

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  • Smith struggled with DRS after opting not to enforce the follow-on.

    England finally ‘arrived’ at the Ashes in the words of former skipper Michael Vaughan after an enthralling day four at the Adelaide Oval.

    After Australia had dominated the opening three days in the second Test, England came roaring back into the match to give themselves a chance of a miraculous victory on the final day.

    The visitors were at 176-4 at the close of stumps, needing 178 runs more to win with skipper Joe Root still batting at the crease.

    Here, we look at the key talking points from day four.

    JAMES ANDERSON’S MAIDEN FIVE-WICKET HAUL DOWN UNDER JOLTS AUSTRALIA

    England’s pace spearhead has got plenty of stick from Australian supporters over the years for his relative ineffectiveness Down Under.

    The 500-wicket man is on his fourth Ashes tour of Australia but he had never taken a five-wicket haul in 14 Tests prior to Adelaide.

    The 35-year-old had removed Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja in a terrific display of swing bowling under the lights on Monday. He was equally effective in the warm sunshine of Tuesday morning as he sent both Peter Handscomb and Nathan Lyon packing. He returned to dismiss Mitchell Starc to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in Australia.

    Anderson’s 5-43 was the catalyst for England’s remarkable fight-back after they had seemed downed and out in the first three days.

    It was Anderson's first five-wicket haul in 30 innings in Australia.

    It was Anderson’s first five-wicket haul in 30 innings in Australia.

    DRS LEAVES PLAYERS AND PUNDITS BAFFLED

    The Decision Review System (DRS) was at the centre of attention on day four at Adelaide as both players and pundits were left baffled by some of the calls.

    The first controversial moment arrived when Alastair Cook was adjudged not out by the umpire after being struck on the pads by a full Nathan Lyon delivery. The ball seemed to be sliding down the leg-side but Steve Smith opted for a review. However, Hawkeye showed that the ball turned just enough after bouncing to be on course to hit the stumps and the decision was overturned.

    Root then had a lucky reprieve when batting after he left a Lyon delivery alone only for it to turn in sharply and wrap him on the pads in front of the stumps. The umpire’s finger was raised quickly but DRS showed that the ball would bounce over the stumps.

    Smith then had two reviews wasted in the space of three balls to compound his DRS misery. He believed the England captain had inside-edge a Pat Cummins delivery to Tim Paine but DRS showed no contact with the bat.

    The Australian skipper then thought he had his man after Josh Hazlewood trapped Dawid Malan on the pads after the ball stayed low. Hawkeye however showed that the ball would bounce over the stumps to leave the Aussies stunned and bewildered on the field.

    Smith and Hazlewoo cannot believe it as Malan is reprieved by the DRS.

    Smith and Hazlewoo cannot believe it as Malan is reprieved by the DRS.

    JOE ROOT SHOWS HIS CLASS TO LEAVE ENGLAND DREAMING OF VICTORY

    England’s leader had been much chastised for his decision to bowl first on the Adelaide track after he had won the toss. It all seemed to be going wrong for England as Australia put on a big first-innings total before bowling England out to take a 215-run lead.

    The 26-year-old had failed to convert his starts in the opening Test at Brisbane and had failed in the first innings at Adelaide. It is fair to say the pressure on Root’s shoulders was huge as England stared down the barrel at another defeat.

    On Tuesday, he showed why he considered in the same breath as Steve Smith as he brought up his 34th Test fifty. He walked into bat after openers Cook and Mark Stoneman felt in quick succession to leave England rocking at 54-2. He steadied the ship in the company of James Vince first and Dawid Malan later. Going into the final day, England’s hopes will rest on Root going big and a 14th Test ton from him might just be what England need on the final day to cap off a dream victory.

    Root's unbeaten 67 has given England hopes for a victory.

    Root’s unbeaten 67 has given England hopes for a victory.

    STEVE SMITH’S FAILURE TO IMPOSE FOLLOW-ON COMES BACK TO BITE AUSTRALIA

    If the England skipper had come in for some criticisms following his decision to bowl first, his opposite counterpart will be left wondering if he made the right call in not enforcing the follow-on.

    England had seemed well and truly out of the game after conceding a huge 215-run lead in the first innings but Smith chose to bat again in the hopes of getting some quick runs on the board on Monday.

    Smith would have thought Australia would have batted long enough to declare before lights came on at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday but his gambit has allowed the tourists to creep in through the back door.

    His batsmen were rattled by England’s pacers to be bowled out for just 138 runs and Root’s innings has now put them well within reach of a famous victory come Wednesday.

    If Australia go on to lose from here, Smith’s decision could be giving him sleepless nights for some time to come.

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