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On day 4 of the decisive 5th Ashes Test at the SCG, Australia gained the upper hand against England in an exciting encounter. England, trailing by 183 runs after Australia’s 567 first innings win, reached 290/7 in their second over, holding a slim lead of 107 runs in session 3.
Jamie Smith’s costly mix-up gives Australia their wicket on crucial Day 4
Jamie Smith‘s error in judgment turned into a comedy of errors during the 64.1 over of the Australian innings. Marnus Labuschagne bowled a short bouncer which failed to rise menacingly, prompting Smith – on 26 from 41 balls with three fours – to instinctively go for a single after Jacob Bethell pulled to the corner. Bethell hesitated, eyeing the ball, leaving Smith stranded halfway.
Jake Weatheraldsharply fielded at square leg, dived, collected the ball to his left and delivered a precise throw over the stumps to Labuschagne, who whipped the bails with Smith well short of his ground. The dismissal, an exhausted Smith (Weatherald/Labuschagne), left England reeling at 264/6. Commentators have called it “crazy cricket“, emphasizing the wacky nature amid high stakes. This cerebral fade echoed Smith’s earlier Ashes struggles, including a bizarre first-innings catch against Labuschagne, but amped up the drama on a flat SCG game where partnerships were crucial.
Here is the video:
Jamie Smith is gone as Jake Weatherald runs a wild ride!#Ashes pic.twitter.com/dDmu1tbzZn
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2026
ALSO READ: Fans celebrate jubilantly as Jacob Bethell discusses his maiden SCG Test century
Australia take control amid England’s final Test collapse
This defeat triggered a sudden collapse that swung the momentum in Australia’s favor. From a steady 219 for 4, with Bethell standing on an unbeaten 135 from 212 balls, England quickly collapsed. Will Jacks fell in love with a duck, undone by Cameron Green with a superb catch, and moments later Jamie departed as the score fell to 264 for 6. Ben Stokes didn’t last long either, edging out Beau Webster for just 1 at 267 for 7, leaving Brydon Carse (11 not out) to dig alongside Bethell but failed.
The Australian attack, driven by Webster’s impressive 3-for-43, remained lively and patient, while Scott Bolandit’s tidy 1 for 30 and Michael Neser‘1 for 55 kept the pressure on. England added 50 runs for two wickets in the last 10 overs at a brisk pace, but their advantage continued to diminish with at least 17 overs still to go. England currently lead by 119 runs with 2 wickets remaining to set a fighting target.
ALSO WATCH: Cameron Green takes down Jacob Bethell with a nasty bouncer on day 4 of the SCG Test
