Australia remain on track for a 5-0 Ashes sweep after defeating England by eight wickets in the fourth Test at the MCG.
England’s second innings collapse for a total of 179 set Australia a target of 231 for victory, a number the home side managed easily behind a century from Chris Rogers.
Rogers collected his second Test ton before being dismissed by Monty Panesar for a career-high 116 while Shane Watson provided an unbeaten 85. Michael Clarke was the other man at the crease when the Aussies secured victory, his total of six taking him above the 8000 career Test runs mark.
After having reached 30 without loss on Saturday, Rogers continued to roll well into Sunday with the help of a little luck. Poor fielding saw the opener dropped twice- once by captain Alastair Cook at slips while on 19 when Jonny Bairstow failed to react and again on 82, this time by Bairstow. The 36-year-old went on to smash 13 fours from an his 155-ball inning.
Mitchell Johnson was awarded his third man-of-the-match honours in the series for his 8-88 bowling figures, but said he felt Rogers was more deserving of the title.
Day four was attended by 38,522 with the total fourth Test crowd reaching a total of 271,865.
Clarke’s men has a chance to join Warwick Armstrong’s side from 1921 and Ricky Ponting’s team from 2006/07 to become the only teams to sweep an Ashes series 5-0 when the fifth Test kicks off on January 3.
“To be 4-0 up, it’s hard to describe,” Clarke said after the win.
“There were some great individual performances.
“Our goal is to win 5-0. I dont’ see any reason why not.”
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Photo: Scott Barbour, Getty Images.
