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The Ashes: Can England bat out final day in Sydney?

England have plenty of batting to do on the final day of the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney, having been set a victory target of 388.

The tourists reached 30-0 at the close of day four and are 40/1 to complete an unlikely victory while forecast showers mean the draw is 8/15 with the Aussies 8/5 to take a 4-0 lead in the series.

Here are three things we learned from the fourth day at the SCG:

Leach proves spinners can be winners in Sydney

Jack Leach conceded 102 runs in just 13 overs in Australia's first innings of the first Test in Brisbane, prompting suggestions that he might be taken out of the firing line for the rest of the series.

The left-arm spinner has shown impressive character to come back from that mauling at the Gabba and he will have enjoyed his four-wicket haul on day four in Sydney.

His figures were enhanced by a couple of late strikes when Australia were slogging their way to a declaration but he had a genuine triumph earlier in the day, clean bowling champion batsman Steve Smith.

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Leach's success, helped by some shrewder field placing from skipper Joe Root, was pleasing for England although it also suggests that Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon will be a big factor on the final day.

The off-spinner claimed 5-50 in the fourth innings of Australia's 2020 Test win over New Zealand in Sydney and he will be targeting another matchwinning display this time around.

Starc showing signs of fatigue after strong series

England's openers survived 11 overs at the end of the day (only the second time in the past two Ashes series that they have not lost a wicket in the first 10 overs of the innings) but they can expect another tough challenge early on day five.

One sliver of hope for England is the fact that Mitchell Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the series, looked a little leggy during his four overs - understandably given that he is the only fast bowler on either side to have played all four Tests.

Starc always has the ability to produce wicket-taking deliveries - he bowled James Vince with an absolute brute of a ball during the 2017-18 Ashes - but it would be no surprise to see his pace drop a little after a heavy workload.

The left-armer should be in line for a rest in the fifth Test and England's batsmen will hope he is not at his most effective on the final day in Sydney.

Super-sub Pope handles unfamiliar role well

England are not exactly short of wicketkeeper-batsmen with Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, James Bracey and Sam Billings among their Test options but Ollie Pope added his name to the list with an eye-catching substitute appearance behind the stumps.

Pope was pressed into service as injuries kept Buttler and Bairstow off the field and the Surrey man took four catches, two off England's fastest bowler Mark Wood and two off spinner Leach.

His last act of the innings was a smart one-handed grab to dismiss Alex Carey for a golden duck and he will have been happy to make a contribution having been dropped after the second Test.

Despite averaging less than 30 in his 22 appearances, the 24-year-old remains one of England's brightest batting prospects and racking up the runs is clearly his best chance of ensuring a long Test career.

With Buttler and Bairstow doubtful for the fifth match in Hobart, Billings is joining the squad as injury cover but Pope's slick wicketkeeping display offers another option for the selectors.

The super-sub will be watching on as his teammates attempt to bat out the final day in Sydney, ending the prospect of a 5-0 series defeat, and you can follow the action on our Sports Live Streaming platform.

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