Even a 10th consecutive Ashes half century from an under the weather Steve Smith wasn't enough to prevent England taking a first innings lead at The Oval, as Jofra Archer found his groove again to increase the likelihood of a drawn series.
Even battling the flu Steve Smith registered another record-breaking Ashes innings but couldn’t save a tired Australian batting effort at The Oval which put hopes of holding up the urn after another victory in peril.
The London venue was in a state of shock when Smith was out LBW for 80, after a four-hour stay, missing a straight ball from Chris Woakes which denied him a fourth triple figure score, so far at least, from the four matches he’s played.
Remarkably it was Smith’s lowest score of the series but his 10th consecutive Ashes half-century still broke the record for the most 50s in a row against a single opposition.
But the batting machine revealed his innings, which took his series haul to 751 runs, was done under duress as he fought off the effects of the flu, coming at the end of an exhausting series.
Smith has batted for a massive 1854 minutes in his six innings, just short of 31 hours, and he said he didn’t have the energy to reach three figures again.
His Friday effort in London was however yet another lone hand as England speed machine Jofra Archer bounced back from a lacklustre fourth Test return with six wickets to skittle Australia inside 69 overs.
The visitors, who finished England’s innings six overs in to the morning when Mitch Marsh took his maiden Test five wicket-haul, were all out for just 225, a score made better than could have been by 25 runs off 30 balls from Nathan Lyon at the end.
Archer finished with 6-62 and with Sam Curran (3-46), who like Marsh found swing where none of his teammates could, gave their team a 69 run lead and opened the door to draw the series 2-2.
Marcus Harris then dropped England opener Joe Denly three balls before stumps, dislocating his finger in the process, to add to a disastrous day for Australia with the home team 78-runs in front and holding the whip hand.
“I've been struggling a bit today, I've got a bit of a flu,” Smith said.
“I was loading up on the codral cold and flus throughout the day and just tried to stay as focused as I could be throughout the day.
“Unfortunately I couldn't bat with the tail for as long as I’d hoped.
“However, we're only 75 runs behind. Teams have come back and won from this margin before and we created another opportunity tonight. It's going to be pivotal for us to bowl really well with the new ball first thing in the morning.”
Australia had made clear its ambitions to secure the final Test and a first series win in England since 2001, having already ensured the urn would be going home with them as the current holders.
But their batting resistance was meek as openers David Warner (five) and Marcus Harris (three) failed to register a partnership of significance yet again.
The highest return of any Australian opening combination this series has been 13, and Warner became the first opener in Test history to be out in single-figures eight times in one series.
There was some contention over his dismissal – given out caught behind after an England review – but Warner, and the entire dressing room, conceded to hearing a noise.
But a day after the locals criticized their own team for not taking advantage of what looked to be the best batting pitch of the series, the Australians fared even worse.
Marnus Labuschagne looked solid for his 43, but was rattled by Archer again and took a blow to his arm in the balls before he was out LBW.
Australia, however, lost wickets too regularly with two gone in the first session, two in the second, and then six in the last as Archer delivered his second five-wicket haul of the series.
After a sloppy effort in the field on day the batting effort showed signs of a team running on fumes and sending out the already overworked bowlers at both the start and end of the day gave England even more of an upper-hand
England finish the day 0-9 – and they'll be thrilled to have done so.
Josh Hazlewood is desperately unlucky not to have a wicket after his final over.
A horror dropped catch from Marcus Harris was followed by Rory Burns being given out LBW on the last ball of the day – before it was overturned on review having pitched outside leg stump.
England lead by 78 runs after the day's play.
That is a shocker from Marcus Harris at fourth slip – he's spilled the chance Australia wanted to finish the day.
Joe Denly edges it straight to Harris at waist height. And he makes an absolute meal of it, grassing it.
He's had a nightmare series, with the bat and in the field.
Three overs survived by the England openers. And there'll be one to go from Josh Hazlewood before stumps.
This pair definitely just want to get through to the end of the day – there's no runs required here.
Pat Cummins sent a barrage of bouncers Rory Burns' way, but outside of that it's been rock solid from England.
No dramas whatsoever.
England are 0-4.
This is a nasty first over from Cummins – he has hit Burns with consecutive bouncers.
The first deflected off his back for four leg byes, and it was followed by a grille-seeker.
Burns gloves it into his shoulder and then onto the grille, taking a bit of the heat out of it.
He is examined by England's medical team before taking guard again. Three balls left in this Cummins over.
There's just under 20 minutes to go in the day – Rory Burns and Joe Denly, who spent the start of the day at the hospital after his wife gave birth to their second child, will face a tricky little spell from Pat Cummins and, you'd assume, Josh Hazlewood.
Jack Leach the nightwatchman if there's a wicket?
What. A. CATCH!
Rory Burns takes an absolute beauty, a one-handed screamer low and to his right at gully to see off Peter Siddle and close the Australian innings for 225.
That's not far off Stokes at Trent Bridge levels of class from Burns.
Jofra has 6fer, and Australia have conceded a 69-run first innings lead.
Another genuinely poor batting display by Australia, saved by Steve Smith's 80, but with it being his lowest score of the series so too was it well under-par from Australia.
No one aside from Marnus Labuschagne (48) went with him.
Lyon falls to Archer this time – bowled by Jofra Archer for 25 with a slower ball.
Five wicket haul for Archer. And a milestone, too, for Lyon.
With this knock he passed 1000 Test runs and joined a fairly elite group of cricketers – that of the 1000 run/300 wicket group.
Boasting the likes of Warne, Botham and Benaud, Lyon is the the 41st cricketer to reach the mark.
Australia are 9-224… and trailing England by 70.
Hazlewood the new batsman.
This isn't quite dropping Steve Smith, but Nathan Lyon has been given a life.
Jack Leach, at fine leg where he caught Mitchell Marsh, spills a chance as Lyon hooks Jofra Archer.
He looked like he had that covered, but it just spills out as he falls to the deck.
Lyon was on 22.
Australia 8-220.
It denies Jofra Archer a five-wicket haul. For now, at least.
Six! Nathan Lyon has just hooked Sam Curran into the stands.
And he follows it up with a smashing cover drive for four off Jofra Archer.
He's got a run-a-ball 22 and this partnership has added 33 for the ninth wicket.
These are frustrating runs for England, though Australia still trail by 74.
Not necessarily a surprise, this, but England have brought back Jofra Archer to knock over the tail.
He didn't get much of a rest – Jack Leach just bowled the two overs.
Archer has gone through a mountain of work this Test… 20 overs already today.
England would love to knock these final two wickets over cheaply. But they should also be wary of overworking their prized young quick.