Cricket: England deny Australia to earn dramatic draw in Ashes fourth test

Scott Boland and Australia were denied by Jonny Bairstow and England on the final day. Photo / Getty

England have pulled off the great escape, securing a nailbiting draw at the SCG to avoid an Ashes series whitewash.

Australia could only muster nine wickets on day five of the fourth test, with England No 11 James Anderson blocking out the final over from Steve Smith to clinch a thrilling draw in Sydney.

The equation was very simple for the hosts ahead of day five – take 10 wickets in 98 overs.

England faced the much more daunting task of trying to survive the entire day and avoid going 4-0 down in the series.

The visitors lost three wickets in the morning session before captain Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership.

But Aussie cult hero Scott Boland struck after a rain delay to keep the contest alive, removing Root for a third consecutive innings.

The contest seemed to be heading for a draw before Australian skipper Pat Cummins struck twice in an over to shift momentum back in his side's favour.

Soon after, Boland's Ashes fairy tale continued by removing Jonny Bairstow, England's last recognised batter, for 41 to put Australia on the verge of a memorable victory.

Bairstow edged a length delivery onto his front pad, and Marnus Labuschagne claimed a comfortable catch at silly point.

The hosts suddenly needed two wickets from 10 overs for victory, but England tailenders Jack Leach and Stuart Broad did well to weather the storm and survive the pace-bowling barrage coming their way.

With bad light meaning only slow bowlers were permitted to continue, Steve entered the attack. And with 13 deliveries remaining, the vice-captain claimed his first test wicket in more than five years to add one final twist.

Smith floated up a leg-spinner at Leach, and the outside edge was caught by David Warner at first slip.

That meant Australia had 12 balls to claim one more wicket for a famous victory. But tailenders Anderson and Stuart Broad survived the final two overs, meaning the Ashes series stands at 3-0 after four tests.