England crumble again as Australia charge towards an Ashes whitewash

An Australia whitewash is just 1/25 after England’s batsmen once again neglected to use their heads or their hearts in Sydney.

The visitors were all out for 155, with only Ben Stokes once again emerging with any credit, before Australia reached 140/4 at stumps; a lead of 311.

The 5-0 scoreline was a scant-considered 66/1 shot before the series started, but the Aussies have dominated these five games in no uncertain fashion.

The tone for day two of the fifth and final Test was set in the very first over of the day with the visitors resuming their innings on 8 for one.

Bet on Australia to win the Fifth Test at 1/25

Captain Alastair Cook mis-read a ball from Ryan Harris and left a straight one which was heading for his off-stump.

Cook asked night-watchman Jimmy Anderson whether it was worth a review, but the bowler’s shake of the head was as emphatic as England’s defeat this winter.

More wickets quickly followed, with Anderson emerging with more credit than recognised batsmen Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen.

The latter once again threw his wicket away with a silly shot, attempting to drive a ball on the up which was no threat to his stumps.

The Surrey man may have top-scored for England in this Ashes series but he will need to bat like Superman if he is to help his team rescue a win (10/1) or a draw (50/1).

Bet on Cook to become England’s all-time leading run-scorer in 2014 at 3/1

Pietersen is 3/1 to become England’s all-time leading run-scorer in 2014, the same price as Cook.

Both need over 700 runs to achieve that feat, and Cook looks the more likely despite his current lack of form.

The move to bring Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin into the side for this Test suggests that the selectors are keen to start afresh.