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England force fifth day in Adelaide

England hold out for a draw on day four of the second Ashes test against Australia in Adelaide.

England have forced a fifth day in the second Ashes test to prevent Australia from taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

The tourists, who trailed the hosts by 530 runs at the start of day four in Adelaide, ended the contest on 247-6 after 90 overs.

Mitchell Johnson, who proved the tourists' chief tormentor yesterday by claiming seven wickets, picked up where he left off on day three.

The 32-year-old bowled a short ball for Alastair Cook, whose decision to attack proved costly as Ryan Harris caught out the skipper for one in the second over.

Michael Carberry (14) soon followed his partner back to the pavilion in similar fashion, as the 33-year-old took on the short ball from Peter Siddle, only for Nathan Lyon to catch out the left-hander.

The combination of Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen helped England to their century just prior to the 39th over.

However, Siddle claimed his second wicket after lunch by ending Pietersen's gallant resistance at the crease to bowl him out for 53.

Ian Bell followed shortly before tea, caught out by Johnson after he clothed a Steve Smith full-toss.

Root, meanwhile, remained in play and edged toward his century after batting a four in the 62nd over to bring his contribution to 86 not out.

However, history repeated itself for the 22-year-old, as Lyon - whose delivery led to Root's dismissal on day three - executed an inside edge that deflected off the youngster's thigh and into the hands of wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, ending a 194-ball stint.

Ben Stokes followed, but Stuart Broad (22) and Matt Prior (31) held on to force a fifth day.

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England's Ian Bell leaves the ground following his dismissal during day four of the first Ashes test on November 24, 2013
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