First five-wicket haul in Australia
After 15 matches and 30 innings, James Anderson has finally got his first five-wicket haul in Australia. Previously he had four four-wicket hauls, with three of them coming in the victorious 2010-11 series. This was only Anderson's fifth five-wicket haul away from home. Interestingly, he now has one such haul in South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia. He has 20 five-wicket hauls in England. Among the bowlers in the 500-wicket club, Anderson has the worst average overseas and the fewest five-wicket hauls. He has, however, had a great 2017, having taken 47 wickets at 15.82 and with a strike rate of 42.0. His average is the best for any bowler this year.
Old is gold
Anderson also became the oldest pace bowler to take a Test five-wicket haul in Australia since Glenn McGrath at the Gabba in 2006-07, and the oldest pace bowler from England to take a five-wicket haul anywhere since George Geary in 1929. Anderson now has three five-wicket hauls after turning 35 and joins an elite list of seven cricketers to achieve this feat.
Australia's low score and England's tough target
Australia's third innings did not go the way they expected. They have had one lower score at home against England since 1996. Australia's second innings had all 11 batsmen scoring 20 or fewer, the sixth time this has happened in a Test innings at home for them. Four of the previous instances ended in defeat, while the only win came in the first ever Test. However, England need a record fourth-innings score to win this Test. The previous highest was 332 against Australia at Melbourne in 1928. Incidentally, three out their four highest Test chases have been against Australia.