Touring side well behind the hosts at tea on day two at the SCG.
England were bowled out for just 155 in their first innings as the Australian side wrapped up their excellent day for the home side.
Despite late innings of substance from Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad, the England side were again bundled out for a below-par score, thanks to their top-order failing again.
While the Three Lions managed to pass the follow-on, they still trailed the Australian team by 171 runs at tea on day two, as Michael Clarke and his side continued to close in on just the third 5-0 series win in Ashes history.
Earlier in the session, Nathan Lyon did the job for his side when he earned a edge off the bat of Gary Ballance soon after lunch, as the debutant departed for 18 as England fell to be 62-6.
The eight left-handers in the England side continues to play into the hands off the off-spinner, who managed to get some bounce and impressive spin from a day two pitch.
The departure of the debutant was a crucial one for Australia as both he and Stokes looked to be building a partnership of some quality, with 39 runs being added for the fifth wicket.
Stokes continued to show the mental strength he exhibited during his brief Test career as he ground out an innings of consequence considering the dire circumstances his side found itself in.
However, Johny Bairstow continued to look jumpy against the Australian attack, as they looked to
keep their foot on the away side’s throats.
Stokes was under pressure from Lyon when a not out call for LBW was refereed by Australia, but the
on-field call stood.
In what could be a crucial decision to use their last referral available to them, Australia continued to go for the kill.
Lyon continued to look dangerous and could have pulled off one of the catches of the summer, but a booming on-drive from Bairstow was put down in what was a tough caught and bowled chance,,
England brought up their hundred as Stokes moved onto 40, with the small milestone welcomed by
sincere cheers by the Barmy Army and sarcastic ones by the home fans.
However, just as the combination looked to be gaining steam, Siddle earned the wicket of Bairstow as he departed for 18 and England fell to be 111-7
Australia snared a double breakthrough when Siddle got rid of the increasingly dangerous Stokes, who was red-faced when he left a straight ball only to hear it hit the top of off-stump.
Stokes was out for 47, shy of what would have been a worthy half-century, as England fell to be 112-8, still 15 runs shy of the follow-on.
Stuart Broad likely ensured England won’t have to follow on when he took 12 runs from one Lyon over, half of which came via a sky-high drive down the ground.
However, that flared again when Harris got the wicket of Borthwick for one, when he edged to Steve Smith in the cordon, as England continued its horror day at 125-9, still two runs behind the follow-on mark.
Boyd Rankin faced the first ball of his Test career with one run needed to pass the follow-on, in what was an unusual situation for the debutant to find himself in.
But after a punch down the ground, the new bowler earned himself a big round of applause from the away fans as they celebrated the mini milestone of not being forced to face-up to the Australian attack.
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