England head towards Ashes whitewash in Sydney

England appeared to be heading towards an Ashes whitewash after another hapless batting display as they closed day two of the final Test 311 runs behind at the SCG.

The tourists subsided to 155 all out by tea, and then Chris Rogers (73no) guided Australia to 140 for four at stumps to keep the onus on England to buck all the trends of their hugely unsuccessful tour to avoid defeat number five here.

Only Ben Stokes provided an oasis of effective batting in an England innings which yet again fell well short of requirements.

They lost four wickets for 15 to stumble to 23 for five - and hard as Stokes battled, in stands of 39 with debutant Gary Ballance and 49 with Jonny Bairstow, it seemed England's miserable campaign was accelerating towards an apt conclusion.