Captain Joe Root took charge of England's rearguard action despite being treated in hospital overnight for gastroenteritis and helped the tourists to 144 for five at Lunch on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney on Monday.
The 27-year-old, whose illness allowed a 43-ball cameo for Mooen Ali, reached the break on 58 not out with Jonny Bairstow unbeaten on 38 alongside him and England still 159 runs from forcing Australia to bat again.
England's best hope remained a face-saving second draw of the series after Australia ensured the return of the Ashes with victories in the first three Tests of the five-match series.
However, Root couldn’t come out to bat post the Lunch break due to his illness. The number 8 batsman Tom Curran resumed England’s innings alongside Bairstow.
After Root retired hurt, England lost four wickets for just 36 runs in the second session, losing the fifth Test by an innings and 123 runs.
England’s premier fast bowler and vice-captain James Anderson said at the presentation ceremony that Joe Root fell asleep in the dressing room after retiring hurt.
He’s (Root) asleep. He has a gastro issue. He has not been too well throughout in the night. He is sleeping in the dressing room trying to recover. To get to the ground in itself is a great effort and then to strap his pads on and bat for as long as he did was a brilliant effort from him and just shows what sort of character he is.James Anderson
Australia’s captain Steve Smith too lauded Joe Root’s character.
It took a lot of courage to come out and bat, you could see he was struggling a fair bit, particularly when he was running between wickets. To get to the ground in itself is a great effort and then to strap his pads on and bat for as long as he did was a brilliant effort from him and just shows what sort of character he is.Steve Smith
Root was on 42* at close of play on Day 4 but experienced diarrhoea and vomiting overnight and was taken to hospital.
England initially said he was treated for severe dehydration but later revised the diagnosis to viral gastroenteritis that had nothing to do with Sunday's high temperatures at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The skipper reached the ground in time for the start of play but out-of-form Moeen went out to bat instead, making 13 before almost inevitably falling LBW to Nathan Lyon.
Off spinner Lyon has now dismissed all-rounder Moeen seven times in nine innings over the series with four of those leg before decisions.
Moeen had already had one life in his short spell at the crease when he lifted the ball just over the fingers of a leaping Mitchell Marsh at point.
Root received an ovation when he came out to resume his innings and had soon secured his 37th test half-century with three runs to fine leg.
Cameron Bancroft would probably have needed a trip to hospital himself had he not been wearing a helmet after he took a Root pull shot full in the grill while fielding at short leg.
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