Australia vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - Test Commentary
1st Inn
2nd Inn
3nd Inn
4nd Inn
End of Over : 52.1AUS: 179/10
All is not lost for Australia also. They have an excellent pace-bowling trio, who are capable of inflicting the same damage that England's bowlers did. Although, they won't be getting the same amount of assistance and it will come down to their skills and accuracy. We are not far away from the English reply, switch to the second innings for all the ball-by-ball updates.
Coming to Day 1 of this Test match, it was a rain-truncated day, where only 53 overs were possible still, we got to see some quality cricket wherein England were successful in bundling Australia under 200 which has given the hosts the upper hand and with conditions expected to ease out for batting, the English batsmen can make merry. The conditions on day one demanded a lot of application which the Australian batsmen, barring Warner and Labuschagne, failed to show. But the English have the problems of their own where their skipper has failed to inspire and the rest of the team has been found wanting for runs.
Hello and welcome folks to the coverage of Day 2 of the 3rd Ashes Test. First things first, the talking point of this English summer has been the weather. So for all the cricket lovers across the globe, the good news is that the weather for the remaining four days of this Test match is said to be clear with no signs of rains.
... DAY 2 SESSION 1 ...
Right then! 179? Ummm... one would have to admit that England are not only on top but have the trump card of the best batting conditions over the next two days. The start-stop did not help the Aussies but they will always look back at the century stand and ponder what went wrong. They are well behind the 8-ball and unless they restrict England under 225, they might well be looking at this as a 2-match series with all square. Join us at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 2. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Marnus Labuschagne - the silver lining in Australia's batting cloud. Like Jofra has been for England, the South African born has strut his stuff for the Aussies. He has not made the absence of Steven Smith felt with the bat at least but one understands that had the former skipper been there, he would have taken matters in his hands once Warner got out. That is the difference between the first innings of the first Test and the first innings of this one.
Time to talk about the new sensation, Jofra Archer. England were banking on him and he delivered. And how. Every time Joe Root threw the ball to him, something happened. Well, outside the century partnership of course. But is Root overdoing his usage of the West Indian born? After all, he is a human being. Needs to be careful that he does not kill the goose with the golden egg. Broad, who is always brilliant in Anderson's absence was excellent but unlucky. The others did well, but were not required much.
It was at this point of time that England's bowling started to go awry. It looked like Australia were taking the game away but Archer came back and dismissed Warner. The rest as they say is history. Just three men managed double figures, in Warner, Labuschagne and Paine. The remaining 8, just contributed 20 amongst themselves.
Tim Paine must have known that the writing was on the wall when he was asked to bat in overcast conditions. And when his side slipped to 25/2 in the 9th over, memories of a low first innings score came to mind. But in stepped David Warner and the new number 4 - Marnus Labuschagne. The duo played the first 30 minutes watchfully and then after the second rain break, just opened its shoulders.
What a poor decision to bowl after winning the toss on a flat pitch! Says who? Says who? Says who? Come again! At 136/2 in the 31st over, it looked like England were in for some strong leather hunt. But Warner's wicket turned the tide as Australia lost their last 8 wickets for just 43 runs. An unbelievable collapse.
52.1W
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. OUT! LBW! That ends the innings in the last over of the day. Full and around off, swinging in, Lyon gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Archer appeals and umpire Gaffaney does not take much time to raise his finger. No reviews left but it would not have mattered. Ball Tracker shows it to be hitting leg. AUSTRALIA BOWLED OUT FOR 179!
Cheers from the crowd as Jofra Archer bowls the final over of the day.
End of Over : 524 RunsAUS: 179/9
51.61
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Full and around off, flicked past short leg for a run.
51.51
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
51.40
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. A length ball, down the leg side, Hazlewood looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads.
51.30
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. 5 minutes to go for Stumps.
51.2W
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! LBW! Bizarre review from Labuschagne. Probably he just took a chance. It always looked plumb to the naked eye and with covered eyes taking technology's aid, it ain't looking any less plumb. A full toss, in line of the stumps, Labuschagne looked to work it to the leg side but was beaten by the late dip. He got hit on the pads and Stokes started to celebrate before appealing. Umpire Wilson took his time but then raised his finger. Labuschagne immediately took the review and so surprising it was that even Jonny Bairstow asked him, 'Mate, did you hit it?' Don't know what Labuschagne replied but when the Ultra Edge was queried at the time the ball passed the bat, there was no spike. After that, it became pretty clear what Ball Tracker was going to show. Three reds. Labuschagne shakes his head as he walks off but he has to go. End of a terrific innings.
Marnus Labuschagne has been adjudged LBW! He straightaway reviews though. Looks dead plumb. And Ball Tracking does not disappoint. Dead duck.
51.12
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Safe as a house. Full and around off, Labuschagne works it through mid-wicket and calls for two. Lyon has to stretch a bit as Buttler it is who is haring across and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. They refer it upstairs and replays show that Lyon is well in.
A direct hit! Is Lyon short? Jos Buttler is the fielder. Here come the replays. Naah... Lyon is well in.
Archer gets some rest at last. Here comes Ben Stokes. 8-0-41-0 so far. Nice time to open his account.
End of Over : 511 RunsAUS: 175/8
50.60
Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
50.50
Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Landed outside off, Lyon gets across and defends.
50.41
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, swinging in, Labuschagne is late in getting his bat down and the ball goes off the inside edge behind square leg. Marnus wants two but Archer attacks the ball, which makes it difficult for the plan to be executed. Just a single.
50.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, on a length, defended from the crease.
50.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
50.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, solidly defended.
15 minutes to go for Stumps. Nathan Lyon walks in at number 10.
End of Over : 501 RunsAUS: 174/8
49.6W
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. OUT! Caught behind! The decision stays as it is and Cummins looks nonplussed. Full and outside off, Pat looks to drive but misses. There is a noise as the ball goes past and umpire Joel Wilson raises his finger. Cummins immediately reviews and now, here comes the joke. There are two noises heard - one before the ball even comes near the bat and the second, after the ball passes the bat. Ultra Edge is called for and it shows two spikes - one before the ball is a centimetre away from the bat and the one after the ball passes the willow! That is good enough for the third umpire who supports his mate downstairs. Cummins is surprised but has to walk back.
Has Jofra got five? Cummins has been adjudged caught behind. But he has sent it upstairs. Here come the replays. Ultra Edge detects a big spike as the ball passes the bat. Well bowled, Jofra!
49.50
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
49.51
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. NO BALL! Archer oversteps as he bowls a length ball outside off, Cummins slashes but misses.
49.40
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, watchfully kept out.
49.30
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Landed outside off, watchfully left alone.
49.20
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
49.10
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Full and outside off, Cummins just about gets his bat down in time to defend it towards the off side.
End of Over : 490 RunsAUS: 173/7
48.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bit wide outside off, let through.
48.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
48.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, solidly blocked out.
48.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, left alone again.
48.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, shouldered arms to.
48.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, left alone.
End of Over : 480 RunsAUS: 173/7
47.60
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
47.50
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone.
47.40
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. The full ball, very full, swinging in, PC looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
47.30
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. A short ball outside off, Cummins sways away.
47.20
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, on a length, Patrick has a feel for it but misses.
47.10
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. A length ball outside off, Cummins just about gets his bat down in time to defend.
Four wickets in the bag pf Jofra but the legend Michael Holding (on air) still feels that there isn't enough fire in his effort! The West Indian backs that statement with good evidence. He compares the delivery point of Archer at Lord's with Headingley. Jofra's head was going ahead of the popping crease at the time of delivery at Lord's but here, it's staying behind. That's the sign which has prompted Holding to comment so. Earlier, Ian Bishop has also expressed his concern over preserving Jofra Archer and managing his workload. When you are young, you don't realize but others around who are experienced must be using this raw talent with a bit of smartness.
End of Over : 470 RunsAUS: 173/7
46.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.
46.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, coming in with the angle, ML has his stumps covered and lets the ball go on height.
46.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, Marnus gets across and pushes it towards mid on.
46.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
46.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Brave leave. Or he knows where his off stump is. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms but the ball jags back in. Just about misses the off stump.
46.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, left alone.
Amidst fading light, here comes Pat Cummins.
End of Over : 462 RunsAUS: 173/7
45.6W
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. OUT! Edged to first slip! Archer has four. He looks out of gas but finds something every now and then in his tank. Jofra lands this on a length outside off and then gets it to come back in with the angle. Pattinson looks like he has covered the line but while getting his bat down it hits his pad. That might be a signal that the willow came down a bit late. The ball takes the outside edge, on the higher part of the bat and goes straight to Joe Root at first slip who takes the catch near his chest.
45.50
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, watchfully defended. That almost sneaked through.
45.40
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
45.31
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, Labuschagne tucks it to the leg side and scampers through for a quick run.
45.21
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single.
45.10
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Outside off, played straight to point.
End of Over : 457 RunsAUS: 171/6
44.62
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, worked wide of mid on, to his right. Jofra Archer lumbers across and allows the second easily. Labuschagne moves to 70.
44.54
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Not totally controlled. Full and outside off, Labuschagne reaches out and looks to drive through point but the ball squirts off the outside edge behind point instead. Gets the boundary he was looking for.
44.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
44.31
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Down the leg side, nudged fine for a single.
44.20
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
44.10
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
The umpires take the light metre out. However, they are continuing out there. Certainly not the best time to bat.
End of Over : 442 RunsAUS: 164/6
43.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
43.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
43.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball outside off, Marnus hops and cuts it towards backward point.
43.32
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. Chris Woakes gives it a good chase from mid on to his right but while trying to return the ball, slips and that makes the second, looking extremely dicey at one stage, easily possible. Pattinson took a late call to go for the second and a better throw to Archer would have had Pattinson short.
43.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball, on and around off, Marnus remains on the back foot in defense.
43.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Labuschagne tries to flick but misses.
Into the bowlers. Or shall we say, tail? James Pattinson is the first of those. Given the conditions and the time left, we might well see England come out to bat tonight itself. Here comes the man who can make that possible. Jofra Archer. In line for a 5-fer. 13-2-40-3 so far.
End of Over : 430 RunsAUS: 162/6
42.6W
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. OUT! It's hitting leg! After mixing up his variations in this over, Woakes finally nails the batsman with an inswinger. The decision is overturned and the Aussie skipper is on his bike. Chris delivers a length ball on off and gets it to nip back in sharply. Paine is caught on the back foot as he tries to play across the line. But he fails in his attempt and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Joe Root decides to review the decision and the Hawk Eye returns three reds. The brief resistance is over and Australia are in a serious danger of getting bundled out under 200. A wicket maiden for Chris Woakes on his return.
Paine has been pinged on the pads! NOT OUT, says Gaffaney. Root has a chat with his bowler and keeper and takes the review. Here comes Ball Tracker. Hitting leg stump and the Australian skipper is gone! Beautiful use of the review by his counterpart.
42.50
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Delivers it on a length outside off, Paine makes a watchful leave.
42.40
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. On and around off, Paine is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
More disturbance. Seems like there is a gentleman in the row above the sightscreen who is standing and disturbing Paine. Tim gestures him to sit and after some time, the gentleman sits down.
42.30
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Inswinger this time. Landing on a length outside off, shaping in, Paine has nothing to do with it.
42.20
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. A hint of away movement there, from a length around off, another good leave by Paine.
Woakes comes running in but Paine stops him midway. Looks like there is some movement behind the sightscreen. Peter Siddle takes the initiative of getting whoever it was, away from the line of action.
42.10
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Good length delivery close to the off stump line, Paine stays back to cover the line and then shoulders arms.
Chris Woakes to bowl after the mini-break. 7-1-43-0, strangely he has been very expensive today.
Drinks break. Excellent comeback from England after a century partnership between David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. Once again it was Jofra Archer who brought them back with an exemplary spell where he removed Warner and Wade in quick succession. Broad picked the other wicket to fall in this session. Australia are placed in a tight situation and need yet another partnership to revive their innings. So far, Paine has done a good job along with Labuschagne and the aim of this pair will be to see off the day's play without any more casualty. Another hour left. Let's see how it goes.
End of Over : 422 RunsAUS: 162/5
41.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around off, Labuschagne stays on the back foot and defends it towards cover-point.
41.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
41.42
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish length ball on off, Marnus pulls it from the front foot to deep mid-wicket for a brace.
41.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length outside off, Labuschagne has an easy leave.
41.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and outside off, Marnus shapes up for the pull shot but then pulls out.
41.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
End of Over : 413 RunsAUS: 160/5
40.63
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good chase and stop by Rory Burns. An outswinger around off, Marnus sticks back to play at it but it takes the outside edge and speeds past Burns at gully. He chases it down near the fence and the batsmen take three runs.
40.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
40.40
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outswinger this time, wide outside off, it's left alone by ML.
40.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Some appreciable seam movement there. But the line is down the leg side, Marnus tries to flick but misses.
40.20
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Much better! Broad sticks to the same line and length, this time Labuschagne is more watchful and leaves it alone.
40.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten on the drive! Full in length and outside off, tempting the batsman into a drive, Marnus is lucky not to have edged it.
End of Over : 408 RunsAUS: 157/5
39.60
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
39.52
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Movement back into the batsman, Paine does well to pick it and works it through mid-wicket for a couple.
39.41
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
39.34
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGED AND FOUR! Excellent delivery by Stokes. He hurls in a back of a length ball around off and Labuschagne goes back to defend it. But he gets squared up while doing so and the outside edge flies past the diving Rory Burns at gully for a boundary. The fielder picked that early but could not do anything.
39.21
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. 150 up for Australia! Sliding down the leg side, Paine eases it down to fine leg for a run. There was a thought about the second run but then they decide against it.
39.10
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Fuller length delivery in the channel outside off, holding its line, Paine allows it through to the keeper.
Labuschange is back up. But he is shaking his head and gritting his teeth. No one can do anything about this. He is doing a few situps for the time being.
The physio is out in the middle. Not sure what can he do! Just give some words of comfort perhaps. Ben Stokes who got hit in the same region in the last match, is scratching his head and is the only man who is beside Labuschagne and Paine. No other English player is even remotely interested. The umpires meanwhile have a chat with one another. Focus now shifts to Labuschagne again. He looks in terrible pain and it might be a while before we get going.
End of Over : 393 RunsAUS: 149/5
38.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Ouch! That would have hurt! Marnus Labuschagne is in immense pain. He is crawling inside the crease before going flat on the ground to catch some breath. Fractionally short in length around off, nipping in and beating the bat of Marnus. He takes a blow on the box and immediately goes down. Broad has no sympathy to show here as he gets back, collects his hat and moves away. We can see the physio coming out now. What will he do?
38.51
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Short of a length delivery on middle and leg, Paine drags his attempted pull shot down to fine leg for a run.
38.40
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Fullish and on off, Tim has a straight bat down in defense.
38.31
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length on middle, Labuschagne pulls it down to the left of fine leg and takes just a run. Should have been two. Poor running.
38.21
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Good length ball close to off, Paine stays back to defend but it takes the inner half and runs down to fine leg for a run.
The sun is out now. Looks like we will definitely play till 7.30 pm local. (1830 GMT). There are around 19 overs left after this.
38.10
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Very full in length around off, Paine covers the line and blocks it solidly.
End of Over : 381 RunsAUS: 146/5
37.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length delivery just outside off, holding its line, Labuschagne withdraws his bat at the last point.
37.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Nice and straight this time by Stokes. Marnus defends it from the crease to mid on.
37.41
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Good length ball on middle, Paine turns it off his pads through square leg for a run.
37.30
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Some movement on this delivery. It shapes away after landing. But the line is too wide outside off to trouble the batsman.
37.20
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Good length delivery just outside off, not enough movement, Paine lets it through to Jonny.
37.10
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Starts well. Puts a length ball in the channel outside off, Tim is forward to cover the line and then makes a leave.
Ben Stokes is back on, replacing Jofra Archer. Ben was expensive in his first spell, going for 30 in 5 overs. Redemption time?
End of Over : 370 RunsAUS: 145/5
36.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Marnus drives but finds the extra cover fielder.
36.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On and around off, Labuschagne covers the line and blocks.
36.40
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
36.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. In the zone outside off, Marnus shoulders arms.
36.20
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Drifting down the leg side, Labuschagne tries flicking but misses.
36.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
End of Over : 364 RunsAUS: 145/5
35.60
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Back of a length ball around off, shaping in, Paine covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
35.50
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. In the channel outside off, allowed through to Jonny.
35.44
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. FOUR! A confidence booster! Archer pitches it up and around off, Paine takes a positive stride forward and unfurls a lovely off drive for a boundary. This will make the Aussie skipper feel a lot better about himself.
35.30
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
35.20
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Leading edge saves Tim Paine! Archer spears in a very full ball on middle, Paine brings his bat down just in time. On the point of impact, his willow turns and the ball takes the leading edge. It then rolls safely to covers. Archer is bowling with a lot of fire at the moment.
35.10
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Hurls in a good length delivery outside off, Paine has nothing to do with it.
End of Over : 352 RunsAUS: 141/5
34.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
34.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another watchful leave outside the off stump by Marnus.
34.40
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length and wide outside off, an easy leave for Marnus.
34.31
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. On the pads, Paine tickles it fine down the leg side and collects a single to open his account. After two ducks, it's a welcome sight for the Aussie fans.
34.20
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Delivers it on a length and outside off, Tim shoulders arms.
34.11
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length around off, Labuschagne nicely gets on top of the bounce and pulls it in front of square leg for a single.
The side is in pain and in comes Tim Paine. A captain's knock is needed since eternity. Could today be the day?
End of Over : 341 RunsAUS: 139/5
33.6W
Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. OUT! BOWLED ROUND HIS LEGS! One can feel unlucky for Matthew Wade. But Jofra will take it. A length ball, down the leg side, Matthew gets across to tuck but is beaten by pace. He is caught on the thigh pads, and falls over. Sadly for him, the ball clips his pads, hits the bat and then rolls back. Trickle, trickle, trickle and onto the stumps. My colleague Kamtishwar calls that an own goal. Fancy term. Archer has his third and Australia have lost 3/3 in 15 balls!
33.50
Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side, left alone.
33.41
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. HALF CENTURY FOR MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE! His second in as many innings. Come in as a substitute for the great Steven Smith, he has certainly not done any harm to his Test future. Another gutsy knock. Gets there with a gentle push through the covers and takes a single. A solid display once more. Raises his bat to the dressing room. Can he double this?
33.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball down the leg side, Marnus lets it go.
Umpire Joel Wilson isn't a popular man anyway and now he is seen checking the light meter. The crowd starts to boo. Marnus Labuschagne is just ready to head off but nooo, Wilson decides that it's good enough to carry on. Boos turn into cheers and Joel wins a few fans here. Keep playing...
33.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball outside off, Labuschagne hops to cut but is cramped for room. The ball hits his glove and drops down in front of gully.
33.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer down the leg side, Labuschagne ducks.
End of Over : 331 RunsAUS: 138/4
32.60
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Good length delivery outside off, Wade makes a watchful leave.
Matthew Wade is in next with Australia going downhill again.
32.5W
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. OUT! What a sight for a fast bowler! Kissing the top of off stump. A duck for Travis Head. Spectacular delivery by Broad. Told you, outswingers close to off stump from 'round the wicket line are very tough to negotiate. Stuart has dished it out in the line of the off stump and gets it to move just enough to beat the outside edge of Head's bat. The southpaw didn't cover the line too well there. Could have done better. But he got squared up while playing the trajectory of the ball. The ball clips the top of off stump and Head hears the death rattle loud and clear. Broad is up and running in joy. The crowd rejoice. Two quick wickets have brought England back in the contest again.
32.40
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Beauty by Broad! He has bowled such gems all day. An outswinger close to off stump, unplayable. Head tries his best to defend but misses.
32.30
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Broad moves to 'round the wicket for Travis Head. He delivers it on a length outside off, Travis calmly allows it through.
32.21
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length on off, Marnus pulls it with the angle to deep square leg for a run. Interestingly, there is a sweeper in the deep on the leg side. Plan is to bounce him out?
32.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full length delivery, it's served wide outside off, Labuschagne is patient enough not to chase it.
End of Over : 324 RunsAUS: 137/3
31.60
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Another play and a miss to end a terrific over from Jofra Archer. 11-2-35-2 so far.
31.50
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length outside off, Head flirts with it but is beaten by the away movement.
31.51
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. A length ball outside off, left alone. THIS IS A NO BALL as Archer oversteps. Good for him that he was fine on the previous ball.
Travis Head walks in next at number 5 after a century partnership.
31.4W
Jofra Archer to David Warner. OUT! Caught behind! No review this time. A legal delivery. A wicket at last. Nelson, surprisingly, has struck for England this time. The partnership was worth 111 and had taken just 137 balls before this one and was rocking the run rate up. Archer brings the crowd back to life. How similar are Warner and Harris when they bat? Very. Stance, stroke-making, footwork, running, you name it. And who dismisses both? One man - Jofra Archer. Mode of dismissal, both identical. Both jaffas. The Harris one had some extra bounce. This one did not have that much bounce but plenty of movement. On a length outside off, Warner stays back to defend. The ball comes in with the angle but then straightens a touch, to square the opener up. Takes the outside edge and Jonny Bairstow does the rest. No century for Warner again. He looked in the mood tonight. But England are up and running. Is a collapse around the corner now? They check for the overstepping but the West Indian is fine.
31.30
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Outside off, moving away, a play and a miss.
31.20
Jofra Archer to David Warner. A bouncer on middle, David ducks in time.
31.13
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely done by Jos Buttler. My colleague was asking four hours ago (how time flies), where is Jos Buttler? There he is. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. Jos Buttler gives it a chase from short mid-wicket and dives full length to pull the ball back in. Three runs taken. The stand moves to 111 from 135 balls.
End of Over : 312 RunsAUS: 133/2
30.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full and wide outside off, Warner plants his front foot forward and then makes a leave.
30.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. NOTHING ON THE ULTRA EDGE! Not for the first time that the umpire is seen getting his decision overturned in this Test series. Warner was very confident right from the beginning and the replays have vindicated his decision to take the DRS. Excellent delivery to begin with. It's an outswinger which has troubled Warner quite often in this innings. Broad has planted his delivery in the off stump channel and Warner is forced to play the line. But the ball changes its direction just a shade to beat his bat. There is some sound though, the English players are jumping up and down in an appeal and then the next frame shows Broad pumping his fists in celebration. The finger has gone up. But David is going nowhere, he knows that he has not edged it and gets the decision changed by using the technology.
Edged and taken! At last, a wicket for England. Warner has been adjudged caught behind. However, he has taken the review. In a bit of anger too. As if to say to Labuschagne, 'Mate, no way I hit that!' Here comes Ultra Edge. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. When ball goes past bat, nothing. When bat goes past pad, nothing. What was the noise? Another decision overturned...
30.40
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lands it on a length outside off, Warner allows it through this time.
30.32
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full in length and on off, Warner closes the face of his bat in time and helps it through backward square leg for a couple of runs.
30.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Shout for an lbw! Good length ball on middle and leg, angling down with some extra bounce, David tries to glance from the back foot but fails to connect. He is hit high on the pads, Broad appeals but he is the only one doing so. Turned down by the umpire.
30.10
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Wrong line to begin a new spell. Angling down the leg side, Warner tries to work it away but misses.
Stuart Broad returns to partner Jofra Archer again. 8-3-21-1, so far from him.
End of Over : 307 RunsAUS: 131/2
29.64
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Poor ball and punished! Short in length and wide outside off, Marnus camps back and whacks it through backward point for a boundary.
29.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Superbly negotiated. Top technique. Archer bangs in a well-directed short ball, Labuschagne sticks on the back foot, keeps his eyes on the ball, drops his wrists and then allows it through.
29.41
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Warner fails to work it around and it goes off his thigh pad to fine leg. A leg bye is taken.
29.30
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Jofra switches to 'round the wicket now and angles in a full ball around off. Warner pushes it with soft hands towards mid off, comes a few steps ahead and then shouts 'wait on'.
29.22
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Warner has donned the attacking mode now, it appears! Archer digs in a short ball just outside off, David leans back and slams it over point for a couple. 100-run stand comes up!
29.10
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, Warner goes chasing after it but misses.
England losing the grip over this Test match and Joe Root dials Jofra Archer! 9-2-25-1, so far.
End of Over : 294 RunsAUS: 124/2
28.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Slips a length ball down the leg side, this time Marnus fails to get any bat behind it.
28.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, easily left.
28.44
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Australia are getting a bad ball now almost every over! The current run rate is 4.32, that's impressive under these conditions. Sliding down the leg side, Marnus Labuschagne helps it fine off his pads to the boundary line.
28.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Well left! Woakes hurls in a length ball just outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps well and then shoulders arms.
28.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball on off, angling in, Marnus keeps his bat close to his body and plays it out to mid on.
28.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
End of Over : 2812 RunsAUS: 120/2
27.64
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Eased away! A full toss outside off, a hint of away movement in the air, Warner just opens the face of his bat and guides it wide of backward point for a boundary. 12 from the over, Australia are going on nicely at the moment.
27.50
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
27.44
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Up and over backward point! 30th Test fifty for David Warner, but most importantly, his first in this series. He raises his bat towards the Aussie dressing room. Some boos from the crowd, as has been the case with this moralistic English crowd. Anyway, David has stepped up in the absence of Steven Smith. A length ball around off, angling away, Warner pushes at it early and hence fails to control his shot. It flies and evades the leaping backward point fielder for a boundary. Fine knock so far but he cannot afford to relax under these demanding conditions. Go on, get a big hundred and silence everyone with your bat.
27.30
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Good length ball on middle and off, Warner stays back footed and defends it watchfully.
27.24
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Bang! Short and wide outside off, Warner rocks back, latches onto it and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for a cracking boundary. Moves to 49 now.
27.10
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Very full in length around off, Warner leans forward and pushes it out to covers.
Change of shoes for Marnus Labuschagne.
End of Over : 2711 RunsAUS: 108/2
26.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, shaping away, Marnus allows it through to complete the over.
26.54
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Woakes is a bit too straight in his line, Labuschagne gets his front leg forward and then flicks it superbly off his pads through square leg. The partnership is now 17 short of a century.
What happened there? Labuschagne delays things a bit. Picks out something out of his shoe. What's that? A spike? That is our guess. Hands it to umpire Joel Wilson who comes rushing in.
26.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. This one is too wide outside off to make the batsman play.
26.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
26.22
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Marnus tickles it down towards fine leg for a run. The deep fielder takes it casually, doesn't give the charge and the batsmen steal the second run also.
26.15
Chris Woakes to David Warner. FIVE RUNS! England in charity mood at the moment! A length ball on middle and leg, Warner tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls behind square leg and they cross for a run. The fielder there has a shy at the striker's end but is not balanced. He misses the stumps and Jason Roy also misses to back up the throw with a dive. Bonus runs for Australia, 100 comes up!
End of Over : 264 RunsAUS: 97/2
25.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
25.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
25.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A muted appeal for a caught behind! Good length delivery on middle and leg, drifting down further, Labuschagne gets forward and across to attempt for the flick shot but fails to connect. It goes behind with some sound and Bairstow dives across to his left to collect the ball. The replays show that it clipped the trousers of Marnus.
25.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! Labuschagne ducks underneath it with ease.
25.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
25.14
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Controlled pull shot! Stokes digs in a short delivery, Labuschagne fetches it from outside off and pulls it off his front foot. Doesn't middle it the way he wanted to but still it races away through square leg for a boundary.
End of Over : 251 RunsAUS: 93/2
24.60
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Woakes delivers it on a length in the line of the stumps. The ball lands and straightens and pings Warner on the back leg as he fails to defend. The appeal is made but not entertained. Either an inside edge or too high. No replays shown. So your guess is as good as mine.
24.50
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Serves it on a length around leg, Warner is on his toes as he taps it down in front of square leg.
24.40
Chris Woakes to David Warner. On a length and around off, angling away from the batsman, Warner feels for it and misses.
24.30
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Warner defends it from the crease to mid-wicket.
24.21
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Hurls in a fuller length ball close to off, shaping in, Labuschagne brings his bat close to the front pad to keep it out but it takes the inner edge and rolls towards short fine leg for a run.
24.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery outside off, a little bit of outswing there, Labuschagne shoulders arms to let it go. After going past him, the ball becomes an inswinger as Jonny collects it.
End of Over : 245 RunsAUS: 92/2
23.60
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Outside off, a confident leave this time.
23.50
Ben Stokes to David Warner. On a length outside off, Warner has a tentative poke inside the line and misses.
23.40
Ben Stokes to David Warner. A length ball wide outside off, left alone. Almost goes to first slip. No, nowhere near the Harmison classic of the 2006 Ashes at the 'Gabba. This is collected by Bairstow himself.
Ricky Thomas Ponting on air - 'Might have the bowlers bowl full and outside off, keep cover open and encourage the Aussies to drive through cover.'
23.30
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Full and swinging in, but pitched outside leg. Stokes falls over in his attempt to flick but misses and is hit on the front pad, then the back pad.
23.21
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
23.14
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nice delivery from Ben Stokes. A length ball, around middle, angling away, Labuschagne looks to push but the away movement takes a bit of an... let's say educated edge. Marnus did well to play that with soft hands, hence the ball stayed down. Went past second slip and with no third man, that is a boundary.
End of Over : 238 RunsAUS: 87/2
22.60
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Beaten again to complete an eventful over! Fuller in length and outside off, curving away, Warner pushes inside the line and misses.
22.50
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Away swinger served to the left-hander again, Warner, a clueless Warner, pokes at it and misses.
22.40
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shortish and on off, defended off the back foot.
22.32
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Movement away from the batsman. Warner has a tame push inside the line from the back foot and the outside edge runs wide of gully for a couple of runs.
22.21
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, Labuschagne pushes it down with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They again attempt for a sharp run as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end. No overthrows this time.
22.15
Chris Woakes to David Warner. FIVE RUNS! Tapped down to cover-point for a boundary at wide long on. No, I haven't lost it. Will explain how! A good length delivery around off, Warner plays it down softly with an angled bat to cover-point and tries to steal a run. The fielder there attacks the ball, takes aim and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Instead, it has hit the bat of Warner and then the ball speeds past the mid on fielder for a boundary. Brings back the memory of the recently concluded World Cup final. England benefited then and are now at the receiving end. Karma?
End of Over : 224 RunsAUS: 79/2
21.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
21.52
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes eyes an inswinging yorker, may be. But he fails to land it. The ball reaches the batsman as a full toss and Marnus pushes it through cover-point for a couple of runs.
21.41
Ben Stokes to David Warner. A confident off drive by Warner but he will get just a single for it. Woakes has made and outstanding diving stop at mid off.
21.31
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter delivery, Marnus drops it with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a quick run.
21.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, Labuschagne pushes at it and misses.
21.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bang on the abdomen! Stokes gets a back of a length ball to jag back into the batsman from around off, Labuschagne decides to leave it alone but fails to take his body away from the line, reason - he thought it may move away after landing. The ball luckily escapes his elbow and strikes him on more fleshier part of the body. Wear arm-guards, screams my fellow commentator.
Play halted! Movement right above the sightscreen. Everyone is waiting for the spectators to settle down. As if we haven't seen enough delays in this Test already.
End of Over : 210 RunsAUS: 75/2
20.60
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Back of a length ball on off, shaping away, David Warner allows it through to make it a maiden over.
20.50
Chris Woakes to David Warner. On middle and off, Warner is forced to play this time and he defends it down from the back foot.
20.40
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Woakes gets closer to the stumps this time but it's not close enough to bother the batsman. Warner shoulders arms.
20.30
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Identical to the last delivery, Warner is very much watchful at the moment and knows where his off stump is. Easily left.
20.20
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Watchfully left this time. In the corridor of uncertainty, David has nothing to do with it.
20.10
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shortish delivery outside off, Warner sticks back to have a tentative push inside the line but gets beaten.
End of Over : 205 RunsAUS: 75/2
19.64
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! A rare bad ball and Marnus has made sure to get a boundary from it. Stokes lands it on a length around middle, Labuschagne neatly deflects it off his pads to fine leg. 50-run stand comes up! Decent recovery from Australia under testing conditions.
19.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fine delivery. On a good length and outside off, moving away, Labuschagne initially shapes up to push inside the line but then withdraws his bat.
19.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
19.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter in line, worked from the crease to mid-wicket.
19.21
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Short in length and outside off, there to be hit and Warner flat-bats it towards point. The fielder there dives to make a half-stop and the batsmen cross for one.
19.10
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Good leave in the end! On a shortish length around middle, moving away from the batsman, Warner decides not to offer any shot and lets it through. Michael Holding (on air) is wondering that why England haven't tried inswingers to Warner so far. Fair point.
Ben Stokes it is then. He will also get good purchase from the surface and it's important from England's point of view that he maintains pressure from his end. Three slips waiting...
End of Over : 1916 RunsAUS: 70/2
18.64
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Good, confident stroke. Full and outside off, Labuschagne comes forward and drives it straight back past the bowler. Stuart Broad at mid off starts a jog but then gives it up as he sees mid on run after it. Allows him to do the job of bringing the ball back.
Ben Stokes is stretching and loosening up. Maybe, his time has come to bowl.
18.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Labuschagne gets across to flick but misses.
18.42
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, moving away, ML pushes it behind gully for a couple.
18.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, Marnus pushes but misses.
18.3wd
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FIVE WIDES! How on earth? How on earth? How on earth? Unbelievable swing. Woakes cannot believe it. Neither can anyone else. This one is landed outside off, on a length. Labuschagne has no business with it but the ball pitches and then seams a mile. Poor Jonny Bairstow has no way of reaching it as the ball goes past Joe Root at first slip and into the third man fence!
18.21
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Full and outside off, David pushes it wide of mid off, initially says, 'WAIT IN!' but then quickly yells, 'YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!' Labuschagne is in two minds whether to run or not and eventually responds. Makes it in time.
18.14
Chris Woakes to David Warner. IN THE AIR, FOUR! A lucky escape to start off the final session. A length ball outside off, moving away, Warner pushes at it defensively, not moving his feet and almost guides it straight to the man at.... fifth slip. Luckily for him, there isn't any fifth slip. The ball flies between fourth slip and gully to the third man fence!
Back on! It has brightened up now and the covers are off. The players are done with the Tea break as well and we are good to go now. Chris Woakes to begin proceedings...
... DAY 1, THIRD SESSION ...
Update 1610 local (1510 GMT) - Tea has been taken on Day 1. It has started to rain now as well. Things looking pretty gloomy at the moment. We will try again after 20 minutes. Let's try to be positive and hope for the best.
Update 1558 local (1458 GMT) - The players are off! NOT RAINING! This time it has gone dark. Joe Root and the entire English team ain't looking happy as they trudge off the field. The Australian batsmen are off as soon as they were told to. It's the decision of the umpires. They have taken the reading and that's not conducive for the game to carry on. This reading will be the benchmark for the rest of the days now. Boos from the crowd. It's been that kind of a day. Stay tuned for more updates...
End of Over : 187 RunsAUS: 54/2
17.64
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! This will provide some confidence to Marnus. Archer is too straight with his line, full in length and Labuschagne clips it with nice timing through mid-wicket for a glorious boundary.
17.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bang on the thigh pad! Back of a length delivery landing close to off, there is a hint of inward shape there as well. Labuschagne decides to leave it only to know later that it has come in to hit him on the thigh pad. Error in judgement surely.
17.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Almost drags it on! Indecision there from Marnus, wanted to play, wanted to leave, wasn't sure what to do! The delivery is just outside off, Labuschagne tries withdrawing his bat at the very last moment but it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the pads.
17.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full in length and on off, Labuschagne defends it right under his watchful eyes.
17.23
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner leans forward and eases it past Broad at mid-wicket. The tall bowler runs with heavy legs and pulls it back near the fence. The batsmen complete two and then take the third run on the throw. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.
17.10
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Good length ball on off, Warner stays back footed and defends it to the off side.
End of Over : 173 RunsAUS: 47/2
16.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Nice line and length, on and around off landing on a fuller length, it's solidly defended off the front foot to covers.
16.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Delivers it on a length and just outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps and makes a safe leave.
16.41
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Pitches it up and around off, Warner does well to get forward and play at it as late as possible. He bunts it towards mid off and scampers across to the other end.
16.31
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
16.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around off, shaping away a bit, Labuschagne defends it from the back foot.
16.11
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Starts his spell with a length ball close to off stump, Warner pushes it with soft hands towards cover-point. Denly there makes a partial stop with a dive and the batsmen cross for a run.
Stop the press! There is a bowling change! Chris Woakes gets the ball in hand.
End of Over : 163 RunsAUS: 44/2
15.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Well left in the end! Archer continues to vary his lengths smartly. Alters his length and bangs in a short ball in the line of the stumps, Marnus does well to keep his eyes on the ball as he makes a leave.
15.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes very full this time, it's around off and Labuschagne does well to keep it out at the last moment.
15.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Serves it on a length and just outside off, it's an outswinger, well picked by Marnus. He gets his front foot to the line of the delivery and then shoulders arms.
15.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and the line is outside off, Marnus drops his wrists and allows it through to the keeper.
15.23
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Pitches it up and around off, Warner pushes it down the ground through mid off. Doesn't overhit it and gets three runs.
15.10
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Archer doesn't need any time to strike the right chord. Straightaway on the mark. Angles in a length ball, around off, Warner gets a bit squared up and defends it out from the outer half of his bat to the off side.
Here comes Jofra Archer. Again. 7-2-15-1 so far.
Predicto Praky - I would so love to be a bowler now. A fast bowler at that. Come in, bowl 4 overs, then go back and take rest. Again come out, bowl 4 overs and again return. A seamer's day...
End of Over : 159 RunsAUS: 41/2
14.62
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Thriving for some movement, Broad overpitches outside off, Labuschagne drives it square of the wicket on the off side and returns for the second run.
The wait is over! The hover cover has left the ground. Two umpires walk out to the centre and they are followed by the English players. Out come Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner to resume their innings. Stuart Broad to finish his incomplete over.
A bit frustrating. Looks like the hover cover is coming off. The conditions stay heavily overcast and the English players, not surprisingly, are already at the boundary. No Aussie players to be seen yet.
Update 1523 local (1423 GMT) - The rain has eased off and the groundsmen are drying the covers. The resumption time is 1540 local. Stay with us.
RAINING! 'What a loss this match is!' screams my colleague Nabu in frustration. The players are off and the crowd boos but just as the players go out, it stops drizzling! Everyone is smiling and the hover cover is not even in place to cover the pitch. Root is happy to come out but the Aussies have already gone in and are in no mood to return. Hmmm.... the wind picks up and now, the umpires ask the hover cover to cover the pitch. Root and his team though, have not gone far inside. There is no dugout in Tests but if ever there was one, there is this area just beyond the boundary, into the shelters and the English are standing over there. Just as we type that, more covers come on. This might be a passing shower, so might not be too much of a delay.
14.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length and close to off stump, Labuschagne is behind the line and blocks it safely.
Marnus Labuschagne is taking a double guard there, picks Ricky Ponting on air. Takes the middle stump first and then takes the off stump guard. Maybe, that will help him more with his trigger movement.
14.41
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Spears in a very full ball on middle, Warner tries to dig it out on the leg side but it takes the leading edge and rolls to covers for a run.
14.32
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on off, Warner strides forward and pushes it softly towards extra cover. Archer moves swiftly to his right from mid off and the batsmen take two.
14.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
14.14
Stuart Broad to David Warner. FOUR! A bit tentative with his footwork but he will get a boundary. Full in length and outside off, Warner draws forward and while his front foot is getting landed he has made contact with the ball. Luckily, it's fairly from the middle of his blade and it races through cover-point.
End of Over : 140 RunsAUS: 32/2
13.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Plays out a maiden! The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
13.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
13.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Goes very full this time, around off, Labuschagne digs it out to mid off. Varying not just varying his line but length as well. Keeping the batsman on the edge.
13.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer is bowling beautifully! Getting the ball to move away at a fair click and making the life difficult for the batsman. Labuschagne is not entirely forward as he tries to drive. Gets beaten once more.
13.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery in the region outside off, Marnus sensibly makes a leave.
13.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
End of Over : 130 RunsAUS: 32/2
12.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. A big grunt from Broad as he serves a fuller length ball close to off, Warner has nothing to do with it. Second maiden in a row!
12.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner runs down the track and pushes it to mid on. Some different method to counter the movement.
12.40
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lands it on a length and close to off, Warner picks the line early and decides that there is no need to play at it.
12.30
Stuart Broad to David Warner. This one is very wide outside off. Too full and shaping away further, an easy leave for David.
12.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full in length again, outside off, Warner plants his front foot forward and then shoulders arms.
12.10
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Beaten! Full and around off, nipping away, Warner is drawn into play and gets beaten. Five men in the slips waiting for an outside edge.
End of Over : 120 RunsAUS: 32/2
11.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten all ends up! A lovely outswinger, landing full and outside off, inviting the drive. Marnus is lured into it and gets beaten. Lucky, very lucky.
11.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full in length and close to off, Marnus forces it back to the bowler.
11.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length in the channel outside off again, this time Labuschagne makes a conventional leave, shoulders arms.
11.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. In the zone outside off, Marnus makes a leave like Steven Smith makes, a different type of followthrough of the bat.
11.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
11.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Sliding down the leg side, Labuschagne tries flicking but misses.
End of Over : 112 RunsAUS: 32/2
10.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 11 overs done and Australia will be happy to see Warner surviving till now.
10.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Stifled appeal for an lbw! A scrambled seam delivery, on middle and leg and shaping down, Warner tries to work it on the leg side but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but nothing from the umpire. Missing leg.
10.40
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Very full in length and on off, David drives but immediately shouts 'wait in' as it goes straight to mid off.
10.32
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Angles in a full ball on off, Warner lunges and closes the face of the bat in time to work it through square leg. Easy couple to keep the scoreboard ticking.
10.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. That's nearly the ball that got Khawaja. A misdirected delivery sliding down the leg side, Warner tries to flick but misses.
10.10
Stuart Broad to David Warner. A little predicted plan now. Full and just around off, nipping away, Warner takes his front leg forward and then makes a leave.
End of Over : 105 RunsAUS: 30/2
9.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone. Good testing over by Archer.
9.51
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Back of a length ball angling down the leg side, Warner fails to work it around and it goes off his hips to fine leg for a leg bye.
9.40
Jofra Archer to David Warner. On a good length outside off, David covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
9.34
Jofra Archer to David Warner. FOUR! And Warner finds the gap through covers. It's a pitched up ball outside off, Warner strides forward and pushes it through the line. Doesn't try to hit it hard, just a gentle push that and it has raced away to the fence.
Five slips in place now.
9.20
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Smelling another wicket here! Outswinger outside off, Warner has no footwork to show as he pushes and misses.
9.10
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Play and a miss! Archer just puts it on a fuller length outside off and invites the drive. Warner obliges but the ball moves away to beat his bat. Not far away from the outside edge.
End of Over : 94 RunsAUS: 25/2
8.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another delivery in the channel wide outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to complete a successful over for England.
8.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Too wide outside off, the new batsman has nothing to do with it.
Marnus Labuschagne is the new batsman. Out next to face the music. For once, England will be happy that there is no Steven Smith to look out for. They would have been happy in the previous Test too but in this case, they will be on fire. Labuschagne was calm and composed at Lord's. His side needs him to show that calmness here.
8.4W
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. OUT! Khawaja is strangled down the leg side. Outswingers troubled but it's a misdirected inswinger that has fetched Broad a wicket. A length ball angling down the leg side, Khawaja tries to flick it off his pads but fails to middle his shot. There is some sound as it goes behind to Bairstow who catches and runs in appeal. Broad is also ecstatic but the umpire is unmoved. Root is convinced here and goes for the DRS. The replays come in and the Ultra Edge straightaway detects some wood. Second blow to Australia. Now both the new-ball bowlers have a wicket apiece.
Caught behind? Umpire Gaffaney is unmoved. Bairstow is adamant that a review be taken and Root obliges. Here comes Ultra Edge. Another decision will be overturned because there is a massive spike when the ball goes past bat!
Here are the revised session timings. The second session will be from 2 pm till 4.40 pm local time (1300-1540 GMT) while the last session will be of 2 hours from 5 pm local. Plus, an additional 30 minutes of play will be provided. All these, assuming, there is enough light of course.
8.34
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Off the outside edge. Fuller and close to the off stump line, Khawaja tries defending but it takes the outside edge and runs through the gap between gully and point for a boundary. Gentle hands.
8.20
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Good length ball on off, defended from the crease by Usman.
8.10
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
End of Over : 81 RunsAUS: 21/1
7.60
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Nearly edges it! Away swinger for a left-hander from 'round the wicket line, David is drawn forward as he pushes inside the line. Gets beaten. Smiles exchanged.
First time David Warner will be facing Jofra Archer today!
7.51
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length ball around leg, Usman remains back footed and plays late at it. He eases it off his hips towards fine leg for a run.
7.40
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
7.30
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Full and around off, Khawaja covers the line and pushes it defensively to mid-wicket.
7.20
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Beaten! Moving away from the left-hander, Khawaja gets forward and pushes inside the line but only to get beaten.
7.10
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Fuller in length on off, Khawaja pushes it down to mid on.
End of Over : 74 RunsAUS: 20/1
6.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. No DRS taken. They didn't review a similar lbw shout in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test and David was later found to be plumb. Full in length, in fact very full, landing close to leg and straightening a bit, Warner tries flicking but misses. They appeal for an lbw, not given. No replays shown so far.
6.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. On a good length close to off, Warner cover his sticks and shoulders arms.
6.44
Stuart Broad to David Warner. FOUR! This will give some confidence to David. A fullish ball around off, angling in, Warner leans forward and across and flicks it with gentle hands. The timing is brilliant and it races in front of square leg for a boundary.
6.30
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Wow, this is some excellent bowling by Broad. He is persisting with his line around off and is continuously bowling outswingers. Warner has a tame push inside the line and misses.
6.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
6.10
Stuart Broad to David Warner. EDGY! It's very tough to deal this line from 'round the wicket. An outswinger on middle and off, shaping away, David tries working it on the leg side but gets a soft leading edge towards point.
End of Over : 62 RunsAUS: 16/1
5.60
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Too full in length on middle and off, Khawaja hangs back and tentatively keeps it out towards cover-point.
5.50
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Wrong line. Good length going down the leg side, Khawaja shapes up to tickle it fine but fails in his attempt.
5.40
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. In the corridor of uncertainty, Usman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
5.30
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Good length ball just outside off, moving away, Khawaja feels for it and is beaten.
5.22
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. A bit of a leading edge there. Fullish ball close to off, nipping away, Khawaja closes the face early as he tries to flick. It takes the leading edge and rolls in the gap at covers for a brace.
5.10
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Archer also steams in from 'round the wicket and pitches it very full on off, Usman sticks back inside the crease and digs it out on the leg side.
End of Over : 52 RunsAUS: 14/1
4.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Too wide this time, outside off, Warner makes a confident leave.
4.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
4.41
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Phew! Had Khawaja missed this, he would have been a dead duck. Broad shifts his line to middle and serves an outswinger. Khawaja shuffles across the stumps and is lucky to have his bat down in time to play it out towards mid on. Another single taken.
Four slips and a gully now.
4.30
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. What a delivery! Good luck playing that. Khawaja is really lucky not to have edged it behind. Lovely outswinger. It's close to off stump, Usman tries playing the line but is beaten by the movement.
4.21
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Goes very full and very straight this time, Warner works it on the leg side, picks the gap at mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
4.10
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Excellent start! Right on the money. Broad speeds in from 'round the wicket and puts it on a fuller length outside off. Warner is drawn forward as he pushes at it. But the away movement means that the bat is beaten.
The players are on the field. David Warner has Usman Khawaja for company. 76 overs to be bowled today, looks unlikely but who's complaining if they get all bowled. Three slips in place. Broad runs in...
Update 1345 local (1245 GMT) - Finally, we have some update from the ground. The covers are going off one by one and the resumption time is decided to be in 15 minutes. Let's hope there is no more rain intervention today.
Welcome back! We are waiting for any official news from the ground about the resumption time. Rain is no longer there is the latest we can tell you at the moment. Let's wait and watch how things unfold.
... DAY 1, SECOND SESSION ...
Update 1245 local (1145 GMT) - Latest update is that an EARLY LUNCH has been taken and play will resume at 1325 local (1225 GMT) provided the rain stays away. We will see you soon.
Update 1225 local (1125 GMT) - RAIN IS BACK! Marcus Harris is leading all the players back to the pavilion. The hover cover meets the playing area again. The umpires will be thinking about an early Lunch. But nothing official as of now. We will let you know as soon as there's any update. Stay tuned.
End of Over : 44 RunsAUS: 12/1
3.6W
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. OUT! Caught behind! This was always coming after a barrage of outswingers! What a peach of a delivery by Jofra Archer! He hurls in a length ball close to the off stump line at 87.3 mph. Harris is stuck on the back foot in an attempt to defend. But to his bad luck, there is extra pace and bounce on this delivery. It kisses the outside half of his bat and flies to the left of Jonny Bairstow. The Yorkshire lad makes no mistake as he snaps it safely. Not a happy Ashes debut for Marcus.
3.50
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Extra pace and bounce on middle and leg, Harris tries to work it around but misses.
3.40
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
3.34
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. EDGY FOUR! Uff, that nearly carried to the slip cordon. Good length ball around off, Harris tries blocking but it moves away to take the outside edge. It flies behind and Stokes at third slip makes a diving attempt. The ball drops just short, brushes his left hand and speeds behind for a boundary.
3.20
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Back of a length delivery in the zone outside off, Marcus sticks back and shoulders arms.
3.10
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. In the channel outside off, Harris has an easy leave.
End of Over : 34 RunsAUS: 8/0
2.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Yet another play and a miss. You can't do much with such deliveries. Fullish and close to off, David tries his best to defend but it curls away to beat the edge. Smiles exchanged between Warner and Broad.
2.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Unplayable! Lucky to not edge it. Broad serves a length ball in the line of the off stump, Warner tries playing the trajectory but the away movement once again beats his bat.
2.40
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Swing and a miss! Broad shortens his length a bit and delivers it outside off. David thinks there is enough room to slap it through point but nopes, it has some movement in it and the bat is beaten once more.
2.30
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Beauty by Broady! A length delivery, on and around off, Warner tries defending but gets beaten by the slight away movement.
2.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner middles his flick shot but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
2.14
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Four byes! Broad loses his line. Serves a full ball on leg and it goes further down with the angle. Warner fails to flick and it misses his pads before racing away to the fine leg fence.
End of Over : 24 RunsAUS: 4/0
1.64
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Australia are away in this Test match! Another delivery sliding down the leg side, all Harris needs to do is to get some bat behind it. He does so and it races away to fine leg for a boundary.
1.50
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. The line is straighter on this occasion. Some extra pace and bounce as it drifts down, Harris is beaten for pace as he tries to flick. Misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
1.40
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Another play and a miss! Slightly short in length and around middle, it moves away and Harris tries to push at it from the crease. Gets beaten comprehensively.
1.30
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Oohhh...this one missed the outside edge by a whisker! Archer gets closer to the off stump line this time. It lands full, drawing the batsman forward but then the angle leaves the batsman and beats his bat.
1.20
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. This one is quite wide outside off, Marcus has his stumps covered as he makes a comfortable leave.
1.10
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Angling across the left-hander, on a length and around off, Harris shoulders arms.
Here comes the talk of the town! Jofra Archer is unleashed into the attack from the other end. First ball in the series for Marcus Harris.
End of Over : 10 RunsAUS: 0/0
0.60
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Hurls in a good length ball in the channel outside off, Warner has nothing to do with it. Good testing over first up by Stuart!
0.50
Stuart Broad to David Warner. That's a real tempter! Broad dishes one out on a driving length outside off, plenty of away movement on this delivery, Warner shows restrain as he allows it through.
0.40
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Gem of a delivery. That's the line and length. Beautiful. Angling in on a length around off, Warner tries defending from the back foot but it nips away to beat the outside edge.
0.30
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Broad pulls his length back this time. Back of a length ball on off, David goes on his toes and defends it down safely.
0.20
Stuart Broad to David Warner. This time Stuart goes fuller than the last time. It's around off and shaping in a bit, Warner is forward as he pushes it from the inner half of his blade to mid on.
0.10
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Broad runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a good length ball on off, Warner covers everything well and blocks it back solidly.
Let's play! Please, say that again. Let's play! Oh yes, the rain is behind us now. But if we look up, there are still angry clouds hanging over the stadium. Scary! Anyway, no point looking up, so let's look down. David Warner and his new opening partner Marcus Harris make their way out in the centre. Joel Wilson is back to officiate in this match and he is partnered by Chris Gaffaney. Kumar Dharmasena is the TV umpire. The condition is tailor-made for bowlers. Stuart Broad to begin proceedings. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
Update 1156 local (1056 GMT) - Good news! The rain has stopped for now and the play is expected to start at 1210 local (1110 GMT).
Update 1115 local (1015 GMT) - RAIN HAS RETURNED! The covers are back on as well. This is going to be a really frustrating day for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates...
Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Marcus Harris (in for Cameron Bancroft), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(C/WK), James Pattinson (in for Peter Siddle), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root(C), Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(WK), Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.
Toss - Up goes the coin and it comes down in favour of Joe Root. ENGLAND WILL BOWL! The English skipper feels the pitch is a good one for batting but he cannot ignore the conditions on offer. Tim Paine wasn't too sure what to do and was hoping that Root wins the toss, he smiles and admits. Regarding the team changes, England are unchanged while Australia have brought Marcus Harris and James Pattinson in place of Cameron Bancroft and Peter Siddle. Marnus Labuschagne keeps his spot, in place of Steven Smith.
England are trailing in the series but they have the momentum in this quick turnaround. They retained an unchanged XII and then added Ollie Pope as a cover for Jason Roy, who got hit on the head during the net session. If all goes well, England in all likelihood will field the same eleven. Australia, on the other hand, will have to make one forced change in their batting and then it remains to be seen which set of pacers they will pick for this Test match. All will be answered soon. Stay with us...�
Minus Steven Smith, how will Australia cope is the real question at the moment as Jofra Archer will be raring to have another go at the Aussies. The Caribbean lad has to be the most fearsome bowler for England in the Ashes history (at least from the time I've been following). Of course, you can rattle the opposition with swing (James Anderson) and reverse swing (Andrew Flintoff) but to terrify the batsmen as Jofra did has put him in a different league, a league where last Mitchell Johnson registered his name.
Recovered from the humdinger at Lord�s? What a spectacle it was at the Home of Cricket! Hostile bowling and gritty batting. Jofra Archer and Steven Smith! For a moment the world stopped and a team game revolved only around these two players. Archer knocking out the world's best Test batsman in his debut game made the headlines everywhere. Smudge returning to bat even after that killer blow surprised many, everyone applauded his lion-hearted effort and it was so resounding that those few who booed failed to hear their own voices. Take two, Marnus Labuchangne got the chance to become the first concussion substitute and believe me, he didn't disappoint the great batsman he was replacing. A draw was earned, although in a nervy manner and Australia still have the lead heading to Leeds.�
End of Over : 27.5ENG: 67/10
Australia have gained a 112-run lead and on this surface, it looks like a big one. It's now time for their batsmen to capitalize and not spoil all the good work. Can they bat England out of this Test match? Stay with us to find out...
Just one batsman reached the double-digit and that tells you about the dominance of the Aussie speedsters. Cummins and Pattinson played the supporting cast well and Lyon was not required for more than one over. Catching was brilliant too and apart from Wade dropping one just before the last wicket, they were right on the money.
Amazing scenes! J for Jofra! J for Josh! Both are star bowlers. One intimidates and picks wickets, another bamboozles with his accuracy and cunning movement. Just like Archer last evening, it's Hazlewood leading his team off the park. What an outstanding piece of bowling! The conditions were never as helpful as Day 1 but sometimes too much movement doesn't help you as a bowler. They end up missing the edge more than kissing it. Australia got just enough deviation from the pitch and made life troublesome for the English batsmen. This is now the fourth time since 2018 England have been bundled out under 100. Serious, serious issue!
27.5W
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. OUT! Stumps shattered! Hazlewood is running in celebration, his 7th fifer in Tests! He decides to keep it nice and straight, the pace is right up there and Leach, who is expecting another short one, shuffles across and tries to flick. He misses and the leg stump takes a beating. ENGLAND BUNDLED OUT FOR 67!
27.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
27.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. WADE DROPS! A rare miss in the field for Australia today. Well-directed short ball, Leach fends it away and hits it in the air towards backward short leg. Wade reacts to his left, runs and catches the ball with a dive but fails to hold on.
27.20
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Short ball down the leg side, Jack turns and allows it through.
27.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Back of a length ball on off, Leach defends it back from the crease. England's lowest score in Headingley is 76 against South Africa. Can they cross that mark?
End of Over : 277 RunsENG: 67/9
26.61
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Short and jumping onto the batsman, Leach again fends it away and this time it goes over short leg. They take a run.
26.50
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Almost a catch again! A rising delivery on middle, Leach is on his toes as he fends it away. The ball goes up and falls down in front of backward short leg.
Jack Leach is the last man out to 'try to bat'.
26.4W
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. OUT! The famous PERISCOPE! Can't believe, we were discussing about this type of dismissal during the Lunch break and it has happened. Cummins digs in a short delivery around off, Archer decides to duck but he keeps his bat hanging like a periscope. The ball goes closely past it, Paine catches the ball and appeals immediately. The umpire obliges but Archer wants to review it. No help from the technology for the West Indian-born though. The Ultra Edge detects a big spike and that spells the end of a brief knock by Jofra.
Jofra Archer has been given out, caught behind! He thinks a bit before taking the DRS. It's the famous periscope dismissal, the Ultra Edge confirms.
26.32
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Fights fire with fire. Another short ball hurled at Archer and this time he decides to pull it. Doesn't middle it well and top edges it in the air. It falls in no man's land at mid on and they take a couple of runs.
26.20
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Bumper! A typical fast bowler's response. Archer decides to duck this time.
26.14
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Archer tees off! The crowd roars! They just love this kid. Short in length and on middle, Archer hops back to make room and pulls it thunderously to the deep mid-wicket fence.
End of Over : 264 RunsENG: 60/8
25.64
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. FOUR! Very full and on the pads, Broad nudges it fine down the leg side for a boundary. The crowd loved it.
25.50
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Shortish and on middle, Broad tries to defend but is beaten for pace. It heads over the stumps to the keeper.
25.40
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Sliding down the leg side, Broad allows it through to the keeper.
25.30
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Extra bounce from a shortish length around middle and leg, Broad gets into a tangle and somehow keeps it out from the outer half of his bat.
25.20
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Broad defends it off his back foot.
Stuart Broad is the new batsman.
25.1W
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. OUT! Wicket straightaway for Hazlewood as well, his fourth in the innings. Buttler, England's last hope, is removed. Smart bit of field placement, that. There is a short cover for any uppish drive and Usman Khawaja is manning that area. Now coming to the delivery - It's nice and full, inviting the drive. Hazlewood bowls according to the plan and Buttler walks straight into the trap. He strides forward with a loose drive, fails to keep it down and rest is history. Australia are roaring!
Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. He will be eyeing a fifer!
End of Over : 252 RunsENG: 56/7
24.61
Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fullish and on off, Buttler drives it down towards mid on for one.
24.51
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Archer once again is caught in an awkward position while dealing it. It takes his gloves and runs down to fine leg for a run.
24.40
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Short again, around off, Archer moves away from the line awkwardly.
24.30
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Yet another bouncer fired at Archer who ain't trying anything fancy. Ducks.
24.20
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Greets Jofra with a well-directed bouncer, Archer ducks at the last moment.
Jofra Archer is in next.
24.1W
Pat Cummins to Chris Woakes. OUT! IT'S A LEGAL DELIVERY! By just. Woakes is sent packing first ball after Lunch! Excellent start yet again for the Aussies. Cummins delivers a shortish ball around middle and leg gets a steep bounce. Woakes shapes up to glance it across the line but instead gloves it behind to Paine. The Aussie skipper makes no mistake and they are all celebrating. The umpire checks it upstairs for the front foot no ball and the replays show that Pat is JUST fine with his landing. 7 down are England with not much to come in terms of batting.
Chris Woakes is caught down the leg side. The umpire is checking for the front foot no ball...
We're back for the afternoon session. The Australian team is in a huddle and Tim Paine is sharing some motivated words with his boys. Big task lies ahead of Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes. 14 wickets have fell in the last two sessions. How many in this one? Let's find out. Pat Cummins (7-4-14-1) to steam in...
... DAY 2, SECOND SESSION ...
England are in massive trouble! The conditions were tough no doubt but they weren't tougher than Day 1. It appeared last evening that the hosts will make most of the batting conditions in the morning but that wasn't the case. They fell like a pack of cards and spoiled all the good work done by their pacers on the first day. Their batsmen lacked the required application and we witnessed some questionable shot selection as well. Just four wickets left in the kitty and their deficit is 125 runs. Can the hosts fight back post Lunch and reduce the deficit, if not wipe it off? Or will Australia continue to dominate proceedings? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Josh Hazlewood hit the right chord from the word go and made life difficult for the English batsmen. A flurry of wickets fell and out of the six batsmen to get out only one had the pleasure of getting in the double-digit. Pat Cummins also displayed good control while James Pattinson fetched wickets courtesy poor shots. A word of praise for David Warner also. He grabbed four catches in the slip cordon and bounced back with a bang after a disappointing show at Lord's. He just needs another two to snatch that joint-record from Steven Smith and Vic Richardson for most catches by an Australian fielder in a Test innings. In fact, five catches are the most taken by a fielder from any team. So a world record is waiting for David after the break.
Fiery response from the Aussie bowlers! What a morning session for them! Led by the spectacular Josh Hazlewood, Australia have routed England. It was supposed to be a brilliant day for batting with the ground bathed in sunshine but the theory that the ball moves only under overcast conditions has been proven wrong by some skillful bowling from the Aussie speedsters.
End of Over : 241 RunsENG: 54/6
23.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on off and middle,Buttler defends it off the front foot to end the first session. Lunch on Day 2.
23.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Outside off on a length. Buttler shoulders arms to it.
23.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Nicked but well short. Good length ball on off, Buttler looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards second slip on a bounce. The key here was Buttler played it with soft hands and hence it did not carry.
23.31
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On the pads, Woakes flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
23.20
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Amazing ball this! A perfectly directed shot ball this. It is closer to the off pole. Woakes looks to defend but the ball just about misses his glove.
23.10
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length ball outside off, Woakes leaves it alone.
End of Over : 234 RunsENG: 53/6
22.60
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Brave leave! Pattinson bowls an outswinger around off, it lands on length and nips in. Buttler offers no shot and it goes over his stumps.
22.50
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Almost a yorker on off, Buttler drives it out to mid off.
22.40
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
22.30
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
22.20
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Extra bounce from around off, Buttler fails to work it around and is hit high on the pads.
22.14
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. FOUR! This should give a lot of confidence to Buttler. Pattinson overpitches outside off and Jos just leans into the drive to cream the drive through covers for a boundary.
End of Over : 224 RunsENG: 49/6
21.60
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and outside off Woakes is happy to let the ball through for the keeper to do the rest.
21.54
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. FOUR! Hazlewood bowls one on the pads and Woakes flicks it off his pads through mid-wicket to get off the mark with a boundary.
21.40
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. A a length and outside off, woakes drives it with the straight bat to mid on.
21.30
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and in line with the stumps, Woakes is late in bringing his bat down only to defend it off the outside half of his bat towards the leg side.
21.20
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and around off, Woakes is glued to his crease as he has a tame poke outside off only to be lucky not to edge it behind.
Chris Woakes is the new man in.
21.1W
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Caught! Seems like either the keeper will take the catch or David Warner. The sixth one is down for England. Good length ball outside off, Bairstow has a poke at it and ends up getting a thick outside edge which goes towards first slip. David Warner dives full length across to his left and snaps a sharp catch. His 4th of the day and 3rd wicket for Hazlewood. This is a masterclass in fast bowling that we have seen this morning from Josh.
End of Over : 210 RunsENG: 45/5
20.60
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Buttler is calm and he once again leaves the ball outside off.
20.50
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. On the leg side, Jos flicks it but misses.
20.40
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off, Buttler leaves it alone.
20.30
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, Jos calmly lets it carry to the keeper.
20.20
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Good length Buttler leaves it alone.
Jos Buttler is the new man in. England's deficit is 134 and if they want to reduce it then Jos has to boss.
20.1W
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. OUT! Caught! Half the side back in the hut and the score has not even reached 50. Denly's luck has run out. Pattinson bowls it full and outside off, Denly goes for the drive. He had been beaten a lot of times but this time the ball finds the outside edge. It goes to the right of Paine. The Australian skipper makes no mistake. Pattinson is pumped up. Denly charmed knock is over.
End of Over : 205 RunsENG: 45/4
19.64
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Hazlewood keeps it on a length and outside off tempting Bairstow to go for the drive and the Yorkshire man obliges by going hard at the ball only to edge it between the slips and point fielders The ball goes to the third man fence in a hurry.
19.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow comes on the front foot to defend this length ball towards the off side.
19.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow just lets go the length ball on the fourth stump channel for the keeper to do the rest.
19.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow plays strong defensive shot off his front foot to this length ball outside off.
19.21
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off and denly plays with soft hands past the backward point fielder for a single.
19.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Hazlewood keeps asking questions. As he keeps persisting with the outside off length and Denly is beaten once again as he goes to play a drive.
End of Over : 190 RunsENG: 40/4
18.60
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A maiden to end. Bairstow plays a solid front foot defence to this length ball.
18.50
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Denly once again blocks blocks this length ball off his front foot.
18.40
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. James corrects his line and bowls a length ball outside off and Denly plays the defensive shot once again.
18.30
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Pattinson strays in his line as he bowls one down leg and Denly looks to flick it off his pads only to get beaten and take a blow on his thigh pad.
18.20
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Pattinson again bowls one on a length and Joe defends it towards covers off his back foot.
18.10
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. James bowls on a length and Bairstow is equally brilliant in defending it off his front foot.
End of Over : 182 RunsENG: 40/4
17.62
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full on off, Denly strokes it through point and gets a couple to end the over.
17.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Joe has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
17.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beaten again! Excellent bowling from Hazlewood. Continues asking question to the batsmen. Full on off, this one also skids off the surface and luckily for Denly it does not kiss the outside edge.
17.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On off, Denly keeps it out.
17.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beats the outside edge once again. Good length ball outside off, it moves away after hitting the deck. Denly looks to defend but misses. Warner at first slip goes up in an appeal but Paine does not.
17.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, JD defends it off the front foot.
End of Over : 172 RunsENG: 38/4
16.61
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Uppish but safe. Fuller on leg, Denly flicks it uppishly but in no man's land at square leg for a single.
16.50
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Denly's struggle to find the gap continues. It is a length ball on middle and leg, Joe flicks it but finds mid-wicket.
16.40
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly tries to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
16.30
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Ouch! That must have hurt. Good length ball on off, Denly looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his toe. He grunts out an audible ouch as the ball goes towards cover.
16.20
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Now corrects his line and bowls it on off, Denly defends it off the front foot.
16.11
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Hits the deck hard around the pads, Bairstow looks to turn it on the leg side. The ball goes off his thigh pad towards backward square leg and they take a leg bye.
End of Over : 162 RunsENG: 36/4
15.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Short ball outside off, Denly sways away from it.
15.52
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Denly continues to ride his luck here. Length ball outside off, Joe looks to play it on the off side with a flat-bat. The ball takes the inside edge and misses the stumps on its way to the fine leg region for a brace.
15.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Denly tucks it towards mid-wicket and shouts 'wait on' to his partner.
15.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length ball outside off, Denly looks to defend but misses it.
15.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Ohhs and ahhs are the shout from the Aussie players. Length ball outside off, Denly shoulders arms to it.
15.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good length ball on off, JD defends it off the front foot.
End of Over : 154 RunsENG: 34/4
14.60
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer! Bairstow sits under it to get through the over. End of a successful first from Pattinson.
14.50
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. On the stumps, Jonny keeps it out.
14.40
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller on off, Bairstow defends it off the front foot.
Jonny Bairstow comes out much earlier than he anticipated.
14.3W
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. OUT! Caught! Pattinson strikes in his very first over. Guess who is the man to take the catch? It is David Warner once again. Very questionable shot selection from Ben, this is the downside of having good form. You feel you can hit every ball. Sorry Stokes, it's a new day, new Test, new conditions and definitely new situation. Disappointing. Pattinson has managed to tempt the batsman with a fuller length ball way wide outside off. It should have been easily left alone but Stokes thinks about chasing it. He does so, throws his bat at it and gets a fat outside edge to the slip cordon. It reaches Warner at an awkward height at first slip but the Bull is ready to grab everything coming his way after a poor catching show at Lord's. The crowd here in Headingley is stunned. Only the Aussies are celebrating. England staring down the barrel big time.
14.24
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. FOUR! No power just pure timing from Stokes! Fuller around off, Stokes just squeezes it through point for a boundary.
14.10
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Starts with a length ball down the leg side. Stokes goes for the flick but misses.
James Pattinson is on now.
End of Over : 142 RunsENG: 30/3
13.61
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Almost chopped on. Full outside off, Stokes looks to go for the drive but finds the inside edge of the bat. It misses the stumps and goes towards the fine leg region. They take a single. Hazlewood is unlucky not to get one more.
13.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the fourth stump line, Ben shoulders arms to this one.
13.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, Stokes does not disturb that.
13.31
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly glances it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
13.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outswinger which is full on off and middle. Denly looks to play it on the off side but it goes off the outside edge towards gully.
13.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Denly defends it off the front foot.
End of Over : 134 RunsENG: 28/3
12.61
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Almost chops it on. Good length ball outside off, Denly initially looks to defend but then has a change of mind. He retracts from it. Joe is late though as the ball takes the inside edge of his bat. Luckily for him and England the ball goes past the leg stump towards the fine leg region for a single.
Helmet on for Wade. Seems like he will now go to short leg.
12.51
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good looking pull but just a single. Back of a length ball on off, Ben gets on his back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
12.40
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins strays one down the leg side. Stokes tries to flick it but misses.
12.32
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Stokes is off the mark. Fuller ball outside off, Stokes drives it through covers for a couple.
12.20
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Incoming ball outside off, Stokes leaves it alone.
12.10
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Back of a length ball on off, Stokes pulls it but finds mid-wicket.
The second hour after the Drinks break has begun. Australia are all over England at the moment. They have got rid of the top three and are bowling with a lot of aggression and enthusiasm. The onus will be on the English middle order now to take them out of the puddle.
End of Over : 124 RunsENG: 24/3
11.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full on off, Denly pushes it to mid on.
11.54
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! Stop the press, Denly is off the mark and that too with a bang! Fuller on off, Denly picks the length early and creams his drive through covers for a boundary. This will give Joe a lot of confidence. A much-needed one too.
11.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Gem of a ball again. Length ball outside off, it zips back in. Denly looks to defend but the ball goes right through the bat and body.
11.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Bouncer! It is around off pole, Denly sways away from it. 22 balls played by Denly and he is yet to get off the mark.
11.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full ball on off, Denly defends it towards mid on.
11.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller ball on off, Denly taps it back to the bowler.
Just a single over from Lyon. Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. His first spell, 4-2-6-2, was exemplary.
End of Over : 110 RunsENG: 20/3
10.60
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes flicks it towards mid-wicket.
10.50
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Stokes starts his innings with a calm leave outside off.
Ben Stokes walks out now. His team is in deep trouble and he will have to play a key role if they want to get out of this mess.
10.4W
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. OUT! Caught! Things going from bad to worse for the hosts. Their best batter of the tournament is out of here. Not the best ball this one. It is short down the leg side, Burns goes for the pull but he ends up getting a thin edge to the keeper. Paine behind the stumps takes an easy catch. Three down in no time and Australia are all over the English team like a rash. A rare failure for Rory, his first single digit score in this Ashes.
10.30
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball around off, Burns strokes it to point.
10.20
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length delivery on off, Burns defends it solidly.
10.10
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good bouncer, It is around the body, Burns looks to duck but he is late in his reaction. It hits Burns around the shoulder. He searches for the ball which falls beside the pitch on the off side.
End of Over : 103 RunsENG: 20/2
9.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly turns it to square leg to get through Lyon's first.
9.51
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter on off, Burns punches it to cover for one.
9.41
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Off spinner pitching on middle. Denly looks to flick but the ball lobs behind short leg. The batsmen take two as the fielder cleans it up. It initially looked like it came off the bat but umpire Wilson signals a delayed signal of leg bye.
9.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Floated on off, Denly gets on his front foot and blocks it.
9.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Spin and bounce on this one. Flighted outside off, Denly shoulders arms to this. Paine does really well and takes it around his chest.
9.11
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Starts with a tossed up ball on the pads, Burns glances it to the on side and gets to the other end.
Spinner into the attack now. For the first time in this game actually. Nathan Lyon on now.
End of Over : 90 RunsENG: 17/2
8.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another ripper. Good length ball outside off, Joe looks to defend but once again gets beaten.
8.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. JAFFA! Cummins steams in and hits the deck hard outside off, it comes back in and dissects Denly in half who was looking to defend it.
8.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another appeal for LBW, turned down. Good length ball around off, it comes back in. Joe looks to defend but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh pad of his back leg. There is an appeal from Cummins but nothing from the umpire again. Height was an issue here as confirmed by Ball Tracker later on.
8.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Dangerous leave from Denly. Good length ball around off, it nips back in. Denly shoulders arms to it and the ball hits him high on the thigh pad. There is a stifled appeal but once again the umpire is not interested.
8.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. On the fourth stump line, Denly leaves it alone.
8.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good cricket all around. Good length ball outside off, it comes back in after pitching. Denly is aware of his off pole and leaves it alone. Paine behind the stumps, dives to his left and takes a very good leave.
End of Over : 83 RunsENG: 17/2
7.62
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fuller on middle and leg, Burns flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a couple to end the over.
7.50
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Another beautiful ball. Fuller on middle and off, it comes back in. Burns looks to defend but misses. The ball kisses the inside edge onto the pads. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved.
7.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but the ball deflects off his thigh pads towards the on side. They take a leg bye.
7.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Joe defends it from right under his eyes.
7.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but gets hit high on the thigh pad.
7.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Hazlewood is throwing venom's here. Not the pacy ones but the the one which changes the way it is moving. Fuller around off, Denly looks to defend but gets beaten all ends up.
End of Over : 74 RunsENG: 14/2
6.60
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns sees of the over with a solid front foot defence.
6.50
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns rises on his toes to defend this length ball to covers off the full face of the bat.
6.40
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Now the ball keeps a bit low. Cummins is generating variable bounce here. He bowls one again on the length and brings the ball in a bit. Burns again looks to drive but gets beaten once again as the ball keeps low and goes past the outside edge.
6.30
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins is getting extra zip here. He bowls one on a length and outside off, Rory Burns is sucked into the drive here but luckily for him the ball passes the outside edge and settles into the mitts of the keeper.
6.20
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On a length and around off, Rory Burns comes on the front foot and defends it with the full face of the bat.
6.14
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. FOUR! Cummins bowls on a length and on the off stump, Rory Burns just flicks it off his pads in the gap through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence in a flash. Burns seems to be batting on a different pitch. He is continuing his good form while his other teammates are struggling to find the middle of the bat.
End of Over : 60 RunsENG: 10/2
5.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Very full on off, Denly does exceedingly well to push it to mid off.
5.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. NOT OUT! Height seemed to be an issue and it was the issue. Good review from Joe Denly. Good length ball pitching around off, it comes in venomously. Denly looks to defend but gets squared up. The ball hits him high on the back pad. The Australian players put in a huge appeal and after a good thought, umpire Wilson raises his finger. Joe has a chat with his partner and takes it upstairs. Replay rolls in and Ball Tracker shows that the ball would have missed the stumps. Denly survives! Had it not been for the review, England would have been in big danger here.
Joe Denly has taken the review against the LBW decision against him. Height can be an issue here. Let us see what the replay's have to say.
5.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
5.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Edged but safe. Good length ball on off, this one moves away from the angle. Denly looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge. Thankfully for Joe, he plays it with soft hands and hence the ball falls well short of second slip.
5.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good ball! Length ball coming in with the angle on off. Denly defends it late from right beneath his eyes.
Joe Denly replaces his skipper out in the middle.
5.1W
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. OUT! Back to back ducks for the English skipper! Hazlewood strikes again. Another brilliant ball from the Aussie quick. It starts on middle and off and zips away from the batter. Forcing Root to have a poke at it. Root looks to defend but gets a fat outside edge which goes to first slip. Warner once again does a good job and takes a fine catch. For the first time in Test cricket, Joe Root registers back-to-back ducks. The idea of batting the skipper at number 3 has not worked so far.
End of Over : 50 RunsENG: 10/1
4.60
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Back of a length ball on middle, RB defends it towards cover to get through the over.
4.50
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Confident duck from Burns. He expects Cummins to pepper a short ball and Cummins obliges. Rory calmly sits under it.
4.40
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length delivery on off, Rory defends it with a straight bat.
4.30
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the 4th stump line, Burns has no hesitation in leaving it alone.
4.20
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Hits the deck hard outside off. Little bit of away movement here as well. Burns looks to defend inside the line and gets beaten.
4.10
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone.
End of Over : 44 RunsENG: 10/1
3.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On middle and off, Root defends it off the front foot to start his innings.
Skipper, Joe Root walks out at number 3.
3.5W
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. OUT! Caught! Hazlewood wins the battle and Roy's unimpressive red-ball form continues. Hazlewood serves it full around off, there is late movement on this one as the ball moves away just a bit. He tempts Jason to drive and Roy falls in the trap. He goes for it and ends up edging it to the right of first slip. Warner there gets down and takes a good low catch. Early breakthrough for Australia, just what the doctor ordered.
3.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Good length ball outside off, Roy shoulders arms to it.
3.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Excellent shot but what a stop from Hazlewood too! Full on off, Roy gets on his front foot and drives it straight as an arrow. Josh gets down and saves a certain boundary.
3.24
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. FOUR! Crisp! This will give Roy a whole host of confidence. Back of a length ball around off. Roy picks the length early, gets on his back foot and punches it off the meat through covers for a boundary.
3.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on off, Roy keeps it out of his back foot.
End of Over : 30 RunsENG: 6/0
2.60
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the fourth stump line, Burns has nothing to do with it and calmly leaves it alone. Maiden from Cummins too now.
2.50
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Closer to the off pole, and on a length. Burns gets behind the line of the ball and defends it.
2.40
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer! It is around off, Rory sees it coming and sits under it.
2.30
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Fuller on off, Burns blocks it off his front foot.
2.20
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins charges in and bowls a pacy ball on the pads. Burns looks to flick but the ball hits his thigh pad and falls just short of the diving short leg fielder. Would not have mattered had it carried as there was no bat involved.
2.10
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length delivery on middle, Burns defends it towards mid on.
End of Over : 20 RunsENG: 6/0
1.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Maiden for Hazlewood to begin with. Length delivery on middle and leg, Roy tucks it towards mid-wicket to see off, what was a dangerous over.
1.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Hazlewood continues to trouble Roy. Bowls it fuller outside off, tempting Roy to drive. Roy falls in the trap and goes for it and luckily for Jason he does not get any edge on it.
1.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length on middle, Roy this time connects well as he pushes it to mid on.
1.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Steams in and bowls another gorgeous outgoing ball. This is on the pads though, Roy looks to flick but misses and it hits him high on his pad once again.
1.20
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On top of off and middle, Jason defends it in an awkward manner towards mid on.
1.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Height seemed to be an issue there. What a start from Hazlewood. Josh comes in and serves it on a length outside off. The ball comes back in viciously. Roy looks to defend but the ball beats him and hits him high on his pad. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved. Ball Tracker later on shows that the ball was going onto miss the stumps.
Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.
End of Over : 16 RunsENG: 6/0
0.61
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good running to end the over! Good length ball angling in to the right-hander. Roy tucks it wide of mid on and takes off for a quick single.
0.50
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good length ball on off, Jason defends it right off the meat towards cover.
0.44
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. FOUR! Roy is off the mark. Fuller ball on off, Roy looks to defend but the ball zips away a bit and goes off the outer half of Roy's bat through the vacant backward point region for a boundary.
0.30
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Well left! Cummins hits the deck hard outside off, Roy shoulders arms to it. The ball keeps on raising and goes to Paine around his head.
0.21
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. England are underway! Back of a length ball on middle and off, Burns defends it with soft hands towards cover and calls for a quick single. Roy responds and though the fielder is quick to get to the ball Jason makes his way inside the crease.
0.10
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins starts with a good length ball outside off. Not a lot of movement on this one. It comes in just a hint. Burns is sure where his off stump is and he lets it carry to the keeper.
End of Over : 75.2AUS: 246/10
Big challenge awaits England now! The surface still has plenty of juice for the seamers and it's going to be tough for the fragile English batting. First up, they will have to negotiate the tricky period before Lunch. Stay with us for England's reply.
It was yet another good bowling show by England but they were nowhere near their first innings attempt. That though was mainly due to some sloppy catching. Ben Stokes stood out due to his effort while Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer also were on the money. A word for Archer here, he got injured last evening but bounced back with some intensity today morning, terrorizing the batsmen with his pace and picking two wickets.
Right then, Australia have managed 75 runs this morning in bargain of four wickets. Marnus Labuschagne once again showed great fight and along with James Pattinson, he raised a half century partnership. Post that stand, the wickets fell in a hurry, although Marnus constructed little stands to make sure that the target is 350-plus.
75.2W
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. OUT! Lyon drags it on! Archer finishes things for England! A short delivery around off, at 90 mph, once again Lyon gives the charge and tries to flat-bat it through the line but gets a big inside edge onto the stumps. Australia are all out for 246, leading by 358 runs!
75.10
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Funny! Lyon gives the charge to Archer. He then forces a length ball down to mid on.
End of Over : 755 RunsAUS: 246/9
74.60
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. A yorker just outside off, too quick for the number 11 batsman. By the time he brings his bat down, the ball has gone past. Lucky for him, it wasn't in the line of the stumps.
74.50
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and angling in on off, solidly blocked by Josh.
74.41
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Fullish and on off, Nathan bunts it down to mid off for a quick run.
74.30
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Inside edge. Sharp delivery, on a length around off and moving back in, Lyon winds up for a big heave across the line but inside edges it onto his pads.
74.24
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Bad bounce for Woakes in the deep. Short delivery on middle, Lyon pulls it down to fine leg where Woakes kneels to stop it but the ball bounces extra and goes over him to meet the fence.
74.10
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Short and outside off, Lyon tries pulling but misses.
End of Over : 745 RunsAUS: 241/9
73.60
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. Shortish and on middle, Hazlewood fails to move away from the line and takes a blow on his body. Another hostile over from Archer comes to an end.
73.54
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR! Lead crosses 350! Archer dishes out a sharp yorker on middle at 92 mph, Hazlewood gets his bat down in time and flicks it through mid-wicket.
73.40
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. Back of a length ball on off, Hazlewood defends it off his back foot.
Josh Hazlewood is the last batsman.
73.3W
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! Marnus Labuschagne is run out on 80 and he walks amidst a big ovation from the crowd. Archer offers width outside off, Marnus makes room and slaps it down to third man off the outer half. He runs the first run hard, turns for the second, wants it anyhow but before that a sharp and accurate throw from Denly comes to Bairstow and he breaks the stumps in a flash. Labuschagne is found short in the replays and the third umpire flashes OUT on the giant screen. The replays also showed that Denly had fumbled a bit before picking the ball but he managed to recover quickly.
Appeal for a run out! Marnus Labuschagne is in question. He seems short. The replays confirm the same. The crowd erupts.
73.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Smell the leather Labuschagne! Archer is after his head. Another rip-roaring bouncer, on middle, Marnus leans back and sways away from the line of fire.
73.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Spears in a length ball on middle at 89 mph, Marnus hops back to make space and then drives it to covers.
End of Over : 734 RunsAUS: 236/8
72.60
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Hurls a good length ball in the zone outside off, Nathan shoulders arms.
72.52
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Edgy! Stokes angles in a length ball on middle, straightening a bit after landing, Lyon tries to flick but gets a leading edge through covers for a couple.
72.40
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
72.30
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Another beautiful outswinger by Ben, Lyon has no answer to that beauty. Tries to flirt with it but gets beaten.
72.20
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Nipping away from the batsman outside off, Nathan pushes at it and misses.
72.12
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. In the air... SAFE! Short in length on middle, Lyon tries to play the horizontal bat shot but fails to time it well. It flies over square leg and falls in no man's land. The fine leg fielder puts in a run and stops the ball. They cross for a couple of times.
End of Over : 726 RunsAUS: 232/8
71.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and angling down the leg side again, Labuschagne moves across and tries to work it around but misses.
71.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Follows the batsman down the leg side with a bouncer, Marnus attempts to hook but misses.
71.41
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Lyon tries flicking but misses. It goes behind off his pads, Bairstow only manages a half-stop and the batsmen take a leg bye.
71.31
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Interestingly takes a single and exposes Lyon to Archer. A length ball on middle is tucked through square leg for one.
71.24
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely placed! Maybe, he was trying this shot on the last ball. Connects well. Short in length and outside off, Labuschagne stays back and ramps it down towards third man. There are two fielders behind square on the off side but he bisects them beautifully.
71.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne is rattled after facing a barrage of bouncers in Archer's last over. Back of a length ball around off, Marnus moves back inside the crease and tries to steer it through the line but misses.
End of Over : 710 RunsAUS: 226/8
70.60
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Another play and a miss outside off by Lyon. End of a wicket maiden!
70.50
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Stokes spears in a yorker this time, Lyon somehow digs it out safely.
70.40
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Beauty of a delivery, angling in around off and then shaping away, too good for a number 10 batsman. Lyon does his best but still fails to put bat on ball.
70.30
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball outside off, shaping away, Lyon pokes inside the line and misses.
Nathan Lyon is in next.
70.2W
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. OUT! Caught at gully! Stokes hurls in a short ball around off, it jumps a bit onto the batsman, Cummins takes his eyes off the ball as he pushes at it. The ball goes off the outside edge and Rory Burns grabs a diving catch at gully. Nothing much offered in terms of batting by Pat. Maybe, those snorters from Archer in the previous over was playing in his mind and hence he got scared to watch a ball climbing onto him.
70.10
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. In the region outside off, Cummins leaves it alone.
End of Over : 704 RunsAUS: 226/7
69.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, hitting 90 miles now, it's defended off the back foot to complete a hostile over.
69.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Snorter! Archer once again bangs in a well-directed bouncer, Marnus is caught in an awkward position trying to fend it off. It takes the splice of his bat and loops up. There is no silly point in place and it falls down safely.
69.44
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely played! Short in length and outside off, Labuschagne stays back patiently and then guides it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
69.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, left alone.
Physio is out again to check for concussion. No major harm done it seems. Taking this opportunity, the umpires have called for the drinks break. Marnus Labuschagne is on his haunches. Looking winded. As far as this Test match is concerned, it's been a good hour for Australia. They have built on their lead which is 334 now. Pattinson has been the only casualty for them as Marnus continues to hold one end, with some good fortune.
69.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. BANG ON THE HELMET! Archer steams in and digs in a well-directed bouncer, Labuschagne decides to make the leave but fails to take himself away from the line of fire. It smashes Marnus on the grille of the helmet and he goes down. Archer shows no sympathy and returns to his mark.
69.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bowls a length delivery outside off, at 83 kph, Labuschagne allows it through and this one shoots up on its way to the keeper. A good take over his head by Jonny.
End of Over : 697 RunsAUS: 222/7
68.62
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Short delivery on middle, Pat helps it through square leg for a couple of runs. 7 from the over, the lead is worth 334 now.
68.50
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Stays back and strokes it towards mid off.
68.40
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
68.34
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. FOUR! Soft hands! A length ball close to off stump, Cummins presents an angled bat to it, allows the ball to come to him. It takes the outer half and runs through gully.
68.21
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Sliding down the leg side, Marnus fails to flick and it goes behind off his pads. Bairstow fumbles and the batsmen take a leg bye.
68.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Serves a length ball outside off, Labuschagne pushes at it and gets it away off the outside half of his bat towards point.
Pat Cummins walks in next.
End of Over : 687 RunsAUS: 215/7
67.6W
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. OUT! England finally have a breakthrough they dearly wanted this morning. The lead has reached 327 now though. Archer speeds in from 'round the wicket and hurls in a length ball on off, Pattinson stays back to defend but it shapes away a bit and takes the outside edge. Root takes the catch safely at first slip. A valiant stand comes to an end.
67.50
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Lands it on middle, Pattinson defends it on the leg side.
67.51
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Archer oversteps this time and bowls a bouncer. Pattinson ducks.
67.41
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter on middle, Marnus works it on the leg side for one. 50-run stand comes up!
67.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, defended from the crease.
67.24
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Four byes! This one just shoots off the surface. Goes over the batsman and Jonny also fails to collect it with a jump.
67.11
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Miscommunication! Direct hit would have been curtains for Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, Pattinson dabs it down to the right of backward point and Labuschagne calls for a run. It's not there and suicidal. The fielder luckily for Marnus misses his shy at the striker's end.
End of Over : 671 RunsAUS: 208/6
66.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer on middle and leg, Marnus gets across, crouches a bit and then lets it go behind to the keeper.
66.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. An outswinger outside off, landing on a good length, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
66.41
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Nearly a drag on! Stokes serves a length ball in the line of the stumps, Pattinson tries to block it from the crease but it takes the inside edge, beats the stumps and runs down to fine leg for a run.
66.30
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Fuller in length and on middle, Pattinson gets behind the line and defends it back solidly.
66.20
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
66.10
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Beaten! A length ball on off, shaping away, James pushes inside the line and misses.
End of Over : 667 RunsAUS: 207/6
65.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short and outside off, allowed to the keeper. 24 runs in the last three overs, Australia are scoring runs at a good rate now.
65.55
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. FIVE RUNS! Not for the first time in this Test match, third five of the game. Slightly short in length and on middle, Pattinson helps it down towards mid-wicket and rushes for a quick run. Rory Burns has a shy at the bowler's end but misses as James dives in. The ball misses the stumps and there is no one backing up. It's a boundary.
65.40
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Shortish and sliding down the leg side, Pattinson fails to get any bat behind it.
65.31
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
65.21
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Fuller again, on middle, James helps it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and steals a quick run.
65.10
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Fullish and on off, at a gentle pace, Pattinson pushes it out to mid off.
Jofra Archer (8.4-2-16-0) is back into the attack. Can he finish things off?
End of Over : 656 RunsAUS: 200/6
64.61
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. 200 up for Australia. On middle and leg, skidding in, Pattinson helps it through square leg for a run.
64.50
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A wayward bouncer. Down the leg side, Pattinson doesn't bother even watching it as he allows it through.
64.40
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Stokes tries to tempt the batsman once more. Puts it on a driving length outside off but Pattinson doesn't get carried away and watchfully makes a leave.
64.34
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. FOUR! Slapped away! Pattinson was holding himself back all this while but not this time. He gets width outside off and slaps it through point for a boundary.
64.21
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This time the shine is on the inside and the ball moves back in from a shortish length outside off. Labuschagne stays back to defend but it takes a thick inside edge and rolls behind square leg for one.
64.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Labuschagne is a bit fidgety at the moment. Stokes delivers it on a length outside off and gets it to nip away, Labuschagne pushes inside the line and misses.
End of Over : 6411 RunsAUS: 194/6
63.63
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, Labuschagne clips it through mid-wicket and takes three runs. 11 runs and a dropped catch in the over!
63.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
63.42
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and on off, Marnus pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
63.32
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. DROPPED! Labuschagne gets yet another life. Broad screams in anguish, he cannot believe his luck. A lovely outswinger around off, Marnus tries driving through the line but it shapes away to take the outside edge. It goes to the right of Bairstow who flies in that direction but fails to hang on. The batsmen take two and Australia's lead crosses 300!
63.24
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Glorious! In an attempt to get something extra from the surface, Broad overpitches around off. Labuschagne strides forward, shows the full face of the bat and drives it crisply past the left side of the mid off fielder.
63.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on off, shaping away, Labuschagne drives it behind square on the off side and looks for a run. He is sent back as Denly misses his shy at the striker's end.
End of Over : 630 RunsAUS: 183/6
62.60
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Too much movement there. Stokes delivers it too straight and it moves down the leg side. James tries to keep it out but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. Another maiden from Ben!
62.50
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A lovely inswinging delivery, full and on off, Pattinson defends it back solidly.
62.40
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Fullish and on off, Pattinson gets his bat down and pushes it out safely to cover-point.
62.30
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Away swinger, landing on a length around off and moving away, Pattinson shoulders arms.
62.20
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Bouncer on middle, Pattinson easily sits underneath it.
62.10
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Finally Pattinson runs out of patience. Short in length and wide outside off, James stands back, flashes his bat at it and misses.
End of Over : 625 RunsAUS: 183/6
61.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beauty by Broad. He angles in a length ball close to off, Marnus tries to defend by striding forward but it nips away just a bit to beat the outside edge.
61.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Wild delivery. Way wide outside off, Labuschagne is in no mood to chase it.
Physio comes out for the mandatory concussion check! All is well.
61.44
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. TOP EDGE! FOUR! Not in any control of the shot, Marnus. Broad bangs it in short on middle, Labuschagne takes the challenge of pulling it across the line but it takes the top edge and flies down safely to fine leg for a boundary. Stuart Broad tells the umpires that he has not hit it and this should have been leg byes. The decision is reversed to FOUR LEG BYES after the two umpires check it with Labuschagne!
61.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Right-hand, left-hand combination always difficult to adjust. Broad comes from over the wicket for the righty but slips a length ball way down the leg side. Marnus leaves and Bairstow collects it with a dive to his left.
61.21
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Broad gets straighter with his line this time, Pattinson just closes the face of his bat and helps it down to fine leg for one. The lead is now 9 away from 300!
61.10
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Good length delivery in the region outside off, Pattinson is sticking to the plan of not taking any unnecessary chance. Calmly lets it be.
End of Over : 610 RunsAUS: 178/6
60.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, shaping away a bit, Marnus sticks on the back foot and taps it down towards backward point. First maiden of the morning!
60.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps and allows it through to the keeper.
60.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes goes short but the line is outside off, Labuschagne crouches and sways away from the line.
60.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. An outswinger is hurled wide outside off, it's a comfortable leave for Marnus.
60.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Moving back into the batsman from outside off, Labuschagne goes inside the crease in defense.
60.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fractionally short in length and outside off, Labuschagne goes back to steer it square of the wicket on the off side but fails to beat the diving gully fielder.
End of Over : 605 RunsAUS: 178/6
59.60
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Some width on offer outside off, Pattinson drives but finds the cover fielder.
59.50
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Stifled appeal for an lbw! Broad lands it on a good length around middle and off, some extra bounce too. Pattinson tries to defend from the crease but misses and is hit high on the back leg. The replays suggest that there might have been a little bit of outside edge too.
59.40
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Angles in a length ball on off, this time James has defended it from the middle of his bat.
59.34
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. FOUR! Off the outside edge! Broad angles in a full ball on off, it heads towards the off stump after landing, Pattinson stays back to block it with soft hands but it takes the outside edge and speeds through the vacant gully region for a boundary.
FYI... Jofra Archer is allowed to bowl now as he has spent the needed time on the field after his injury break.
59.20
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. On and around off, a length ball, Pattinson is on the front foot in defense.
59.11
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Hint of inward movement. On a length around middle, Labuschagne tucks it in front of square leg for a single.
End of Over : 591 RunsAUS: 173/6
58.60
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Stokes pulls his length back a bit and delivers it outside off, James is not tempted into any kind of shot as he allows it through. It's been a cautious beginning from the Aussies.
58.50
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Pitches it up and close to off, this one holds its line just a bit, Pattinson covers his stumps and leaves. That wasn't too far away from the off pole.
58.41
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, shaping back in this time, Marnus moves back and taps it down in front of mid-wicket. Calls for a run and completes it with ease. Good running.
58.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A little bit of movement on this one. Full and outside off, Labuschagne drives off the front foot but finds the cover fielder.
58.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Effort delivery on this occasion. Ben bends his back and digs in a short ball on off, it's easily left by Labuschagne.
58.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball landing outside off and angling in, Marnus gets behind the line and blocks it down safely.
Ben Stokes (15.2-4-33-2) will continue from this end. He was exceptional last evening with his effort. Would like to continue from where he left off.
End of Over : 581 RunsAUS: 172/6
57.60
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Broad puts it on a full length and just outside off, there to be driven but Pattinson is very watchful as he lets it go.
57.50
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Another delivery in the region outside off, Pattinson has nothing to do with it.
57.40
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Angling in on middle and leg, a length ball, Pattinson defends it off his pads to the leg side.
57.30
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Switches his angle for the left-hander. Broad comes from 'round the wicket and serves a length ball in the zone outside off, Pattinson allows it through.
57.21
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This time it has been angled into the batsman, the length is quite full and it's clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.
57.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Begins his spell with a delivery on the driving length outside off, Labuschagne watches the line and then makes a leave.
Time to get going. Marnus Labuschagne and James Pattinson walk out to the centre to resume the Australian innings. Stuart Broad (12-2-34-2) will kick off proceedings. Let's play.
It was a forgetful day for England and their performance of Day 2 has really hurt their Ashes hopes. First they got shot out for a minuscule total and then through some sloppy fielding allowed the Australian innings to prosper. There was an injury concern in the English camp during the closing hour of the day's play when Jofra Archer pulled up his side strain and the hosts will be hoping that he's fit to bowl today. Another 4 wickets left to take and they can still bounce back if they manage to pick them early in the morning session and then bat sensibly. The moving day is about to move, sit back and enjoy our coverage.
The Australians, who batted in one of the difficult conditions on the opening day, found the conditions yesterday a bit to their liking. They did not lose the momentum after bundling England out for just 67 and kept on building the lead. They are just 17 short of crossing the 300-run mark and with Marnus Labuschagne still in the middle, the Kangaroos would hope to stretch the lead as far as possible.
Hello and welcome one and all for the the third day of the 3rd Test match at Headingley. The previous two days were really a treat to watch for any cricket fan. The weather looks absolutely heart-warming for the day with the sun out and the lush green grass on the ground just looking like an Emerald.
... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...
9 sessions left in the game. Will the ball continue to move around as it has been doing on the first two days? If yes, Sunday and Monday could be holidays. If no, we could be in for a wonderful chase as we don't know how much is really enough on this deck. Join us on Saturday, 24th August, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 3. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
The hosts then came out firing with the ball and had the Aussies reeling at 52/3 but Labuschagne, Head and Wade steered the ship out of troubled waters. The replacement for Steven Smith is again doing a wonderful job, getting his third half century on the trot and could be the key to Australia crossing, reaching or falling well below a lead of 350 come Saturday.
Sadly, for England, that is all they can take from Friday's action. A day which they would quickly like to forget, starting at a position from where they should have made 300 at least, stumbling to not even a 100 and then allowing Australia to take their lead close to 300. In an innings which had 9 single digits, it shifted the entire momentum.
Before we marvel over Australia's day and all that, a word of praise for one man. Born in New Zealand, playing for England, Man Of The 2019 World Cup final, Benjamin Andrew Stokes. Bowled with steam and fire, taking his heart out in a spell of 15.2-4-33-2. Almost in one single spell. Mind you, two catches went down off his bowling as well and he overstepped once when the batsman had nicked. Ben was tired but not down. Take a bow!
End of Over : 571 RunsAUS: 171/6
56.60
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Nope. A dot ball. Pattinson survives. A length ball outside off, James shoulders arms. STUMPS ON DAY 2, AUSTRALIA EFFECTIVELY 283/6!
Last ball of the day... a wicket????
56.50
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A length ball just outside off, Pattinson is tight in defense.
56.41
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Guess Labuschagne is done for the day. A length ball, Marnus gets across and tucks it towards long leg for a single.
56.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Half volley wide outside off, driven straight to short extra cover.
56.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and well outside off, could have been a wide but it is not signalled.
56.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, swinging in, Labuschagne falls over a touch and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.
Last over of the day coming up...
End of Over : 565 RunsAUS: 170/6
55.60
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Spears in a full ball on middle and leg, Pattinson tries flicking but closes the face of the bat early. It goes off the leading edge and rolls back to the bowler.
55.52
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. On a length and outside off, Pattinson presses forward and confidently drives it through point for a couple of runs.
55.40
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
55.30
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. This one is slanted into the batsman from 'round the wicket, James is forward in defense.
55.21
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish again and this time Marnus pulls it for a run at deep backward square leg.
55.12
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Fifty for Marnus Labuschagne, third in a row! The first concussion substitute is turning out to be a super substitute for Australia. Short in length on off, Marnus pulls it off his front foot to deep mid-wicket for a couple. Another wonderful knock by him, he got a few lives this time but take nothing away from his application.
End of Over : 551 RunsAUS: 165/6
54.60
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. On a length and around off, this one heads towards the stumps after pitching, Pattinson defends it from the back foot.
54.50
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Another outswinger around off, this time James lets it be.
54.40
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Beauty by Big Ben! What an effort from him! A lovely outswinger, close to off and nipping away, Pattinson pushes inside the line minus any footwork and misses.
54.30
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Angles in a full length ball on off, Pattinson defends it near his front pad.
54.21
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This one is on the pads, Labuschagne helps it to square leg for a run.
A leg gully in place.
54.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes steams in and delivers a good length ball down the leg side, Marnus has a half-hearted attempt to flick and misses.
End of Over : 541 RunsAUS: 164/6
53.60
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
53.50
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
53.40
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
Right! The game is coming to life again. James Pattinson walks in at number 8, replacing Paine.
53.3W
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. OUT! CAUGHT! There is an inside edge. Big inside edge. But Paine shakes his head! Bizarre. A length ball, outside off, coming in again, Paine walks across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Now, England appeal and the umpire raises his finger! The slip cordon though, is busy looking at gully, where Joe Denly is coming running in to take the catch. Root is even more confident now and puts his entire strength in the appeal. Paine has a look at his partner, has a long discussion and then takes it upstairs. A bemused Root asks Paine why is he reviewing. Paine says he hit it. Then Root smiles and says that you are out caught! Shake of the head from the Aussie skipper. The third umpire is told by umpire Wilson that it is an LBW review. Dear me. Big inside edge, lobbing to gully. Umpire Wilson missed the nick. How on earth did Paine miss it? Waste of a review. Australia lose two quickly, bang bang. Effectively 276/6.
Paine has been adjudged LBW! But Root reckons that he is caught. Anyways, Paine has reviewed it, after a long discussion with Labuschagne. Here come the replays. Oh bother. Ultra Edged detects a spike when the ball passes the bat. This is a waste of a review.
53.20
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Huge LBW shout, turned down. A length ball, outside off, coming in, Paine looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Impact outside off.
53.11
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, swat-pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Tim Paine comes in at a tensed passage of play again. Not much time left for Stumps but the position of the game allows him to breathe a bit.
End of Over : 537 RunsAUS: 163/5
52.6W
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. OUT! Bounced out! Caught behind. Salute to you, O big Ben, O lion-hearted fellow. You have tried and tried and tried, not given up, kept coming at the batsmen and eventually, in a 13-over spell, struck. And he throws a salute to the fans. A brute of a bouncer, outside off, Wade ducks but the ball kicks up suddenly. Wade cannot do much and the ball flies off the glove to the keeper who leaps to collect. The English appeal but Wade does not even wait a second to go. End of a 66-run stand.
52.54
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Streaky. Full and outside off, Wade throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies past a diving gully to third man!
52.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Almost a reminiscence of his first innings' dismissal! A terrific yorker, around middle, Matthew falls over and almost is late in getting his bat down. Luckily for him, the ball hits the bat and stops.
52.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
52.23
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. That will test Archer's hamstring. Full and around middle, Labuschagne flicks it wide of mid on. Jofra Archer gives it a good chase from mid on to his right and stops the ball. Three runs taken. Had Labuschagne missed it, he would have been dead plumb LBW.
52.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer but down the leg side, calmly ducked under.
End of Over : 521 RunsAUS: 156/4
51.60
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Landed outside off, driven towards Jofra Archer at mid off.
51.50
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
51.40
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Full and outside off, let through.
51.30
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone again.
51.20
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Well wide outside off, left alone.
51.11
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Labuschagne drives it down the ground and the ball races away but Chris Woakes dives to his right and makes a terrific stop. Just a single.
Good news! The crowd cheers and roars. JOFRA ARCHER IS BACK. But not to bowl. Just on the ground. 27 minutes left. Will he be given the ball? Should he?
End of Over : 511 RunsAUS: 155/4
50.61
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Short ball on middle, pulled down fine on the leg side for one. Another luckless over for Ben comes to an end.
50.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Watchful this time. In the zone outside off, Marnus has nothing to do with it.
50.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. DROPPED! Second life for Marnus Labuschagne! Stokes delivers it on a length close to off, it shapes in a shade as Labuschagne is forward to defend. But it takes the outside edge and flies in the direction of first slip. Bairstow realizes that it won't carry to Root and hence he puts in a dive across to his right. Catches it with his right hand but it pops out of his glove as soon as his elbow hits the ground. Tough chance but at this level, they need to catch these. Marnus continues to ride his luck.
50.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, angling away from 'round the wicket, Labuschagne feels for it and gets beaten.
50.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
50.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. On and around off, Marnus has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
End of Over : 501 RunsAUS: 154/4
49.60
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 50 overs bowled.
49.51
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Works this through mid-wicket for a single.
49.40
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
49.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
49.20
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, defended solidly.
49.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, quietly left alone.
Time for some much-needed inspiration. Anyone there? No Archer. No Jimmy. Oh dear. Then who? Ahhh... the man who took a hat-trick at this ground 5 years ago, against Sri Lanka. The man whose family is instilled in cricket with his father being a match referee, comes on to try and revive England. Go for it, Stuart Broad. 8-2-26-1 so far.
End of Over : 496 RunsAUS: 153/4
48.64
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! A length ball around off, coming in, Wade gets across and looks to tickle and gets a bit of an inside edge onto his pads, towards fine leg. Chris Woakes runs across to his left, gets to the ball with a slide but then lets it through.
48.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off again, another leave.
48.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, let through again.
48.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A length ball outside off, Matthew initially ducks, then sways. Watches the ball swing away late towards the keeper.
48.20
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
48.12
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A short ball, pulled through square leg for a couple. The lead is now 261.
End of Over : 484 RunsAUS: 147/4
47.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
47.54
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! A full toss, a release ball, Labuschagne punches it through point. A few teapots boiling in the field, hands on hips and no Archer to turn to. 50-RUN STAND IS UP as well.
47.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
47.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, a length ball outside off, Marnus looked to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
47.20
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, played straight to point.
47.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another appeal for a caught behind. Not out again, says Wilson. Outside off, Labuschagne looked to punch but the ball came in and went off something to the keeper. The British thought about the review but did not take it. 'Ultra Edge detects a spike!', yells my dear Nabu. He is excited till his mate tells him to relax, showing the spike coming when the ball hit the pad.
In between overs, Roy and Wade were having a go at each other. A bit of a saying from one, probably Roy, then a response from the Aussie, to which the Surrey lad came barging in. Ohh... almost at blows. Just three quarters of an hour more, guys. Then the bar will be open...
End of Over : 471 RunsAUS: 143/4
46.60
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Ouch. On the box. Or just around it. Wade shows no pain. Stokes is furious with himself that he cannot get that a centimetre low. A length ball outside off, Wade shoulders arms but the ball comes back in a long way and hits him somewhere around the groin.
46.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A bouncer, but down the leg side, Matthew ducks.
46.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
46.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. One more leave outside off.
46.20
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
46.21
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. NO BALL. Another overstepping. Stokes is frustrated. Oversteps by a bigger margin (as compared to the Labuschagne caught behind chance) and his fourth in 10 overs. Outside off, left alone.
46.10
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
End of Over : 462 RunsAUS: 142/4
45.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and close to off, Marnus sticks on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
45.51
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Woakes tries to repeat the last delivery from the middle and leg line, Wade eases it to the left of mid on and crosses for a run.
45.40
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. That's a peach. It's on a length close to off and leaves the batsman with the angle, Wade tries to defend by getting a bit forward but it beats the outside edge.
45.30
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Fractionally short in length and outside off, Wade once again has nothing to do with it.
45.20
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length ball outside off, angling away, Wade covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
45.11
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Woakes delivers it on a length close to off and gets it to move in a bit, Labuschagne helps it in front of square leg and crosses.
End of Over : 452 RunsAUS: 140/4
44.60
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, this time Wade pushes and misses.
44.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
44.41
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
44.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, a waft from Marnus but missed.
44.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, Marnus ducks.
44.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
44.11
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. NO BALL. But had Labuschagne nicked it? Shane Warne reckons yes and Ultra Edge confirms! Another let-off for the South African-born. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne looked to defend but at the last moment, thought about taking his bat away. There was a noise as the ball went past and England appealed but the umpire shook his head. The hosts went for the review but they could not get the technology as the first replay itself showed that Stokes had overstepped.
Review for a caught behind! Are England gambling or are they sure there is a nick? Wait. Stokes has overstepped!
End of Over : 443 RunsAUS: 138/4
43.60
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
43.51
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another LBW appeal, turned down again. A length ball, down the leg side, Marnus gets across to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and England appeal but this is going down leg again. A leg bye taken.
43.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended.
43.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, Labuschagne lets it go. The ball comes in a long way and hits him on the pads and England appeal but umpire Wilson shakes his head. They do not take the review. Ball Tracker shows it to be missing off stump.
43.22
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and down the leg side, Labuschagne tickles it towards fine leg for a couple.
43.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
End of Over : 432 RunsAUS: 135/4
42.60
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. On a length and outside off, Wade has opted to leave the length ball outside off.
42.51
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne flicks a length ball off his pads to mid-wicket for a run.
42.51
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes has overstepped once again. He bowls one on a length but the line is down the leg side. Labuschagne looks to flick but fails to lay wood on the ball.
What is happening? Archer is walking off the park. Seems like a cramp. He is smiling, so that is good to see. However, that is the last we might see of him this evening. Ben Stokes to complete his pending over.
42.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off and Labuschagne lets the ball go through. And what are we seeing - ARCHER IS LIMPING! 'England are gone', says my colleague with a tongue-twisting name, Mrinal.
42.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne drives it straight to mid off.
42.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
42.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne defends it to the off side.
Drinks break.Good hour of play for the Aussies. Except the wicket of Head there was no hiccup. Slowly but steadily, Australia are taking this match away from England. They have stretched their lead to 245 now. Labuschagne has hold fort and Wade is giving him good company here. English bowlers look tired as they have spray all over the place after Tea. An interesting passage of play coming up. Will Australia get bowled out? Lets wait and watch.
End of Over : 425 RunsAUS: 133/4
41.61
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on middle, it's played down with soft hands to square leg for one.
41.50
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Loses his radar this time and serves it way down the leg side. The batsman lets it through and Bairstow dives across to his left to collect the ball.
41.40
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another watchful leave outside the off stump.
41.30
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
41.24
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Gorgeous! Plenty of width on offer outside off, it's on a length, Labuschagne reaches out for it and drives it a bit aerially but safely through covers for a boundary.
41.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Starts his new spell with a good length delivery outside off, Marnus watches the line closely before making a leave.
Chris Woakes is back on. 6-1-21-1 from him so far. His previous spell was up the hill, this time he will be bowling down the hill.
End of Over : 414 RunsAUS: 128/4
40.61
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length around middle and skidding down, Labuschagne fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. They cross for a leg bye.
40.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
40.51
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another effort delivery and this time Stokes has overstepped. Shortish and outside off, Marnus lets it through to the keeper.
40.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fractionally short and outside off, Labuschagne goes on his toes and taps it down to point.
40.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another delivery going down the leg side and it has been left alone. Stokes is working on a plan, it seems. There is a leg gully in place at the moment as well.
40.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Effort delivery but direction-less. Back of a length delivery sliding down the leg side, Marnus shoulders arms and watches it go down to the keeper.
40.12
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and on middle, Labuschagne flicks it with the angle of the bowler to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
End of Over : 4010 RunsAUS: 124/4
39.61
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus strokes a full ball towards wide mid off for one. 10 from the over, a good one for Australia. Lead is now 14 short of 250!
39.51
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Fuller and on middle, Wade runs down the track and eases it to mid on for one.
39.40
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Tossed up ball landing outside off and spinning back in, Wade tries to defend but misses. He is hit on the pads but the point of impact is well outside off.
39.34
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Wade is on the attack! Bairstow's advice Leach follows. But Wade has also heard it. He premeditates his charge down the track, takes it on the full and slogs it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The Aussie keeper (who isn't keeping at the moment) is looking good now.
39.24
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Boom! Leach serves a half-tracker on off, Wade goes deep inside the crease and pulls it with the spin to the deep mid-wicket fence. Bring the batsman forward is the advice from the keeper to the bowler.
39.10
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Loopy and full on off, Wade advances down the track and helps it with the spin to square leg.
End of Over : 390 RunsAUS: 114/4
38.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This time it's a big inswinger. Back of a length and outside off, Labuschagne attempts to defend from the crease but it whizzes past the outside edge of his bat. Top over, a maiden!
38.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Brilliant delivery. It's on a length outside off, shaping away, Marnus pushes inside the line with a tentative footwork and gets beaten.
38.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! Stokes just trying to push the batsman on the back foot. Labuschagne ducks.
38.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, played off the pads to mid-wicket.
38.20
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. SAFE! Good length ball on middle and leg, sliding down with some extra bounce, Labuschagne tries to work it on the leg side but fails to middle his shot properly. There is some sound as it goes past Marnus and Bairstow collects the ball with a full length dive to his left. They appeal and the finger goes up quickly. Marnus wastes no time in signalling for the DRS and the Ultra Edge confirms that there was no bat. Decision overruled.
Labuschagne is given out, caught behind! Immediately, he takes the DRS. Marnus is very confident. Ultra Edge picks nothing.
38.10
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.
End of Over : 383 RunsAUS: 114/4
37.60
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. NOT OUT! It's umpire's call. Leach delivers a full ball on the rough outside off and gets it to break back into the batsman. Wade is on the back foot when he should have been forward. Tries to work it around but is beaten for spin and bounce. The ball strikes Wade on the right thigh and they appeal. The umpire shakes his head and there is a delayed call by Root to take the DRS. The Ball Tracker finds that it's clipping the leg stump. Review is retained though.
Shout for an lbw! Umpire Joel Wilson shakes his head. Wade had gone across and the ball spun a lot. Here comes Ball Tracker. Clipping leg stump. Hitting the bails! Umpire's call and review is retained!
37.50
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
37.42
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Well played! Loopy and full outside off, Wade goes down and across before sweeping it wide of backward short leg. There is a fine leg present and hence a couple of runs.
37.31
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball around off, Labuschagne gets down on one knee and paddles it to fine leg for one.
37.20
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and floated on off, driven off the front foot to covers.
37.10
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy delivery, landing full on off, Labuschagne drives it past the diving cover fielder to mid off.
End of Over : 370 RunsAUS: 111/4
36.60
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes bowls a half-tracker again. It's on middle and Wade moves away safely. Maiden.
36.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery on middle, Wade stands tall inside the crease and defends it back.
36.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
36.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes bangs it in again, Wade takes his eyes off it and lets it go over his head as he bends.
36.20
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Bouncer down the leg side, Wade ducks at the last moment.
36.10
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Digs in a short ball on middle and off, Wade arches back, drops his wrists and sways away from the line of fire.
End of Over : 362 RunsAUS: 111/4
35.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely floated delivery, full and on off, ML prods forward and defends it back to the bowler.
35.50
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Hurls this delivery in the flatter trajectory, around off, Labuschagne is back in defense.
35.41
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Flatter and shorter outside off, turning back in, Wade hangs on the back foot and strokes it to sweeper cover for one.
35.31
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball on off, a touch short in length, Marnus gets back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
35.20
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and full on middle, Labuschagne lunges and defends it back.
35.10
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and flighted on off, Marnus uses his feet and drives it towards mid off.
End of Over : 355 RunsAUS: 109/4
34.64
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Fine timing! Stokes is too straight with his line and the length is very full as well, Wade leans forward and clips it beautifully through mid-wicket.
34.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Fractionally short in length and around off, Wade picks the length early, leans back, drops his wrists, keeps his eyes on the ball and watches it till the ball disappears in Bairstow's gloves.
34.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery down the leg side, Matthew tries to tickle it fine but fails to get any wood behind it.
34.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Slants across a length delivery outside off, Wade allows it through to the keeper.
34.20
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full in length around off, Wade with an open stance defends it back to the bowler.
34.11
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Angling down the leg side, it's nudged to fine leg for one.
End of Over : 347 RunsAUS: 104/4
33.60
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Works it with the spin to the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. 7 from the over after a wicket maiden!
33.52
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Aerial but just over the keeper! Loopy ball around off, turning back in, Wade tries to repeat the last shot but this one climbs onto his bat and catches the top edge. It flies over Bairstow and the first slip fielder runs after it. He pulls it back before the fence and the batsmen take a brace.
33.44
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Poor piece of fielding in the deep by Denly. Floated full around off, Wade kneels down and sweeps it through backward square leg. Denly near the fence makes a complete mess and Wade opens his account with a boundary. 100 comes up for Australia as well.
33.30
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Quicker through the air, outside off, Wade shuffles across the stumps and then blocks it back.
33.21
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Skidding into the batsman from around middle, Marnus moves back and works it in front of square leg for a run.
Interesting points by Michael Atherton and Shane Warne on air. They are focussing on the dropped catch by Joe Root off Marnus Labuschagne. So Warney feels that England are standing very close to each other in the slip cordon, which means, there might be confusion as to who should actually go for the catch. Should I go to my left or will my mate take it to his right? Conversely, Australia had their slips positioned pretty wide when they were fielding.
33.10
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and full on off, Labuschagne is on the front foot in defense.
End of Over : 330 RunsAUS: 97/4
32.60
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. On middle and leg this time, Wade works it off his pads to mid-wicket. A wicket maiden for Stokes.
32.50
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes persists with his line on and around off and gets it to leave the left-hander. Wade feels for it a bit and gets beaten.
32.40
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Yet another delivery in the channel of apprehension, Wade is very watchful while making another leave.
32.30
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery in the zone outside off, Wade makes a safe leave.
Matthew Wade walks in next. He bagged a duck in the first innings and would look to make amends here.
32.2W
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. OUT! Corker of a yorker and Head is a goner! Stokes has been bowling brilliantly in his first spell. One catch went down off his bowling but he didn't lose hope. Delivers a pinpoint yorker with good pace, right in the line of the stumps, Head brings his bat down to dig it out but it takes the inside edge and rattles the stumps. Looking at the replays, had his bat not come down in time, it would have missed the off stick. Bad luck in a way for the batter. The 45-run stand is broken and England would like to make use of this opening. The lead is 209 at the moment.
32.10
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Shortish and outside off, Head reaches out for it and plays it down towards cover-point.
End of Over : 325 RunsAUS: 97/3
31.64
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Shot! Flighted delivery around off, Labuschagne dances down the track and powers it over Broad at mid on for a boundary.
31.50
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated one on middle, Labuschagne tries playing straight but it skids on to take the inside edge. Rolls safely to mid-wicket.
31.40
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
31.31
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Good half-stop by Broad! Loopy and full on off, Head shimmies down the track and drives it down the ground towards mid off. Broad dives across to his left to take the pace off the ball. The batsmen complete the single as the mid on fielder mops up. Was Stuart faking a throw there? Not sure. But if he did, that's against the new rules.
31.20
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and around off, turning in, Head tries another flawed drive again the spin and gets an inside edge onto the pads.
31.10
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Advances down the track and then allows the ball to spin back in from outside off. Head, then, gently pushes it out towards cover-point.
End of Over : 313 RunsAUS: 92/3
30.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, coming in a long way, ML gets out of harm's way. That does not miss the off stump by much.
30.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
30.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer outside off, Marnus ducks.
30.32
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
30.21
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, pushed through point for a single.
30.10
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
End of Over : 301 RunsAUS: 89/3
29.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Leach tosses this one in the air and lands it full around off, Labuschagne skips down the track and tries to play it near his front pad. The English players appeal thinking it's pad first but the umpire stays put. Root asks his teammates regarding the usage of the DRS but he's not getting any convincing answer. The time lapses. The replays are shown after that. It confirms that the ball struck Marnus first on the pads but the impact is an issue. Later on, it shows the ball to be hitting the off stump. Interesting. It looked like spinning away but the ball just skidded through the line on the Ball Tracker. Hmm...
29.51
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Short and outside off, it's cut square of the wicket on the off side for a run.
29.40
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and flighted on off, Head strokes it off his front foot to mid off.
29.30
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Once again Head uses footwork and pushes it down on the leg side.
29.20
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Walks forward to a full ball and eases it with the spin to mid on.
29.10
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Beaten! Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Head attempts to cut but misses.
End of Over : 291 RunsAUS: 88/3
28.60
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. Good over by Stokes, deserved a wicket but the catch went down.
28.50
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Leans forward to a full ball and drives it in the direction of mid off.
28.40
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish and on off, Marnus defends it off his front foot towards mid off.
28.30
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. ROOT DROPS! Dear me, he is having a tough time! Back-to-back ducks and now a catch going down. Poor Stokes. He deserved a wicket. Lovely delivery. A touch short and around off, some late movement, Labuschagne sticks back to poke inside the line and gets a big outside edge behind at first slip. Root fails to grab it in his first attempt near his waist with a jump, tries again on the rebound but it doesn't stick and falls down.
28.21
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Lead touches 200! Angling down the leg side, Head nudges it down to fine leg for one.
28.10
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Brave, very brave! Head trusted the bounce there and left it alone. Good length ball close to off, it straightened a bit and Head offered no shot.
End of Over : 282 RunsAUS: 87/3
27.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and landing full on off, Labuschagne is watchful in his forward defense. The scorecard reads 87/3, the devil's number for Australia.
27.51
Jack Leach to Travis Head. On the pads, eased behind square leg for one.
27.40
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Spinning back into the batsman from around off, Head clips it with the spin but finds mid-wicket.
27.30
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and on off, it's driven through the line but straight to the fielder at extra cover.
27.21
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Lovely footwork. He is so smooth on his feet. Apt replacement for Steven Smith. He comes down the track for a fuller delivery and drives it through covers for a run.
27.10
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted ball, full and just around off, Marnus leans forward and defends it right under his watchful eyes.
End of Over : 270 RunsAUS: 85/3
26.60
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. In the corridor of uncertainty, Head lets the ball go outside his off stump. Maiden to start for Ben!
26.50
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Serves one on the pads, Head tries his best to flick but misses.
26.40
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. A bit short and on off, Head punches from the back foot but finds the cover fielder.
26.30
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Peach of a delivery! Stokes lands it on a shorter length close to middle and gets it to jag back in sharply. Head waits on the back foot to deal with it but is beaten for extra bounce. Takes a blow on his stomach. Must have hurt but he isn't showing much.
26.20
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. The line is straighter and Head has helped it off his pads to the leg side.
26.10
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Fantastic delivery first up. Stokes wastes no time in warming up. He is right on the money with a well-directed bouncer. Head is caught in a tangle as he takes his eyes off the ball. Tries to move away but fails and then somehow fends it off towards square leg.
Ben Stokes is brought into the attack for the first time in this innings. He is the fifth bowler to be used by Joe Root. Two slips and a gully in place.
End of Over : 263 RunsAUS: 85/3
25.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and close to off, Marnus plays a mistimed back foot punch to covers.
25.50
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. A bit short and on off, played down from the crease to point.
25.43
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Flatter and shorter on off, Head rocks back and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side. Burns chases it down from point and they take three runs.
25.30
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Almost drags it on! Full and flighted outside off, spinning back in, Head attempts to drive against the turn but only manages to inside edge it onto his pads. Poor technique, if you want to play that shot, you need to get entirely forward to smother the spin.
25.20
Jack Leach to Travis Head. A low full toss on off, Travis lunges and pushes it down towards mid on.
25.10
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Sharp spin from the rough outside off, the length is on the shorter side and Head works it to square leg. He wants a run but his partner turns it down.
Back for another dose of Test cricket! The men concerned also back on the field. This is going to be a long session and it will decide which way this match and the coveted urn are going. Australia are effectively 194/3 and have every chance to bat England out of this game. Having said that, after seeing flurry of wickets go down in two days so far, we know that it's not as easy as it sounds. Impressive Marnus Labuschagne and fighter Travis Head to resume their innings. The hosts will know if they don't win this session, the writing will be on the wall. Jack Leach to continue from this end...
... DAY 2, EVENING SESSION ...
42 overs left in the day. Australia will hope to bat out the whole of those and get another 100 on board. That is possible, perhaps not possible too. England, on the other hand, will aim to be batting themselves before the day ends, looking to chase not more than 250. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT).
The top 3 were dismissed early but Labuschagne and Head have kept things at bay. They have added 30 runs in 10.5 overs and have been watchful, trying to ward off the threat. With so many days left in the game, you never know what is a good total. 400? 500? With the pitch spinning the way it is, even 200 could be enough for the G.O.A.T to get some fodder.
After a frenetic beginning to the day's play, Australia would have been mindful of a collapse themselves. Remember Cape Town, 2011? Shane Watson's heroics blew South Africa away for 96 but then Vernon Philander came into his own to send Australia packing for 47. For now, the visitors have avoided that.
Whose session is it? Australia in a dominant position for sure, with a lead of 194 but England have taken three wickets and kept themselves in the game. 82/3 looks good at this stage but as we saw in the first innings, Australian middle order and collapse are very good friends of one another.
End of Over : 251 RunsAUS: 82/3
24.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Last ball of the session and Labuschagne shoulders arms to this length delivery outside off form Archer. And that's TEA ON DAY 2! Australia are 82/3!
24.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer bowls on a length and outside off and once again Labuschagne is happy to play the leaving game here.
24.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne once again decides not to play at it. He is aware that Tea is around the corner here.
24.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
24.21
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length ball outside off, Head looks to tap it through point but gets soft leading edge which falls just short of Ben Stokes at third slip. He certainly saved a boundary for his team. Joe Denly from backward point does the cleaning act as the batsmen cross for a single.
24.10
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. A short ball outside off, punched towards cover.
Jofra Archer changes ends with a minute left for Tea. 7-2-15-0 so far.
End of Over : 244 RunsAUS: 81/3
23.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler.
23.51
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Outside off, worked through square leg for a run.
23.41
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
23.31
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Tossed up delivery on the pads, Head works it around the corner for a single.
23.21
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up around off, Labuschagne works it towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
23.10
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up delivery on the stumps, Labuschagne drives it to covers.
Dying moments of the session. 5 minutes left. Jack Leach is back on. 2-0-9-1 so far. There are plenty of footholes for the left-hander outside his off stump. It is only Day 2 but the surface is dry.
End of Over : 234 RunsAUS: 77/3
22.60
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Outside off, left alone watchfully.
22.50
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball, around middle, Travis gets across and helps it towards square leg.
22.40
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball, around off, angling in, tucked straight to short mid-wicket.
22.34
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. FOUR! PRISTINE! Full and outside off, Head leans and drives it through the covers. No soul moves.
22.20
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.
22.10
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball outside off, punched straight to cover.
End of Over : 226 RunsAUS: 73/3
21.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and down leg and Labuschagne lets it go to the keeper.
21.54
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! This time Labuschagne doesn't miss the flick. Archer bowls one on back of a length and on the pads and Labuschagne flicks it off his pads through fine leg for a boundary.
21.51
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Second No ball in the over. Archer again oversteps. He bowls one on a length and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off his back foot towards the off side.
21.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off the back foot to the off side.
21.41
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. No Ball! Jofra oversteps. He bowls one on a length and goes one down the leg side. Labuschagne looks to flick but fails to connect it.
21.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery on the pads, Labuschagne defends towards the leg side and luckily for him, the ball bounces just in front of short leg as the ball was in the air for quite some time.
21.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne hops and defends it to the leg side.
21.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball but the line is down leg and Labuschagne does what he has done till now, leave it.
End of Over : 216 RunsAUS: 67/3
20.64
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. FOUR! Length ball and outside off, Head drives it crisply through covers and the ball crosses the fence in a flash.
20.50
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A swinging length ball on the stumps, Head plays a strong front foot defense.
20.41
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne drives this length ball through covers and crosses over to the other end.
20.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball and another leave from Marnus. Great composure by the young lad here.
20.20
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne is in no mood to play the wide one here. He leave one for the keeper.
20.11
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.
End of Over : 201 RunsAUS: 61/3
19.60
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne is happy to shoulder arms to this length ball outside off from Archer.
19.50
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go with out even fending with it.
19.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer has gone back to bowling short stuff, Labuschagne looks least interested to even play at it.
19.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another bouncer and Labuschagne is happy to drop his wrists once again and get out of the line of fire.
19.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short pitch stuff from Archer, Labuschagne drops his wrists to sway away from the line of the delivery.
19.11
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length delivery outside off, Head taps it to covers for a single.
End of Over : 191 RunsAUS: 60/3
18.60
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne is aware off his front foot and cooly shoulders arms to it.
18.50
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Broad bowls one on the length but he is no way near to making the batsman play and Labuschagne is happy to leave it.
18.40
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
18.30
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and around off, Labuschagne defends it towards the off side with soft hands.
18.3wd
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. WIDE. Miles outside the off stump, outside the pitch, left alone. Collected in front of first slip by Bairstow.
18.20
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Wasn't there a nick? Apparently no. Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Someone appeals but no conviction.
18.10
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
Time for Stuart Broad. 5-2-15-1 so far.
End of Over : 181 RunsAUS: 59/3
17.60
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Archer loses his line as he sprays one down leg and Head goes after it looking to flick it only to miss it.
17.50
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head comes right behind the line of the delivery to defend that.
17.40
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Head once again leaves the length ball outside off, only for the keeper to take it above his head.
17.30
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length ball outside off, Head does a sensible thing of not playing the ball outside off.
17.20
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head looks to drive it but gets it off the outside half of his bat to covers.
17.11
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes short and Labuschagne pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.
End of Over : 175 RunsAUS: 58/3
16.64
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. FOUR! Off the mark in style! Head stands tall on this length ball and drives it straight down the ground towards the long on fence for a boundary.
16.50
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length ball but going down the leg, Head looks to flick but takes a blow on his thigh pad.
16.40
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length delivery outside off from Woakes, Head drives it to find the fielder at mid off.
16.30
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a Length and outside off Head stands tall defends it off the back foot.
16.21
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne flicks this length ball from woakes towards mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.
16.10
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this length ball from Woakes towards the off side.
End of Over : 161 RunsAUS: 53/3
15.60
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length but the line is way down the leg side. Head goes for a flick but fails to connect.
15.51
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes down leg and Labuschagne fails to lay bat on ball as the ball takes the pad towards fine leg and the batsman cross for a leg bye.
15.40
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this length ball outside off towards the off side off the full face of the bat.
15.30
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off his front foot.
15.20
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and around off, Labuschagne defends it off his front foot to the off side.
15.10
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length but going down leg, Labuschagne looks to flick it but fails to connect it as the ball goes past him to the keeper.
Jofra Archer is back! 3-1-7-0 so far. The crowd roars. Another couple of wickets before Tea?
End of Over : 150 RunsAUS: 52/3
14.60
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Head once again plays this length ball outside off to point.
14.50
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length delivery on the off stump, Woakes gets some movement too. Head at the last moment brings his bat down to play it straight down the pitch. Woakes does good work by diving in his followthrough.
14.40
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a length and around off , Head stands tall and defends it down the pitch.
14.30
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a length and outside off, Head plays it to point.
14.20
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Landed outside off, Head looks to defend but the ball comes in a long way. Now, he thinks of pulling his bat out but is late and almost gets an inside edge behind!
Travis Head walks in at number 5, replacing Khawaja.
14.1W
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. OUT! Edged and taken! The 13th wicket of the day already and we still have 52.5 overs left! How many more will we see? Full and around off, Usman looks to defend but the ball moves away slightly. The outside edge is taken and a hungry slip cordon is waiting for the meal. Here it comes. Whose is it? Whose is it? Jason Roy. At second slip. Moves to his right and takes it to his left. Confused? Well, he took the catch and that is what matters. Australia are effectively 164/3.
End of Over : 145 RunsAUS: 52/2
13.61
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up delivery outside off and Khawaja guides it through third man for a single.
13.50
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja once again drives this tossed up delivery but only finds the cover fielder. He is finding it diffult to split the gaps here.
13.40
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up outside off, a little bit of extra bounce too. Khawaja looks to cut it but the extra zip means the ball goes past the outside edge and Jonny collects it near his face.
13.30
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up outside off and Khawaja brings out the reverse sweep in play but only to find the fielder at backward point.
13.20
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up around off, Khawaja drives it crisply but finds the fielder at mid on.
13.14
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! A short of length ball from Leach and Khawaja stands tall and drives it through covers. Not a fielder moved. 50 up for Australia too.
End of Over : 137 RunsAUS: 47/2
12.60
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
12.53
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Full and outside off, Khawaja looks to defend but gets another outside edge, again going to ground, this time past second slip. Joe Denly gives it a good chase from third man and dives, parrying the ball away. The umpires want to check whether he has touched the ropes but replays show that he is fine. Three runs are taken.
12.40
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball outside off, Uzzie looks to defend but the ball sneaks in off the seam and goes over the stumps. Someone appeals for the catch as Bairstow dives to his right to collect but Woakes himself is not interested.
12.30
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Outside off, left alone.
12.24
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. EDGED, FOUR! A length ball, around off, Khawaja looks to defend but the ball moves away and squares him up. The outside edge is induced but because he played it with soft hands, the ball goes to ground. It goes in front of second slip where Ben Stokes does not bother going down and the ball slips through to the third man fence.
12.10
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball around off, angling away, Khawaja shoulders arms.
End of Over : 124 RunsAUS: 40/2
11.60
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball outside off and Marnus drives it superbly only to find the fielder at covers to perfection.
11.50
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Leach is not afraid of tossing the ball up. He once again tosses one on the off stump only for Marnus to defend it off his front foot.
11.40
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends once again off the front foot to this tossed up ball from Leach.
11.30
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up again outside off and Marnus comes on the front foot to defend it.
11.24
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Tossed up delivery on the stumps and Labuschagne starts from where he left in the first innings, as he drives it through covers. The fielder from mid off gives the chase only to come second in the race.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's saviour in the first innings, comes out to bat at number 4, replacing Harris.
11.1W
Jack Leach to Marcus Harris. OUT! BOWLED! This is just Day 2, mates, just Day 2! What a ball. Is he Warne? Is he Ashwin? Is he Murali? No. He is Jack Leach. What. A. Ball. You have everything in this delivery, turn, bounce and zip. Leach tosses one up outside off, Harris comes on the front foot to defend but the ball turns away and goes past the big gap between bat and pad to shatter the stumps behind. Harris' dodged stay in this match is over.
Time for spin. Jack Leach to bowl now. For the first time in this match.
End of Over : 111 RunsAUS: 36/1
10.60
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja flicks this length ball off his pads to mid- wicket where the fielder puts in a forward dive but the ball drops in front of him.
10.51
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Length delivery outside off, Harris plays one to point for a single.
10.40
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. On a length and outside off, Harris leaves the ball by shouldering his arms.
10.30
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. On a length and outside off, Harris looks to drive it but has a feel for it as the ball passes the outside edge.
10.20
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
10.10
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.
End of Over : 105 RunsAUS: 35/1
9.60
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja is happy leaving the ball outside his off stump. Broad bowls one on a length and outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms to it.
9.50
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a length and on the stumps Khawaja defends it off his back foot straight down the pitch.
9.40
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms for the keeper to do the rest.
9.31
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris taps it to covers and calls for a quick single. Khawaja responds to his partner ad they complete the run with ease.
9.24
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Wayward from Broad, He attempts a Pattinson type of delivery but Harris is no Stokes, he slashes and finds the middle of the bat to send the ball racing through covers for a boundary.
9.10
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Fuller in length and around off, Harris defends it off his front foot towards the off side.
End of Over : 94 RunsAUS: 30/1
8.60
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Landed outside off, Khawaja looks to defend but the ball seams past the outside edge.
8.50
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Full and around off, well blocked out.
8.40
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
8.30
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. This is wider outside off, let through once more.
8.20
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
8.14
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Short and down the leg side, Khawaja swivels and pulls it fine of fine leg for a boundary.
End of Over : 80 RunsAUS: 26/1
7.60
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Back of a length ball and outside off, Harris jumps onto his toes to defend it towards the off side.
7.50
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball around off and Harris is happy in leaving it. He is in no hurry to score looking at the time they have.
7.40
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. NOT OUT! Missing leg! England lose a review. Wilson has got it right this time. Have to admit, to the naked eye, it looked like hitting the stumps. Outside off, coming in a long way, Harris looked to tuck it to the leg side but missed. Got hit on the pads. Broad appealed and appealed but umpire Wilson shook his head. Broad has a long chat with Root and convinces his skipper to take the review. Ultra Edge does not detect any edge but here comes the surprise. The Ball Tracker shows it to be going down! Not even clipping! Strange. Loss of a review for England.
Review time again! This time by England. Broad has yelled his lungs out for an LBW appeal against Harris. Umpire Wilson has not given it and Root, after a thought and some discussion, signals for the review. Looks very close. Ummmm... Ball Tracker says MISSING LEG! England lose a review.
7.30
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Broad bowls one on a length but keeps it wide and Harris is in no mood to play at it.
7.20
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and on the off stump, Harris drives it off the front foot towards mid off.
7.10
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball directed towards off stump but Harris is really strong in his defense as he plays a strong front foot defense.
End of Over : 74 RunsAUS: 26/1
6.61
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and around middle, Harris looks to defend but the ball swings away and goes off the outside edge. Because he plays it with soft hands, it goes on the ground. Third slip dives to his left but cannot stop it cleanly. The ball goes through and Joe Denly mops it up from backward point. A single taken.
6.50
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
6.40
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Down the leg side, Harris looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pads.
6.32
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
6.20
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Around off, solidly defended.
6.11
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball, around middle, tucked through square leg for a single.
First bowling change of the innings. Chris Woakes comes on to bowl.
End of Over : 65 RunsAUS: 22/1
5.60
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and on off, Harris drives it off the front foot towards mid off where the fielder this time puts in a better effort and prevents any runs.
5.51
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Broad bowls one on a length and Khawaja flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket and goes to the other end for a single.
5.40
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length ball outside off, Khawaja is staunch in his defense as he plays a compact front foot defense.
5.34
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Broad overpitches in search of swing and serves a full length delivery. Khawaja sees the length early and drives it through point for a beautiful boundary.
5.20
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length ball but way outside off and Khawaja is is no mood to play at it as he hangs his bat up.
5.10
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery outside off, Khawaja shoulders it.
End of Over : 51 RunsAUS: 17/1
4.60
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. The batsman has played it to the point region.
4.50
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, on a length, Harris looks to defend but the ball swings away a great deal and beats him.
4.41
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. That is too much for JB. This is way down the leg side, UK is nowhere near to connect the flick. The ball swings further away and poor Bairstow dives. Gets a glove to it and manages to parry it to fine leg. Just a bye, when it could have been four byes.
4.30
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. A bouncer, around middle, Uzzie ducks. Bairstow leaps and makes a half-stop.
4.20
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Down the leg side, Usman looks to flick but misses. The ball goes down a long way and Jonny Bairstow dives full stretch to make a half-stop.
4.10
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Full and outside off, Khawaja looks to play an airy-fairy drive, without moving his feet and is beaten by the late swing.
End of Over : 45 RunsAUS: 16/1
3.60
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Good end to the over by broad. He bowls one on a length and around off and Harris comes on the front foot before making a leave for the keeper to grab it.
3.50
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris is aware of his off stump as he leaves the ball for the Jonny Bairstow to do the rest.
3.44
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Poor fielding effort there. Length delivery outside off, Harris drives it straight down to mid off. Jack Leach dives to his left but lets the ball through his hands. Once it passes Jack the ball has only one destination and that is the long off fence.
3.30
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris is solid in his defense as he comes on the front foot to play it with full face of the bat.
3.21
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery on the off stump, Khawaja flicks it behind square on the leg side to get of the mark.
3.10
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a length and around off, Khawaja hops in his crease and defends it into the pitch.
End of Over : 31 RunsAUS: 11/1
2.60
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Around off, defended solidly.
2.50
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On a length outside off, Marcus looks to defend but the ball comes in a long way and beats the outside edge.
2.40
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Landed outside off, pretty full, swinging away, left alone.
2.30
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Full toss, around middle, pushed towards mid on.
2.20
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Around off, Harris looks to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
2.10
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, left alone. That came a long way. Not far from the off stick.
2.1wd
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. WIDE. Full and miles outside off, almost outside the pitch, left alone.
End of Over : 24 RunsAUS: 10/1
1.60
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Slips a length ball angling down the leg side, Khawaja tries flicking but misses.
1.50
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
1.40
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
1.30
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a good length outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms.
Batsmen keep coming in, batsmen keep going back. Usman Khawaja gets another chance to make a name for himself.
1.2W
Stuart Broad to David Warner. OUT! Impact is with the umpire's call and it's hitting the stumps. Australia retain their review but lose Warner early. Broad speeds in from 'round the wicket and hurls in a terrific length ball close to off stump. It nips back in after kissing the turf, beats the defensive prod of Warner and strikes him on the front pad. The appeal goes up and the umpire raises his finger after thinking for a while. Warner takes the DRS but to no avail. Umpire Joel Wilson is having a good day, another good decision from him.
David Warner is adjudged lbw! He wants to get it reviewed. Looks plumb though. Let's find out.
1.14
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Four leg byes! Broad delivers it down the leg side, Warner brings his bat down to flick but misses. It takes his pads and screams away to the fine leg fence.
Stuart Broad to share the new ball from the other end.
End of Over : 16 RunsAUS: 6/0
0.60
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, left alone.
0.50
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. A length ball on middle, Harris defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
0.42
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On middle and off, Harris tries working it on the leg side but gets a leading edge. It rolls wide of point and they cross for a couple of runs.
0.30
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Back of a length ball on off, Marcus defends it by getting across the stumps.
0.24
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Slapped! Width on offer outside off, too full in length, Harris leans and thumps his drive through cover-point for a glorious boundary.
0.10
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On a hat-trick, Archer runs in and delivers a length ball wide outside off, Harris throws his bat at it and misses. Almost a nick there. Archer would have become only the second bowled after Merv Hughes to take a hat-trick across three different overs.
End of Over : 125.4ENG: 362/9
Right! A South African plays for Australia and fights hard. But a West Indian and a Kiwi featuring for England show that they are better. The first was a walkover, the second was nerve-wracking and what about the third? Lost for words. Let us not test the vocabulary of anyone. Let us all take a break and then come back refreshed for the next episode of probably the greatest Test rivalry of all time. The 4th match will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT). The points table as of now, stand with Sri Lanka leading with 60 points, followed by Australia (32) and then England (8). But these will change after the Test matches going on in Sri Lanka and West Indies. You can follow those as well, if you have any energy left which has not been drained out. We take your leave and earn a nice break. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Who will be the Man Of The Match? Oh gosh... that is straight from the mystery novels of Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys. Right? Naahh... just kidding. Can't we? Given that we have been exhibited to some exorbitant amount of pressure and stress. Just trying to make things light all around. BEN STOKES GETS THE MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD, for the second game in a row. Take a bow, sir.
Phew! Now, about this Test match. What happened over the last 3 days? Australia bundled out for 179 after being inserted on a cloudy morning, but from 136/2. An Archer 6-fer hit the headlines. Then England matched that nicely, losing 10/67. A Hazlewood Michelle made that happen. In the second innings, when Australia rode on Marnus Labuschagne's 80 and set a target of 359, who would have thought the Ashes would be levelled 1-1?
...Till Pat Cummins came along again. Got Ben Stokes to miscue, but Marcus Harris put him down at deep backward point. 17 runs were needed. The next two balls went for boundaries and it was rubbing salt on Aussie wounds. Then, Paine took an LBW review, which was just an aim to waste some time. That proved costly. Because Stokes was out in the next over, LBW, but was not given by umpire Joel Wilson and Australia did not have any review left! Before that ball, Stokes miscued a six over long off, almost ran out Jack Leach but Lyon fumbled. Well, PRESSURE! It gets to everyone, doesn't matter how experienced you are!
First, Nathan Lyon. In the 119th over. Two sixes and he goes for 13. Under 50 needed. Next target, Pat Cummins. Goes for 11. 37 needed. Paine goes to Hazlewood. Ben sends him all around the park. 19 from the over and momentum now totally in favour of England. 18 needed. Well, England were favourites again, till...
Ben Stokes then decided to cut loose because he had nothing to lose. He tore into the Aussie bowlers and as in the first session, they started losing their lines and lengths. 73 needed with 1 wicket in hand, came down into the 60s. Then came the targets by Ben Stokes.
Then came Round 3. Everyone thought England were the favourites but it was their turn to show some nerves. From 245/4, they slipped to 286/9. Round won by Australia. Ashes retained. Or were they?
Day 5 began with England needing 203 runs, having 7 wickets in hand. First nervous moment. Root gone. 200 needed. Round 1 to Australia. Then the counter-attacking stand of 86 in 130 balls for the 5th wicket between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. Pushed Australia back. Round 2 to England.
Right! In a game of nerves, both teams faltered and the one which faltered more, lost. Australia, it would have to be. They have could dismissed Ben Stokes a couple of times. Dropped him, missed Leach's run out and then reviewed an LBW decision against Leach, thereby losing out of reviews. Because in the next over, Stokes was dead plumb LBW.
Take a bow, Ben Stokes. The entire crowd at Leeds is standing as one. The Aussies wait for the two English lads to celebrate and then get across to congratulate the big Ben. What a knock. What a player.
125.44
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! ENGLAND WIN BY 1 WICKET! The series is alive. 1-1 and kicking. Stokes roars. And then sinks to his knees. Emotions ebbing and flowing. Short and wide outside off, Stokes crunches the cut past short cover and the ball goes through! History is made - This is the first time in 130 years that a team has won a Test match after getting shot out for less than 70 in the first innings.
125.31
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. SCORES LEVEL! England cannot lose now! Jack Leach gets off the mark with 2 needed. Calmly tucks a length ball behind short leg and scampers through!
125.20
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A length ball, around middle and leg, nudged past leg gully, but there is short fine leg in place as well.
125.10
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A bouncer, outside leg, Leach ducks.
Right. Jack Leach to face. Just 2 needed. A tickle here and there, a push and England will make this 1-1.
End of Over : 1256 RunsENG: 357/9
124.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SHOUT FOR AN LBW! Not given. It looks very close to the naked eye but Australia don't have any DRS left. Tossed up ball landing around leg, Stokes tries to sweep but misses and is pinged on the front pad. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. The replays later on show that the ball straightened after pitching and was going to hit the leg stump. Another controversial decision. 2 needed more for England to level things up in the series!
124.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! What have you done Lyon??? It was an easy opportunity but he has made a complete mess. A flatter full ball outside off, Stokes nails his reverse sweep but it goes straight to short third man. Stokes steps down the track looking for a run initially but then sends Leach back. The throw comes to the bowler but Lyon fails to collect it cleanly and Leach makes it safely. He would have been a goner had Nathan collected it. Pressure! It gets to everyone, doesn't matter how experienced you are!
124.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shorter and on off, Stokes cuts it from the back foot but finds the point fielder.
124.36
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! Just over long off! Did he get his hands on it? Phew, that was really close. Loopy delivery, full and outside off, Stokes decides to go big downtown and towers it over the bowler's head. Labuschagne moves across to his left from long off, attempts to catch it with a jump but it goes over him. 2 needed more!
124.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short again, outside off, Stokes moves back and cuts it through point. Another run declined.
124.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Stokes goes back and punches it to deep cover. Denies the single as has been the case early in the over.
End of Over : 1249 RunsENG: 351/9
123.60
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG! Cummins hurls in a very full ball as the follow-up delivery to the bouncer. Leach is beaten for pace and it goes off his pads to leg gully. They put in an appeal and then take the DRS after the umpire turns it down. The replays roll in and the first frame itself confirms everything. 8 needed more.
Tim Paine playing for some time. He has called for a review which looks a very bad call. Seems to be pitching miles outside leg. Don't think this is desperate, but just delaying the inevitable. Ball Tracker shows the pitching to be outside leg. Both reviews gone for Australia, though don't think it will matter.
123.50
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A bouncer around leg, Leach ducks at the last moment.
Short leg in. Leg gully in. Be ready to smell the leather.
123.41
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, Stokes taps it down to mid off and decides to take a run. Two balls this time to negotiate for Leach. Has Stokes miscalculated?
123.34
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Smashed off the back foot! Runs needed now in single digits. Back of a length ball on middle, Stokes hangs on the back foot and packs a punch past the bowler. The long on fielder comes around and tries to cut it off with a dive but fails.
123.24
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Cummins gets full and Stokes decides to slog it across the line. Middles it nicely and it beats the desperate dive near the mid-wicket fence from Warner. The crowd cheers!
123.10
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. DROPPED BY HARRIS! Massive moment in this Test match! Width on offer outside off, Stokes goes hard at it and throws his bat. It flies off the top edge and Harris moves forward and across from third man. He then goes down low to collect the catch but it spills out of his hands. Heart in mouth stuff!
Tim Paine ringing in the bowling changes. Nerves everywhere. Pat Cummins replaces Josh Hazlewood after the latter went for 19 in his last over. 23-5-66-1 so far.
End of Over : 1231 RunsENG: 342/9
122.60
Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Fires it in on middle and off at 56.9 mph, Leach draws forward and blocks it solidly back to the bowler. Jack must be praised for hanging in there!
People crowding Leach. Two slips, a short leg and a silly point.
122.51
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Stokes goes on the back foot and cuts it through cover-point for one.
122.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Hangs on the back foot and punches it to covers.
122.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Misses again! Tossed up ball around off, Stokes initially looks for the paddle sweep but then tries to spoon it over first slip. Manages neither and gets beaten.
122.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Whoa! Some extra spin and bounce. This one lands on the footmarks outside off and spins away. Stokes tries to drive but misses. Warner collects it at first slip.
122.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Appeal for a caught behind! Flighted and full outside off, Stokes tries to play the reverse sweep but fails to connect. Paine collects the ball, appeals but nothing from the umpire. No DRS taken after Paine consulted with Lyon.
Final gamble from Paine. This could be match over in this over itself. Nathan Lyon to bowl. 37-5-107-2. Went for 13 in his previous over...
End of Over : 12219 RunsENG: 341/9
121.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Fullish delivery and it's down the leg side, Leach tries flicking but misses. 19 from the over and England can smell victory here.
121.51
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. 18 needed more! Width on offer outside off, Stokes plays it with soft hands again, it's towards point and Stokes collects a run. Once again Leach has one ball to see off.
121.42
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Soft hands this time. Gently steers it through point and scampers back for the second run. Ben has planned this chase amazingly well. Taking calculative risks and then smartly rotating the strike.
121.36
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. SIX! Ben Stokes has turned it on! Yet another biggie and this one brings up the 50-run stand! Josh has served it short and close to off, Stokes is into top gear, just swivels and powers it over mid-wicket. Two fielders converge but it sails over them.
121.26
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. SIX! Into the crowd! A low full toss around leg, Stokes goes down on one knee and slogs it across the line. It flies in the air and goes all the way over square leg. Seemed like a mishit but it has still travelled the distance.
121.14
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR! 8TH TEST HUNDRED FOR BEN STOKES! Outstanding effort from the Big Ben. He has single-handedly kept the Ashes hopes alive for England. Headingley is on its feet. Ben ain't celebration, he knows that there is still some job left to do. A shortish ball on middle, angling in, Stokes hangs back and muscles his pull to the deep mid-wicket fence.
End of Over : 12111 RunsENG: 322/9
120.60
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Shortish and on off, angling in, Leach gets across and taps it down towards mid on. Once again Leach has seen off the final ball safely!
Field adjustment for the number 11.
120.51
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. One ball to survive for Jack Leach.
120.42
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. TWO RUNS AGAIN! Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Stokes nudges it behind square leg and attempts for the second run. He slips while turning for the second run and then nearly runs into his partner while going at the striker's end. Luckily for England, the throw is at the wrong end, i.e. the bowler's end and there is no harm done.
120.36
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. SIX! A batsman of this calibre won't miss every time. Cummins sticks to angling a length ball into the batsman and Stokes moves across his stumps to once again attempt for the paddle scoop. This time it finds the sweet spot of his willow and flies all the way over fine leg. 40 needed more.
120.20
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Play and a miss this time! Back of a length ball angling into the batsman from around middle, Stokes shuffles across the stumps to execute the paddle scoop but misses.
120.12
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins begins his new spell by angling in a full ball on off, Stokes closes the face of his bat gently and eases it in front of square leg. Excellent running between the wicket to take two runs.
Gamble by Tim Paine. He removes his off spinner after getting treatment by Ben Stokes. Pat Cummins is on. 22-5-55-1 so far.
End of Over : 1201 RunsENG: 311/9
119.60
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. More cheers from the crowd! Leach has played out 4 balls in this over. Not that he is a mug with the bat anyways. A length ball outside off, Jack steers this watchfully towards point, with absolute composure!
119.50
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Full and around off, solidly defended. The crowd cheers.
119.40
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Outside off, on a length, guided straight to backward point.
Is everything okay? Stokes walks across and has a chat with his partner. After a few seconds, the thumbs up comes up from Leach to him and the dressing room. Fighting it out...
119.30
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. A length ball outside off, Leach looks to fend but gets hit on the glove. The ball dies in front of the slip cordon.
119.21
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A low full toss outside off, Ben reaches out and drives it wide of long off. Stokes wants the second but it is not there. Is sent back.
A bit of a delay again. Some juice and painkillers coming out. Should be good enough to stay long till those 49 runs are made. The Aussie balcony is tensed. Smith and Langer are pensive. Everyone taking a breather now. Composing themselves. All right. Here we go again. Ben Stokes vs Australia, Round 2.
119.10
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. On the knee. A length ball outside off, Stokes swings hard but gets a thick inside edge onto his right knee. Ben just clasps his knee a touch. But he is smiling.
End of Over : 11913 RunsENG: 310/9
118.61
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Risky run! Floated and outside off, Stokes walks forward and pushes it off the leading half of his bat to mid off. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end and they complete the single safely. 13 from the over and under 50 needed now by England. This is going right down to the wire.
118.56
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! Innovation at its best! Stokes must be credited for pulling off such a stroke at this stage. A tossed up ball landing full around off, Stokes gets into the position early for the reverse slog and nails it over cover-point for a biggie. The crowd goes wild!
118.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Spinning away from around off, Stokes pushes inside the line and misses.
118.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated and outside off, left alone by Ben.
118.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and on middle, Stokes clobbers it across the line and it goes straight to wide long on.
118.16
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. UP AND JUST OVER! It's a SIX! Loopy delivery, pitching full outside off, Stokes kneels and hammers it straight down the ground. Hazlewood moves across to his left from long off, tries his best to catch it with a leap but it goes over him. 56 needed more.
End of Over : 1184 RunsENG: 297/9
117.60
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Bouncer around leg, Leach sways away from the line. Safely negotiated the final ball.
Two slips and a gully in place. There is a bat-pad in place, standing really close to the batsman at short leg. A leg gully is also present.
117.51
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fullish and outside off, Stokes throws his bat at it and slices his drive to deep point for a single.
117.42
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Excellent running between the wickets. Short in length and wide outside off, Stokes reaches out and pushes it gently through cover-point. He straightaway calls for two and completes it with ease. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Nicely backed up.
Just a bit of a delay as Ben Stokes wants a different bat. Shane Warne on air says that this is the bat which was used in the World Cup final. Another heroic day coming up?
117.4wd
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Wide! The plan from Australia is to keep it away from Stokes' hitting zone. But in the process, Pattinson sprays it a little too wide outside off. The umpire exercises his arms.
117.30
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fullish and outside off, Stokes drives it through covers but it has gone straight to the fielder in the deep. Another run turned down.
117.20
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Swing and a miss! Short in length and wide outside off, Stokes stands back and tries to slam it over point but misses. Warner at first slip appeals and then smiles. Just trying to pressurize the umpire.
117.10
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fuller length delivery on middle, Stokes whips it to deep mid-wicket and turns down the single.
End of Over : 1177 RunsENG: 293/9
116.61
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Strangely Australia have gifted a single to Stokes. A slider on middle, Stokes moves back and helps it behind square leg for one. 66 needed more!
116.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Goes on the back foot and pushes it with the turn to the off side.
116.46
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! It's a risky shot but has gone the distance. Floated full ball landing around off, Stokes clears his front leg and launches it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
116.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on off, Stokes pushes it with the spin to covers.
116.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Miscued shot! Flighted and on off, Stokes tries to play the reverse sweep but gets a tickle on his gloves before it strikes him on the back leg.
116.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter and shorter outside off, Stokes tries to cut it through the line but misses.
Three men out for the sweep.
End of Over : 1160 RunsENG: 286/9
115.60
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. A touch short and on off, Leach defends it from the back foot to covers. A wicket maiden for Patto!
115.50
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Here comes the yorker. It's on middle at 88.9 mph and Leach just about manages to dig it out on the leg side.
115.40
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Bouncer again, on off, Leach drops his wrists and makes a leave. Seems he is setting him up for a big yorker.
115.30
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Shortish ball around off, angling away, Leach allows it through.
Jack Leach is the number 11 batsman. Can Pattinson finish things off here?
115.2W
James Pattinson to Stuart Broad. OUT! Number 9 goes down! There is no bat and everything is in line with the stumps. A 2-ball duck for Broady. Pattinson spears in a very full ball on middle at 88 mph, Broad tries his best to bring his bat down to block it but it sneaks past the bottom part of his willow and strikes him on the pads. The appeal goes up and so has the finger of umpire Gaffaney. Stuart thinks he has got some bat onto it and refers it upstairs. Ultra Edge picks no wood and the Ball Tracker confirms that it's hitting the stumps. 5 for 48 since Lunch and the end seems nigh for England.
Stuart Broad has been adjudged LBW! He is quick to refer it. Is there any bat? Ultra Edge comes...and it shows that there is NO BAT. Broad is a goner!
115.10
James Pattinson to Stuart Broad. Way wide outside off, on a good length, Broad has an easy leave.
Stuart Broad comes in at number 10. All he needs to do, is hang around with Ben Stokes. Just a bit of confusion as to whether the batsmen crossed or not. Yup, they have. So Broady will be on strike.
End of Over : 1159 RunsENG: 286/8
114.6W
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. OUT! Caught! The catch is legal. One shot too many by Jofra. That plan from Tim Paine works. Just for a while, he went in with two seamers and kept the field back. So, when Nathan Lyon was brought back on, Jofra's inner West Indian was challenged. The West Indian who looks to hit bowlers out of the park. One flight, boom, four. Second flight, boom, four again. Third flight, self-control, defend. Fourth flight, boom, self-destruct. Full and around off, plenty of loop. Archer gets down to mow again but this time, it takes the top edge. Travis Head gets across to his right at deep mid-wicket while Pat Cummins gets across to his left at long leg. Head takes the catch, but then tracks back. So he throws the ball in the air, then comes out and re-takes it, almost colliding with Cummins. Australia celebrate and Archer walks. But the umpires want to confirm and they do so. Replays show that the 25-run stand is broken. 73 more needed to win.
Is that a legal catch? Is that the end of Archer? Umpire Wilson refers it upstairs with the soft signal as OUT. Travis Head has taken a good catch under pressure at the mid-wicket fence. And replays confirm that the 8th wicket is indeed down.
114.50
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
114.40
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Flighted delivery on off, defended off the front foot.
114.34
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. FOUR! It's a mishit but still finds the fence. Loopy delivery, full and around off, Archer swings his bat across the line and it turns a bit to take the inside half of his bat. It flies towards wide long on, the fielder charges to attempt for the catch but it falls in front and then sneaks behind to fine the fence.
114.24
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Archer has hammered this one! Under 88 needed now. Tossed up ball landing full on middle, Archer goes with the spin and clobbers it over mid-wicket. There is a fielder present in the deep but even he can't do much.
114.11
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Superbly flighted delivery. Full and wide outside off, Stokes strides forward and drives it through point for a single.
End of Over : 1140 RunsENG: 277/7
113.60
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball on off, Archer defends it off his back foot to the off side. Archer plays out a maiden and more importantly keeps his wicket.
113.50
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Spears in a full ball on middle at 85.5 mph, Archer sticks back, brings his bat down in time to keep it out safely.
113.40
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball angling down the leg side, Archer tries heaving across the line but misses.
113.30
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Bouncer to force Archer on the back foot, Jofra is quick to duck.
113.20
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Beaten all ends up! Good length ball outside off, shaping away, Archer with a static footwork flashes at it and misses.
'Hang on, hang on, hang on there, boys!' shouts Tim Paine.
113.10
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Lands it on a good length outside off, Archer stays back and taps it down to point.
Drinks break. 39 runs and 3 wickets in the 17 overs of play post Lunch. Australia have made a resounding comeback. England though will be still hoping to pull it off as Ben Stokes is standing in the middle, looking in full control. Another 82 runs to go and it promises to go right down to the wire.
End of Over : 1136 RunsENG: 277/7
112.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
112.54
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Fancy footwork by Stokes. He runs down the track in a flash and hammers a full ball straight back past his partner at the other end. No chance for mid on.
112.41
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. CATCHHHH is the shout but it falls in no man's land. Flighted off spinner landing full on middle, Archer swings his bat across the line and gets it away from the inside half. It loops in the air but drops safely at deep mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
112.31
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
112.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and full on off, Ben defends it back off the front foot.
112.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon (33-5-72-1) returns into the attack. A slip, gully and silly point in place. No one in the deep for the slog sweep.
End of Over : 1120 RunsENG: 271/7
111.60
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Good length ball on off, defended from the back foot to the off side.
111.50
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Stifled appeal for a caught behind! A well-directed bouncer, Archer tries to hook but it bounces over his gloves.
111.40
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Uneven bounce. Pattinson locks 87.9 mph and angles in a good length ball on off, Archer hangs on the back foot and defends it by really going down.
111.30
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Fractionally short and on top of off, Archer stands tall inside the crease and pushes it to covers.
111.20
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
111.10
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. EDGED BUT SHORT! Pattinson hurls in a good length ball on off and gets it to angle back into the batsman. Archer sticks back to defend but it takes a thin outside edge and drops in front of Warner at first slip. James then turn to inquire for an lbw but nothing from the umpire. Warner smiles and indicates to Patto that it came off the bat.
End of Over : 1115 RunsENG: 271/7
110.60
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Fullish and on off, Stokes is on the front foot in defense.
110.51
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Indecision over a run! Back of a length ball on middle, Archer stays back and taps it past Head at short leg. He looks for a run but Stokes sends him back. In the meantime, Wade attacks the ball from mid-wicket, has a shy at the striker's end, Head ducks to avoid coming in between and the ball hits the stumps. However, Jofra is safely in by then. Now it gets deflected down to third man and the batsmen cross.
110.40
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Wayward short delivery, sliding down the leg side, Archer winds up for a big pull shot but misses.
110.30
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Bumper around middle and leg, Archer ducks this time.
110.24
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Boom! Archer is ready to fight fire with fire. Stokes has given him the license to play his natural game. Quick runs here will reduce the runs needed and will also transfer the pressure back on Australia. Short in length and outside off, Jofra latches onto it and spanks it through covers.
110.10
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Shortish and on off, Archer remains on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Double change in bowling. Pat Cummins (21-5-50-1) also returns into the attack. 93 more needed for a win.
End of Over : 1104 RunsENG: 266/7
109.62
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle, Stokes turns it with gentle hands to mid-wicket and rushes back for the second run. So Ben is trusting Jofra here!
109.51
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Aerial but it's safe! Archer actually hit it really well. Fractionally short and around leg, Jofra flicks it by going on his toes and places it behind square leg. The batsmen take a single.
109.40
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Wrong line. Pattinson speeds in to deliver a short ball but it's down the leg side. Archer allows it through. A good take by Paine.
Two fielders deep on the leg side for Archer. Will he take on the bowler?
109.31
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
109.20
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A bit aerial but doesn't carry back to the bowler. A fullish length ball on off, Stokes drives it back and Pattinson collects it from the ground.
109.10
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Angling away from the batsman outside off, Stokes covers his stumps before making a leave.
James Pattinson (19-6-38-0) is back into the attack. He will have to maintain the same pressure that Hazlewood was keeping.
End of Over : 1090 RunsENG: 262/7
108.60
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Another front foot defense to complete the over.
108.50
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
108.40
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Loopy and on off, defended off the front foot.
108.30
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. In the air and it just evades a jumping short leg fielder! Lyon gets his off spinner to turn and bounce into the batsman. Archer is forward in defense but it takes the inner edge, brushes his pads and flies over Labuschagne at short leg. That was inches away from his right hand.
108.20
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
108.10
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Full and flighted on off, turning in, Archer tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
End of Over : 1080 RunsENG: 262/7
107.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Miscommunication again, but no harm done this time. A length delivery close to off stump, Stokes taps it down towards point and looks for a run after that. But Archer sends him back immediately.
107.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another watchful leave outside the off stump by Ben Stokes.
107.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another delivery on a driving length outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.
107.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Pitches it up and on off, Stokes drives it down the ground but finds mid off.
107.20
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Solid! Hazlewood lands it on a length around middle and off, Stokes blocks it back.
107.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. In the zone outside off, easily left.
End of Over : 1071 RunsENG: 262/7
106.60
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Loopy off spinner pitching full on off, it's blocked off the front foot to cover-point.
106.50
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Slower through the air, full and around off, Archer presses forward in defense.
106.41
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short and wide outside off, slapped to deep point for one.
106.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on middle, Stokes pushes it out across the line to mid on.
106.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
106.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot.
Jofra Archer is the new batsman.
End of Over : 1060 RunsENG: 261/7
105.6W
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. OUT! Straight into the hands of extra cover. Wheels are coming off for England. A wicket maiden again for Hazlewood. This one looks like a well-planned wicket. They did nearly the same to dismiss Buttler in the first innings and this time Woakes has fallen prey. Hazlewood just puts a length delivery in the channel outside off, Woakes thinks that it's a scoring opportunity and goes for a booming drive. But he fails to keep it down and Wade makes no mistake in catching that. 98 more left to score, 3 wickets remaining.
105.50
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Slips one delivery down the leg side, Woakes has nothing to do with it.
105.40
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
105.30
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. This time Hazlewood gets a length ball to shape back into the batsman, Woakes defends it from the back foot.
105.20
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Shortish and outside off, Woakes drops his wrists and lets it through to the keeper.
105.10
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On and around off, a length ball, Woakes defends it from the back foot.
End of Over : 1052 RunsENG: 261/6
104.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
104.52
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. 19TH TEST FIFTY FOR STOKES, 4th in Ashes and his slowest ever. Needless to say, it's him standing between Australia and Ashes. Shortish ball on off, Stokes moves back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for a brace. The crowd gives him a resounding reception. Under 100 needed for a win.
104.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Gives this one good amount of air and lands it full outside off, Ben defends it solidly off his front foot.
104.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and on middle, defended back to the bowler.
104.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and on off, Stokes defends it off his front foot to the off side.
104.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated delivery around middle and leg, Stokes works it around off the pads to square leg. Woakes eyes a run but is sent back.
End of Over : 1042 RunsENG: 259/6
103.61
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads, it's eased through wide mid on for a run.
103.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
Physio there near the boundary line! He is taping Lyon's left thumb, importantly not his bowling hand. Maybe he hurt himself while breaking the stumps during that run out.
103.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A touch short in length around leg, Stokes plays it down towards mid-wicket.
103.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On a length around middle and off, Stokes presents a straight bat in defense.
103.21
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Straighter delivery this time, Chris helps it through square leg and gets off the mark with a single.
103.10
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length ball on off, it's blocked off the back foot by Woakes.
End of Over : 1034 RunsENG: 257/6
102.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and wide outside off, Stokes allows it through to complete a successful over for Australia.
102.54
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Whacked! Short in length and outside off, Stokes rocks back and smashes it square of the wicket on the off side for a cracking boundary. It's now all up to Stokes, just like it was in the recently concluded World Cup final.
102.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and on off, defended watchfully.
102.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Chris Woakes is the new batsman.
102.2W
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. OUT! Exceptional work by Travis Head. Wonderful passage of play for Australia. Coming to the delivery, it's full and on middle, Stokes eases it out towards mid-wicket and steps down looking for a run. Buttler responds and comes running down the track but then Stokes stops and sends Jos back. Head in the meanwhile attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end with an under-arm flick. The Aussies know that they have their man and start to celebrate. The onfield umpire takes it upstairs and the replays confirm that Buttler is miles away from the crease. Also, Lyon broke the stumps with his hands after the bails came off. All fair and Australia get the sixth wicket.
JOS BUTTLER IS RUN OUT! The Kangaroos are jumping up and down in celebration. Travis Head has produced a direct hit. The umpire is checking it upstairs. Buttler is miles short in the replays.
102.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, full and on off, Stokes prods forward and defends it back.
End of Over : 1025 RunsENG: 253/5
101.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Beauty! A touch short in length and outside off, moving away off the seam, Jos feels for it and gets beaten.
101.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Edged but safe! Fullish and on off, Buttler has a nervous push inside the line and it goes off the outside edge to third slip. Doesn't carry to the fielder but he does well to stop it with a dive.
101.41
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. The line on this occasion is around middle and off, Stokes plays it quite late and pushes it out towards point. They spot the chance for a run and complete it rather comfortably.
101.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, an easy leave this time for Ben.
101.24
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Pulled firmly, the crowd is loving every act of Ben Stokes. What a player! Gives everything when he has the ball in his hand and now doing it with the bat. Short in length and on middle, Ben rides the bounce and pulls it with authority. The deep mid-wicket fielder runs across to his right but fails to pull it back.
101.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants across a length ball around off, Stokes covers the line and shoulders arms.
End of Over : 1013 RunsENG: 248/5
100.61
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on middle, skidding down, Buttler gets back and turns it off his pads to backward square leg. The fielder there dives to his left to make a partial stop. The batsmen cross after that. Nelson needed more with 5 wickets left.
100.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter and shorter on off, Stokes remains on the back foot and punches it to short extra cover.
100.41
Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Edgy! Buttler is off the mark but it wasn't a convincing single. A flighted off spinner landing full on off, Buttler tries to drive it through covers but it takes the inside half and hurries past short leg for one.
100.30
Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Loopy around off, spinning in, Buttler defends it off the back foot to short leg.
100.21
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter one, full and on the pads, Stokes flicks it off the inner half to fine leg for a single.
100.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot to the leg side.
End of Over : 1000 RunsENG: 245/5
99.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Keeps probing around off with a length ball, Buttler defends it off his back foot. Impressive over by Josh, a wicket maiden.
99.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on off, shaping in, Buttler covers the line and blocks it solidly.
99.40
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
99.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Angling in around off, Jos defends it from the front foot to the off side.
99.20
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Serves a length delivery in the zone outside off, Buttler shoulders arms.
Jos Buttler is the new batsman. Straightaway a short cover comes into place. Usman Khawaja is the fielder. He caught Buttler there in the first innings. So definitely Australia have picked a chink in Buttler's armour.
99.1W
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Gone! Bairstow is caught at second slip and Australia have an opening they dearly needed. Hazlewood has got a wicket with a really bad delivery. Short in length and wide outside off, Bairstow goes chasing after it and gets a thick outside edge behind to Labuschagne at second slip. He makes no mistake and immediately pumps his fists in celebration. 114 more needed and England will have to guard against any collapse.
End of Over : 994 RunsENG: 245/4
98.64
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. EDGED AND FOUR! Did that carry to Warner? A bit unsure. Loopy and on off, spinning away, Stokes is forward again in defense but it spins away to take the outside edge. Warner dives to his left at first slip but it hurries past his hand to the fence behind.
98.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Good tight bowling from Lyon. Solid defense from Stokes. Tossed up and around off, Stokes defends it off his front foot.
98.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and around off, Ben has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
98.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and fuller on middle, Stokes blocks it with a straight bat to mid on.
98.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and full on off, Stokes presses forward in defense.
98.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
End of Over : 982 RunsENG: 241/4
97.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Shout for an lbw, nothing from the umpire. This time there is an edge. An inswinger around off, Jonny Bairstow tries to defend from the crease but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
97.51
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on off, Stokes punches it down the ground and by the time the mid off fielder cleans it up, they take a run.
97.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A length delivery angling away from the left-hander, this time Stokes picks the line early and decides not to offer any shot.
97.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball close to off, it's blocked from the back foot.
97.21
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
97.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. NOT OUT! Shortish ball outside off, shaping back in a hint, Bairstow stays back to flat-bat it through the line but is beaten on the inside edge. Paine collects the ball and appeals. Umpire Gaffaney agrees but Jonny is quick to take the DRS. It's reviewed with gusto and certainty, quips Michael Atherton on air. Ultra Edge finds nothing and the crowd roars. It's followed by boos for the umpire. Hmm...
Appeal for a caught behind! FINGER GOES UP! Jonny Bairstow immediately refers it. Ultra Edge finds nothing. Continue batting, Jonny.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack from the other end after Lunch.
End of Over : 971 RunsENG: 239/4
96.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted off spinner on off, Stokes is on the front foot to cover the spin as he defends it safely. Good start from Lyon!
Two slips for Ben Stokes.
96.51
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Uppish but wide of short leg! A long hop on middle, Jonny goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.
96.40
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Spinning down the leg side, it's left alone easily.
96.30
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Floated delivery, it's a touch short outside off and breaking back in with extra bounce, Bairstow fails to work it around from the back foot and is hit high on the pads.
96.20
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Allows the ball to spin back into him from outside off and then Jonny defends it to short leg.
96.10
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Starts with a nicely flighted delivery, landing full and outside off, Bairstow goes back when he should have been forward and then blocks.
Back for more Test cricket! The way England batted before Lunch, it's looking more one-sided from hereon. But, the first 30 minutes will give us a clearer picture. The men concerned are out in the middle. Australia would have regrouped and thought about their plans. Another 120 runs for them to play with. Nathan Lyon, the most threatening bowler this morning, to kickoff proceedings...
... DAY 4, SECOND SESSION ...
So, the equation now has come down to - 121 runs and 6 wickets! England are the firm favourites from hereon and Australia need to produce a magical performance just like they did on Day 2. Can they succeed? Or will England continue to march towards victory? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Australia started the day's play with a plan to not give any easy runs. They bowled four straight maiden overs at the beginning and were executing the plan quite well. However, once the second new ball was taken, they completely lost the plot. Their pacers sprayed it around and the English batsmen made merry. Runs came thick and fast and it took all the pressure away from the hosts. Only Nathan Lyon bowled with some control and got good purchase from the surface as well. His spell holds the key as far as the Australians are concerned.
What a session! England bossed it and have put themselves in the driving seat. There was an early casualty when Warner's stunning catch dismissed the English skipper but Australia failed to capitalize on that opening. Jonny Bairstow batted positively and soon it brushed on Ben Stokes as well. The southpaw had a nervy beginning but he settled down and now, the current stand is worth 79 runs and run rate of this partnership is 4.27. Outstanding work under pressure by this pair.
End of Over : 963 RunsENG: 238/4
95.61
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. A leg spinner on the shorter side around off, Bairstow goes deep inside the crease and punches it to sweeper cover for a single. The crowd has gone wild. They are giving a standing ovation to the two English batsmen as they head back to the dressing room. LUNCH ON DAY 4!
95.50
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. Well tossed up delivery, pitching full and outside off, Bairstow pushes it off his front foot to point.
95.41
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Too full in length around leg, Stokes clips it past short leg and crosses for a run.
95.30
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Sharp spin and bounce, going down, Stokes tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
95.20
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Loopy delivery, landing full on off, Stokes gets forward and pushes it to mid on.
95.11
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on off, Bairstow goes back and punches it down to point for a single.
Last over before Lunch and it will be bowled by Marnus Labuschagne. He's worth a punt at this stage. Has bowled decent 5 overs so far.
End of Over : 950 RunsENG: 235/4
94.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, landing full on off, Stokes offers a straight bat in defense and it takes the outside edge. Falls in front of silly point. Excellent over, a maiden.
94.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Just a bit short in length, around middle, Stokes pushes his weight back inside the crease as he defends.
94.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Fuller and on off, quicker through the air, Stokes blocks it back to the bowler.
94.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. This is good bowling. Loopy and full on off, Ben lunges and defends it watchfully.
94.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated and full on leg, Stokes flicks but again finds short leg.
94.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on middle, Stokes defends it down in front of short leg.
End of Over : 940 RunsENG: 235/4
93.60
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length delivery outside off, holding its line, Bairstow has nothing to do with it. Back-to-back maidens from Pat Cummins.
93.50
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Identical to the last delivery, Bairstow plays it close to his body and defends it towards mid on.
93.40
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Targets the off stump and angles it on a length, Jonny blocks it back safely.
93.30
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A gentle delivery, on a length outside off, Bairstow lets it through to the keeper.
93.20
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer on middle and leg, an easy leave for Bairstow.
93.10
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Angles in a length ball on off, Bairstow defends it back from the crease.
End of Over : 936 RunsENG: 235/4
92.61
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Turn and bounce from around off, Bairstow tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It loops wide of short leg and they cross.
92.54
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Thumped! The local boy is going great gun. He picks the off spinner early, as soon as it lands full on off, Jonny is ready with his sweep shot. Nails it behind square leg for a boundary much to the delight of the home crowd.
92.41
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Skidding down the leg side, Stokes helps it behind square leg for a run. He is still unhappy with something and complains to the umpire.
92.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter one, short and on off, Stokes moves back and defends.
Still some issue with something near the sightscreen. The reserve umpire is out there getting things corrected.
92.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Beaten by a beauty! Full again, it lands on off and turns away, Stokes tries to defend but misses.
Some disturbance near the sightscreen. Slight hold up in play. The players wait and we resume after everything is fixed.
92.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and flighted on off, Stokes lunges and defends it back to the bowler.
End of Over : 920 RunsENG: 229/4
91.60
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Beaten! A touch short in length and outside off, some extra lift as it straightens, Bairstow pushes at it and misses.
91.50
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Straighter delivery, angling in, Bairstow works it around the corner but finds the fielder on the leg side.
91.40
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer around leg, Jonny ducks.
91.30
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Hurls a short delivery wide outside off, inviting the batsman to have a go, Bairstow restrains himself from going after it.
91.20
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A length ball is angled into the batsman, Jonny plays it across the line but it goes straight to mid on.
91.10
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish ball on off, Bairstow defends it off his back foot.
End of Over : 911 RunsENG: 229/4
90.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Lyon pulls his length back this time and delivers it on off, Stokes goes on the back foot and punches it to extra cover.
90.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Well bowled again. Lyon is getting some good turn from the surface. Full and flighted outside off, Stokes pushes at it and misses.
90.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Peach of a delivery. Turn and bounce. Lyon lets out an off spinner, it pitches around off, Stokes gets forward to defend but it spins away to beat the edge.
90.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and allows it through.
90.21
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Loopy and around off, Jonny goes down and across to sweep it fine towards fine leg. Good stop in the deep and hence only a run.
90.10
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and flighted on off, Bairstow drives it off his front foot to covers.
Nathan Lyon is brought back into the attack. Australia need to snatch the momentum back from England.
End of Over : 908 RunsENG: 228/4
89.61
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Australia have lost the plot completely. Paine fails to do a regulation collection behind the stumps. A length ball outside off, Jonny shoulders arms, Tim fumbles and they cross for a bye. 8 from the over. Entertaining action for the English crowd.
89.50
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Extra bounce from a good length around middle and leg, Bairstow tries working it on the leg side but misses. It hits him on the thigh pad, Cummins appeals but nothing from the umpire.
89.40
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
89.31
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Slightly short and on off, Stokes taps it down towards backward point and crosses.
89.20
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle, Ben defends it from the back foot to mid on.
89.16
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. SIX! This one has gone all the way. Wow. Minimum power, maximum result. Cummins serves a back of a length ball around middle and leg, Stokes just glances it off his hips and it flies from the sweet spot of his bat. Clears backward square leg with ease.
As expected, Pat Cummins is back on. Three slips waiting...
End of Over : 895 RunsENG: 220/4
88.60
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Better, much better from Pattinson. He delivers it on a length and just outside off, shaping away, Bairstow makes a watchful leave.
88.51
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fuller this time and the line is on middle and leg, Stokes tucks it behind square leg for one.
88.44
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Slapped away! Short in length and outside off, Stokes camps back and whacks it through the gap between cover and cover-point. England are running away with this Test match.
Pat Cummins is warming up.
88.30
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, Stokes has nothing to do with it.
88.20
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Around off, a bit short, it's defended off the back foot by Ben Stokes.
88.10
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, angling away, Stokes pokes inside the line and misses.
Australia have not been quite there with the second new ball. They were relentless with their lines with the first new ball but have been spraying it around with the second new nut. The visitors are feeling the pressure, feels Michael Atherton after looking at the pitch map. The advice is to bowl a boring line and length and dry out the runs.
End of Over : 883 RunsENG: 215/4
87.62
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length ball outside off, Bairstow pushes inside the line and it goes off the outer half through point for a couple.
87.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. In the channel outside off, an easy leave for Jonny.
87.41
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A length ball starting from off and moving down the leg side, Stokes nudges it to fine leg for a run.
87.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants in a full length ball on middle and off, Stokes defends it from the crease.
87.20
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot to covers.
87.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. This Test match is fast slipping away from the Aussies. They need to break this partnership quickly.
End of Over : 8713 RunsENG: 212/4
86.62
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Short and on middle and leg, Jonny tickles it through backward square leg for a couple. 13 from the over, England are cruising.
86.6wd
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. FIVE WIDES! Australia are leaking runs here. Pattinson loses his line this time. Delivers an outswinger way wide outside off. Bairstow allows it through and it goes to Warner at first slip. He fails to catch it and the ball goes right through his legs. Labuschagne chases from second slip but fails to pull it back. 50-run stand comes up and it's met with a hugeeee cheer from the crowd.
86.50
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish and on off, Bairstow moves back, rotates his wrists and plays it down in front of square leg. Straightaway shouts no to keep his partner informed.
86.44
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Four leg byes! The crowd continues to love the action. Pattinson bowls an inswinger but the line is too straight. Bairstow fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. 154 needed more.
86.30
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A delivery in the channel outside off, Bairstow watchfully makes a leave.
86.20
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
86.12
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Loose shot, it's aerial but in the gap! Huge cheer for a couple of runs. A length ball outside off, Jonny reaches out for it and drives it away from his body. It takes the outside half of his bat and goes through cover-point for a couple.
Australia want to regain some control. In comes James Pattinson to provide that.
End of Over : 867 RunsENG: 199/4
85.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery close to off and straightening a bit, Ben shoulders arms to complete the over. 13 runs so far after the Drinks break, 33 against the second new ball.
85.52
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Crispy drive! A bit too full, around off, Stokes hits it on the up and strokes it past the bowler. The mid on chases it down and the batsmen take a couple of runs.
85.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Angling down the leg side at 84.7 mph, Stokes tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
85.31
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Hazlewood over-corrects his line and length. He is very straight on a good length ball and Bairstow turns it through square leg for one.
85.24
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Beautiful shot! This pair is oozing confidence at the moment. Hazlewood overpitches around off, Bairstow presents the full face of the bat and executes a delightful off drive for a boundary. Australia would be feeling some pressure at the moment.
85.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Hazlewood puts it on a length just outside off, Bairstow plants his front foot forward to cover his off stump and then makes a leave.
End of Over : 856 RunsENG: 192/4
84.62
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Eased away! Length delivery on off, Stokes closes the face of his bat and works it through mid-wicket for a couple. 6 from this one, Australia need to choke the flow of runs here. This partnership is now worth 33 off 45 balls, going at 4.4. 167 runs needed more!
84.50
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Bouncer from Cummins. The line is on middle and Stokes ducks.
84.40
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on off, Stokes moves across the stumps and plays it with the angle of the bowler to mid on.
84.30
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins immediately cuts down his length and goes fuller and on middle, Stokes brings his big bat down and pushes it out to mid on.
84.24
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Aggression from Stokes. Poor delivery to start with, it's short and wide outside off, plenty of room, Stokes flashes his bat at it, tries to slam it over point but it flies off the outside edge and goes to the third man fence.
84.10
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Fractionally short in length and close to off stump, Stokes hangs on the back foot and defends it to covers.
Drinks break. An hour of Day 4 done and we have already witnessed some exciting Test cricket. England have managed to score 30 runs but also lost the key wicket of Joe Root. The second new nut is only few overs old and the Aussies would love to make full use of it. There is plenty of support on offer for their bowlers and the next hour also promises to be brilliant.
End of Over : 8410 RunsENG: 186/4
83.60
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Short in length and in the zone outside off, Bairstow shoulders arms. 20 runs scored from the time the second new ball was taken!
83.50
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. More measured approach this time. Sticks on the back foot to a shortish ball and calmly taps it down to gully.
83.42
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Runs are coming now too quickly. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, going down, Jonny fails to flick and it goes off his thigh pad to fine leg. The batsmen steal a couple of leg byes.
83.34
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Australia won't mind Jonny driving here. This shot wasn't played with much control. Fuller and outside off, Bairstow tries to stroke it through the line but slices his drive through the gap between gully and point for a boundary.
83.24
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! This will give some confidence to Jonny Bairstow. He just leans into the length ball outside off and drives it crisply past the diving extra cover fielder for a boundary.
83.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball close to the off stump line, Bairstow defends it from the back foot.
End of Over : 833 RunsENG: 176/4
82.62
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. TOP EDGE! Falls safely! Back of a length ball angling into the batsman from 'round the wicket, Stokes swivels inside the crease with the pull shot but fails to middle it. The ball flies off the top edge and clears mid-wicket. They take a couple of runs.
82.51
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. This time the line is too straight and Jonny eases it to the right of mid on for a single.
82.40
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Play and a miss! Short in length and outside off, Jonny tries to cut from the back foot but it shapes in to beat the inside edge of his bat.
82.30
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Closer to the off stump this time, angling in from a length, Jonny defends it solidly by covering the line.
82.20
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length delivery just outside off, straightening a bit with extra bounce, Bairstow lifts his bat skywards and lets it through.
82.10
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish and on off, Bairstow hangs back and plays it down to point. Slight misfield but no run conceded.
End of Over : 826 RunsENG: 173/4
81.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Wow, big movement there. Hazlewood runs in from 'round the wicket for the left-hander and lands it on a length outside off. Stokes decides to leave it and after that it swings appreciably. It heads over the off stump and Paine has to stretch to his right to collect the ball. A wayward first over with the second new ball by Josh.
81.53
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball around off, moving back in off the seam, Bairstow shuffles across to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It speeds down to fine leg where Cummins makes a sliding stop near the boundary line. The batsmen take three runs.
81.5wd
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Wide! A wild delivery. Josh loses the radar completely and hurls a shortish length ball way wide outside off.
81.42
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Every run is cheered by the English crowd. An inswinger probably but the line is down the leg side. Bairstow fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards fine leg. They take a couple of leg byes.
81.30
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Beauty of a delivery. Can't do much about that one. This one angles into the batsman, lands on a length and nips away ever-so-slightly to beat the defensive bat of Bairstow.
81.20
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Outswinger this time, on a length and outside off, Jonny plants his front leg forward and makes a leave.
81.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good leave. A length ball around off, shaping in appreciably, Bairstow watches the line closely and then shoulders arms.
Josh Hazlewood to share the new cherry from the other end. He has 7 wickets in the match so far and would love a 10-wicket haul.
End of Over : 811 RunsENG: 167/4
80.60
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on top of off stump, Stokes hangs on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
80.50
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on off, angling in, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
80.40
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
80.31
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Nasty delivery. Encouraging for Pat Cummins, he would have enjoyed it. Back of a length ball on off, climbing onto the batsman, Bairstow jumps and tries to fend it off. It goes off his gloves and flies past the vacant short leg region. A single is taken.
SECOND NEW BALL TAKEN! Three slips and a gully. No mid off.
80.20
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Slightly short and on off, Bairstow defends it off his back foot.
80.10
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on leg, some extra bounce, Jonny fails to work it on the leg side and is hit on the thigh pad.
Second new ball is available now! But it has not been taken by Australia straightaway. However, there is a change in bowling. Pat Cummins to bowl for the first time this morning...
End of Over : 805 RunsENG: 166/4
79.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Skidding in from around off, Ben moves back and helps it to mid-wicket.
79.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter this time, on off, Stokes defends it off his back foot.
79.44
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Superbly played! Extra flight on this occasion, a full ball pitching on middle, Stokes leans forward and flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket. The mid on fielder gives the chase but the ball wins the race. Stokes' first boundary in 74 balls and the crowd loved it.
79.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Nicely tossed up delivery, landing full on off, Ben lunges and defends it back.
79.21
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and flighted on off, Bairstow works it with the turn through backward square leg for a run.
79.10
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Flighted ball outside off, Bairstow leaves it alone.
End of Over : 791 RunsENG: 161/4
78.60
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Beaten! A length delivery angling away from the southpaw again, Stokes has a nervous push inside the line and misses. Not too far away from the outside edge, that.
78.50
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Pattinson goes short and Stokes decides to let it go to the keeper.
78.40
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Angling across the batsman, outside off, Ben allows it through.
78.30
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
78.21
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on middle, angling down, Jonny fails to work it around and it goes off his thigh pad towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.
78.10
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Full in length and outside off, Bairstow lets it go safely.
End of Over : 783 RunsENG: 160/4
77.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A wicket from the over, big wicket.
77.51
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Uses the spin this time and works it through square leg for a run. Under 200 needed now.
77.40
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Tossed up ball on off, Bairstow goes on the back foot in defense.
Jonny Bairstow is the new batsman with exactly 200 runs needed.
77.3W
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. OUT! STUNNER FROM DAVID WARNER! MASSIVE BREAKTHROUGH! David Warner, you beauty! How can you pull out such catches? He was blinded there. Still shows great reflexes to catch it. A wicket finally after the first innings of the second Test for Lyon, his 356th in Tests, going past Dennis Lillee. But to be honest, this is Warner's wicket. Lyon lets out an off spinner, it's full and around off, Root advances down the track and tries to heave it across the line. But it spins back in to take the inside edge, brushes his pads and lobs over Paine. Not sure when Warner saw that coming. But whenever he got the sight of it, he made sure to catch it with a full length dive to his left from first slip. Absolute ripper. Body blow to England. The Aussies are roaring.
77.21
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, landing full on middle, Stokes leans forward and flicks it in front of square leg for one.
77.11
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Slow spin back into the batsman from around off, Root moves back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Three more overs left for the second new ball. In comes Nathan Lyon to bowl two of them, maybe. He's been wicket-less for quite some time.
End of Over : 771 RunsENG: 157/3
76.60
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Almost nicks it behind! Pattinson takes a length ball away from the left-hander, outside off, Stokes pushes inside the line without any footwork and misses.
76.50
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Delivers it on a fuller length around off, Stokes pushes it straight back and looks for a run. But the mid off fielder is quickly to the ball and he stays where he is.
76.40
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Clocks 89.2 mph and lands it around off, Stokes blocks it from the crease.
76.30
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Gets behind the line of the delivery and tries to drive. Mistimes it towards covers.
76.21
James Pattinson to Joe Root. First run of the morning and it's met with a huge cheer from the crowd. Good length ball on off, Root hangs back and taps it down to the right of the third slip fielder for a single.
76.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Some inward movement from a length outside off, Root sticks back and defends it off the inner half to mid-wicket.
End of Over : 760 RunsENG: 156/3
75.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR MAIDENS IN A ROW! This is great bowling from Australia. Wickets not falling? No problem. Just choke the run flow and play on the patience of the batsmen. Full and outside off, Stokes makes a leave easily.
Physio comes out. Stokes is looking fine and trying to fix the extra protection on his helmet. A few concerned looking Aussies also surround him. All is well and we are ready to continue...
75.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. BANG ON THE HELMET! It has become a common occurrence now. Great bowling or poor technique, judge yourself. Hazlewood digs in a well-directed bouncer, Stokes is taken by surprise as he tries to pull. He fails to connect and takes a blow straight on the helmet. Due to the impact, the extra protections behind have come off.
75.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. In the channel outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and allows it through.
75.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
75.20
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Just short of Head! Hazlewood gets a back of a length ball to move into the batsman, Stokes works it across the line and it's a bit uppish. Doesn't carry to the fielder standing in front of square leg.
75.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Angling in a length ball on middle, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
End of Over : 750 RunsENG: 156/3
74.60
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Extra bounce along with some late movement on this occasion. A bit short on middle and off, Root plays it out from the inside half of his bat to mid-wicket. Three maidens in a row.
74.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Some reverse happening. Pattinson hurls in a length ball around off and it shapes back in with the shine, Root presents a straight bat in defense and keeps it out off the inner half.
74.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Root remains on the back foot and defends it back to the bowler.
74.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. James is bowling impressive lines here. Keeping it on and around off, drawing the batsman forward, Root defends it close to his front pad.
74.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Serves it on a length close to off at 86.6 mph, Root is on the back foot trying to defend it on the leg side but it takes the leading half of his bat and rolls to covers.
74.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Beautifully bowled and nicely defended. Full and around off, a hint of movement in the air, Root is solidly behind the line in defense.
End of Over : 740 RunsENG: 156/3
73.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Lands it on a length and close to off, Stokes gets forward a bit and defends it with gentle hands towards backward point. A couple of maidens to begin the day's play.
73.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and on off, angling in, Stokes presses forward with a straight bat and pushes it back to the bowler.
73.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants in a length ball on off, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the off side.
73.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Hurls a good length ball in the zone outside off, Ben allows it through to the keeper.
73.20
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A bit of indecision from Stokes. Thinks about leaving a length ball around off but is late in withdrawing his bat. It takes a good chunk of his bat and rolls towards gully.
73.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball angling in middle, from 'round the wicket, Stokes defends it from the crease to the on side.
Josh Hazlewood (18-6-35-2) to operate from the other end.
End of Over : 730 RunsENG: 156/3
72.60
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. Good start from Australia!
72.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. In the zone outside off, left alone.
72.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Huge shout for a caught behind! The umpire remains unmoved. There was some noise. What's happening? Paine runs up to his bowler, has a chat and then decides to drop the plan to refer it. Entire day left and they have just one review left. Fair call that way. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, angling down the leg side, Root tries to flick but seems to have missed it. It goes behind to Paine who catches and appeals. It's turned down and the replays later on show that the noise was off the ball clipping the thigh pad.
72.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Targets the off stump with a length ball, it angles in and meets the defensive bat of Joe Root.
72.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Pattinson keeping the old ball nice and full, it's on middle and Joe pushes it down to mid on.
72.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A cracking beginning. Pattinson hits the blockhole straightaway, trying to catch Root off-guard but the English skipper does well to squeeze it out towards point. He looks for a run but his deputy is not interested.
Time to play the game! The players are already on the field. Joe Root and Ben Stokes stride out amidst a good ovation from the crowd. It's bright and sunny looking like great batting conditions. James Pattinson to kickoff proceedings. 2-0 or 1-1, let's find out...
Three days of enthralling action, with both teams domination at some point of time. This has been the story of the Leeds Test so far as we enter into the fourth day which very well could be the final day. After weathering the storm last evening, England have brought themselves into a position from where they can seriously challenge the Aussies. Joe Root has struck form at the best possible time and his century partnership with Joe Denly has made sure that Australia don't run away with the Ashes. Having said that, it's a new day which will bring new challenges and with another 203 runs to get, this game is wide open. Needless to say, the morning session will give us a hint of which way this clash will be heading. 8 overs to go for the second new ball and that may have a big say on the outcome. We are not far away from the start, stay tuned.
... DAY 4, FIRST SESSION ...
Right! 203 to win. 7 wickets in hand. 196 overs left in the game. But we will not need those! Because unless the weather intervenes, this game will not see a Day 5 for sure. Will Joe Root get to his first ever century in the 4th innings? Will Nathan Lyon be able to get back to wicket-taking ways on Sunday? Will the effect of Saturday's tiring work go awry or pay good heeds for the Aussie bowlers? Join us on Sunday, 25th August, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 4 which should also be the final day of this Test. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Perhaps this is the day which bowling coaches want to see. When the ball is moving around, many a bowler gets a wicket. But when the ball is doing nothing, it is the discipline and the patience of the bowlers which get tested. Australia had plenty. Cummins, Hazlewood and Pattinson kept clocking in high speeds and bowled tirelessly, beating the inside and outside edges, but without luck. Then, came the massive strangulation - 9-3-7-1 between Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon which eventually got rid of Joe Denly. It would have been easy for a bowling unit to get frustrated and leak runs. But on a good pitch with not much swing around, Australia only gave away runs at just over 2 an over, a testimony to their discipline. That has ensured that in spite of the century stand, England have not run away with the game. Yet.
Joe Denly. Who is he? With all due respect, not many know about this man. This guy has scored over 11,000 first-class runs and Saturday was the day when he made the world notice. Had a few nervy moments but importantly, he rode those and moved ahead. Eventually, it took a brute from Josh Hazlewood to get rid of the Canterbury-born. His score reads 50 from 155 balls but only he knows how easy he has made life for the rest of his batting mates.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Welcome back, Joe Root. He has arrived in the Ashes at last. A knock which pretty much defines his character. Absorbing all the overlaying pressure then slowly but surely, transferring it back to the opposition. He, along with Denly, fought Australia patiently and in a stand worth 126, kept the hungry Aussies at bay.
Yes! We have a Day 4! The game is alive. How many times did we feel in this Test that the game is gone? First, when the Aussies were 'bundled out' for 179. Then, when England were blown away for 67. Then, this morning, when they were 15/2 in the 7th over. But the two Joes joined forces and ensured that they gave no chance to their foe.
End of Over : 721 RunsENG: 156/3
71.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. STUMPS ON DAY 3, ENGLAND NEED 203 MORE TO WIN!
71.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
71.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
71.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
71.21
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Punches this towards long on for a single.
71.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, solidly defended.
Nathan Lyon to bowl the final over of the day.
End of Over : 711 RunsENG: 155/3
70.60
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone. Paine initially looks at the skies in disappointment but then Cummins walks across to him and asks about the review. Paine comes down a long way, has a chat but then shakes his head, Then, jokingly asks Stokes whether he hit it. The Big Ben waits, waits, waits and when the allotted 15 seconds for a review are over, he shakes his head. The crowd loves that and Paine pats Stokesy on his arm. Nothing on the Ultra Edge when the ball passes the bat.
70.50
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
70.40
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. A length ball, tucked straight to short leg.
70.4wd
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. WIDE. A slower bouncer, outside leg, Stokes ducks. Tim Paine gets a bad bounce and fumbles. The crowd cheers as a wide is signalled.
70.30
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Shortish and close to off, Stokes is on the back foot in defense.
70.20
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Bouncer around off, Stokes allows it through.
70.10
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. In the channel outside off, Stokes hangs on the back foot and lets it go to the keeper.
Pat Cummins (14-3-32-1) is back for one final burst before Stumps.
End of Over : 703 RunsENG: 154/3
69.61
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Fires a quicker one on the pads, Stokes brings down a straight bat and it takes the inner half before rolling through square leg for a run.
69.50
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. A low full toss on middle, Ben lunges and pushes it to mid off.
69.40
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Very full and on middle, Stokes defends it back with a straight bat.
69.31
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Shortish and on leg, Root tucks it to mid-wicket and crosses.
69.21
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Shortish and skidding down the leg side, Stokes fails to get it away and it goes off the pads to square leg. A leg bye taken.
69.10
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Flatter delivery on off, Stokes hangs back and defends it on the off side.
Marnus Labuschagne to bowl with 11 minutes left in the day. 4-0-11-0 so far.
End of Over : 690 RunsENG: 151/3
68.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, the skipper comes down the track and defends.
68.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Lyon appeals for LBW but umpire Wilson is not interested. Paine asks Lyon about the review but he says that it is spinning too much.
68.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked towards Matthew Wade at short mid-wicket.
68.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, watchfully defended.
68.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up outside off, Root looks to drive but gets a bit of an inside edge back to the bowler.
68.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked straight to short leg.
End of Over : 681 RunsENG: 151/3
67.60
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Excellent delivery. Pattinson spears in a very full ball on middle, Stokes brings his bat down in time to dig it towards covers.
67.50
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A touch short in length and close to off, Stokes remains on the back foot and defends it to the cover fielder.
67.41
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, Joe taps it down towards point and crosses for a run.
67.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Covers the line of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.
67.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Digs it in around off, Root drops his wrists and sways away from the line.
67.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. On a good length close to off, Root blocks it from the crease.
End of Over : 671 RunsENG: 150/3
66.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Fullish and on off, some extra bounce, Stokes goes back and defends it off the leading half of his blade.
66.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around middle, flicked towards square leg.
66.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, well blocked out.
66.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, defended solidly.
66.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
66.11
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root comes down the track and eases it down the ground for a single. 'ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!' cheers the crowd as the 150 is raised. 209 more to win.
End of Over : 661 RunsENG: 149/3
65.60
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, allowed to go through.
65.50
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Around off, watchfully defended.
65.40
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A length ball outside off, watchfully defended.
65.31
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge past second slip. A single taken.
65.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven towards cover.
65.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. On a length outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way and beats the inside edge.
'C'mon guys, c'mon guys, c'mon guys, put the pressure on, put the pressure on, put the pressure on, we can get two more tonight!' A sleepy Predicto Praky suddenly has his eyeballs pop out on hearing that. '2 more?' he asks. Well, he has got something to look forward in the remaining 26 minutes...
End of Over : 651 RunsENG: 148/3
64.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched towards cover.
64.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
64.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
64.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Landed outside off, a touch wide, let through.
64.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
64.11
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, flicked through square leg for a single.
End of Over : 641 RunsENG: 147/3
63.60
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
63.50
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
63.40
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
63.30
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Full and down the leg side, a wild ball, Stokes lets it go. Tim Paine dives full length to his right and stops it.
63.20
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
63.11
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, played through point for a single.
Kamtishwar - 'Where is Patto? Where is Patto? Where is Patto? Oh looks like Paine has heard me.' Yes. Telepathy, mate. James Pattinson is back on for a final burst. 10-3-19-0 so far.
End of Over : 630 RunsENG: 146/3
62.60
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.
62.50
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
62.40
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, Stokes lets it go. Don't think he picked it. Guess he expected it to turn away but it was an arm ball. Just grazed off stump.
62.30
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
62.20
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
62.10
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
End of Over : 621 RunsENG: 146/3
61.61
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Stokes gets off the mark. Down the leg side, nudged through square leg for a single.
61.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Landed outside off, left alone.
61.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A bouncer, at the head, Stokes sways away.
61.30
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, easy to leave.
61.20
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
61.10
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, solidly defended.
End of Over : 614 RunsENG: 145/3
60.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Landed outside off, Joe gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Paine starts to appeal but then keep quiet as the impact is well outside off.
60.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
60.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Oohhh... beaten. Landed outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.
60.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Comes down the track this time and defends.
60.24
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! Nicely played. Full and outside off, Root brings out his reverse sweep and gently laps it through the vacant slip position. There is a leg slip who is now moved to conventional first slip after that shot.
60.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
End of Over : 601 RunsENG: 141/3
59.60
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, shouldered arms to.
59.50
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
59.40
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, angling away, left alone.
Ben Stokes arrives in the middle. He got out playing a very ordinary shot in the last innings and would like to correct that this time around. England have a good platform courtesy the last stand and all he needs to do is to partner his skipper.
59.3W
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. OUT! Finally (in Rock's voice), Australia have managed to break the century partnership. The long and hard persistence from Hazlewood has paid off. A rip-roaring bouncer from him. It lands close to off and there's some steep bounce. It climbs onto the batsman, Denly takes his eyes off the ball but fails to take his gloves away. The ball brushes them and then ricochets off his helmet to Paine. The Aussie skipper grabs the simplest of catches and they all go up in a big appeal. The finger goes up and Denly looks down. He knows what has happened there. Root checks on him to know whether he wants to take the DRS but Denly declines the offer. Wicket number 3 goes down and England need another 218 runs from here to win.
59.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Back of a length ball on off, Denly defends it from the crease.
59.11
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and leg, Root fails to work it around and it goes off his pads to square leg for a leg bye.
End of Over : 590 RunsENG: 140/2
58.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Safe as a house. Full and outside off, Denly drives it straight back to the bowler who fires a throw back at the stumps at the striker's end and hits them. Paine appeals and it is referred upstairs. Replays show that Denly had to scurry back but he is safe.
A run out? Direct hit but Root looks to be in.
58.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
58.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. NOT OUT. Missing leg. Cannot totally blame Paine there. That looked close but the pitch has now started to turn. Full and outside off, Denly looked to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Lyon screams his lungs but umpire Wilson shakes his head. Paine has a chat with his bowler and then takes the review. Tough luck as Ball Tracker shows it to be missing leg.
58.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
58.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
58.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Huge shout for LBW! Turned down. Full and outside off, Denly looks to defend but the ball spins in a long way, hits the pads and then goes to short leg where Marnus Labuschagne dives to his right to take the catch. LBW? Bat-pad?
End of Over : 580 RunsENG: 140/2
57.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
57.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another jaffa! On a length outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball zips past the outside edge again.
57.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, shaping in, Root looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Hazlewood has some chirp which starts into a chatter. Root looks and looks and looks and then gives the cutest smile one can ever see. Even Hazlewood starts to smile. They say, if looks could kill. Here, it is, if looks could woo...
57.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Joe looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
57.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards extra cover where a lazy Matthew Wade refuses to bend. Hence, the ball refuses to stop, goes off his legs and the batsmen think about the single. But the man who wanted to be a pilot if his cricketing career did not shape up, charged to the ball from mid off and Root went back. Usman Khawaja it was.
57.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, blocked towards cover.
End of Over : 571 RunsENG: 140/2
56.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, punched off the back foot back to the G.O.A.T.
56.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
56.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, Denly looks to flick but hits it a bit uppishly. It falls short of the bowler.
56.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, gently paddled through fine leg for a single. 219 more to win. That is the 300th ball faced by this pair. Awesome. Their entire first innings lasted just 27.5 overs.
56.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full again, the skipper lunges and pushes it towards backward point.
56.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root comes forward and defends.
End of Over : 561 RunsENG: 139/2
55.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
55.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Huge caught behind shout, but not out. On a length outside off, Denly looks to defend but the ball jags back in and goes off something to the keeper. Paine throws the ball in the air but does not appeal ferociously. Replays show that the ball hit the pad.
55.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
55.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
55.21
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, Root plays it very late, tapping the ball through gully. Travis Head dives to his right but cannot stop it. Parries it away and concedes a single.
55.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, coming in, defended solidly.
Drinks break. England are going strength from strength and this partnership has put them in a strong position. They still require 221 runs to level the series and hence cannot afford to relax a single bit. Australia have been decent with their bowling efforts but without much success. They will have to stay patient and focus on execution. Good part is that they are not leaking runs and keep England under check in that part. 21 more overs to go before Stumps. Can they pick a wicket or two?
End of Over : 551 RunsENG: 138/2
54.61
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, Root takes it on the full and sweeps it past forward short leg for a run. Catch it was the shout from somewhere but it was well wide.
54.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated and full on off, defended off the front foot.
54.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Inside edge saves Root there! He jumps down the track to play a big shot across the line but misses. Luckily for him, it takes the inner half of his bat, strikes him on the pads and then goes behind. Paine reacts a bit late and it gets deflected off his pads as well to his right. All that allows Root time to return inside the crease. Scary moment.
54.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
54.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Quicker and fuller outside off, Root tries to sweep but misses. The impact is well outside off.
54.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flighted delivery, landing full outside off and spinning back in, Root gets forward to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
End of Over : 540 RunsENG: 137/2
53.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Gets a length ball to angle into the batsman around off, Joe Denly prods forward and defends it back. Maiden!
53.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
53.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
53.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Tim Paine walks forward to have a chat with his bowler and then decides not to take the referral. Hazlewood gets a length ball to move back into the batsman from outside off. Denly shuffles across a bit to defend but misses and is pinged on the back leg. They appeal but it seems too high. The replays confirm that it's going well over the middle stump.
53.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Again the line is outside off, Denly once again makes a watchful leave.
53.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. In the channel outside off, it's left alone by Denly.
End of Over : 532 RunsENG: 137/2
52.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter and on off, defended off the back foot to complete the over.
52.51
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. SECOND TEST FIFTY FOR JOE DENLY and his knock is well appreciated by the home crowd. He has applied himself superbly under pressure and has played his part in this big partnership with the skipper. Reaches to his landmark by easing a full ball with the spin to long on for a run. The bat goes up in acknowledgement.
52.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Flighted delivery, landing full on off and spinning in, Denly blocks it off his front foot.
52.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball around off, Root gets down and across before playing the lap sweep down to fine leg for a run.
52.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated and full on off, this time Root presses forward and defends it back.
52.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter through the air, the length is on the shorter side and there is some slow spin available, Root hangs on the back foot in defense.
Oh... we thought he had gone off. Finally, after an age, Paine turns to Nathan Lyon. 11-0-31-0 so far. But crucially, 15 in 3 since Tea. England have played him much better after that opening Test.
End of Over : 521 RunsENG: 135/2
51.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Around off, on a length, defended solidly to end the over.
51.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fullish and on off, Denly drives it off his front foot to mid off.
51.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
51.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
51.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. MASSIVE INSIDE EDGE! Another onfield decision is overturned, all thanks to the DRS. It's a good delivery to begin with. On a length outside off and since the shine is inside, it heads towards the off stump. Root tries to defend but fails to do so from the middle of his bat. He is thudded on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up. Honestly saying, we spotted an inside edge immediately and Root is also quick to take the review. The Ultra Edge picks a big chunk of wood and Root is safe.
Joe Root has been adjudged LBW. But he has straightaway signalled for the review. Seems to be a massive inside edge. Yup. The first replay confirms it. Huge, massive inside edge.
51.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and outside off, Root plays it down from the crease to point.
End of Over : 519 RunsENG: 134/2
50.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Denly has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 9 from the over, England are scoring freely, without any issues.
50.61
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. No ball called as it's the third bouncer in this over. Cummins bangs it in short around middle, Denly takes evasive action and immediately ducks. Good take by Paine.
50.54
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! In spite of a sliding effort near the fence by Hazlewood. Once again Denly has nicely played it out. Shortish and on middle and leg, Joe moves inside the line and glances it fine down the leg side. Hazlewood tries to stop it but makes contact with the rope and the nut at the same time. The third umpire passes on that verdict to the onfield umpire and a boundary is signalled.
50.44
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! Bang! Right from the middle of the bat. Width on offer outside off, Denly spots the chance to free his arms and throws his hands to it. Connects and connects well to fetch a boundary at deep cover.
50.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short again and it's down the leg side, Denly makes another leave. He knows about the plan they are working on.
The leg gully has gone very fine. Almost at leg slip. The plan of action should be on and around the batsman's rib cage.
50.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Action replay of the last delivery. Once again Denly is content in letting it go.
50.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer around leg, sliding down, Denly easily ducks underneath it.
End of Over : 500 RunsENG: 125/2
49.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Clocks 86.9 mph and delivers it around off, Root blocks again from the crease. Tidy stuff from Josh, a maiden to start his new spell.
49.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Keeps his line on the middle stump line and Root defends it back by staying inside the crease.
49.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A touch short and outside off, at 86 mph, Root plays it late and tries to guide it wide of the slip cordon but the third slip fielder dives across to his right to make the stop.
49.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
49.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This one stays low after moving back into the batsman from a length outside off. Root does well to keep his eyes on the ball till the last second as he defends it towards mid on by going down low.
49.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Fuller in length on off, angling in, Root gets forward and defends it back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood is back on. 11-2-32-1 from him, so far.
End of Over : 494 RunsENG: 125/2
48.61
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins digs in another short delivery, this time it's outside off, Root hooks it across the line, rolls his wrists over the shot and keeps it all along the ground through square leg for a single.
48.51
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short in length again, around middle and leg, Denly plays a nicely controlled glance wide of short backward square leg for a run.
48.41
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on middle, Root helps it through the gap between backward square leg and short leg for one.
A short backward square leg is already there and now a short leg also comes in.
48.31
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish on middle and leg, Denly tries flicking but misses. It brushes his pads and goes to fine leg for a leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood is loosening up. Australia desperately need a breakthrough.
48.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Picks the line of the length delivery is outside off and Denly takes his bat far away from the ball. Easy leave.
48.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good length delivery in the corridor outside off, Denly watches the line closely before leaving it.
End of Over : 481 RunsENG: 121/2
47.61
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Extra bounce on this occasion. On a good length around middle and leg, Denly fails to work it away on the leg side and it deflects off his pads to backward point. A leg bye picked.
47.50
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Presses forward to a full ball moving back into him and then pushes it back to the bowler off the inner half of his blade.
47.40
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Lands it on a length and outside off, going straight on, Denly shoulders arms.
47.30
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Grunts and bowls. Shortish and on top of off, easily defended off the back foot by Denly.
47.20
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Another delivery angling into the batsman, Denly is forward in defense and keeps it out from the outer half of his bat.
47.10
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Too full in length and on off, Denly drives it confidently but finds the mid off fielder.
End of Over : 471 RunsENG: 120/2
46.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Around off, on a full length, Root defends it from the middle of his bat.
46.51
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish ball on middle, rising onto the batsman, Denly gets back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
46.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Cummins tries to tempt Denly into a drive but Joe keeps his patience and makes a leave. Pat smiles.
46.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Very full and spearing in on off, Denly has his bat down in time as he keeps it out safely to mid on.
46.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good leave. On a length and just outside off, shaping in just a hint, Denly covers his stumps and allows it through.
46.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fuller length ball angling in around off, Denly is on the front foot as he pushes it from the middle of the bat to mid on.
End of Over : 461 RunsENG: 119/2
45.60
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Closer to off stump, on a good length, the English skipper plays it down from the back foot. It takes the outer half and rolls to point again.
45.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Nicely played but not in the gap. Pattinson dishes out a length delivery in the zone outside off, Root takes a big stride forward and strokes it with nice timing square of the wicket on the off side. It goes straight to point.
45.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Drops it on a length and just outside off, Root strides forward and pushes it with soft hands to covers.
45.31
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Just a touch short in length on off, Denly goes on his toes and turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
45.20
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Effort ball. Pattinson lets out a grunt and hurls in a short ball around leg, Denly ducks with ease.
45.10
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Too full and too straight, Denly covers the angle and pushes it to mid on.
End of Over : 451 RunsENG: 118/2
44.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins goes short with his length and darts it on off, Root offers a solid back foot defense.
44.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Shortish and on off, angling in, Root allows the ball to meet his bat and taps it down late towards gully.
44.41
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fullish and outside off, Denly leans forward and pushes it with soft hands at covers for one. All too easy at the moment. Australia need to step up their intensity in the field.
44.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Aerial bit safe! Back of a length ball on middle, Denly glances it across the line, it's uppish but drops short of mid-wicket.
44.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Puts it on a full length around off, a hint of inward shape there, Denly lunges to drive but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid on.
44.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Starts with a gentle loosener in the channel wide outside off, Denly has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins (10-3-18-1) returns into the attack, replacing Nathan Lyon.
End of Over : 447 RunsENG: 117/2
43.61
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Nice use of the wrists this time as Denly works it through mid-wicket for a run.
43.51
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Misfield at gully! Shortish and just outside off, Root plays it nice and late to tap it towards Khawaja. He gets down to stop it but there is some uneven bounce. The ball gets deflected behind and the batsmen take a run.
43.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Hurls a good length delivery in the zone outside off, Root covers his stumps and leaves it easily.
43.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, Root sticks on the back foot and taps it down to point.
43.21
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. 100-run stand comes up and the English crowd has gone bonkers! They are just loving this fightback. A delivery angling down the leg side, Denly eases it fine down the leg side for one. Slowly but steadily, England are pushing Australia in a corner with this partnership.
43.14
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. FOUR! Sublime! This time from the bat of Joe Denly. Pattinson delivers it on a length outside off, Joe strides forward and delightfully strokes it through covers. Three fours on the bounce and England are on the charge!
End of Over : 438 RunsENG: 110/2
42.64
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! Down the leg side, Root goes back and gently tickles it to the fine leg fence. The fielder is a bit square and cannot get there! 249 more to win now.
42.54
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! 'ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!' cheers the crowd. Ben Stokes stands up and applauds in the dressing room. Oh, the run machine is back. Two ducks on the bounce, but a hat-trick is avoided and how. Half century for Joe Root, so far so good but the battle is half done. Time for another 50 at least. Full and outside off, Root drives this through the covers and gets the boundary. Raises his bat to acknowledge the applause.
42.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, Root comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.
42.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid on.
42.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Pushes this straight to point.
42.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
End of Over : 421 RunsENG: 102/2
41.61
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Strays down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a single.
41.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and around off, driven straight back. Pattinson flings himself to his right and parries it towards mid on.
41.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, defended to the leg side.
41.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, dabbed straight to gully. 'That is a one-day shot,' chides Nasser Hussain on air. Yes, that shot can be avoided in this format. Especially with people waiting for you to play that and nick one.
41.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A jaffa. The Aussies are getting frustrated. They are bowling well but not getting the edges. This one pitches outside off and then straightens a touch. Root tries his best to defend but the ball scoots past the outside edge.
41.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, solidly defended.
End of Over : 416 RunsENG: 101/2
40.61
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, swept fine for a single.
40.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Joe looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but the impact is outside off.
40.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
40.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Pushes this towards long on for a single to raise huge cheers from the crowd. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND.
40.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
40.14
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. FOUR BYES! That is a grubber. Nothing a batsman can do about that. Or the keeper. Full and outside off, Denly goes right back to defend but the ball shoots low and goes beneath the bat. Paine tries to close his legs and stop that but the ball goes through.
End of Over : 400 RunsENG: 95/2
39.60
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, tight, compact defense from Root.
39.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully driven back. Stopped by the bowler.
39.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Huge, huge shout from Pattinson. Chats for a review. Thoughts ponder. Eventually, with 2 seconds left, the idea is dropped. A length ball outside off, coming in sharply, Root looked to defend but got hit on the pads. It seemed like the ball hit the pad first, but then, thoughts of an inside edge arose as well. Replays show that it was pad first but the impact was outside off.
39.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
39.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards cover.
39.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, Root plays inside the line and is beaten.
James Pattinson to bowl. 5-1-11-0 so far.
End of Over : 395 RunsENG: 95/2
38.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off again, JD smothers the spin watchfully.
38.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball hits the bat, then sneaks between the legs and goes to short leg.
38.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, Denly gets a big stride forward and lets it through.
38.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, tucked through square leg for a single.
38.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
38.14
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. MISFIELD, FOUR! Sloppy start by Australia to the session. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers. Marcus Harris dives over the ball and it goes through.
We're back for the final session of the day. A big one for both teams. Australia would like to make amends and break the ongoing partnership as soon as possible. On the contrary, England will be delighted if Root and Denly manage to see off the day's play. The pitch seems to have eased out a bit after bathing in the sunlight all afternoon and it's now up to the skills of the Aussie bowlers. Nathan Lyon will be crucial. He will be kicking off this session.
... DAY 3, THIRD SESSION ...
On the flip side, the batsmen are coming after a break. Many times, a wicket falls after a break. If that happens, Australia will channel their hunger again. The pitch is not doing much but they will hope to get at least half the side back in the dressing room before they shut their own shop for the day. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT).
The second session is often called as the best one to bat on and England, albeit not making too many runs, have not lost too many wickets either. Now, comes the final session. This is usually a bowler's session but because England have not lost a wicket for so long, it could also mean that Australia are mentally tired and it is now time to feast. 38 overs left in the day, score more than 100 and ensure that the Ashes is still alive come Sunday.
It is often said that Test cricket is a test of one's character. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne showed it on Thursday. Now, it is time for England. Root and Denly came together when the ball was moving like a hoop but to their credit, they gutted it out. Got some edges, got beaten but did not get out. They played on and on, tiring the Aussie bowlers and eventually succeeded in forcing Paine to bring on Marnus Labuschagne, the fifth bowler, which means, the fast bowlers were getting tired. Both the batsmen have faced more than 15 overs, which means that they have understood the pitch by now.
Fantastic session for England. The entire crowd stands up as one and applauds. The run rate is a bit low but who cares when you have 8 sessions to score a shade above 350? That is roughly just 45 a session and they have got more than that. Crucially, they lost just two wickets and those were pretty early, when many predicted that the game would be done today itself. Well, Joe and Joe have played toe to toe and ensured that there is a fight. Actually, more than a fight. We have a game, folks. We have a game.
End of Over : 381 RunsENG: 90/2
37.60
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Very full and outside off, it's pushed off the front foot to covers. That will be TEA ON DAY 3!
37.50
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Tossed up ball landing outside leg, Denly pads it away safely.
37.40
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Full and floated on middle and off, Denly defends it off his front foot.
37.30
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Shout for a bat-pad! Not given and no DRS taken. A leg spinner landing outside leg, Denly offers no shot and takes it on the pads. It deflects then onto his waists and lobs up. Wade catches it in the second attempt as he goes down. No appeal from him but Paine is excited. The umpire stays put and since Wade ain't sure, no technology is taken.
37.21
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Root has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
37.10
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
End of Over : 370 RunsENG: 89/2
36.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Denly has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
36.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer. Ducked. But with a poor technique. He has his bat hanging like a periscope as he crouches. Archer got out doing the same in the first innings.
36.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A delivery around off, Denly pushes it out from the crease to cover-point where Lyon makes a fine stop
36.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fullish and on middle, Denly drives it back beautifully past his partner and mid on mops it up. One Joe wanted a single but the senior Joe turned it down.
36.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. UPPISHHHHH! Safe... Heart in mouth stuff for Joe Denly. Cummins dishes out a back of a length ball on middle and leg and it zips off the surface. Denly is caught in a tangle as he attempts to fend it away. But the ball climbs to gather the splice of his bat and loops in the air. It falls safely behind square leg as Head charges across to his right from mid-wicket. Joe survives a nervy moment.
36.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
End of Over : 362 RunsENG: 89/2
35.60
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Labuschagne gives it a good rip and bowls it full around off, Root leans forward and defends it cautiously.
35.50
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
35.40
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Short and around leg, Root goes deep inside the crease with the pull shot but fails to connect. He gets hit on the thigh pad in the process.
35.32
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Gets it past Head this time. Full and on middle, Root clips it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.
35.20
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Tossed up ball on middle, Root turns it on the leg side from the crease but it goes on one bounce to Head at short leg.
35.10
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Labuschagne bowls a flatter leg spinner from 'round the wicket. It's on middle and defended from the back foot by Joe Root.
Nasser Hussain throws the spotlight on Australia's plan to get rid of Joe Denly in this series. They pepper him with a few bouncers and then leave the cover open, inviting him to drive. Denly has obliged so far in this series and nicked behind. Here too, he has been polite to accept the frequent invitations but has been helped by Lady Luck with the ball either not taking the edge or the edges not carrying and going in gaps.
End of Over : 350 RunsENG: 87/2
34.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Solid this time. Good length ball on off, Denly covers the line and blocks it right under his watchful eyes.
34.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fuller and on off, moving in a bit, Denly tries to play the off drive but it goes off the inner half to mid on.
34.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fantastic take by Tim Paine! Cummins bends his back to dig in a short ball on middle, Denly ducks easily. Paine moves across to his left to collect the ball but it swirls away a bit to his right. Good reaction shown by the Aussie skipper to stick it in his right hand.
34.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Puts it a bit fuller this time, outside off, JD gets on the front foot and pushes it to short cover.
34.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Hurls a good length ball again, this time the channel is outside off and it holds its line a bit, Denly shoulders arms.
34.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Inside edge. Good length ball on off, a hint of inward shape, Denly tries defending from the back foot but it takes the inner half of his blade and strikes him on the pads.
Pat Cummins (8-1-18-1) returns into the attack.
End of Over : 345 RunsENG: 87/2
33.62
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Another back foot square cut by Root and this time he manages to beat backward point. A couple of runs taken. Things going on smoothly at the moment for the hosts. Devil's number for Australia is up on the scoreboard.
33.50
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Quicker one, short and close to off, a late cut by Root finds short third man.
33.41
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Labuschagne drags his length short on off, Denly goes back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
33.31
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Presses forward to a full ball and pushes it with the spin through covers for one.
33.20
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Tossed up ball landing full on off, Root is on the front foot in defense.
33.11
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Lunges to defend but it takes the inside edge and rolls behind square leg for a run.
End of Over : 334 RunsENG: 82/2
32.61
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Some movement there but the line is too straight and it's going down. Denly fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye to close the over, 4 coming off it. This partnership has now moved on to England's first innings score. 277 needed more for a win.
32.51
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Tap and run. Doing it with ease, England. Good length ball close to off, JR plays it with soft hands in front of point and steals a run.
32.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Back of a length delivery on off, Denly stands back and pulls it through backward square leg. Cummins moves across to his left to stop the ball and interestingly, they take just a run.
Pat Cummins is loosening up...
32.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and on off, shaping back in, Denly presents the full face of the bat in defense.
32.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Lands it on a length and close to off stump, Denly pushes it out with an angled bat to point.
32.11
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Angles in a full length ball on off, Root defends it towards covers and scampers across to the other end.
End of Over : 323 RunsENG: 78/2
31.60
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Loopy and full outside off, Denly takes his front leg forward, covers the line and shoulders arms.
31.51
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. A real drag down by Marnus this time. Root uses the depth of his crease and pulls it behind square leg for one.
31.42
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Fine delivery. Full and flighted just outside off, Root lunges to defend but it doesn't spin much and catches the inside edge. The ball races down to fine leg for a couple of runs.
31.30
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Quicker delivery, on middle, Joe remains on the back foot as he defends it down.
31.20
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Once again the length is on the shorter side, Root moves back and defends it to the off side.
31.10
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Flatter and shorter delivery on middle, Root gets back and helps it past short leg to mid-wicket.
Right then, with nothing much happening, Tim Paine has tossed the ball to a part-timer. Marnus Labuschagne to bowl some leg spin. A slip and short leg in place.
End of Over : 319 RunsENG: 75/2
30.64
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! Well played! A pitched up delivery close to off, Denly presses forward, opens the face of his bat, allows the ball to come to him and then quietly guides it past gully. Hazlewood is getting frustrated, lets out some words for the batsman.
30.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Extra movement and bounce off the surface. It's around off, Denly tries working it away but misses. He takes a hit on his thigh pad.
30.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Hazlewood serves it on a fuller length around middle, Root clips it towards mid-wicket where Head dives and parries it towards mid on. A single is stolen.
30.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, shaping in, Joe defends it from the crease.
30.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root hangs on the back foot in defense.
30.14
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Soft edge and FOUR! Huge cheer from the English crowd as the home team goes past their first innings score. A length ball just outside off, Root pushes inside the line with a loose bottom hand and gets it away off the outside edge. It runs through the gap between gully and third slip for a boundary.
End of Over : 301 RunsENG: 66/2
29.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
29.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.
29.41
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
29.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
29.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
29.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder.
End of Over : 291 RunsENG: 65/2
28.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, Denly looks to drive but the ball comes back in and beats the inside edge. Hazlewood feels it is time for some pre-tea chat. Denly is not too keen though.
28.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
28.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. 50-RUN STAND IS UP! It has taken more than 22 overs but it is okay. The message is clear - Do not allow the Aussies in. Tire the fast bowlers out, get the Labuschagnes and the Heads to bowl and then make the opposition's heads roll. Short and outside off, pulled through square leg for the single.
Interesting talk from Shane Warne. He says that after Stumps yesterday, he had a chat with Tim Paine, who recounts an incident before Hazlewood dismissed Jack Leach. The question asked by Paine was about the field setting Joshua would like. The answer, 'I don't care. I am going to bowl two bouncers and then get him out bowled.' And Hazlewood does exactly that. Something even the King Of Spin used to do in his hay days. Anyone remembers how he got out Marlon Samuels and Herschelle Gibbs in the 2000s? Predicted and then got them out in the same fashion. Genius. Legend.
28.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Around off, watchfully defended.
28.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
28.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
End of Over : 281 RunsENG: 64/2
27.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. HOW CLOSE WAS THAT? Full and around middle, Denly comes forward and looks to flick. Gets it towards short leg. Marnus Labuschagne is late to react but the ball ricochets off his pads. Denly is out of his crease and has to hurry back but luckily for him, the ball misses the stumps!
27.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.
27.41
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.
27.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, nicely blocked out.
27.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
27.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, coming in, Root misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
End of Over : 275 RunsENG: 63/2
26.64
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! SMASH! Shot of the innings. That says about England's confidence at the moment. Does not matter if you were 67 all out a day ago. Stay in the present. Make use of the presents as well. Hazlewood offers a Christmas gift, landing a half-tracker outside off and Denly pounces. Swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket. No one moves. Someone fetch that! Under 300 needed to win now.
26.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, let through to the keeper.
26.41
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball comes in, takes the inside edge and squirts to square leg. A single taken.
26.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, let through once again.
26.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
26.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This guy is a machine. And he is bowling to another machine. Nice. Watching Transformers on a sports channel. This bloke has just come off some rest, wandering around somewhere at fine leg or third man but no looseners for him. First ball, in the avenue of apprehension. Makes Root play. Gets the ball to move away and beat the outside edge. Joshua smiles.
It is Josh Hazlewood again. 7-2-14-1 so far. Around 45 minutes to go to Tea.
End of Over : 261 RunsENG: 58/2
25.61
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Goes back and gently nudges it through square leg for a single.
25.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
25.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.
25.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, blocked from the crease.
25.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A short ball, outside off, Root looks to pull but the ball barely comes off the pitch. Takes the under edge and goes to short mid-wicket. Excellent contest going on.
25.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
End of Over : 252 RunsENG: 57/2
24.60
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Played to the point region by the batsman.
24.50
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, JD looks to drive but misses.
24.40
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. A bouncer, this time not that high, Joe ducks.
24.4wd
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. WIDE. A bit harsh on Patto. Banged on a length, it hits the deck and then shoots up well above the batsman's head. My colleague Nabu, watching the replays closely, comments, 'Gosh. That just kicked up way too high!' Yup, mate. Which is why Shane Warne also feels that the umpire was a bit too harsh.
24.30
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Outside off, played straight to point.
24.20
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off, coming back in, Denly is caught in his crease as he looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. Australia appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Ball Tracker shows it to be going over the top.
24.11
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
End of Over : 241 RunsENG: 55/2
23.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
23.51
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on for a quick single.
23.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe looks to play at that but misses.
23.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, tossed up slightly, driven straight to cover once again.
23.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
23.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full snd outside off, Root pads it away. Khawaja and Paine appeal but then stay quiet. Did not quite come back in.
End of Over : 231 RunsENG: 54/2
22.61
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman has been struck on the thigh-pad. They pick up a single. Leg bye given by the umpire.
22.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe initially looks to play but then tries to withdraw his bat. Is beaten as he is late.
22.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, Root looks to push it away from his body but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
22.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Another one down the leg side, flick shot missed again.
22.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, played straight to point.
22.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
End of Over : 221 RunsENG: 53/2
21.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Around off, watchfully defended.
21.50
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
21.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
21.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, swept through square leg for a single.
21.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
21.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
End of Over : 213 RunsENG: 52/2
20.62
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. EDGED, OVER THE SLIP CORDON! A short ball, outside off, Denly looks to fend it off but suddenly, the ball rises, kicking off the seam, takes the top half of the bat and lobs over the slips! Three men run after it and manage to stop it before it touches the ropes. Two runs taken.
20.50
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Ahhh... the patience almost goes. Full and wide outside off, Denly looks to drive but misses. Pattinson smiles.
20.40
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Outside off, dabbed straight to gully.
20.30
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Around off, solidly blocked out.
20.20
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. One more delivery in that play-and-try-to-gift-your-wicket channel, well outside off, Denly is not interested in being a Santa Clause.
20.10
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Wide outside off, fuller in length, let through.
20.1wd
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. WIDE. A wild bouncer, down the leg side, Denly ducks. The umpire wides it and the crowd cheers. 50 UP FOR ENGLAND! They were 6 down when they touched this score yesterday, so the applause. 309 more to win.
End of Over : 202 RunsENG: 49/2
19.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully pushed back.
19.51
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, pushed towards mid on for a run.
19.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
19.31
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.
19.20
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, watchfully defended.
19.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Landed outside off, Root gets back and across, looks to defend but then tries to withdraw his bat. The ball just zips past the outside edge.
DRINKS BREAK. A good passage of play for England. They lost their openers pretty quickly but the two Joes have ensured that there is not a collapse. It has been a good partnership, reading 32, soaking in the pressure and picking bricks out of the target, slowly but surely. Australia have bowled well but these two have tested their patience.
End of Over : 195 RunsENG: 47/2
18.61
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, tapped towards point for a single.
18.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
18.44
James Pattinson to Joe Root. FOUR! A bit of an outside edge but Root will take it. Outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge, goes to ground and explores the gap between second slip and gully.
18.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length outside off, watchfully blocked out.
18.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, blocked solidly.
18.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, defended solidly.
End of Over : 185 RunsENG: 42/2
17.60
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
17.54
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. FOUR! Nice, positive intent! Well, that came out of the blue. Full and outside off, Denly comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over mid off. No power used, just simple placement.
17.40
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Landed outside off, played off the back foot towards point.
17.30
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
17.21
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, flicked behind square leg for a single.
17.10
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it behind point. Travis Head dives full stretch to his left to stop it.
Spin time. Nathan Lyon is back on. Just a solitary over for 4. A slip and a short leg in place.
End of Over : 171 RunsENG: 37/2
16.61
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, on a length, tucked through square leg for a single. Root moves to double figures with that.
16.50
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, moving away, guided straight to gully.
16.40
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
16.30
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length outside off, blocked towards the bowler.
16.20
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, defended solidly.
16.10
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A short ball outside off, Root hops and pushes it towards point.
James Pattinson to bowl now.
End of Over : 160 RunsENG: 36/2
15.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Around middle, pushed towards mid on.
15.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
15.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off, Joe pushes it towards cover and sets off for a non-existent single but is sensibly sent back by Joe Root.
Ricky Ponting on air informs us that Cameron Bancroft is on as a substitute for James Pattinson. Does not reckon he will be on for too long though.
15.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Landed outside off, let through.
15.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
15.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
End of Over : 151 RunsENG: 36/2
14.61
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. The crowd cheers as Denly gets a run. Outside off, coming in, Joe looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge towards mid on. A single taken.
14.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
14.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A bouncer, outside off this time, ducked calmly once more.
14.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
14.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
14.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. ANOTHER ONE DOES NOT BOUNCE. Joe Denly continues to be peppered with short stuff. Again, he takes his eyes off the ball, closing them and ducking ungainly. Gets hit on the left arm. Cummins appeals for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. He wants a review and Paine is interested but others advice him not to go for it as it looks high. Ball Tracker confirms. Going over the stumps. Denly has one thing in his favour for getting hit, if someone blames his technique. We have not seen too many balls misbehave, so indifferent bounce is slowly creeping into the equation now.
End of Over : 144 RunsENG: 35/2
13.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, let through to the keeper again.
13.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A short ball outside off, Joe looks to pull but then bails out. Just a customary man in the deep on the leg side for Root, the fine leg. Probably that is why he thought about going after it initially.
13.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
13.34
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. FOUR! Off the edge but Root need not be entirely unhappy. Full and outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball moves away at the last moment, takes the outside edge, goes along the ground and finds the gap between the slips and gully. Third man fence is the destination. The stand moves to 20.
13.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, this time the skipper lets it be.
13.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to drive but there is no feet movement. A play and a miss.
End of Over : 134 RunsENG: 31/2
12.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another unimpressive bouncer, down the leg side.
12.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. That is a jaffa. On a length outside off, Joe looks to fend it off but the ball jabs back in and goes in between bat and pad, almost cutting him into half.
12.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another one down the leg side, ducked under again.
Third slip is moved to fourth, fourth-and-a-half slip. Ricky Ponting on air wants the deep square leg to be removed as well. He says that Denly's first reaction to a short ball is to close his eyes. So might as well get that square leg to the slip cordon and plug the gap. Michael Holding joins in, says that Paine is almost challenging Denly to buy a lottery ticket of getting the ball through that slip cordon. But there is this gap between the second slip and gully, which, according to these experts, should be plugged. And rightly so.
12.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A bumper, but down the leg side, Joe ducks.
12.24
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! Not too sure Denly was in total control of that shot. A length ball outside off, coming in, Joe looks to defend but is squared up as it moves away late. The ball takes the outside edge and flies through the vacant gully region to the third man fence.
12.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A length ball, around middle, Denly ducks. The ball does not bounce that much.
End of Over : 120 RunsENG: 27/2
11.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
11.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, let through to his counterpart.
11.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, another one cutting in, Root misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.
11.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, let through.
11.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
11.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length outside off, Root looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. Hazlewood appeals but the umpire shakes his head. The bowler is interested in the review but Matthew Wade at some close-in position, immediately shakes his head. Was there any wood involved? Yes. The first replay detects an inside edge onto his pads.
End of Over : 111 RunsENG: 27/2
10.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Around off, defended towards cover.
10.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Excellent delivery, in the blockhole, outside off, watchfully dug out.
The physio is out in the middle again. The good thing is that Joe Denly is smiling. Looks to be a bit jarred as well. This is the first time that an England batsman has been hit on the helmet. It has been or less Aussie batsmen getting hit ever since Jofra Archer has been inducted into the playing XI...
10.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. ON THE HELMET! This has happened for the third time today. A short ball outside off, Denly initially looks to duck but then he does not see the ball at all. He has got nowhere to go and just hopes that the cherry goes above him. Is hit bang on the helmet.
10.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
10.21
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Puts it on a fuller length outside off, it's pushed through covers for a single.
10.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and outside off, left alone.
End of Over : 101 RunsENG: 26/2
9.60
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Close to the off stump this time, on a length, Joe blocks it to the off side.
9.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beaten on the driver! Fuller in length and outside off, Denly decides to go for a big booming cover drive but is beaten as the ball straightens after landing.
9.40
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A bouncer on middle, Denly ducks.
9.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Driven through the covers by the batsman.
9.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length and outside off, Denly shoulders arms to it.
9.11
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root goes deep in his crease as he gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket for a single.
End of Over : 90 RunsENG: 25/2
8.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Lands it close to the off stump and it shapes back in, Joe keeps his weight on the back leg and defends it safely.
8.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer around leg, Denly ducks underneath it.
8.40
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short in length and wide outside off, an easy leave this time.
8.30
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Beaten! Peach of a delivery. Cummins gets a length ball to angle into the batsman around off, Denly is forced forward in defense but it nips away ever so slightly to beat the outside edge.
8.20
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Hurls in a length delivery again, this time outside off, Joe shoulders arms.
8.10
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Back of a length ball around off, Denly pushes at it tamely but misses.
End of Over : 86 RunsENG: 25/2
7.63
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Overpitched and driven straight down the ground. Hazlewood goes full and Denly displays a straight bat to drive it past the mid off fielder. The fielder from mid off and mid on run and the former mops it up. Another three for England.
7.50
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length ball outside off, Denly looks to defend it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
7.43
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Short in length and outside off, Root slashes his bat at it and places his shot at backward point. The fielder there gets some hand on it and hence the ball slows down before the fence. The batsmen take three.
7.30
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball and outside off, Root defends it with the full face of the bat.
7.20
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Play and a miss. It's quite evident that Root is struggling for runs. He gets sucked into this length ball outside off, but cannot lay bat on it.
7.10
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root is late in bringing his bat down but defends it within the crease at the last moment.
End of Over : 74 RunsENG: 19/2
6.60
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish ball around middle and off, Denly defends it from the back foot. End of a successful over from Cummins.
6.50
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer this time! But the line is down the leg side and hence it's an easy leave for the new batsman.
6.44
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. STREAKY FOUR! Nervy beginning for Denly. Cummins lands it on a length close to the off stump line and gets it to move away just a shade. A moment of indecision there from Denly as he decides late to make a leave. But before he could withdraw his bat, it has taken the bottom edge and sped right through the slip cordon for a boundary behind. Denly is off the mark in a lucky manner.
Joe Denly arrives in the middle. He was the only English batsman to get a score in double digits in the first innings.
6.3W
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. OUT! Stumps shattered! Roy's misery in plain clothes continues. England in early trouble yet again. Cummins is the bowler this time. He makes full use of the lack of footwork from Jason Roy. Excellent delivery, on a fuller length, straighter in line and nipping away just enough to beat Roy's defense. It whizzes past the outside edge and cannons onto the stumps. Jason trudges back.
6.20
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and on off, Roy is on the front foot to defend.
What happened there? It seems Jason Roy was not ready and Hazlewood was already mid-way through his run-up. Josh has to pull out and reload.
6.10
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and around off, Roy punches it to point off the outside half of his bat.
Joe Root is in next at 3. Two back-to-back ducks behind him and he is under pressure.
End of Over : 62 RunsENG: 15/1
5.6W
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. OUT! Caught at first slip! Hazlewood draws first blood with an exceptional delivery! Back of a length ball on middle and off, nipping away after landing, Burns sticks back to defend but it takes the outer edge of his willow and flies straight into the hands of Warner. David in no mood to drop anything coming his way in this Test match, fifth grab for him. Big blow to England as their in-form batsman is sent packing early.
5.52
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fullish and outside off, Burns drives it through point for a couple of runs.
5.40
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Burns now makes the mistake of playing the ball outside off. But luckily for him, the ball does not shave the wood on its way to the keeper.
5.30
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Short and outside off, Burns ducks under it comfortably.
5.20
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns defends by coming right behind the line of the delivery.
5.10
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On a length and around off, Burns is solid as he defends it off his back foot.
Josh Hazlewood returns from this end.
End of Over : 52 RunsENG: 13/0
4.60
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Ohhh! Almost a replica of the first innings dismissal. Roy goes fetching for the ball which is way outside off but luckily does not connect and the ball goes past the outside edge.
4.52
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and on the pads, Roy flicks it past the square leg fielder for a couple.
4.40
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. An appeal for a caught behind but the umpire turns it down. Cummins bowls one on a length and gets some extra purchase too. The ball goes past the inside edge and on its way to the keeper after flicking the trousers. The Australian players appeal but the umpire says no.
4.30
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Short of a length and coming in, Roy is in two minds as he fends that from within the crease and the ball takes the inside edge once again and goes to the leg side.
4.20
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and around off, Roy defends with a strong forward defense.
4.10
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and a hint of inward movement, Roy comes on the front foot and defends it off the inner half to the leg side.
Welcome back for the afternoon session. The England batsmen have a task in hand and have a lot of time too. The Australian bowling would come out firing. With some rough patches there on the pitch it needs to be seen what does Lyon have in store for the English line-up. The pitch is still good for the pacers. Let's see how things go from here.
... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...
Safely negotiated! England will be relieved that there was no casualty in the brief period before Lunch. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were getting good movement and bounce from the surface and they would be eager to return on the field and put the English batsmen to test. From England's point of view, they will be planning to take it session by session. In total, 8 sessions are left and the remaining 348 runs can be chased down. But if you include the challenge of this pitch and the ordinary form of the England batting department, it becomes really challenging. Can the hosts step up with the bat and keep their Ashes hopes alive? Do join us in a short while for the post Lunch session.
End of Over : 44 RunsENG: 11/0
3.61
Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Flighted delivery, landing full on middle, Jason eases it down through mid on for a single. Lunch on Day 3!
Jason Roy making sure it's the last ball before Lunch. He is taking his own sweet time in marking his guard.
3.51
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Short delivery, outside off, Burns rocks back and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.
3.40
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Nicely tossed up delivery, full and on off, Burns defends it from the outer half of his bat.
Some movement near the sightscreen. Rory Burns wants the spectators to settle down.
3.30
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Floated and full on middle, it's defended off the inner half to mid-wicket.
3.20
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Spin and bounce, it's short and outside off, Burns mistimes his back foot punch to covers.
3.12
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Loopy and full on middle, it grips and spins a bit, Burns flicks it in front of square leg for a couple of runs.
Spin time! Nathan Lyon to bowl the fourth over of this innings. A slip in place along with a silly point.
End of Over : 34 RunsENG: 7/0
2.60
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. A length ball on off, Roy is on the front foot as he plays a confident drive. Finds the short cover fielder though.
2.50
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Hurls in a good length ball in the zone outside off, Jason makes a watchful leave much to the crowd's delight.
2.44
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. FOUR! Streaky! But the crowd loved it! Cummins spears in a fuller length ball on off, angling in and it straightens after pitching, Roy tries playing straight but ends up slicing it off the outside half through cover-point.
2.30
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Shortish and close to off, moving back in sharply, Roy shoulders arms and it heads over his off stump. Brave leave.
2.20
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Identical to the last delivery, once again Jason blocks it from the back foot. He is trying to play nice and late. But needs to watch out for the late movement.
2.10
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good length ball on off, Roy defends it off his back foot to the off side.
End of Over : 21 RunsENG: 3/0
1.60
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fullish and on middle, Burns gets forward a bit and pushes it down to mid on.
1.50
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shortish and on off, blocked off the back foot by Burns.
1.40
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
1.30
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. A little bit of movement. Hazlewood lands it on a length close to leg, Burns tries to flick but there is some extra bounce. It beats Rory's bat and strikes him on the back thigh.
1.21
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Once again the length is a bit short and it angles into the batsman from around off. Roy moves back and plays it with gentle hands. It takes the inner half and runs behind square leg for a run.
1.10
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball close to off, Roy remains on the back foot and taps it down to backward point.
Josh Hazlewood, the star of the show in the first innings, is ready to bowl again. Three slips and a gully waiting.
End of Over : 12 RunsENG: 2/0
0.62
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. England's chase is underway! Cummins serves one on middle and leg, Rory clips it through square leg and returns for the second run.
0.50
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Much better from Rory Burns. He watches the line closely which is wide outside off. Lifts his bat up and shoulders arms.
0.40
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Excellent delivery. This time Cummins has angled in a full length ball. It's closer to off this time, Burns is drawn forward in defense but the ball whistles past the outside edge.
0.30
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins delivers it a touch short and outside off, gets it to move away, Burns keeps his bat close to his body and makes a leave.
Physio comes out! Rory Burns' right thumb is bleeding after taking that blow. He gets the affected area taped but is still feeling some discomfort while putting the gloves. He wants more taping. This is taking too long. Anyway, all done down and Rory gets ready to face Cummins again.
0.20
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Nearly a catch to short leg! Cummins darts in a length ball around off and gets it to move back in with some extra bounce. Burns tries to defend but it takes his gloves and lobs in front of short leg. It falls short of Wade there.
0.10
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Pat Cummins begins from 'round the wicket and hurls in a short ball outside off, Burns crouches and allows it through.
Australia vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - Test Commentary
All is not lost for Australia also. They have an excellent pace-bowling trio, who are capable of inflicting the same damage that England's bowlers did. Although, they won't be getting the same amount of assistance and it will come down to their skills and accuracy. We are not far away from the English reply, switch to the second innings for all the ball-by-ball updates.
Coming to Day 1 of this Test match, it was a rain-truncated day, where only 53 overs were possible still, we got to see some quality cricket wherein England were successful in bundling Australia under 200 which has given the hosts the upper hand and with conditions expected to ease out for batting, the English batsmen can make merry. The conditions on day one demanded a lot of application which the Australian batsmen, barring Warner and Labuschagne, failed to show. But the English have the problems of their own where their skipper has failed to inspire and the rest of the team has been found wanting for runs.
Hello and welcome folks to the coverage of Day 2 of the 3rd Ashes Test. First things first, the talking point of this English summer has been the weather. So for all the cricket lovers across the globe, the good news is that the weather for the remaining four days of this Test match is said to be clear with no signs of rains.
... DAY 2 SESSION 1 ...
Right then! 179? Ummm... one would have to admit that England are not only on top but have the trump card of the best batting conditions over the next two days. The start-stop did not help the Aussies but they will always look back at the century stand and ponder what went wrong. They are well behind the 8-ball and unless they restrict England under 225, they might well be looking at this as a 2-match series with all square. Join us at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 2. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Marnus Labuschagne - the silver lining in Australia's batting cloud. Like Jofra has been for England, the South African born has strut his stuff for the Aussies. He has not made the absence of Steven Smith felt with the bat at least but one understands that had the former skipper been there, he would have taken matters in his hands once Warner got out. That is the difference between the first innings of the first Test and the first innings of this one.
Time to talk about the new sensation, Jofra Archer. England were banking on him and he delivered. And how. Every time Joe Root threw the ball to him, something happened. Well, outside the century partnership of course. But is Root overdoing his usage of the West Indian born? After all, he is a human being. Needs to be careful that he does not kill the goose with the golden egg. Broad, who is always brilliant in Anderson's absence was excellent but unlucky. The others did well, but were not required much.
It was at this point of time that England's bowling started to go awry. It looked like Australia were taking the game away but Archer came back and dismissed Warner. The rest as they say is history. Just three men managed double figures, in Warner, Labuschagne and Paine. The remaining 8, just contributed 20 amongst themselves.
Tim Paine must have known that the writing was on the wall when he was asked to bat in overcast conditions. And when his side slipped to 25/2 in the 9th over, memories of a low first innings score came to mind. But in stepped David Warner and the new number 4 - Marnus Labuschagne. The duo played the first 30 minutes watchfully and then after the second rain break, just opened its shoulders.
What a poor decision to bowl after winning the toss on a flat pitch! Says who? Says who? Says who? Come again! At 136/2 in the 31st over, it looked like England were in for some strong leather hunt. But Warner's wicket turned the tide as Australia lost their last 8 wickets for just 43 runs. An unbelievable collapse.
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. OUT! LBW! That ends the innings in the last over of the day. Full and around off, swinging in, Lyon gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Archer appeals and umpire Gaffaney does not take much time to raise his finger. No reviews left but it would not have mattered. Ball Tracker shows it to be hitting leg. AUSTRALIA BOWLED OUT FOR 179!
Cheers from the crowd as Jofra Archer bowls the final over of the day.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Full and around off, flicked past short leg for a run.
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. A length ball, down the leg side, Hazlewood looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads.
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. 5 minutes to go for Stumps.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! LBW! Bizarre review from Labuschagne. Probably he just took a chance. It always looked plumb to the naked eye and with covered eyes taking technology's aid, it ain't looking any less plumb. A full toss, in line of the stumps, Labuschagne looked to work it to the leg side but was beaten by the late dip. He got hit on the pads and Stokes started to celebrate before appealing. Umpire Wilson took his time but then raised his finger. Labuschagne immediately took the review and so surprising it was that even Jonny Bairstow asked him, 'Mate, did you hit it?' Don't know what Labuschagne replied but when the Ultra Edge was queried at the time the ball passed the bat, there was no spike. After that, it became pretty clear what Ball Tracker was going to show. Three reds. Labuschagne shakes his head as he walks off but he has to go. End of a terrific innings.
Marnus Labuschagne has been adjudged LBW! He straightaway reviews though. Looks dead plumb. And Ball Tracking does not disappoint. Dead duck.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Safe as a house. Full and around off, Labuschagne works it through mid-wicket and calls for two. Lyon has to stretch a bit as Buttler it is who is haring across and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. They refer it upstairs and replays show that Lyon is well in.
A direct hit! Is Lyon short? Jos Buttler is the fielder. Here come the replays. Naah... Lyon is well in.
Archer gets some rest at last. Here comes Ben Stokes. 8-0-41-0 so far. Nice time to open his account.
Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Landed outside off, Lyon gets across and defends.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, swinging in, Labuschagne is late in getting his bat down and the ball goes off the inside edge behind square leg. Marnus wants two but Archer attacks the ball, which makes it difficult for the plan to be executed. Just a single.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, on a length, defended from the crease.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, solidly defended.
15 minutes to go for Stumps. Nathan Lyon walks in at number 10.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. OUT! Caught behind! The decision stays as it is and Cummins looks nonplussed. Full and outside off, Pat looks to drive but misses. There is a noise as the ball goes past and umpire Joel Wilson raises his finger. Cummins immediately reviews and now, here comes the joke. There are two noises heard - one before the ball even comes near the bat and the second, after the ball passes the bat. Ultra Edge is called for and it shows two spikes - one before the ball is a centimetre away from the bat and the one after the ball passes the willow! That is good enough for the third umpire who supports his mate downstairs. Cummins is surprised but has to walk back.
Has Jofra got five? Cummins has been adjudged caught behind. But he has sent it upstairs. Here come the replays. Ultra Edge detects a big spike as the ball passes the bat. Well bowled, Jofra!
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. NO BALL! Archer oversteps as he bowls a length ball outside off, Cummins slashes but misses.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, watchfully kept out.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Landed outside off, watchfully left alone.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Full and outside off, Cummins just about gets his bat down in time to defend it towards the off side.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bit wide outside off, let through.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, solidly blocked out.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, left alone again.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, shouldered arms to.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. The full ball, very full, swinging in, PC looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. A short ball outside off, Cummins sways away.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. Outside off, on a length, Patrick has a feel for it but misses.
Jofra Archer to Pat Cummins. A length ball outside off, Cummins just about gets his bat down in time to defend.
Four wickets in the bag pf Jofra but the legend Michael Holding (on air) still feels that there isn't enough fire in his effort! The West Indian backs that statement with good evidence. He compares the delivery point of Archer at Lord's with Headingley. Jofra's head was going ahead of the popping crease at the time of delivery at Lord's but here, it's staying behind. That's the sign which has prompted Holding to comment so. Earlier, Ian Bishop has also expressed his concern over preserving Jofra Archer and managing his workload. When you are young, you don't realize but others around who are experienced must be using this raw talent with a bit of smartness.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, coming in with the angle, ML has his stumps covered and lets the ball go on height.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, Marnus gets across and pushes it towards mid on.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Brave leave. Or he knows where his off stump is. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms but the ball jags back in. Just about misses the off stump.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, left alone.
Amidst fading light, here comes Pat Cummins.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. OUT! Edged to first slip! Archer has four. He looks out of gas but finds something every now and then in his tank. Jofra lands this on a length outside off and then gets it to come back in with the angle. Pattinson looks like he has covered the line but while getting his bat down it hits his pad. That might be a signal that the willow came down a bit late. The ball takes the outside edge, on the higher part of the bat and goes straight to Joe Root at first slip who takes the catch near his chest.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, watchfully defended. That almost sneaked through.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, Labuschagne tucks it to the leg side and scampers through for a quick run.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Outside off, played straight to point.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, worked wide of mid on, to his right. Jofra Archer lumbers across and allows the second easily. Labuschagne moves to 70.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Not totally controlled. Full and outside off, Labuschagne reaches out and looks to drive through point but the ball squirts off the outside edge behind point instead. Gets the boundary he was looking for.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Down the leg side, nudged fine for a single.
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
The umpires take the light metre out. However, they are continuing out there. Certainly not the best time to bat.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball outside off, Marnus hops and cuts it towards backward point.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. Chris Woakes gives it a good chase from mid on to his right but while trying to return the ball, slips and that makes the second, looking extremely dicey at one stage, easily possible. Pattinson took a late call to go for the second and a better throw to Archer would have had Pattinson short.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball, on and around off, Marnus remains on the back foot in defense.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Labuschagne tries to flick but misses.
Into the bowlers. Or shall we say, tail? James Pattinson is the first of those. Given the conditions and the time left, we might well see England come out to bat tonight itself. Here comes the man who can make that possible. Jofra Archer. In line for a 5-fer. 13-2-40-3 so far.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. OUT! It's hitting leg! After mixing up his variations in this over, Woakes finally nails the batsman with an inswinger. The decision is overturned and the Aussie skipper is on his bike. Chris delivers a length ball on off and gets it to nip back in sharply. Paine is caught on the back foot as he tries to play across the line. But he fails in his attempt and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Joe Root decides to review the decision and the Hawk Eye returns three reds. The brief resistance is over and Australia are in a serious danger of getting bundled out under 200. A wicket maiden for Chris Woakes on his return.
Paine has been pinged on the pads! NOT OUT, says Gaffaney. Root has a chat with his bowler and keeper and takes the review. Here comes Ball Tracker. Hitting leg stump and the Australian skipper is gone! Beautiful use of the review by his counterpart.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Delivers it on a length outside off, Paine makes a watchful leave.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. On and around off, Paine is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
More disturbance. Seems like there is a gentleman in the row above the sightscreen who is standing and disturbing Paine. Tim gestures him to sit and after some time, the gentleman sits down.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Inswinger this time. Landing on a length outside off, shaping in, Paine has nothing to do with it.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. A hint of away movement there, from a length around off, another good leave by Paine.
Woakes comes running in but Paine stops him midway. Looks like there is some movement behind the sightscreen. Peter Siddle takes the initiative of getting whoever it was, away from the line of action.
Chris Woakes to Tim Paine. Good length delivery close to the off stump line, Paine stays back to cover the line and then shoulders arms.
Chris Woakes to bowl after the mini-break. 7-1-43-0, strangely he has been very expensive today.
Drinks break. Excellent comeback from England after a century partnership between David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. Once again it was Jofra Archer who brought them back with an exemplary spell where he removed Warner and Wade in quick succession. Broad picked the other wicket to fall in this session. Australia are placed in a tight situation and need yet another partnership to revive their innings. So far, Paine has done a good job along with Labuschagne and the aim of this pair will be to see off the day's play without any more casualty. Another hour left. Let's see how it goes.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around off, Labuschagne stays on the back foot and defends it towards cover-point.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish length ball on off, Marnus pulls it from the front foot to deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length outside off, Labuschagne has an easy leave.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and outside off, Marnus shapes up for the pull shot but then pulls out.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good chase and stop by Rory Burns. An outswinger around off, Marnus sticks back to play at it but it takes the outside edge and speeds past Burns at gully. He chases it down near the fence and the batsmen take three runs.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outswinger this time, wide outside off, it's left alone by ML.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Some appreciable seam movement there. But the line is down the leg side, Marnus tries to flick but misses.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Much better! Broad sticks to the same line and length, this time Labuschagne is more watchful and leaves it alone.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten on the drive! Full in length and outside off, tempting the batsman into a drive, Marnus is lucky not to have edged it.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Movement back into the batsman, Paine does well to pick it and works it through mid-wicket for a couple.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGED AND FOUR! Excellent delivery by Stokes. He hurls in a back of a length ball around off and Labuschagne goes back to defend it. But he gets squared up while doing so and the outside edge flies past the diving Rory Burns at gully for a boundary. The fielder picked that early but could not do anything.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. 150 up for Australia! Sliding down the leg side, Paine eases it down to fine leg for a run. There was a thought about the second run but then they decide against it.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Fuller length delivery in the channel outside off, holding its line, Paine allows it through to the keeper.
Labuschange is back up. But he is shaking his head and gritting his teeth. No one can do anything about this. He is doing a few situps for the time being.
The physio is out in the middle. Not sure what can he do! Just give some words of comfort perhaps. Ben Stokes who got hit in the same region in the last match, is scratching his head and is the only man who is beside Labuschagne and Paine. No other English player is even remotely interested. The umpires meanwhile have a chat with one another. Focus now shifts to Labuschagne again. He looks in terrible pain and it might be a while before we get going.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Ouch! That would have hurt! Marnus Labuschagne is in immense pain. He is crawling inside the crease before going flat on the ground to catch some breath. Fractionally short in length around off, nipping in and beating the bat of Marnus. He takes a blow on the box and immediately goes down. Broad has no sympathy to show here as he gets back, collects his hat and moves away. We can see the physio coming out now. What will he do?
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Short of a length delivery on middle and leg, Paine drags his attempted pull shot down to fine leg for a run.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Fullish and on off, Tim has a straight bat down in defense.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length on middle, Labuschagne pulls it down to the left of fine leg and takes just a run. Should have been two. Poor running.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Good length ball close to off, Paine stays back to defend but it takes the inner half and runs down to fine leg for a run.
The sun is out now. Looks like we will definitely play till 7.30 pm local. (1830 GMT). There are around 19 overs left after this.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Very full in length around off, Paine covers the line and blocks it solidly.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length delivery just outside off, holding its line, Labuschagne withdraws his bat at the last point.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Nice and straight this time by Stokes. Marnus defends it from the crease to mid on.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Good length ball on middle, Paine turns it off his pads through square leg for a run.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Some movement on this delivery. It shapes away after landing. But the line is too wide outside off to trouble the batsman.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Good length delivery just outside off, not enough movement, Paine lets it through to Jonny.
Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Starts well. Puts a length ball in the channel outside off, Tim is forward to cover the line and then makes a leave.
Ben Stokes is back on, replacing Jofra Archer. Ben was expensive in his first spell, going for 30 in 5 overs. Redemption time?
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Marnus drives but finds the extra cover fielder.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On and around off, Labuschagne covers the line and blocks.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. In the zone outside off, Marnus shoulders arms.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Drifting down the leg side, Labuschagne tries flicking but misses.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Back of a length ball around off, shaping in, Paine covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. In the channel outside off, allowed through to Jonny.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. FOUR! A confidence booster! Archer pitches it up and around off, Paine takes a positive stride forward and unfurls a lovely off drive for a boundary. This will make the Aussie skipper feel a lot better about himself.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Leading edge saves Tim Paine! Archer spears in a very full ball on middle, Paine brings his bat down just in time. On the point of impact, his willow turns and the ball takes the leading edge. It then rolls safely to covers. Archer is bowling with a lot of fire at the moment.
Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Hurls in a good length delivery outside off, Paine has nothing to do with it.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another watchful leave outside the off stump by Marnus.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length and wide outside off, an easy leave for Marnus.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. On the pads, Paine tickles it fine down the leg side and collects a single to open his account. After two ducks, it's a welcome sight for the Aussie fans.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Delivers it on a length and outside off, Tim shoulders arms.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length around off, Labuschagne nicely gets on top of the bounce and pulls it in front of square leg for a single.
The side is in pain and in comes Tim Paine. A captain's knock is needed since eternity. Could today be the day?
Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. OUT! BOWLED ROUND HIS LEGS! One can feel unlucky for Matthew Wade. But Jofra will take it. A length ball, down the leg side, Matthew gets across to tuck but is beaten by pace. He is caught on the thigh pads, and falls over. Sadly for him, the ball clips his pads, hits the bat and then rolls back. Trickle, trickle, trickle and onto the stumps. My colleague Kamtishwar calls that an own goal. Fancy term. Archer has his third and Australia have lost 3/3 in 15 balls!
Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. HALF CENTURY FOR MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE! His second in as many innings. Come in as a substitute for the great Steven Smith, he has certainly not done any harm to his Test future. Another gutsy knock. Gets there with a gentle push through the covers and takes a single. A solid display once more. Raises his bat to the dressing room. Can he double this?
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball down the leg side, Marnus lets it go.
Umpire Joel Wilson isn't a popular man anyway and now he is seen checking the light meter. The crowd starts to boo. Marnus Labuschagne is just ready to head off but nooo, Wilson decides that it's good enough to carry on. Boos turn into cheers and Joel wins a few fans here. Keep playing...
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball outside off, Labuschagne hops to cut but is cramped for room. The ball hits his glove and drops down in front of gully.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer down the leg side, Labuschagne ducks.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Good length delivery outside off, Wade makes a watchful leave.
Matthew Wade is in next with Australia going downhill again.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. OUT! What a sight for a fast bowler! Kissing the top of off stump. A duck for Travis Head. Spectacular delivery by Broad. Told you, outswingers close to off stump from 'round the wicket line are very tough to negotiate. Stuart has dished it out in the line of the off stump and gets it to move just enough to beat the outside edge of Head's bat. The southpaw didn't cover the line too well there. Could have done better. But he got squared up while playing the trajectory of the ball. The ball clips the top of off stump and Head hears the death rattle loud and clear. Broad is up and running in joy. The crowd rejoice. Two quick wickets have brought England back in the contest again.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Beauty by Broad! He has bowled such gems all day. An outswinger close to off stump, unplayable. Head tries his best to defend but misses.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Broad moves to 'round the wicket for Travis Head. He delivers it on a length outside off, Travis calmly allows it through.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length on off, Marnus pulls it with the angle to deep square leg for a run. Interestingly, there is a sweeper in the deep on the leg side. Plan is to bounce him out?
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full length delivery, it's served wide outside off, Labuschagne is patient enough not to chase it.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Another play and a miss to end a terrific over from Jofra Archer. 11-2-35-2 so far.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length outside off, Head flirts with it but is beaten by the away movement.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. A length ball outside off, left alone. THIS IS A NO BALL as Archer oversteps. Good for him that he was fine on the previous ball.
Travis Head walks in next at number 5 after a century partnership.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. OUT! Caught behind! No review this time. A legal delivery. A wicket at last. Nelson, surprisingly, has struck for England this time. The partnership was worth 111 and had taken just 137 balls before this one and was rocking the run rate up. Archer brings the crowd back to life. How similar are Warner and Harris when they bat? Very. Stance, stroke-making, footwork, running, you name it. And who dismisses both? One man - Jofra Archer. Mode of dismissal, both identical. Both jaffas. The Harris one had some extra bounce. This one did not have that much bounce but plenty of movement. On a length outside off, Warner stays back to defend. The ball comes in with the angle but then straightens a touch, to square the opener up. Takes the outside edge and Jonny Bairstow does the rest. No century for Warner again. He looked in the mood tonight. But England are up and running. Is a collapse around the corner now? They check for the overstepping but the West Indian is fine.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Outside off, moving away, a play and a miss.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. A bouncer on middle, David ducks in time.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely done by Jos Buttler. My colleague was asking four hours ago (how time flies), where is Jos Buttler? There he is. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. Jos Buttler gives it a chase from short mid-wicket and dives full length to pull the ball back in. Three runs taken. The stand moves to 111 from 135 balls.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full and wide outside off, Warner plants his front foot forward and then makes a leave.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. NOTHING ON THE ULTRA EDGE! Not for the first time that the umpire is seen getting his decision overturned in this Test series. Warner was very confident right from the beginning and the replays have vindicated his decision to take the DRS. Excellent delivery to begin with. It's an outswinger which has troubled Warner quite often in this innings. Broad has planted his delivery in the off stump channel and Warner is forced to play the line. But the ball changes its direction just a shade to beat his bat. There is some sound though, the English players are jumping up and down in an appeal and then the next frame shows Broad pumping his fists in celebration. The finger has gone up. But David is going nowhere, he knows that he has not edged it and gets the decision changed by using the technology.
Edged and taken! At last, a wicket for England. Warner has been adjudged caught behind. However, he has taken the review. In a bit of anger too. As if to say to Labuschagne, 'Mate, no way I hit that!' Here comes Ultra Edge. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. When ball goes past bat, nothing. When bat goes past pad, nothing. What was the noise? Another decision overturned...
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lands it on a length outside off, Warner allows it through this time.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full in length and on off, Warner closes the face of his bat in time and helps it through backward square leg for a couple of runs.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Shout for an lbw! Good length ball on middle and leg, angling down with some extra bounce, David tries to glance from the back foot but fails to connect. He is hit high on the pads, Broad appeals but he is the only one doing so. Turned down by the umpire.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Wrong line to begin a new spell. Angling down the leg side, Warner tries to work it away but misses.
Stuart Broad returns to partner Jofra Archer again. 8-3-21-1, so far from him.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Poor ball and punished! Short in length and wide outside off, Marnus camps back and whacks it through backward point for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Superbly negotiated. Top technique. Archer bangs in a well-directed short ball, Labuschagne sticks on the back foot, keeps his eyes on the ball, drops his wrists and then allows it through.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Warner fails to work it around and it goes off his thigh pad to fine leg. A leg bye is taken.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Jofra switches to 'round the wicket now and angles in a full ball around off. Warner pushes it with soft hands towards mid off, comes a few steps ahead and then shouts 'wait on'.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Warner has donned the attacking mode now, it appears! Archer digs in a short ball just outside off, David leans back and slams it over point for a couple. 100-run stand comes up!
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, Warner goes chasing after it but misses.
England losing the grip over this Test match and Joe Root dials Jofra Archer! 9-2-25-1, so far.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Slips a length ball down the leg side, this time Marnus fails to get any bat behind it.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, easily left.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Australia are getting a bad ball now almost every over! The current run rate is 4.32, that's impressive under these conditions. Sliding down the leg side, Marnus Labuschagne helps it fine off his pads to the boundary line.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Well left! Woakes hurls in a length ball just outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps well and then shoulders arms.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball on off, angling in, Marnus keeps his bat close to his body and plays it out to mid on.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Eased away! A full toss outside off, a hint of away movement in the air, Warner just opens the face of his bat and guides it wide of backward point for a boundary. 12 from the over, Australia are going on nicely at the moment.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Up and over backward point! 30th Test fifty for David Warner, but most importantly, his first in this series. He raises his bat towards the Aussie dressing room. Some boos from the crowd, as has been the case with this moralistic English crowd. Anyway, David has stepped up in the absence of Steven Smith. A length ball around off, angling away, Warner pushes at it early and hence fails to control his shot. It flies and evades the leaping backward point fielder for a boundary. Fine knock so far but he cannot afford to relax under these demanding conditions. Go on, get a big hundred and silence everyone with your bat.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Good length ball on middle and off, Warner stays back footed and defends it watchfully.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. FOUR! Bang! Short and wide outside off, Warner rocks back, latches onto it and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for a cracking boundary. Moves to 49 now.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Very full in length around off, Warner leans forward and pushes it out to covers.
Change of shoes for Marnus Labuschagne.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, shaping away, Marnus allows it through to complete the over.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Woakes is a bit too straight in his line, Labuschagne gets his front leg forward and then flicks it superbly off his pads through square leg. The partnership is now 17 short of a century.
What happened there? Labuschagne delays things a bit. Picks out something out of his shoe. What's that? A spike? That is our guess. Hands it to umpire Joel Wilson who comes rushing in.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. This one is too wide outside off to make the batsman play.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Marnus tickles it down towards fine leg for a run. The deep fielder takes it casually, doesn't give the charge and the batsmen steal the second run also.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. FIVE RUNS! England in charity mood at the moment! A length ball on middle and leg, Warner tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls behind square leg and they cross for a run. The fielder there has a shy at the striker's end but is not balanced. He misses the stumps and Jason Roy also misses to back up the throw with a dive. Bonus runs for Australia, 100 comes up!
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A muted appeal for a caught behind! Good length delivery on middle and leg, drifting down further, Labuschagne gets forward and across to attempt for the flick shot but fails to connect. It goes behind with some sound and Bairstow dives across to his left to collect the ball. The replays show that it clipped the trousers of Marnus.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! Labuschagne ducks underneath it with ease.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Controlled pull shot! Stokes digs in a short delivery, Labuschagne fetches it from outside off and pulls it off his front foot. Doesn't middle it the way he wanted to but still it races away through square leg for a boundary.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Woakes delivers it on a length in the line of the stumps. The ball lands and straightens and pings Warner on the back leg as he fails to defend. The appeal is made but not entertained. Either an inside edge or too high. No replays shown. So your guess is as good as mine.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Serves it on a length around leg, Warner is on his toes as he taps it down in front of square leg.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. On a length and around off, angling away from the batsman, Warner feels for it and misses.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Warner defends it from the crease to mid-wicket.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Hurls in a fuller length ball close to off, shaping in, Labuschagne brings his bat close to the front pad to keep it out but it takes the inner edge and rolls towards short fine leg for a run.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery outside off, a little bit of outswing there, Labuschagne shoulders arms to let it go. After going past him, the ball becomes an inswinger as Jonny collects it.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Outside off, a confident leave this time.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. On a length outside off, Warner has a tentative poke inside the line and misses.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. A length ball wide outside off, left alone. Almost goes to first slip. No, nowhere near the Harmison classic of the 2006 Ashes at the 'Gabba. This is collected by Bairstow himself.
Ricky Thomas Ponting on air - 'Might have the bowlers bowl full and outside off, keep cover open and encourage the Aussies to drive through cover.'
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Full and swinging in, but pitched outside leg. Stokes falls over in his attempt to flick but misses and is hit on the front pad, then the back pad.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nice delivery from Ben Stokes. A length ball, around middle, angling away, Labuschagne looks to push but the away movement takes a bit of an... let's say educated edge. Marnus did well to play that with soft hands, hence the ball stayed down. Went past second slip and with no third man, that is a boundary.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Beaten again to complete an eventful over! Fuller in length and outside off, curving away, Warner pushes inside the line and misses.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Away swinger served to the left-hander again, Warner, a clueless Warner, pokes at it and misses.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shortish and on off, defended off the back foot.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Movement away from the batsman. Warner has a tame push inside the line from the back foot and the outside edge runs wide of gully for a couple of runs.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, Labuschagne pushes it down with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They again attempt for a sharp run as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end. No overthrows this time.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. FIVE RUNS! Tapped down to cover-point for a boundary at wide long on. No, I haven't lost it. Will explain how! A good length delivery around off, Warner plays it down softly with an angled bat to cover-point and tries to steal a run. The fielder there attacks the ball, takes aim and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Instead, it has hit the bat of Warner and then the ball speeds past the mid on fielder for a boundary. Brings back the memory of the recently concluded World Cup final. England benefited then and are now at the receiving end. Karma?
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes eyes an inswinging yorker, may be. But he fails to land it. The ball reaches the batsman as a full toss and Marnus pushes it through cover-point for a couple of runs.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. A confident off drive by Warner but he will get just a single for it. Woakes has made and outstanding diving stop at mid off.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter delivery, Marnus drops it with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a quick run.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, Labuschagne pushes at it and misses.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bang on the abdomen! Stokes gets a back of a length ball to jag back into the batsman from around off, Labuschagne decides to leave it alone but fails to take his body away from the line, reason - he thought it may move away after landing. The ball luckily escapes his elbow and strikes him on more fleshier part of the body. Wear arm-guards, screams my fellow commentator.
Play halted! Movement right above the sightscreen. Everyone is waiting for the spectators to settle down. As if we haven't seen enough delays in this Test already.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Back of a length ball on off, shaping away, David Warner allows it through to make it a maiden over.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. On middle and off, Warner is forced to play this time and he defends it down from the back foot.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Woakes gets closer to the stumps this time but it's not close enough to bother the batsman. Warner shoulders arms.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Identical to the last delivery, Warner is very much watchful at the moment and knows where his off stump is. Easily left.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Watchfully left this time. In the corridor of uncertainty, David has nothing to do with it.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Shortish delivery outside off, Warner sticks back to have a tentative push inside the line but gets beaten.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! A rare bad ball and Marnus has made sure to get a boundary from it. Stokes lands it on a length around middle, Labuschagne neatly deflects it off his pads to fine leg. 50-run stand comes up! Decent recovery from Australia under testing conditions.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fine delivery. On a good length and outside off, moving away, Labuschagne initially shapes up to push inside the line but then withdraws his bat.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter in line, worked from the crease to mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Short in length and outside off, there to be hit and Warner flat-bats it towards point. The fielder there dives to make a half-stop and the batsmen cross for one.
Ben Stokes to David Warner. Good leave in the end! On a shortish length around middle, moving away from the batsman, Warner decides not to offer any shot and lets it through. Michael Holding (on air) is wondering that why England haven't tried inswingers to Warner so far. Fair point.
Ben Stokes it is then. He will also get good purchase from the surface and it's important from England's point of view that he maintains pressure from his end. Three slips waiting...
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Good, confident stroke. Full and outside off, Labuschagne comes forward and drives it straight back past the bowler. Stuart Broad at mid off starts a jog but then gives it up as he sees mid on run after it. Allows him to do the job of bringing the ball back.
Ben Stokes is stretching and loosening up. Maybe, his time has come to bowl.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Labuschagne gets across to flick but misses.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, moving away, ML pushes it behind gully for a couple.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, Marnus pushes but misses.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FIVE WIDES! How on earth? How on earth? How on earth? Unbelievable swing. Woakes cannot believe it. Neither can anyone else. This one is landed outside off, on a length. Labuschagne has no business with it but the ball pitches and then seams a mile. Poor Jonny Bairstow has no way of reaching it as the ball goes past Joe Root at first slip and into the third man fence!
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Full and outside off, David pushes it wide of mid off, initially says, 'WAIT IN!' but then quickly yells, 'YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!' Labuschagne is in two minds whether to run or not and eventually responds. Makes it in time.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. IN THE AIR, FOUR! A lucky escape to start off the final session. A length ball outside off, moving away, Warner pushes at it defensively, not moving his feet and almost guides it straight to the man at.... fifth slip. Luckily for him, there isn't any fifth slip. The ball flies between fourth slip and gully to the third man fence!
Back on! It has brightened up now and the covers are off. The players are done with the Tea break as well and we are good to go now. Chris Woakes to begin proceedings...
... DAY 1, THIRD SESSION ...
Update 1610 local (1510 GMT) - Tea has been taken on Day 1. It has started to rain now as well. Things looking pretty gloomy at the moment. We will try again after 20 minutes. Let's try to be positive and hope for the best.
Update 1558 local (1458 GMT) - The players are off! NOT RAINING! This time it has gone dark. Joe Root and the entire English team ain't looking happy as they trudge off the field. The Australian batsmen are off as soon as they were told to. It's the decision of the umpires. They have taken the reading and that's not conducive for the game to carry on. This reading will be the benchmark for the rest of the days now. Boos from the crowd. It's been that kind of a day. Stay tuned for more updates...
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! This will provide some confidence to Marnus. Archer is too straight with his line, full in length and Labuschagne clips it with nice timing through mid-wicket for a glorious boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bang on the thigh pad! Back of a length delivery landing close to off, there is a hint of inward shape there as well. Labuschagne decides to leave it only to know later that it has come in to hit him on the thigh pad. Error in judgement surely.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Almost drags it on! Indecision there from Marnus, wanted to play, wanted to leave, wasn't sure what to do! The delivery is just outside off, Labuschagne tries withdrawing his bat at the very last moment but it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the pads.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full in length and on off, Labuschagne defends it right under his watchful eyes.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner leans forward and eases it past Broad at mid-wicket. The tall bowler runs with heavy legs and pulls it back near the fence. The batsmen complete two and then take the third run on the throw. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Good length ball on off, Warner stays back footed and defends it to the off side.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Nice line and length, on and around off landing on a fuller length, it's solidly defended off the front foot to covers.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Delivers it on a length and just outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps and makes a safe leave.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Pitches it up and around off, Warner does well to get forward and play at it as late as possible. He bunts it towards mid off and scampers across to the other end.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around off, shaping away a bit, Labuschagne defends it from the back foot.
Chris Woakes to David Warner. Starts his spell with a length ball close to off stump, Warner pushes it with soft hands towards cover-point. Denly there makes a partial stop with a dive and the batsmen cross for a run.
Stop the press! There is a bowling change! Chris Woakes gets the ball in hand.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Well left in the end! Archer continues to vary his lengths smartly. Alters his length and bangs in a short ball in the line of the stumps, Marnus does well to keep his eyes on the ball as he makes a leave.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes very full this time, it's around off and Labuschagne does well to keep it out at the last moment.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Serves it on a length and just outside off, it's an outswinger, well picked by Marnus. He gets his front foot to the line of the delivery and then shoulders arms.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and the line is outside off, Marnus drops his wrists and allows it through to the keeper.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Pitches it up and around off, Warner pushes it down the ground through mid off. Doesn't overhit it and gets three runs.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Archer doesn't need any time to strike the right chord. Straightaway on the mark. Angles in a length ball, around off, Warner gets a bit squared up and defends it out from the outer half of his bat to the off side.
Here comes Jofra Archer. Again. 7-2-15-1 so far.
Predicto Praky - I would so love to be a bowler now. A fast bowler at that. Come in, bowl 4 overs, then go back and take rest. Again come out, bowl 4 overs and again return. A seamer's day...
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Thriving for some movement, Broad overpitches outside off, Labuschagne drives it square of the wicket on the off side and returns for the second run.
The wait is over! The hover cover has left the ground. Two umpires walk out to the centre and they are followed by the English players. Out come Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner to resume their innings. Stuart Broad to finish his incomplete over.
A bit frustrating. Looks like the hover cover is coming off. The conditions stay heavily overcast and the English players, not surprisingly, are already at the boundary. No Aussie players to be seen yet.
Update 1523 local (1423 GMT) - The rain has eased off and the groundsmen are drying the covers. The resumption time is 1540 local. Stay with us.
RAINING! 'What a loss this match is!' screams my colleague Nabu in frustration. The players are off and the crowd boos but just as the players go out, it stops drizzling! Everyone is smiling and the hover cover is not even in place to cover the pitch. Root is happy to come out but the Aussies have already gone in and are in no mood to return. Hmmm.... the wind picks up and now, the umpires ask the hover cover to cover the pitch. Root and his team though, have not gone far inside. There is no dugout in Tests but if ever there was one, there is this area just beyond the boundary, into the shelters and the English are standing over there. Just as we type that, more covers come on. This might be a passing shower, so might not be too much of a delay.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length and close to off stump, Labuschagne is behind the line and blocks it safely.
Marnus Labuschagne is taking a double guard there, picks Ricky Ponting on air. Takes the middle stump first and then takes the off stump guard. Maybe, that will help him more with his trigger movement.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Spears in a very full ball on middle, Warner tries to dig it out on the leg side but it takes the leading edge and rolls to covers for a run.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on off, Warner strides forward and pushes it softly towards extra cover. Archer moves swiftly to his right from mid off and the batsmen take two.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. FOUR! A bit tentative with his footwork but he will get a boundary. Full in length and outside off, Warner draws forward and while his front foot is getting landed he has made contact with the ball. Luckily, it's fairly from the middle of his blade and it races through cover-point.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Plays out a maiden! The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Goes very full this time, around off, Labuschagne digs it out to mid off. Varying not just varying his line but length as well. Keeping the batsman on the edge.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer is bowling beautifully! Getting the ball to move away at a fair click and making the life difficult for the batsman. Labuschagne is not entirely forward as he tries to drive. Gets beaten once more.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery in the region outside off, Marnus sensibly makes a leave.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. A big grunt from Broad as he serves a fuller length ball close to off, Warner has nothing to do with it. Second maiden in a row!
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner runs down the track and pushes it to mid on. Some different method to counter the movement.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Lands it on a length and close to off, Warner picks the line early and decides that there is no need to play at it.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. This one is very wide outside off. Too full and shaping away further, an easy leave for David.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Full in length again, outside off, Warner plants his front foot forward and then shoulders arms.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Beaten! Full and around off, nipping away, Warner is drawn into play and gets beaten. Five men in the slips waiting for an outside edge.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten all ends up! A lovely outswinger, landing full and outside off, inviting the drive. Marnus is lured into it and gets beaten. Lucky, very lucky.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full in length and close to off, Marnus forces it back to the bowler.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length in the channel outside off again, this time Labuschagne makes a conventional leave, shoulders arms.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. In the zone outside off, Marnus makes a leave like Steven Smith makes, a different type of followthrough of the bat.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Sliding down the leg side, Labuschagne tries flicking but misses.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 11 overs done and Australia will be happy to see Warner surviving till now.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Stifled appeal for an lbw! A scrambled seam delivery, on middle and leg and shaping down, Warner tries to work it on the leg side but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but nothing from the umpire. Missing leg.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Very full in length and on off, David drives but immediately shouts 'wait in' as it goes straight to mid off.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Angles in a full ball on off, Warner lunges and closes the face of the bat in time to work it through square leg. Easy couple to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. That's nearly the ball that got Khawaja. A misdirected delivery sliding down the leg side, Warner tries to flick but misses.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. A little predicted plan now. Full and just around off, nipping away, Warner takes his front leg forward and then makes a leave.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone. Good testing over by Archer.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Back of a length ball angling down the leg side, Warner fails to work it around and it goes off his hips to fine leg for a leg bye.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. On a good length outside off, David covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. FOUR! And Warner finds the gap through covers. It's a pitched up ball outside off, Warner strides forward and pushes it through the line. Doesn't try to hit it hard, just a gentle push that and it has raced away to the fence.
Five slips in place now.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Smelling another wicket here! Outswinger outside off, Warner has no footwork to show as he pushes and misses.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Play and a miss! Archer just puts it on a fuller length outside off and invites the drive. Warner obliges but the ball moves away to beat his bat. Not far away from the outside edge.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another delivery in the channel wide outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to complete a successful over for England.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Too wide outside off, the new batsman has nothing to do with it.
Marnus Labuschagne is the new batsman. Out next to face the music. For once, England will be happy that there is no Steven Smith to look out for. They would have been happy in the previous Test too but in this case, they will be on fire. Labuschagne was calm and composed at Lord's. His side needs him to show that calmness here.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. OUT! Khawaja is strangled down the leg side. Outswingers troubled but it's a misdirected inswinger that has fetched Broad a wicket. A length ball angling down the leg side, Khawaja tries to flick it off his pads but fails to middle his shot. There is some sound as it goes behind to Bairstow who catches and runs in appeal. Broad is also ecstatic but the umpire is unmoved. Root is convinced here and goes for the DRS. The replays come in and the Ultra Edge straightaway detects some wood. Second blow to Australia. Now both the new-ball bowlers have a wicket apiece.
Caught behind? Umpire Gaffaney is unmoved. Bairstow is adamant that a review be taken and Root obliges. Here comes Ultra Edge. Another decision will be overturned because there is a massive spike when the ball goes past bat!
Here are the revised session timings. The second session will be from 2 pm till 4.40 pm local time (1300-1540 GMT) while the last session will be of 2 hours from 5 pm local. Plus, an additional 30 minutes of play will be provided. All these, assuming, there is enough light of course.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Off the outside edge. Fuller and close to the off stump line, Khawaja tries defending but it takes the outside edge and runs through the gap between gully and point for a boundary. Gentle hands.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Good length ball on off, defended from the crease by Usman.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Jofra Archer to David Warner. Nearly edges it! Away swinger for a left-hander from 'round the wicket line, David is drawn forward as he pushes inside the line. Gets beaten. Smiles exchanged.
First time David Warner will be facing Jofra Archer today!
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length ball around leg, Usman remains back footed and plays late at it. He eases it off his hips towards fine leg for a run.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Full and around off, Khawaja covers the line and pushes it defensively to mid-wicket.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Beaten! Moving away from the left-hander, Khawaja gets forward and pushes inside the line but only to get beaten.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Fuller in length on off, Khawaja pushes it down to mid on.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. No DRS taken. They didn't review a similar lbw shout in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test and David was later found to be plumb. Full in length, in fact very full, landing close to leg and straightening a bit, Warner tries flicking but misses. They appeal for an lbw, not given. No replays shown so far.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. On a good length close to off, Warner cover his sticks and shoulders arms.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. FOUR! This will give some confidence to David. A fullish ball around off, angling in, Warner leans forward and across and flicks it with gentle hands. The timing is brilliant and it races in front of square leg for a boundary.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Wow, this is some excellent bowling by Broad. He is persisting with his line around off and is continuously bowling outswingers. Warner has a tame push inside the line and misses.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. EDGY! It's very tough to deal this line from 'round the wicket. An outswinger on middle and off, shaping away, David tries working it on the leg side but gets a soft leading edge towards point.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Too full in length on middle and off, Khawaja hangs back and tentatively keeps it out towards cover-point.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Wrong line. Good length going down the leg side, Khawaja shapes up to tickle it fine but fails in his attempt.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. In the corridor of uncertainty, Usman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Good length ball just outside off, moving away, Khawaja feels for it and is beaten.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. A bit of a leading edge there. Fullish ball close to off, nipping away, Khawaja closes the face early as he tries to flick. It takes the leading edge and rolls in the gap at covers for a brace.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Archer also steams in from 'round the wicket and pitches it very full on off, Usman sticks back inside the crease and digs it out on the leg side.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Too wide this time, outside off, Warner makes a confident leave.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Phew! Had Khawaja missed this, he would have been a dead duck. Broad shifts his line to middle and serves an outswinger. Khawaja shuffles across the stumps and is lucky to have his bat down in time to play it out towards mid on. Another single taken.
Four slips and a gully now.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. What a delivery! Good luck playing that. Khawaja is really lucky not to have edged it behind. Lovely outswinger. It's close to off stump, Usman tries playing the line but is beaten by the movement.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Goes very full and very straight this time, Warner works it on the leg side, picks the gap at mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Excellent start! Right on the money. Broad speeds in from 'round the wicket and puts it on a fuller length outside off. Warner is drawn forward as he pushes at it. But the away movement means that the bat is beaten.
The players are on the field. David Warner has Usman Khawaja for company. 76 overs to be bowled today, looks unlikely but who's complaining if they get all bowled. Three slips in place. Broad runs in...
Update 1345 local (1245 GMT) - Finally, we have some update from the ground. The covers are going off one by one and the resumption time is decided to be in 15 minutes. Let's hope there is no more rain intervention today.
Welcome back! We are waiting for any official news from the ground about the resumption time. Rain is no longer there is the latest we can tell you at the moment. Let's wait and watch how things unfold.
... DAY 1, SECOND SESSION ...
Update 1245 local (1145 GMT) - Latest update is that an EARLY LUNCH has been taken and play will resume at 1325 local (1225 GMT) provided the rain stays away. We will see you soon.
Update 1225 local (1125 GMT) - RAIN IS BACK! Marcus Harris is leading all the players back to the pavilion. The hover cover meets the playing area again. The umpires will be thinking about an early Lunch. But nothing official as of now. We will let you know as soon as there's any update. Stay tuned.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. OUT! Caught behind! This was always coming after a barrage of outswingers! What a peach of a delivery by Jofra Archer! He hurls in a length ball close to the off stump line at 87.3 mph. Harris is stuck on the back foot in an attempt to defend. But to his bad luck, there is extra pace and bounce on this delivery. It kisses the outside half of his bat and flies to the left of Jonny Bairstow. The Yorkshire lad makes no mistake as he snaps it safely. Not a happy Ashes debut for Marcus.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Extra pace and bounce on middle and leg, Harris tries to work it around but misses.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. EDGY FOUR! Uff, that nearly carried to the slip cordon. Good length ball around off, Harris tries blocking but it moves away to take the outside edge. It flies behind and Stokes at third slip makes a diving attempt. The ball drops just short, brushes his left hand and speeds behind for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Back of a length delivery in the zone outside off, Marcus sticks back and shoulders arms.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. In the channel outside off, Harris has an easy leave.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Yet another play and a miss. You can't do much with such deliveries. Fullish and close to off, David tries his best to defend but it curls away to beat the edge. Smiles exchanged between Warner and Broad.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Unplayable! Lucky to not edge it. Broad serves a length ball in the line of the off stump, Warner tries playing the trajectory but the away movement once again beats his bat.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Swing and a miss! Broad shortens his length a bit and delivers it outside off. David thinks there is enough room to slap it through point but nopes, it has some movement in it and the bat is beaten once more.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Beauty by Broady! A length delivery, on and around off, Warner tries defending but gets beaten by the slight away movement.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Fullish and on middle, Warner middles his flick shot but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Four byes! Broad loses his line. Serves a full ball on leg and it goes further down with the angle. Warner fails to flick and it misses his pads before racing away to the fine leg fence.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Australia are away in this Test match! Another delivery sliding down the leg side, all Harris needs to do is to get some bat behind it. He does so and it races away to fine leg for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. The line is straighter on this occasion. Some extra pace and bounce as it drifts down, Harris is beaten for pace as he tries to flick. Misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Another play and a miss! Slightly short in length and around middle, it moves away and Harris tries to push at it from the crease. Gets beaten comprehensively.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Oohhh...this one missed the outside edge by a whisker! Archer gets closer to the off stump line this time. It lands full, drawing the batsman forward but then the angle leaves the batsman and beats his bat.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. This one is quite wide outside off, Marcus has his stumps covered as he makes a comfortable leave.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Angling across the left-hander, on a length and around off, Harris shoulders arms.
Here comes the talk of the town! Jofra Archer is unleashed into the attack from the other end. First ball in the series for Marcus Harris.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Hurls in a good length ball in the channel outside off, Warner has nothing to do with it. Good testing over first up by Stuart!
Stuart Broad to David Warner. That's a real tempter! Broad dishes one out on a driving length outside off, plenty of away movement on this delivery, Warner shows restrain as he allows it through.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Gem of a delivery. That's the line and length. Beautiful. Angling in on a length around off, Warner tries defending from the back foot but it nips away to beat the outside edge.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Broad pulls his length back this time. Back of a length ball on off, David goes on his toes and defends it down safely.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. This time Stuart goes fuller than the last time. It's around off and shaping in a bit, Warner is forward as he pushes it from the inner half of his blade to mid on.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Broad runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a good length ball on off, Warner covers everything well and blocks it back solidly.
Let's play! Please, say that again. Let's play! Oh yes, the rain is behind us now. But if we look up, there are still angry clouds hanging over the stadium. Scary! Anyway, no point looking up, so let's look down. David Warner and his new opening partner Marcus Harris make their way out in the centre. Joel Wilson is back to officiate in this match and he is partnered by Chris Gaffaney. Kumar Dharmasena is the TV umpire. The condition is tailor-made for bowlers. Stuart Broad to begin proceedings. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
Update 1156 local (1056 GMT) - Good news! The rain has stopped for now and the play is expected to start at 1210 local (1110 GMT).
Update 1115 local (1015 GMT) - RAIN HAS RETURNED! The covers are back on as well. This is going to be a really frustrating day for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates...
Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Marcus Harris (in for Cameron Bancroft), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(C/WK), James Pattinson (in for Peter Siddle), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root(C), Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(WK), Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.
Toss - Up goes the coin and it comes down in favour of Joe Root. ENGLAND WILL BOWL! The English skipper feels the pitch is a good one for batting but he cannot ignore the conditions on offer. Tim Paine wasn't too sure what to do and was hoping that Root wins the toss, he smiles and admits. Regarding the team changes, England are unchanged while Australia have brought Marcus Harris and James Pattinson in place of Cameron Bancroft and Peter Siddle. Marnus Labuschagne keeps his spot, in place of Steven Smith.
England are trailing in the series but they have the momentum in this quick turnaround. They retained an unchanged XII and then added Ollie Pope as a cover for Jason Roy, who got hit on the head during the net session. If all goes well, England in all likelihood will field the same eleven. Australia, on the other hand, will have to make one forced change in their batting and then it remains to be seen which set of pacers they will pick for this Test match. All will be answered soon. Stay with us...�
Minus Steven Smith, how will Australia cope is the real question at the moment as Jofra Archer will be raring to have another go at the Aussies. The Caribbean lad has to be the most fearsome bowler for England in the Ashes history (at least from the time I've been following). Of course, you can rattle the opposition with swing (James Anderson) and reverse swing (Andrew Flintoff) but to terrify the batsmen as Jofra did has put him in a different league, a league where last Mitchell Johnson registered his name.
Recovered from the humdinger at Lord�s? What a spectacle it was at the Home of Cricket! Hostile bowling and gritty batting. Jofra Archer and Steven Smith! For a moment the world stopped and a team game revolved only around these two players. Archer knocking out the world's best Test batsman in his debut game made the headlines everywhere. Smudge returning to bat even after that killer blow surprised many, everyone applauded his lion-hearted effort and it was so resounding that those few who booed failed to hear their own voices. Take two, Marnus Labuchangne got the chance to become the first concussion substitute and believe me, he didn't disappoint the great batsman he was replacing. A draw was earned, although in a nervy manner and Australia still have the lead heading to Leeds.�
Australia have gained a 112-run lead and on this surface, it looks like a big one. It's now time for their batsmen to capitalize and not spoil all the good work. Can they bat England out of this Test match? Stay with us to find out...
Just one batsman reached the double-digit and that tells you about the dominance of the Aussie speedsters. Cummins and Pattinson played the supporting cast well and Lyon was not required for more than one over. Catching was brilliant too and apart from Wade dropping one just before the last wicket, they were right on the money.
Amazing scenes! J for Jofra! J for Josh! Both are star bowlers. One intimidates and picks wickets, another bamboozles with his accuracy and cunning movement. Just like Archer last evening, it's Hazlewood leading his team off the park. What an outstanding piece of bowling! The conditions were never as helpful as Day 1 but sometimes too much movement doesn't help you as a bowler. They end up missing the edge more than kissing it. Australia got just enough deviation from the pitch and made life troublesome for the English batsmen. This is now the fourth time since 2018 England have been bundled out under 100. Serious, serious issue!
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. OUT! Stumps shattered! Hazlewood is running in celebration, his 7th fifer in Tests! He decides to keep it nice and straight, the pace is right up there and Leach, who is expecting another short one, shuffles across and tries to flick. He misses and the leg stump takes a beating. ENGLAND BUNDLED OUT FOR 67!
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. WADE DROPS! A rare miss in the field for Australia today. Well-directed short ball, Leach fends it away and hits it in the air towards backward short leg. Wade reacts to his left, runs and catches the ball with a dive but fails to hold on.
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Short ball down the leg side, Jack turns and allows it through.
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Back of a length ball on off, Leach defends it back from the crease. England's lowest score in Headingley is 76 against South Africa. Can they cross that mark?
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Short and jumping onto the batsman, Leach again fends it away and this time it goes over short leg. They take a run.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Almost a catch again! A rising delivery on middle, Leach is on his toes as he fends it away. The ball goes up and falls down in front of backward short leg.
Jack Leach is the last man out to 'try to bat'.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. OUT! The famous PERISCOPE! Can't believe, we were discussing about this type of dismissal during the Lunch break and it has happened. Cummins digs in a short delivery around off, Archer decides to duck but he keeps his bat hanging like a periscope. The ball goes closely past it, Paine catches the ball and appeals immediately. The umpire obliges but Archer wants to review it. No help from the technology for the West Indian-born though. The Ultra Edge detects a big spike and that spells the end of a brief knock by Jofra.
Jofra Archer has been given out, caught behind! He thinks a bit before taking the DRS. It's the famous periscope dismissal, the Ultra Edge confirms.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Fights fire with fire. Another short ball hurled at Archer and this time he decides to pull it. Doesn't middle it well and top edges it in the air. It falls in no man's land at mid on and they take a couple of runs.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Bumper! A typical fast bowler's response. Archer decides to duck this time.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Archer tees off! The crowd roars! They just love this kid. Short in length and on middle, Archer hops back to make room and pulls it thunderously to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. FOUR! Very full and on the pads, Broad nudges it fine down the leg side for a boundary. The crowd loved it.
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Shortish and on middle, Broad tries to defend but is beaten for pace. It heads over the stumps to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Sliding down the leg side, Broad allows it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Extra bounce from a shortish length around middle and leg, Broad gets into a tangle and somehow keeps it out from the outer half of his bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Stuart Broad. Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Broad defends it off his back foot.
Stuart Broad is the new batsman.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. OUT! Wicket straightaway for Hazlewood as well, his fourth in the innings. Buttler, England's last hope, is removed. Smart bit of field placement, that. There is a short cover for any uppish drive and Usman Khawaja is manning that area. Now coming to the delivery - It's nice and full, inviting the drive. Hazlewood bowls according to the plan and Buttler walks straight into the trap. He strides forward with a loose drive, fails to keep it down and rest is history. Australia are roaring!
Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. He will be eyeing a fifer!
Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fullish and on off, Buttler drives it down towards mid on for one.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Archer once again is caught in an awkward position while dealing it. It takes his gloves and runs down to fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Short again, around off, Archer moves away from the line awkwardly.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Yet another bouncer fired at Archer who ain't trying anything fancy. Ducks.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Greets Jofra with a well-directed bouncer, Archer ducks at the last moment.
Jofra Archer is in next.
Pat Cummins to Chris Woakes. OUT! IT'S A LEGAL DELIVERY! By just. Woakes is sent packing first ball after Lunch! Excellent start yet again for the Aussies. Cummins delivers a shortish ball around middle and leg gets a steep bounce. Woakes shapes up to glance it across the line but instead gloves it behind to Paine. The Aussie skipper makes no mistake and they are all celebrating. The umpire checks it upstairs for the front foot no ball and the replays show that Pat is JUST fine with his landing. 7 down are England with not much to come in terms of batting.
Chris Woakes is caught down the leg side. The umpire is checking for the front foot no ball...
We're back for the afternoon session. The Australian team is in a huddle and Tim Paine is sharing some motivated words with his boys. Big task lies ahead of Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes. 14 wickets have fell in the last two sessions. How many in this one? Let's find out. Pat Cummins (7-4-14-1) to steam in...
... DAY 2, SECOND SESSION ...
England are in massive trouble! The conditions were tough no doubt but they weren't tougher than Day 1. It appeared last evening that the hosts will make most of the batting conditions in the morning but that wasn't the case. They fell like a pack of cards and spoiled all the good work done by their pacers on the first day. Their batsmen lacked the required application and we witnessed some questionable shot selection as well. Just four wickets left in the kitty and their deficit is 125 runs. Can the hosts fight back post Lunch and reduce the deficit, if not wipe it off? Or will Australia continue to dominate proceedings? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Josh Hazlewood hit the right chord from the word go and made life difficult for the English batsmen. A flurry of wickets fell and out of the six batsmen to get out only one had the pleasure of getting in the double-digit. Pat Cummins also displayed good control while James Pattinson fetched wickets courtesy poor shots. A word of praise for David Warner also. He grabbed four catches in the slip cordon and bounced back with a bang after a disappointing show at Lord's. He just needs another two to snatch that joint-record from Steven Smith and Vic Richardson for most catches by an Australian fielder in a Test innings. In fact, five catches are the most taken by a fielder from any team. So a world record is waiting for David after the break.
Fiery response from the Aussie bowlers! What a morning session for them! Led by the spectacular Josh Hazlewood, Australia have routed England. It was supposed to be a brilliant day for batting with the ground bathed in sunshine but the theory that the ball moves only under overcast conditions has been proven wrong by some skillful bowling from the Aussie speedsters.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on off and middle,Buttler defends it off the front foot to end the first session. Lunch on Day 2.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Outside off on a length. Buttler shoulders arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Nicked but well short. Good length ball on off, Buttler looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards second slip on a bounce. The key here was Buttler played it with soft hands and hence it did not carry.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On the pads, Woakes flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Amazing ball this! A perfectly directed shot ball this. It is closer to the off pole. Woakes looks to defend but the ball just about misses his glove.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length ball outside off, Woakes leaves it alone.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Brave leave! Pattinson bowls an outswinger around off, it lands on length and nips in. Buttler offers no shot and it goes over his stumps.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Almost a yorker on off, Buttler drives it out to mid off.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Extra bounce from around off, Buttler fails to work it around and is hit high on the pads.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. FOUR! This should give a lot of confidence to Buttler. Pattinson overpitches outside off and Jos just leans into the drive to cream the drive through covers for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and outside off Woakes is happy to let the ball through for the keeper to do the rest.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. FOUR! Hazlewood bowls one on the pads and Woakes flicks it off his pads through mid-wicket to get off the mark with a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. A a length and outside off, woakes drives it with the straight bat to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and in line with the stumps, Woakes is late in bringing his bat down only to defend it off the outside half of his bat towards the leg side.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On a length and around off, Woakes is glued to his crease as he has a tame poke outside off only to be lucky not to edge it behind.
Chris Woakes is the new man in.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Caught! Seems like either the keeper will take the catch or David Warner. The sixth one is down for England. Good length ball outside off, Bairstow has a poke at it and ends up getting a thick outside edge which goes towards first slip. David Warner dives full length across to his left and snaps a sharp catch. His 4th of the day and 3rd wicket for Hazlewood. This is a masterclass in fast bowling that we have seen this morning from Josh.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Buttler is calm and he once again leaves the ball outside off.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. On the leg side, Jos flicks it but misses.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off, Buttler leaves it alone.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, Jos calmly lets it carry to the keeper.
James Pattinson to Jos Buttler. Good length Buttler leaves it alone.
Jos Buttler is the new man in. England's deficit is 134 and if they want to reduce it then Jos has to boss.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. OUT! Caught! Half the side back in the hut and the score has not even reached 50. Denly's luck has run out. Pattinson bowls it full and outside off, Denly goes for the drive. He had been beaten a lot of times but this time the ball finds the outside edge. It goes to the right of Paine. The Australian skipper makes no mistake. Pattinson is pumped up. Denly charmed knock is over.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Hazlewood keeps it on a length and outside off tempting Bairstow to go for the drive and the Yorkshire man obliges by going hard at the ball only to edge it between the slips and point fielders The ball goes to the third man fence in a hurry.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow comes on the front foot to defend this length ball towards the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow just lets go the length ball on the fourth stump channel for the keeper to do the rest.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow plays strong defensive shot off his front foot to this length ball outside off.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off and denly plays with soft hands past the backward point fielder for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Hazlewood keeps asking questions. As he keeps persisting with the outside off length and Denly is beaten once again as he goes to play a drive.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A maiden to end. Bairstow plays a solid front foot defence to this length ball.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Denly once again blocks blocks this length ball off his front foot.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. James corrects his line and bowls a length ball outside off and Denly plays the defensive shot once again.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Pattinson strays in his line as he bowls one down leg and Denly looks to flick it off his pads only to get beaten and take a blow on his thigh pad.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Pattinson again bowls one on a length and Joe defends it towards covers off his back foot.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. James bowls on a length and Bairstow is equally brilliant in defending it off his front foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full on off, Denly strokes it through point and gets a couple to end the over.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Joe has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beaten again! Excellent bowling from Hazlewood. Continues asking question to the batsmen. Full on off, this one also skids off the surface and luckily for Denly it does not kiss the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On off, Denly keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beats the outside edge once again. Good length ball outside off, it moves away after hitting the deck. Denly looks to defend but misses. Warner at first slip goes up in an appeal but Paine does not.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, JD defends it off the front foot.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Uppish but safe. Fuller on leg, Denly flicks it uppishly but in no man's land at square leg for a single.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Denly's struggle to find the gap continues. It is a length ball on middle and leg, Joe flicks it but finds mid-wicket.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly tries to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Ouch! That must have hurt. Good length ball on off, Denly looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his toe. He grunts out an audible ouch as the ball goes towards cover.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Now corrects his line and bowls it on off, Denly defends it off the front foot.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Hits the deck hard around the pads, Bairstow looks to turn it on the leg side. The ball goes off his thigh pad towards backward square leg and they take a leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Short ball outside off, Denly sways away from it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Denly continues to ride his luck here. Length ball outside off, Joe looks to play it on the off side with a flat-bat. The ball takes the inside edge and misses the stumps on its way to the fine leg region for a brace.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Denly tucks it towards mid-wicket and shouts 'wait on' to his partner.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length ball outside off, Denly looks to defend but misses it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Ohhs and ahhs are the shout from the Aussie players. Length ball outside off, Denly shoulders arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good length ball on off, JD defends it off the front foot.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer! Bairstow sits under it to get through the over. End of a successful first from Pattinson.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. On the stumps, Jonny keeps it out.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller on off, Bairstow defends it off the front foot.
Jonny Bairstow comes out much earlier than he anticipated.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. OUT! Caught! Pattinson strikes in his very first over. Guess who is the man to take the catch? It is David Warner once again. Very questionable shot selection from Ben, this is the downside of having good form. You feel you can hit every ball. Sorry Stokes, it's a new day, new Test, new conditions and definitely new situation. Disappointing. Pattinson has managed to tempt the batsman with a fuller length ball way wide outside off. It should have been easily left alone but Stokes thinks about chasing it. He does so, throws his bat at it and gets a fat outside edge to the slip cordon. It reaches Warner at an awkward height at first slip but the Bull is ready to grab everything coming his way after a poor catching show at Lord's. The crowd here in Headingley is stunned. Only the Aussies are celebrating. England staring down the barrel big time.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. FOUR! No power just pure timing from Stokes! Fuller around off, Stokes just squeezes it through point for a boundary.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Starts with a length ball down the leg side. Stokes goes for the flick but misses.
James Pattinson is on now.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Almost chopped on. Full outside off, Stokes looks to go for the drive but finds the inside edge of the bat. It misses the stumps and goes towards the fine leg region. They take a single. Hazlewood is unlucky not to get one more.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the fourth stump line, Ben shoulders arms to this one.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, Stokes does not disturb that.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly glances it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outswinger which is full on off and middle. Denly looks to play it on the off side but it goes off the outside edge towards gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Denly defends it off the front foot.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Almost chops it on. Good length ball outside off, Denly initially looks to defend but then has a change of mind. He retracts from it. Joe is late though as the ball takes the inside edge of his bat. Luckily for him and England the ball goes past the leg stump towards the fine leg region for a single.
Helmet on for Wade. Seems like he will now go to short leg.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good looking pull but just a single. Back of a length ball on off, Ben gets on his back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins strays one down the leg side. Stokes tries to flick it but misses.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Stokes is off the mark. Fuller ball outside off, Stokes drives it through covers for a couple.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Incoming ball outside off, Stokes leaves it alone.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Back of a length ball on off, Stokes pulls it but finds mid-wicket.
The second hour after the Drinks break has begun. Australia are all over England at the moment. They have got rid of the top three and are bowling with a lot of aggression and enthusiasm. The onus will be on the English middle order now to take them out of the puddle.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full on off, Denly pushes it to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! Stop the press, Denly is off the mark and that too with a bang! Fuller on off, Denly picks the length early and creams his drive through covers for a boundary. This will give Joe a lot of confidence. A much-needed one too.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Gem of a ball again. Length ball outside off, it zips back in. Denly looks to defend but the ball goes right through the bat and body.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Bouncer! It is around off pole, Denly sways away from it. 22 balls played by Denly and he is yet to get off the mark.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full ball on off, Denly defends it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller ball on off, Denly taps it back to the bowler.
Just a single over from Lyon. Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. His first spell, 4-2-6-2, was exemplary.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes flicks it towards mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Stokes starts his innings with a calm leave outside off.
Ben Stokes walks out now. His team is in deep trouble and he will have to play a key role if they want to get out of this mess.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. OUT! Caught! Things going from bad to worse for the hosts. Their best batter of the tournament is out of here. Not the best ball this one. It is short down the leg side, Burns goes for the pull but he ends up getting a thin edge to the keeper. Paine behind the stumps takes an easy catch. Three down in no time and Australia are all over the English team like a rash. A rare failure for Rory, his first single digit score in this Ashes.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball around off, Burns strokes it to point.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length delivery on off, Burns defends it solidly.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good bouncer, It is around the body, Burns looks to duck but he is late in his reaction. It hits Burns around the shoulder. He searches for the ball which falls beside the pitch on the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly turns it to square leg to get through Lyon's first.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter on off, Burns punches it to cover for one.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Off spinner pitching on middle. Denly looks to flick but the ball lobs behind short leg. The batsmen take two as the fielder cleans it up. It initially looked like it came off the bat but umpire Wilson signals a delayed signal of leg bye.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Floated on off, Denly gets on his front foot and blocks it.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Spin and bounce on this one. Flighted outside off, Denly shoulders arms to this. Paine does really well and takes it around his chest.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Starts with a tossed up ball on the pads, Burns glances it to the on side and gets to the other end.
Spinner into the attack now. For the first time in this game actually. Nathan Lyon on now.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another ripper. Good length ball outside off, Joe looks to defend but once again gets beaten.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. JAFFA! Cummins steams in and hits the deck hard outside off, it comes back in and dissects Denly in half who was looking to defend it.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another appeal for LBW, turned down. Good length ball around off, it comes back in. Joe looks to defend but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh pad of his back leg. There is an appeal from Cummins but nothing from the umpire again. Height was an issue here as confirmed by Ball Tracker later on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Dangerous leave from Denly. Good length ball around off, it nips back in. Denly shoulders arms to it and the ball hits him high on the thigh pad. There is a stifled appeal but once again the umpire is not interested.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. On the fourth stump line, Denly leaves it alone.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good cricket all around. Good length ball outside off, it comes back in after pitching. Denly is aware of his off pole and leaves it alone. Paine behind the stumps, dives to his left and takes a very good leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fuller on middle and leg, Burns flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a couple to end the over.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Another beautiful ball. Fuller on middle and off, it comes back in. Burns looks to defend but misses. The ball kisses the inside edge onto the pads. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but the ball deflects off his thigh pads towards the on side. They take a leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller on off, Joe defends it from right under his eyes.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but gets hit high on the thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Hazlewood is throwing venom's here. Not the pacy ones but the the one which changes the way it is moving. Fuller around off, Denly looks to defend but gets beaten all ends up.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns sees of the over with a solid front foot defence.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns rises on his toes to defend this length ball to covers off the full face of the bat.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Now the ball keeps a bit low. Cummins is generating variable bounce here. He bowls one again on the length and brings the ball in a bit. Burns again looks to drive but gets beaten once again as the ball keeps low and goes past the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins is getting extra zip here. He bowls one on a length and outside off, Rory Burns is sucked into the drive here but luckily for him the ball passes the outside edge and settles into the mitts of the keeper.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On a length and around off, Rory Burns comes on the front foot and defends it with the full face of the bat.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. FOUR! Cummins bowls on a length and on the off stump, Rory Burns just flicks it off his pads in the gap through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence in a flash. Burns seems to be batting on a different pitch. He is continuing his good form while his other teammates are struggling to find the middle of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Very full on off, Denly does exceedingly well to push it to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. NOT OUT! Height seemed to be an issue and it was the issue. Good review from Joe Denly. Good length ball pitching around off, it comes in venomously. Denly looks to defend but gets squared up. The ball hits him high on the back pad. The Australian players put in a huge appeal and after a good thought, umpire Wilson raises his finger. Joe has a chat with his partner and takes it upstairs. Replay rolls in and Ball Tracker shows that the ball would have missed the stumps. Denly survives! Had it not been for the review, England would have been in big danger here.
Joe Denly has taken the review against the LBW decision against him. Height can be an issue here. Let us see what the replay's have to say.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Edged but safe. Good length ball on off, this one moves away from the angle. Denly looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge. Thankfully for Joe, he plays it with soft hands and hence the ball falls well short of second slip.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good ball! Length ball coming in with the angle on off. Denly defends it late from right beneath his eyes.
Joe Denly replaces his skipper out in the middle.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. OUT! Back to back ducks for the English skipper! Hazlewood strikes again. Another brilliant ball from the Aussie quick. It starts on middle and off and zips away from the batter. Forcing Root to have a poke at it. Root looks to defend but gets a fat outside edge which goes to first slip. Warner once again does a good job and takes a fine catch. For the first time in Test cricket, Joe Root registers back-to-back ducks. The idea of batting the skipper at number 3 has not worked so far.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Back of a length ball on middle, RB defends it towards cover to get through the over.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Confident duck from Burns. He expects Cummins to pepper a short ball and Cummins obliges. Rory calmly sits under it.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length delivery on off, Rory defends it with a straight bat.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the 4th stump line, Burns has no hesitation in leaving it alone.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Hits the deck hard outside off. Little bit of away movement here as well. Burns looks to defend inside the line and gets beaten.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On middle and off, Root defends it off the front foot to start his innings.
Skipper, Joe Root walks out at number 3.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. OUT! Caught! Hazlewood wins the battle and Roy's unimpressive red-ball form continues. Hazlewood serves it full around off, there is late movement on this one as the ball moves away just a bit. He tempts Jason to drive and Roy falls in the trap. He goes for it and ends up edging it to the right of first slip. Warner there gets down and takes a good low catch. Early breakthrough for Australia, just what the doctor ordered.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Good length ball outside off, Roy shoulders arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Excellent shot but what a stop from Hazlewood too! Full on off, Roy gets on his front foot and drives it straight as an arrow. Josh gets down and saves a certain boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. FOUR! Crisp! This will give Roy a whole host of confidence. Back of a length ball around off. Roy picks the length early, gets on his back foot and punches it off the meat through covers for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on off, Roy keeps it out of his back foot.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the fourth stump line, Burns has nothing to do with it and calmly leaves it alone. Maiden from Cummins too now.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Closer to the off pole, and on a length. Burns gets behind the line of the ball and defends it.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer! It is around off, Rory sees it coming and sits under it.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Fuller on off, Burns blocks it off his front foot.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins charges in and bowls a pacy ball on the pads. Burns looks to flick but the ball hits his thigh pad and falls just short of the diving short leg fielder. Would not have mattered had it carried as there was no bat involved.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length delivery on middle, Burns defends it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Maiden for Hazlewood to begin with. Length delivery on middle and leg, Roy tucks it towards mid-wicket to see off, what was a dangerous over.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Hazlewood continues to trouble Roy. Bowls it fuller outside off, tempting Roy to drive. Roy falls in the trap and goes for it and luckily for Jason he does not get any edge on it.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length on middle, Roy this time connects well as he pushes it to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Steams in and bowls another gorgeous outgoing ball. This is on the pads though, Roy looks to flick but misses and it hits him high on his pad once again.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On top of off and middle, Jason defends it in an awkward manner towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Height seemed to be an issue there. What a start from Hazlewood. Josh comes in and serves it on a length outside off. The ball comes back in viciously. Roy looks to defend but the ball beats him and hits him high on his pad. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved. Ball Tracker later on shows that the ball was going onto miss the stumps.
Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good running to end the over! Good length ball angling in to the right-hander. Roy tucks it wide of mid on and takes off for a quick single.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good length ball on off, Jason defends it right off the meat towards cover.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. FOUR! Roy is off the mark. Fuller ball on off, Roy looks to defend but the ball zips away a bit and goes off the outer half of Roy's bat through the vacant backward point region for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Well left! Cummins hits the deck hard outside off, Roy shoulders arms to it. The ball keeps on raising and goes to Paine around his head.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. England are underway! Back of a length ball on middle and off, Burns defends it with soft hands towards cover and calls for a quick single. Roy responds and though the fielder is quick to get to the ball Jason makes his way inside the crease.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins starts with a good length ball outside off. Not a lot of movement on this one. It comes in just a hint. Burns is sure where his off stump is and he lets it carry to the keeper.
Big challenge awaits England now! The surface still has plenty of juice for the seamers and it's going to be tough for the fragile English batting. First up, they will have to negotiate the tricky period before Lunch. Stay with us for England's reply.
It was yet another good bowling show by England but they were nowhere near their first innings attempt. That though was mainly due to some sloppy catching. Ben Stokes stood out due to his effort while Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer also were on the money. A word for Archer here, he got injured last evening but bounced back with some intensity today morning, terrorizing the batsmen with his pace and picking two wickets.
Right then, Australia have managed 75 runs this morning in bargain of four wickets. Marnus Labuschagne once again showed great fight and along with James Pattinson, he raised a half century partnership. Post that stand, the wickets fell in a hurry, although Marnus constructed little stands to make sure that the target is 350-plus.
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. OUT! Lyon drags it on! Archer finishes things for England! A short delivery around off, at 90 mph, once again Lyon gives the charge and tries to flat-bat it through the line but gets a big inside edge onto the stumps. Australia are all out for 246, leading by 358 runs!
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Funny! Lyon gives the charge to Archer. He then forces a length ball down to mid on.
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. A yorker just outside off, too quick for the number 11 batsman. By the time he brings his bat down, the ball has gone past. Lucky for him, it wasn't in the line of the stumps.
Ben Stokes to Josh Hazlewood. Full and angling in on off, solidly blocked by Josh.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Fullish and on off, Nathan bunts it down to mid off for a quick run.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Inside edge. Sharp delivery, on a length around off and moving back in, Lyon winds up for a big heave across the line but inside edges it onto his pads.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Bad bounce for Woakes in the deep. Short delivery on middle, Lyon pulls it down to fine leg where Woakes kneels to stop it but the ball bounces extra and goes over him to meet the fence.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Short and outside off, Lyon tries pulling but misses.
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. Shortish and on middle, Hazlewood fails to move away from the line and takes a blow on his body. Another hostile over from Archer comes to an end.
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR! Lead crosses 350! Archer dishes out a sharp yorker on middle at 92 mph, Hazlewood gets his bat down in time and flicks it through mid-wicket.
Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. Back of a length ball on off, Hazlewood defends it off his back foot.
Josh Hazlewood is the last batsman.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! Marnus Labuschagne is run out on 80 and he walks amidst a big ovation from the crowd. Archer offers width outside off, Marnus makes room and slaps it down to third man off the outer half. He runs the first run hard, turns for the second, wants it anyhow but before that a sharp and accurate throw from Denly comes to Bairstow and he breaks the stumps in a flash. Labuschagne is found short in the replays and the third umpire flashes OUT on the giant screen. The replays also showed that Denly had fumbled a bit before picking the ball but he managed to recover quickly.
Appeal for a run out! Marnus Labuschagne is in question. He seems short. The replays confirm the same. The crowd erupts.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Smell the leather Labuschagne! Archer is after his head. Another rip-roaring bouncer, on middle, Marnus leans back and sways away from the line of fire.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Spears in a length ball on middle at 89 mph, Marnus hops back to make space and then drives it to covers.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Hurls a good length ball in the zone outside off, Nathan shoulders arms.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Edgy! Stokes angles in a length ball on middle, straightening a bit after landing, Lyon tries to flick but gets a leading edge through covers for a couple.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Another beautiful outswinger by Ben, Lyon has no answer to that beauty. Tries to flirt with it but gets beaten.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Nipping away from the batsman outside off, Nathan pushes at it and misses.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. In the air... SAFE! Short in length on middle, Lyon tries to play the horizontal bat shot but fails to time it well. It flies over square leg and falls in no man's land. The fine leg fielder puts in a run and stops the ball. They cross for a couple of times.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and angling down the leg side again, Labuschagne moves across and tries to work it around but misses.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Follows the batsman down the leg side with a bouncer, Marnus attempts to hook but misses.
Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Lyon tries flicking but misses. It goes behind off his pads, Bairstow only manages a half-stop and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Interestingly takes a single and exposes Lyon to Archer. A length ball on middle is tucked through square leg for one.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely placed! Maybe, he was trying this shot on the last ball. Connects well. Short in length and outside off, Labuschagne stays back and ramps it down towards third man. There are two fielders behind square on the off side but he bisects them beautifully.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne is rattled after facing a barrage of bouncers in Archer's last over. Back of a length ball around off, Marnus moves back inside the crease and tries to steer it through the line but misses.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Another play and a miss outside off by Lyon. End of a wicket maiden!
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Stokes spears in a yorker this time, Lyon somehow digs it out safely.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Beauty of a delivery, angling in around off and then shaping away, too good for a number 10 batsman. Lyon does his best but still fails to put bat on ball.
Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball outside off, shaping away, Lyon pokes inside the line and misses.
Nathan Lyon is in next.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. OUT! Caught at gully! Stokes hurls in a short ball around off, it jumps a bit onto the batsman, Cummins takes his eyes off the ball as he pushes at it. The ball goes off the outside edge and Rory Burns grabs a diving catch at gully. Nothing much offered in terms of batting by Pat. Maybe, those snorters from Archer in the previous over was playing in his mind and hence he got scared to watch a ball climbing onto him.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. In the region outside off, Cummins leaves it alone.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, hitting 90 miles now, it's defended off the back foot to complete a hostile over.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Snorter! Archer once again bangs in a well-directed bouncer, Marnus is caught in an awkward position trying to fend it off. It takes the splice of his bat and loops up. There is no silly point in place and it falls down safely.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely played! Short in length and outside off, Labuschagne stays back patiently and then guides it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, left alone.
Physio is out again to check for concussion. No major harm done it seems. Taking this opportunity, the umpires have called for the drinks break. Marnus Labuschagne is on his haunches. Looking winded. As far as this Test match is concerned, it's been a good hour for Australia. They have built on their lead which is 334 now. Pattinson has been the only casualty for them as Marnus continues to hold one end, with some good fortune.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. BANG ON THE HELMET! Archer steams in and digs in a well-directed bouncer, Labuschagne decides to make the leave but fails to take himself away from the line of fire. It smashes Marnus on the grille of the helmet and he goes down. Archer shows no sympathy and returns to his mark.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bowls a length delivery outside off, at 83 kph, Labuschagne allows it through and this one shoots up on its way to the keeper. A good take over his head by Jonny.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Short delivery on middle, Pat helps it through square leg for a couple of runs. 7 from the over, the lead is worth 334 now.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Stays back and strokes it towards mid off.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins. FOUR! Soft hands! A length ball close to off stump, Cummins presents an angled bat to it, allows the ball to come to him. It takes the outer half and runs through gully.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Sliding down the leg side, Marnus fails to flick and it goes behind off his pads. Bairstow fumbles and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Serves a length ball outside off, Labuschagne pushes at it and gets it away off the outside half of his bat towards point.
Pat Cummins walks in next.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. OUT! England finally have a breakthrough they dearly wanted this morning. The lead has reached 327 now though. Archer speeds in from 'round the wicket and hurls in a length ball on off, Pattinson stays back to defend but it shapes away a bit and takes the outside edge. Root takes the catch safely at first slip. A valiant stand comes to an end.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Lands it on middle, Pattinson defends it on the leg side.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Archer oversteps this time and bowls a bouncer. Pattinson ducks.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Straighter on middle, Marnus works it on the leg side for one. 50-run stand comes up!
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, defended from the crease.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Four byes! This one just shoots off the surface. Goes over the batsman and Jonny also fails to collect it with a jump.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Miscommunication! Direct hit would have been curtains for Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, Pattinson dabs it down to the right of backward point and Labuschagne calls for a run. It's not there and suicidal. The fielder luckily for Marnus misses his shy at the striker's end.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer on middle and leg, Marnus gets across, crouches a bit and then lets it go behind to the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. An outswinger outside off, landing on a good length, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Nearly a drag on! Stokes serves a length ball in the line of the stumps, Pattinson tries to block it from the crease but it takes the inside edge, beats the stumps and runs down to fine leg for a run.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Fuller in length and on middle, Pattinson gets behind the line and defends it back solidly.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Beaten! A length ball on off, shaping away, James pushes inside the line and misses.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short and outside off, allowed to the keeper. 24 runs in the last three overs, Australia are scoring runs at a good rate now.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. FIVE RUNS! Not for the first time in this Test match, third five of the game. Slightly short in length and on middle, Pattinson helps it down towards mid-wicket and rushes for a quick run. Rory Burns has a shy at the bowler's end but misses as James dives in. The ball misses the stumps and there is no one backing up. It's a boundary.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Shortish and sliding down the leg side, Pattinson fails to get any bat behind it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Fuller again, on middle, James helps it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and steals a quick run.
Jofra Archer to James Pattinson. Fullish and on off, at a gentle pace, Pattinson pushes it out to mid off.
Jofra Archer (8.4-2-16-0) is back into the attack. Can he finish things off?
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. 200 up for Australia. On middle and leg, skidding in, Pattinson helps it through square leg for a run.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A wayward bouncer. Down the leg side, Pattinson doesn't bother even watching it as he allows it through.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Stokes tries to tempt the batsman once more. Puts it on a driving length outside off but Pattinson doesn't get carried away and watchfully makes a leave.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. FOUR! Slapped away! Pattinson was holding himself back all this while but not this time. He gets width outside off and slaps it through point for a boundary.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This time the shine is on the inside and the ball moves back in from a shortish length outside off. Labuschagne stays back to defend but it takes a thick inside edge and rolls behind square leg for one.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Labuschagne is a bit fidgety at the moment. Stokes delivers it on a length outside off and gets it to nip away, Labuschagne pushes inside the line and misses.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, Labuschagne clips it through mid-wicket and takes three runs. 11 runs and a dropped catch in the over!
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Short in length and on off, Marnus pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. DROPPED! Labuschagne gets yet another life. Broad screams in anguish, he cannot believe his luck. A lovely outswinger around off, Marnus tries driving through the line but it shapes away to take the outside edge. It goes to the right of Bairstow who flies in that direction but fails to hang on. The batsmen take two and Australia's lead crosses 300!
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Glorious! In an attempt to get something extra from the surface, Broad overpitches around off. Labuschagne strides forward, shows the full face of the bat and drives it crisply past the left side of the mid off fielder.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on off, shaping away, Labuschagne drives it behind square on the off side and looks for a run. He is sent back as Denly misses his shy at the striker's end.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Too much movement there. Stokes delivers it too straight and it moves down the leg side. James tries to keep it out but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. Another maiden from Ben!
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A lovely inswinging delivery, full and on off, Pattinson defends it back solidly.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Fullish and on off, Pattinson gets his bat down and pushes it out safely to cover-point.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Away swinger, landing on a length around off and moving away, Pattinson shoulders arms.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Bouncer on middle, Pattinson easily sits underneath it.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Finally Pattinson runs out of patience. Short in length and wide outside off, James stands back, flashes his bat at it and misses.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beauty by Broad. He angles in a length ball close to off, Marnus tries to defend by striding forward but it nips away just a bit to beat the outside edge.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Wild delivery. Way wide outside off, Labuschagne is in no mood to chase it.
Physio comes out for the mandatory concussion check! All is well.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. TOP EDGE! FOUR! Not in any control of the shot, Marnus. Broad bangs it in short on middle, Labuschagne takes the challenge of pulling it across the line but it takes the top edge and flies down safely to fine leg for a boundary. Stuart Broad tells the umpires that he has not hit it and this should have been leg byes. The decision is reversed to FOUR LEG BYES after the two umpires check it with Labuschagne!
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Right-hand, left-hand combination always difficult to adjust. Broad comes from over the wicket for the righty but slips a length ball way down the leg side. Marnus leaves and Bairstow collects it with a dive to his left.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Broad gets straighter with his line this time, Pattinson just closes the face of his bat and helps it down to fine leg for one. The lead is now 9 away from 300!
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Good length delivery in the region outside off, Pattinson is sticking to the plan of not taking any unnecessary chance. Calmly lets it be.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on off, shaping away a bit, Marnus sticks on the back foot and taps it down towards backward point. First maiden of the morning!
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length outside off, Labuschagne covers his stumps and allows it through to the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes goes short but the line is outside off, Labuschagne crouches and sways away from the line.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. An outswinger is hurled wide outside off, it's a comfortable leave for Marnus.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Moving back into the batsman from outside off, Labuschagne goes inside the crease in defense.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fractionally short in length and outside off, Labuschagne goes back to steer it square of the wicket on the off side but fails to beat the diving gully fielder.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Some width on offer outside off, Pattinson drives but finds the cover fielder.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Stifled appeal for an lbw! Broad lands it on a good length around middle and off, some extra bounce too. Pattinson tries to defend from the crease but misses and is hit high on the back leg. The replays suggest that there might have been a little bit of outside edge too.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Angles in a length ball on off, this time James has defended it from the middle of his bat.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. FOUR! Off the outside edge! Broad angles in a full ball on off, it heads towards the off stump after landing, Pattinson stays back to block it with soft hands but it takes the outside edge and speeds through the vacant gully region for a boundary.
FYI... Jofra Archer is allowed to bowl now as he has spent the needed time on the field after his injury break.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. On and around off, a length ball, Pattinson is on the front foot in defense.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Hint of inward movement. On a length around middle, Labuschagne tucks it in front of square leg for a single.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Stokes pulls his length back a bit and delivers it outside off, James is not tempted into any kind of shot as he allows it through. It's been a cautious beginning from the Aussies.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Pitches it up and close to off, this one holds its line just a bit, Pattinson covers his stumps and leaves. That wasn't too far away from the off pole.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, shaping back in this time, Marnus moves back and taps it down in front of mid-wicket. Calls for a run and completes it with ease. Good running.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A little bit of movement on this one. Full and outside off, Labuschagne drives off the front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Effort delivery on this occasion. Ben bends his back and digs in a short ball on off, it's easily left by Labuschagne.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball landing outside off and angling in, Marnus gets behind the line and blocks it down safely.
Ben Stokes (15.2-4-33-2) will continue from this end. He was exceptional last evening with his effort. Would like to continue from where he left off.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Broad puts it on a full length and just outside off, there to be driven but Pattinson is very watchful as he lets it go.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Another delivery in the region outside off, Pattinson has nothing to do with it.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Angling in on middle and leg, a length ball, Pattinson defends it off his pads to the leg side.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Switches his angle for the left-hander. Broad comes from 'round the wicket and serves a length ball in the zone outside off, Pattinson allows it through.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This time it has been angled into the batsman, the length is quite full and it's clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Begins his spell with a delivery on the driving length outside off, Labuschagne watches the line and then makes a leave.
Time to get going. Marnus Labuschagne and James Pattinson walk out to the centre to resume the Australian innings. Stuart Broad (12-2-34-2) will kick off proceedings. Let's play.
It was a forgetful day for England and their performance of Day 2 has really hurt their Ashes hopes. First they got shot out for a minuscule total and then through some sloppy fielding allowed the Australian innings to prosper. There was an injury concern in the English camp during the closing hour of the day's play when Jofra Archer pulled up his side strain and the hosts will be hoping that he's fit to bowl today. Another 4 wickets left to take and they can still bounce back if they manage to pick them early in the morning session and then bat sensibly. The moving day is about to move, sit back and enjoy our coverage.
The Australians, who batted in one of the difficult conditions on the opening day, found the conditions yesterday a bit to their liking. They did not lose the momentum after bundling England out for just 67 and kept on building the lead. They are just 17 short of crossing the 300-run mark and with Marnus Labuschagne still in the middle, the Kangaroos would hope to stretch the lead as far as possible.
Hello and welcome one and all for the the third day of the 3rd Test match at Headingley. The previous two days were really a treat to watch for any cricket fan. The weather looks absolutely heart-warming for the day with the sun out and the lush green grass on the ground just looking like an Emerald.
... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...
9 sessions left in the game. Will the ball continue to move around as it has been doing on the first two days? If yes, Sunday and Monday could be holidays. If no, we could be in for a wonderful chase as we don't know how much is really enough on this deck. Join us on Saturday, 24th August, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 3. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
The hosts then came out firing with the ball and had the Aussies reeling at 52/3 but Labuschagne, Head and Wade steered the ship out of troubled waters. The replacement for Steven Smith is again doing a wonderful job, getting his third half century on the trot and could be the key to Australia crossing, reaching or falling well below a lead of 350 come Saturday.
Sadly, for England, that is all they can take from Friday's action. A day which they would quickly like to forget, starting at a position from where they should have made 300 at least, stumbling to not even a 100 and then allowing Australia to take their lead close to 300. In an innings which had 9 single digits, it shifted the entire momentum.
Before we marvel over Australia's day and all that, a word of praise for one man. Born in New Zealand, playing for England, Man Of The 2019 World Cup final, Benjamin Andrew Stokes. Bowled with steam and fire, taking his heart out in a spell of 15.2-4-33-2. Almost in one single spell. Mind you, two catches went down off his bowling as well and he overstepped once when the batsman had nicked. Ben was tired but not down. Take a bow!
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Nope. A dot ball. Pattinson survives. A length ball outside off, James shoulders arms. STUMPS ON DAY 2, AUSTRALIA EFFECTIVELY 283/6!
Last ball of the day... a wicket????
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. A length ball just outside off, Pattinson is tight in defense.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Guess Labuschagne is done for the day. A length ball, Marnus gets across and tucks it towards long leg for a single.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Half volley wide outside off, driven straight to short extra cover.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and well outside off, could have been a wide but it is not signalled.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, swinging in, Labuschagne falls over a touch and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.
Last over of the day coming up...
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Spears in a full ball on middle and leg, Pattinson tries flicking but closes the face of the bat early. It goes off the leading edge and rolls back to the bowler.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. On a length and outside off, Pattinson presses forward and confidently drives it through point for a couple of runs.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. This one is slanted into the batsman from 'round the wicket, James is forward in defense.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish again and this time Marnus pulls it for a run at deep backward square leg.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Fifty for Marnus Labuschagne, third in a row! The first concussion substitute is turning out to be a super substitute for Australia. Short in length on off, Marnus pulls it off his front foot to deep mid-wicket for a couple. Another wonderful knock by him, he got a few lives this time but take nothing away from his application.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. On a length and around off, this one heads towards the stumps after pitching, Pattinson defends it from the back foot.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Another outswinger around off, this time James lets it be.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Beauty by Big Ben! What an effort from him! A lovely outswinger, close to off and nipping away, Pattinson pushes inside the line minus any footwork and misses.
Ben Stokes to James Pattinson. Angles in a full length ball on off, Pattinson defends it near his front pad.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This one is on the pads, Labuschagne helps it to square leg for a run.
A leg gully in place.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes steams in and delivers a good length ball down the leg side, Marnus has a half-hearted attempt to flick and misses.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Stuart Broad to James Pattinson. Outside off, left alone.
Right! The game is coming to life again. James Pattinson walks in at number 8, replacing Paine.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. OUT! CAUGHT! There is an inside edge. Big inside edge. But Paine shakes his head! Bizarre. A length ball, outside off, coming in again, Paine walks across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Now, England appeal and the umpire raises his finger! The slip cordon though, is busy looking at gully, where Joe Denly is coming running in to take the catch. Root is even more confident now and puts his entire strength in the appeal. Paine has a look at his partner, has a long discussion and then takes it upstairs. A bemused Root asks Paine why is he reviewing. Paine says he hit it. Then Root smiles and says that you are out caught! Shake of the head from the Aussie skipper. The third umpire is told by umpire Wilson that it is an LBW review. Dear me. Big inside edge, lobbing to gully. Umpire Wilson missed the nick. How on earth did Paine miss it? Waste of a review. Australia lose two quickly, bang bang. Effectively 276/6.
Paine has been adjudged LBW! But Root reckons that he is caught. Anyways, Paine has reviewed it, after a long discussion with Labuschagne. Here come the replays. Oh bother. Ultra Edged detects a spike when the ball passes the bat. This is a waste of a review.
Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Huge LBW shout, turned down. A length ball, outside off, coming in, Paine looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Impact outside off.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, swat-pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Tim Paine comes in at a tensed passage of play again. Not much time left for Stumps but the position of the game allows him to breathe a bit.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. OUT! Bounced out! Caught behind. Salute to you, O big Ben, O lion-hearted fellow. You have tried and tried and tried, not given up, kept coming at the batsmen and eventually, in a 13-over spell, struck. And he throws a salute to the fans. A brute of a bouncer, outside off, Wade ducks but the ball kicks up suddenly. Wade cannot do much and the ball flies off the glove to the keeper who leaps to collect. The English appeal but Wade does not even wait a second to go. End of a 66-run stand.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Streaky. Full and outside off, Wade throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies past a diving gully to third man!
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Almost a reminiscence of his first innings' dismissal! A terrific yorker, around middle, Matthew falls over and almost is late in getting his bat down. Luckily for him, the ball hits the bat and stops.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. That will test Archer's hamstring. Full and around middle, Labuschagne flicks it wide of mid on. Jofra Archer gives it a good chase from mid on to his right and stops the ball. Three runs taken. Had Labuschagne missed it, he would have been dead plumb LBW.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer but down the leg side, calmly ducked under.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Landed outside off, driven towards Jofra Archer at mid off.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Full and outside off, let through.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone again.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Well wide outside off, left alone.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Labuschagne drives it down the ground and the ball races away but Chris Woakes dives to his right and makes a terrific stop. Just a single.
Good news! The crowd cheers and roars. JOFRA ARCHER IS BACK. But not to bowl. Just on the ground. 27 minutes left. Will he be given the ball? Should he?
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Short ball on middle, pulled down fine on the leg side for one. Another luckless over for Ben comes to an end.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Watchful this time. In the zone outside off, Marnus has nothing to do with it.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. DROPPED! Second life for Marnus Labuschagne! Stokes delivers it on a length close to off, it shapes in a shade as Labuschagne is forward to defend. But it takes the outside edge and flies in the direction of first slip. Bairstow realizes that it won't carry to Root and hence he puts in a dive across to his right. Catches it with his right hand but it pops out of his glove as soon as his elbow hits the ground. Tough chance but at this level, they need to catch these. Marnus continues to ride his luck.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on off, angling away from 'round the wicket, Labuschagne feels for it and gets beaten.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. On and around off, Marnus has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 50 overs bowled.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Works this through mid-wicket for a single.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, defended solidly.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, quietly left alone.
Time for some much-needed inspiration. Anyone there? No Archer. No Jimmy. Oh dear. Then who? Ahhh... the man who took a hat-trick at this ground 5 years ago, against Sri Lanka. The man whose family is instilled in cricket with his father being a match referee, comes on to try and revive England. Go for it, Stuart Broad. 8-2-26-1 so far.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! A length ball around off, coming in, Wade gets across and looks to tickle and gets a bit of an inside edge onto his pads, towards fine leg. Chris Woakes runs across to his left, gets to the ball with a slide but then lets it through.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off again, another leave.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, let through again.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A length ball outside off, Matthew initially ducks, then sways. Watches the ball swing away late towards the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A short ball, pulled through square leg for a couple. The lead is now 261.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! A full toss, a release ball, Labuschagne punches it through point. A few teapots boiling in the field, hands on hips and no Archer to turn to. 50-RUN STAND IS UP as well.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, a length ball outside off, Marnus looked to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, played straight to point.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another appeal for a caught behind. Not out again, says Wilson. Outside off, Labuschagne looked to punch but the ball came in and went off something to the keeper. The British thought about the review but did not take it. 'Ultra Edge detects a spike!', yells my dear Nabu. He is excited till his mate tells him to relax, showing the spike coming when the ball hit the pad.
In between overs, Roy and Wade were having a go at each other. A bit of a saying from one, probably Roy, then a response from the Aussie, to which the Surrey lad came barging in. Ohh... almost at blows. Just three quarters of an hour more, guys. Then the bar will be open...
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Ouch. On the box. Or just around it. Wade shows no pain. Stokes is furious with himself that he cannot get that a centimetre low. A length ball outside off, Wade shoulders arms but the ball comes back in a long way and hits him somewhere around the groin.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. A bouncer, but down the leg side, Matthew ducks.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. One more leave outside off.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. NO BALL. Another overstepping. Stokes is frustrated. Oversteps by a bigger margin (as compared to the Labuschagne caught behind chance) and his fourth in 10 overs. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and close to off, Marnus sticks on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Woakes tries to repeat the last delivery from the middle and leg line, Wade eases it to the left of mid on and crosses for a run.
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. That's a peach. It's on a length close to off and leaves the batsman with the angle, Wade tries to defend by getting a bit forward but it beats the outside edge.
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Fractionally short in length and outside off, Wade once again has nothing to do with it.
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length ball outside off, angling away, Wade covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Woakes delivers it on a length close to off and gets it to move in a bit, Labuschagne helps it in front of square leg and crosses.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, this time Wade pushes and misses.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, a waft from Marnus but missed.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, Marnus ducks.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. NO BALL. But had Labuschagne nicked it? Shane Warne reckons yes and Ultra Edge confirms! Another let-off for the South African-born. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne looked to defend but at the last moment, thought about taking his bat away. There was a noise as the ball went past and England appealed but the umpire shook his head. The hosts went for the review but they could not get the technology as the first replay itself showed that Stokes had overstepped.
Review for a caught behind! Are England gambling or are they sure there is a nick? Wait. Stokes has overstepped!
Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another LBW appeal, turned down again. A length ball, down the leg side, Marnus gets across to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and England appeal but this is going down leg again. A leg bye taken.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, Labuschagne lets it go. The ball comes in a long way and hits him on the pads and England appeal but umpire Wilson shakes his head. They do not take the review. Ball Tracker shows it to be missing off stump.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and down the leg side, Labuschagne tickles it towards fine leg for a couple.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. On a length and outside off, Wade has opted to leave the length ball outside off.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne flicks a length ball off his pads to mid-wicket for a run.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Stokes has overstepped once again. He bowls one on a length but the line is down the leg side. Labuschagne looks to flick but fails to lay wood on the ball.
What is happening? Archer is walking off the park. Seems like a cramp. He is smiling, so that is good to see. However, that is the last we might see of him this evening. Ben Stokes to complete his pending over.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off and Labuschagne lets the ball go through. And what are we seeing - ARCHER IS LIMPING! 'England are gone', says my colleague with a tongue-twisting name, Mrinal.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne drives it straight to mid off.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne defends it to the off side.
Drinks break.Good hour of play for the Aussies. Except the wicket of Head there was no hiccup. Slowly but steadily, Australia are taking this match away from England. They have stretched their lead to 245 now. Labuschagne has hold fort and Wade is giving him good company here. English bowlers look tired as they have spray all over the place after Tea. An interesting passage of play coming up. Will Australia get bowled out? Lets wait and watch.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and on middle, it's played down with soft hands to square leg for one.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Loses his radar this time and serves it way down the leg side. The batsman lets it through and Bairstow dives across to his left to collect the ball.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another watchful leave outside the off stump.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Gorgeous! Plenty of width on offer outside off, it's on a length, Labuschagne reaches out for it and drives it a bit aerially but safely through covers for a boundary.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Starts his new spell with a good length delivery outside off, Marnus watches the line closely before making a leave.
Chris Woakes is back on. 6-1-21-1 from him so far. His previous spell was up the hill, this time he will be bowling down the hill.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Lands it on a length around middle and skidding down, Labuschagne fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. They cross for a leg bye.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another effort delivery and this time Stokes has overstepped. Shortish and outside off, Marnus lets it through to the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fractionally short and outside off, Labuschagne goes on his toes and taps it down to point.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Another delivery going down the leg side and it has been left alone. Stokes is working on a plan, it seems. There is a leg gully in place at the moment as well.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Effort delivery but direction-less. Back of a length delivery sliding down the leg side, Marnus shoulders arms and watches it go down to the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and on middle, Labuschagne flicks it with the angle of the bowler to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus strokes a full ball towards wide mid off for one. 10 from the over, a good one for Australia. Lead is now 14 short of 250!
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Fuller and on middle, Wade runs down the track and eases it to mid on for one.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Tossed up ball landing outside off and spinning back in, Wade tries to defend but misses. He is hit on the pads but the point of impact is well outside off.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Wade is on the attack! Bairstow's advice Leach follows. But Wade has also heard it. He premeditates his charge down the track, takes it on the full and slogs it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The Aussie keeper (who isn't keeping at the moment) is looking good now.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Boom! Leach serves a half-tracker on off, Wade goes deep inside the crease and pulls it with the spin to the deep mid-wicket fence. Bring the batsman forward is the advice from the keeper to the bowler.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Loopy and full on off, Wade advances down the track and helps it with the spin to square leg.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. This time it's a big inswinger. Back of a length and outside off, Labuschagne attempts to defend from the crease but it whizzes past the outside edge of his bat. Top over, a maiden!
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Brilliant delivery. It's on a length outside off, shaping away, Marnus pushes inside the line with a tentative footwork and gets beaten.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bumper! Stokes just trying to push the batsman on the back foot. Labuschagne ducks.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and leg, played off the pads to mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. SAFE! Good length ball on middle and leg, sliding down with some extra bounce, Labuschagne tries to work it on the leg side but fails to middle his shot properly. There is some sound as it goes past Marnus and Bairstow collects the ball with a full length dive to his left. They appeal and the finger goes up quickly. Marnus wastes no time in signalling for the DRS and the Ultra Edge confirms that there was no bat. Decision overruled.
Labuschagne is given out, caught behind! Immediately, he takes the DRS. Marnus is very confident. Ultra Edge picks nothing.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. NOT OUT! It's umpire's call. Leach delivers a full ball on the rough outside off and gets it to break back into the batsman. Wade is on the back foot when he should have been forward. Tries to work it around but is beaten for spin and bounce. The ball strikes Wade on the right thigh and they appeal. The umpire shakes his head and there is a delayed call by Root to take the DRS. The Ball Tracker finds that it's clipping the leg stump. Review is retained though.
Shout for an lbw! Umpire Joel Wilson shakes his head. Wade had gone across and the ball spun a lot. Here comes Ball Tracker. Clipping leg stump. Hitting the bails! Umpire's call and review is retained!
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Well played! Loopy and full outside off, Wade goes down and across before sweeping it wide of backward short leg. There is a fine leg present and hence a couple of runs.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball around off, Labuschagne gets down on one knee and paddles it to fine leg for one.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and floated on off, driven off the front foot to covers.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy delivery, landing full on off, Labuschagne drives it past the diving cover fielder to mid off.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes bowls a half-tracker again. It's on middle and Wade moves away safely. Maiden.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery on middle, Wade stands tall inside the crease and defends it back.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes bangs it in again, Wade takes his eyes off it and lets it go over his head as he bends.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Bouncer down the leg side, Wade ducks at the last moment.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Digs in a short ball on middle and off, Wade arches back, drops his wrists and sways away from the line of fire.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely floated delivery, full and on off, ML prods forward and defends it back to the bowler.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Hurls this delivery in the flatter trajectory, around off, Labuschagne is back in defense.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Flatter and shorter outside off, turning back in, Wade hangs on the back foot and strokes it to sweeper cover for one.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball on off, a touch short in length, Marnus gets back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and full on middle, Labuschagne lunges and defends it back.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and flighted on off, Marnus uses his feet and drives it towards mid off.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Fine timing! Stokes is too straight with his line and the length is very full as well, Wade leans forward and clips it beautifully through mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Fractionally short in length and around off, Wade picks the length early, leans back, drops his wrists, keeps his eyes on the ball and watches it till the ball disappears in Bairstow's gloves.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery down the leg side, Matthew tries to tickle it fine but fails to get any wood behind it.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Slants across a length delivery outside off, Wade allows it through to the keeper.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Full in length around off, Wade with an open stance defends it back to the bowler.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Angling down the leg side, it's nudged to fine leg for one.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Works it with the spin to the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. 7 from the over after a wicket maiden!
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Aerial but just over the keeper! Loopy ball around off, turning back in, Wade tries to repeat the last shot but this one climbs onto his bat and catches the top edge. It flies over Bairstow and the first slip fielder runs after it. He pulls it back before the fence and the batsmen take a brace.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Poor piece of fielding in the deep by Denly. Floated full around off, Wade kneels down and sweeps it through backward square leg. Denly near the fence makes a complete mess and Wade opens his account with a boundary. 100 comes up for Australia as well.
Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Quicker through the air, outside off, Wade shuffles across the stumps and then blocks it back.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Skidding into the batsman from around middle, Marnus moves back and works it in front of square leg for a run.
Interesting points by Michael Atherton and Shane Warne on air. They are focussing on the dropped catch by Joe Root off Marnus Labuschagne. So Warney feels that England are standing very close to each other in the slip cordon, which means, there might be confusion as to who should actually go for the catch. Should I go to my left or will my mate take it to his right? Conversely, Australia had their slips positioned pretty wide when they were fielding.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and full on off, Labuschagne is on the front foot in defense.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. On middle and leg this time, Wade works it off his pads to mid-wicket. A wicket maiden for Stokes.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Stokes persists with his line on and around off and gets it to leave the left-hander. Wade feels for it a bit and gets beaten.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Yet another delivery in the channel of apprehension, Wade is very watchful while making another leave.
Ben Stokes to Matthew Wade. Back of a length delivery in the zone outside off, Wade makes a safe leave.
Matthew Wade walks in next. He bagged a duck in the first innings and would look to make amends here.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. OUT! Corker of a yorker and Head is a goner! Stokes has been bowling brilliantly in his first spell. One catch went down off his bowling but he didn't lose hope. Delivers a pinpoint yorker with good pace, right in the line of the stumps, Head brings his bat down to dig it out but it takes the inside edge and rattles the stumps. Looking at the replays, had his bat not come down in time, it would have missed the off stick. Bad luck in a way for the batter. The 45-run stand is broken and England would like to make use of this opening. The lead is 209 at the moment.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Shortish and outside off, Head reaches out for it and plays it down towards cover-point.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Shot! Flighted delivery around off, Labuschagne dances down the track and powers it over Broad at mid on for a boundary.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated one on middle, Labuschagne tries playing straight but it skids on to take the inside edge. Rolls safely to mid-wicket.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Good half-stop by Broad! Loopy and full on off, Head shimmies down the track and drives it down the ground towards mid off. Broad dives across to his left to take the pace off the ball. The batsmen complete the single as the mid on fielder mops up. Was Stuart faking a throw there? Not sure. But if he did, that's against the new rules.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and around off, turning in, Head tries another flawed drive again the spin and gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Advances down the track and then allows the ball to spin back in from outside off. Head, then, gently pushes it out towards cover-point.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, coming in a long way, ML gets out of harm's way. That does not miss the off stump by much.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer outside off, Marnus ducks.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, pushed through point for a single.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Leach tosses this one in the air and lands it full around off, Labuschagne skips down the track and tries to play it near his front pad. The English players appeal thinking it's pad first but the umpire stays put. Root asks his teammates regarding the usage of the DRS but he's not getting any convincing answer. The time lapses. The replays are shown after that. It confirms that the ball struck Marnus first on the pads but the impact is an issue. Later on, it shows the ball to be hitting the off stump. Interesting. It looked like spinning away but the ball just skidded through the line on the Ball Tracker. Hmm...
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Short and outside off, it's cut square of the wicket on the off side for a run.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and flighted on off, Head strokes it off his front foot to mid off.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Once again Head uses footwork and pushes it down on the leg side.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Walks forward to a full ball and eases it with the spin to mid on.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Beaten! Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Head attempts to cut but misses.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. Good over by Stokes, deserved a wicket but the catch went down.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Leans forward to a full ball and drives it in the direction of mid off.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish and on off, Marnus defends it off his front foot towards mid off.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. ROOT DROPS! Dear me, he is having a tough time! Back-to-back ducks and now a catch going down. Poor Stokes. He deserved a wicket. Lovely delivery. A touch short and around off, some late movement, Labuschagne sticks back to poke inside the line and gets a big outside edge behind at first slip. Root fails to grab it in his first attempt near his waist with a jump, tries again on the rebound but it doesn't stick and falls down.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Lead touches 200! Angling down the leg side, Head nudges it down to fine leg for one.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Brave, very brave! Head trusted the bounce there and left it alone. Good length ball close to off, it straightened a bit and Head offered no shot.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy and landing full on off, Labuschagne is watchful in his forward defense. The scorecard reads 87/3, the devil's number for Australia.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. On the pads, eased behind square leg for one.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Spinning back into the batsman from around off, Head clips it with the spin but finds mid-wicket.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Full and on off, it's driven through the line but straight to the fielder at extra cover.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Lovely footwork. He is so smooth on his feet. Apt replacement for Steven Smith. He comes down the track for a fuller delivery and drives it through covers for a run.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted ball, full and just around off, Marnus leans forward and defends it right under his watchful eyes.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. In the corridor of uncertainty, Head lets the ball go outside his off stump. Maiden to start for Ben!
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Serves one on the pads, Head tries his best to flick but misses.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. A bit short and on off, Head punches from the back foot but finds the cover fielder.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Peach of a delivery! Stokes lands it on a shorter length close to middle and gets it to jag back in sharply. Head waits on the back foot to deal with it but is beaten for extra bounce. Takes a blow on his stomach. Must have hurt but he isn't showing much.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. The line is straighter and Head has helped it off his pads to the leg side.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Fantastic delivery first up. Stokes wastes no time in warming up. He is right on the money with a well-directed bouncer. Head is caught in a tangle as he takes his eyes off the ball. Tries to move away but fails and then somehow fends it off towards square leg.
Ben Stokes is brought into the attack for the first time in this innings. He is the fifth bowler to be used by Joe Root. Two slips and a gully in place.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish and close to off, Marnus plays a mistimed back foot punch to covers.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. A bit short and on off, played down from the crease to point.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Flatter and shorter on off, Head rocks back and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side. Burns chases it down from point and they take three runs.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Almost drags it on! Full and flighted outside off, spinning back in, Head attempts to drive against the turn but only manages to inside edge it onto his pads. Poor technique, if you want to play that shot, you need to get entirely forward to smother the spin.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. A low full toss on off, Travis lunges and pushes it down towards mid on.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Sharp spin from the rough outside off, the length is on the shorter side and Head works it to square leg. He wants a run but his partner turns it down.
Back for another dose of Test cricket! The men concerned also back on the field. This is going to be a long session and it will decide which way this match and the coveted urn are going. Australia are effectively 194/3 and have every chance to bat England out of this game. Having said that, after seeing flurry of wickets go down in two days so far, we know that it's not as easy as it sounds. Impressive Marnus Labuschagne and fighter Travis Head to resume their innings. The hosts will know if they don't win this session, the writing will be on the wall. Jack Leach to continue from this end...
... DAY 2, EVENING SESSION ...
42 overs left in the day. Australia will hope to bat out the whole of those and get another 100 on board. That is possible, perhaps not possible too. England, on the other hand, will aim to be batting themselves before the day ends, looking to chase not more than 250. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT).
The top 3 were dismissed early but Labuschagne and Head have kept things at bay. They have added 30 runs in 10.5 overs and have been watchful, trying to ward off the threat. With so many days left in the game, you never know what is a good total. 400? 500? With the pitch spinning the way it is, even 200 could be enough for the G.O.A.T to get some fodder.
After a frenetic beginning to the day's play, Australia would have been mindful of a collapse themselves. Remember Cape Town, 2011? Shane Watson's heroics blew South Africa away for 96 but then Vernon Philander came into his own to send Australia packing for 47. For now, the visitors have avoided that.
Whose session is it? Australia in a dominant position for sure, with a lead of 194 but England have taken three wickets and kept themselves in the game. 82/3 looks good at this stage but as we saw in the first innings, Australian middle order and collapse are very good friends of one another.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Last ball of the session and Labuschagne shoulders arms to this length delivery outside off form Archer. And that's TEA ON DAY 2! Australia are 82/3!
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer bowls on a length and outside off and once again Labuschagne is happy to play the leaving game here.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne once again decides not to play at it. He is aware that Tea is around the corner here.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length ball outside off, Head looks to tap it through point but gets soft leading edge which falls just short of Ben Stokes at third slip. He certainly saved a boundary for his team. Joe Denly from backward point does the cleaning act as the batsmen cross for a single.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. A short ball outside off, punched towards cover.
Jofra Archer changes ends with a minute left for Tea. 7-2-15-0 so far.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Outside off, worked through square leg for a run.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Jack Leach to Travis Head. Tossed up delivery on the pads, Head works it around the corner for a single.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up around off, Labuschagne works it towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up delivery on the stumps, Labuschagne drives it to covers.
Dying moments of the session. 5 minutes left. Jack Leach is back on. 2-0-9-1 so far. There are plenty of footholes for the left-hander outside his off stump. It is only Day 2 but the surface is dry.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Outside off, left alone watchfully.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball, around middle, Travis gets across and helps it towards square leg.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball, around off, angling in, tucked straight to short mid-wicket.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. FOUR! PRISTINE! Full and outside off, Head leans and drives it through the covers. No soul moves.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A length ball outside off, punched straight to cover.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and down leg and Labuschagne lets it go to the keeper.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! This time Labuschagne doesn't miss the flick. Archer bowls one on back of a length and on the pads and Labuschagne flicks it off his pads through fine leg for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Second No ball in the over. Archer again oversteps. He bowls one on a length and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off his back foot towards the off side.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off the back foot to the off side.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. No Ball! Jofra oversteps. He bowls one on a length and goes one down the leg side. Labuschagne looks to flick but fails to connect it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery on the pads, Labuschagne defends towards the leg side and luckily for him, the ball bounces just in front of short leg as the ball was in the air for quite some time.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne hops and defends it to the leg side.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball but the line is down leg and Labuschagne does what he has done till now, leave it.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. FOUR! Length ball and outside off, Head drives it crisply through covers and the ball crosses the fence in a flash.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. A swinging length ball on the stumps, Head plays a strong front foot defense.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne drives this length ball through covers and crosses over to the other end.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball and another leave from Marnus. Great composure by the young lad here.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne is in no mood to play the wide one here. He leave one for the keeper.
Stuart Broad to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne is happy to shoulder arms to this length ball outside off from Archer.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go with out even fending with it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer has gone back to bowling short stuff, Labuschagne looks least interested to even play at it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another bouncer and Labuschagne is happy to drop his wrists once again and get out of the line of fire.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short pitch stuff from Archer, Labuschagne drops his wrists to sway away from the line of the delivery.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length delivery outside off, Head taps it to covers for a single.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery outside off, Labuschagne is aware off his front foot and cooly shoulders arms to it.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Broad bowls one on the length but he is no way near to making the batsman play and Labuschagne is happy to leave it.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and around off, Labuschagne defends it towards the off side with soft hands.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. WIDE. Miles outside the off stump, outside the pitch, left alone. Collected in front of first slip by Bairstow.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Wasn't there a nick? Apparently no. Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Someone appeals but no conviction.
Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms.
Time for Stuart Broad. 5-2-15-1 so far.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Archer loses his line as he sprays one down leg and Head goes after it looking to flick it only to miss it.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head comes right behind the line of the delivery to defend that.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Head once again leaves the length ball outside off, only for the keeper to take it above his head.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Length ball outside off, Head does a sensible thing of not playing the ball outside off.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head looks to drive it but gets it off the outside half of his bat to covers.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes short and Labuschagne pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. FOUR! Off the mark in style! Head stands tall on this length ball and drives it straight down the ground towards the long on fence for a boundary.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length ball but going down the leg, Head looks to flick but takes a blow on his thigh pad.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length delivery outside off from Woakes, Head drives it to find the fielder at mid off.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a Length and outside off Head stands tall defends it off the back foot.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne flicks this length ball from woakes towards mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this length ball from Woakes towards the off side.
Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On a length but the line is way down the leg side. Head goes for a flick but fails to connect.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Archer goes down leg and Labuschagne fails to lay bat on ball as the ball takes the pad towards fine leg and the batsman cross for a leg bye.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this length ball outside off towards the off side off the full face of the bat.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball and outside off, Labuschagne defends it off his front foot.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length and around off, Labuschagne defends it off his front foot to the off side.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length but going down leg, Labuschagne looks to flick it but fails to connect it as the ball goes past him to the keeper.
Jofra Archer is back! 3-1-7-0 so far. The crowd roars. Another couple of wickets before Tea?
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Head once again plays this length ball outside off to point.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Length delivery on the off stump, Woakes gets some movement too. Head at the last moment brings his bat down to play it straight down the pitch. Woakes does good work by diving in his followthrough.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a length and around off , Head stands tall and defends it down the pitch.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. On a length and outside off, Head plays it to point.
Chris Woakes to Travis Head. Landed outside off, Head looks to defend but the ball comes in a long way. Now, he thinks of pulling his bat out but is late and almost gets an inside edge behind!
Travis Head walks in at number 5, replacing Khawaja.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. OUT! Edged and taken! The 13th wicket of the day already and we still have 52.5 overs left! How many more will we see? Full and around off, Usman looks to defend but the ball moves away slightly. The outside edge is taken and a hungry slip cordon is waiting for the meal. Here it comes. Whose is it? Whose is it? Jason Roy. At second slip. Moves to his right and takes it to his left. Confused? Well, he took the catch and that is what matters. Australia are effectively 164/3.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up delivery outside off and Khawaja guides it through third man for a single.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja once again drives this tossed up delivery but only finds the cover fielder. He is finding it diffult to split the gaps here.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up outside off, a little bit of extra bounce too. Khawaja looks to cut it but the extra zip means the ball goes past the outside edge and Jonny collects it near his face.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up outside off and Khawaja brings out the reverse sweep in play but only to find the fielder at backward point.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. Tossed up around off, Khawaja drives it crisply but finds the fielder at mid on.
Jack Leach to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! A short of length ball from Leach and Khawaja stands tall and drives it through covers. Not a fielder moved. 50 up for Australia too.
Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Full and outside off, Khawaja looks to defend but gets another outside edge, again going to ground, this time past second slip. Joe Denly gives it a good chase from third man and dives, parrying the ball away. The umpires want to check whether he has touched the ropes but replays show that he is fine. Three runs are taken.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball outside off, Uzzie looks to defend but the ball sneaks in off the seam and goes over the stumps. Someone appeals for the catch as Bairstow dives to his right to collect but Woakes himself is not interested.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. EDGED, FOUR! A length ball, around off, Khawaja looks to defend but the ball moves away and squares him up. The outside edge is induced but because he played it with soft hands, the ball goes to ground. It goes in front of second slip where Ben Stokes does not bother going down and the ball slips through to the third man fence.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball around off, angling away, Khawaja shoulders arms.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball outside off and Marnus drives it superbly only to find the fielder at covers to perfection.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Leach is not afraid of tossing the ball up. He once again tosses one on the off stump only for Marnus to defend it off his front foot.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends once again off the front foot to this tossed up ball from Leach.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up again outside off and Marnus comes on the front foot to defend it.
Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Tossed up delivery on the stumps and Labuschagne starts from where he left in the first innings, as he drives it through covers. The fielder from mid off gives the chase only to come second in the race.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's saviour in the first innings, comes out to bat at number 4, replacing Harris.
Jack Leach to Marcus Harris. OUT! BOWLED! This is just Day 2, mates, just Day 2! What a ball. Is he Warne? Is he Ashwin? Is he Murali? No. He is Jack Leach. What. A. Ball. You have everything in this delivery, turn, bounce and zip. Leach tosses one up outside off, Harris comes on the front foot to defend but the ball turns away and goes past the big gap between bat and pad to shatter the stumps behind. Harris' dodged stay in this match is over.
Time for spin. Jack Leach to bowl now. For the first time in this match.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja flicks this length ball off his pads to mid- wicket where the fielder puts in a forward dive but the ball drops in front of him.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Length delivery outside off, Harris plays one to point for a single.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. On a length and outside off, Harris leaves the ball by shouldering his arms.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. On a length and outside off, Harris looks to drive it but has a feel for it as the ball passes the outside edge.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja is happy leaving the ball outside his off stump. Broad bowls one on a length and outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms to it.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a length and on the stumps Khawaja defends it off his back foot straight down the pitch.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms for the keeper to do the rest.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris taps it to covers and calls for a quick single. Khawaja responds to his partner ad they complete the run with ease.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Wayward from Broad, He attempts a Pattinson type of delivery but Harris is no Stokes, he slashes and finds the middle of the bat to send the ball racing through covers for a boundary.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Fuller in length and around off, Harris defends it off his front foot towards the off side.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Landed outside off, Khawaja looks to defend but the ball seams past the outside edge.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Full and around off, well blocked out.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. This is wider outside off, let through once more.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Short and down the leg side, Khawaja swivels and pulls it fine of fine leg for a boundary.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Back of a length ball and outside off, Harris jumps onto his toes to defend it towards the off side.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball around off and Harris is happy in leaving it. He is in no hurry to score looking at the time they have.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. NOT OUT! Missing leg! England lose a review. Wilson has got it right this time. Have to admit, to the naked eye, it looked like hitting the stumps. Outside off, coming in a long way, Harris looked to tuck it to the leg side but missed. Got hit on the pads. Broad appealed and appealed but umpire Wilson shook his head. Broad has a long chat with Root and convinces his skipper to take the review. Ultra Edge does not detect any edge but here comes the surprise. The Ball Tracker shows it to be going down! Not even clipping! Strange. Loss of a review for England.
Review time again! This time by England. Broad has yelled his lungs out for an LBW appeal against Harris. Umpire Wilson has not given it and Root, after a thought and some discussion, signals for the review. Looks very close. Ummmm... Ball Tracker says MISSING LEG! England lose a review.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Broad bowls one on a length but keeps it wide and Harris is in no mood to play at it.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and on the off stump, Harris drives it off the front foot towards mid off.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball directed towards off stump but Harris is really strong in his defense as he plays a strong front foot defense.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Full and around middle, Harris looks to defend but the ball swings away and goes off the outside edge. Because he plays it with soft hands, it goes on the ground. Third slip dives to his left but cannot stop it cleanly. The ball goes through and Joe Denly mops it up from backward point. A single taken.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Down the leg side, Harris looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pads.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
Chris Woakes to Marcus Harris. Around off, solidly defended.
Chris Woakes to Usman Khawaja. A length ball, around middle, tucked through square leg for a single.
First bowling change of the innings. Chris Woakes comes on to bowl.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and on off, Harris drives it off the front foot towards mid off where the fielder this time puts in a better effort and prevents any runs.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Broad bowls one on a length and Khawaja flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket and goes to the other end for a single.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length ball outside off, Khawaja is staunch in his defense as he plays a compact front foot defense.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. FOUR! Broad overpitches in search of swing and serves a full length delivery. Khawaja sees the length early and drives it through point for a beautiful boundary.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length ball but way outside off and Khawaja is is no mood to play at it as he hangs his bat up.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery outside off, Khawaja shoulders it.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. The batsman has played it to the point region.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, on a length, Harris looks to defend but the ball swings away a great deal and beats him.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. That is too much for JB. This is way down the leg side, UK is nowhere near to connect the flick. The ball swings further away and poor Bairstow dives. Gets a glove to it and manages to parry it to fine leg. Just a bye, when it could have been four byes.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. A bouncer, around middle, Uzzie ducks. Bairstow leaps and makes a half-stop.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Down the leg side, Usman looks to flick but misses. The ball goes down a long way and Jonny Bairstow dives full stretch to make a half-stop.
Jofra Archer to Usman Khawaja. Full and outside off, Khawaja looks to play an airy-fairy drive, without moving his feet and is beaten by the late swing.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Good end to the over by broad. He bowls one on a length and around off and Harris comes on the front foot before making a leave for the keeper to grab it.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris is aware of his off stump as he leaves the ball for the Jonny Bairstow to do the rest.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Poor fielding effort there. Length delivery outside off, Harris drives it straight down to mid off. Jack Leach dives to his left but lets the ball through his hands. Once it passes Jack the ball has only one destination and that is the long off fence.
Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On a length and around off, Harris is solid in his defense as he comes on the front foot to play it with full face of the bat.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Length delivery on the off stump, Khawaja flicks it behind square on the leg side to get of the mark.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a length and around off, Khawaja hops in his crease and defends it into the pitch.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Around off, defended solidly.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On a length outside off, Marcus looks to defend but the ball comes in a long way and beats the outside edge.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Landed outside off, pretty full, swinging away, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Full toss, around middle, pushed towards mid on.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Around off, Harris looks to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, left alone. That came a long way. Not far from the off stick.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. WIDE. Full and miles outside off, almost outside the pitch, left alone.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Slips a length ball angling down the leg side, Khawaja tries flicking but misses.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Stuart Broad to Usman Khawaja. On a good length outside off, Khawaja shoulders arms.
Batsmen keep coming in, batsmen keep going back. Usman Khawaja gets another chance to make a name for himself.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. OUT! Impact is with the umpire's call and it's hitting the stumps. Australia retain their review but lose Warner early. Broad speeds in from 'round the wicket and hurls in a terrific length ball close to off stump. It nips back in after kissing the turf, beats the defensive prod of Warner and strikes him on the front pad. The appeal goes up and the umpire raises his finger after thinking for a while. Warner takes the DRS but to no avail. Umpire Joel Wilson is having a good day, another good decision from him.
David Warner is adjudged lbw! He wants to get it reviewed. Looks plumb though. Let's find out.
Stuart Broad to David Warner. Four leg byes! Broad delivers it down the leg side, Warner brings his bat down to flick but misses. It takes his pads and screams away to the fine leg fence.
Stuart Broad to share the new ball from the other end.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off, left alone.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. A length ball on middle, Harris defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On middle and off, Harris tries working it on the leg side but gets a leading edge. It rolls wide of point and they cross for a couple of runs.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Back of a length ball on off, Marcus defends it by getting across the stumps.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Slapped! Width on offer outside off, too full in length, Harris leans and thumps his drive through cover-point for a glorious boundary.
Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On a hat-trick, Archer runs in and delivers a length ball wide outside off, Harris throws his bat at it and misses. Almost a nick there. Archer would have become only the second bowled after Merv Hughes to take a hat-trick across three different overs.
Right! A South African plays for Australia and fights hard. But a West Indian and a Kiwi featuring for England show that they are better. The first was a walkover, the second was nerve-wracking and what about the third? Lost for words. Let us not test the vocabulary of anyone. Let us all take a break and then come back refreshed for the next episode of probably the greatest Test rivalry of all time. The 4th match will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT). The points table as of now, stand with Sri Lanka leading with 60 points, followed by Australia (32) and then England (8). But these will change after the Test matches going on in Sri Lanka and West Indies. You can follow those as well, if you have any energy left which has not been drained out. We take your leave and earn a nice break. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Who will be the Man Of The Match? Oh gosh... that is straight from the mystery novels of Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys. Right? Naahh... just kidding. Can't we? Given that we have been exhibited to some exorbitant amount of pressure and stress. Just trying to make things light all around. BEN STOKES GETS THE MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD, for the second game in a row. Take a bow, sir.
Phew! Now, about this Test match. What happened over the last 3 days? Australia bundled out for 179 after being inserted on a cloudy morning, but from 136/2. An Archer 6-fer hit the headlines. Then England matched that nicely, losing 10/67. A Hazlewood Michelle made that happen. In the second innings, when Australia rode on Marnus Labuschagne's 80 and set a target of 359, who would have thought the Ashes would be levelled 1-1?
...Till Pat Cummins came along again. Got Ben Stokes to miscue, but Marcus Harris put him down at deep backward point. 17 runs were needed. The next two balls went for boundaries and it was rubbing salt on Aussie wounds. Then, Paine took an LBW review, which was just an aim to waste some time. That proved costly. Because Stokes was out in the next over, LBW, but was not given by umpire Joel Wilson and Australia did not have any review left! Before that ball, Stokes miscued a six over long off, almost ran out Jack Leach but Lyon fumbled. Well, PRESSURE! It gets to everyone, doesn't matter how experienced you are!
First, Nathan Lyon. In the 119th over. Two sixes and he goes for 13. Under 50 needed. Next target, Pat Cummins. Goes for 11. 37 needed. Paine goes to Hazlewood. Ben sends him all around the park. 19 from the over and momentum now totally in favour of England. 18 needed. Well, England were favourites again, till...
Ben Stokes then decided to cut loose because he had nothing to lose. He tore into the Aussie bowlers and as in the first session, they started losing their lines and lengths. 73 needed with 1 wicket in hand, came down into the 60s. Then came the targets by Ben Stokes.
Then came Round 3. Everyone thought England were the favourites but it was their turn to show some nerves. From 245/4, they slipped to 286/9. Round won by Australia. Ashes retained. Or were they?
Day 5 began with England needing 203 runs, having 7 wickets in hand. First nervous moment. Root gone. 200 needed. Round 1 to Australia. Then the counter-attacking stand of 86 in 130 balls for the 5th wicket between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. Pushed Australia back. Round 2 to England.
Right! In a game of nerves, both teams faltered and the one which faltered more, lost. Australia, it would have to be. They have could dismissed Ben Stokes a couple of times. Dropped him, missed Leach's run out and then reviewed an LBW decision against Leach, thereby losing out of reviews. Because in the next over, Stokes was dead plumb LBW.
Take a bow, Ben Stokes. The entire crowd at Leeds is standing as one. The Aussies wait for the two English lads to celebrate and then get across to congratulate the big Ben. What a knock. What a player.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! ENGLAND WIN BY 1 WICKET! The series is alive. 1-1 and kicking. Stokes roars. And then sinks to his knees. Emotions ebbing and flowing. Short and wide outside off, Stokes crunches the cut past short cover and the ball goes through! History is made - This is the first time in 130 years that a team has won a Test match after getting shot out for less than 70 in the first innings.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. SCORES LEVEL! England cannot lose now! Jack Leach gets off the mark with 2 needed. Calmly tucks a length ball behind short leg and scampers through!
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A length ball, around middle and leg, nudged past leg gully, but there is short fine leg in place as well.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A bouncer, outside leg, Leach ducks.
Right. Jack Leach to face. Just 2 needed. A tickle here and there, a push and England will make this 1-1.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SHOUT FOR AN LBW! Not given. It looks very close to the naked eye but Australia don't have any DRS left. Tossed up ball landing around leg, Stokes tries to sweep but misses and is pinged on the front pad. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. The replays later on show that the ball straightened after pitching and was going to hit the leg stump. Another controversial decision. 2 needed more for England to level things up in the series!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! What have you done Lyon??? It was an easy opportunity but he has made a complete mess. A flatter full ball outside off, Stokes nails his reverse sweep but it goes straight to short third man. Stokes steps down the track looking for a run initially but then sends Leach back. The throw comes to the bowler but Lyon fails to collect it cleanly and Leach makes it safely. He would have been a goner had Nathan collected it. Pressure! It gets to everyone, doesn't matter how experienced you are!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shorter and on off, Stokes cuts it from the back foot but finds the point fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! Just over long off! Did he get his hands on it? Phew, that was really close. Loopy delivery, full and outside off, Stokes decides to go big downtown and towers it over the bowler's head. Labuschagne moves across to his left from long off, attempts to catch it with a jump but it goes over him. 2 needed more!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short again, outside off, Stokes moves back and cuts it through point. Another run declined.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Stokes goes back and punches it to deep cover. Denies the single as has been the case early in the over.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG! Cummins hurls in a very full ball as the follow-up delivery to the bouncer. Leach is beaten for pace and it goes off his pads to leg gully. They put in an appeal and then take the DRS after the umpire turns it down. The replays roll in and the first frame itself confirms everything. 8 needed more.
Tim Paine playing for some time. He has called for a review which looks a very bad call. Seems to be pitching miles outside leg. Don't think this is desperate, but just delaying the inevitable. Ball Tracker shows the pitching to be outside leg. Both reviews gone for Australia, though don't think it will matter.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. A bouncer around leg, Leach ducks at the last moment.
Short leg in. Leg gully in. Be ready to smell the leather.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, Stokes taps it down to mid off and decides to take a run. Two balls this time to negotiate for Leach. Has Stokes miscalculated?
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Smashed off the back foot! Runs needed now in single digits. Back of a length ball on middle, Stokes hangs on the back foot and packs a punch past the bowler. The long on fielder comes around and tries to cut it off with a dive but fails.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Cummins gets full and Stokes decides to slog it across the line. Middles it nicely and it beats the desperate dive near the mid-wicket fence from Warner. The crowd cheers!
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. DROPPED BY HARRIS! Massive moment in this Test match! Width on offer outside off, Stokes goes hard at it and throws his bat. It flies off the top edge and Harris moves forward and across from third man. He then goes down low to collect the catch but it spills out of his hands. Heart in mouth stuff!
Tim Paine ringing in the bowling changes. Nerves everywhere. Pat Cummins replaces Josh Hazlewood after the latter went for 19 in his last over. 23-5-66-1 so far.
Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Fires it in on middle and off at 56.9 mph, Leach draws forward and blocks it solidly back to the bowler. Jack must be praised for hanging in there!
People crowding Leach. Two slips, a short leg and a silly point.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Stokes goes on the back foot and cuts it through cover-point for one.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Hangs on the back foot and punches it to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Misses again! Tossed up ball around off, Stokes initially looks for the paddle sweep but then tries to spoon it over first slip. Manages neither and gets beaten.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Whoa! Some extra spin and bounce. This one lands on the footmarks outside off and spins away. Stokes tries to drive but misses. Warner collects it at first slip.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Appeal for a caught behind! Flighted and full outside off, Stokes tries to play the reverse sweep but fails to connect. Paine collects the ball, appeals but nothing from the umpire. No DRS taken after Paine consulted with Lyon.
Final gamble from Paine. This could be match over in this over itself. Nathan Lyon to bowl. 37-5-107-2. Went for 13 in his previous over...
Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Fullish delivery and it's down the leg side, Leach tries flicking but misses. 19 from the over and England can smell victory here.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. 18 needed more! Width on offer outside off, Stokes plays it with soft hands again, it's towards point and Stokes collects a run. Once again Leach has one ball to see off.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Soft hands this time. Gently steers it through point and scampers back for the second run. Ben has planned this chase amazingly well. Taking calculative risks and then smartly rotating the strike.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. SIX! Ben Stokes has turned it on! Yet another biggie and this one brings up the 50-run stand! Josh has served it short and close to off, Stokes is into top gear, just swivels and powers it over mid-wicket. Two fielders converge but it sails over them.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. SIX! Into the crowd! A low full toss around leg, Stokes goes down on one knee and slogs it across the line. It flies in the air and goes all the way over square leg. Seemed like a mishit but it has still travelled the distance.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR! 8TH TEST HUNDRED FOR BEN STOKES! Outstanding effort from the Big Ben. He has single-handedly kept the Ashes hopes alive for England. Headingley is on its feet. Ben ain't celebration, he knows that there is still some job left to do. A shortish ball on middle, angling in, Stokes hangs back and muscles his pull to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Shortish and on off, angling in, Leach gets across and taps it down towards mid on. Once again Leach has seen off the final ball safely!
Field adjustment for the number 11.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. One ball to survive for Jack Leach.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. TWO RUNS AGAIN! Back of a length ball around middle and leg, Stokes nudges it behind square leg and attempts for the second run. He slips while turning for the second run and then nearly runs into his partner while going at the striker's end. Luckily for England, the throw is at the wrong end, i.e. the bowler's end and there is no harm done.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. SIX! A batsman of this calibre won't miss every time. Cummins sticks to angling a length ball into the batsman and Stokes moves across his stumps to once again attempt for the paddle scoop. This time it finds the sweet spot of his willow and flies all the way over fine leg. 40 needed more.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Play and a miss this time! Back of a length ball angling into the batsman from around middle, Stokes shuffles across the stumps to execute the paddle scoop but misses.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins begins his new spell by angling in a full ball on off, Stokes closes the face of his bat gently and eases it in front of square leg. Excellent running between the wicket to take two runs.
Gamble by Tim Paine. He removes his off spinner after getting treatment by Ben Stokes. Pat Cummins is on. 22-5-55-1 so far.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. More cheers from the crowd! Leach has played out 4 balls in this over. Not that he is a mug with the bat anyways. A length ball outside off, Jack steers this watchfully towards point, with absolute composure!
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Full and around off, solidly defended. The crowd cheers.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Outside off, on a length, guided straight to backward point.
Is everything okay? Stokes walks across and has a chat with his partner. After a few seconds, the thumbs up comes up from Leach to him and the dressing room. Fighting it out...
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. A length ball outside off, Leach looks to fend but gets hit on the glove. The ball dies in front of the slip cordon.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A low full toss outside off, Ben reaches out and drives it wide of long off. Stokes wants the second but it is not there. Is sent back.
A bit of a delay again. Some juice and painkillers coming out. Should be good enough to stay long till those 49 runs are made. The Aussie balcony is tensed. Smith and Langer are pensive. Everyone taking a breather now. Composing themselves. All right. Here we go again. Ben Stokes vs Australia, Round 2.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. On the knee. A length ball outside off, Stokes swings hard but gets a thick inside edge onto his right knee. Ben just clasps his knee a touch. But he is smiling.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Risky run! Floated and outside off, Stokes walks forward and pushes it off the leading half of his bat to mid off. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end and they complete the single safely. 13 from the over and under 50 needed now by England. This is going right down to the wire.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! Innovation at its best! Stokes must be credited for pulling off such a stroke at this stage. A tossed up ball landing full around off, Stokes gets into the position early for the reverse slog and nails it over cover-point for a biggie. The crowd goes wild!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Spinning away from around off, Stokes pushes inside the line and misses.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated and outside off, left alone by Ben.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and on middle, Stokes clobbers it across the line and it goes straight to wide long on.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. UP AND JUST OVER! It's a SIX! Loopy delivery, pitching full outside off, Stokes kneels and hammers it straight down the ground. Hazlewood moves across to his left from long off, tries his best to catch it with a leap but it goes over him. 56 needed more.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Bouncer around leg, Leach sways away from the line. Safely negotiated the final ball.
Two slips and a gully in place. There is a bat-pad in place, standing really close to the batsman at short leg. A leg gully is also present.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fullish and outside off, Stokes throws his bat at it and slices his drive to deep point for a single.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Excellent running between the wickets. Short in length and wide outside off, Stokes reaches out and pushes it gently through cover-point. He straightaway calls for two and completes it with ease. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Nicely backed up.
Just a bit of a delay as Ben Stokes wants a different bat. Shane Warne on air says that this is the bat which was used in the World Cup final. Another heroic day coming up?
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Wide! The plan from Australia is to keep it away from Stokes' hitting zone. But in the process, Pattinson sprays it a little too wide outside off. The umpire exercises his arms.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fullish and outside off, Stokes drives it through covers but it has gone straight to the fielder in the deep. Another run turned down.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Swing and a miss! Short in length and wide outside off, Stokes stands back and tries to slam it over point but misses. Warner at first slip appeals and then smiles. Just trying to pressurize the umpire.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fuller length delivery on middle, Stokes whips it to deep mid-wicket and turns down the single.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Strangely Australia have gifted a single to Stokes. A slider on middle, Stokes moves back and helps it behind square leg for one. 66 needed more!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Goes on the back foot and pushes it with the turn to the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! It's a risky shot but has gone the distance. Floated full ball landing around off, Stokes clears his front leg and launches it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on off, Stokes pushes it with the spin to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Miscued shot! Flighted and on off, Stokes tries to play the reverse sweep but gets a tickle on his gloves before it strikes him on the back leg.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter and shorter outside off, Stokes tries to cut it through the line but misses.
Three men out for the sweep.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. A touch short and on off, Leach defends it from the back foot to covers. A wicket maiden for Patto!
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Here comes the yorker. It's on middle at 88.9 mph and Leach just about manages to dig it out on the leg side.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Bouncer again, on off, Leach drops his wrists and makes a leave. Seems he is setting him up for a big yorker.
James Pattinson to Jack Leach. Shortish ball around off, angling away, Leach allows it through.
Jack Leach is the number 11 batsman. Can Pattinson finish things off here?
James Pattinson to Stuart Broad. OUT! Number 9 goes down! There is no bat and everything is in line with the stumps. A 2-ball duck for Broady. Pattinson spears in a very full ball on middle at 88 mph, Broad tries his best to bring his bat down to block it but it sneaks past the bottom part of his willow and strikes him on the pads. The appeal goes up and so has the finger of umpire Gaffaney. Stuart thinks he has got some bat onto it and refers it upstairs. Ultra Edge picks no wood and the Ball Tracker confirms that it's hitting the stumps. 5 for 48 since Lunch and the end seems nigh for England.
Stuart Broad has been adjudged LBW! He is quick to refer it. Is there any bat? Ultra Edge comes...and it shows that there is NO BAT. Broad is a goner!
James Pattinson to Stuart Broad. Way wide outside off, on a good length, Broad has an easy leave.
Stuart Broad comes in at number 10. All he needs to do, is hang around with Ben Stokes. Just a bit of confusion as to whether the batsmen crossed or not. Yup, they have. So Broady will be on strike.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. OUT! Caught! The catch is legal. One shot too many by Jofra. That plan from Tim Paine works. Just for a while, he went in with two seamers and kept the field back. So, when Nathan Lyon was brought back on, Jofra's inner West Indian was challenged. The West Indian who looks to hit bowlers out of the park. One flight, boom, four. Second flight, boom, four again. Third flight, self-control, defend. Fourth flight, boom, self-destruct. Full and around off, plenty of loop. Archer gets down to mow again but this time, it takes the top edge. Travis Head gets across to his right at deep mid-wicket while Pat Cummins gets across to his left at long leg. Head takes the catch, but then tracks back. So he throws the ball in the air, then comes out and re-takes it, almost colliding with Cummins. Australia celebrate and Archer walks. But the umpires want to confirm and they do so. Replays show that the 25-run stand is broken. 73 more needed to win.
Is that a legal catch? Is that the end of Archer? Umpire Wilson refers it upstairs with the soft signal as OUT. Travis Head has taken a good catch under pressure at the mid-wicket fence. And replays confirm that the 8th wicket is indeed down.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Flighted delivery on off, defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. FOUR! It's a mishit but still finds the fence. Loopy delivery, full and around off, Archer swings his bat across the line and it turns a bit to take the inside half of his bat. It flies towards wide long on, the fielder charges to attempt for the catch but it falls in front and then sneaks behind to fine the fence.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Archer has hammered this one! Under 88 needed now. Tossed up ball landing full on middle, Archer goes with the spin and clobbers it over mid-wicket. There is a fielder present in the deep but even he can't do much.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Superbly flighted delivery. Full and wide outside off, Stokes strides forward and drives it through point for a single.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball on off, Archer defends it off his back foot to the off side. Archer plays out a maiden and more importantly keeps his wicket.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Spears in a full ball on middle at 85.5 mph, Archer sticks back, brings his bat down in time to keep it out safely.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball angling down the leg side, Archer tries heaving across the line but misses.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Bouncer to force Archer on the back foot, Jofra is quick to duck.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Beaten all ends up! Good length ball outside off, shaping away, Archer with a static footwork flashes at it and misses.
'Hang on, hang on, hang on there, boys!' shouts Tim Paine.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Lands it on a good length outside off, Archer stays back and taps it down to point.
Drinks break. 39 runs and 3 wickets in the 17 overs of play post Lunch. Australia have made a resounding comeback. England though will be still hoping to pull it off as Ben Stokes is standing in the middle, looking in full control. Another 82 runs to go and it promises to go right down to the wire.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Fancy footwork by Stokes. He runs down the track in a flash and hammers a full ball straight back past his partner at the other end. No chance for mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. CATCHHHH is the shout but it falls in no man's land. Flighted off spinner landing full on middle, Archer swings his bat across the line and gets it away from the inside half. It loops in the air but drops safely at deep mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and full on off, Ben defends it back off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon (33-5-72-1) returns into the attack. A slip, gully and silly point in place. No one in the deep for the slog sweep.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Good length ball on off, defended from the back foot to the off side.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Stifled appeal for a caught behind! A well-directed bouncer, Archer tries to hook but it bounces over his gloves.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Uneven bounce. Pattinson locks 87.9 mph and angles in a good length ball on off, Archer hangs on the back foot and defends it by really going down.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Fractionally short and on top of off, Archer stands tall inside the crease and pushes it to covers.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. EDGED BUT SHORT! Pattinson hurls in a good length ball on off and gets it to angle back into the batsman. Archer sticks back to defend but it takes a thin outside edge and drops in front of Warner at first slip. James then turn to inquire for an lbw but nothing from the umpire. Warner smiles and indicates to Patto that it came off the bat.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Fullish and on off, Stokes is on the front foot in defense.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Indecision over a run! Back of a length ball on middle, Archer stays back and taps it past Head at short leg. He looks for a run but Stokes sends him back. In the meantime, Wade attacks the ball from mid-wicket, has a shy at the striker's end, Head ducks to avoid coming in between and the ball hits the stumps. However, Jofra is safely in by then. Now it gets deflected down to third man and the batsmen cross.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Wayward short delivery, sliding down the leg side, Archer winds up for a big pull shot but misses.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Bumper around middle and leg, Archer ducks this time.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Boom! Archer is ready to fight fire with fire. Stokes has given him the license to play his natural game. Quick runs here will reduce the runs needed and will also transfer the pressure back on Australia. Short in length and outside off, Jofra latches onto it and spanks it through covers.
Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Shortish and on off, Archer remains on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Double change in bowling. Pat Cummins (21-5-50-1) also returns into the attack. 93 more needed for a win.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle, Stokes turns it with gentle hands to mid-wicket and rushes back for the second run. So Ben is trusting Jofra here!
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Aerial but it's safe! Archer actually hit it really well. Fractionally short and around leg, Jofra flicks it by going on his toes and places it behind square leg. The batsmen take a single.
James Pattinson to Jofra Archer. Wrong line. Pattinson speeds in to deliver a short ball but it's down the leg side. Archer allows it through. A good take by Paine.
Two fielders deep on the leg side for Archer. Will he take on the bowler?
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A bit aerial but doesn't carry back to the bowler. A fullish length ball on off, Stokes drives it back and Pattinson collects it from the ground.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Angling away from the batsman outside off, Stokes covers his stumps before making a leave.
James Pattinson (19-6-38-0) is back into the attack. He will have to maintain the same pressure that Hazlewood was keeping.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Another front foot defense to complete the over.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Loopy and on off, defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. In the air and it just evades a jumping short leg fielder! Lyon gets his off spinner to turn and bounce into the batsman. Archer is forward in defense but it takes the inner edge, brushes his pads and flies over Labuschagne at short leg. That was inches away from his right hand.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Full and flighted on off, turning in, Archer tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Miscommunication again, but no harm done this time. A length delivery close to off stump, Stokes taps it down towards point and looks for a run after that. But Archer sends him back immediately.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another watchful leave outside the off stump by Ben Stokes.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another delivery on a driving length outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Pitches it up and on off, Stokes drives it down the ground but finds mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Solid! Hazlewood lands it on a length around middle and off, Stokes blocks it back.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. In the zone outside off, easily left.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Loopy off spinner pitching full on off, it's blocked off the front foot to cover-point.
Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Slower through the air, full and around off, Archer presses forward in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short and wide outside off, slapped to deep point for one.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on middle, Stokes pushes it out across the line to mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot.
Jofra Archer is the new batsman.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. OUT! Straight into the hands of extra cover. Wheels are coming off for England. A wicket maiden again for Hazlewood. This one looks like a well-planned wicket. They did nearly the same to dismiss Buttler in the first innings and this time Woakes has fallen prey. Hazlewood just puts a length delivery in the channel outside off, Woakes thinks that it's a scoring opportunity and goes for a booming drive. But he fails to keep it down and Wade makes no mistake in catching that. 98 more left to score, 3 wickets remaining.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Slips one delivery down the leg side, Woakes has nothing to do with it.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. This time Hazlewood gets a length ball to shape back into the batsman, Woakes defends it from the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Shortish and outside off, Woakes drops his wrists and lets it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. On and around off, a length ball, Woakes defends it from the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. 19TH TEST FIFTY FOR STOKES, 4th in Ashes and his slowest ever. Needless to say, it's him standing between Australia and Ashes. Shortish ball on off, Stokes moves back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for a brace. The crowd gives him a resounding reception. Under 100 needed for a win.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Gives this one good amount of air and lands it full outside off, Ben defends it solidly off his front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and on middle, defended back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and on off, Stokes defends it off his front foot to the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated delivery around middle and leg, Stokes works it around off the pads to square leg. Woakes eyes a run but is sent back.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads, it's eased through wide mid on for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
Physio there near the boundary line! He is taping Lyon's left thumb, importantly not his bowling hand. Maybe he hurt himself while breaking the stumps during that run out.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A touch short in length around leg, Stokes plays it down towards mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On a length around middle and off, Stokes presents a straight bat in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Straighter delivery this time, Chris helps it through square leg and gets off the mark with a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length ball on off, it's blocked off the back foot by Woakes.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and wide outside off, Stokes allows it through to complete a successful over for Australia.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Whacked! Short in length and outside off, Stokes rocks back and smashes it square of the wicket on the off side for a cracking boundary. It's now all up to Stokes, just like it was in the recently concluded World Cup final.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and on off, defended watchfully.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Chris Woakes is the new batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. OUT! Exceptional work by Travis Head. Wonderful passage of play for Australia. Coming to the delivery, it's full and on middle, Stokes eases it out towards mid-wicket and steps down looking for a run. Buttler responds and comes running down the track but then Stokes stops and sends Jos back. Head in the meanwhile attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end with an under-arm flick. The Aussies know that they have their man and start to celebrate. The onfield umpire takes it upstairs and the replays confirm that Buttler is miles away from the crease. Also, Lyon broke the stumps with his hands after the bails came off. All fair and Australia get the sixth wicket.
JOS BUTTLER IS RUN OUT! The Kangaroos are jumping up and down in celebration. Travis Head has produced a direct hit. The umpire is checking it upstairs. Buttler is miles short in the replays.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, full and on off, Stokes prods forward and defends it back.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Beauty! A touch short in length and outside off, moving away off the seam, Jos feels for it and gets beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Edged but safe! Fullish and on off, Buttler has a nervous push inside the line and it goes off the outside edge to third slip. Doesn't carry to the fielder but he does well to stop it with a dive.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. The line on this occasion is around middle and off, Stokes plays it quite late and pushes it out towards point. They spot the chance for a run and complete it rather comfortably.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, an easy leave this time for Ben.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Pulled firmly, the crowd is loving every act of Ben Stokes. What a player! Gives everything when he has the ball in his hand and now doing it with the bat. Short in length and on middle, Ben rides the bounce and pulls it with authority. The deep mid-wicket fielder runs across to his right but fails to pull it back.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants across a length ball around off, Stokes covers the line and shoulders arms.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on middle, skidding down, Buttler gets back and turns it off his pads to backward square leg. The fielder there dives to his left to make a partial stop. The batsmen cross after that. Nelson needed more with 5 wickets left.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter and shorter on off, Stokes remains on the back foot and punches it to short extra cover.
Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Edgy! Buttler is off the mark but it wasn't a convincing single. A flighted off spinner landing full on off, Buttler tries to drive it through covers but it takes the inside half and hurries past short leg for one.
Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Loopy around off, spinning in, Buttler defends it off the back foot to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter one, full and on the pads, Stokes flicks it off the inner half to fine leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot to the leg side.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Keeps probing around off with a length ball, Buttler defends it off his back foot. Impressive over by Josh, a wicket maiden.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on off, shaping in, Buttler covers the line and blocks it solidly.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Angling in around off, Jos defends it from the front foot to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Serves a length delivery in the zone outside off, Buttler shoulders arms.
Jos Buttler is the new batsman. Straightaway a short cover comes into place. Usman Khawaja is the fielder. He caught Buttler there in the first innings. So definitely Australia have picked a chink in Buttler's armour.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Gone! Bairstow is caught at second slip and Australia have an opening they dearly needed. Hazlewood has got a wicket with a really bad delivery. Short in length and wide outside off, Bairstow goes chasing after it and gets a thick outside edge behind to Labuschagne at second slip. He makes no mistake and immediately pumps his fists in celebration. 114 more needed and England will have to guard against any collapse.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. EDGED AND FOUR! Did that carry to Warner? A bit unsure. Loopy and on off, spinning away, Stokes is forward again in defense but it spins away to take the outside edge. Warner dives to his left at first slip but it hurries past his hand to the fence behind.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Good tight bowling from Lyon. Solid defense from Stokes. Tossed up and around off, Stokes defends it off his front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Loopy and around off, Ben has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Quicker and fuller on middle, Stokes blocks it with a straight bat to mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted and full on off, Stokes presses forward in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Shout for an lbw, nothing from the umpire. This time there is an edge. An inswinger around off, Jonny Bairstow tries to defend from the crease but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on off, Stokes punches it down the ground and by the time the mid off fielder cleans it up, they take a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A length delivery angling away from the left-hander, this time Stokes picks the line early and decides not to offer any shot.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball close to off, it's blocked from the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. NOT OUT! Shortish ball outside off, shaping back in a hint, Bairstow stays back to flat-bat it through the line but is beaten on the inside edge. Paine collects the ball and appeals. Umpire Gaffaney agrees but Jonny is quick to take the DRS. It's reviewed with gusto and certainty, quips Michael Atherton on air. Ultra Edge finds nothing and the crowd roars. It's followed by boos for the umpire. Hmm...
Appeal for a caught behind! FINGER GOES UP! Jonny Bairstow immediately refers it. Ultra Edge finds nothing. Continue batting, Jonny.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack from the other end after Lunch.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted off spinner on off, Stokes is on the front foot to cover the spin as he defends it safely. Good start from Lyon!
Two slips for Ben Stokes.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Uppish but wide of short leg! A long hop on middle, Jonny goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Spinning down the leg side, it's left alone easily.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Floated delivery, it's a touch short outside off and breaking back in with extra bounce, Bairstow fails to work it around from the back foot and is hit high on the pads.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Allows the ball to spin back into him from outside off and then Jonny defends it to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Starts with a nicely flighted delivery, landing full and outside off, Bairstow goes back when he should have been forward and then blocks.
Back for more Test cricket! The way England batted before Lunch, it's looking more one-sided from hereon. But, the first 30 minutes will give us a clearer picture. The men concerned are out in the middle. Australia would have regrouped and thought about their plans. Another 120 runs for them to play with. Nathan Lyon, the most threatening bowler this morning, to kickoff proceedings...
... DAY 4, SECOND SESSION ...
So, the equation now has come down to - 121 runs and 6 wickets! England are the firm favourites from hereon and Australia need to produce a magical performance just like they did on Day 2. Can they succeed? Or will England continue to march towards victory? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Australia started the day's play with a plan to not give any easy runs. They bowled four straight maiden overs at the beginning and were executing the plan quite well. However, once the second new ball was taken, they completely lost the plot. Their pacers sprayed it around and the English batsmen made merry. Runs came thick and fast and it took all the pressure away from the hosts. Only Nathan Lyon bowled with some control and got good purchase from the surface as well. His spell holds the key as far as the Australians are concerned.
What a session! England bossed it and have put themselves in the driving seat. There was an early casualty when Warner's stunning catch dismissed the English skipper but Australia failed to capitalize on that opening. Jonny Bairstow batted positively and soon it brushed on Ben Stokes as well. The southpaw had a nervy beginning but he settled down and now, the current stand is worth 79 runs and run rate of this partnership is 4.27. Outstanding work under pressure by this pair.
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. A leg spinner on the shorter side around off, Bairstow goes deep inside the crease and punches it to sweeper cover for a single. The crowd has gone wild. They are giving a standing ovation to the two English batsmen as they head back to the dressing room. LUNCH ON DAY 4!
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. Well tossed up delivery, pitching full and outside off, Bairstow pushes it off his front foot to point.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Too full in length around leg, Stokes clips it past short leg and crosses for a run.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Sharp spin and bounce, going down, Stokes tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Loopy delivery, landing full on off, Stokes gets forward and pushes it to mid on.
Marnus Labuschagne to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on off, Bairstow goes back and punches it down to point for a single.
Last over before Lunch and it will be bowled by Marnus Labuschagne. He's worth a punt at this stage. Has bowled decent 5 overs so far.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, landing full on off, Stokes offers a straight bat in defense and it takes the outside edge. Falls in front of silly point. Excellent over, a maiden.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Just a bit short in length, around middle, Stokes pushes his weight back inside the crease as he defends.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Fuller and on off, quicker through the air, Stokes blocks it back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. This is good bowling. Loopy and full on off, Ben lunges and defends it watchfully.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated and full on leg, Stokes flicks but again finds short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball on middle, Stokes defends it down in front of short leg.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length delivery outside off, holding its line, Bairstow has nothing to do with it. Back-to-back maidens from Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Identical to the last delivery, Bairstow plays it close to his body and defends it towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Targets the off stump and angles it on a length, Jonny blocks it back safely.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A gentle delivery, on a length outside off, Bairstow lets it through to the keeper.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer on middle and leg, an easy leave for Bairstow.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Angles in a length ball on off, Bairstow defends it back from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Turn and bounce from around off, Bairstow tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It loops wide of short leg and they cross.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Thumped! The local boy is going great gun. He picks the off spinner early, as soon as it lands full on off, Jonny is ready with his sweep shot. Nails it behind square leg for a boundary much to the delight of the home crowd.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Skidding down the leg side, Stokes helps it behind square leg for a run. He is still unhappy with something and complains to the umpire.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter one, short and on off, Stokes moves back and defends.
Still some issue with something near the sightscreen. The reserve umpire is out there getting things corrected.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Beaten by a beauty! Full again, it lands on off and turns away, Stokes tries to defend but misses.
Some disturbance near the sightscreen. Slight hold up in play. The players wait and we resume after everything is fixed.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and flighted on off, Stokes lunges and defends it back to the bowler.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Beaten! A touch short in length and outside off, some extra lift as it straightens, Bairstow pushes at it and misses.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Straighter delivery, angling in, Bairstow works it around the corner but finds the fielder on the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer around leg, Jonny ducks.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Hurls a short delivery wide outside off, inviting the batsman to have a go, Bairstow restrains himself from going after it.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A length ball is angled into the batsman, Jonny plays it across the line but it goes straight to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish ball on off, Bairstow defends it off his back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Lyon pulls his length back this time and delivers it on off, Stokes goes on the back foot and punches it to extra cover.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Well bowled again. Lyon is getting some good turn from the surface. Full and flighted outside off, Stokes pushes at it and misses.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Peach of a delivery. Turn and bounce. Lyon lets out an off spinner, it pitches around off, Stokes gets forward to defend but it spins away to beat the edge.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up ball outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and allows it through.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Loopy and around off, Jonny goes down and across to sweep it fine towards fine leg. Good stop in the deep and hence only a run.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and flighted on off, Bairstow drives it off his front foot to covers.
Nathan Lyon is brought back into the attack. Australia need to snatch the momentum back from England.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Australia have lost the plot completely. Paine fails to do a regulation collection behind the stumps. A length ball outside off, Jonny shoulders arms, Tim fumbles and they cross for a bye. 8 from the over. Entertaining action for the English crowd.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Extra bounce from a good length around middle and leg, Bairstow tries working it on the leg side but misses. It hits him on the thigh pad, Cummins appeals but nothing from the umpire.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Slightly short and on off, Stokes taps it down towards backward point and crosses.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle, Ben defends it from the back foot to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. SIX! This one has gone all the way. Wow. Minimum power, maximum result. Cummins serves a back of a length ball around middle and leg, Stokes just glances it off his hips and it flies from the sweet spot of his bat. Clears backward square leg with ease.
As expected, Pat Cummins is back on. Three slips waiting...
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Better, much better from Pattinson. He delivers it on a length and just outside off, shaping away, Bairstow makes a watchful leave.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Fuller this time and the line is on middle and leg, Stokes tucks it behind square leg for one.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Slapped away! Short in length and outside off, Stokes camps back and whacks it through the gap between cover and cover-point. England are running away with this Test match.
Pat Cummins is warming up.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, Stokes has nothing to do with it.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Around off, a bit short, it's defended off the back foot by Ben Stokes.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, angling away, Stokes pokes inside the line and misses.
Australia have not been quite there with the second new ball. They were relentless with their lines with the first new ball but have been spraying it around with the second new nut. The visitors are feeling the pressure, feels Michael Atherton after looking at the pitch map. The advice is to bowl a boring line and length and dry out the runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length ball outside off, Bairstow pushes inside the line and it goes off the outer half through point for a couple.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. In the channel outside off, an easy leave for Jonny.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A length ball starting from off and moving down the leg side, Stokes nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants in a full length ball on middle and off, Stokes defends it from the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot to covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. This Test match is fast slipping away from the Aussies. They need to break this partnership quickly.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Short and on middle and leg, Jonny tickles it through backward square leg for a couple. 13 from the over, England are cruising.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. FIVE WIDES! Australia are leaking runs here. Pattinson loses his line this time. Delivers an outswinger way wide outside off. Bairstow allows it through and it goes to Warner at first slip. He fails to catch it and the ball goes right through his legs. Labuschagne chases from second slip but fails to pull it back. 50-run stand comes up and it's met with a hugeeee cheer from the crowd.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish and on off, Bairstow moves back, rotates his wrists and plays it down in front of square leg. Straightaway shouts no to keep his partner informed.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Four leg byes! The crowd continues to love the action. Pattinson bowls an inswinger but the line is too straight. Bairstow fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. 154 needed more.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A delivery in the channel outside off, Bairstow watchfully makes a leave.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Loose shot, it's aerial but in the gap! Huge cheer for a couple of runs. A length ball outside off, Jonny reaches out for it and drives it away from his body. It takes the outside half of his bat and goes through cover-point for a couple.
Australia want to regain some control. In comes James Pattinson to provide that.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery close to off and straightening a bit, Ben shoulders arms to complete the over. 13 runs so far after the Drinks break, 33 against the second new ball.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Crispy drive! A bit too full, around off, Stokes hits it on the up and strokes it past the bowler. The mid on chases it down and the batsmen take a couple of runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Angling down the leg side at 84.7 mph, Stokes tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Hazlewood over-corrects his line and length. He is very straight on a good length ball and Bairstow turns it through square leg for one.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Beautiful shot! This pair is oozing confidence at the moment. Hazlewood overpitches around off, Bairstow presents the full face of the bat and executes a delightful off drive for a boundary. Australia would be feeling some pressure at the moment.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Hazlewood puts it on a length just outside off, Bairstow plants his front foot forward to cover his off stump and then makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Eased away! Length delivery on off, Stokes closes the face of his bat and works it through mid-wicket for a couple. 6 from this one, Australia need to choke the flow of runs here. This partnership is now worth 33 off 45 balls, going at 4.4. 167 runs needed more!
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Bouncer from Cummins. The line is on middle and Stokes ducks.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on off, Stokes moves across the stumps and plays it with the angle of the bowler to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Cummins immediately cuts down his length and goes fuller and on middle, Stokes brings his big bat down and pushes it out to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Aggression from Stokes. Poor delivery to start with, it's short and wide outside off, plenty of room, Stokes flashes his bat at it, tries to slam it over point but it flies off the outside edge and goes to the third man fence.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Fractionally short in length and close to off stump, Stokes hangs on the back foot and defends it to covers.
Drinks break. An hour of Day 4 done and we have already witnessed some exciting Test cricket. England have managed to score 30 runs but also lost the key wicket of Joe Root. The second new nut is only few overs old and the Aussies would love to make full use of it. There is plenty of support on offer for their bowlers and the next hour also promises to be brilliant.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Short in length and in the zone outside off, Bairstow shoulders arms. 20 runs scored from the time the second new ball was taken!
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. More measured approach this time. Sticks on the back foot to a shortish ball and calmly taps it down to gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Runs are coming now too quickly. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, going down, Jonny fails to flick and it goes off his thigh pad to fine leg. The batsmen steal a couple of leg byes.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Australia won't mind Jonny driving here. This shot wasn't played with much control. Fuller and outside off, Bairstow tries to stroke it through the line but slices his drive through the gap between gully and point for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! This will give some confidence to Jonny Bairstow. He just leans into the length ball outside off and drives it crisply past the diving extra cover fielder for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball close to the off stump line, Bairstow defends it from the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. TOP EDGE! Falls safely! Back of a length ball angling into the batsman from 'round the wicket, Stokes swivels inside the crease with the pull shot but fails to middle it. The ball flies off the top edge and clears mid-wicket. They take a couple of runs.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. This time the line is too straight and Jonny eases it to the right of mid on for a single.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Play and a miss! Short in length and outside off, Jonny tries to cut from the back foot but it shapes in to beat the inside edge of his bat.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Closer to the off stump this time, angling in from a length, Jonny defends it solidly by covering the line.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length delivery just outside off, straightening a bit with extra bounce, Bairstow lifts his bat skywards and lets it through.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish and on off, Bairstow hangs back and plays it down to point. Slight misfield but no run conceded.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Wow, big movement there. Hazlewood runs in from 'round the wicket for the left-hander and lands it on a length outside off. Stokes decides to leave it and after that it swings appreciably. It heads over the off stump and Paine has to stretch to his right to collect the ball. A wayward first over with the second new ball by Josh.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball around off, moving back in off the seam, Bairstow shuffles across to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It speeds down to fine leg where Cummins makes a sliding stop near the boundary line. The batsmen take three runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Wide! A wild delivery. Josh loses the radar completely and hurls a shortish length ball way wide outside off.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Every run is cheered by the English crowd. An inswinger probably but the line is down the leg side. Bairstow fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards fine leg. They take a couple of leg byes.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Beauty of a delivery. Can't do much about that one. This one angles into the batsman, lands on a length and nips away ever-so-slightly to beat the defensive bat of Bairstow.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Outswinger this time, on a length and outside off, Jonny plants his front leg forward and makes a leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Good leave. A length ball around off, shaping in appreciably, Bairstow watches the line closely and then shoulders arms.
Josh Hazlewood to share the new cherry from the other end. He has 7 wickets in the match so far and would love a 10-wicket haul.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Shortish and on top of off stump, Stokes hangs on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on off, angling in, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Nasty delivery. Encouraging for Pat Cummins, he would have enjoyed it. Back of a length ball on off, climbing onto the batsman, Bairstow jumps and tries to fend it off. It goes off his gloves and flies past the vacant short leg region. A single is taken.
SECOND NEW BALL TAKEN! Three slips and a gully. No mid off.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Slightly short and on off, Bairstow defends it off his back foot.
Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on leg, some extra bounce, Jonny fails to work it on the leg side and is hit on the thigh pad.
Second new ball is available now! But it has not been taken by Australia straightaway. However, there is a change in bowling. Pat Cummins to bowl for the first time this morning...
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Skidding in from around off, Ben moves back and helps it to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter this time, on off, Stokes defends it off his back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Superbly played! Extra flight on this occasion, a full ball pitching on middle, Stokes leans forward and flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket. The mid on fielder gives the chase but the ball wins the race. Stokes' first boundary in 74 balls and the crowd loved it.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Nicely tossed up delivery, landing full on off, Ben lunges and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and flighted on off, Bairstow works it with the turn through backward square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Flighted ball outside off, Bairstow leaves it alone.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Beaten! A length delivery angling away from the southpaw again, Stokes has a nervous push inside the line and misses. Not too far away from the outside edge, that.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Pattinson goes short and Stokes decides to let it go to the keeper.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Angling across the batsman, outside off, Ben allows it through.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. A touch short and on middle, angling down, Jonny fails to work it around and it goes off his thigh pad towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.
James Pattinson to Jonny Bairstow. Full in length and outside off, Bairstow lets it go safely.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A wicket from the over, big wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Uses the spin this time and works it through square leg for a run. Under 200 needed now.
Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Tossed up ball on off, Bairstow goes on the back foot in defense.
Jonny Bairstow is the new batsman with exactly 200 runs needed.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. OUT! STUNNER FROM DAVID WARNER! MASSIVE BREAKTHROUGH! David Warner, you beauty! How can you pull out such catches? He was blinded there. Still shows great reflexes to catch it. A wicket finally after the first innings of the second Test for Lyon, his 356th in Tests, going past Dennis Lillee. But to be honest, this is Warner's wicket. Lyon lets out an off spinner, it's full and around off, Root advances down the track and tries to heave it across the line. But it spins back in to take the inside edge, brushes his pads and lobs over Paine. Not sure when Warner saw that coming. But whenever he got the sight of it, he made sure to catch it with a full length dive to his left from first slip. Absolute ripper. Body blow to England. The Aussies are roaring.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted delivery, landing full on middle, Stokes leans forward and flicks it in front of square leg for one.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Slow spin back into the batsman from around off, Root moves back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Three more overs left for the second new ball. In comes Nathan Lyon to bowl two of them, maybe. He's been wicket-less for quite some time.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Almost nicks it behind! Pattinson takes a length ball away from the left-hander, outside off, Stokes pushes inside the line without any footwork and misses.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Delivers it on a fuller length around off, Stokes pushes it straight back and looks for a run. But the mid off fielder is quickly to the ball and he stays where he is.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Clocks 89.2 mph and lands it around off, Stokes blocks it from the crease.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Gets behind the line of the delivery and tries to drive. Mistimes it towards covers.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. First run of the morning and it's met with a huge cheer from the crowd. Good length ball on off, Root hangs back and taps it down to the right of the third slip fielder for a single.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Some inward movement from a length outside off, Root sticks back and defends it off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR MAIDENS IN A ROW! This is great bowling from Australia. Wickets not falling? No problem. Just choke the run flow and play on the patience of the batsmen. Full and outside off, Stokes makes a leave easily.
Physio comes out. Stokes is looking fine and trying to fix the extra protection on his helmet. A few concerned looking Aussies also surround him. All is well and we are ready to continue...
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. BANG ON THE HELMET! It has become a common occurrence now. Great bowling or poor technique, judge yourself. Hazlewood digs in a well-directed bouncer, Stokes is taken by surprise as he tries to pull. He fails to connect and takes a blow straight on the helmet. Due to the impact, the extra protections behind have come off.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. In the channel outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and allows it through.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Just short of Head! Hazlewood gets a back of a length ball to move into the batsman, Stokes works it across the line and it's a bit uppish. Doesn't carry to the fielder standing in front of square leg.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Angling in a length ball on middle, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the leg side.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Extra bounce along with some late movement on this occasion. A bit short on middle and off, Root plays it out from the inside half of his bat to mid-wicket. Three maidens in a row.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Some reverse happening. Pattinson hurls in a length ball around off and it shapes back in with the shine, Root presents a straight bat in defense and keeps it out off the inner half.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Root remains on the back foot and defends it back to the bowler.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. James is bowling impressive lines here. Keeping it on and around off, drawing the batsman forward, Root defends it close to his front pad.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Serves it on a length close to off at 86.6 mph, Root is on the back foot trying to defend it on the leg side but it takes the leading half of his bat and rolls to covers.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Beautifully bowled and nicely defended. Full and around off, a hint of movement in the air, Root is solidly behind the line in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Lands it on a length and close to off, Stokes gets forward a bit and defends it with gentle hands towards backward point. A couple of maidens to begin the day's play.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and on off, angling in, Stokes presses forward with a straight bat and pushes it back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Slants in a length ball on off, Stokes defends it from the back foot to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Hurls a good length ball in the zone outside off, Ben allows it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A bit of indecision from Stokes. Thinks about leaving a length ball around off but is late in withdrawing his bat. It takes a good chunk of his bat and rolls towards gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball angling in middle, from 'round the wicket, Stokes defends it from the crease to the on side.
Josh Hazlewood (18-6-35-2) to operate from the other end.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. Good start from Australia!
James Pattinson to Joe Root. In the zone outside off, left alone.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Huge shout for a caught behind! The umpire remains unmoved. There was some noise. What's happening? Paine runs up to his bowler, has a chat and then decides to drop the plan to refer it. Entire day left and they have just one review left. Fair call that way. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, angling down the leg side, Root tries to flick but seems to have missed it. It goes behind to Paine who catches and appeals. It's turned down and the replays later on show that the noise was off the ball clipping the thigh pad.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Targets the off stump with a length ball, it angles in and meets the defensive bat of Joe Root.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Pattinson keeping the old ball nice and full, it's on middle and Joe pushes it down to mid on.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A cracking beginning. Pattinson hits the blockhole straightaway, trying to catch Root off-guard but the English skipper does well to squeeze it out towards point. He looks for a run but his deputy is not interested.
Time to play the game! The players are already on the field. Joe Root and Ben Stokes stride out amidst a good ovation from the crowd. It's bright and sunny looking like great batting conditions. James Pattinson to kickoff proceedings. 2-0 or 1-1, let's find out...
Three days of enthralling action, with both teams domination at some point of time. This has been the story of the Leeds Test so far as we enter into the fourth day which very well could be the final day. After weathering the storm last evening, England have brought themselves into a position from where they can seriously challenge the Aussies. Joe Root has struck form at the best possible time and his century partnership with Joe Denly has made sure that Australia don't run away with the Ashes. Having said that, it's a new day which will bring new challenges and with another 203 runs to get, this game is wide open. Needless to say, the morning session will give us a hint of which way this clash will be heading. 8 overs to go for the second new ball and that may have a big say on the outcome. We are not far away from the start, stay tuned.
... DAY 4, FIRST SESSION ...
Right! 203 to win. 7 wickets in hand. 196 overs left in the game. But we will not need those! Because unless the weather intervenes, this game will not see a Day 5 for sure. Will Joe Root get to his first ever century in the 4th innings? Will Nathan Lyon be able to get back to wicket-taking ways on Sunday? Will the effect of Saturday's tiring work go awry or pay good heeds for the Aussie bowlers? Join us on Sunday, 25th August, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 4 which should also be the final day of this Test. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Perhaps this is the day which bowling coaches want to see. When the ball is moving around, many a bowler gets a wicket. But when the ball is doing nothing, it is the discipline and the patience of the bowlers which get tested. Australia had plenty. Cummins, Hazlewood and Pattinson kept clocking in high speeds and bowled tirelessly, beating the inside and outside edges, but without luck. Then, came the massive strangulation - 9-3-7-1 between Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon which eventually got rid of Joe Denly. It would have been easy for a bowling unit to get frustrated and leak runs. But on a good pitch with not much swing around, Australia only gave away runs at just over 2 an over, a testimony to their discipline. That has ensured that in spite of the century stand, England have not run away with the game. Yet.
Joe Denly. Who is he? With all due respect, not many know about this man. This guy has scored over 11,000 first-class runs and Saturday was the day when he made the world notice. Had a few nervy moments but importantly, he rode those and moved ahead. Eventually, it took a brute from Josh Hazlewood to get rid of the Canterbury-born. His score reads 50 from 155 balls but only he knows how easy he has made life for the rest of his batting mates.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Welcome back, Joe Root. He has arrived in the Ashes at last. A knock which pretty much defines his character. Absorbing all the overlaying pressure then slowly but surely, transferring it back to the opposition. He, along with Denly, fought Australia patiently and in a stand worth 126, kept the hungry Aussies at bay.
Yes! We have a Day 4! The game is alive. How many times did we feel in this Test that the game is gone? First, when the Aussies were 'bundled out' for 179. Then, when England were blown away for 67. Then, this morning, when they were 15/2 in the 7th over. But the two Joes joined forces and ensured that they gave no chance to their foe.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. STUMPS ON DAY 3, ENGLAND NEED 203 MORE TO WIN!
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Punches this towards long on for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, solidly defended.
Nathan Lyon to bowl the final over of the day.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone. Paine initially looks at the skies in disappointment but then Cummins walks across to him and asks about the review. Paine comes down a long way, has a chat but then shakes his head, Then, jokingly asks Stokes whether he hit it. The Big Ben waits, waits, waits and when the allotted 15 seconds for a review are over, he shakes his head. The crowd loves that and Paine pats Stokesy on his arm. Nothing on the Ultra Edge when the ball passes the bat.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. A length ball, tucked straight to short leg.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. WIDE. A slower bouncer, outside leg, Stokes ducks. Tim Paine gets a bad bounce and fumbles. The crowd cheers as a wide is signalled.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Shortish and close to off, Stokes is on the back foot in defense.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Bouncer around off, Stokes allows it through.
Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. In the channel outside off, Stokes hangs on the back foot and lets it go to the keeper.
Pat Cummins (14-3-32-1) is back for one final burst before Stumps.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Fires a quicker one on the pads, Stokes brings down a straight bat and it takes the inner half before rolling through square leg for a run.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. A low full toss on middle, Ben lunges and pushes it to mid off.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Very full and on middle, Stokes defends it back with a straight bat.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Shortish and on leg, Root tucks it to mid-wicket and crosses.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Shortish and skidding down the leg side, Stokes fails to get it away and it goes off the pads to square leg. A leg bye taken.
Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Flatter delivery on off, Stokes hangs back and defends it on the off side.
Marnus Labuschagne to bowl with 11 minutes left in the day. 4-0-11-0 so far.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, the skipper comes down the track and defends.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Lyon appeals for LBW but umpire Wilson is not interested. Paine asks Lyon about the review but he says that it is spinning too much.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked towards Matthew Wade at short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up outside off, Root looks to drive but gets a bit of an inside edge back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked straight to short leg.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Excellent delivery. Pattinson spears in a very full ball on middle, Stokes brings his bat down in time to dig it towards covers.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A touch short in length and close to off, Stokes remains on the back foot and defends it to the cover fielder.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, Joe taps it down towards point and crosses for a run.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Covers the line of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Digs it in around off, Root drops his wrists and sways away from the line.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. On a good length close to off, Root blocks it from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Fullish and on off, some extra bounce, Stokes goes back and defends it off the leading half of his blade.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around middle, flicked towards square leg.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, well blocked out.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, defended solidly.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root comes down the track and eases it down the ground for a single. 'ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!' cheers the crowd as the 150 is raised. 209 more to win.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, allowed to go through.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Around off, watchfully defended.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. A length ball outside off, watchfully defended.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge past second slip. A single taken.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven towards cover.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. On a length outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way and beats the inside edge.
'C'mon guys, c'mon guys, c'mon guys, put the pressure on, put the pressure on, put the pressure on, we can get two more tonight!' A sleepy Predicto Praky suddenly has his eyeballs pop out on hearing that. '2 more?' he asks. Well, he has got something to look forward in the remaining 26 minutes...
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Landed outside off, a touch wide, let through.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, flicked through square leg for a single.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Full and down the leg side, a wild ball, Stokes lets it go. Tim Paine dives full length to his right and stops it.
James Pattinson to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, played through point for a single.
Kamtishwar - 'Where is Patto? Where is Patto? Where is Patto? Oh looks like Paine has heard me.' Yes. Telepathy, mate. James Pattinson is back on for a final burst. 10-3-19-0 so far.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, Stokes lets it go. Don't think he picked it. Guess he expected it to turn away but it was an arm ball. Just grazed off stump.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Stokes gets off the mark. Down the leg side, nudged through square leg for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Landed outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A bouncer, at the head, Stokes sways away.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, easy to leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, angling away, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, solidly defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Landed outside off, Joe gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Paine starts to appeal but then keep quiet as the impact is well outside off.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Oohhh... beaten. Landed outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Comes down the track this time and defends.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! Nicely played. Full and outside off, Root brings out his reverse sweep and gently laps it through the vacant slip position. There is a leg slip who is now moved to conventional first slip after that shot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, shouldered arms to.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, angling away, left alone.
Ben Stokes arrives in the middle. He got out playing a very ordinary shot in the last innings and would like to correct that this time around. England have a good platform courtesy the last stand and all he needs to do is to partner his skipper.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. OUT! Finally (in Rock's voice), Australia have managed to break the century partnership. The long and hard persistence from Hazlewood has paid off. A rip-roaring bouncer from him. It lands close to off and there's some steep bounce. It climbs onto the batsman, Denly takes his eyes off the ball but fails to take his gloves away. The ball brushes them and then ricochets off his helmet to Paine. The Aussie skipper grabs the simplest of catches and they all go up in a big appeal. The finger goes up and Denly looks down. He knows what has happened there. Root checks on him to know whether he wants to take the DRS but Denly declines the offer. Wicket number 3 goes down and England need another 218 runs from here to win.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Back of a length ball on off, Denly defends it from the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and leg, Root fails to work it around and it goes off his pads to square leg for a leg bye.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Safe as a house. Full and outside off, Denly drives it straight back to the bowler who fires a throw back at the stumps at the striker's end and hits them. Paine appeals and it is referred upstairs. Replays show that Denly had to scurry back but he is safe.
A run out? Direct hit but Root looks to be in.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. NOT OUT. Missing leg. Cannot totally blame Paine there. That looked close but the pitch has now started to turn. Full and outside off, Denly looked to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Lyon screams his lungs but umpire Wilson shakes his head. Paine has a chat with his bowler and then takes the review. Tough luck as Ball Tracker shows it to be missing leg.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Huge shout for LBW! Turned down. Full and outside off, Denly looks to defend but the ball spins in a long way, hits the pads and then goes to short leg where Marnus Labuschagne dives to his right to take the catch. LBW? Bat-pad?
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another jaffa! On a length outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball zips past the outside edge again.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, shaping in, Root looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Hazlewood has some chirp which starts into a chatter. Root looks and looks and looks and then gives the cutest smile one can ever see. Even Hazlewood starts to smile. They say, if looks could kill. Here, it is, if looks could woo...
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Joe looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards extra cover where a lazy Matthew Wade refuses to bend. Hence, the ball refuses to stop, goes off his legs and the batsmen think about the single. But the man who wanted to be a pilot if his cricketing career did not shape up, charged to the ball from mid off and Root went back. Usman Khawaja it was.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, blocked towards cover.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, punched off the back foot back to the G.O.A.T.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, Denly looks to flick but hits it a bit uppishly. It falls short of the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, gently paddled through fine leg for a single. 219 more to win. That is the 300th ball faced by this pair. Awesome. Their entire first innings lasted just 27.5 overs.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full again, the skipper lunges and pushes it towards backward point.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root comes forward and defends.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Huge caught behind shout, but not out. On a length outside off, Denly looks to defend but the ball jags back in and goes off something to the keeper. Paine throws the ball in the air but does not appeal ferociously. Replays show that the ball hit the pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, Root plays it very late, tapping the ball through gully. Travis Head dives to his right but cannot stop it. Parries it away and concedes a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, coming in, defended solidly.
Drinks break. England are going strength from strength and this partnership has put them in a strong position. They still require 221 runs to level the series and hence cannot afford to relax a single bit. Australia have been decent with their bowling efforts but without much success. They will have to stay patient and focus on execution. Good part is that they are not leaking runs and keep England under check in that part. 21 more overs to go before Stumps. Can they pick a wicket or two?
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, Root takes it on the full and sweeps it past forward short leg for a run. Catch it was the shout from somewhere but it was well wide.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated and full on off, defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Inside edge saves Root there! He jumps down the track to play a big shot across the line but misses. Luckily for him, it takes the inner half of his bat, strikes him on the pads and then goes behind. Paine reacts a bit late and it gets deflected off his pads as well to his right. All that allows Root time to return inside the crease. Scary moment.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Quicker and fuller outside off, Root tries to sweep but misses. The impact is well outside off.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flighted delivery, landing full outside off and spinning back in, Root gets forward to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Gets a length ball to angle into the batsman around off, Joe Denly prods forward and defends it back. Maiden!
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Tim Paine walks forward to have a chat with his bowler and then decides not to take the referral. Hazlewood gets a length ball to move back into the batsman from outside off. Denly shuffles across a bit to defend but misses and is pinged on the back leg. They appeal but it seems too high. The replays confirm that it's going well over the middle stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Again the line is outside off, Denly once again makes a watchful leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. In the channel outside off, it's left alone by Denly.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter and on off, defended off the back foot to complete the over.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. SECOND TEST FIFTY FOR JOE DENLY and his knock is well appreciated by the home crowd. He has applied himself superbly under pressure and has played his part in this big partnership with the skipper. Reaches to his landmark by easing a full ball with the spin to long on for a run. The bat goes up in acknowledgement.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Flighted delivery, landing full on off and spinning in, Denly blocks it off his front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball around off, Root gets down and across before playing the lap sweep down to fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated and full on off, this time Root presses forward and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter through the air, the length is on the shorter side and there is some slow spin available, Root hangs on the back foot in defense.
Oh... we thought he had gone off. Finally, after an age, Paine turns to Nathan Lyon. 11-0-31-0 so far. But crucially, 15 in 3 since Tea. England have played him much better after that opening Test.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Around off, on a length, defended solidly to end the over.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fullish and on off, Denly drives it off his front foot to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. MASSIVE INSIDE EDGE! Another onfield decision is overturned, all thanks to the DRS. It's a good delivery to begin with. On a length outside off and since the shine is inside, it heads towards the off stump. Root tries to defend but fails to do so from the middle of his bat. He is thudded on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up. Honestly saying, we spotted an inside edge immediately and Root is also quick to take the review. The Ultra Edge picks a big chunk of wood and Root is safe.
Joe Root has been adjudged LBW. But he has straightaway signalled for the review. Seems to be a massive inside edge. Yup. The first replay confirms it. Huge, massive inside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and outside off, Root plays it down from the crease to point.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Denly has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 9 from the over, England are scoring freely, without any issues.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. No ball called as it's the third bouncer in this over. Cummins bangs it in short around middle, Denly takes evasive action and immediately ducks. Good take by Paine.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! In spite of a sliding effort near the fence by Hazlewood. Once again Denly has nicely played it out. Shortish and on middle and leg, Joe moves inside the line and glances it fine down the leg side. Hazlewood tries to stop it but makes contact with the rope and the nut at the same time. The third umpire passes on that verdict to the onfield umpire and a boundary is signalled.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! Bang! Right from the middle of the bat. Width on offer outside off, Denly spots the chance to free his arms and throws his hands to it. Connects and connects well to fetch a boundary at deep cover.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short again and it's down the leg side, Denly makes another leave. He knows about the plan they are working on.
The leg gully has gone very fine. Almost at leg slip. The plan of action should be on and around the batsman's rib cage.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Action replay of the last delivery. Once again Denly is content in letting it go.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer around leg, sliding down, Denly easily ducks underneath it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Clocks 86.9 mph and delivers it around off, Root blocks again from the crease. Tidy stuff from Josh, a maiden to start his new spell.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Keeps his line on the middle stump line and Root defends it back by staying inside the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A touch short and outside off, at 86 mph, Root plays it late and tries to guide it wide of the slip cordon but the third slip fielder dives across to his right to make the stop.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This one stays low after moving back into the batsman from a length outside off. Root does well to keep his eyes on the ball till the last second as he defends it towards mid on by going down low.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Fuller in length on off, angling in, Root gets forward and defends it back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood is back on. 11-2-32-1 from him, so far.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins digs in another short delivery, this time it's outside off, Root hooks it across the line, rolls his wrists over the shot and keeps it all along the ground through square leg for a single.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short in length again, around middle and leg, Denly plays a nicely controlled glance wide of short backward square leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on middle, Root helps it through the gap between backward square leg and short leg for one.
A short backward square leg is already there and now a short leg also comes in.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish on middle and leg, Denly tries flicking but misses. It brushes his pads and goes to fine leg for a leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood is loosening up. Australia desperately need a breakthrough.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Picks the line of the length delivery is outside off and Denly takes his bat far away from the ball. Easy leave.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good length delivery in the corridor outside off, Denly watches the line closely before leaving it.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Extra bounce on this occasion. On a good length around middle and leg, Denly fails to work it away on the leg side and it deflects off his pads to backward point. A leg bye picked.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Presses forward to a full ball moving back into him and then pushes it back to the bowler off the inner half of his blade.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Lands it on a length and outside off, going straight on, Denly shoulders arms.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Grunts and bowls. Shortish and on top of off, easily defended off the back foot by Denly.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Another delivery angling into the batsman, Denly is forward in defense and keeps it out from the outer half of his bat.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Too full in length and on off, Denly drives it confidently but finds the mid off fielder.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Around off, on a full length, Root defends it from the middle of his bat.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish ball on middle, rising onto the batsman, Denly gets back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Cummins tries to tempt Denly into a drive but Joe keeps his patience and makes a leave. Pat smiles.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Very full and spearing in on off, Denly has his bat down in time as he keeps it out safely to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good leave. On a length and just outside off, shaping in just a hint, Denly covers his stumps and allows it through.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fuller length ball angling in around off, Denly is on the front foot as he pushes it from the middle of the bat to mid on.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Closer to off stump, on a good length, the English skipper plays it down from the back foot. It takes the outer half and rolls to point again.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Nicely played but not in the gap. Pattinson dishes out a length delivery in the zone outside off, Root takes a big stride forward and strokes it with nice timing square of the wicket on the off side. It goes straight to point.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Drops it on a length and just outside off, Root strides forward and pushes it with soft hands to covers.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Just a touch short in length on off, Denly goes on his toes and turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Effort ball. Pattinson lets out a grunt and hurls in a short ball around leg, Denly ducks with ease.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Too full and too straight, Denly covers the angle and pushes it to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins goes short with his length and darts it on off, Root offers a solid back foot defense.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Shortish and on off, angling in, Root allows the ball to meet his bat and taps it down late towards gully.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fullish and outside off, Denly leans forward and pushes it with soft hands at covers for one. All too easy at the moment. Australia need to step up their intensity in the field.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Aerial bit safe! Back of a length ball on middle, Denly glances it across the line, it's uppish but drops short of mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Puts it on a full length around off, a hint of inward shape there, Denly lunges to drive but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Starts with a gentle loosener in the channel wide outside off, Denly has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins (10-3-18-1) returns into the attack, replacing Nathan Lyon.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Nice use of the wrists this time as Denly works it through mid-wicket for a run.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Misfield at gully! Shortish and just outside off, Root plays it nice and late to tap it towards Khawaja. He gets down to stop it but there is some uneven bounce. The ball gets deflected behind and the batsmen take a run.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Hurls a good length delivery in the zone outside off, Root covers his stumps and leaves it easily.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, Root sticks on the back foot and taps it down to point.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. 100-run stand comes up and the English crowd has gone bonkers! They are just loving this fightback. A delivery angling down the leg side, Denly eases it fine down the leg side for one. Slowly but steadily, England are pushing Australia in a corner with this partnership.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. FOUR! Sublime! This time from the bat of Joe Denly. Pattinson delivers it on a length outside off, Joe strides forward and delightfully strokes it through covers. Three fours on the bounce and England are on the charge!
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! Down the leg side, Root goes back and gently tickles it to the fine leg fence. The fielder is a bit square and cannot get there! 249 more to win now.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! 'ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!' cheers the crowd. Ben Stokes stands up and applauds in the dressing room. Oh, the run machine is back. Two ducks on the bounce, but a hat-trick is avoided and how. Half century for Joe Root, so far so good but the battle is half done. Time for another 50 at least. Full and outside off, Root drives this through the covers and gets the boundary. Raises his bat to acknowledge the applause.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, Root comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Pushes this straight to point.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Strays down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a single.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and around off, driven straight back. Pattinson flings himself to his right and parries it towards mid on.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, defended to the leg side.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, dabbed straight to gully. 'That is a one-day shot,' chides Nasser Hussain on air. Yes, that shot can be avoided in this format. Especially with people waiting for you to play that and nick one.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A jaffa. The Aussies are getting frustrated. They are bowling well but not getting the edges. This one pitches outside off and then straightens a touch. Root tries his best to defend but the ball scoots past the outside edge.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, solidly defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, swept fine for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Joe looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but the impact is outside off.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Pushes this towards long on for a single to raise huge cheers from the crowd. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. FOUR BYES! That is a grubber. Nothing a batsman can do about that. Or the keeper. Full and outside off, Denly goes right back to defend but the ball shoots low and goes beneath the bat. Paine tries to close his legs and stop that but the ball goes through.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, tight, compact defense from Root.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully driven back. Stopped by the bowler.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Huge, huge shout from Pattinson. Chats for a review. Thoughts ponder. Eventually, with 2 seconds left, the idea is dropped. A length ball outside off, coming in sharply, Root looked to defend but got hit on the pads. It seemed like the ball hit the pad first, but then, thoughts of an inside edge arose as well. Replays show that it was pad first but the impact was outside off.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards cover.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, Root plays inside the line and is beaten.
James Pattinson to bowl. 5-1-11-0 so far.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off again, JD smothers the spin watchfully.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball hits the bat, then sneaks between the legs and goes to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, Denly gets a big stride forward and lets it through.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, tucked through square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. MISFIELD, FOUR! Sloppy start by Australia to the session. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers. Marcus Harris dives over the ball and it goes through.
We're back for the final session of the day. A big one for both teams. Australia would like to make amends and break the ongoing partnership as soon as possible. On the contrary, England will be delighted if Root and Denly manage to see off the day's play. The pitch seems to have eased out a bit after bathing in the sunlight all afternoon and it's now up to the skills of the Aussie bowlers. Nathan Lyon will be crucial. He will be kicking off this session.
... DAY 3, THIRD SESSION ...
On the flip side, the batsmen are coming after a break. Many times, a wicket falls after a break. If that happens, Australia will channel their hunger again. The pitch is not doing much but they will hope to get at least half the side back in the dressing room before they shut their own shop for the day. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT).
The second session is often called as the best one to bat on and England, albeit not making too many runs, have not lost too many wickets either. Now, comes the final session. This is usually a bowler's session but because England have not lost a wicket for so long, it could also mean that Australia are mentally tired and it is now time to feast. 38 overs left in the day, score more than 100 and ensure that the Ashes is still alive come Sunday.
It is often said that Test cricket is a test of one's character. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne showed it on Thursday. Now, it is time for England. Root and Denly came together when the ball was moving like a hoop but to their credit, they gutted it out. Got some edges, got beaten but did not get out. They played on and on, tiring the Aussie bowlers and eventually succeeded in forcing Paine to bring on Marnus Labuschagne, the fifth bowler, which means, the fast bowlers were getting tired. Both the batsmen have faced more than 15 overs, which means that they have understood the pitch by now.
Fantastic session for England. The entire crowd stands up as one and applauds. The run rate is a bit low but who cares when you have 8 sessions to score a shade above 350? That is roughly just 45 a session and they have got more than that. Crucially, they lost just two wickets and those were pretty early, when many predicted that the game would be done today itself. Well, Joe and Joe have played toe to toe and ensured that there is a fight. Actually, more than a fight. We have a game, folks. We have a game.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Very full and outside off, it's pushed off the front foot to covers. That will be TEA ON DAY 3!
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Tossed up ball landing outside leg, Denly pads it away safely.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Full and floated on middle and off, Denly defends it off his front foot.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Shout for a bat-pad! Not given and no DRS taken. A leg spinner landing outside leg, Denly offers no shot and takes it on the pads. It deflects then onto his waists and lobs up. Wade catches it in the second attempt as he goes down. No appeal from him but Paine is excited. The umpire stays put and since Wade ain't sure, no technology is taken.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Root has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Denly has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer. Ducked. But with a poor technique. He has his bat hanging like a periscope as he crouches. Archer got out doing the same in the first innings.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A delivery around off, Denly pushes it out from the crease to cover-point where Lyon makes a fine stop
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fullish and on middle, Denly drives it back beautifully past his partner and mid on mops it up. One Joe wanted a single but the senior Joe turned it down.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. UPPISHHHHH! Safe... Heart in mouth stuff for Joe Denly. Cummins dishes out a back of a length ball on middle and leg and it zips off the surface. Denly is caught in a tangle as he attempts to fend it away. But the ball climbs to gather the splice of his bat and loops in the air. It falls safely behind square leg as Head charges across to his right from mid-wicket. Joe survives a nervy moment.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Labuschagne gives it a good rip and bowls it full around off, Root leans forward and defends it cautiously.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Short and around leg, Root goes deep inside the crease with the pull shot but fails to connect. He gets hit on the thigh pad in the process.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Gets it past Head this time. Full and on middle, Root clips it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Tossed up ball on middle, Root turns it on the leg side from the crease but it goes on one bounce to Head at short leg.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Labuschagne bowls a flatter leg spinner from 'round the wicket. It's on middle and defended from the back foot by Joe Root.
Nasser Hussain throws the spotlight on Australia's plan to get rid of Joe Denly in this series. They pepper him with a few bouncers and then leave the cover open, inviting him to drive. Denly has obliged so far in this series and nicked behind. Here too, he has been polite to accept the frequent invitations but has been helped by Lady Luck with the ball either not taking the edge or the edges not carrying and going in gaps.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Solid this time. Good length ball on off, Denly covers the line and blocks it right under his watchful eyes.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fuller and on off, moving in a bit, Denly tries to play the off drive but it goes off the inner half to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fantastic take by Tim Paine! Cummins bends his back to dig in a short ball on middle, Denly ducks easily. Paine moves across to his left to collect the ball but it swirls away a bit to his right. Good reaction shown by the Aussie skipper to stick it in his right hand.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Puts it a bit fuller this time, outside off, JD gets on the front foot and pushes it to short cover.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Hurls a good length ball again, this time the channel is outside off and it holds its line a bit, Denly shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Inside edge. Good length ball on off, a hint of inward shape, Denly tries defending from the back foot but it takes the inner half of his blade and strikes him on the pads.
Pat Cummins (8-1-18-1) returns into the attack.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Another back foot square cut by Root and this time he manages to beat backward point. A couple of runs taken. Things going on smoothly at the moment for the hosts. Devil's number for Australia is up on the scoreboard.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Quicker one, short and close to off, a late cut by Root finds short third man.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Labuschagne drags his length short on off, Denly goes back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Presses forward to a full ball and pushes it with the spin through covers for one.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Tossed up ball landing full on off, Root is on the front foot in defense.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Lunges to defend but it takes the inside edge and rolls behind square leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Some movement there but the line is too straight and it's going down. Denly fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye to close the over, 4 coming off it. This partnership has now moved on to England's first innings score. 277 needed more for a win.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Tap and run. Doing it with ease, England. Good length ball close to off, JR plays it with soft hands in front of point and steals a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Back of a length delivery on off, Denly stands back and pulls it through backward square leg. Cummins moves across to his left to stop the ball and interestingly, they take just a run.
Pat Cummins is loosening up...
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and on off, shaping back in, Denly presents the full face of the bat in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Lands it on a length and close to off stump, Denly pushes it out with an angled bat to point.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Angles in a full length ball on off, Root defends it towards covers and scampers across to the other end.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Loopy and full outside off, Denly takes his front leg forward, covers the line and shoulders arms.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. A real drag down by Marnus this time. Root uses the depth of his crease and pulls it behind square leg for one.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Fine delivery. Full and flighted just outside off, Root lunges to defend but it doesn't spin much and catches the inside edge. The ball races down to fine leg for a couple of runs.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Quicker delivery, on middle, Joe remains on the back foot as he defends it down.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Once again the length is on the shorter side, Root moves back and defends it to the off side.
Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Root. Flatter and shorter delivery on middle, Root gets back and helps it past short leg to mid-wicket.
Right then, with nothing much happening, Tim Paine has tossed the ball to a part-timer. Marnus Labuschagne to bowl some leg spin. A slip and short leg in place.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! Well played! A pitched up delivery close to off, Denly presses forward, opens the face of his bat, allows the ball to come to him and then quietly guides it past gully. Hazlewood is getting frustrated, lets out some words for the batsman.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Extra movement and bounce off the surface. It's around off, Denly tries working it away but misses. He takes a hit on his thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Hazlewood serves it on a fuller length around middle, Root clips it towards mid-wicket where Head dives and parries it towards mid on. A single is stolen.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, shaping in, Joe defends it from the crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root hangs on the back foot in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Soft edge and FOUR! Huge cheer from the English crowd as the home team goes past their first innings score. A length ball just outside off, Root pushes inside the line with a loose bottom hand and gets it away off the outside edge. It runs through the gap between gully and third slip for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, Denly looks to drive but the ball comes back in and beats the inside edge. Hazlewood feels it is time for some pre-tea chat. Denly is not too keen though.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. 50-RUN STAND IS UP! It has taken more than 22 overs but it is okay. The message is clear - Do not allow the Aussies in. Tire the fast bowlers out, get the Labuschagnes and the Heads to bowl and then make the opposition's heads roll. Short and outside off, pulled through square leg for the single.
Interesting talk from Shane Warne. He says that after Stumps yesterday, he had a chat with Tim Paine, who recounts an incident before Hazlewood dismissed Jack Leach. The question asked by Paine was about the field setting Joshua would like. The answer, 'I don't care. I am going to bowl two bouncers and then get him out bowled.' And Hazlewood does exactly that. Something even the King Of Spin used to do in his hay days. Anyone remembers how he got out Marlon Samuels and Herschelle Gibbs in the 2000s? Predicted and then got them out in the same fashion. Genius. Legend.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Around off, watchfully defended.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. HOW CLOSE WAS THAT? Full and around middle, Denly comes forward and looks to flick. Gets it towards short leg. Marnus Labuschagne is late to react but the ball ricochets off his pads. Denly is out of his crease and has to hurry back but luckily for him, the ball misses the stumps!
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, nicely blocked out.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, coming in, Root misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! SMASH! Shot of the innings. That says about England's confidence at the moment. Does not matter if you were 67 all out a day ago. Stay in the present. Make use of the presents as well. Hazlewood offers a Christmas gift, landing a half-tracker outside off and Denly pounces. Swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket. No one moves. Someone fetch that! Under 300 needed to win now.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, let through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball comes in, takes the inside edge and squirts to square leg. A single taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, let through once again.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This guy is a machine. And he is bowling to another machine. Nice. Watching Transformers on a sports channel. This bloke has just come off some rest, wandering around somewhere at fine leg or third man but no looseners for him. First ball, in the avenue of apprehension. Makes Root play. Gets the ball to move away and beat the outside edge. Joshua smiles.
It is Josh Hazlewood again. 7-2-14-1 so far. Around 45 minutes to go to Tea.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Goes back and gently nudges it through square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, blocked from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A short ball, outside off, Root looks to pull but the ball barely comes off the pitch. Takes the under edge and goes to short mid-wicket. Excellent contest going on.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Played to the point region by the batsman.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, JD looks to drive but misses.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. A bouncer, this time not that high, Joe ducks.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. WIDE. A bit harsh on Patto. Banged on a length, it hits the deck and then shoots up well above the batsman's head. My colleague Nabu, watching the replays closely, comments, 'Gosh. That just kicked up way too high!' Yup, mate. Which is why Shane Warne also feels that the umpire was a bit too harsh.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Outside off, played straight to point.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off, coming back in, Denly is caught in his crease as he looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. Australia appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Ball Tracker shows it to be going over the top.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on for a quick single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe looks to play at that but misses.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, tossed up slightly, driven straight to cover once again.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full snd outside off, Root pads it away. Khawaja and Paine appeal but then stay quiet. Did not quite come back in.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman has been struck on the thigh-pad. They pick up a single. Leg bye given by the umpire.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe initially looks to play but then tries to withdraw his bat. Is beaten as he is late.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, Root looks to push it away from his body but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Another one down the leg side, flick shot missed again.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, played straight to point.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Around off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, swept through square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. EDGED, OVER THE SLIP CORDON! A short ball, outside off, Denly looks to fend it off but suddenly, the ball rises, kicking off the seam, takes the top half of the bat and lobs over the slips! Three men run after it and manage to stop it before it touches the ropes. Two runs taken.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Ahhh... the patience almost goes. Full and wide outside off, Denly looks to drive but misses. Pattinson smiles.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Outside off, dabbed straight to gully.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Around off, solidly blocked out.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. One more delivery in that play-and-try-to-gift-your-wicket channel, well outside off, Denly is not interested in being a Santa Clause.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. Wide outside off, fuller in length, let through.
James Pattinson to Joe Denly. WIDE. A wild bouncer, down the leg side, Denly ducks. The umpire wides it and the crowd cheers. 50 UP FOR ENGLAND! They were 6 down when they touched this score yesterday, so the applause. 309 more to win.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully pushed back.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, pushed towards mid on for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, watchfully defended.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Landed outside off, Root gets back and across, looks to defend but then tries to withdraw his bat. The ball just zips past the outside edge.
DRINKS BREAK. A good passage of play for England. They lost their openers pretty quickly but the two Joes have ensured that there is not a collapse. It has been a good partnership, reading 32, soaking in the pressure and picking bricks out of the target, slowly but surely. Australia have bowled well but these two have tested their patience.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, tapped towards point for a single.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. FOUR! A bit of an outside edge but Root will take it. Outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge, goes to ground and explores the gap between second slip and gully.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length outside off, watchfully blocked out.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, blocked solidly.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, defended solidly.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. FOUR! Nice, positive intent! Well, that came out of the blue. Full and outside off, Denly comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over mid off. No power used, just simple placement.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Landed outside off, played off the back foot towards point.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, flicked behind square leg for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it behind point. Travis Head dives full stretch to his left to stop it.
Spin time. Nathan Lyon is back on. Just a solitary over for 4. A slip and a short leg in place.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, on a length, tucked through square leg for a single. Root moves to double figures with that.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, moving away, guided straight to gully.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Back of a length outside off, blocked towards the bowler.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. Around off, defended solidly.
James Pattinson to Joe Root. A short ball outside off, Root hops and pushes it towards point.
James Pattinson to bowl now.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Around middle, pushed towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A length ball outside off, Joe pushes it towards cover and sets off for a non-existent single but is sensibly sent back by Joe Root.
Ricky Ponting on air informs us that Cameron Bancroft is on as a substitute for James Pattinson. Does not reckon he will be on for too long though.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Landed outside off, let through.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. The crowd cheers as Denly gets a run. Outside off, coming in, Joe looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge towards mid on. A single taken.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A bouncer, outside off this time, ducked calmly once more.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. ANOTHER ONE DOES NOT BOUNCE. Joe Denly continues to be peppered with short stuff. Again, he takes his eyes off the ball, closing them and ducking ungainly. Gets hit on the left arm. Cummins appeals for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. He wants a review and Paine is interested but others advice him not to go for it as it looks high. Ball Tracker confirms. Going over the stumps. Denly has one thing in his favour for getting hit, if someone blames his technique. We have not seen too many balls misbehave, so indifferent bounce is slowly creeping into the equation now.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, let through to the keeper again.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A short ball outside off, Joe looks to pull but then bails out. Just a customary man in the deep on the leg side for Root, the fine leg. Probably that is why he thought about going after it initially.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. FOUR! Off the edge but Root need not be entirely unhappy. Full and outside off, the skipper looks to defend but the ball moves away at the last moment, takes the outside edge, goes along the ground and finds the gap between the slips and gully. Third man fence is the destination. The stand moves to 20.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, this time the skipper lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to drive but there is no feet movement. A play and a miss.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another unimpressive bouncer, down the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. That is a jaffa. On a length outside off, Joe looks to fend it off but the ball jabs back in and goes in between bat and pad, almost cutting him into half.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Another one down the leg side, ducked under again.
Third slip is moved to fourth, fourth-and-a-half slip. Ricky Ponting on air wants the deep square leg to be removed as well. He says that Denly's first reaction to a short ball is to close his eyes. So might as well get that square leg to the slip cordon and plug the gap. Michael Holding joins in, says that Paine is almost challenging Denly to buy a lottery ticket of getting the ball through that slip cordon. But there is this gap between the second slip and gully, which, according to these experts, should be plugged. And rightly so.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A bumper, but down the leg side, Joe ducks.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! Not too sure Denly was in total control of that shot. A length ball outside off, coming in, Joe looks to defend but is squared up as it moves away late. The ball takes the outside edge and flies through the vacant gully region to the third man fence.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A length ball, around middle, Denly ducks. The ball does not bounce that much.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, let through to his counterpart.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, another one cutting in, Root misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, let through.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length outside off, Root looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. Hazlewood appeals but the umpire shakes his head. The bowler is interested in the review but Matthew Wade at some close-in position, immediately shakes his head. Was there any wood involved? Yes. The first replay detects an inside edge onto his pads.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Around off, defended towards cover.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Excellent delivery, in the blockhole, outside off, watchfully dug out.
The physio is out in the middle again. The good thing is that Joe Denly is smiling. Looks to be a bit jarred as well. This is the first time that an England batsman has been hit on the helmet. It has been or less Aussie batsmen getting hit ever since Jofra Archer has been inducted into the playing XI...
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. ON THE HELMET! This has happened for the third time today. A short ball outside off, Denly initially looks to duck but then he does not see the ball at all. He has got nowhere to go and just hopes that the cherry goes above him. Is hit bang on the helmet.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Puts it on a fuller length outside off, it's pushed through covers for a single.
Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Close to the off stump this time, on a length, Joe blocks it to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Beaten on the driver! Fuller in length and outside off, Denly decides to go for a big booming cover drive but is beaten as the ball straightens after landing.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. A bouncer on middle, Denly ducks.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Driven through the covers by the batsman.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length and outside off, Denly shoulders arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root goes deep in his crease as he gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket for a single.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Lands it close to the off stump and it shapes back in, Joe keeps his weight on the back leg and defends it safely.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer around leg, Denly ducks underneath it.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Short in length and wide outside off, an easy leave this time.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Beaten! Peach of a delivery. Cummins gets a length ball to angle into the batsman around off, Denly is forced forward in defense but it nips away ever so slightly to beat the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Hurls in a length delivery again, this time outside off, Joe shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Back of a length ball around off, Denly pushes at it tamely but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Overpitched and driven straight down the ground. Hazlewood goes full and Denly displays a straight bat to drive it past the mid off fielder. The fielder from mid off and mid on run and the former mops it up. Another three for England.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Length ball outside off, Denly looks to defend it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Short in length and outside off, Root slashes his bat at it and places his shot at backward point. The fielder there gets some hand on it and hence the ball slows down before the fence. The batsmen take three.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball and outside off, Root defends it with the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Play and a miss. It's quite evident that Root is struggling for runs. He gets sucked into this length ball outside off, but cannot lay bat on it.
Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and around off, Root is late in bringing his bat down but defends it within the crease at the last moment.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shortish ball around middle and off, Denly defends it from the back foot. End of a successful over from Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer this time! But the line is down the leg side and hence it's an easy leave for the new batsman.
Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. STREAKY FOUR! Nervy beginning for Denly. Cummins lands it on a length close to the off stump line and gets it to move away just a shade. A moment of indecision there from Denly as he decides late to make a leave. But before he could withdraw his bat, it has taken the bottom edge and sped right through the slip cordon for a boundary behind. Denly is off the mark in a lucky manner.
Joe Denly arrives in the middle. He was the only English batsman to get a score in double digits in the first innings.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. OUT! Stumps shattered! Roy's misery in plain clothes continues. England in early trouble yet again. Cummins is the bowler this time. He makes full use of the lack of footwork from Jason Roy. Excellent delivery, on a fuller length, straighter in line and nipping away just enough to beat Roy's defense. It whizzes past the outside edge and cannons onto the stumps. Jason trudges back.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and on off, Roy is on the front foot to defend.
What happened there? It seems Jason Roy was not ready and Hazlewood was already mid-way through his run-up. Josh has to pull out and reload.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and around off, Roy punches it to point off the outside half of his bat.
Joe Root is in next at 3. Two back-to-back ducks behind him and he is under pressure.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. OUT! Caught at first slip! Hazlewood draws first blood with an exceptional delivery! Back of a length ball on middle and off, nipping away after landing, Burns sticks back to defend but it takes the outer edge of his willow and flies straight into the hands of Warner. David in no mood to drop anything coming his way in this Test match, fifth grab for him. Big blow to England as their in-form batsman is sent packing early.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fullish and outside off, Burns drives it through point for a couple of runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Burns now makes the mistake of playing the ball outside off. But luckily for him, the ball does not shave the wood on its way to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Short and outside off, Burns ducks under it comfortably.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns defends by coming right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On a length and around off, Burns is solid as he defends it off his back foot.
Josh Hazlewood returns from this end.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Ohhh! Almost a replica of the first innings dismissal. Roy goes fetching for the ball which is way outside off but luckily does not connect and the ball goes past the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and on the pads, Roy flicks it past the square leg fielder for a couple.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. An appeal for a caught behind but the umpire turns it down. Cummins bowls one on a length and gets some extra purchase too. The ball goes past the inside edge and on its way to the keeper after flicking the trousers. The Australian players appeal but the umpire says no.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Short of a length and coming in, Roy is in two minds as he fends that from within the crease and the ball takes the inside edge once again and goes to the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and around off, Roy defends with a strong forward defense.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. On a length and a hint of inward movement, Roy comes on the front foot and defends it off the inner half to the leg side.
Welcome back for the afternoon session. The England batsmen have a task in hand and have a lot of time too. The Australian bowling would come out firing. With some rough patches there on the pitch it needs to be seen what does Lyon have in store for the English line-up. The pitch is still good for the pacers. Let's see how things go from here.
... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...
Safely negotiated! England will be relieved that there was no casualty in the brief period before Lunch. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were getting good movement and bounce from the surface and they would be eager to return on the field and put the English batsmen to test. From England's point of view, they will be planning to take it session by session. In total, 8 sessions are left and the remaining 348 runs can be chased down. But if you include the challenge of this pitch and the ordinary form of the England batting department, it becomes really challenging. Can the hosts step up with the bat and keep their Ashes hopes alive? Do join us in a short while for the post Lunch session.
Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Flighted delivery, landing full on middle, Jason eases it down through mid on for a single. Lunch on Day 3!
Jason Roy making sure it's the last ball before Lunch. He is taking his own sweet time in marking his guard.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Short delivery, outside off, Burns rocks back and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Nicely tossed up delivery, full and on off, Burns defends it from the outer half of his bat.
Some movement near the sightscreen. Rory Burns wants the spectators to settle down.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Floated and full on middle, it's defended off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Spin and bounce, it's short and outside off, Burns mistimes his back foot punch to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Loopy and full on middle, it grips and spins a bit, Burns flicks it in front of square leg for a couple of runs.
Spin time! Nathan Lyon to bowl the fourth over of this innings. A slip in place along with a silly point.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. A length ball on off, Roy is on the front foot as he plays a confident drive. Finds the short cover fielder though.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Hurls in a good length ball in the zone outside off, Jason makes a watchful leave much to the crowd's delight.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. FOUR! Streaky! But the crowd loved it! Cummins spears in a fuller length ball on off, angling in and it straightens after pitching, Roy tries playing straight but ends up slicing it off the outside half through cover-point.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Shortish and close to off, moving back in sharply, Roy shoulders arms and it heads over his off stump. Brave leave.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Identical to the last delivery, once again Jason blocks it from the back foot. He is trying to play nice and late. But needs to watch out for the late movement.
Pat Cummins to Jason Roy. Good length ball on off, Roy defends it off his back foot to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fullish and on middle, Burns gets forward a bit and pushes it down to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shortish and on off, blocked off the back foot by Burns.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. A little bit of movement. Hazlewood lands it on a length close to leg, Burns tries to flick but there is some extra bounce. It beats Rory's bat and strikes him on the back thigh.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Once again the length is a bit short and it angles into the batsman from around off. Roy moves back and plays it with gentle hands. It takes the inner half and runs behind square leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball close to off, Roy remains on the back foot and taps it down to backward point.
Josh Hazlewood, the star of the show in the first innings, is ready to bowl again. Three slips and a gully waiting.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. England's chase is underway! Cummins serves one on middle and leg, Rory clips it through square leg and returns for the second run.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Much better from Rory Burns. He watches the line closely which is wide outside off. Lifts his bat up and shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Excellent delivery. This time Cummins has angled in a full length ball. It's closer to off this time, Burns is drawn forward in defense but the ball whistles past the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins delivers it a touch short and outside off, gets it to move away, Burns keeps his bat close to his body and makes a leave.
Physio comes out! Rory Burns' right thumb is bleeding after taking that blow. He gets the affected area taped but is still feeling some discomfort while putting the gloves. He wants more taping. This is taking too long. Anyway, all done down and Rory gets ready to face Cummins again.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Nearly a catch to short leg! Cummins darts in a length ball around off and gets it to move back in with some extra bounce. Burns tries to defend but it takes his gloves and lobs in front of short leg. It falls short of Wade there.
Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Pat Cummins begins from 'round the wicket and hurls in a short ball outside off, Burns crouches and allows it through.