AUS beat ENG by 185 runs | Australia vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 4th Test Match - Commentary

A new opening pair walks out for England to open - Rory Burns and Joe Denly. As expected, Mitchell Starc will start off proceedings. Burns to face.

Around 6-7 overs before Stumps. Too less to strike? Too much to negotiate? We shall find that out in a while.

A miserable day for England. They started nicely, getting Travis Head early but after that, once Smith started to take control, things started to go haywire. Broad took 3 wickets while overcooked Archer was wicketless and Stokes was hammered. Leach and Overton bowled decently.

Commanding position for Australia. As expected, they rode on Steven Smith's form and pummeled England. And look at how that has helped the confidence of the other batsmen. Actually, it was the Labuschagne-Smith stand which really set the platform. Then, once Marnus departed, it was Smith and Smith all the way through, forging stands of 39, 41 and 145 for the next three wickets - a healthy 225. England were just left flat.

16 overs left in the day. Remove 2 for innings break. 42 minutes left in the day. 10 minutes for changeover. So that means Australia have 30 minutes tonight to try and get a wicket or two.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. Swept by Lyon towards fine leg and the batters take one. And that's it, Tim Paine has signalled for the declaration. Australia end their innings at 497/8.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Lyon comes down the track to this floated ball on middle and off. He smashes it towards mid-wicket as the ball crosses the fence on one bounce.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. This time Starc plays the slog sweep and takes a single.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Starc punches this off the back foot.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. Full and floated on middle and leg, Lyon sweeps it towards square leg and takes a single.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. FOUR BYES! Floated just outside the leg pole, Lyon goes for the sweep but it misses everything. Bairstow fails to collect it and so does Broad who puts in a dive to the right side of him from short fine leg. It races towards the fence.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. Another length ball outside off, Starc blocks it out towards mid off.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. Length ball on off, blocked out.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Length ball on middle and off, Lyon tries to block it out but gets a thick inside edge on it as the ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take one.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. TOP EDGED AND FOUR! Another bouncer by Archer, Lyon goes for the wild pull but he gets a top edge on it. The ball skies and goes behind towards the third man fence on one bounce.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Short delivery by Archer, Lyon pulls this towards the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Length ball outside off, Lyon goes for a wild swipe towards mid on but misses it completely.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Run out missed. Full and outside off, Starc looks to swing hard again and now he connects. Jason Roy is stationed at deep mid-wicket and he returns a good throw to Root. It is a late call from Starc and Lyon is not ready. Sets off late and is gone for all money. But Root, aiming to collect and back-flick it onto the stumps, but misses.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, MS swings hard but misses again.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, spinning away off the rough, Mitchell looks to swing hard but misses.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. Around off, tucked through mid-wicket for a quick single.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, Starc gets down and hoicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. The stand is worth 40 from 32 balls.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Another shorter one by Archer, Lyon goes for the pull but misses it completely.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Short of a length outside off, Lyon cuts it towards point where Denly dives and saves at least a couple for his side.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. The batsman goes after this one but misses the line completely.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. FIFTY FOR STARC! His 10th in Tests and he is pushing Australia towards 500. On the pads of Starc, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single to get to his fifty.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. Another bouncer, Starc does well to evade it.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Bouncer by Archer, Lyon uses the upper cut to flash it over the keeper. The man from third man runs to his left and mops it up as the batters take one.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. This time on the pads of Lyon, he flicks it towards square leg and takes one.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. On the pads of Starc, he flicks it towards mid on for a single.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and floated outside off, pushed towards cover.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Tossed up around leg, he flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. The batsman has played it to the point region. They manage to come back for the second.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. EDGED AND SIX! This is a shorter one outside off, Starc goes for the pull but top edges it towards third man. Buttler goes for a diving effort on the fence but the ball just goes past him and past the boundary ropes for a six.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. Bouncer again! Starc does well to evade it.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, left alone by Starc.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Another shorter one, this time Lyon chooses the smart option as he just opens the face of his bat and plays the upper cut. It falls just short of the man at third man and the batters take a single.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Short ball to start off after the drinks break, Lyon goes for the hook but misses.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! The slog sweep again! Full and in the arc of Starc, looks to dismiss it out of the park but cannot quite get it over. Beats Broad to his left at wide long on. 16 from the over.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Another mow. Full and outside off, Starc gets down and swings this cleanly over mid-wicket. Stuart Broad at wide long on can only watch.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. NOT OUT. There is glove involved. Full and around off, Starc got down and across to middle but missed and was hit on the pads. The ball rolled down to fine leg and Starc took a single but Bairstow was confidently appealing and suggested that Root should take the review. The skipper seemed disinterested but then took it. Ultra Edge detected glove when the ball went past the glove.

Has Joe Root got another? There is an LBW appeal made against Starc. Root takes the review. Ultra Edge detects a spike when the ball goes past the glove.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. SIX! TAKE THAT! Tossed up, outside off, Starc gets down and mows it over mid-wicket for half a dozen!

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and around middle, Starc goes back to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Pushes this straight to point.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Stunning shot. Outside off, Lyon punches it through the covers for a boundary!

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. TOP EDGE, FOUR! A short ball, around middle, Lyon looks to pull but gets a top edge which sails over long leg! The fielder runs across to his left but cannot get there! The ball just bounces into the ropes.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Down the leg side, Lyon looks to flick but misses.

Jofra Archer comes back on. 23-3-73-0 so far.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Unbelievable. Australia still continue to bat. Nathan Lyon comes on now.

Joe Root to Steven Smith. OUT! Oh dear. What has happened? Is the press working? Stop it. Restart. Steven Smith has been dismissed. Yes, you read that right. Steven Smith has been dismissed. Copy that. Roger that. England could not find a way to get him out, so he himself has got out. Full and outside off, Smith looks to play the reverse sweep but finds Joe Denly at short third man. Interestingly, Root, who is an off spinner, tried the leg spin and voila, it worked! The best batsman of the opposition is gone at last. Just a paltry 211. All the England players rush across to congratulate the great man.

Joe Root to Steven Smith. FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and down the leg side, Smith paddles this through fine leg and beats the man in the deep, to his right! 50-RUN STAND is up between these two as well!

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, punched towards cover for a run.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Joe Root to Steven Smith. Looks like the declaration is around the corner. Smith backs a long way to the leg side and then carves it over cover for a single.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! A bit streaky this time and Starc is having fun at Broad's cost. A length ball outside off, pretty wide, Starc throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies behind point to the fence! 17 from the over.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Starc is in the mood. Full and straight again, Starc bashes it over mid on!

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! SPANKED! Starc has got the license. Full and on middle, Starc hammers this straight back past the bowler through mid on!

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! That is a full toss, on the pads and Starc tickles it to the fine leg fence.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched towards cover.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. The arm ball, Starc looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is an appeal from Bairstow but Root himself is not interested. Going down leg perhaps.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, dabbed straight to backward point.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, MS plays inside the line and is beaten.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, Mitchell looks to drive but misses. The ball pitches on the rough, spins away and goes behind. Bairstow is unable to collect and the ball goes off his gloves to first slip where Ben Stokes is hit on the left shin. Hobbles in pain.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. A full toss, around middle, Starc heaves it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Joe Root to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Desperation time. Joe Root to bowl.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! Fine shot. Full and around middle, Smith drives this through mid on and finds the long on fence.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Outside off, Steven plays inside the line and is beaten.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone with a swish of the bat.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. THIRD TEST DOUBLE CENTURY FOR STEVEN SMITH! All his three have been against England. Full and around off, Smith gets across and nudges it behind square leg. He runs hard for the second and then raises his bat to the crowd in jubilation. The helmet is off and the smile is back. Declaration now?

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Oopss... Starc is in trouble! Safe in the end. A length ball, around off, Smith got across and tucked it straight to square leg. Rory Burns picked it but Starc was halfway down the track, eager to give his former skipper the strike. He was sent back rightly and Rory missed his shy at the bowler's end.

Stuart Broad comes back on for one more attempt to try and get his 300th Test wicket in England. 23-2-74-3 so far. What a wicket it would be, if it is Steven Smith.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, left alone this time.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, Mitchell looks to drive but misses.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. A bouncer now, around middle, Starc ducks.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Moves to 199. A length ball outside off, Smith gets across, waits for the ball to come to him and then dabs it late towards third man. He is cross with himself the moment he plays that shot. Perhaps he wanted to get it behind point and extremely fine of third man for at least a couple. Gets only a single.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone. Pretty wide again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Pushes this back to the bowler.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, whacked straight to mid on.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, dabbed past slip. However, backward point gets across and slides to his left, keeping the batsmen to a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Steven lunges and pushes it towards cover-point.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith looks to flick and run towards square leg but then changes his mind.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. SIX! Moves to 197! Full and outside off, Smith comes down the track and lofts it over mid off. He seems to have got enough on it and clears long off! 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! CRISP! Full and straight, Starc drives this straight back as an arrow and hits the long on fence!

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. EDGED, BUT DOES NOT CARRY. Full and outside off, Starc looks to push but the ball nibbles away and takes the outside edge. Unfortunately it does not carry to second slip. Ben Stokes gets across and tries to catch but gets hit on the fingers.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, Starc looks to drive but makes no feet movement. Is beaten comprehensively.

Craig Overton to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully pushed towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, Steven looks to cut but misses.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. That is a beauty. Leach tosses this up slowly outside off, Steven lunges to defend but the ball pitches and then spins away past the outside edge.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Landed around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around middle, pushed towards long on for a single.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith works it towards mid on, calls for a quick single but then changes his mind.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, let through again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. WIDE. Now, this is outside the pitch and umpire Erasmus shoulders arms.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Almost a replica of yesterday. Full and miles outside off, Smith throws his bat at it, reaching out but cannot get his willow to touch it. He slips later too. Yesterday, he reached his half century while playing that shot.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. On middle, flicked towards short leg.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, short in length, punched through the covers for a run.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a single.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith looks to drive this through the covers but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone,.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. FOUR! Into the 190s! A short ball outside off, Smith gets across and drags this wide of mid on for a boundary!

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Good length delivery outside off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. He has seen this over off.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Around middle, watchfully pushed in front of short leg.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. On middle and off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Around off, watchfully defended. It is a maiden which means Starc will be on strike in the next over!

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A good length ball outside off, let through.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A good length ball outside off, watchfully defended.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, Smith lets it go and then swishes at thin air.

Next bowler. Mitchell Starc. For the first time in this series. Steven Smith is 14 short of 200. Australia are 13 short of 400.

Jack Leach to Pat Cummins. OUT! Edged and taken. This is not a no ball. Nicely bowled. Flighted outside off, Cummins comes forward to defend but there is some extra bounce on this one. The ball hits the splice of the bat and goes towards first slip where Ben Stokes takes a sitter.

Jack Leach to Pat Cummins. Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. This time Smith gets a single, with a punch through point.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched straight to point. Cummins rushes across for the single but then is sent back.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. FOUR! Another freebie. A flighted ball, Smith dances down the track, converts this into a full toss and whips this through mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith watchfully defends.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a run.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. An interesting leave this time. Steven lets it pass and then swats his bat through thin air.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, let through again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off again, let through.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, let through.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. WIDE! Full and outside the pitch. Smith gets across and then shoulders arms.

Jack Leach to Pat Cummins. Around off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Pat Cummins. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. SIX! A full toss from Leach, Smith comes down the track and hammers it over mid-wicket. Just clears the ropes.

Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. 20.1-2-61-1 so far.

Craig Overton to Pat Cummins. Pushes this straight to point.

Craig Overton to Pat Cummins. Outside off, played it straight to point.

Craig Overton to Pat Cummins. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Craig Overton to Pat Cummins. FOUR! Cummins is underway. Full and down the leg side, Patrick just tickles it towards the fine leg fence.

Craig Overton to Pat Cummins. Full and around middle, watchfully defended.

Into the bowlers then. Pat Cummins is the first of those.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. OUT! Caught behind! A wicket on the very first ball after Tea! Will this spice England up? A length ball, outside off, Paine looks to defend but the ball straightens slightly to take a thin outside edge. Jonny Bairstow collects and appeals and Paine is on his bike. A dogged, watchful innings comes to an end and England break the 145-run stand at last.

Steven Smith is patiently waiting for his skipper to come. The English players are coming down from their balcony and eventually, after what seems like an age, Tim Paine walks down the stairs from the Aussie dressing room to meet Smith. We are all in readiness to begin the third session. Craig Overton to start off proceedings. 21-2-69-1 so far.

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

41 overs left in the day. We have now reached a point from England looking to bowl Australia out to Australia looking to pick up a couple of wickets by Stumps. The forecast is okay, so we should get most of those overs in. Join us back at 4.30 pm local (1530 GMT) for all the action from the final session.

England had their chances but they did not capitalize. Both Smith and Paine were let off and the hosts have no one but themselves to blame. The bowling is starting to looking tired and that can happen, once the three-figure mark is reached in the overs department. Plus, they have got a semi-fit Archer and Stokes, which does not make matters any easy.

124/0 in 32 overs. Australia's session would be making an understatement. The former captain and the present captain are making a case to ensure that the urn still stays in Australia's grasp.

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended to end the session. TEA ON DAY 2!

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. FOUR! Oh dear. Loads of rubbish. A half-tracker, around middle, Smith heaves this wide of mid on and finds the fence as well. And with that STEVEN SMITH GOES PAST VIRAT KOHLI. He now has 6750 Test runs, as opposed to Kohli's 6749. Smith's average is 64.90, while VK's average is 53.14.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Full and around middle, flicked away for a run.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Around off, watchfully defended.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, Paine looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Paine wants a single but is then sent back.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Full and around leg, pushed back to the bowler.

Joe Denly to roll his arm over again. Possibly the last over before Tea. 2-1-3-0 so far.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around middle, worked towards short leg.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and around middle, Paine flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Outside off, punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around middle, Smith comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.

A bit of a delay as the physio is on for Jonny Bairstow. Stuart Broad is off the field as well, as he slipped on the field a few moments ago. Tea is not far away...

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. FOUR! Short and outside off, Paine cuts it behind point and gets a boundary!

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer around middle, Paine ducks.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone. The ball comes in and then hits Bairstow hard on the gloves, around the fingers. He winces in pain.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! A short ball outside off, Smith ramps it towards third man and almost finds the fielder. Joe Denly comes running in but cannot quite get to the ball. A single taken.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, Tim shoulders arms and then pads it away.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. A length ball, in line of the stumps, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around off, solidly defended.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. FIFTY FOR PAINE! After spending 17 balls on 49, Paine finally gets to the mark which has eluded him for the last 17 innings in Tests. Full and outside off, Paine reaches out and drives it through mid off. A single taken to finally raise his bat.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jack Leach called on to bowl now. 18.1-2-57-1 so far. Coming for the first time from the Jimmy Anderson end.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another leave outside off to end the over.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around middle, worked straight to mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A bouncer, around off, Steven ducks.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! Off the glove. A short ball, down the leg side, Smith gets across to nudge and just gets it past a diving Jonny Bairstow to the fine leg fence.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A short ball outside off, Smith arches his back and guides it but finds Ben Stokes at gully.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. What was that? A short ball, outside off, SS looks to pull/hook and ends up swatting it. Gets a top edge which does not carry to long leg. A single taken.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A bouncer around off, Steven sways away from the line, even though the ball goes past his face. The ball dips and barely carries to the keeper.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Easy-peasy. Full and around off, Steven works it wide of mid on for a couple. Moves to 161.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. FOUR! CLASSY! Boundary number 18 for Smith. Another fine shot. Full and straight, Smith drives it straight back to where it came from. Through mid on and to the fence.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Ben Stokes is back on the field. Nasser Hussain on air informs us that the word from the English dressing room is that Stokes has got a sore right shoulder. That means he might not bowl any more in this innings (That last sentence is our assumption).

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Another bouncer to end the over, Paine ducks again.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer again, TP ducks.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A short ball, outside off, Tim pulls it away but Jos Buttler at short leg stops it nicely.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A sharp short ball, outside off, Tim takes his bat away from the line as he offers a leave. However, the ball keeps coming in and almost takes the outside edge. Jonny Bairstow collects and appeals but no one supports him. Nothing from the umpire.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A short ball, outside off, the skipper stands tall and fends it towards point.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer on middle, Paine ducks.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On a length around off, solidly defended.

Overton comes running in but Smith is not ready and hence the bowler has to abort his run up.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Steven looks to play the cover drive again but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes back to the bowler. Craig Overton looks to pick and have a shy at the striker's end but does not collect the ball.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. FOUR! Help yourself. Full and outside off, pretty wide, Smith leans and drives it through the covers.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball goes off the outside edge towards gully.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. DROPPED! Another one goes down. It is Sam Curran, the substitute. A short ball, outside off, Paine pulls it or rather swats it towards mid on. It is straight to Curran, as on the previous ball and he gets down to his left to take the catch as well. But shells it. Paine smiles.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A short ball outside off, Tim pulls it straight to straightish mid on.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Another bouncer, the skipper ducks again. Second bouncer for the over signalled by umpire Kumar Dharmasena.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer, around middle, Paine ducks.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. 150 UP FOR STEVEN SMITH! The machine goes on and on and on. A short ball, around middle, Smith drags this through mid-wicket and returns for the third. Raises his bat to the crowd. Does he look bored?

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith gets across to defend but at the last moment, takes his bat out of the way.

Jofra Archer is called back upon. 19-2-59-0 so far. Raining? Oh bother. It is bright and sunny now.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, let through to Bairstow once more.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Full and around off, Tim looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, let through.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Around off, watchfully defended.

The umbrellas are opening in the stands... the drizzle is coming...

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, Paine misses his flick.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A length ball, down the leg side, Smith gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith drives it through the covers for a single.

Oh now then. STOKES IS GOING OFF THE FIELD. Looks like he has pulled up a muscle. Chris Woakes comes on as a substitute. Jack Leach to finish his pending over. There was a grimace as Stokes delivered the ball.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A bouncer now, Steven ducks.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Excellent stop by Jofra Archer! Full and around off, the skipper drives it straight down the ground. Mid on and mid off give it a chase with Jofra Archer getting to the ball from the latter position. Puts in a dive and pulls the ball back in. Three runs taken.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. FOUR! CLASSY! Half volley outside off, into the mid 80s is Stokes, Paine leans and drives it through the covers.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Around off, solidly defended towards cover.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith works it wide of mid on for a single.

Ben Stokes returns. 10-0-58-0 so far.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, swinging away, gentle pace, in the mid 80s, the skipper lets it go.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, left alone.

Abby the magician - 'I think this is going to be a draw. Nothing in the pitch, apart from turn. There is hardly any swing and if any, only Broad is getting it. Also, the continuous short-ball tactic is not working against Smith. In fact, he is getting used to it all the more.' @Abby - Catty eyes, you have got, mate. What observation. Awaiting Day 5 for your prediction to come true (or false). Either ways, the match needs some excitement. This is a snooze fest going on right now.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. FOUR! CARESSED! Half volley outside off, Paine comes forward and drives it between cover and mid off. Stuart Broad gives it a good chase from mid off but the ball wins the race. 100-RUN STAND IS UP!

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. A short ball, down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but misses.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Around middle and leg, flicked through fine leg for a run.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. A short ball, down the leg side, this is pulled down to long leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. A full ball wide outside off, Paine thinks to go after it but then lets it go as it is just too wide. The ball goes well outside the pitch and Bairstow has to dive to his right, to take it in front of first slip but no wide signalled.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, let through once more.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On a good length outside off, let through again.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A length ball outside off, coming in, SS looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On a good length outside off, Steven shoulders arms.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, Smith lets it through.

Craig Overton to bowl now. 16-1-53-1 so far.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

England need some inspiration here.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Ahhh... another one of those edges. Full and straight, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards third slip, but on the bounce.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. One more leave outside off.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, on a length, Steven takes his bat away from the line.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, coming in, Smith looks to defend but the ball shapes away late to beat the outside edge.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Around off, watchfully defended.

DRINKS BREAK.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A length ball, just around off, watchfully defended.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer now, let through.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Landed outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. FOUR! BRILLIANT! Pretty straight, full and outside off, a bit of width, Paine cashes in and drives it through the covers. The stand is worth 93 from 147 balls now.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, Paine looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a couple.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Edge this time, but not to hand! A length ball, in line of the stumps, Steven looks to defend but is squared up again. The ball goes off the outside edge, past third slip and he gets a couple.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. A jaffa again. Broad hits the length, landing it outside off, Smith looks to defend but is squared up. The ball moves away to beat the outside edge.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and down the leg side, SS misses his flick.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. A bouncer on middle, Steven ducks under it.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, Smith gets a long way across and then takes his bat away from the line.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A good length ball, around off, watchfully defended.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer, around middle, Tim ducks.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Very full, outside off, Paine looks to drive but mistimes it towards mid off.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a run.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Around middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, Paine flicks it through square leg and returns for the second.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Yorker outside off, watchfully dug out.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. A short ball, around off, Paine swivels and pulls this through mid-wicket for a run.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. The stand moves to 80 from 131 balls.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! Stand and deliver. Full and wide outside off, Smith leans and eases this through the covers. 300 UP FOR AUSTRALIA with that.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. That was a jaffa. To a left-hander. Broad strays one down the leg side, Smith gets across and looks to flick but the ball swings away and beats his bat. Would have got a southpaw nicking behind.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Comes from around the wicket, targets the stumps, but Smith flicks the full ball through square leg for a couple.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Around off, pushed towards cover.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Another bouncer, this time with lesser pace, ducked under again.

An interruption. The crowd has its moment. A big water-melonesque balloon ball flows onto the park. Stokes collects it and then kicks it away. The security then runs in to do the necessary stuff.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. A bouncer on middle, Tim ducks under it hurriedly.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Around off again, solidly blocked out.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around off, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around off, solidly defended.

Jofra Archer to share the second new ball with Broad. 16-2-50-0 so far.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. A length ball outside off, Paine looks to defend but then wants to take his bat away. The ball goes off the bottom edge towards gully.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and wide outside off, Paine cuts it through point for a boundary! The stand moves to 72 from 119 balls.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. A bouncer on middle, Paine ducks.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. A length ball around off, watchfully defended.

THE SECOND NEW BALL HAS BEEN TAKEN, much to the cheers of the crowd. Stuart Broad gets the first use of it, as expected. 18-2-53-3 so far.

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. On middle and off, clipped through mid-wicket for one.

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. On middle and off, Smith swipes it towards short mid-wicket.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

What happened there? Denly was coming into bowl but Paine moved away as he was not ready. Denly jokingly mimes a throw at the bowler's end, in an attempt to Mankade Smith. Both players laugh. Remember, these two play for the same team in the Big Bash - Sydney Sixers.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Full and around middle, Paine looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards short leg.

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Joe Denly to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, left alone.

Leach is going off the park. Sam Curran comes on as a substitute. Michael Atherton informs us on air that there is some issue with his spinning finger. Just one over to go to the second new ball.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floated outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a run.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, punched towards cover for a single.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Short and outside off, cut straight to short third man.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Outside off, driven straight to cover.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Floated outside off, Tim gets his bat down to defend.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Outside off, punched towards cover.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Joe Denly to Tim Paine. Full and around off, Paine defends it watchfully.

Joe Denly to bowl some part-time leg spin. The second new ball is available in 3 overs.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around off, watchfully blocked out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Comes down the track and looks to defend but misses and is hit on the groin.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. IN THE AIR... SAFE! Another moment of luck for Smith. Full and outside off, Steven comes down the track and drives it hard towards silly point. It hits his pads and then lobs towards the bowler. Leach gets across to his left but the ball evades him!

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, Paine drives it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. Joe Root rushes across and has a shy at the bowler's end, hitting the stumps, but his counterpart is well in.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! When you are on 121, this is a gift. A full toss outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. NO BALL. Another overstepping from Stokes. Full and outside off, Paine pushes this through the covers and gets a quick single.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Oopss... a length ball outside off, Steven looks to defend but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes behind. Smith immediately rushes back and then hits the ball away. Jonny Bairstow is not happy with that as he was coming in to collect.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, solidly defended.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a quick single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Eases this through the covers for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith comes down the track and blocks.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around off, clipped straight to short mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Edged and taken! But Leach has overstepped! Wow. Seems like Steven Smith has taken some tuition classes to explain the synonym to luck to everyone. More and more luck for the legend. Unbelievable. A lovely delivery to start, flighted outside off, Smith looks to drive but the ball hits something. Yes, something. And then turns. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Ben Stokes at first slip. Smith walks back but umpire Dharmasena wants a second look upstairs for the no ball. Here come the replays. The foot has landed outside the crease with the heel in the air, but on the line! England drop their heads down immediately on looking at the giant screen but Root gathers his team together and calms his players down. Very, very good job done.

Edged and taken! Smith is gone. But has Leach overstepped? Dear me... he has! Come back, Smithy!

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 15 from the over, Stokes' figures read 9-0-51-0!

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. That is a peach. A length ball outside off, SS looks to flay that through the line but misses.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. NO BALL. Stokes oversteps now. Bowls this on a length outside off, Steven pushes it towards cover.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! How do you play that? Unbelievable from the 'I-make-them-look-believable' Smith. Outside off, on a length, Smith waits and waits and at the last moment, guides it between the second slip fielder and gully to third man!

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! Another bad ball. Short and down the leg side, Smith hooks it towards fine leg!

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Ben Stokes to Tim Paine. FOUR! BEAUTY! Loosener from Stokes, a gentle half volley outside off but even that has to be put away. Paine drives it straight back down the ground and beats wide mid on.

Ben Stokes to bowl now. 8-0-36-0 so far. The crowd cheers for its magician.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. FOUR! Short and outside off, Paine rocks back and punches it through the covers!

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. IN THE AIR... SAFE! Wow. Smith and luck. Are they synonyms? Unbelievable. Flighted outside off, Smith comes down the track to have a heave but is not to the pitch of the ball at all. On top of that, Leach slows that one. The cherry takes the top edge and goes towards cover. Jason Roy runs back from short extra cover while Craig Overton comes running in from sweeper. But luckily for Smith, the ball lands in between! A single taken.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. That is another peach. Broad lands it on a length, outside off, Tim looks to defend but then gets squared up. The ball moves away at the last moment and beats the outside edge.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, Paine lets that go.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Around off, Steven gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! Another back foot drive! How does he manage those? A length ball outside off, Smith goes back and punch-drives it through the covers. 250 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.

Goa Rocks - 'Catch dropped! What on earth, England? Ahhh... ok it is Tim Paine. Will not matter much.' @Goa - Wow. You have rocked all the Aussie fans hard with that comment.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Around off, solidly kept out.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Floated around off, Paine comes forward and smothers the spin.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Tossed up outside off, Smith comes down the track and defends.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, driven past silly point to short extra cover.

Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. 13-2-41-1 so far.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. EDGED, DROPPED! Gosh. That was a sitter. Would have been the perfect start for England after the break. Full and outside off, Paine looks to drive but sans any footwork. The ball takes a thick outside edge and flies straight to Jason Roy at second slip, but he shells it. Tries to take it in the second attempt but cannot hang on.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Stuart Broad to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. A length ball, around middle, Smith tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

The English players are back out onto the pitch after the Lunch break along with the Australian batters, Steven Smith and Tim Paine. The former will take strike and he will be looking to continue to build on his ton and push the hosts further back in the game. Stuart Broad will start the proceedings with the ball after the break. He comes steaming in...

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Australia kept scoring runs at a good pace as they blocked out the good balls and punished the bad ones. Smith played well and got to a well deserved ton, his third in this Ashes series and it looks like no English bowlers would be able to pick up his wicket unless he himself commits a mistake. Tim Paine, the skipper is out with Steven Smith at the crease and they will be looking to post a commanding total on the board. Join us back in a short while as the action continues after the Lunch break.

The hosts started the day well as Head was dismissed early on by Stuart Broad. Smith then survived a scare too when he was dropped by Archer off his own bowling but since then, Smith has been as solid as a rock. Smith and Matthew Wade then steadied the ship with a 41-run stand before Wade threw his wicket away trying to attack Jack Leach.

75/2 in 25 overs this morning. Australia's or rather, Smith's session. He has stuck to the crease like a glue and ensured that there has not been a collapse.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Great effort from Roy as he saves four runs for his side. This is full and floated outside off, Paine drives this one powerfully towards cover again. Jason Roy there, dives to his left and pulls off a great stop. He parries it towards point where the fielder mops it up. Roy takes ages to get up and looks like he has hurt his fingers. LUNCH ON DAY 2!

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and way outside off by Leach, pushed towards cover.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. FOUR! Excellent finding of the gap! Full and outside off, Paine comes forward and drives. Silly point jumps and the ball goes through his legs. Short extra cover gets across but cannot put in a dive. Joe Root does so, from mid off but his dive cannot take him near to the ball. It scoots through and the ball races to the fence.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Shortish this time on off, Paine blocks it out off the back foot.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and floated outside off, blocked out.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Length ball around off, Smith pushes this towards mid on.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. CENTURY FOR STEVEN SMITH! 26th Test Hundred and 3rd in this year's Ashes for the no.1 Test batsman in the world. This is on the pads of Smith and he flicks it towards square leg. Ben Stokes stationed at square leg dives to his left but cannot stop the ball. It goes past him and the man from short mid-wicket rushes after it. By that time, two runs are taken. Smith takes his helmet off and soaks in the applause from the dressing room. The 1940s saw the dawn of THAT Don. The 2000s are seeing the dawn of THIS Don. Take a bow, Mr. rightly-called Precocious.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Short again by Overton, Paine pulls it away towards square leg and gives the strike to Smith.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards backward square leg. Smith moves onto 99.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. WIDE! Bouncer down the leg side but too high by Overton. Wide signalled.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Floated outside off, Paine blocks it onto the ground.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone by Paine.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and floated on off, blocked out by Paine.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Shorter and outside off, Smith cuts this towards cover and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. This time on middle and leg, Paine pushes this towards mid-wicket for a run.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards short fine leg and takes a single.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Length ball outside off, Paine defends the ball off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, Paine blocks it onto the ground.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Outside off, Paine initially looks to play at it but then bails out at the last moment.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. On the pads of Paine, he flicks it towards the leg side.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and floated on off, blocked out by Paine.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Driven through mid off by the batsman.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Full and floated on the pads, Paine flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and floated outside off, pushed towards mid off by the batsman.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith this time, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Short again by Overton, Paine pulls this one towards fine leg and takes a single.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Another bouncer, this time on the leg pole line, Paine is months early into the duck.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. This is a half-bumper, actually not all that short. However, Paine ducks under it and it just goes above his elbow down the leg side. Guess he did not pick the length.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Overton bowls a bouncer and Paine ducks under it.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Length ball outside off, Paine cuts it towards point and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Smith has played it to the point region and the batters have run through for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith comes down the track to defend but the ball goes off his pads past silly point towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, Smith cuts it towards point but uppishly. However, luckily for him, the ball lands short of the man at short third man.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Outside off, Smith opens the face of the bat and guides it towards third man for a single.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Another short ball, Paine goes for the pull and takes a single as the ball goes towards square leg.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Craig Overton to Tim Paine. Length ball outside off, Paine defends this off the back foot by the batsman.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Another bouncer, Smith pulls this one onto the ground and the ball goes towards backward square leg as the batters take one.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Bouncer to start off with by Overton, Smith ducks under it.

Jack Leach to Tim Paine. Paine drives this through the covers by the batsman.

Skipper time. Tim Paine comes out to bat at number 7, with half an hour to go to Lunch.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. OUT! CAUGHT! Wade is out of here and Australia are five down now! Leach tosses this one just outside off, Wade comes down the track and looks to heave this one over mid-wicket. However, he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Hence, he gets a top edge as the ball skies towards mid on. Joe Root over there, staggers, stutters and even trembles a bit but eventually takes the catch. The 41-run partnership is broken and Wade departs for just 16.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith again, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floated outside off by Leach, Smith plays it onto the ground.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Tossed up on the pads, Smith flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. Fuller and on the off side, Wade pushes this towards mid off.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On the middle pole line, Smith looks to pull this one but misses to get hit on the hips. The ball rolls towards leg gully and the batters take a leg bye.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, Smith pushes this towards point off the back foot.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floated outside off, Smith drives this superbly towards cover and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Flat on off, the ball pitches and turns. Smith looks to block off the back foot but is beaten. He then indicates towards his partner that he is shocked by that turn.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. FOUR! Whipped and whipped well. This is floated on the pads again, Smith just comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Confusion out in the middle and Smith survives! This is floated on the leg side, Smith tucks it towards square leg and goes for the quick single. Wade though does not respond and Smith is left high and dry. He scampers back as Bairstow goes for the direct hit towards the keeper's end but misses. Ben Stokes comes to the stumps at the striker's end but he overruns a bit. He then lets the throw through because it comes in very fast but Smith was in due to the dive.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Flat on off pole, a bit of turn. Smith blocks it out.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. Outside off, Wade pushes this one towards the off side.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. Another length ball outside off, Wade pushes this one towards mid off.

Craig Overton to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, Wade defends it off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith this time, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Another bouncer by Overton, Steven again ducks under it.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Bouncer to start off by Overton on the leg pole line. Smith ducks under it.

We are back after a small break and it will be Craig Overton to bowl. His figures so far are 10-0-41-1.

Oh dear. The drizzle has gotten heavier and the umpires have called for the covers. The hover cover comes on. This seems to be a bit of a passing shower, so the delay should not be long.

DRINKS BREAK. 44/1 in 13 overs this morning. A fairly balanced session so far. England have bowled well, inducing mistakes from the Aussie batsmen but the latter have hung in there. With a brittle middle order as this, a collapse is never far and Australia will want this partnership to continue. It is worth 31 in 50 balls, so the rate is pretty decent.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Full and floated outside off, Wade pushes this off the front foot towards mid off.

Bit of drizzle in the air...

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Flighted by Leach on the pads of Wade, he comes down the track and flicks it towards mid-wicket as the ball races to the fence.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Tossed up ball on middle and off, Wade pushes this one onto the ground.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Tossed up on middle and off, Wade goes for the paddle but Stokes from first slip runs to his right, pre-meditating it and stops the ball from going towards the fine leg fence. An excellent effort from him as the crowd applauds.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it off his pad towards short leg.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Spin time for today. Jack Leach into the attack. 6-2-18-0 so far.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side, Wade goes for the flick but misses. The ball kisses his pads and goes towards the fine leg boundary.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, Wade goes for the pull but misses it. England put in a stifled appeal for a caught behind but nothing from the umpire. Root now comes towards his bowler and has a chat regarding the review but eventually does not take it. Here comes Ultra Edge. Nothing on it when the ball passes the bat.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. NO BALL! Archer oversteps as he looks to go for the bouncer this time. Wade ducks and lets that one through to Bairstow.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball on middle and off, Wade defends it from within the crease towards mid off.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Wade just opens the face of the bat and guides this one between point and gully as the ball races towards the third man fence.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a quick single.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off by Archer, he pushes it back towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone by Wade.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, Wade guides this off the back foot towards the slip cordon. He thinks that there is a single on there but Smith denies it.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Full by Broad, just outside off, Wade pushes it down the ground. Broad gets down in an attempt to gather the ball but he parries it towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Another length ball outside off, Wade leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Fullish ball outside off, Wade gets on the front foot and pushes it towards cover as the batters take a couple.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, left alone by Wade.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Another one on the leg side, Wade looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Way down the leg side, Wade leaves it alone.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Another length ball outside off, Wade opens the face of his bat and guides it towards the third slip fielder.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, left alone by Matthew.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball on off, pushed out by Wade.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Good length ball on off, coming back in to Wade. He blocks it out.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Length ball way outside off, Smith leaves it alone in his own typical fashion.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Bouncer down the leg side, Smith evades it.

Time for the shape of the ball. England are not happy, Broad is not happy and umpire Dharmasena is obliging. He brings out the 8-shaped gauge but the ball passes through and he hands the ball back to Overton, who passes it to Broady. As usual, the latter shakes his head on the ball not being changed.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. JUST WIDE! Almost the plan works. Decent stuff from Broad. This time on a length and on middle, Smith pulls this one uppishly towards fine leg. Now, Ben Stokes has been stationed at backward square leg, exactly for that catch off the pull shot. But the ball just evades him and goes to long leg. A single taken.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. This is on the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards Stokes at backward square leg.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Length ball just outside off, Wade shuffles onto his back foot and pushes this towards point where they take a quick single.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another bouncer to end the over. Smith is patient and he lets it through to Bairstow. Archer getting itchy here.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Archer looks fired up now. Goes above the 90 mph mark. A bumper on middle and off, Smith is just consistently evading them.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! Great shot by Smith! This is a length ball outside off, Smith just guides it towards the empty third man region and the ball races towards the fence.

Interesting, very interesting thought from Michael Holding. He observes the lines bowled by Archer and Broad this morning. Adds that numerous times, the ball has beaten the bat but still, Root has kept men at square leg, fine leg, mid-wicket and mid on. 'Why?' asks the great man. 'Forget the on side! Make them play outside off, stop the runs and then force them to go through the on side.' Fair call. You are asking the bowlers to bowl on one spot but giving the field in the other direction.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another bumper to Smith by Archer. Smith does well to duck under it.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, this time to Smith, he pushes it towards the man at cover off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, Wade pushes it off the back foot towards the point region and takes a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Bouncer to Smith off the last ball off the over. He ducks under it.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. Beaten! Jaffa by Broad! This one is on a length and just outside off, it pitches and then leaves the batsman. Wade goes for the block but is beaten by the movement on it. Misses the outside edge by a whisker.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the man at fine leg.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Short of a length ball, Smith pulls this one towards square leg and takes one.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Edged and just short of Joe Root at first slip! Length ball outside off, Wade looks to push this one towards the off side but he gets a thick edge on it. The ball falls short of Root and goes through the slip cordon. The skipper himself mops it up running back. Two runs taken. For a second, Roy perhaps thought about going for the catch but then bailed out. Not sure he might have got to it either.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Archer bangs this one short of a length, the ball comes in with the angle. Wade looks to sway away from it but is hit on the forearm. He looks in some pain here.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, Wade pushes this towards cover off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Bouncer down the leg side, Wade ducks under it and lets the ball through.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he flicks it towards fine leg and the batters take one. Wade is off the mark.

Stuart Broad to Matthew Wade. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

The soft underbelly of a middle order is open now. Matthew Wade walks in now.

Stuart Broad to Travis Head. OUT! LBW! Travis Head is outta here and the hosts get their first breakthrough of the day. Broad is the man again. He bowls this on a length outside off, it comes in with the angle. Head looks to block it out but misses as the ball hits him on the knee roll. The English players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Smith and Head mull over taking the review but eventually decide against it. Replays roll in and Ball Tracker shows it to be clipping leg.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Stuart Broad to Travis Head. On the pads of Head there, he flicks it towards backward square leg. Jack Leach runs to his right from fine leg and the batters take one. There was a second on offer but Head takes a slow start. Also, he has to run around the bowler, so when he turns for the second, he realizes that he cannot make it to the striker's end in time. So he sends Smith back. Michael Atherton on air informs that Jack Leach is a left-hand batsman, left-arm bowler but he throws with his right hand. Interesting.

Stuart Broad to Travis Head. Broad comes around the wicket, bowls a length ball outside off. Head pushes out off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer off the last ball. On the off pole line, Smith does well to sway away from it.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball on middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards mid on off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Short of a length ball outside off, Smith looks to push it towards the off side but the ball hits his gloves and goes to point.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer by Archer, to Smith. This is on the leg pole line, Smith ducks out of the way at the last moment.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball just outside off, nips back in to Smith. He tries to block it out but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Short of good length on middle and leg, Smith flicks it off his back foot to mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Another bouncer and Smith ducks under it easily.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Length and on middle, Smith defends it back to the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Short and down the leg side, Smith ducks under it comfortably.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. On a length and outside off, Smith leaves it with his unique left alone style.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Short and on the body. Smith pulls but does not time it well and the ball goes on the bounce to backward square leg.

Jofra Archer to Travis Head. Beaten again! Outside off, Head looks to push at this one but is beaten by the away movement.

Jofra Archer to Travis Head. On the pads, Head flicks it towards the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Inside edge and almost chopped on. Length ball just outside off, Smith looks to push it towards the off side but gets the inside half of his bat on it and the ball rolls past the stumps towards fine leg as the batters take one.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. DROPPED AND FOUR! Almost into the hands of Archer. A low full toss by Archer on middle, Smith pushes it back towards him uppishly. Archer gets his right hand's fingertips to it but the ball goes through his hand and straight down the ground towards the long off fence.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! Great reply by Smith. This is fuller and outside off, Smith pushes this towards cover even as his bottom hand comes off the bat. But the ball races to the fence. First boundary of the day!

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Beaten! Good ball to start off Day 2 for Archer. He pitches this on a length just outside off and gets it to move away from Smith. He tries to defend it but does so inside the line and is beaten.

Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end. New day, new beginning. New contest. Here we go.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Australia are underway on Day 2. This is a length ball on the pads, Smith flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good length ball this time, mixing it up. Smith comes onto the front foot and pushes it back towards Broad.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Bouncer just outside off, Smith ducks under it and lets it through to Bairstow.

A slight delay. What is the issue? There is something which is distracting Smith. Poor Dharmasena has gone all the way to the entry gate to have it shut. Okay. There is an ambulance which is outside the ground and the sunlight falling on its glass is distracting Smith. They are covering it with a paper but even that is being blown away. Tough job...

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Length ball on off again, Smith pushes this one off the back foot back towards the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, Smith tries to push this one towards the off side but is beaten.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. First ball of the day, the ball has found the edge of Smith's bat.

The English players walk out to the middle with Joe Root marshaling his troops. Steven Smith and Travis Head also walk out to the middle, with the former taking strike. Stuart Broad to start the proceedings for the hosts. Here we go...

Coming to Day 2, the task for England is simple. Take some quick wickets, especially of Steven Smith and then run through the Aussie batting line-up. As for Australia, they would want to stay at the crease as long as possible and they would also want their middle order to score some runs. Stay tuned as we bring you all the action from Manchester!

On Day 1, Australia won the toss and asked England to field first. The hosts got off to a good start as Warner and Harris were dismissed early on in the innings. Labuschagne and Smith then got together and started the counter-attack. Rain was the only thing that was breaking their momentum as they stitched up a great 116-run stand. They turned the tide of the game on its head. Overton, who returned to the Test squad after a gap of more than a year, got the crucial wicket of Labuschagne. However, with Smith still out there in the middle, no one can predict how much will Australia score.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the fourth Ashes Test match. On Day 1, rain interrupted play for large periods of the game and we could only manage to get a quota of 44 overs. The weather forecast says that there will be showers today as well but as of now, it is looking bright.

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

Can Smith get to his century? Will England be able to stop him before that? Will Australia's middle order be able to contribute? A bigger question than all of these - How many overs will be bowled on Thursday? The forecast is not looking that great. Join us for Day 2 on Thursday, 5th September, 2019 at 11 am local (1000 GMT) for some (fingers crossed) action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

With just 44 overs bowled on the opening day, this has become almost like a 4-day Test. Australia will look to Smith to bat for long and bat once. The problem is their soft underbelly of a middle order and it needs to fire sooner rather than later.

What has ailed England then? Guess it is the Archer factor. He looked cooked up and was barely bowling with the pace which he displayed in the second Test. England will hope that he recovers by Thursday and is fired up to blow Australia away under 250.

Advantage Australia then, on a start-stop day. They lost their openers pretty quickly on a surface which had some juice in the opening hour but then the master and his accomplice got to work. Their 116-run stand put England on the back foot and at one stage, the run rate was touching 4, which prompted Root to bring on Leach to stall the run flow. Did not make too much of a difference as the run rate has not gone down too much.

UPDATE - 6.10 pm local (1710 GMT) - Really sad news. PLAY HAS BEEN CALLED OFF FOR THE DAY. A really poor sight, with the sun shining brightly but the damp outfield did not allow the groundstaff to prepare the ground in time.

Bad news, folks. The shower which was on, at Tea time has not dissipated yet. The covers are firmly in place. This session is only for 70 minutes, with another 30 being added to cover up for lost time. How many will we get? Stay tuned though.

... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ...

Rain has coincided with Tea here and we hope that this one blows off quickly as well. No covers are on at this point of time, although the conditions are pretty bad. England will be aiming to dislodge Smith and then just run through the batting line-up. 46 overs left in the day, with around 100 minutes left. We might get only 25 realistically. Join us back at 5.50 pm local (1650 GMT).

Normally, start-stop sessions are not good for a batting side but the concentration from Smith and Labuschagne was outstanding. They were always at the bowlers, taking singles wherever possible and punishing the bad ball, which came, well, almost every over. Labuschagne is gone but as long as Smith is there, Australia will believe they can get any score.

Australia's session. Just a wicket lost and 72 runs scored in 18 overs. The start-stop rain has not made matters easy and England have struggled to grip the ball, spraying it to all the parts. Also, the heavy wind and cold conditions have been against them as well.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Outside off, left alone. TEA ON DAY 1!

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Comes around the wicket, bowls it on a length outside off, Travis looks to defend but then tries to take the bat away. The ball goes off the toe end towards third slip.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. FOUR! Wrong line and punished. A length ball, down the leg side, Head tucks it through square leg. Plenty of free real estate there.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Full and outside off, Head looks to drive, without moving his feet and misses.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Banged in short, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. Smith moves to 60 now.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, Smith dabs it straight to point.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. FOUR! JUST OVER! That is why that man has been placed there. Full and down the leg side, Head flicks it and it looks to be a very good shot. Till Jos Buttler flies across to his left at squarish mid-wicket. But the ball flies over him to the fence at mid-wicket.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, on a length, Travis plays inside the line, feeling for it and misses.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. PITCHED OUTSIDE LEG! End of story. A yorker, by Stokes, Head looks to flick but loses his balance and slips. Is hit on the left boot and Stokes appeals but umpire Kumar Dharmasena is not impressed. Root has a chat with his bowler and goes for the review. Ball Tracker confirms that a review is lost for England. Superb decision by umpire Dharmasena. Looked very close to the naked eye. Not the umpire of the year without a reason!

Massive LBW shout! Head is on the floor! (Oops... not literally the head) It is a yorker hitting the pads on the full but umpire Dharmasena has shaken his head. Review taken by England and Ball Tracker shows it to be pitching outside leg.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A short ball, outside off, Smith hops and plays it nicely through third slip. Rory Burns dives to his right and gets some pace off the ball but hurts his hand in the process. A single taken.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Drifting in from around the wicket to the left-hander, helped through square leg but straight to the fielder.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Full and straight, worked towards square leg.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A length ball, a bit too straight, SS just places it behind square on the leg side and finds the gap. Mid-wicket and fine leg intersect in the deep but by then, three runs have been taken.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Steven takes his bat away from the line.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Another length ball, outside off, Smith hops and defends.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A length ball, down the leg side, helped through square leg for a couple.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A short ball, around off, Steven gets inside the line and pulls it through square leg for one.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A bouncer, outside off, Smith ducks under it.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, steered through point for three more.

Ben Stokes to Travis Head. Outside off, a play and a miss.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. A length ball, outside off, Travis plays inside the line and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes past third slip and three runs are taken.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. FOUR! Wrong line. Overpitched outside leg, Head flicks it through square leg and gets off the mark.

Craig Overton to Travis Head. Outside off, Head pushes at it but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge.

Into the middle order. Or tail? That is how Australia have batted this series. Barring Smith or Labuschagne, no one has really stood up. Oh wait... someone pokes his head out. It is Travis Head. Yeah... he was there in the first two games when Australia were in trouble...

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! BOWLED! A jaffa to break a terrific stand. We felt someone had to do something special to break this partnership and Overton has done it. This is so, so similar to his first Test wicket in Adelaide. That time, it was Smith. This time, it is Labuschagne. Nothing much either batsman could have done on either occasion. A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend, thinking he has covered the line but the ball seams back in, goes between bat and pad and hits the top of off stump! End of a terrific knock from Labuschagne. The 116-run stand is broken at last.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, watchfully defended.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Around middle and off, clipped through mid-wicket for a run.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A hat-trick of leaves now.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. One more leave outside off.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Around off, nudged through square leg for a single.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! HALF CENTURY FOR SMITH NOW! 26th in Tests, 8th in the Ashes. Gets there in bizarre fashion. Full and miles outside off, Smith reaches out, slips and almost dives to get bat to ball. Manages to get it through cover but was there any need to go after that? He could have so easily nicked it behind or handed a catch to cover-point. Remember Ben Stokes' dismissal in the first innings of the previous Test? Anyways, another terrific innings.

A second ago, it was pouring. Now, it has stopped. That is what heavy wind can do. And wind can do this as well. A piece of plastic blows across. Smith halts Stokes. Michael Holding on air says that people are deliberately throwing things onto the ground.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Late cut! Risky but well played. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne steers it with an open bat-face and guides it behind gully to third man! The stand moves to 110 now.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Similar ball, same shot, same region, same result.

Rain in the air again. And it is getting heavier. Play carries on though.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, flicked towards short mid-wicket.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. A good length delivery around off, watchfully blocked out.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended to the off side.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Another LBW shout. Is it too high? Overton seems to indicate that. A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler initially appeals but umpire Erasmus shakes his head. Overton then indicates to Root that it might be too high. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be umpire's call but the ball would have gone over.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Around off, solidly defended towards mid on.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball, down the leg side, nudged towards fine leg for one.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, left alone.

More delay. The wind is getting blustery and even the replaced bails cannot stand that pressure. The bails are changed again.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Gets across and works it through square leg for a run.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Ben Stokes is back on. 4-0-18-0 so far.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Huge, huge LBW shout! No, says the umpire. A length ball, outside off, Smith gets across and shoulders arms. Overton roars out an appeal but when the umpire turns it down, he himself tells Root that it was probably not coming back in that much.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, punched wide of cover for a quick single. Stokes has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Labuschagne had to run around the bowler and had to stretch. Would have been touch and go.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Overton pulls out again. This time he is forced to. Because Labuschagne stops him midway. Root asks him from slips and we can hear Marnus say on the stump mic, 'I thought I heard the bails fall.'

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, solidly defended.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge past third slip towards the third man fence. Good fight.

Overton comes running in but loses his runup and bails out...

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, Labuschagne tucks it behind square leg. England have a leg gully in place but it escapes him. A single taken.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, down the leg side, ML takes his gloves out of the way as he lets it pass.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, Marnus hops across and defends.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A short ball, outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, Labuschagne taps it towards point, looks up at Smith and takes off for a quick single.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. A length ball, wide outside off, Smith shoulders arms.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball, down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off again, pushed back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, pushed back down the ground.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, solidly defended.

A heavier set of bails comes on and the bowling is changed as well. Craig Overton will now bowl into the wind. 4-0-14-0 so far. Broad was struggling at this end since the break.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another solid defense.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Full and straight, SS blocks it out watchfully.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A bouncer, around off, ducked under.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around off, Smith gets across and defends.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A short ball, around middle, pulled behind square leg for a couple.

The fourth umpire is Rob Bailey. Ironically, he is the one who is coming down the stairs with a heavier set of bails. They should be replaced in the next over. Steve Waugh, the Aussie mentor, is having a chat with him. Root is getting a bit irritated now, he wants the bails back on as quickly as possible.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and straight, Smith gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

More problems for Broad. He is probably not happy with the bails not being on the stumps. Both sides are without bails now. Not quite sure what is he complaining about, because Root joins him too. But Erasmus explains them something and both agree. Well done, Marais. Never easy to explain stuff to Broad.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball, outside off, another one let through.

Now, a chip packet had come onto the playing area. Play and a miss for Smith as he tries to swing it away. It goes from him a few yards and then stops. Smith walks across, stops it with his bat, picks it up and then hands it to the umpire. More drama! Broad comes running in but Labuschagne stops him as another biscuit wrapper flows across the field! Broad is charging in midway but Labuschagne says he cannot help it. The bails now fall down at the non-striker's end. Oh dear... this is hilarious. The umpire puts the bails back at the bowler's end but now, the bails at Labuschagne's end go down! The batsman himself has to put it on. Now, umpire Kumar Dharmasena does a sensible thing. he walks across to Labuschagne and takes the bails off. So at the striker's end, the stumps are without bails. Broad is amused.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, watchfully defended.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A length ball, outside off, SS gets across, blocks and then swishes his bat through thin air.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A bouncer, outside off, Steven sways away from the line.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! SMOKED! Ordinary ball. Short and outside off, Smith arches back and flays it behind point for a boundary! The stand is worth 90 from 140 balls. Smith moves to 42 from 63 with his 6th boundary.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A length ball outside off, solidly defended towards cover.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 11 from the over.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR LEG BYES! Was it a case for LBW? Broad and Root have a thought but do not go for the review. A length ball, around middle, Labuschagne gets across to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads past the diving Bairstow, to his left and races to the fine leg fence. Ball Tracker shows it to be missing leg stump.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Not a bad ball at all from Broad. He slows down his pace a touch and targets the middle stump. Smith is early into position and flicks this from middle stump, through mid-wicket. Jofra Archer lumbers after it but Jos Buttler races to his left at deep mid-wicket. Dives full stretch to parry the ball to Archer. Three runs taken.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Around off, SS gets across and bunts it out.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! AWESOME! Great shot. Loosener from Broad and Smith does not miss out. Overpitched, around off, Steven gets across and drives it powerfully down the ground through mid on.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, tucked straight to short leg.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A length ball, around middle, Smith gets back and across and tucks it through square leg. A quick single pinched.

The players are back out again. England will not mind this one bit. When the rain arrived, the pitch was not covered. And when the cover did come onto the pitch, the rain had stopped. So that would have disturbed the playing surface. Meanwhile, the sun has started to peek in as well.

Oh dear.... Smith starts to walk off with the breeze getting way too heavy. But the square leg umpire stops him. Now, the heavens open up and it starts raining pretty heavily! Off go the players but hey - it has stopped raining! This will not be a big delay at all. Only the hover cover in place.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another bouncer, around off, another duck.

Huh? Comical scenes out there. A beach ball has come up to the ground! The wind keeps it blowing and it comes near Smith who sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary! What a shot!

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A harmless bouncer down the leg side, Steven ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Around off, Smith gets across and defends.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and down the leg side, flicked towards long leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully pushed back.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. HALF CENTURY FOR LABUSCHAGNE. His 5th in Tests, 4th in this series itself. A length ball, down the leg side, Marnus gets across and works it through mid-wicket for a single. The job is not yet done though.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, watchfully defended.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. The ball does not carry to Jonny Bairstow.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Around middle, flicked through square leg for a single. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.

Stuart Broad it will be from the other end. It is a change of ends for the speedster.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, swinging away, Labuschagne looks to defend but gets a thick leading edge. The ball goes behind and third slip dives to his right and stops it.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A bouncer outside off, Labuschagne sways away from the line.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Full and around middle, Smith looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes through point. A single taken.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good length delivery outside off, watchfully defended.

Welcome back! Play is indeed starting. Jofra Archer will start off proceedings post Tea. Smith to face.

UPDATE - 3.40 PM LOCAL (1440 GMT) - We are hearing that the game will resume at 4 pm local and Tea will be taken at 5.30 pm. Awaiting official confirmation...

UPDATE - 2.30 PM LOCAL (1450 GMT) - On. Off. On again. Off again. That is the current status of the covers. We were in to start around 10 minutes ago but again, a heavy band of rain came across to spoil our plans. It is currently not raining but that heavy spell might have made the outfield damp, which could cause some delay.

Welcome back. Sorry. Go back. Play should have started by now, but a light drizzle is holding up play. Should not be a long delay.

... Day 1, session 2 ...

So, what will happen after the Lunch break? Will Australia continue to score freely or will England come back strongly with all their might? Join us in a while to find out!

The tide started to turn as Steven Smith arrived onto the pitch after missing the last match. His batting and counter-attacking stance sucked the wind out of the English sails. Labuschagne put his foot on the gas soon after and he too started scoring quickly. Smith took the back seat as he saw his partner oozing in confidence. They brought up their 50-run stand in just 70 balls and Marnus Labuschagne continued to score at a good rate even after. He is just one short of his half ton and will be looking to complete it and then go for the ton.

The hosts started the day in the best possible manner after being asked to field by Australia as Warner was dismissed in the first over itself by Stuart Broad. There was some resistance offered by Marcus Harris but he too perished against Broad who showed his class in the opening hour of the day. Jofra Archer looked a bit gentle today as compared to the previous matches and maybe he is saving his energy. Leach also bowled good but had no luck although one can clearly see there is some purchase on this surface for him.

26 overs. 98 runs. 2 wickets. England's opening hour, Australia's latter. As expected, good contest between bat and ball in the first session of the fourth Ashes Test.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Marnus misses his flick. LUNCH ON DAY 1!

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball outside off, ML thinks about playing at it but withdraws his bat at the last moment. Almost has a Warneresque dismissal.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. A good thinking bouncer, down the leg side, Marnus is surprised and ducks awkwardly at the last moment.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, pushed to the off side.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely timed. Full and outside off, Labuschagne leans and drives it behind point. The ball beats the diving gully fielder and races to the fence. Moves to 49.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith pushes it towards long on. Labuschagne wants a single but he is sent back as short mid-wicket dives to his left.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and just around off, watchfully defended in front of silly point.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around middle, pushed towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. That seemed to be deliberate from Overton. Labuschagne does get a long way across his stumps and Chris targets the leg stump, but bowls it slightly wide. Marnus attempts to flick but misses. Another half-shout, this time from the slips. Nothing from Bairstow or Overton.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. That is a jaffa. Overton hits the deck hard, bowling it on a length and generates extra bounce. The ball whizzes past the outside edge and Bairstow appeals but he does not get enough support from the slip cordon. They join in late and on seeing that, Overton appeals as well. The umpire says no. Nothing on the Ultra Edge.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! AMAZING! Full and outside off, Labuschagne leans and drives it through cover, past the fielder diving to his left, finding the ropes behind.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a couple.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Tossed up outside off, Steven stays leg side of the ball and drives it past short extra cover, wide of mid off. A single taken.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler once again.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, Smith lunges and blocks it out.

Looks like the ball has gone out of shape. It is brought to Erasmus by the England players. Dharmasena is the silent observer in all this talk and eventually, someone calls for the 8-shaped gauge. Smith now asks Dharmasena what is the issue and he is perhaps told that it might be a bit of leather coming off the seam and they could be cutting it off, rather than replacing it. The fourth umpire brings out a box of balls and there is a bit of drizzle in the air. Plenty of blue sky overhead, so this might be a passing shower. THE BALL IS CHANGED and Dharmasena shows it to the batsmen. The hover cover gets ready but play continues.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. SMITH WOULD HAVE BEEN RUN OUT HAD THE BALL HIT THE STUMPS! Full and around off, Labuschagne drives it straight back. Overton sticks out his right leg and almost does two things at one time - Injure himself and run Smith out behind him. He is on the ground but the ball just misses the stumps. The batsmen now take two. Replays show that Smith's bat was in the air when the ball went past the sticks.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Another leave outside off. This one was a wider ball and Labuschagne does a Smith, swishing his bat away from the line.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, on a length, shouldered arms to.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Around middle and off, Labuschagne flicks it through square leg, calls for two as he sees fine leg and mid-wicket pretty deep. Gets two comfortably.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and straight, targetting those pads, but Smith, as he so often does, gets his bat in the way, whipping this through square leg for a single.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Very full, Marnus keeps it out.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around middle, Labuschagne lunges and pushes it towards mid on.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Picks this from the off stump and punches it towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Goes back, converts the full ball into a length one, which is normally short for a spinner and works it through square leg for a single.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Around off, well blocked out.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, blocked back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, watchfully pushed towards cover.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. One more leave outside off.

Craig Overton to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a single.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Craig Overton to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Craig Overton to bowl his first over of the 2019 Ashes. Got Steven Smith to face up against. Incidentally, Dhruv tells me that Overton got Smith in Adelaide, cleaning him up. It was his maiden Test wicket.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Beauty! Superb bowling. This is just Day 1, yet he is getting good purchase. Full and outside off, ML leans to block but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Does not miss off stump by much either.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Ooohhh.. almost superman-like from Ben Stokes! Full and around off, Marnus lunges to flick but the ball spins away and takes the leading edge. Because the batsman is looking to go leg side, Stokes at first slip takes an initial step to his left. But the ball goes to his right and he flings himself but cannot get there. Two runs down to third man. 50-RUN STAND IS UP between these two, in just 70 balls.

The camera pans on to Stuart Broad who is seen sitting in the dressing room. Hope it is nothing serious. Sam Curran is on the field as a substitute for him.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched through cover-point for a run.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Pushed through cover for a quick single.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up outside off, Labuschagne lunges and works it towards short mid-wicket.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A length ball around off, Smith gets squared up as the ball moves away. Takes the outside edge, past third slip, towards third man. A couple of runs taken.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. A short ball, pulled through square leg for a single.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Well outside off, let through.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Well outside off, left alone.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, plenty of flight, driven straight to cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Outside off, pushed back once more.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Similar ball, this time Smith lunges to block.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Action replay of the previous delivery.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. UMPIRE'S CALL! Clipping the leg stump and Labuschagne will stay. Banana swing. Gosh. How do you play that? Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to let it go initially, but then tries to play it, due to the late swing. He is hit on the pads, caught between playing and leaving. England appeal but Stokes immediately signals going down the leg side. Root comes forward for a chat with his champion who is on his haunches in frustration but eventually takes the review. Here comes Ball Tracker. Clipping the leg stump! Review retained. Erasmus smiles. Looked to be going down leg to the naked eye but had Erasmus given it out, Labuschagne would have been out of here.

LBW review against Labuschagne! He has been adjudged LBW. Looks to be going down leg.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, helped fine for a single.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! A short ball, down the leg side, Smith pulls it with total control through fine leg to find the fence.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Hmmm... top edge now. Looks like Marnus is running out of patience. After playing a loose shot on the previous ball, he goes for the pull on this one. Gets a top edge which lobs in the air but does not carry to long leg. A single taken.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, in that corridor of go-for-the-drive, Labuschagne looks to drive but misses.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, left alone.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Full and around off, just defended back to the bowler.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, another long hop, this is punched through point. Would have been a hat-trick of boundaries but after the previous two gifts, Root has insurance at sweeper cover. Just a single.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Short again, outside off once more, Marnus cuts it behind point again and beats backward point.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Bad ball. Short and outside off, Labuschagne goes back and punches it behind point. The ball races away.

Jack Leach to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, solidly defended from the crease.

Spin time. Jack leach called on to bowl.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Smith rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. FOUR! SWEET! Overpitched, outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. Jofra Archer ambles after it from cover but never gets close to the ball.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A bouncer, around off, Smith ducks awkwardly but the extra height on that one enables him to get away with that.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. A length ball outside off, Smith gets across and defends it towards cover.

DRINKS BREAK. What an opening hour. No snoozing allowed in England. On the money from the very first ball. Broad has been terrific with the new cherry, nipping out both the openers but the Aussies are trying to fight hard. The concussion substitute and the one who was concussed in the second Test are batting together, in a stand of 21 in 6 overs. Another gripping hour awaits.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Just a flick and boom, a boundary! Broad bowls this full and on the pads of Marnus, he flicks it with class towards mid-wicket, in the gap and the ball races towards the fence. Good over for the Aussies this. 8 off it.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off again, Marnus leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Beautiful shot! First half volley of the day by England and just a push by Labuschagne on this. Full ball on middle and leg, Labuschagne leans on his front foot and pushes it through mid on for a boundary. The pace of the outfield and the slope of the ground also helped a bit in taking the ball towards the fence.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one on off, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Full ball on off, Labuschagne blocks it back towards the bowler.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Bouncer on the last ball, Smith does well to duck under it at the last moment.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Outside off again to Smith, he again lets it through to Bairstow.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off to Smith. He leaves it alone.

Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and leg, it is going down the leg side after pitching. Marnus tries to flick it but misses and the ball goes off his thigh pad towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. This one is on the off pole line, it pitches and straightens. Smith guides it towards cover and takes a single.

Ben Stokes to Steven Smith. Starts off with a ball on middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards the man at short mid-wicket.

First change of the morning. Last match's hero, the World Cup final's magician and this summer's legend is here to bowl. Benjamin Stokes arrives. Short leg moves back to square leg. Three slips and a gully in place.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Way outside off this time, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne blocks it out off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good fielding by Leach on the ropes as he saves a run for his side. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and the ball is going at a great pace. Leach from fine leg runs to his left, put in a dive and stops the ball from crossing the fence. The batters take three in the meanwhile.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Labuschagne, he flicks it gently towards fine leg and takes a single. Maybe a chance of a second but they opt against it.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This is on a good length on middle, Marnus defends it towards the man at mid on.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer on the leg pole line, Labuschagne ducks under it and the ball goes through to Bairstow.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball around middle and off, Marnus defends it off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Left alone by Labuschagne but mightily close to the stumps. Marnus living dangerously here against Archer as this misses the wicket by a whisker. Although he is hit on the thigh pad as the ball goes to Bairstow.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball coming into Smith, he hops and looks to flick but the ball comes back in sharply. It hits Smith on the thigh pads and the ball rolls towards point as the batters take a leg bye.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! SUBLIME! Half volley outside off, Smith leans and drives it through the covers. No one moves.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. Another maiden for Broad.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Labuschagne this time, he works it towards short leg and takes a step forward. Buttler is alert and has a shy at the stumps and hits but Marnus is well in by that time. Action all around!

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Beauty by Broad this. Length ball outside off, Marnus goes for the drive and misses as the ball has some extra bounce on it. It goes past the edge and Broad is all smiles out there.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Woah! Some football out in the middle by Labuschagne. This is a length ball on the off pole line. He blocks it out onto the pitch. The ball is rolling behind and Marnus is maybe a bit worried that it would go onto the stumps. So he literally kicks the ball towards the man at point.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A length ball around off, solidly defended.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. There comes the first bouncer! Easily passing over the batsman's head. Smith ducks under it and the crowd cheers! More of that, they want, don't they?

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Perfect line and length, just around off, Smith gets a long way across his stumps and defends.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Outside off, not a bouncer, but on a length, left alone.

Huge cheers across the ground. The crowd is anticipating something. Jofra vs Steven. What will come first up? Bouncer? Square leg moves a fraction deeper.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, Marnus looks to defend but is squared up. The ball squirts off the outside edge behind point and the batsmen take a single. Now, to the contest. The real contest.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. A length ball, outside off, Labuschagne is solid in defense.

After missing out on the previous Test due to concussion, the man who has become the best Test batsman in the world as per the ICC cricket rankings, is here. Steven Smith walks out at number 4, much much much earlier than anticipated. Just 7 overs in, so the ball will be pretty much new and the guy has a lot to do. Again.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. OUT! LBW! The review is retained but Australia lose their second wicket in the form of Marcus Harris. This was pitched on a length around the fourth stump line by Broad, he gets it to angle into the southpaw. Harris looks to come on the front foot and defend it but misses the ball to get hit high on the pad. The English players appeal and the umpire raises his finger after thinking for a long time. Harris is not totally convinced that this would hit the stumps. He has a chat with Labuschagne at the non-striker's end and goes for the review at the last second. Ultra Edge comes in and shows no edge on that. Ball Tracker comes in now, pitching outside off, impact in line and wickets CLIPPING! It is just touching the top of middle and leg poles and thus it is Umpire's call. Australia in a spot of bother now.

Harris has been adjudged LBW! At the very last second, he signals for the review. Looks close, might be umpire's call on height. The ball has hit Marcus on the right knee roll. No inside edge involved. Clipping the top of leg stump, review retained but Harris has to go!

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On the pads of Harris, he flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Again outside off, Harris lets it through to Bairstow.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball outside off by Broad, Harris leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Another one fuller and on the pads, Harris looks to push this towards mid on but gets the inner half of his bat on it. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batters take a couple.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. On the pads of Harris to start off with, he pushes it towards the man at mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! On the pads of Marnus, he flicks it between mid-wicket and square leg as he finds the gap and the ball races to the fence. Good over for the Aussies this.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Fuller on off, Harris pushes it towards cover and rotates strike.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Bouncer but way too high! Harris ducks under it and the ball goes over Bairstow's head. Bairstow leaps and gets a hand to it but he is not able to stop it from going to the fine leg fence.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Harris blocks this one off the front foot by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Good shot off the front foot this by Harris. This is fuller and on middle and off, Harris pushes it towards mid on and takes a couple as Leach runs behind it and mops it up.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This is way too wide for Labuschagne, he leaves it alone and Bairstow collects it behind the stumps.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This is fuller and a bit outside off, Labuschagne blocks it out off the front foot onto the pitch.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Wide outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Attacking the front pad of Marnus, Labuschagne flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball outside off, Labuschagne again leaves it alone. Looks like Broad is trying to use the wind to his advantage here in Manchester to get the ball to swing in to the right-hander.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off by Broad, Marnus leaves it alone.

A decent couple of overs by Jofra Archer but where is his pace? He is bowling okay but his pace is in the mid 80s. It is never easy to bowl consistently 90 mph in three back-to-back matches and guess Jofra is looking to conserve his pace here. Australia would be aiming to work him over, IF they bat long.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. This time Harris defends it well as he gets behind the line of this fullish delivery outside off and pushes it back.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Beaten! Great delivery by Archer. This is on a length outside off, Harris looks to defend but does so inside the line and is beaten as the ball goes past his outside edge.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Length ball on the pads of Harris, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Fuller this time around off, Harris blocks it off the front foot and onto the pitch.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On a length and on middle and leg, Harris looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Stifled appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. Dharmasena indicates that this has hit the bat of Labushagne as he tries to block it out.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Uppish but well short of Overton at squarish mid-wicket. On the pads of Marnus, he flicks the ball towards mid-wicket. Overton dives to his right in an attempt to stop the ball but he is a little bit away from it. The ball goes to the fence and a boundary is signalled.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good front foot defense by Marnus. Broad attacks the off pole with a fuller ball, the batter blocks it out off the front foot.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Another length ball outside off, Harris pushes it with soft hands towards cover point and takes a quick single.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Length ball outside off, Harris shoulders arms to it.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. FOUR! Beautiful drive! This is full and outside off, Harris just leans into his drive and caresses it through covers for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. Gentle over by Archer to start off with.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball around off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On the pads of Harris, he flicks it down towards the fine leg fielder and they take a single. He is off the mark with that one.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Down the leg side, Harris tries to flick but it is way too wide for him to make any contact.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Labuschagne, he tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball goes towards fine leg and the batters take a run.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Wide outside off to start off by Archer. A very slow ball to start off with, around 80 mph. Left alone by Labuschagne.

A huge cheer goes around the crowd as Jofra Archer comes in to bowl.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Outside off, coming in, let through. A sensational opening over from Broady!

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Around middle, Labuschagne works it behind square leg for a single.

Marnus Labuschagne is in early, at number 3, in the very first over!

Stuart Broad to David Warner. OUT! Caught behind! Broad gets Warner again! A wry smile from Warner as he mutters something like 'knicked it' to Harris while going past. Gosh. He cannot buy a run against Broad. The son of Chris Broad is flying. Just the start England would have wanted after being asked to bowl first. A length delivery wide outside off, could have been left alone but Warner wants to play at it. Wants to have a feel. Then, he realizes that this is just the first over and he can let it go. Too late. The ball takes the toe end and goes behind to Jonny Bairstow. One down in the opening over! This is the 10th time that Broad has dismissed Warner, most by any bowler. Also, 5th out of 7 meetings in this series!

Stuart Broad to David Warner. Landed outside off, coming in a long way, Warner knows where his off stump is and lets it pass.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Huge shout for LBW. Broad wants it. He knows it is out. Or shall we say, he always knows it is out. He wants a review but Root is not too sure. Bairstow reckons it is going down the leg side. A length ball, around off, coming in, Harris looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Broad runs towards the keeper in celebration and then appeals towards the umpire. Dharmasena is ready to signal a leg bye but then waits on seeing the conference between the players. Eventually, signals a leg bye. Ball Tracker shows it to be going down leg.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Full and outside off, Harris takes his bat away from the line.

The players make their way out to the middle amidst slightly cloudy skies. It is a chilly sort of day in Manchester as we are into September. David Warner and his lookalike, Marcus Harris, walk out to the middle. It is Stuart Broad to start off to Harris. Here we go.

England (Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root(c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Craig Overton (IN FOR CHRIS WOAKES), Stuart Broad and Jack Leach.

Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (IN FOR USMAN KHAWAJA), Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(C AND WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc (IN FOR JAMES PATTINSON), Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

England captain, Joe Root, says that he too, would have batted first. But observes some tackiness on the wicket which he feels, would suit his bowlers. Hopes for some early wickets and then run through the middle order. Praises his side for showing a lot of character in the second innings of the previous game and expects more of the same. Admits that the pitch might spin later on and by experience predicts the track to be good for the first 3-and-a-half days. Looks forward to make a statement within that time. Informs that Jimmy Anderson will miss the rest of the Ashes but is looking forward to Craig Overton, after his heroics in Australia in the previous edition. Appreciates the support of the crowd in the last game and wants to repay them and the ones who have come here with a solid performance in this match.

Australian skipper, Tim Paine, says that it is a straightforward decision as the pitch looks drier then expected. On the last match's debacle, Tim says that one has to put that aside and move forward as one cannot live in the past. Welcomes Smith back into the side and hopes for another big score. Informs that Mitchell Starc also comes in and was bowling beautifully against Derbyshire getting plenty of swing and is also expecting the left-armer's footmarks making some dents on the pitch.

TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Heads is the call and Heads it is. AUSTRALIA WILL BAT FIRST.

England, on the other hand, have gone one step further than their opponents and have announced their playing XI itself, a day prior to the big game. They have decided to swap the places of Joe Denly and Jason Roy while Craig Overton comes in for Chris Woakes. Whether that is a call based on the pitch conditions or whether Woakes has a niggle, is unknown. James Anderson has been ruled out of the series but will he be missed? Jofra Archer has been guilty of stealing Anderson's thunder this summer.

There has been plenty of talking from both sides and it is now time to get that talk into action. For Australia, Steven Smith is back into the side. That is a big boost for them while Mitchell Starc has been included in the playing XII. Will he feature in the XI though?

It is game time! The whole of England is going 'Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes!' while the Aussies will be feeling that a win was snatched right under their noses. But one cannot live in the past. It is time to go ahead. The Ashes are alive and kicking and there are a couple of Test matches to be played. Hello and a warm welcome to the fourth Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester.

England on the other hand, can try and do only one thing, delay the declaration for as long as possible. For that, they need to take wickets as quickly as possible and not let the visitors score freely. One more exciting passage of play awaits ahead.

Australia's plan now - Score quickly? Well, it surely has to be that. They have a lead of 196 runs and you would expect them to add 150 or say 160 runs more before they declare. They would be eager to make England bat again today. Will they do so is something we will have to wait to find out.

For Australians, Hazlewood was the star as he finished with a four-fer. Cummins was also good. Lyon was probably the disappointment. Would have wrote the same for Starc but he was excellent today with the second new cherry. He ended with a three-fer. Overall, on a wicket, which for most of the game has not been so good for the bowlers, the Aussies will be pleased with their effort.

England, on the other hand, will be quite disappointed with the score they have got. They would not have expected to be in such a worrying position at the end of their innings when Root and Burns were going along smoothly. After they lost Denly and Overton, the nightwatchman quickly, Joe and Rory added a 141-run stand with both scoring half tons. However, once the lefty fell, England lost wickets at regular intervals. From 166 for 2, they slipped to 196 for 5. It was all about saving the follow-on then and they did manage to do so after a handy innings from Jos Buttler.

Just the 9 overs after Lunch Australia took to bundle the remaining wickets of England. However, the hosts have managed to avoid the follow on in that many overs. One still believes that Australia might not have enforced it had they got a chance. They now have a massive lead and there is still a lot of time left to force a result.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. OUT! Cleans him up with a moving peach! It's a fuller ball which comes back in to Buttler. He stays in the crease and wants to go down town. But as the ball moves in, Buttler plays down the wrong line. The ball goes onto hit the off pole behind. But hello, hold on. They're checking for the front foot no ball. That looks really close but the third umpire feels there's enough behind the line which means Buttler has to walk back. However, he has played a very handy knock. Australia lead by 196 runs.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Slightly shortish length on middle, Buttler punches it towards mid on.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Back of a length ball on middle, Buttler swivels to pull but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Aha... another banter on air. This is fun to hear and understand. Sir Ian Botham says that Australia would have to bat till tomorrow afternoon at least to ensure that they set a target in excess of 400. Would even 450 be safe? To this, Michael Holding calmly says that he doesn't feel Australia would be too bothered at all. They have the Ashes and it is England who have to do all the talking. All Australia have to ensure is that they don't lose this Test. Keep more banters coming!

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Edged but short! Another ball which is closer to the off pole. Buttler looks to defend but gets an outside edge which rolls towards gully on the bounce.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Gets closer to the body of Buttler on a good length. He gets right behind the line of the delivery to block.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off, Buttler lets it be.

Pat cummins is back into the attack to finish things off.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Last ball of the over and this is on the pads of Leach. He misses his flick and is hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Shorter this time and Buttler pulls this one towards square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. FOUR! The follow-on has been avoided! Full and wide outside off, Buttler pushes this through covers and the ball races to the fence. They would now look to cut the deficit as much as they can.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Buttler tries to push this towards cover but mistimes it. It goes over the fielder at extra cover and the batters take two. 2 more needed to avoid the follow-on.

Excellent banter between Shane Warne and Nasser Hussain on air. Warney is a bit agitated with Jack Leach not being adjudged LBW by umpire Marais Erasmus against Mitchell Starc, which was shown to be plumb by Ball Tracker. He casually says that the umpires need to be aware of how many reviews each team have. He points out that Australia have none but England have 2. So, he could have given it out and let England challenge it. Nasser is not too impressed with that suggestion. He reckons that the umpires have enough on their plate to focus on how many reviews either team has. He feels Erasmus would have felt it going down the leg side, hence gave it not out.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Off the inner half and Buttler retains strike. Again full and outside off, Buttler looks to push this towards the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket and the batters take two. More importantly, Buttler on strike.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Full length ball around off, blocked out by Buttler.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. A nothing delivery to end! Outside off, it is left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Gets the single which means, Leach has just the one ball to play. On middle, it is worked through square leg for one.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Floats it up on middle, this is defended onto the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Down the leg side, Buttler tries to flick but misses. Paine too fails to collect it and it goes to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Tossed up on middle, it is hit back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flatter and outside off, Buttler lets it be.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Huge appeal for LBW. Yes, that's out. But no, that's not out says Marais Erasmus. Leach had survived a LBW call during the last match as well. Australians were without reviews then. They are without review even now. Fuller ball on middle, Leach looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Starc along with the entire team appeal but Erasmus deems this in the favour of Leach and England. However, had the Australians not wasted the review, they would've had closed this innings as the Ball Tracker shows that this was going to hit the leg pole. Lucky Leach, once again though.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Full ball outside off, kept out this time by Leach.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Shortish ball outside off, Leach has a poke but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. FOUR! Leach is a confident man. He had done really well in the last Test during that partnership with Stokes. Shows a glimpse of that here. Starc goes fuller but outside off, Leach drives this through mid off firmly. The ball races to the fence but gets a chase from Mathew Wade. He dives to get the ball back in play and does so. However, the umpire checks with the the third umpire if he was touching the ropes as he tried to get the ball back in. And, yes, he has touched the ropes when in contact with the ball.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. A bumper this time. Leach ducks under it. Don't bowl there and target the stumps says the commentator on air.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Good length ball on middle, Leach blocks it towards mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. On the pads of Buttler, he flicks it towards the leg side.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Buttler slaps this one through covers for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Great ball by Lyon. This one pitches outside off, it spins back in and Buttler misses the line of the delivery. Paine too misses the ball and the ball is gathered by the leg slip fielder.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Outside off, floated by Lyon. Buttler looks to defend but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flighted ball around off, blocked towards the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Jack Leach. Fuller ball, Leach pushes it towards the bowler.

EmamiTheCharming - 'I am telling you. Enforce the follow-on, Australia. Please enforce it. Blow England away in their second innings.' @ETC - Is that the Aussie fan in you wishing the best or is it the want for a holiday on Monday? Or perhaps even Sunday?

Jack Leach is the last man in for England. He has to help the hosts out here and bat like he did in the last game.

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. OUT! Woodwork disturbed with a beauty! Starc is brilliant against the tail-enders says the commentator on air. He is obviously right as we see Broad's stumps flattened. Fuller ball outside off, it jags back in after pitching and sharply. Broad looks to defend but can't do anything about the movement. It goes between bat and pad and knocks the stumps over. No. 9 down and England still need another 15 to avoid the follow-on. Exciting stuff!

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. Beaten! Good shortish ball which has Broad going for the drive. He goes hard at the ball and misses.

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. Good length ball on middle and leg, Broad hops and keeps it out.

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. Down the leg side on a good length. Starc will bowl a beauty and then balls like these. Broad looks to work it down the leg side but misses to get bat on ball.

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. Fuller ball on off, Broad looks to jam this out but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards the second slip fielder who does well to stop the ball.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Quicker one again but too wide to make Buttler play. He lets it go the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Fuller ball around off, Buttler blunts it towards the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flatter and quicker but outside off, Buttler lets it go to the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. A good ball this and it had Broad in two minds. It pitched around off. Broad wanted to sweep initially but decided to block at the end. The ball goes towards square leg off the inner half for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. On middle and on a fuller length, pushed back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Fuller and on the pads, Broad sweeps but finds the short fine leg fielder.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Fuller length and coming in, Buttler goes for the drive through cover but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Misses his line this time as this is down the leg side. Buttler looks to flick but can't get bat on it.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Full outside off to Buttler, he finds the mid off fielder with his firm drive.

Mitchell Starc to Stuart Broad. And Starc goes for the yorker but gets the line wrong as this one is dished on the pads. Broad looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters cross over again.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Good length on the pads, Buttler tucks it towards fine leg to change ends. He is trusting Broad against Starc.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Starts with a fuller ball outside off, Buttler punches it straight to mid off.

Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. A flighted ball, Broad looks to push it through point but the ball goes off the outer half of the willow low towards third slip. Good start this from Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Flatter and quicker this time, Broad comes forward to block.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Flatter one outside off, left alone by Broad.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Loopy fullish ball on middle, Broad sweeps it towards deep square leg for a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Another one turns away as Broad looks to poke. Pitched on the same line and turns away.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Goes past the outside edge on the first ball. Pitched on middle and turned just a tad bit away from the block of Broad.

The Australians are back out onto the field along with English batsmen Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad. The visitors would want to take the 2 remaining wickets as quickly as possible and have a chance of enforcing the follow-on. Nathan Lyon to start the proceedings for them.

... Day 4, Session 2 ...

Now, coming into the second session, England would want to avoid the follow-on first and then bat as long as they could. It is all about batting out time for them. Australia, on the other hand, would want to close this innings as soon as possible first and then think what they want to do ahead. Join us after the Lunch break for the exciting second session.

For the visitors, Starc seems to be getting his rhythm back as he bowled good lines and lengths. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were good once again but Lyon, who has been getting a lot of purchase from the surface, has been a touch disappointing.

24 overs. 78 runs. 3 Wickets. Australia's session without a doubt. Wickets is what they needed entering today and they have got three. England on the other hand, hoped for another Stokes heroics but he was done by a beauty from Starc. He had earlier broken through the defense of Jonny Bairstow to break the good-looking stand between him and Stokes. Buttler has raced along to 26 off just 34 balls and he is the only hope for the hosts if they are to initially avoid the follow-on and then add important runs further. Broad has got barrage of bouncers and has survived the same to remain intact at LUNCH.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Brave leave off the last ball this by Buttler! This one is pitched up fuller and just outside off, it nips back in. Jos knows exactly where his stumps are and he shoulders arms to it. It is very close to the stumps but no harm done. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 4!

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Beauty by Starc! Length ball on the fourth stump line, it straightens after pitching. Buttler looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball sneaks through the bat and his body.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, Buttler shoulders arms to let that one through.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Good length ball just outside off, Buttler looks to push this towards cover but it goes off the outer half of his bat towards backward point.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Full length ball outside off, left alone by Jos Buttler.

Mitchell Starc is back on. He will probably bowl the last over before Lunch.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. This time bowls a fuller one and Broad flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Shorter one once again. This is a tactic or are the Australians straying away from the plan. Cummins bowls a short one again and Broad sways away from the line at the last moment.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. NO BALL! Cummins escaped on the previous one but not this time. Another one which is bowled short and Broad is opened up. He defends it in a weird way.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Shorter one on the body, Broad ducks under it awkwardly.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Length delivery on the pads, Buttler flicks it to fine leg and gets a single.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Yorker on the pads, Buttler flicks it to mid-wicket and looks for a single but is denied by his partner.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, Buttler defends it down to mid off with a straight bat.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. A good nut! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Beats the outside edge of Broad's bat as he tries to defend.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Another wasteful delivery. Outside off, it is left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Big turn but the line is way too wide outside off, it is left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. Shorter and on off, it pitches and turns away. Broad goes back and guides it to point.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flatter and on off, Buttler goes back and works it through square leg for one.

Nathan Lyon to Stuart Broad. A single off the first ball! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Broad looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards backward point for one.

The physio is out! Broad needs his left arm to be treated. He seems to have gotten a wound on his elbow.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Buttler is playing a responsible innings here. He is leaving the good ones and taking full toll off the bad ones. Cummins bowls fuller length delivery outside off and Buttler drives it through point. The ball reaches the fence and Buttler fetches a boundary. A very valuable one though.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Broad defends this length ball outside off towards covers and takes a single.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Once again A short ball. The length is down the leg side. Broad looks to flick but fails to lay wood on the ball.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. FIVE WIDES! Bouncer! Cummins goes way too short and the line is on the middle stump, Broad leaves it as the ball sails over him and over the keeper to the third man fence.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Broad defends this length delivery outside off towards the off side.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Short of a length delivery outside off, the ball takes the outside edge of Broad's bat and rolls towards third slip.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Back of a length on off, Broad hops in his crease and defends it to point.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Quicker one again which turns way down the leg side. Paine fails to collect as the ball goes towards short fine leg. Warner does well to to get to the ball. No runs taken.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Fuller and flatter, pushed towards mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Flatter and quicker one on middle and leg, Buttler glances it nicely towards the fine leg fence to earn another boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. NOT OUT! It seemed to be missing the off pole to the naked eye and indeed it is missing. Lyon bowls this one way outside off and makes it come back in sharply. Buttler pads this one out and is hit high and outside off. The Australian players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Lyon and Tim Paine mull over taking the review and go for it at the last possible second. Replays roll in, Ball Tracker comes into play and shows it to be going above the off pole. Australia have lost both their reviews.

REVIEW TIME! Lyon has had a long chat with his skipper and has gone for the review. Seems to be missing off.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Loopy delivery outside off, Buttler drives it through the covers. The man at long off runs across but he fails to reach the ball as it crosses the fence.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Fuller one on the stumps, Buttler works it straight to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! England 8 down now and they are still 42 away from avoiding the follow-on. Australia right on top at the moment. This though is a needless shot by Archer. This is a nothing delivery. It is short and outside off. Archer earlier in the over, went after one outside off but got away with that. This time too he hangs his bat out again, does not get away with it. It goes off the outside edge to Paine who takes it.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Length ball around off, Archer defends it by crouching low.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. On a length and outside off, Archer looks to cut it through point but fails to lay bat on ball. The ball goes past the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Fuller one outside off, Archer defends it to covers.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. A bumper now! The batter ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. NO BALL! Cummins has overstepped! This is on middle, Buttler works it wide of mid on for one.

Pat Cummins is back on from the other end too.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Archer defends this flatter ball outside off to the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Archer looks to defends this tossed up delivery outside off but fails to lay bat on ball.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Spinning in from outside off, Archer fends it awakwardly to the leg side and it is just wide off the man at short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Once again spinning in from the foot marks and Archer plays it to the man at short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Flighted delivery outside off, Archer once again defends it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jofra Archer. Tossed up outside off, landing on the foot marks and spinning in. Archer defends it to short leg.

Spin again as Nathan Lyon is back on. 29-3-71-0 so far from him.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for England. They would take it with both hands. This is full and outside off, it pitches and goes along the ground. Paine fails to collect it as he gets some bad bounce and goes to the third man fence.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. One more ball outside off, it is left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Edgy runs! This one is angled away from the off pole. Buttler looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge past Smith who gets a hand to it. Saves two for his side. 250 up for England.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Another beauty! That missed the off pole by a whisker! This is fuller again and it starts outside off. Comes back in late. Buttler looks to force it against the swing. It goes past the inside edge and just past the off pole.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Shorter and outside off, Buttler looks to push it through the off side but ends up getting it off the inner half back to the bowler.

The groundsmen are out in the middle and they are doing their work on the pitch. They are hammering on the foot marks made by the bowlers near the crease.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. Another short one outside off, Archer looks to fend at it but the ball goes past the outside edge.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. A short one on the body, it is ducked under.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. Once again it is bowled on off, Archer gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. Shorter and outside off, Archer ducks under it.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. Another one on a length and around off, it is kept out.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. OHHH! This is fuller and around off, it shapes away a touch. Archer looks to defend but is beaten.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Buttler leaves this length ball outside off and the keeper gathers it. End of a successful over for Australia.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Starc overpitches and Buttler takes full toll off it. He drives this fuller one outside off through the cover region and the ball crosses the fence in a flash.

Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! That was very lazy from Archer. A direct hit and it would've been curtains for him. Shortish ball on middle, Archer does well to work it towards square leg and he wants a single. But he looks to reach the non-striker's end by jogging. He is unaware that there is a fielder haring at the ball. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Archer had given up and he is lucky to survive. Eventually a run to get off the mark.

Jofra Archer is the next man in for the hosts who are reeling at 243/7.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Starc gets another! He is on fire at the moment and this is probably the biggest wicket of all. Ben Stokes, the star of the England side. Another excellent delivery. The new ball is working wonders for the left-arm pacer. This is an outswinger. It is on a length and around off. Stokes goes back and tries to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge straight to Smith at second slip. He makes no mistake. Australia are ecstatic. Into the bowling all-rounders now are the Aussies. 55 more needed for England to avoid the follow-on. 3 wickets in hand.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Fuller in length and outside off, Buttler drives it crisply through covers and the ball races to the long off fence for a boundary. Buttler is off the mark with this.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Length delivery around off, Stokes defends it off his front foot towards the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. FOUR LEG BYES! Hazlewood bowls this on a length but the line is down the leg side. Stokes looks to flick it off his pads but misses it. The ball kisses the thigh pad and goes past the diving keeper to the fine leg fence.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Bouncer on the body, Stokes looks to pull it but eventually ends up getting a top edge which runs to the fine leg fence.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Once again on the fuller length and on off, Stokes defends it towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On a fuller length and outside off, Stokes leaves it easily.

DRINKS! A good hour for Australia one can say as they have taken the important wicket of Bairstow. The last recognized batting pair for England is out in the middle and another wicket can open the floodgates for the Aussies.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Length ball just outside off, Buttler defends it out onto the pitch. He thinks about the single but is sent back by Stokes.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Bouncer by Starc, Buttler ducks under it.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Good cricket all around! Starc bowls this fuller and around off, it is swinging in the air and difficult to play against. However, Stokes does well to powerfully push it towards mid on. Cummins there dives to his right and parries it towards mid off to save a certain boundary. In the end the batters take one.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Fuller and around off, pushed back towards the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Length ball just outside off, Stokes initially looks to play at it but bails out at the last moment.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Length ball on middle and leg, Stokes pushes this towards mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off, Buttler cuts it but straight to the man at point.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball coming in towards the batter, he is hit on the thigh pad as he misses his flick.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Beauty by Hazlewood! He gets this one to move away after pitching on a length. Buttler is squared up by this one and it misses the outside edge.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball outside off, pushed back by Stokes.

Mitchell Starc to Jos Buttler. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. End of a successful over by Starc.

Jos Buttler is the new man in for the hosts. His numbers in the Series has been disappointing. Can he change that this innings and bail England out?

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! TIMBER! Jaffa by Starc! What a beauty! This is what you will get from Starc, he will bowl a few bad deliveries but he is a wicket-taker and he can produce some gems. Also, it is a much-needed wicket for him, he has not been at his best but that delivery is one which Starc at the top of his game use to bowl. He sets up Bairstow by angling the previous two deliveries away from off. This time, Starc pitches this one fuller and around off, it tails back in late. Bairstow may have been a bit surprised by the movement, he ends up playing all around it, it sneaks through the gate and shatters the stumps. Early wicket for Australia, just what they wanted. The new ball does the trick for them. England still need 70 to avoid the follow-on. 4 wickets in hand.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Another length ball just outside off, shaping away, Jonny leaves it alone.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone by Jonny Bairstow.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Length ball just outside off, Bairstow goes onto the back foot and slaps this through covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Full and just outside off, JB pushes this straight towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Bouncer by Hazlewood to end the over, Stokes ducks under it and lets that one through.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he works it towards square leg but straight to the man.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Length ball just outside off, Stokes pushes this towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another beauty! This time it goes past the inside edge. Hazlewood pitches this one on a shortish length and gets it to straighten. Stokes looks to push it with hard hands towards the off side but is beaten. Lucky not to edge that one.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A confident leave from Stokes that one! You have to be absolutely sure about your off pole when you make such a leave. It pitches on off and shapes away as Stokes shoulders arms.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball, closer to the body, Stokes blunts it onto the pitch.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller this time, Jonny pushes this towards mid-wicket.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. DROPPED! Fuller length ball just around off, Stokes looks to push this back towards the bowler but plays this uppishly. It goes low towards the right of Starc, he fails to get down in time and the ball brushes his finger tips and rolls towards mid off. A tough chance especially for a tall pacer. Two deliveries, two close shaves. Starc getting back to his best?

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. EDGED AND FOUR! Beauty by Starc! This was a scrambled delivery, on a length just outside off. Stokes looks to push this towards the off side but it comes back in just a little. Stokes ends up playing it outside the line, it goes off the inside edge, over the stumps and down to the fine leg fence. Starc would have loved that to deflect onto the stumps. He needs a wicket to get his confidence up. Luck not going his way for now.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Shorter and outside off, Stokes pulls this one towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Length ball around off, Stokes shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Good length ball just around off, Stokes pushes it towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball on middle and leg, Bairstow pushes this towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads of Bairstow, Jonny works it down the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball outside off, left alone by Bairstow but this was mightily close to the stumps.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Good reply by Bairstow! Hazlewood bowls this a touch fuller and Bairstow pounces at it as he drives this through mid off for a boundary. Wade at mid off dives to his right but fails to stop it.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Another one just outside off, this time on a length. It again nips back in and JB is hit high on the thigh pad.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. BEATEN! Superb ball to start off by Hazlewood. This one pitches outside off and nips back in. Bairstow looks to defend but misses and is hit high on the pads. The Aussies appeal but nothing from the umpire. Maybe going over and yes, Ball Tracker confirms it.

Hazlewood to share the new cherry from the other end. He was brilliant yesterday in the last session. Can he manage to break this stand to get to his fifer?

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes. Good first over by Starc. He bowls this last ball on a good length and Stokes blocks it out.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball just around off, Bairstow knows exactly where his stumps are and makes the leave.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller this time, Bairstow pushes this towards the man at cover.

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball outside off, Bairstow leaves it alone. Not much movement off the first ball though.

It has now been taken though! Will Starc get some movement?

Mitchell Starc to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball outside off, Bairstow pushes it to point.

Mitchell Starc is into the attack now. He has not had a good Test match with the ball so far and will be looking to make amends. Also, the second new ball is now available for Australia. It has not been taken as of yet.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by Stokes back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up on the pads, Stokes pushes this towards mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated outside off again, Ben pushes this towards extra cover.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards the man at square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floated on off, Stokes blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Darted just outside off, pushed towards mid on by Bairstow for a single.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball outside off, tapped towards cover this time by Stokes.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Poor fielding there from Hazlewood. This is a fullish length ball on middle and leg, Bairstow flicks it off his toes wide of Hazlewood at mid on. He should've cut it off but he is late in his slide and the ball goes through towards long on. They take three. Hazlewood returns the ball and hits the stumps with the direct hit but the batter was well in. The ball deflects towards cover after hitting the stumps. Bairstow thought to steal another run but decided against it.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Shortish length on off, Bairstow shoulders arms and sees the ball shape further away as it goes to Paine behind the wicket.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. On the hips on a shortish length. Stokes works it through square leg for a run.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Beaten this time! Stokes was tempted seeing the room outside off on this length ball. He leans into the drive to cream it through the covers but the ball shapes away to beat the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good length ball in the channel, very close to the off pole actually. Stokes leaves it alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Loud appeal by Australia for an LBW! Lyon pitches this one way outside off and gets it to turn back in. Bairstow pads it out but. The visitors appeal but nothing from umpire Erasmus. Australia mull over taking the review but decide against it as Lyon thinks it is going over. Ball Tracker comes in and confirms that. It though was a brave leave by Bairstow. A touch fuller and he might have been in trouble.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shorter this time, Stokes goes onto the back foot and cuts this one towards cover-point for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off by Lyon, Ben opts to leave this one alone.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Another one on the off pole line, Ben pushes it towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Darted into the off pole, Stokes blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up outside off, left alone by Stokes.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. This time pulls it back, Bairstow blocks this one off the back foot towards cover.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller this time, attacking the off pole, Jonny pushes it back towards Cummins.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off again by Cummins, left alone by JB.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards mid-wicket but straight to the man.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone by Bairstow.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. BEATEN! Well bowled by Cummins! This is a length ball outside off, Bairstow looks to block this one but is beaten as he does so inside the line. The ball misses his bat by just a whisker.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Another one on the pads, Bairstow flicks this one towards deep square leg and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads of Bairstow, he flicks it towards fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. This one spins too much and goes down the leg side. Bairstow leaves it alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Similar ball, Bairstow again does well to push it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Floated outside off, this turns back in. Bairstow defends this one well back towards Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Flatter and around off, Bairstow blocks this one out.

Spin time as Nathan Lyon to continue the proceedings from the other end.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Stokes gets off the mark today in style! A short one but it bounces at a comfortable height for the the batter. Stokes swivels and pulls it behind square and bags a boundary. First of the day.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Another ball on a length and just outside off, Stokes watches it carefully and lets it be.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Good leave! This was very close to the off pole, the length was a touch shorter. Stokes lets it be.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. First run of the day! A good delivery this! It is on off and comes back in a touch. Bairstow looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through backward square leg for one.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Starts off with a length ball outside off, Bairstow makes a leave.

The Australian team walk out to the middle lead by skipper Tim Paine. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow follow them with the latter taking strike. Pat Cummins will start the proceedings for the visitors.

Heading into Day 4, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are at the crease and the Three Lions would be hoping that they score the 98 runs required to avoid the follow-on and then carry on from there. Stay tuned as we bring to you all the action from Manchester.

The contest right now leans towards Australia as they lead by a huge margin of 297 runs and England still need 98 runs just to avoid the follow-on. Day 3 started on a positive note for the visitors as they got the wicket of Craig Overton early. However, skipper Joe Root and Rory Burns stitched a wonderful 141-run stand to bring the hosts back into the game. Both of them got to their respective half tons but could not convert them. Hazlewood took 3 quick wickets late in the day and put England onto the back foot again.

Will England be able to avoid the follow-on? Will Ben Stokes perform another miracle and bail England out? Good morning everyone for Day 4 of the fourth Ashes Test where all these questions will be answered. Fortunately, the weather looks bright and sunny as of now and let's hope we get a full day's play today.

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

This match is now exciting! Two more days to go, England need another 98 runs to avoid the follow-on, the new ball will be available in another 6 overs so a result is very much possible. Australia will come out all guns blazing on Day 4, they would look to take the remaining wickets within the 98 runs and then think about what to do. England on the other hand, just have to do one thing, bat, bat and keep batting. Join us for all the action at 1100 local (1000 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!

At one time though, it seemed like, this match was heading towards a draw when Root and Burns added a massive 141-run stand after England lost Overton early in the day. That pair batted more than one session and it seemed like both would score a ton as the ball just wasn't doing anything and it seemed like a batting paradise. However, all of that changed after the final Drinks break. Cummins got the ball talking and created quite a few problems for Root and Burns. He did not take a wicket in that spell but created the pressure on them. Hazlewood though reaped rewards of that pressure created. He got Root, Burns and Roy in quick succession. From 166 for 2, England ended up being 196 for 5. Bairstow and Stokes were under the pump before the umpires offered them the light which they took gleefully. Tim Paine was not a happy man as he had to walk off as Australia then had momentum on their side but they had to do so.

Well then, GoaRocks turns out to be wrong! The umpires feel the light is not going to improve and Sanchit can continue to be happy as he can now go home before he expected as it is STUMPS ON DAY 3! End of an attritional day of Test cricket! In the end, you can probably say, the TEST MATCH IS ALIVE!

Sanchit - 'Is that Stumps? Yay!' GoaRocks - 'Hang on, mate. Hold on to your nerves. This is such a country where there will be darkness for some time and then after 15 minutes, bright sunshine will appear!' Roger that.

Hang on. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena walks in the middle of the pitch, checks the reading from both sides and then shakes his head. Nope. No more play for now. Not quite sure whether this reading will be the basis for now, but it might become the minimum reading below which play cannot happen. Don't see this light improving but hoping for the best.

Well, this is not looking good at all. The umpires are into the ears of Tim Paine and we understand that they have told the Aussie skipper that he will not be allowed to bring seamers on in this light. Paine is having a long animated chat but eventually, Marnus Labuschagne comes on to bowl.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short by Lyon again, pushed towards point by Stokes.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up and full outside off, Stokes pushes it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shorter this time, Stokes blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up outside off, Stokes cuts it towards cover as the batters take two. 200 up for England with this and they need less than 100 runs now to avoid the follow on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. JB is off the mark! This is fuller and around off, Bairstow plays inside the line, it goes off the outer half through backward point for two.

Josh Hazlewood to Jonny Bairstow. Welcomes the new batter with a bumper, Bairstow ducks under it.

Jonny Bairstow is the new man in for the hosts! He joins Ben Stokes in the middle and England need a big partnership here.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. OUT! Roy is cleaned up! That is a jaffa of a delivery! Three wickets in quick time. Hazlewood gets another. This lands on a length and around off, Roy looks to push at it, once again, he tries to connect with the ball way ahead of his pad. The ball though jags back in, sneaks between bat and pad and knocks the middle pole over. Lovely sight for a bowler. England in a spot of bother now. Still another 102 runs to avoid the follow-on. They have half the side back in the hut. Also, the new ball will be available in a few overs. Australia will be looking for a couple more wickets before the end of play.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. FOUR! Nice shot! Short and outside off, Roy stands tall and punches it through covers. No stopping those. He got on top of the bounce really nicely.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On middle, this is pushed to mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Another appeal but not given! This lands outside off and jags back in. Roy fails to put bat on ball. It hits him high on the pads and lobs towards second slip. There is an appeal for a catch but it is turned down.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On middle, Stokes lunges and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes flicks it fine on the leg side for two.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shorter and around off, Stokes goes back to defend but the ball turns away and goes off the outer half towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. The batsman has driven it straight down the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Floats it up on off, Stokes keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. A huge appeal but not given! In the end, it was an excellent take by Paine. It lands on off and then turns away. There is also extra bounce. Stokes looks to defend but misses. Paine somehow manages to hang onto it. He appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Ultra Edge shows nothing.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. This is angled into the pads, Roy looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length and on off, Roy pushes it to mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. A rash shot! Shorter and outside off, Roy looks to drag his pull through the leg side but misses.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Shorter and outside off, the batter guides it to point.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Nasty! That took out of nowhere! Shorter and on middle, it takes off after pitching. Stokes somehow fends it away down to fine leg for one.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, it is left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Shortish and outside off, Stokes punches this towards cover and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Good ball by Lyon. Pitched on off pole line, it spins away from Stokes. He is beaten by the turn on that and is left completely squared up.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Floated one outside off, Roy pushes this through the covers. The fielder in the deep fumbles and also throws poorly which allows the batters to take an easy three.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On the pads this time, Stokes flicks it towards backward square leg and takes a single to get off the mark.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Tossed up on off, pushed towards long on for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. This is on the pads, Roy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Outside off, it is left alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. This is angled into the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket and takes two.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Fuller and on off, the batter strokes it nicely to mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. That is a beauty! This is angled into the off pole which means the batter has to play at it. He looks to defend but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On off, Roy pushes it to mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Edge but just short! This is tossed up on off, it pitches and turns away. Stokes looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and falls just short of second slip who dives to his right. He makes a good stop though with one hand.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On middle, Stokes gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for one. Good batting.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. FOUR! Slapped! Another boundary for Roy. Shorter and outside off, Roy goes back and hits it hard through covers for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. This is pushed to mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Floats it up outside off, Roy looks to defend but the ball turns back in and it goes off the inside edge onto the pads.

Ben Stokes is the new man in.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. OUT! LBW! That is plumb in front! Pin-drop silence here. Root is a goner and once again he fails to convert his half ton into a ton. However, there is not a lot he could have done here. This lands just outside off and it jags back in sharply. Root looks to defend off the back foot but the ball stays low. He misses and is hit right in front of the pad. An appeal and up goes the finger. Root walks back straightaway as he knows he is a goner. Hazlewood gets him once again. Both the batters who were batting nicely are back in the hut.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Good fielding by Starc! Three for Roy. This is on the pads, Roy works it through backward square leg. Starc runs to his left, dives and pushes it back in.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. FOUR! That is authoritative! Roy should feel really good after that shot. It is a length ball around off, Roy strides forward and strokes it on the up through covers for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Outside off and it is left alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Back of a length and on off, it straightens a touch. Roy is squared up as he tries to defend. It goes off the outer half towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it on the off side for one.

DRINKS! Australia have managed to breakthrough the stand which was going extremely well. They though need a wicket or two more quickly. Roy has not started in the best of manner and Root also looks a fidgety now, they need to continue to build the pressure. Around 22 overs to go in the day, two to three wickets is what Australia will be looking for.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Flatter and shorter outside off, Roy stands tall and guides it to point.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. On middle, it is worked with the turn to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Flatter and outside off, Roy guides it to point.

Nathan Lyon to Jason Roy. Close again! Roy has started nervously. This lands outside off and spins back in sharply. Roy looks to defend but once again gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter and on middle, it is pulled towards deep square leg for one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. On middle, Root works it to short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On the fuller side and on off, Roy pushes it nicely to the man at mid off. End of a successful over by Hazlewood.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Just outside off, it is left alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. On middle this time, Roy pushes it to the man at mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jason Roy. Almost another! This is on a length and around off, comes back in a touch. Roy looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Out comes Jason Roy after swapping positions in the batting order. He replaces Rory Burns in the middle.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! At last, Australia have managed to break the stand. It has been a good passage of play for them, they started to trouble the English batters and have got the reward. End of the 141-run stand and the Aussies are pumped up. Burns misses out on his ton by 19 runs. Once again excellent use of the angle by Hazlewood. It is on a length and around off, going away with the angle. Burns looks to defend but does so inside the line. It goes off the outside edge towards second slip where Smith takes a good catch. Second wicket for Josh and Australia would hope, this opens the floodgates. England trail by another 331 runs.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Good length and on off, it pitches and then moves away. Beats the outside edge of the batter's bat.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. This is bowled outside off and it is turning back in. Root goes back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman works it down the leg side.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Is that a dropped catch? No, it was just short. Shorter and outside off, it is turning away. Burns goes back and slaps it hard but it lands just short of Wade at covers who dives to his right. He fails to stop it and a run is taken.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and on off, Burns guides it to point.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. On off, Burns defends it onto the ground.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length delivery around off, Root blocks it by coming on the front foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Back of a length and outside off, Root defends it off the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On a length and outside off, Root blocks it from within the crease.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another ball on a good length and around off, Root guides it to point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another one on a length and on middle, Root goes back and keeps it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Back of a length and on off, Root guides it to point.

Josh Hazlewood comes on to bowl now. Australia desperately looking for ways to break this stand.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A single to end as Root works it with the turn through mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shortish and outside off, Burns goes back and cuts it through point for one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter and on middle, Root pulls it through square leg for one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floats it up on off, Root defends it onto the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. In the air... but safe! Burns looks to sweep this ball on middle, there is extra bounce though and a top edge is induced. It lands safe in the fine leg region for one.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter and on middle, Burns works it to mid on.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. This is angled into the batter, Root blocks it solidly.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Back of a length again and on off, Burns gets right behind and keeps it out.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Shorter and on middle, this is ducked under.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Shorter and around off, Burns evades it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On off, it is kept out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, Root leaves it alone.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter this time, on middle and leg. Root pulls it strongly but straight towards the man at squarish mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Another one full and on off, blocked out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and wide outside off, Root defends it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Short and outside off, cut to point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up on the pads of Lyon, he flicks this one towards backward square leg.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicketkeeper.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, Burns blocks it out off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good ball again by Cummins! This one is on a good length on middle, Cummins looks to block it but he gets an inside edge on it and the ball rolls towards square leg as the batters take a single.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. BEATEN! Length ball outside off, it pitches and swings away leaving Root squared up.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Fuller this time outside off, Root blocks it out.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Play and a miss. This is a length ball outside off, Root looks to cut it towards point but misses the ball completely.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Short and wide outside off, Burns slaps it towards cover where the fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and floated on off, Root gets down on one knee and sweeps it towards square leg for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and floated on middle, Root looks to block it but gets the toe end of his bat on it.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he tucks it towards square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated on off, blocked out by Root.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up outside off, Root looks to block it out but gets the inside half of his bat on it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Another bouncer to Burns and he manages to fend it away again off his glove towards point. He is struggling against the short ball but he is still out there.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the pads, this is worked through square leg for two.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. This is angled into the batter, Root looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards deep square leg for one.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good length and on off, this is kept out.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Direct hit and Burns was in trouble! That was very casual from Rory. This is a shorter delivery on off. Burns taps it towards cover and takes off. He is getting to the other end casually. Head picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. A short one on the body, Burns lets it be by moving out of the way.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A dot to end as the last ball is worked to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Good fielding! Shorter and on middle, Root goes back and pulls it through backward square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and saves two for his side.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. One more delivery down the leg side, Root works it to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, Root blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. On middle, Root works it with the turn to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. The last ball is outside off, it is left alone. End of a top over by Cummins. A very testing one.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Again! Creating problems for the batter. Cummins bangs it short and on the body, Root initially looks to duck but then he is too late to do so. Fends it away awkwardly. All of a sudden, Root does not look comfortable out there.

The physio is out as Root looks to be in pain. Maybe the review ball hit him above the knee roll and there is not much protection to cover that area.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. OHHH! Cummins is making things happen here. He has Root fending at one Root need not. This is shorter and outside off, Root hangs his bat out but gets beaten.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. FOUR! EDGY! Australia continue to get frustrated! This is on a length again and around off, straightens once again. Root looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge, wide of second slip and into the third man fence.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. The batsman has played it to the point region.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. NOT OUT! Height is not an issue but the impact is outside off and it is missing off too. It was a review in desperation to be honest. It never looked close. Australia lose one review. This is on a length and around off, ti straightens. Root is squared up as he tries to defend but misses. He gets hit high on the pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. After a discussion between the keeper, the slip cordon and the bowler, Australia review. Replays roll in and Ball Tracker shows the on-field call is the right one.

Review time! A huge shout for an LBW has been turned down. Australia review. Root is the man in question. Height seems to be the problem.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Fuller this time and darted in, pushed back by Burns.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Beauty by Lyon! This one is pitched on middle and off, it pitches and spins away. Burns looks to cover drive it but does so inside the line and is beaten.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Floated on off, defended by Burns.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. FOUR! Another one tossed up around off, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one towards the mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Back of a length and on middle, this is defended onto the ground.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. FOUR! In between the keeper and the slip fielder! Frustrating for Cummins as on a day where the ball is doing nothing for the bowlers, you would want the fielders to grab any kind of opportunity that comes towards them. This is a gem of a delivery. It is fuller and around off, it shapes away late. Root looks to work it on the leg side but due to the movement, it goes off the outside edge in between keeper and Warner who fail to react and it goes to the third man fence. Maybe, the two failed to react as they did not expect an outside edge there as Root looked to play it on the leg side.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Root.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. FOUR! Fullish and outside off, Root square drives this one beautifully towards the point region off the front foot and the ball races to the fence.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good length ball around off, Root pushes it towards point.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full ball on middle and leg, blocked towards the leg side by Root.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. On the pads, it is worked to square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and outside off, this is guided to point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. 'ROOOOOOOT' goes the crowd as the English skipper gets to a half ton. Leading from the front when his team needed him to do so. Lovely, lovely knock. Started off playing a loose stroke but since then, he has been excellent. Still a long way to go. He is not that good at converting fifties into tons but he needs to do it now. He gets there by working it around the corner for a single and gets to his 44th Test fifty.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter and outside off, Root looks to guide it down to third man but Smith at first slip, dives to his right and stops it.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through cover-point for one.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and outside off, this is guided to point.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. That is another lovely delivery! In the corridor of uncertainty. It pitches and straightens. Root is half forward as he tries to defend but gets beaten.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good length and on off, Root goes back and guides it towards gully.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. This is angled into the pads, Burns works it down to fine leg for a single.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. A short one on the body, it is ducked under.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Back of a length again and on middle, this is defended.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. This is angled into the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one. He moves onto 49.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and on off, RB goes back and pushes it to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. That is a beauty! It lands on off and then turns away sharply. Burns does nothing wrong as he tries to defend the original trajectory but gets beaten.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter in length and outside off, Root plays it late and towards third man for one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Plays the sweep but straight to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. This is down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. On middle, it is worked with the turn to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more ball outside off, the batter need not play at those. A maiden but not a threatening one.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. This is wider outside off, Burns plays inside the line and lets it be.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. That is a beauty! This lands on off and then moves away. Burns tries to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more delivery outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more bumper, the batter ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Outside off, it is left alone.

Cummins to start from the other end.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. A single to end! Another short one outside off, Burns hits it through covers for one.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and on middle, this is blocked again.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. FOUR! First boundary of the session! A hit-me ball. Short and outside off, Rory goes back and hammers it through covers for a boundary. A nothing delivery and it got the treatment.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Another flighted ball on middle, it is worked to mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Another one tossed up on middle, it is blocked.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Floats it up on middle, this is defended out.

We are back for the final session! Another long one as there is still 41 overs to be bowled. Out come the Australian players. They are followed by Rory Burns and Joe Root who will continue their innings. Nathan Lyon to start the session for the Aussies.

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

Australia on the other hand, need not get impatient as of yet. They just need to hit the right lines and lengths which they did do in this session but need to be a little more consistent. Lyon was probably the pick despite being wicketless. He troubled the batters as he got the ball to turn quite a lot. Australia will really be expecting a lot from him as the pacers aren't getting a lot of assistance from the surface. An important session lies ahead as it could well determine which way the match is going.

The session though did not start off in the best of manner for the hosts as they lost the nightwatchman early on but then Root and Burns have shown great fight. They have really played with a lot of responsibility. The opener has passed his half ton whereas Root is nearing one. They though know there is still a long way to go and they need to continue to bat well.

England's session by ease! It was a long one where 37 overs were bowled, they lost just the one wicket and have managed to score 102 runs. A standing ovation as the two batters, Root and Burns walk back to the pavilion.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball outside off and left alone by Root. AND THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 3!

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. BEATEN AGAIN! Beautiful bowling by Cummins here. He looks to defend this one off the back foot but is completely squared up by this length delivery around off as it nips away at the last moment.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Beaten! Root looks to put bat on ball on this length delivery outside off, but he misses as he defends inside the line.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, pushed towards point off the front foot by Root.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Fuller and outside off, Root defends it.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Outside off, Root leaves that one alone.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Short of a length delivery outside off, Burns cuts it to the man at point.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Similar delivery, blocked out again by Burns.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Tossed up on middle and off, blocked out by Burns.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. 100-run stand up between Burns and Root! Short again this time outside off, Burns goes onto the back foot and cuts it towards deep point and takes a couple. A very important stand this one for England and they now trail by 372 runs.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Good length ball, tossed up on the off pole line. It pitches and spins away leaving Burns totally squared up.

Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. He is getting some purchase off the pitch here and he will be looking to nip a wicket before the Tea break.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards backward square leg and takes a single.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Short of a length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Another bouncer but on the leg pole line, Burns sways from it at the last moment.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Nasty! Short ball around off, Burns looks to fend at it initially but tries to leave it in the end. Luckily he is hit on the glove and the ball goes down onto the pitch.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root defends it well.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. FOUR! Short of a length ball around off, Root rocks onto the back foot and pulls this one towards square leg for a boundary. The partnership moves onto 97 with that boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This ball pitches on a length around off, Root does well to defend it as the ball gets low on him.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Slower ball but way down the leg side by Josh, Root looks to flick but misses.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball around middle and off, Root blocks it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full ball outside off, Root defends it towards cover.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Fuller this time outside off, Burns looks to defend it but gets the toe-end of the bat and the ball rolls towards the slip cordon.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer this time on the leg pole line. Burns ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball around off, defended towards the off side.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good ball by Cummins, he pitches it around leg and gets it to nip back in. Burns misses his defense and is hit around the box.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Short of a length ball outside off, Burns does well as he sways away from it.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good length ball on the leg pole to start off by Cummins, Root flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single.

Pat Cummins is back on!

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he takes a single off the last ball and keeps strike.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, defended by Root towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. This is way outside off and Root does not fiddle with it.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball around off, blocked out by Root.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root guides it towards the left of gully by opening the face of the bat. The man there dives to his left and saves a certain boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Fullish outside off, pushed towards point by Root.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. This time Burns defends it well and towards mid on off the front foot.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Hit on the pads but probably going down leg. Starc pitches this around off and gets it to nip back in, Burns misses his defense and is hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Root.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. FOUR! This time Root gets it right as he guides this one between point and third slip towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root tries to guide it towards third man but does not get enough on it. The ball goes on the bounce towards Steven Smith as he parries it towards the third slip.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Down the leg side, Burns looks to flick but misses.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it uppishly towards backward square leg where Labuschagne is positioned. He fumbles while collecting the ball and the batters take an easy two.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns defends it onto the pitch and looks for a single but Root sends him back.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Fuller this time by Josh on off, Burns tucks it towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns prods forward and looks to push this towards cover but this hits the inside half of his bat and the ball goes towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Good length ball on the pads, pushed towards mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. 11-2-24-1 so far from him.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root cuts it towards point.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball way outside off, Root leaves it alone. Starc has been a little bit haywire with his lines so far today.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. OUCH! That must have hurt Root hard. Length ball on middle and leg, Root tries to block it out but misses to get hit on the box. He is down on the ground in pain but he looks fine as he is soon up on his feet. Root is taking a breather and rightly so.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Outside off, Root guides it towards point off the front foot.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Fuller this time, Root pushes this towards the man at mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball on off, pushed towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and on middle, Burns pushes this one towards mid on. Lyon dives to his left in an attempt to save it but the ball goes through him.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Tossed up on middle, pushed back.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Another one outside off, Burns guides it towards cover-point.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Short and outside off to Burns, he guides it to the man at point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. This time Root does take the single. Similar ball, Root plays this wide of cover-point and takes a quick single.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up outside off, Root prods forward and pushes this towards cover. Thinks about a run but then opts against it.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Again full and around off, pushed towards mid off this time. 1 run off the over.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Fuller and on the pole, Burns pushes it towards mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Down the leg side by Starc, Burns looks to flick it but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Another length ball around off, this time to Burns. He defends it well.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off. Root blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter this time, Burns defends it towards point and takes a single. Good running!

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floated on off, swept away down the leg side.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. CLOSE! The ball strikes Root very low on the pads as he looks to flick this ball on the pads. It rolls towards the leg side where the fielder picks it up. Burns is halfway down the track as he wants a run but is sent back. The throw from the fielder is wide of the stumps at the bowler's end hence, Burns makes it back in.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. EDGED AND FOUR! Missing the off stump this time by just a whisker. This one is again pitched outside off and it spins back in sharply. Root tries to open the face of his bat and guide it down towards third man but the ball is too close for that. It takes the inside edge and misses the off pole as the ball goes towards the fine leg fence.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Tossed up ball outside off, spinning in. Root tucks it towards the leg side.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. One more short one outside off, Burns does not play at it.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Bouncer this time around the middle pole line, Burns ducks under it.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. More runs! 100 up for England. Easy-peasy again. Full and on the pads, it is worked through square leg for another three.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Joe Root. FOUR! Runs flowing now! Poor ball. Easy pickings for Root. It is on the pads, Root tucks it fine on the leg side and bags a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Shorter and width on offer, Burns opens the face and guides it behind point for three.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter and around off, Burns goes back and pushes it to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball outside off, Root stretches and gently pushes it towards cover for one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Out comes the sweep, Root sweeps it through backward square leg for two.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Again sharp turn! This lands on off and then spins back in a long way. Root looks to flick but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, Root defends it onto the ground.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Bouncer! Last ball of the over and Burns ducks under it as the ball goes to the keeper. Good over for England as 12 runs came off it.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. FOUR! FIFTY UP FOR BURNS! A great innings and exactly what England needed. This is a length ball outside off, Burns just opens the face of his bat and guides it down towards the empty third man region for a boundary. His 4th Test fifty but his job is half done yet as England will be looking to reduce the deficit as much as they can.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Full and on the pads, Burns flicks it off his pads towards fine leg and takes a couple. Burns moves to 49 with this.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. FOUR! Graceful by Burns! This is short of a length and outside off, Burns rocks onto the back foot and caresses it through covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Down the leg side this time, Burns lets it be.

Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns. Full and way outside off, Burns leans forward and pushes it towards the cover region beautifully and takes a couple.

Mitchell Starc is back on!

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. This time fuller and on off, pushed towards the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shorter this time, Root shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Root survives! Tossed up way outside off, trying to induce the shot from Root and he obliges. He goes for the slap towards cover but gets an inside edge on it and the ball misses the leg pole by a whisker.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and floated outside off, Root looks to paddle this one towards fine leg but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Full and floated on the pad, pushed towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Three runs and up comes the 50-run stand. A good one as England were in a spot of bother. This is on the pads, Burns works it towards square leg. The fielder there dives to his left and gets a hand to it. Saves a run for his side.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. That hits the shoulder! On the short side, Burns is a touch late to duck under it. It hits the shoulder and goes to the keeper.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. One more ball on off, Burns blocks it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shortish in length and on off, it angles away. Burns hangs his bat out and gets beaten.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. A bumper but down the leg side, it is ducked under.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for two.

DRINKS! A good first hour or so for England. After losing the wicket of Overton early on in the day, Joe Root and Rory Burns have stuck at the crease while churning out some runs too. They will be looking to continue this as England are still trailing by 427 runs.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A dot to end as Root blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. It lands on off and it is once again fuller. Root looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Root needs to be careful. He was dismissed in a similar manner in the last Test where he tried to flick but got an inside edge onto the pads and he was taken at slips.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Gives it nice amount of air and lands it on off, Root pushes it to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A little short and on off, Root goes back and pulls but finds the man at short fine leg. It was not off the middle but off the inner half.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Flatter and on off, it is guided through point for one.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On the body, it is tucked down to fine leg for one.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shortish and down the leg side, the batter lets it be.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Well fielded! This is shorter and outside off, Burns plays it nicely. Gets on top of the bounce and guides it towards point where the fielder makes a good stop.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Good length now on off, Burns blocks it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shorter and on the body, Burns ducks under it.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Back of a length and on middle, it is kept out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. OHHH! Good nut to end! This is quicker and flatter outside off, the ball pitches and spins back in at pace. Root fails to put bat on ball as he tries to drop it on the off side. He gets hit on the thigh pad. Lyon really got good purchase in the last over. Good signs for Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Floats it up on middle, Root works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Sharp turn again! This one though is down the leg side. Root lets it be.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Sharp turn! This is on middle, it turns into Root. He looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Pushes it through on off, Root goes right back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Almost! This lands on off, Root looks to defend but the ball turns back in. Goes off the inside edge and onto the pads but lands well away of short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Length ball closer to the body this time, Burns defends it towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. This time length ball outside off, left alone again.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Way wide down the leg side, Burns does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Another good length ball just outside off, blocked out.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. FOUR! Good pull shot by Burns! Short and on the leg pole line, Burns gets into position and pulls the ball all along the ground towards the fine leg boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Good length ball on the off pole line, Burns looks to defend it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Josh Hazlewood is back again. He had a good first spell. Paine would want that he strikes in his new spell.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. One more tossed up ball on off, Root stretches forward and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Well bowled! This is tossed up on off, it turns into the batter. Root looks to defend but it goes off the inner half but well short of short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. FOUR! Too fine! It is on the pads, Root works it fine on the leg side and the ball races away to the fence.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Shorter and outside off, Burns goes back and slaps it through cover-point for one.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Floats it up and lands it on middle, Burns pushes it to mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Another one fuller and outside off, Root blocks it out. Good over for England, 8 off it.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Fullish this time just outside off, Root defends it out.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. FOUR! Again on the pads of Root, this time he flicks it towards square leg and the ball goes towards the fence in a jiffy.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. FOUR LEG BYES! Bad ball by Cummins! This one is on the pads, Root looks to flick it towards the leg side and misses. The ball kisses his thigh pads and goes towards the fine leg fence.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root initially looks to play at this one but bails out at the last moment.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. A single to end as Root works it around the corner.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Root steps down the track now and looks to work it with the turn but misses to get hit on the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Quicker again and on off, Root goes back once again and defends it.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Another tossed up ball on off, Root keeps it out again.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, it is pushed towards cover.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more short one to end! Evaded. Maybe, Cummins is getting too predictable here but he has had success against Burns bowling such deliveries.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. The barrage of short balls continue. Burns spots it though and ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Back of a length and on the pads. Burns looks to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. This one is down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more bumper angling across from the middle pole. Burns drops his hands once again and lets it go.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. No ball! Pat oversteps! 50 up for England. They trail by another 447. Shorter and on the body this time, Burns ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more short one outside off, Burns drops his hands and lets it be.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball to end on off, Root is solid in defense again.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Turn again! This lands outside off and spins back in. Root goes back and defends it.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Loopy ball on off, Root prods forward and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Flatter and on off, Root pushes it to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Slightly shorter and outside off, Root cuts it but to point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Turn there! It is bowled way too wide outside off though. Root lets it be.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. A nasty delivery to end! Shorter and it gets big on the batter. Burns somehow tries to fend at it but the ball hits the body and goes on the off side. A nasty over by Cummins comes to an end.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Nope, he bowls it on a length. Burns is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Third bumper in a row, this time it is closer to the body. Burns looks to move out of the way but it hits the arm and goes to the keeper. Three bouncers in a row, a yorker now?

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. One more short ball on off, it is evaded nicely.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Shorter and on the body, Burns gets on top of the bounce and nudges it to short leg. Played that nicely.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Outside off, it is left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. A single to end! Burns brings the sweep shot out. He hits it through square leg for one. Not a lot of purchase for Lyon in his first over.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Risky, risky shot. This is flatter and on middle, it is the arm ball. Burns goes back and he initially looks to hit it on the off side but seeing it skid through, he keeps it out by getting his bat down.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Slows it up nicely and bowls it on middle, blocked.

Nathan Lyon to Rory Burns. Well bowled! This starts on leg, pitches and then turns away. Burns gets right behind the line and keeps it out.