ENG beat AUS by 135 runs | England vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 5th Test Match - Commentary

Right then, yet another test coming up for the Australian batting. David Warner vs Stuart Broad - This battle is about to resume and then everyone will be waiting for Steven Smith to come out with the bat and impress yet again. There will be assistance for the English bowlers early on and it promises to be a riveting contest. Join us on the other side.

Quickly summarizing the first innings. Tim Paine surprised many with his decision to bowl first. His call at the toss started to bother the Aussies after the first two sessions of this Test but then powered by Mitchell Marsh's stupendous reverse swing bowling, Australia made a resounding comeback. Rory Burns and Joe Root (with three lives) were the only notable contributors from the English top order and if it was not for Jos Buttler's superb batting and his handy partnership with Jack Leach, the hosts would not have managed even 250. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood once again bowled with a lot of heart and they would have loved the presence of Mitchell Marsh to share their responsibility. Nathan Lyon wasn't needed much in this innings but might be required for a bigger role next time. Good rest for his injured fingers.

Beautiful feeling for Mitchell Marsh! He is leading his team off the park, raising his hand to acknowledge the crowd. A magnificent performance from the Perth boy. He wasn't in the reckoning for the first four Tests but has managed to create an immediate impact. England only added 23 runs to their overnight score and will be disappointed that they didn't cross the psychological 300-run mark.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. OUT! CHOPPED ON! Fifer on return for Mitchell Marsh, his first in Tests. This is a good length ball on middle, Leach looks to block but is a little too slow in getting his bat down. He tries to block it onto the ground but the ball takes the bottom edge and bounces back on the stumps. Marsh bowled well yesterday and the fifer is a testimony of his brilliant effort. A top replacement this one. ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 294.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. And another bouncer. Broad sways away to see off the over.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Another bumper. Cummins continues to bang it short. Broad does well to sway away.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Outside edge but falls short of the second slip fielder. Another back of a length ball on middle, Broad plays this with soft hands and hence that didn't carry.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Good length ball outside off, Broad lets it go to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Shortish ball around middle, Broad stands tall to block.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. OUT! TIMBER! Cummins strikes and Buttler is out of here but not before playing a very handy innings of 70 runs. Buttler wants to heave this fuller ball outside off over the long on fence but the ball takes an inside edge onto the pads and then goes to hit the off stump. He has taken England's score closer to 300 runs. End of a valuable 68-run stand too. How many can the new batter Stuart Broad add along with Jack Leach?

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. EDGY FOUR! Lucky runs these. Good length ball on middle from Marsh. Leach looks to block it but the hint of away movement means the ball takes the thick outside edge and flies through gully for a boundary.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Fuller ball around off, Leach gets right behind the line to block.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. On the pads this time on a fullish length, Buttler works it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Wide outside off, Buttler crunches this through point but for no run.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Good length ball around off, Buttler works it towards mid on as the ball goes through the diving silly mid on fielder. David Warner is stationed there for these firm aerial punches coming from Buttler.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Full ball to start from Marsh. This is around off, Buttler pushes this firmly towards mid on.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Another shortish ball that goes past the outside edge of Leach. This is banged on middle again and shapes away from the bat of Leach. Lucky escape.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Beaten! Good ball this one. Shortish ball on middle, shapes away from the left-hander. Leach hangs his bat to push but the ball beats the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fuller ball on middle this time, Buttler uses his wrists and flicks it for a single towards deep mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. FIVE WIDES! Bangs in short but it is way down the leg side. Paine's diving attempt to his left is in vain too. Buttler had gone across the leg stump to pull but it went further down the leg side and to the fine leg fence.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Another fuller ball on off, another firm push but straight to the mid on fielder.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fuller on off this time, Buttler blocks this towards mid on.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Full on the pads, Buttler strokes it straight to mid on.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Wide outside off this time, Leach is not bothered as he shoulders arms.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Fuller one on middle, defended solidly by Leach.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Another fuller ball on the fourth stump line, Leach pushes this off the front foot through extra covers to get a couple. Leach wanted another run but is denied by Buttler.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. FOUR! Slammed this time to perfection. Another fuller ball outside off, Leach gets into the position and times this through cover-point to get his first boundary of the day.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Play and a miss. This time Leach goes for the drive to this full ball outside off, but can't get bat on ball.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. He starts with a fuller length ball outside off, Leach lets it go to the keeper.

Mitchell Marsh to bowl from the other end. His figures on Day 1 stood at 16.1-4-35-4 and he will be looking to take the first 5-fer of his Test career today.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Crunched through covers. Cummins ends the over with a poor ball outside off on a fuller length. Buttler stands in the crease and hammers this one through the cover region. The boundary brings up the 50-run stand between the two. Very vital runs these.

Interesting field setting! Two short legs in place. One is at the backward position standing a few steps behind the other one at the forward position.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Fuller ball, pushed towards cover this time by Leach to pinch a single off the first ball he faced.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off, Buttler walks across the off stump to work it down the leg side but gets hit on the pads. He was hit outside the line and hence no appeal. The ball goes towards square leg as they cross for a leg bye. First runs of the day.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fuller and on off and middle, blocked towards cover by Buttler.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball outside off this time, Buttler lets it go to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Cummins starts with a fuller ball on middle, Buttler punches it firmly but straight to mid on.

The Australian players are out in the middle. Jos Buttler and Jack Leach follow them as well with the former to take the strike first up. Pat Cummins to start the proceedings for the visitors on Day 2. Here we go...

The second new ball is just two overs old and Australia would like to utilize the early morning conditions to nip out the remaining wickets as soon as possible. Their aim will be to restrict England under 300. We will have to wait to find out Jos Buttler's approach this morning. He adopted an aggressive one last evening and if he continues to succeed in doing that, we will be in for a cracking first session. Day 2 is considered to be the best day for batting in a Test match and the visitors would love to have a good outing later in the day when they get the opportunity. Given that there was conventional and reverse swing happening on the first day, England would be relying on the likes of Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad to the damage. All in all, a great day of Test cricket awaits us.

Another 50 odd runs would mean England will feel a lot more comfortable after the kind of collapse they had during the final session of Day 1. They would want Jos Buttler to add as many as he could along with Jack Leach and Stuart Broad. Two quick wickets would mean that Tim Paine would be more than happy on his decision of opting to bowl first after winning the toss. What's in store for us? Welcome to our coverage of Day 2 of the final Ashes Test.

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

Despite the 9th wicket partnership frustrating them at the fag end of the day's play, Australia will be relatively pleased with the outcome of Day 1. Toss would have been a bigger debate had they not reduced England to 226/8 but now, the Aussies can call it their day and the decision to bowl first a fair one. At least they can argue. Keep in mind, they gave three lives to Joe Root and things could have been even better had they not committed that sin. Anyway, that brings an end to everything on the first day of the fifth Test. Do join us at 1100 local (1000 GMT) for Day 2. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

With Australia not enjoying the best of days, Mitchell Marsh suddenly found some reverse swing going in his spell post Tea. The all-rounder then relentlessly got stuck into a nice rhythm and with his spell of 8-3-17-3, he completely turned the tide in Australia's favour. Going comfortably at 170/3, England slipped to 226/8 and started to stare down the barrel. However, Jos Buttler received good support from Jack Leach and Jos unleashed on the tired Aussie bowlers. His 64 off 84 balls has pushed the home side's score close to the 300-run mark and the English team would be hoping for a big knock from him on Day 2.

Coming to the day's play and it was a bit of a clumsy one from both sides! Let's start from the start. Tim Paine won the toss and to the surprise of many, he chose to field first. After picking just one wicket and dropping Joe Root twice in the morning session, soon it looked like Paine will be regretting his decision. England batted well in the afternoon session, in spite of losing two wickets, and the pair of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow started to settle down into a good partnership.

What a cracking day of Test cricket! We fell short by 8 overs to the allotted one but those 82 bowled were nothing short of exhilarating! Once again Jack Leach has shown his mettle with the bat and has partnered Jos Buttler to the full of his ability. This 9th wicket stand is currently worth 45 (off 68 balls) and it has saved England from an embarrassment of being bundled out quickly in the last session.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. A very harmless delivery to end the day's play. Full and way down the leg side, Leach tries flicking but misses. A good take by the Aussie skipper with a dive. That will be it for the day. STUMPS ON DAY 1!

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Short in length and around off, Jack defends it off his back foot again.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. On middle and leg, Leach defends it off his back foot to the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Appeal for a catch, not given and Tim Paine returns. Was there any glove? No, is the answer. Short ball on middle, Leach tries to move away from the line of fire but fails to do so cleanly. It balloons behind off something and the gully fielder takes a diving catch. They appeal, nothing from the umpire. Paine consults Wade who was standing at short leg that whether Leach's arm-guard was in contact with the wrist band. That's very hard to tell. Even the replays are inconclusive.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Solid! Full in length and outside off, Leach is confidently on the front foot as he defends.

Josh Hazlewood to share the second new cherry from the other end. Just three minutes left on the clock and this should be the last over of the day. Can Josh nip out Jack?

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Beaten again! Fuller and wide outside off, nipping away, Jos tries to play the drive without much footwork and gets beaten.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Play and a miss! Back of a length ball on off, shaping in, Buttler clears his front leg for a big heave-ho over the leg side but misses. It travels over the stumps.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Uppish but safe! Good length ball angling in on middle, it probably sticks on the surface a bit as Buttler is early into his shot. He checks his on drive and it goes wide of mid on.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Beaten comprehensively! Cummins pitches it up and outside off, Buttler tries to play an expansive cover drive but is beaten by the away movement.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Shot! Full and drifting down the leg side, Buttler picks it up off his pads and flicks it over mid-wicket. There is no fielder in the deep but the ball doesn't have enough legs to cross the fence. Two runs taken.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Back of a length ball on off, Buttler defends it from the back foot to the off side. The hard nut will come onto the bat nicely also.

The second new ball is available but Paine has not taken it yet. Will he take it tonight? Just 8 overs left. Wait. THE SECOND NEW BALL IS TAKEN. Surprising from Paine. With the old ball reversing, didn't see this coming so soon. Pat Cummins to make the first use of it. 21.5-5-71-2 so far.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Well bowled and equally well played. An inswinging yorker around off, Leach brings his bat down in time to block it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Good length ball on middle and off, Leach is on his toes as he blocks it back.

Short leg in place.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Fullish and going down the leg side, Buttler clips it to deep mid-wicket and decides to give Leach two balls to survive the over.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. On the pads, worked on the leg side, straight to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Short in length and outside off, Buttler pulls it to deep mid-wicket. No run taken.

Fit-again, Mitchell Marsh (15.1-4-34-4) is brought back into the attack.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fuller in length and on middle, Buttler helps it through the gap at mid-wicket and runs a single. Warner ambles behind the ball, giving the opportunity to Jos to take another run but Buttler ain't doing that, of course.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fullish and on middle and leg, Buttler flicks but finds Warner at mid-wicket.

Mid-wicket is brought inside. Challenge thrown to Buttler to clear the fence there...

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fullish and on leg, Buttler plays a well-timed on drive but declines the run.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Straighter line, Buttler works it with soft hands in the gap at mid-wicket, good enough for a couple.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length around off, Jos shuffles across and blocks it well.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Serves a length ball in the region outside off, Buttler swings but fails to connect.

Pat Cummins is brought back into the attack.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. Too full in length around leg, Leach plays it out past Wade and looks for a run. Not taken.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jos Buttler. Shortish and outside off, punched to sweeper cover for one.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jos Buttler. Quicker and on the pads, worked on the leg side through mid-wicket but no run taken.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jos Buttler. DROPPED! Very full and on middle, Buttler drills it back to the bowler who sticks his right hand out but fails to hold on. It deflects behind but they decide not to cross. A tough chance and these catches sometimes stick, sometimes don't.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Good shot, great shot! Sometimes you curse T20 cricket for what it has done to Test cricket but this is the one dimension in batting it has added in the longer version. Flighted full ball on middle, Buttler brings out the reverse sweep and nails it behind point for a boundary.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jos Buttler. A leg spinner on the shorter side outside off, Buttler mistimes his square cut to point.

Time for some leg spin with three more overs to go for the second new ball. Marnus Labuschagne to roll his arm, not Nathan Lyon.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Survives. Leach shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 9 from the over, 24 in Hazlewood's last three.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Short in length and way down the leg side, Buttler chases it in an attempt to pull and gets a bottom edge. It rolls to fine leg and Leach will have one ball to deal in this over.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Slips a full ball down the leg side, Buttler fails to put any bat behind this one.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Spears in a very full ball on middle, Buttler brings his bat down in time to dig it out towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. SIX! This one has gone all the way, to the right of Marnus Labuschagne this time! Another short ball by Josh to Jos and it has been dispatched via a thunderous pull shot behind square leg. High and handsome it goes into the crowd, bringing out a humongous roar from them. Fifty up for Buttler, his 15th in Tests, first in the Ashes. He's taking the fight to Australia and trying to maximize the English total to as far as possible.

'How long will Leach and Buttler last against the new ball?' asks Nasser Hussain on air. '50 and out,' says Sagar, our colleague, as cool as the Ocean.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Short in length and on middle, Buttler swivels and pulls it through square leg. Labuschagne at deep backward square leg is late to pick it up but then does well to stop the ball. The batsmen take two. The sun is staring straight down to Marnus and he has his goggles resting on the back of his cap. Hmm... adding to his style quotient!

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. EDGED, FOUR! Cummins runs in from 'round the wicket and delivers a full ball close to off. It straightens a touch after landing and Leach tries to play the line. It takes the outside edge and flies past the right side of the diving gully fielder. A boundary to bring up England's 250!

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Fullish and on the pads, it's clipped to deep mid-wicket for a run. Leach cleans his specs and gets ready to face the last ball. Getting his job again.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Full and sliding down the leg side, Buttler tries his best to power it over the on side but misses.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Straighter delivery, Leach flicks it past the right side of Wade at short leg and crosses for a run. The mid-wicket fielder does the mop up job.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Lands it on a length close to off, Leach defends it off his front foot.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Digs in a short ball on leg, Leach ducks away from the firing line.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Interesting. Declined the single on the last ball and have taken it this time. Full and outside off, a glorious drive from Leach and it's to the right of mid off. The fielder there slides and makes the stop. Seems Buttler thought there were two runs on offer. Miscalculation.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Again a shortish delivery around leg, Leach works it wide of Wade towards deep square leg. Wants a run but Buttler denies.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Short around leg, jumping onto the batsman, Leach fends it away over short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Fuller and on middle, defended back to the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

The famous Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger is in attendance. However, it's not England but Australia doing rock n roll!

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Slanting away from the batsman outside off, Leach pushes at it and misses.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Yet another swing and a miss for Buttler. He attempts for a pull shot to a short delivery but misses. Yells in disgust. Again, Leach is on strike for the next over. Can Australia work him over?

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Short in length and outside off, Buttler swings and misses.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Too full in length and around leg, Leach gets across his stumps and flicks it fine down the leg side for one. Had he missed, he would have been a plumb lbw candidate.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Short in length and on middle, Leach is solidly behind the line in defense. He just goes on his toes and calmly blocks it to the off side.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Beaten again! A good length ball landing on off and angling away from the batsman, Leach plays inside the line and is beaten.

Oh dear... Marsh is having a lot of trouble. He is clutching both his legs and it seems like he has pulled his hamstring but Sir Ian Botham on air feels that it is just a cramp. Mitchell Starc comes out with some fluids for the kid. And then takes the kid along with him out of the ground. Pat Cummins to finish Marsh's pending over. 19-5-61-2 so far.

Mitchell Marsh to Jack Leach. Very full and around off, Leach tries to dig it out but misses. Marsh is feeling his hamstring. Does some stretching with the help of Pat Cummins before returning to his mark.

Mitchell Marsh is back on! He has a chance to get a 5-fer. Tore threw the England's middle order post Tea.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Buttler plays a dot. Leach will be on strike. This still counts? This plan? We have seen Leach dealing with the Aussie bowlers with ease over the course of this Test series. On middle and off, a touch short, Buttler punches from the back foot but finds the mid-wicket fielder. 14 from the over, an eventful one for England.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. On middle and leg, Leach helps it behind square leg and wants two. But Labuschagne is quick to the ball and they have to be satisfied with a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Spears in a very full ball on middle, Buttler tries heaving it over the mid-wicket region probably but it takes the inner half and runs behind square leg for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Misses this time! Buttler tries to be cheeky on this occasion. Attempts for a paddle shot to a length ball outside off. Fails to connect properly and it hits him on the pads. Words and smiles exchanged, so good to watch. The crowd is into it as well.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. SIX! Boom! Hazlewood is under the pump! He delivers it in the hitting zone of the batsman. Buttler aligns himself and launches it over long on this time. Bye bye ball. This is exhilarating stuff from Jos. The crowd is brought back to life.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. SIX! Jos Buttler in the Twenty20 avatar! Back of a length delivery outside off, Jos spots the room, hangs on the back foot and towers it over long off for a biggie.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Drifting down the leg side, Leach clips it behind square leg and returns for the second run. Opens his account on the sixth ball he faced.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Returns to bowling over the wicket. Delivers a shortish ball on middle and off, Leach inside edges his attempted back foot defense onto the thigh pad.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Switches to 'round the wicket for Leach. Serves a full length ball outside off and it jags back in sharply. Leach does well to keep it out.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Leach defends it off his back foot.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Short in length and on off, Buttler drags his pull off the inside half to deep square leg. He takes a single.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on off, Buttler walks forward and blocks it down watchfully.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Good length ball on middle and leg, Leach shuffles across a bit and defends it down to short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Jack Leach. Short and down the leg side, Leach sways away from the line of fire.

Jack Leach is the new batsman. He is not known for hitting too many runs but he certainly has shown the technique to partner any batsman. Buttler needs support here and who better than Jack to provide it. He's a proven man to do this job as far as this Ashes is concerned.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. OUT! Regulation catch for Tim Paine! Wicket number 8 goes down for England. Hazlewood hurls in a length ball close to off, Archer tries to play the line but the ball straightens a bit to catch the outside edge. Tim Paine makes no mistake and there are no heroics from Archer with the bat. The lower order not stepping up here for England will worry them. Usually, they bail out after the failure of the top batsmen. Can they reach 250 from here?

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Taps it down with soft hands towards point for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Streaky again! This time it drops in front of first slip. A length ball on off, Buttler tries playing straight but it straightens to gather the outside edge. It falls in front of Warner and speeds past him to the fence. Lucky escapes for Jos!

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. EDGY FOUR! Slightly short in length and around off, Buttler hangs on the back foot in an attempt to work it across the line but it takes the outer half of his bat and races away from the slip cordon for a boundary.

Peter Siddle to Jofra Archer. Another reverse swinging delivery, nipping in from a length around off, Archer does well to play late and defend it to the leg side.

Peter Siddle to Jofra Archer. Good length ball outside off, a hint of reverse swing, Archer calmly covers his stumps and shoulders arms.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Shortish and on off, Buttler punches it to the right of Wade at short cover. He dives and gets fingertips on it. Parries it to the right of mid off and the batsmen take a run.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Closer to the off stump this time. A length ball, angling in, Buttler closes the face of the bat and pushes it softly to mid-wicket.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Away swinger from Peter. In the zone outside off, an easy leave for Buttler.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Back of a length ball on off, Buttler remains back and mistimes his punch down to mid on.

Mitchell Marsh gets a break after his outstanding spell post Tea where his figures read, 8-3-17-3! Peter Siddle replaces him from this end. He has been the weak link of the Australian bowling today. Deep point and deep square leg in place, Australia happy to give a single to Buttler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. A couple of shorter ones followed by a fullish delivery on off. Archer, himself being a bowler, expects this and defends it safely to the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Gloved away! Hazlewood digs in a short ball down the leg side, Archer gloves his attempted pull shot behind. Paine flies to his left but it's quite wide of him and races away to the fine leg fence.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. A rib tickler on this occasion. Rising around leg, Archer stands tall and taps it down wide of Wade at short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. Good length ball close to off, Archer succeeds this time in blocking from the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. With a short mid-wicket in place and the deep square leg fielder standing a few steps ahead, Paine sends the signal for some short pitch bowling. But it turns out to be a double bluff from Josh. He bowls an inswinger on a length outside off, Archer is beaten on the inside edge as he attempts to block from the crease.

Josh Hazlewood to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Archer takes on the challenge and finds the fence. Short delivery, around off, it doesn't get high enough to bother the batsman and Jofra pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Marsh goes full throttle. Attempts to hurl in an inswinging yorker but it turns out to be a low full toss on off, Archer pushes it in the gap at covers for a single. Buttler not looking to farm strike as of now.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Jofra misses out there! A full length ball drifting down the leg side, Archer tries his best to flick but misses.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Sliding down the leg side, Jofra tries to flick but fails to middle his shot. It goes off his pads to square leg.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Attempted inswinger from Mitch. On a good length outside off, Archer chases and gets a bottom edge onto it. Nearly a drag on there, nearly a fifer...

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Another length ball, around off, Archer stays back and pushes it with an angled bat to point again.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Good length delivery close to off, Archer plays near his body and taps it down to point.

Drinks break. And Jos Buttler appears to be running to answer the nature's call. What a first phase of the last session for Australia! 4 wickets in 15 overs and this match has completely turned in Australia's favour. Who has done the damage? The man who wasn't considered to be eligible to play the first four Tests. Mitchell Marsh. When the ball reverses, he arguably is one of the best, if not the best, exponent of reverse swing bowling. England on the mat at the moment, can they survive the day's play? The man of the moment to begin after the mini-break...

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. At 87.4 mph, Josh delivers a full ball on off, angling in, Buttler blocks it back and it rolls past the bowler to mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Hazlewood lands this one on a length and outside off, Buttler plays a mistimed drive towards covers.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Misses everything! Short in length and outside off, Buttler tries pulling it across the line but misses.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Sliced away! Fullish and outside off, Buttler tries playing the cover drive but it takes the outer half and races through point. Lyon moves swiftly across to his left from sweeper cover, dives like a lion and then saves a certain boundary. Two runs added to the total.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Buttler allows it through.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Slapped on the face! Poor technique from Buttler. A short ball, well-directed, Jos is late in picking the length, tries to move away but fails to do so. He takes a blow on his chest and then it deflects onto the grille of the helmet. No harm done to Buttler.

Mitchell Marsh to Jofra Archer. Archer has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Jofra Archer walks in now, at number 9, replacing Woakes.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. OUT! LBW! Corker of a yorker by Marsh and Woakes is the one to walk back to the pavilion now. Marsh bowls a reverse swinging yorker on the leg pole line, Woakes looks to dig this one out but misses the ball completely. As soon as it hits the boot of Woakes, the Australian players appeal and umpire Erasmus raises his finger. Woakes has a short talk with his partner Buttler but he advises him against taking the review. Woakes starts taking the long walk back. The Ball Tracker confirms that the umpire was right as the ball is hitting the bottom of middle and leg. The change of bringing in Mitchell Marsh for Travis Head in the playing XI has worked wonders for the visitors as he has picked up a 4-fer already.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. Woakes misses and the ball is collected by Paine.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. Full and wide outside off, Woakes drives this one beautifully through the covers. The fielder in the deep mops it up and the batters take two. Woakes is off the mark.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. On the pads of Woakes, he flicks it towards the man at square leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Power with precision! What a shot by Buttler! This one was full and outside off, Buttler crashes this one towards the cover and it goes to the fence like a trace of a bullet. This also brings up the 200 for England.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Outside off, left alone by Buttler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on middle and off, Buttler blocks this one out.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, left alone by Buttler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on middle and off, Buttler pushes this one towards extra cover but straight to the man.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball on middle and off, Buttler defends it from within the crease.

The batting ceases to stop. Chris Woakes walks in now. Josh Hazlewood into the attack as well. 13-6-29-1 so far.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. OUT! Edged and taken. One shot too many by Curran. Does not make much use of the reprieve. He was let off on a no ball when on 7, but has been dismissed on 15. Full and outside off, Curran throws his bat at that, not looking to move his feet and this time nicks it behind. The ball flies thick and fast to Steven Smith at second slip who takes it near his head. He comes and departs (twice) in the span of 13 balls, does Curran.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Works this through square leg for a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Full and on off, Buttler pushes it towards mid off.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. FOUR! Counter-attack by Curran! This is short and wide outside off, Curran slashes at it and it goes through point for a boundary. Curran is not gonna hang back here.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Full on middle and off, pushed towards the man at mid off.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Full and outside off, Buttler looks to push this one towards cover but it goes off the outer half through backward point for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Buttler attempts to put bat on ball on this length ball but is beaten as he plays down the wrong line.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Full and on off, Buttler drives it straight to the fielder at mid on.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Good length ball around off, Curran pushes this one through mid off and takes three as the fielders mop it up.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Bouncer to start off the over again to Sam Curran. He ducks under it.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Full on middle and leg, Buttler pushes this powerfully towards mid on.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. This time Marsh gets it closer to the wickets and makes Buttler play at it. He misses and is hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal from the Aussies and the umpire turns it down. It looks to be going down leg and the Australians are not interested in going for the review.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Another one outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Length ball on off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Curran looks to block this one but misses to get hit on the pads.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Another one outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. NO BALL! Drama in the Ashes will never come to an end! Curran had been adjudged LBW following an appeal by the Aussies. He had started to walk back as he knew it was plumb. Cummins pitched this on middle and got it to shape back in and Curran missed the ball to get hit in front of the stumps. Umpire Dharmasena gives it out LBW but he wants to check for overstepping. The replays roll in, and YES, Cummins has overstepped. Curran has been given a lifeline by the Aussies after Root was given three. Looks like it is Christmas Down Under.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Curran looks to defend but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. SIX! That is how you reply to a bumper! Another short ball on the off pole line, this time Curran doesn't sway away from it and hits it with power over fine leg for a maximum.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Short of a length ball on middle and off, Curran initially looks to play at it but then sways away.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Full ball wide outside off, Buttler gets down and opens the face of his bat as he guides it towards third man for a couple.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Fullish ball outside off, Curran pushes it with soft hands towards cover and takes a single. First Ashes runs for him and England will be hoping that there are many more to come.

Now, the batting begins for England. Forgotten man, Sam Curran, comes in for his first Ashes impression with the bat.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! LBW! That one is hitting middle and leg and one must say, a very good decision by umpire Marais Erasmus. Marsh bowls a beautiful reverse swinging yorker which hits Bairstow right on the left boot. Umpire Erasmus doesn't take much time in adjudging him out after the loud appeal from the Aussies. Bairstow is baffled at first but goes for the review with the final three seconds left. The replays roll in, Ultra Edge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker now comes in, impact in line and going onto hit the middle and leg pole. England lose a review and they are in big trouble now.

Reverse swing! But will the decision be reversed? Bairstow has been adjudged LBW. He has a long chat with Buttler and with 3 seconds left on the clock, signals the 'T' for the review. Ball Tracker shows three reds!

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. A quick single taken by Buttler as he tucks it towards short leg and sets off for the run. Bairstow responds and he is well in before the fielder could have his shy at the stumps.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Buttler chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads, Bairstow looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. This time Bairstow tries to defend the length ball but it goes off the toe end towards the slip cordon all along the ground.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Again Cummins beats the outside edge of Bairstow's bat as he looks to drive this one through the off side.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Jonny chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Full and on off, the batsman has driven it through mid off.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Jaffa from Cummins! He pitches this on a length, outside off, and gets it to shape away. Bairstow goes for a block but the ball goes past the outside edge. The Aussies put in a stifled appeal but nothing there. Paine juggles it once, twice and then the ball goes towards Warner who finally holds onto it.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Length ball on middle and off, Buttler blocks it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, again left alone by Buttler.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Superbly driven through the covers and he has a knack of at least playing one cover drive in his innings. This is full and outside off, Buttler leans into the drive and it races to the fence.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Buttler shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. NOT OUT! Marsh bowls this one down the leg side, Buttler looks to flick but fails to do so. Paine gathers the ball and puts in a loud appeal along with his teammates. They think that he has nicked it and thus they go for the referral after umpire Erasmus turns it down. The replays roll in, Ultra Edge comes into play and shows that the ball has missed the bat. It has hit the thigh pad and that is what the noise was. Australia lose a review.

Is that a wicket? Tim Paine is confident that Buttler has nicked it behind. Umpire Erasmus is equally confident that Buttler has not nicked it. Ultra-confident Paine takes the review but the Ultra Edge does not detect anything. Another review lost by the Aussie captain.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Close shave! A length ball, outside off, Buttler looks to push this through the off side but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps towards fine leg! A single taken.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Full and well outside off, let through.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. A length ball, wide outside off, left through.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Landed outside off, Buttler shoulders arms. The ball comes back in a long way and shades of Old Trafford second innings come to mind. This one though, misses the off stump.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. OUT! TIMBER! Root is finally gone and it looks like he is almost in disbelief. Another cracker from Cummins and guess who has he got? The opposition skipper again! Cummins gets Root for the third time this series and 7th overall - most against any batsman! A length ball, around off, Root looks to defend but this one pitches around middle and off and then nips away a bit. The ball stays low as well, goes past the outside edge and knocks the off stump back. This is exactly similar to the way Cummins got Root on the fourth evening of the Manchester Test. Root does not want to go. He is busy gardening the pitch! Now, he has a look at the replays and starts to walk back.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Another one outside off, left alone by Bairstow.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. First run in the third session of play and it has come after 20 balls. This is down the leg side, Root looks to flick but misses. It goes straight through to Paine, to his left. He dives to his left and parries it. The batters take a bye as he gathers this one and throws it back towards Marsh.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Root looks to defend this one onto the off side but it goes off the inside edge and onto the pads.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Good length on off, Joe Root has played that one onto the off side.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball around off, Bairstow again defends it out. Third maiden in a row and England are yet to score a run after the Tea break. Tight stuff by Australia.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow stands up on his toes and defends this one out.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer this time on the off pole line by Cummins, Bairstow does well to duck under it.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Again just outside off, Bairstow pushes this towards cover-point and sets off for a run. Root denies and Jonny has to rush back in as Wade is closing in on the ball. He grabs it and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Even if he had hit, Bairstow was well in. Good call by Root.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball on the off pole line, Bairstow pushes it back towards the bowler.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Fuller this time, Root pushes this one towards cover.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Good length ball just outside off, Root guides it to the man at point.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Down the leg side by Marsh, Root leaves it alone.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Way outside off, Root leaves it alone. Paine dives low to his right and parries it towards the slip cordon.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Root blocks it out.

So, it's pace from both ends! Mitchell Marsh (7-1-17-1) to bowl now with a couple of slips. He hunted down Ben Stokes in the afternoon session and did so for the third time with Ben. Clearly having Stokes' number.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Another one outside off, left alone by Jonny. A maiden to start off the last session of Day 1.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Short of a length outside off, Bairstow sways away from it.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, Cummins trying to induce the drive. Bairstow obliges and drives it powerfully but straight to the fielder at mid off.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball outside off, Bairstow lets it through to Paine.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Another length ball around off, Bairstow gets on his toes and pushes it towards extra cover.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. First ball after Tea, it is a length ball on the off pole line, close to the body. Bairstow pushes it back towards Cummins.

Back for the final session! The players are striding out to the middle. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to continue building on their 39-run stand. Will Australia continue bowling a spinner and a seamer in tandem? Or will they change plans and go all out attack with their pacers? We are expecting more spin this evening though. Let's find out. Pat Cummins is ready to begin his fourth spell. Two slips in place...

... DAY 1, THIRD SESSION ...

Either this is the flattest deck of the series or probably the best day to bat on. There is just a slight swing available but it is only for Marsh. Australia have not bowled badly but they have resorted to keeping the lines and lengths tidy rather than attacking the batsmen. The over rate is pretty poor and with 38 overs left in the day, we are expecting play to be extended and yet, not get all the overs bowled. Join us back at 4 pm local (1500 GMT) for the final session.

86/1 in 25 overs in the first session. 83/2 in 27 overs in this one. Root gave two chances in the first session. One at the start of the afternoon session. All were put down. Nothing much has changed. Nothing much has happened. People were asking why did Paine elect to field in the morning. People are still asking why did he not want to bat first.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended. TEA ON DAY 1!

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Down the leg side, Joe looks to flick but misses. Paine collects and appeals but nothing from Erasmus. Lyon asks Smith about the review (yes, Smith and not Paine) but the former skipper shakes his head. Now Paine looks back for a confirmation and the shake of the head continues. Replays show that the ball hit the pad.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Another one down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and around middle, Bairstow looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat, past Marnus Labuschagne at short leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Around middle, JR taps it in front of him and sets off but Hazlewood quickly gets across and has a kick at the striker's end. Root gets in by that time.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and just outside off, watchfully kept out.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another short ball, again the skipper pushes it towards cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A short ball outside off, punched towards point.

Slight change in the field now. Tim Paine putting a man behind square on the leg side in the deep. It is Marnus Labuschagne. Probably Paine is sending a signal to Root that a short ball is coming. He used this tactic well in Manchester.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. The slider again from the Goat, his fodder refuses to accept any grass. Lets it pass.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Outside off, Joe lunges and pushes it towards cover for a quick single.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. The slider from Lyon, Root plays inside the line and is beaten.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Full and just around off, watchfully blocked out.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Nasser Hussain puts Ricky Ponting on the spot on air. (Well, not literally hanging in air). He observes that Bairstow has been bowled or LBW quite a lot in this series and ponders the reason. Why is he struggling against the moving ball? Now, Ponting comes up with an answer. Punter opines that in one-day cricket, the ball rarely moves, so Bairstow can expose all his stumps and still punch it through the off side. Also, with such a strong batting line-up as England's in white-ball cricket, there is the freedom to play your shots from the word go.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. A short ball, outside off, fended to the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and around off, solidly defended.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, on a length, Root looks to fish but then decides to bail out. Is late and is beaten.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Landed outside off again, Root waits for the ball to come to him and guides it towards gully, who is late to stop it but backward point mops it up.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Landed outside off, left alone.

Josh Hazlewood returns. 11-4-29-1 so far. Tim Paine has been shuffling his bowlers across throughout. No one bowler has bowled a long spell yet.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Around off, worked through mid-wicket for one.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Interesting. A slightly short ball, around middle, Joe gets across and does what? A paddle. Yes, a paddle. When you know it is your day, you can do anything, can't you? This is slightly awkwardly hit through fine leg for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Around middle and off, worked through the leg side for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. TWO BYES! Plenty of turn, but way down the leg side. Tim Paine is surprised as well and is not able to stop it, parrying it towards fine leg. Two runs taken.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a single.

Spin time! Nathan Lyon gets the ball at last. 1-0-2-0 so far.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. 4000 TEST RUNS FOR JONNY BAIRSTOW! Full and around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. He becomes the 34th Englishman to reach this milestone.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. One more delivery down the leg side, Jonny looks to flick but misses this time.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Down the leg side, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Landed outside off, moving away, Jonny looks to defend but the away movement induces an outside edge. Not carrying to the slip cordon though.

Some issue with the shape of the ball. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena puts it through the 8-shaped gauge but it does not pass through. Meanwhile, Bairstow calls for a change of bat. The ball is not changed though.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Landing outside off, Bairstow looks to flick but is early into the shot and gets a leading edge towards cover. Had to adjust late there.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! ELEGANT! He will not let this one go! Overpitched outside off, swinging away, Jonny drives it through the covers and this time he finds the gap.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Landed outside off, let through once again.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. A length ball, around middle, JB looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, more outswing, driven wide of cover but mid off mops it up.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Landed outside off, tempting Jonny to drive but he is not tempted.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, swinging away, driven confidently towards short extra cover.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Full and just around off, solidly kept out.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Landed outside off, let through to his counterpart.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Around off, defended solidly from the crease.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. HALF CENTURY FOR ROOT! 4th in this series. He has been given three lives but it is not his problem if Australia want to celebrate Christmas so early. He has absorbed the pressure, taken everything in his stride and is now opening up slowly. Gets there with a late nudge towards fine leg, running hard for the second. To be honest, the danger period begins now for him. He has scores of 57, 71 and 77 this series and if any complaint comes against him, it is his poor conversion rate into a century. Not a bad time to ask for that present from the kangaroo-styled Santa Claus today.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Down the leg side, this seems like a definite plan now. They are trying to get him caught down the leg side. Root misses his glance.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, swinging away, driven straight to cover.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Landed outside off, Root gets on top of the bounce and punches it towards point. A single taken.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Down the leg side, Root looks to flick but misses. Paine dives to his left and takes it with one glove.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Now this is an effort ball. Full and fast, just outside off, Jonny looked to defend but the ball zipped back off the surface and nearly went through, hitting the pads of YJB. But there was an inside edge involved as well.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Now on another part of the ground! This is not a bad ball but again, not much effort from Siddle. He lands it on a length but just lands it there. Not doing much with it. Bairstow just eases it through the covers for a boundary with a punch.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! ELEGANT! That has been the case with Siddle and Bairstow welcomes him in style. A gentle loosener, overpitching around off, Bairstow drives it straight back to where it came from, through mid on. The original Bairstow would have looked to flick it through mid-wicket. Jonny in the best of form would have hit this straight down the ground. Option B is just what we witnessed. Is a return to form on the cards then?

Peter Siddle returns. Not been his usual self. Given runs away and dropped a catch as well. 12-1-42-0 so far.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. On a length outside off, solidly defended.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. A length ball, on the pads, worked through square leg for a couple.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. A short ball, outside off, Joe fends it to the off side.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Full and outside off, swinging away, Root watches it swing past.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Short and outside off, punched to the off side.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Down the leg side, Root looks to flick but misses.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, driven crisply but straight to short extra cover.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple to get off the mark.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root walks into the shot and drives it nicely through the covers. Three runs taken.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven down the ground. Well stopped by the fielder.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Outside off, fuller in length, driven straight to point.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, left alone. Plenty of outswing in that one.

Jonny Bairstow walks in at number 5, replacing Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. OUT! Caught! Another wicket out of the blue. A short ball, outside off, Stokes looks to pull but seems like the ball never arrived. Was it a slower one or did Ben play a touch too early? Either way, a top edge was induced. The ball ballooned in the air and Nathan Lyon took it at point with fingers pointing skywards. He looked a touch nervous after that catch and Labuschagne consoles him. Replays now show that Stokes turned a full 360 degrees after playing that shot. He had no idea where the ball went, did not want to have an idea either, as he just stormed off. Assuming that the fielder would take the catch. If he were Root, he might have watched till the end, just in case even that went down. Australia would be happy with their progress post Lunch.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. A length ball around off, jagging back in, Ben looks to whip this away to the leg side but misses and is hit just around the box.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Landed around off, swinging in, Ben looks to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, swinging in, solidly defended towards cover.

DRINKS BREAK. 44 runs in 14 overs since Lunch for the wicket of Rory Burns. Australia have certainly pulled things back but it also seems like there is a long day or a long couple of days in the offing. The ball is just swinging a touch but nothing else is happening. Of course, things might have been different if Root had been caught on 24, or 25, or 30 but I guess, a cat has been set free amongst the kangaroos...

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Another full ball outside off, Root drives at it but it goes off the toe end of the bat towards cover where Wade gives it a chase and mops up. The batters take two in the meantime. DRINKS!

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. A full ball after a long time by Cummins to Root, he drives it straight towards mid off.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins bowls a length ball, Root looks to defend but gets an edge on that one.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Outside off, Root plays it towards point.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root lets the ball go.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Down the leg side, Root looks to guide it fine down the leg side with one hand off his bat but misses it.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Down the leg side, helped with the swing through square leg for a couple.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Walks down the pitch, does Stokes, to counter the swing and pushes it towards mid on.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Good effort by Marsh but why? Might injure himself. A length ball, around middle, BS walks down the track and punches it down the ground. Marsh dives to his right and parries it towards mid off.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Wow. Plenty of inswing on this occasion. Almost got through the gate. Full and around off, Ben looked to defend but the ball went off the inner half of the bat towards mid on. Marsh is smiling.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Hint of inswing there and Stokes lets Root know about the same. Full and around off, coming in, watchfully blocked out.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Landed around off, watchfully defended.

Mitchell Marsh to bowl again. 2-0-8-0 so far. Tim Paine rotating his bowlers over and over again. It is a hot day, the ball is not moving, the wickets are not coming and if there is a chance of a wicket, then his team is not taking it.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards backward square leg and takes one to keep the strike.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and on off, Root pushes this towards cover and takes a single.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, Root looks to block but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. Stokes looks to push it towards mid off but gets an edge on it which goes towards point. The fielder from gully dives to his left and saves at least a run for his side. The batter takes one.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Another boundary! This time Stokes was in full control as he opens the face of his bat and guides this one wide of the slip cordon towards the third man fence.

Pat Cummins to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Fullish ball wide outside off, Stokes looks to drive it through covers with a flat bat but it goes through the mid off region off the toe end of the bat and towards the fence.

Pat Cummins is back on. 10-2-28-1 so far.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he works it towards backward square leg and takes a single. He was looking for the second but fell down after completing the first run.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Length ball on middle and off, Stokes blocks it out.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Short of a length ball on middle and off, Stokes pulls this one towards square leg and takes a couple.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. A loud LBW appeal by the Aussies but turned down by the umpire. This is a good length ball on the off pole line, Root looks to push at it but fails to do so. The visitors thought that it hit the pad directly and hence appealed. The umpire turns it down and the replays show that he was correct, there was a big inside edge on that one. The batters take a single in the meantime as the ball rolls towards the leg side.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Good length ball just outside off, Root blocks it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Short of a length ball on the middle pole line, Stokes stands tall and pushes this one towards extra cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, Stokes shoulders arms to it.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone by Stokes.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a couple. Stokes looking solid at the start of his innings.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full and on middle and leg, Root flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes one.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root pushes this one towards point.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Shortish ball on off, Stokes stands tall and pushes this one back towards mid on.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Siddle pushes this full and around off, Root is induced into the drive but gets an inside edge on it. The ball goes past the leg pole and towards fine leg as the batters take one. Root, after getting three lives, should be looking to make the most of it and not throw away his wicket.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, Root blocks it straight towards Siddle.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Another full ball, just outside off, Root pushes this one towards the man at point.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Fullish on the off pole line, Root pushes this towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone by Stokes again.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, Stokes lets it through to Paine.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Just outside off, on a good length, Stokes leaves it alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Ahead of a good length outside off, Stokes pushes this towards the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle and off, Stokes looks to block it out but gets an inside edge on it which goes onto hit the pads.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the shorter side by Hazlewood, Stokes gets on the back foot and pulls this towards backward square leg. The fielder in the deep mops it up as the batters take two.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Interesting. Stokes gives the charge to the bowler. He walks forward and across before nudging a length ball off his pads to fine leg. He opens his account with a single.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Edgy! This one straightens a bit after landing around off, Stokes is squared up in defense and edges it behind. It's done with soft hands and hence it doesn't carry to any fielder.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Better leave this time by Ben. The line from Siddle is quite wide outside off, Stokes has nothing to do with it.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Siddle switches to 'round the wicket and serves a back of a length ball outside off. Stokes keeps his bat close to his body as he looks to play inside the line. Gets beaten eventually.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Short in length and outside off, Root reaches out and chops his shot down past the gully fielder for a run.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Shout for an lbw! Not entertained. A length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Root tries working it on the leg side but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal and Joe comes out of the crease in search of a run. He is sent back by his partner who was more engaged in watching the umpire and his decision.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, Stokes chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Ben Stokes comes in at number 4, replacing Burns. For once, he comes out to bat with his side in a good position. This is just the third time that he will be batting at this spot. The maiden occasion was in 2015 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. OUT! CAUGHT! That is out of nowhere. A wicket. Burns is out of here! Just 3 runs short of his half ton! This is short of a length ball on the off pole line, Burns looks to pull this one but gets a top edge on that one. It loops up in the air and goes towards short mid-wicket where Mitchell Marsh takes an easy catch. Burns is not as lucky as his skipper Root and he has to go back to the dugout. Australia will be relieved as they have finally broken the 76-run stand. The visitors with their tails up now.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Play and a miss! Or is it? Short of a length ball just outside off, Burns initially looks to play at it but then takes his bat away at the last moment.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Full one just outside off, Burns pushes it towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Bouncer on the leg pole line, Burns ducks under it.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. A bit short and on middle, Root helps it off his pads but finds square leg.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Too full in length on middle, Burns pushes it down to mid on for a run.

The Questionnaire - 'Did you check the batting average of Joe Root? It has come down from 55 at one stage to around 48 now!' @TQ - Yes sir. You are right. It is JUST 48 now...

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. FOUR! Gorgeous extra cover drive to bring England's 100! Burns just leans into the fuller length ball and thumps it through the gap. The widish mid off fielder tries his best to stop it with a full length dive but fails in his effort. Great timing and placement, result is a cracking boundary. It's also a no ball for overstepping.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Another watchful leave outside the off stump for Burns.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. This one is served on a length outside off, Burns has an easy leave.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Good length ball landing just outside off and nipping back in off the seam. Burns gets forward and across to work it on the leg side but misses and is hit high on the thigh pad.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. FOUR! 7000 Test runs for Joe Root! He becomes just the 12th Englishman and 4th fastest for them to achieve this feat and will be proud of it! Hazlewood dishes a full one outside off, Root leans into the shot and drives this through the cover-point region. The ball races to the fence.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he looks to flick it towards the leg side but misses. The ball kisses his pads and rolls towards fine leg. The fielder in the deep is slow to get to the ball and that allows the batters to take two!

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root guides this towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Another one wide outside off, left alone by Root.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone by Root.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Root gets up on his toes and blocks this one back towards the bowler.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns defends this one off the back foot.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. On the hips of Burns, he looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards fine leg and the batters take two leg byes.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Full ball on middle and off, Burns defends it out.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Outside off to Burns, he tries to block it but it goes off the edge wide of the slip cordon.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Outside off, left alone by Burns.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Fullish on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Root blocks it out by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Jaffa from Hazlewood! This one is pitched on a good length, around off. It nips away after pitching, Root looks to drive it towards cover but misses it altogether. Looks to be his day. Even if he had nicked that, it might have either gone to an unmanned region or even if gone to hand, might have been put down.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Full ball just outside off, pushed towards the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and leg, Root looks to defend but is hit on the thigh pad. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. DROPPED! ROOT SURVIVES AGAIN! This is a juicy half volley outside off, inducing the drive from Root and he goes for it but he gets a thick outside edge on it. It goes wide to the right of Smith at second slip, he dives, gets two hands on it but he puts it down. The ball goes towards third man as the batters take one.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Fuller one this time, driven to the man at mid off.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Length ball around off, Root leaves it alone.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Close one! Again Siddle goes for the stumps and gets his line right. Root this time looks to push this one down the ground but luckily gets an inside edge on that one. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take two.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Good ball to start the second session by Siddle, attacking the stumps straightaway. Root does well as he blocks it out straight back towards Peter.

We're back again! The men concerned are on the field. The greenness of the surface seems to have already bluffed the Australians. But this Test match has not gone away from them yet. Still they can make amends by picking wickets in this nice and sunny afternoon session. However, the setting is perfect and the conditions look ripe for batting. Peter Siddle (6-0-26-0) to kick off proceedings. Two slips and a gully in place.

... DAY 1, SECOND SESSION ...

The post Lunch session will be a crucial one for both teams. The Australians would want to make improvement in their fielding and revisit their bowling strategies in order to take some quick wickets. Whereas, the English team would hope that the pair of Burns and Root continues the good work and keep the desperate visitors at bay. Join us in a short while for all the action at 1340 local (1240 GMT).

After losing the toss, England would be fairly satisfied with the outcome of this session. Their skipper has once again found himself among the runs but has lived dangerously. Rory Burns has been a great find for the home team in this series as he has consistently stitched partnerships, something the other English batsmen have failed to do, and is once again looking solid.

Is Tim Paine already regretting his decision to bowl first on this surface? Two dropped catches, both of Joe Root, is also making Paine's call looking go pear-shaped. At 86/1, England will be happier of the two sides going to Lunch. The day began with Australia opting to bowl in overcast conditions and thick grass cover on the pitch. They were rewarded to some extent with their choice. But since Siddle's introduction into the attack, the runs started to come for the home team. He was also guilty of dropping an easy catch late in the session. Also, the skipper himself was culprit of giving a life to his counterpart.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer on the last ball of the over, Burns ducks under this one. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 1!

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Short of a length ball just outside off, Burns sways away from it.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Another length ball by Cummins, Burns blocks it out.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball just outside off, pushed towards mid off by Burns.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good bouncer by Cummins, on the middle and leg pole line, Burns ducks under it and the ball goes straight to Paine.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Once again Lyon is on the shorter side with his length and Joe punches it off the back foot to point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shortish again, outside off, Root moves across to cover the line and plays it down to point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Stays back-footed to a short ball and punches it towards the on side.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Shortish and outside off, Root waits and then tries to run it down. Cummins moves across to his left from backward point to stop the ball with a slide but misfields. The batsmen collect a couple of runs.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Root. Spinning down the leg side, on the shorter side, Root moves back to pull but misses.

Here comes Nathan Lyon with nothing happening for Australia. They did create a couple of chances but only to drop those catches and are in a desperate need of a breakthrough. Can the GOAT strike before Lunch?

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Burns defends the last ball of the over off the back foot. End of an eventful over.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. FOUR! This is full and wide outside off, Burns leans into the drive and caresses it through the cover region for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. This time Burns is beaten as he misses the line of the delivery.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. DROPPED AGAIN! Lucky day for the English skipper here! Peach of a delivery from Cummins. He bowls this one on a back of a length and just outside off, getting it to nip away with some extra bounce. Root plays at it after going onto his toes but gets a thick outside edge on it. It's going almost straight towards Warner at first slip but Paine intervenes with a leap to his right. He tries to take it with one hand but puts it down. Had he left it for Warner, he might have taken it with ease as it was looking a much easier catch for David. Root is hanging on by the skin of his teeth here and the Aussies will be hoping that this does not come back to haunt them.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Root chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he tucks it towards the leg side.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Fullish ball outside off, Burns pushes this towards cover and takes a couple.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. 50-run stand up between Root and Burns! On the leg stump line, Root looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. It rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye. A much-needed partnership for England here.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Just outside off, Root guides it straight towards third man.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards fine leg and the batters take three.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Good length ball just outside off, Burns takes a late call of leaving it and bottom edges it behind near the slip cordon.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer this time on the off pole line, Burns ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. DROPPED! What has Siddle done here? This was a dolly and he has put it down! Short ball by Cummins on the off pole line, Root pulls it uppishly towards fine leg off the top edge. Siddle is stationed there and the ball goes to the right of him. He runs across, stretches both his hands out but it bursts through. It's almost chest height but the ball pops out of his hands and slips onto the ground. The batters take one and the English skipper survives. Costly miss.

Good deep observation from Nasser Hussain on Joe Root's technique. He is comparing Root's footwork from the past to the ones in this Ashes. Earlier, his trigger movement of dragging the back foot used to be nice and calm and the front foot used to be on its toe, loading into the shot. But in this series, he is hurriedly going back in his trigger movement and is getting stuck on the back foot as his front foot gets settled before he leans into his shot. So, by the time the ball comes, he is already late to execute anything. Slight chink in his technique and the English skipper will have to get it corrected.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Jaffa by Cummins! He bowls this on a length and outside off, it moves a shade away and misses the outside edge of Root's bat by a whisker.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Beaten! Length ball just around off, Burns looks to defend but is beaten.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Outside off, fullish ball. Burns shuffles across and tries to flick it towards mid-wicket. It goes off the inner half of his bat towards square leg. It's in the gap and the batters take two.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Another one on the pads, this time Burns tries to block it but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards backward square leg and takes a couple.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Full and wide outside off, Root cuts this one through cover-point. The batters take three.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Down the leg side to follow up two very good deliveries, Root tries to flick but misses.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Another jaffa! This one is pitched again on a length but this time it moves away. Root looks to play at it but takes his bat away from the line of the delivery at the last moment.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Good ball by Cummins, he bowls it on a length and just around off. It nips back in after pitching and cuts Root into half in his attempted defense as the ball sneaks between the bat and his body.

Nathan Lyon is stretching. We might see him bowl sooner rather than later.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Cummins dishes out a length ball, Root does well to block it out.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Burns has defended it from within the crease onto the pitch.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, Burns pushes this back towards the bowler.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, Burns defends it from within the crease.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root cuts this one through cover-point. The fielder hares after it and stops it before reaching the fence. The batters take three in the meantime.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Fullish and shaping in, Root looks to block it out but gets an inside edge on it and the ball then goes onto hit the pads.

Peter Siddle is also back into the attack.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Length ball wide outside off, Burns defends this towards the man at point.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Another bouncer, this one is outside off, Burns sways away from it easily.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Bouncer by Cummins to Burns, he picks it up in time and ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Another length ball outside off, Root opens the face of his bat and guides it towards the third man region for a single.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, Root pushes it towards the man at point.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone by Root.

Pat Cummins is back into the attack.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Just outside off, the ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and thuds into the pads.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. FOUR! Great shot by Burns this. This is full and just around off, Burns gets on the front foot and drives this one through mid on for a boundary.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Way too wide outside off, Burns leaves it alone.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Good running again! Fullish outside off, Root plays it with soft hands towards cover-point and takes a quick single.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Again on the leg side, Burns tucks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Gentle loosener. Down the leg side by Marsh to start off, Burns leaves it alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, Root tries to cut it but it goes off the inside half towards the slip cordon on the bounce.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Again near the hips of Root, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root pushes this towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Good movement for Hazlewood here. He pitches this a bit outside off, it nips back in. Root shoulders arms to it and Paine dives to his left as he catches it with one hand.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Length ball on the hips of Root, he tucks it towards the leg side.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Just outside off, Burns pushes this towards cover.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Root. Good running! Ahead of a good length, Root pushes this towards extra cover with soft hands and takes a quick single. Keeping the visitors on their toes.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he flicks it towards square leg and gives the strike to his skipper Joe Root.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Another good length ball, this time closer to the off pole. Burns pushes this off the back foot towards mid off.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, Burns leaves this alone.

Mitchell Marsh to Rory Burns. Fullish ball outside off to start after the Drinks break by Marsh. Burns pushes this towards cover.

Drinks break. After an interesting call to bowl on this surface with a greener look, Australia have just one wicket to show so far and they have also conceded runs at a quick pace. Denly and Burns started on a cautious note but the former could not resist his liking to go for the balls outside off and ended up losing his wicket. Root has been positive in his short stay and would look to play a big innings. Let's see what turns out after the Drinks break. Mitchell Marsh has the ball in his hands for the first time in this series.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Nearly goes through! Fullish and on off, moving back in, Root goes hard at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It then rolls behind towards the slip cordon.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Some movement in the air, fuller and on off, Root brings down a straight bat in defense.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Shortish and on top of off stump, Root is on his toes as he taps it down to gully.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Keeps it on and around off, a length ball, Root defends it off his back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Angling in on a fuller length around off, Joe is solidly behind the line in defense.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Angles in a length ball on off, Root covers the line and pushes it out to extra cover.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. Burns looks to defend this length ball outside off but gets a soft leading edge which falls short of the third slip.

Peter Siddle to Rory Burns. FOUR! MISFIELD! Burns looks to run this length delivery down to third man. The man at gully dives but fails to gather the ball. It goes past him towards the third man fence and Labuschagne gives the chase from the slips. He tries pulling it near the fence but fails in his effort. His shoulders get stuck inside the boundary line but luckily he has not hurt himself.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root drives it through covers off the back foot and the batsmen cross for three.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Shot! But not in the gap! Short in length and around off, Root looks to pull but the ball goes off the toe end of his bat. Mitchell Marsh at short mid-wicket hobbles to his right and ensures that no run is taken.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. BEATEN! Rare false shot from Root. Width on offer on this length ball, Root looks to cut it but is nowhere near the line of the delivery.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. On an length and outside off, Root looks to run it down to third man but ends up playing it to point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Fuller one on the pads, Root flicks it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Root. Root defends this length delivery outside off towards covers off his back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Hazlewood overpitches and serves one up on his pads, Burns flicks it through the mid-wicket region and the batsmen cross over for three.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On a fuller length and outside off, Burns defends it off his back foot toward the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On a length and outside off, Burns looks to drive it through the off side but fails to lay bat on ball.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Bouncer! Hazlewood goes short and Burns is happy to let that pass over him.

Josh Hazlewood is back on. He earlier had Burns lbw only to be overturned by the usage of the DRS. Michael Holding is doing a bit of dissection about his lengths. The broadcaster shows the pitch map of the fourth over where Josh had got Burns. The West Indian tells that all the balls were pitched on the good length mark and were hitting the stumps barring one which was the lbw one. Interesting observation.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. FOUR! You just can't offer width to this man. Siddle once again makes the mistake of offering the width and Root once again carves him over the backward point region for a boundary.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Root defends this length delivery towards the off side.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Beaten! Root is in two minds as he prods forward to this length ball. Luckily for him the ball goes past the outside edge.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. FOUR! That should ease some nerves for the English skipper. Siddle bowls on a length but offers width and Root obliges. He goes back and cuts it over backward point for a boundary.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. Good length and around off, Root defends it towards point.

Peter Siddle to Joe Root. On a length and outside off, Root looks to defend to the off side but the ball goes off the inside edge and hits him on the pads before going towards point.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Cummins switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle, Burns punches it down through mid on for a couple of runs.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Fullish and on middle, Root leans across and clips it wide of mid on for a run.

Pat Cummins to Joe Root. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Skipper Joe Root is the number 3 batsman. He bagged a golden duck in the last innings of the previous Test. Would like to make a statement this time around with the talks surrounding his batting when leading England.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. DROPPED, DROPPED, CAUGHT! OUT! Steven Smith eventually holds on to the catch in the third attempt. England have been dropping him but he doesn't return the favour, quips my fellow commentator. A nothing delivery to be honest. It's all Denly's fault that he goes chasing after a length ball outside off. We have talked earlier also about his inability to restrain himself. Goes for a booming drive away from his body only to get a thick outside edge behind. It travels at a nice height at second slip where Smith reacts to catch it but starts to lose his balance. The ball pops out of his hands first time but then it sticks near his chest and Steven tries to catch it on the second attempt. By now, he is already down on his knees but still fails to catch the ball. On the third attempt, Smudge finally cups it much to the delight of Pat Cummins. Joe departs soon after England posted the best opening partnership of this Ashes.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Sliding down the leg side, Denly tries flicking but misses.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Back of a length ball around off and shaping back in, Denly tries to defend but misses and is hit on the back leg. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. The replays find no wood. A bit similar to Burns' but no DRS involved.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. An embarrassing fall for Mitchell Marsh! Short in length and outside off, Denly goes on his toes and punches it past Marsh at extra cover. The tall all-rounder gives the chase, the ball also slows down a bit, Marsh bends to pick it but then lands on his hips. Gets up quickly though and returns the ball in play. Three added to the total. This is now the highest opening stand in this Ashes for either side. Hmm... tells you how mediocre it has been from both teams!

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Siddle keeps his line closer to the off stump by angling in a length ball, Denly defends it back safely.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Another delivery in the channel outside off, Denly has nothing to do with it as well.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Too wide outside off, an easy leave this time by Denly.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. A leg stump line from Siddle on this occasion, Denly flicks but Wade at backward short leg does well to make a fine stop. Saves a few runs there for his team.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Good length ball on middle, jumping in a bit, Denly is on his back foot in defense.

Change in bowling after a good start from England. Peter Siddle replaces Josh Hazlewood into the attack. Line and length bowler, top of the off stump with a wobble seam - Watch out for him! Three slips stay along with a gully.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. FOUR! Easy pickings! Cummins errs in his line on this occasion. This one is served on the leg stump line and Burns neatly deflects it off his pads to the fine leg fence.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. The follow up delivery from Cummins is a lovely tempter outside off. On a driving length but Burns is not walking into the trap. Makes a sensible leave.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Deceives the batsman a bit there by bowling a bouncer. Burns is on the move for a shot, picks the length late but then does well to duck in time.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Nice and straight from Cummins there. On middle and off, Burns covers the line and blocks it soundly on the leg side.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Beaten! This delivery leaves the batsman with the angle of the bowler. Since it appears to be closer to the off stump, Burns decides to have a play at it this time. But the ball keeps on leaving him and beats the outside edge of his willow.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. In the zone outside off, Burns feels no need to play at it.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 9 from the over but Hazlewood did create a few chances.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! This is the chink in his armour. Every time Denly sees width outside off, his eyes light up. Just can't help himself there. Feels he has to go after those deliveries. Once again attempts for a booming drive through the line but ends up slicing it in the air over backward point for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Plenty of risk on this shot. It's a length ball on off, Burns has a push at it without much footwork and gets an inside edge past the stumps to fine leg. A single is taken.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. FOUR! Nicely played. No risk at all in this shot. Fuller length delivery on middle and off, Burns just brings down a straight bat and pushes it gently down the ground for a boundary at long on.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Bouncer served by Josh, Burns swayed away at the last moment.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Good length delivery around off, Burns stays back-footed and defends it to the off side.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Full and angling down the leg side, Joe tries flicking but fails to put bat on ball.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Excellent delivery again. Denly has no clue about it. A length ball shaping in from a length outside off, Denly pushes at it tamely but is beaten on the inside edge.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Denly has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. FOUR! Good effort by Labuschagne but in vain. Cummins lands it on a length outside off, Denly is late in taking his bat away and it kisses the bottom edge. The ball screams away from gully and Marnus gives the chase. He puts in a dive near the fence and tries to pull it back. The replays though show that his right hand was in contact with the rope while he was doing so as the umpire signals a boundary after talking upstairs.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Shout for a caught behind! Not given. Cummins bowls a big inswinger there, landing around off and nipping back in sharply. Denly tries defending but seems to have missed it. It brushes his back leg and travels straight into the gloves of Paine. The Aussie skipper appeals after collecting and Cummins also joins him. Umpire Dharmasena remains unmoved. Good decision by the Sri Lankan, confirm the replays.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Lets the ball go outside his off stump. End of an eventful over.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Another back foot defense by Burns. Solid.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. On middle and off, defended from the back foot by Rory.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. BURNS SURVIVES! Hazlewood delivers it just ahead of a length around middle and gets it to shape back in a shade. Burns is on the back foot looking to defend but misses and takes a blow on his back leg. The Aussies appeal and umpire Erasmus agrees after giving it a thought. Burns is quick to refer it though. The Ultra Edge detects nothing and then the Ball Tracker finds it to be going over the off stump. Good use of the technology by Burns.

Rory Burns is given out lbw after a bit of a thought by Umpire Marais Erasmus! He takes the DRS immediately. Is it too high? One of our old scorers feel there is some inside edge. Hmm... Nothing on the Ultra Edge. Going over the off stump, shows the Ball Tracker. Burns survives.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Lands it on a length and just outside off, Burns sticks on the back foot and taps it down safely on the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. A glorious straight drive but a stupendous stop in the followthrough by Cummins. Again a certain boundary is prevented. Too full in length on off, Denly drives it back with the full face of the bat but fails to get it past the bowler.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Soft hands from Joe! Cummins puts it on a fuller length and just outside off, Denly opens the face of the bat with a loose bottom hand. It finds the outer half of his blade and rolls wide of gully for a couple of runs.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Outside off, Denly has a watchful leave.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. What a stop, Mitchell Marsh! Top work in the field, making his presence felt. Fuller in length and outside off, Denly unfurls a cracking drive through the line but Marsh at short extra cover makes a fine diving stop. Prevents a boundary and is all smiles.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Angles in a good length delivery on off, Denly sticks on the back foot and defends it down in front of short leg.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, easy pace from Cummins, quips Bumble on air. A comfortable leave for Denly outside off.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. FOUR! This shot will make Burns feel a lot confident about himself. Hazlewood overpitches the last delivery of the over, it's outside off and Burns confidently drives it off his front foot. The ball finds the middle of his bat and races through cover-point for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Shortish and on middle, jumping onto the batsman who tries to defend from the crease. No bat it seems as the ball goes off the thigh pad to the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Rory Burns. Hurls in a length ball in the zone outside off, Burns covers his stumps and shoulders arms.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Once again some visible extra bounce. Hazlewood delivers it on middle and leg, Denly is hurried up in defense. It once again hits him on the top of the bat and rolls wide of short leg. England are away with a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Nearly a drag on! A length ball landing just outside off and shaping in with some extra bounce, Denly decides to make a leave but it takes his gloves and drops near the stumps.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball from the other end.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Left alone! On a driving length outside off, Burns covers his stumps and lets it be. Maiden to start.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Straighter delivery this time, on a good length, Burns brings a straight bat down and pushes it towards wide mid on.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. A touch short in length on this occasion, around off, Rory is on his toes as he taps it down in front of the gully fielder.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Poor footwork this time by Burns. Fullish and outside off, shaping away, Burns walks in with an indecisive cover drive and gets beaten comprehensively.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Better from Burns this time. An identical delivery, on and around off, angling away after pitching, Burns shoulders arms.

Pat Cummins to Rory Burns. Beaten straightaway! Cummins serves it close to off stump on a good length, Burns pushes at it from the crease but the angle of the bowler beats his bat.

Time to get underway! Rory Burns and Joe Denly are the English openers. It's going to be Pat Cummins to steam in with the new red cherry. Three slips and a gully in place. All in readiness, let's play...

England (Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root(C), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(WK), Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes (IN FOR JASON ROY), Sam Curran (IN FOR CRAIG OVERTON), Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad.

Australia (Playing XI) - Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh (IN FOR TRAVIS HEAD), Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(WK/C), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle (IN FOR MITCHELL STARC), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

England captain, Joe Root smiles and is thankful as he didn't have to make the choice but still he would have wanted to bat anyway. Mentions about the covering of grass on the pitch but feels that it will be dry underneath. Reckons that it will be an important first session. Mentions that they want to finish this series 2-2 and there are still World Test Championship points to play for. Praises the crowd for all their support and informs about the two changes - Sam Curran and Chris Woakes in for Craig Overton and Jason Roy.

Australian skipper, Tim Paine says there is a bit of thick grass on top and the conditions are also a bit overcast which will help his bowlers. He wants to make early inroads. Adds that it will be nice to finish on time as the weather forecast is promising. Informs about the two changes (Marsh and Siddle in for Head and Starc). Terms Travis Head as unlucky as they have brought in Mitchell Marsh for some extra bowling. On playing Pat Cummins for the fifth Test in a row, Paine replies that he is a strong man and gets the job done on all kinds of surfaces. States that they want a balanced team that can pick 20 wickets and cannot afford to rest their best bowler.

TOSS - Tim Paine is lucky at the coin toss once again (his 4th win this series!) and AUSTRALIA WILL BOWL! Two changes for them, Travis Head and Mitchell Starc make way for Mitchell Marsh and Peter Siddle. We have already informed about the English XI earlier.

Team news - England have kept no secret about their Playing XI. They are under the pump but still appear to be confident. Their squad of 13 remains the same but there are a couple of changes in the eleven. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran come in for underperforming Jason Roy and ineffective (with the ball) Craig Overton. Australia have also announced their XII, bringing in the all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in place of inconsistent Travis Head. We will know their Playing XI at the toss. There are talks about either resting Pat Cummins or leaving out Mitchell Starc in favour of Peter Siddle, let's see what happens.

We're here! Australia are here. England are here. One more Test match to go in this pulsating series. There's some unfinished business for both sides. The team from Down Under want that elusive Test series win in England. The urn alone won't do, they are getting greedy, they want more. Feed them more. England want their equal bite of the cake. They can't have the urn but they certainly can reduce the Aussie fun. One aim, win and level the series. Who will succeed? Will surely know all the answers over the course of this Test match. We welcome you with an open heart for our coverage of the Ashes, let the game begin at The Oval...

Another dismal batting show by Australia! Apart from the usual suspects, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith, there wasn't much fight offered by the rest. England bowled with a lot of heart. The inclusion of Sam Curran brought a breath of fresh air in their already potent bowling attack and the left-armer troubled the Aussie batsmen the most. He snaffled a 3-fer and impressed everyone with his variations. England have a tricky period to survive before Stumps, let's see how they deal with it...

Outstanding bowling performance by Jofra Archer. He finished with a 6-wicket haul and is leading his team off the park! What a session for England! They hunted down 6 wickets and gained a handy 69-run lead. Once again it was Steven Smith who held the Aussie innings together and once he fell late in the evening session, the visitors folded. However, the quickfire partnership between Siddle and Lyon helped the Kangaroos to reduce the deficit by a fair margin.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. OUT! A blinder from Rory Burns at gully to close out the Australian innings! Number 6 for Archer, his second 6-fer in the series! Fuller length ball around off this time from Archer, Siddle throws his bat at the ball but it takes the outside edge. It hurries to the right of Rory Burns at gully who dives full length to gobble the catch. A top performance from Archer this one and he is receiving a rousing applause from the crowd. AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 225!

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

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Down the leg side, Siddle goes after it but misses his flick.

Jofra Archer to Josh Hazlewood. Dropped or not? Looked like that had hit Hazlewood on the glove but the replays show that it has hit him on the grille of the helmet. However, the umpire has given it as runs so Hazlewood is off the mark. Bouncer by Archer to Hazlewood, he looks to fend at it but misses. The ball comes off the grille of the helmet and goes to the right of Root at first slip. It hits him on his forearm as he dives and rolls behind as the batters take one. Initially it looked like Root had dropped another catch but fortunately for him, that is not the case.

Josh Hazlewood, the last man walks out for the visitors. Can he do what Lyon did to take Australia closer to the English total?

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. OUT! TIMBER! 5-fer for Archer and the fun for Lyon has ended! Archer steams in to start his new over, Lyon must be expecting the short ball but Archer surprises him with a knuckle-ball-yorker. It loops on him, coming in. Lyon misses the ball altogether as he looks to swing it away. The stumps are destroyed and the good looking partnership of 37 runs has ended for the visitors.

Jack Leach to Nathan Lyon. Connects the sweep well this time and gets a single off the last ball to keep the strike with him. Tossed up ball around middle and leg, Lyon sweeps towards deep square leg with ease. Not a very good over this one from Leach.

Jack Leach to Nathan Lyon. And again. But again can't beat the short fine leg fielder. Leach continues tossing the ball on middle and leg.

Jack Leach to Nathan Lyon. Another sweep but finds the short fine leg fielder this time.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. A sweep from Siddle this time. A tossed up ball on middle, Siddle sweeps for a run.

Jack Leach to Nathan Lyon. Another flighted ball on the leg pole line, Lyon sweeps it towards deep square leg for a run.

Jack Leach to Nathan Lyon. Flatter ball on the leg stump. Lyon sits down to sweep but misses the timing.

Jack Leach is back into the attack after putting down the catch of Lyon. Can he make amends?

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Bumper down the leg side. Siddle ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. DROPPED! Short ball on middle and leg, Lyon again looks to pull this one over square leg but gets a top edge on it. The ball skies towards backward square leg, Leach goes to his left as he tries to take the catch. He settles himself under it, gets both his hands on it but puts down the catch. That was a dolly and he should have hung onto it. Archer cannot get his 5-fer yet and in the meanwhile, Lyon takes a single and reaches the 1000 run milestone in Test matches. Lucky!

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Shortish ball around off, Lyon wants to upper cut this one as he his the man with confidence. Can't get bat to the ball.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Up and over! Lyon having some fun in the middle now. Archer pitches this fuller, in the slot for Lyon. The batsman stays in the crease and lifts it over the cover-point for a boundary. He is playing a little gem here for Australia.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Bouncer but down the leg side. Bairstow leaps towards his left to pouch that one and save a certain boundary.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Fullish length ball around off, Siddle strokes it through point to take a single.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Nathan has punched that ball through the offside. 10 from the over, this stand is eating down the deficit quite quickly.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. SIX! Pulled away by Lyon and into the crowd! This is again short in length and on middle, he just swings his bat at it and the ball flies towards the square leg region for a maximum. Lyon playing some extravagant strokes here.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Full on middle and leg, driven through mid-on by the batsman.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Good length ball on off, Lyon stays back and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. It crosses the fence on a couple of bounces. He was expecting the short ball and that might have helped him play that stroke so well. The partnership moves on to 22 runs and the run rate of it is above 5. Counterattack is on!

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Length ball outside off, left alone by Lyon.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball on the fourth stump line, it pitches and nips away. Lyon looks to defend but is squared up as the ball goes to Bairstow behind the wickets.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Peter shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Bouncer this time on middle and leg, Siddle ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. FOUR! Valuable runs for the Aussies! Short and wide outside off, Siddle cuts this one through cover-point for a boundary. The trail now down to 89 runs.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Yorker by Archer this time, Siddle jams it out.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Siddle defends this length ball off the back foot onto the ground.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Good length ball on middle and off, Siddle looks to work this one towards the leg side but gets a leading edge which goes to cover-point.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Swing and a miss this time! Short and wide outside off, Lyon goes after it with a wild slash and misses.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Play and a miss! This time Lyon looks to defend off the back foot but he does so inside the line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Down the leg side, Lyon looks to flick but misses.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Lyon pushes this good length ball straight back towards Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Length ball on middle and leg, punched off the back foot by the batsman towards mid on.

Chris Woakes to Peter Siddle. Full and wide outside off, Siddle gets onto the front foot and punches this one towards the cover region. The fielders hare after it as the batters take three.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. On the off side, fuller ball. Lyon blocks it off.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Bouncer this time, Lyon looks to upper cut it over the slip cordon but misses the ball.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Another length ball, this time on middle and leg, played down onto the pitch.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Lyon. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Lyon.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Fuller this time outside off, Siddle gets on the front foot and punches this one through cover. Curran hares after it and keeps it just in the field as the batters take three.

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

Jofra Archer (4/48) into the attack! He would want to claim a fifer. Can he get it?

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Good shot by Lyon this time and the deficit is below 100 now. Good length ball outside off, Lyon caresses this one through point for a boundary.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. On the pads, Lyon tucks it towards the leg side.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. On the leg side, Lyon looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. EDGED AND FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Lyon goes for the off side push this time but he edges it wide of the slip cordon and the ball races towards the third man fence.

Chris Woakes to Nathan Lyon. Jaffa from Woakes first up to Lyon and he is beaten. On a length, just outside off, it pitches and swings away. Lyon looks to defend but does so inside the line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Nathan Lyon is in at number 10. Australia would want a few runs from the remaining two wickets.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. OUT! LBW! Finally Steven Smith is dismissed and Chris Woakes is the man to do it. A very fine innings from Smith comes to an end and without him, the visitors' score would have looked a paltry one. Good length ball just outside off, it comes inside with the angle after landing. Smith shuffles across in his usual manner, trying to flick the ball towards the leg side but unusually, he misses his flick this time and is hit on the pads. He is caught dead in front of the stumps. The English players appeal and umpire Erasmus raises his finger straightaway. Steven Smith has a talk with Peter Siddle at the other end and he advises him against taking the review. Wise decision as the Ball Tracker shows three reds. Australia still trail by another 107 runs with just 2 wickets in hand.

Chris Woakes into the attack now! His figures so far, 7-2-30-0. He hasn't been to his best and would look to make amends of it.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. 6 balls, 6 dots from Leach. Full and floated on middle, Leach blocks it out.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Similar line, Siddle does the same thing and pushes it back towards Leach.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Flighted on middle, Siddle blocks it out.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Tossed up on middle and off, pushed towards mid off by Siddle.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Leach tosses it up, Siddle pushes it towards the off side.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Darted onto the off pole, Siddle pushes it back towards the bowler.

DRINKS! The Three Lions have come roaring back in the first hour of the final session on Day 2 as the visitors still trail them by 107 runs with just 3 wickets in hand. However, the only worry for them is that one of those three wickets is Steven Smith. The best chance for England is to bowl as many balls to the tailenders and keep Smith at the non-striker's end. There are 22 overs left in the day but just over an hour to bowl it. Which team will end on top?

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Shortish ball around middle and off, Smith throws his bat at it as he looks to loft it over the slip cordon. Can't get bat on the ball though.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Goes for the yorker but dishes out a full toss around off, Siddle pushes this through point to cross over for a run.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Goes past the outside edge this time. Curran pitches this slightly fuller and makes it shape away from the right-hander. Siddle tries to push inside the line and misses.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Fullish ball around off, Siddle finds the mid off fielder with his drive.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Good length ball outside off, Siddle lets it be.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball on middle and leg, Smith flicks it towards square leg and wants a couple. But the deep square leg fielder hares at the ball and keeps it to one.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Tossed up ball to finish the over. Siddle blocks it out off the front foot.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. This one is flatter around off, Siddle does well to block off the back foot.

Jack Leach to Peter Siddle. Another tossed up ball, negotiated well by Siddle.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Tossed up ball on middle, Smith pushes this towards cover for a run.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Flatter one around off and on a shortish length, Smith looks to cut but can't get the timing right. The ball goes through point and Smith calls for a quick couple. The fielder from deep point throws the ball towards the non-striker's end but Siddle is well in as Leach breaks the stumps.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floats one on a fullish length, pushed towards mid-wicket by Smith.

Spin time again! Jack Leach is back into the attack. He has just bowled the 3 overs so far today and given away 12 runs.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Curran has rapped Siddle in front of the stumps again on a fullish length. Siddle again misses his flick and is hit flush on the pads. Again, this looked going down the leg side. The appeal has been denied by the umpire, and a good decision that. England don't review again and rightly so. The Ball Tracker showed that this was pitched in line but was missing the leg pole. Another good over from Curran.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. This time Siddle is solid behind the block.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Huge appeal for an lbw but the umpire says not out. Curran wasn't too sure either after the umpire's decision as he looked to his skipper. Goes for the fuller ball, Siddle misses his flick and is hit on the pads. A good ball but equally a good call by the bowler and the skipper not to review as the Ball Tracker shows this was pitching outside leg.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Fuller ball on the pads, Siddle timed it well but can't beat the mid-wicket fielder.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. On middle this time, blocked towards mid on by Siddle.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. Fuller ball outside off, Siddle shoulders arms to this one.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Good length ball on the pads, tucked towards short fine leg by Siddle to get a run. This has been a superb spell from Archer.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. And another bouncer on middle, Smith this time stands tall to push it towards gully and get off strike.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A bumper to follow! Smith does well to evade.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Ohh! Smith wants to hammer this one through covers. This is pitched on a good length and shapes away as Smith looks too heave this away. The ball goes past the flashing blade to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. This one slides down the leg side. Bairstow dives to his left to stop but can't gather it cleanly. They take a bye.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Left alone on a length by Siddle. A good length ball, angled into the right-hander. Siddle covers the stumps and allows the keeper to collect it behind the wicket.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Bouncer to finish the over. However, this one is going down the leg side. Smith lets it be.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good length ball outside off, Smith plays inside the line and it shapes away to go away from the outside edge of his bat.

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

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith looks to work it down the leg side but he is late into the shot. He misses and the ball hits the pads. This was going down the leg side and hence the muted appeal.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball on middle, Smith is right behind the line of the ball to block.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good length ball on off, Smith shuffles to block but this goes towards the off side off the outer half of his bat.

Jofra Archer to Peter Siddle. Siddle has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Smith defends it from within the crease. They pick up a single.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. EDGED AND FOUR! Lucky, lucky, Steven Smith! This is a fuller ball outside off, Smith looks to open the face of his bat and guide this to the right of the fielder at gully. He does not get the proper connection on it and the ball goes between the second and third slip fielders through to the third man fence.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Smith has defended this length ball on middle from within the crease.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another short of a length ball, Smith comes down the track but has to defend it in the end. It hits the splice of the bat and falls onto the pitch. Smith initially does not know where the ball is but finds it out later.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! Short of a length ball outside off, Smith stands tall and punches this through backward point for a boundary. This man does not seem concerned as to what is happening at the other end.

Sam Curran to Peter Siddle. FOUR! No hat-trick for Curran! He attempts for a yorker but dishes a full toss around the fifth stump line. Siddle manages to put bat and ball and gets it away past the slip cordon for a boundary. End of a stupendous over by Curran, a very impactful one, two wickets and 4 runs off it.

Peter Siddle is the new man in and he will face the hat-trick ball.

Sam Curran to Pat Cummins. OUT! LBW! Two in two for Curran. That looked plumb. And the third umpire agrees as well. Curran pitches this one fuller on middle and leg. The ball swings back in and beats the defensive bat of Cummins. It's rapped on the pads, huge appeal follows and the umpire agrees. Cummins, however goes for the review after consulting Smith at the other end. Will that help? Let's see. Nothing on the Ultra Edge. Here comes the Ball Tracker. Well, it is hitting the timber and Cummins will have to walk back. Dead duck. Australia in deep trouble as wicket number 7 goes down. They trail by 128 runs. Our ever alert fellow commentator pings me - 'In the first innings, Cummins got Curran LBW but overstepped. Sam has not returned the favour!' Sharp memory.

REVIEW TIME! Cummins has been adjudged LBW. Two in two for Curran? Looks like it as this seems out plumb to the naked eye. However, Cummins has gone for the review and it looks like it will be wasted. Here comes the Ball Tracker and...

Pat Cummins is the next man in for the Aussies. He just has to stick at the other end and let Steven Smith do his work of getting the visitors as close to the English total as possible..

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. OUT! Caught behind! Curran has his man. Wicket number two for him and Paine can't do much in this innings as he walks back to the pavilion. Sam pitches this slightly fuller and makes Paine go for the drive. He sets him up nicely by mixing his variations. This one is a scrambled seam delivery and nips away on landing. Paine goes to push it down the ground with a straight bat but the away movement means the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Bairstow. Smith is running out of partners here.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Slightly shorter around off, Paine stands tall to block it towards point.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Beaten! Testing line this one from Curran to Paine. Pitches around off and makes it shape away from the prod of Paine. Lucky not to edge that one.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Good length ball around off, pushed towards mid off by Paine.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bangs this short but down the leg side. Smith is not bothered.

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

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. On middle on a good length, tucked towards mid-wicket by Smith this time.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Slightly shortish length, Smith stands tall to push it towards point.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A beauty from Archer! What a ripper this one! Smith hasn't been beaten this comprehensively one can say. This is on a fuller length and closer to the off pole. Smith can't leave it. No one can. He looks to push but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. The battle between the two is on says the commentator on air.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. In the air...but safe. Good length ball around off, Smith shuffles and looks to work it down the leg side but the ball takes the leading edge and balloon towards the vacant silly point region. Lucky escape this one.

Nasser Hussain is questioning the tactics of Joe Root of keeping a fine leg for Steven Smith! The former English skipper points out that the lines they are bowling is wide outside off to Smith by leaving a gap at point. Smudge is either putting it away through the line or nudging it to square leg by moving across the stumps. Nasser wants Root to put that fine leg fielder to deep point, to prevent the boundary and let Smith get a single on the leg side. He wants England to work on the other batsman. Fair suggestion.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Beaten! A good nut to finish the over. Curran pitches it around off and makes it go past the outside edge of Paine's drive. Lucky not to edge that one.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Length ball around off this time, blocked by Paine on the off side.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. On the pads on a fuller length, Paine finds the square leg fielder with his flick.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. On the stumps on a good length. Paine is solid in his block this time.

Sam Curran to Tim Paine. Another LBW shout but again looks to be going down the leg side. Root is not going for the review again. Fullish length ball angled into Paine who looks to work it down the leg side but is late into the shot again. He is hit on the pads as Curran appeals. A good decision from the umpire as this pitched outside leg which was confirmed by the Ball Tracker.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another bouncer! Smith sways away from it. A good over from Archer this one.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FIVE WIDES! Bangs a short ball again but this is down the leg side and it is too high as Smith ducks. Bairstow can't collect this one either.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another good bouncer! Smith looked to duck under it but maybe it kissed the helmet as it went into the gloves of Bairstow.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball around off, tapped onto the pitch on the off side by Smith.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Back of a length ball on middle, Paine goes for the pull and manages to roll his wrists on this one. It goes towards square leg for a single. He is off the mark with that one. The shortish ball has troubled him this series but he did well there.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Slightly shorter but down the leg side. Paine is not bothered and allows the keeper to collect.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Good length ball outside off, Paine lets it go to the keeper.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. DROPPED! Oh dear! What has Joe Root done here? Steven Smith is literally the last man in the universe whose catch you want to drop right now but Root has indeed put it down. Curran bowls this one short of a length outside off, trying to make Smith play at this one. He obliges and tries to upper cut it over the slip cordon. However, he does not get the best connection on it and it goes high between first and second slip fielders. Joe Root at first slip jumps high and to his right, gets two hands to it but puts it down. Smith is dropped on 66 and he gets a life. A very good news for Australia but not so much for England.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Another one outside off, Smith shoulders arms to let that one through.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, Smith tries to flick this one but misses.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and off, Smith shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Great fielding by Broad! Curran starts off with a loosener, full and wide outside off. Smith pushes it wide of mid off. Broad runs to his left and puts in a dive to stop the ball.

Sam Curran is back into the attack. His numbers so far, 11-2-40-1.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Back of a length around off, tapped towards point. Eventful over comes to an end.

Jofra Archer to Tim Paine. Huge appeal! Archer appeals. He wants five. Umpire is unmoved. He begs for the review to his skipper. Root is not interested though. This is a good length ball and is angled into the batter. Paine looks to work it down the leg side but he is late in the shot and is hit on the pads. A good call eventually from the skipper as the Ultra Edge confirms there was an inside edge on that one.

Tim Paine, the Australian skipper walks out to the middle at number 7. He, along with the former skipper Steven Smith stitched a brilliant 145-run stand in the last Test at Manchester and the visitors would be hoping for some of the same here as well.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! Marsh has thrown it away! He can't believe it! Archer can, number four for him. Archer bangs another shortish ball around middle and leg. Marsh looks to pull but the ball takes the top half of the bat and goes straight in the hands of Jack Leach at fine leg. Australia trail by 134 runs with half their side back in the hut. Smith, however, continues to battle from one end.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. A ball in the channel this time, Marsh covers his timber and lets it go to Bairstow.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Looks to bowl a yorker but dishes a full toss. Marsh can't give it a proper treatment and pushes this towards mid on.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Good length ball outside off, left alone by Marsh.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Yorker to end the over. But again, Smith gets his bat down in time to dig it out.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Another bouncer but the line is not right as this goes down the leg side. Smith ducks under it.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Bouncer! What was that? Back of a length ball, Smith ducks under it. As the ball goes past Smith, it shapes away from Bairstow who gets his right hand out in time to pouch this one.

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

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! Easy picking this for Smith. Broad overpitches this outside off, Smith leans into the shot and times his cover drive. The cover fielder chases the ball but can't get there before the ball touches the fence.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good length ball around off, pushed back to the bowler by Smith.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Good length ball that bounces a bit extra off the pitch. Marsh awkwardly pushes it towards gully with soft hands.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Bouncer this time. Marsh ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Fuller again, Marsh drives it firmly but finds the extra cover fielder.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Good length around off, Marsh pushes it towards cover solidly.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Bouncer! A good one as well as this caught Marsh in two minds. This was landed on middle. He first wanted to pull it away but decided against it.

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Fuller ball around off, pushed towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Length ball around off, Marsh taps it towards point and takes a run.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Slightly fullish length, Marsh blunts it towards the off side.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Fuller on the pads this time, tucked towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. A muted appeal but this looked going down the leg side. This is landed on a good length around middle and leg, Marsh fails to put bat on ball as this shapes a hint in to hit him on the pads. The ball goes towards square leg and the batters take a leg bye.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Brilliant timing and no one is stopping that one. Broad goes fuller outside off, Marsh gets into the act as he leans into the drive and crunches the cover drive to the fence. A top shop that one.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good length ball on the off pole, Smith clips it through square leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. He partners Jofra Archer again as they have done all day. Will he be able to take any wickets in this session?

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Marsh. Fuller around off, pushed back to the mid off fielder. A testing over this one from Archer.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. In the air... but safe. Another bouncer on middle. Smith this time stands tall and goes for the pull but can't find the timing. The ball balloons high in the air but lands in the vacant region behind square leg. They take a run, first one off the session.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Goes for the good length ball around off, Smith lets it be.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another back of a length ball but this one is sliding down the leg side. Smith lets this one go.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. A good bouncer this time. Banged on middle and off, Smith looks to duck under it but then decides to go for the pull. He can't get bat on ball though.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Starts with a bumper which is too high. Smith ducks under it.

The England players are out in the middle for the final session on Day 2. They are followed by Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh with the former taking the strike. Jofra Archer to start the proceedings for England. They have 38 overs to bowl this session. How many can they dig out?

... Day 2, Session 3 ...

In the final session of the day, Australia would want these two to continue to bat while England will AGAIN hope to see the back of Smith as soon as they can. Can they do that? Join us back for the last session of Day 2 at 1600 local (1500 GMT) to find out.

Earlier in the session, Smith and Labuschagne combined well to form a partnership of 69 runs before England got rid of the gritty looking Marnus Labuschagne just before the Drinks break. Then, Sam Curran returned to claim his maiden Ashes wicket as he removed Matthew Wade. Since then, Marsh has dug in well along with Smith and have added 29 runs for the fifth wicket, so far. Deficit - 147 runs.

92 runs, 2 wickets, a shared session one can say as both the teams have managed to do well in either half. But England just doesn't have the answer to the question called Steven Smith. The man seems to have come from another planet. He is in the middle of yet another fifty plus score, his 10th in a row.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Length ball on middle and off, Marsh pushes this one back towards mid on. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 2!

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Bad ball by Broad, releasing all the pressure! Short and wide outside off, Marsh gets onto the back foot and cuts this one square through point where there is no protection and the ball races to the fence.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Similar line, Marsh plays it towards mid-wicket all along the ground.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Again on middle and leg, Marsh pushes this one towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. On middle and leg, Marsh tucks this one towards square leg.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Full ball outside off, Marsh goes for a drive towards the cover region but it goes off the inner half back towards the bowler.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Outside off by Curran to Smith, he leaves it alone.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. On the pads of Marsh, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Another fuller one, Marsh again punches it down the ground.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Full to Marsh, he punches it towards mid on.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards square leg and gets a single to get off strike.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. FOUR! Powerful stroke by Smith! Full and on off, Smith drives this one through mid off and straight to the fence.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Fuller this time, driven towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Short and wide outside off, Marsh looks to cut with a wild swing but misses it completely.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Down the leg side, Marsh looks to flick with just one hand on the bat but misses. It kisses his pad outside the leg pole and goes to the left of Bairstow who does well to pouch it.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Again full and outside off, Marsh does not fiddle with it.

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Marsh. Full and on off by Broad to start off, Marsh pushes it towards mid off.

Just three overs for Leach as Broad is back into the attack. 8-2-30-0 are his numbers so far. Can he get another wicket for his side before Tea?

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good running! On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards fine leg and takes a quick couple. The Australians are alert here as the hosts look tired.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Fumble and another run! This is wide outside off, Marsh opens the face of his bat and guides it towards third man. The batters take off as Burns hares after it. He collects it near the ropes but fumbles and that allows the third which brings Steven Smith on strike.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. A very low full toss outside off, Marsh tries to bring his bat down in time but fails to do so as the ball carries through to Bairstow.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. This time fuller by Curran, Marsh pushes it towards the man at cover.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Good length ball on middle and off, Marsh pushes it towards mid off.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. SIX! 10TH TEST FIFTY IN A ROW FOR STEVEN SMITH! Is this a purple patch or is it just the class of the man? We think the latter! This one is tossed up on middle and off, Smith comes down the track and heaves this over long on for a maximum. Gets to his 27th Test fifty in style! Also, he now owns the record for the most consecutive 50-plus scores against a single Test team. Records just keep tumbling at his feet. Majestic!

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. This time floated on middle and leg, Smith blocks it out.

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

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floated outside off, Smith pushes this one towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Shorter this time way outside off, Smith pushes this one wide of the fielder at gully who dives to his right as the batters take a couple.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Again on the pads, Marsh flicks it towards square leg and takes another couple.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. On the pads of Marsh, he flicks it towards deep backward square leg as the batters take two. Marsh is off the mark with this couple.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Just ahead of a good length, Marsh solidly defends this one towards silly mid off.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. This time fuller and near the boot, Smith flicks this one towards fine leg and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards the man at mid-wicket.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Length ball just outside off, Smith pushes this one off the back foot towards extra cover.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Marsh. Flatter around off this time, Marsh looks to work it towards point but this goes off the outside edge towards the slip cordon, along the ground. A good end to the over from Leach.

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

Jack Leach to Mitchell Marsh. Floated fuller ball this time, pushed towards mid on by Marsh this time.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Marsh. Huge appeal but looks to be going down. England do not review. Floats this one around middle as Marsh looks to work it towards mid on. He is late into the shot and is hit on the pads. Huge appeal from Leach and other English players but nothing from the umpire. The Ball Tracker rolls in and confirms the same - going down indeed.

Jack Leach to Mitchell Marsh. Floated one around off and middle, Marsh pushes it towards cover.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Loopy ball on middle, Smith pushes this towards long on for a single.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Marsh defends it from within the crease. End of a successful over for Curran.

Sam Curran to Mitchell Marsh. Swing and a miss! Full ball just outside off, Marsh goes for the drive off the first ball but misses it completely. Not the approach that the visitors would want from him right now.

Mitchell Marsh is the next man in for Australia. He was the star for them with the ball. Australia need runs from him now. He has two centuries in Tests and interestingly, both of them have been in the Ashes. Can he deliver with the bat as well?

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. OUT! LBW! Matthew Wade is now gone and as always, the lone standing warrior is Steven Smith who is playing at the other end. Curran comes steaming in and bowls this one on the middle and off. There is a hint of late inward movement as it hits the surface. Wade looks to flick this one towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits Wade on the front pad and the English players appeal. Kumar Dharmasena takes his time and raises the dreaded finger. Wade goes for the review straightaway. The replays roll in and the Ultra Edge shows no bat. The Ball Tracker comes into play and this one is CLIPPING the leg pole. Umpire's call it is and thus, Australia retain their review. Sam Curran picks up his first Ashes wicket and he will be delighted. Australia 4 down and they trail by 176.

Wade given LBW! A quick review from him! Dharmasena thought for a while before raising his finger. That looks close. Yes, good enough to make Wade head into the pavilion as this one is clipping the leg stump, so umpire's call.

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

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side, Wade tries to flick but misses.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Good length ball on middle and off, Wade looks to work it towards the leg side but it goes off the leading edge towards cover.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Wade comes down the track and pushes the ball towards mid on and keeps strike.

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

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Close one this! Leach bowls this one in the rough, gets a lot of turn off the surface. Wade tries to work it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball loops up but goes wide of the short leg to his left.

Jack Leach to Steven Smith. Floated on the pads, Smith pushes this towards mid on and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Another one floated on off, Wade comes down the track trying to negate the spin. He flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Jack Leach to Matthew Wade. Floated outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.

Jack Leach is into the attack now. He will be trying to use the footmarks on the pitch. If Leach can land the ball on the rough outside the off stump of Wade, the left-hander might face some trouble.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Good length around off, Smith blocks it towards mid on. 6 runs from the over, without a hint of trouble.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. On the pads again, Wade pushes this towards mid on and takes a quick single.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Good length ball around off, Wade taps it towards cover.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Goes fuller on the pads this time, Wade flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Crunched! Shortish ball outside off, Wade has room to cash in. He stays back and hammers the cut through point. Woakes continues bowling the wayward lines and lengths. Australia trail by 180 now.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Good length around off, Smith works it behind square leg and gets off strike.

Stat - Steven Smith has completed 700 runs in this Ashes. Only the sixth player to score 700-plus runs in a Test series on multiple occasion. Milestone!

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Fullish ball, this is on the fifth stump line. Wade shoulders arms to this one.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Fuller ball on middle this time, Wade tucks it towards the mid-wicket region with ease.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Full ball on off this time, Wade punches this straight to mid on.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Good length ball on middle, Wade is right behind the line to block off the back foot.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. Gets the line right this time. This one is in the channel. Wade lets it go to the keeper.

Sam Curran to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade to start the fresh over by Curran. He whips it behind square leg and takes a brace.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. FOUR! Beautiful shot by Smith! This was full and on middle and leg, he just comes on the front foot and drives this down the down the ground through mid on for a boundary.

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

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. On the pads of Wade, he works it towards deep backward square leg and takes three as the fielders do the mop up job.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. NOT OUT! Missing the off pole! Curran bowls this one on a length and on the off pole line, he gets it to nip back in a bit. Wade looks to block it out but misses the ball to get hit on the back pad. The England players go up in a big appeal but the umpire does not agree with them. After having a chat with his mates, Joe Root goes for the review. Ultra Edge comes into play, there is a spike as the ball passes the bat but the third umpire wants to have a look at the Ball Tracker also. On the third umpire's wish, the Ball Tracker comes into play. It shows that the ball is missing the off pole. England lose their review but one must think that why did the umpire go to the Ball Tracker if there was a spike as the ball went past the bat. Hmm... Imagine the controversy had the Ball Tracker showed it to be hitting the stumps.

An LBW appeal has been taken upstairs by Root after consulting his team mates. That looked too high to the naked eyes. The Ball Tracker finds it to be missing the stumps. Also, strangely the third umpire carried on to see the Ball Tracker in spite of seeing the inside edge on the Ultra Edge. This is something we haven't seen in the past. Would have been a big controversy had the Ball Tracker showed it to be hitting the stumps.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Similar delivery, left alone by Wade again.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Length ball wide outside off, Wade leaves it alone.

DRINKS! Smith and Labuschagne were exceptional during their 69-run stand but Archer removed Labuschagne just two away from his half century. However, Smith continues to be the thorn in the way for the hosts. They would want to see him walking back. Interesting hour of play awaits.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Good length and outside off, Smith pushes this towards mid off.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Another couple! Smith just does not miss out on any balls on his middle and leg pole. He shuffles across and plays it square this time towards deep square leg and takes two. Good batting by Smudge. With this, Australia have touched the 100-run mark.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Similar ball, same result. Again on the pads, Smith flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes another couple.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Outside off by Curran, left alone by Smith.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Almost! What a start by Curran! Corker of a yorker and Smith does well to dig it out at the last moment.

Here is Sam Curran, finally. He had troubled Smith at the stroke of Lunch. Can he do that again and manage to get the prized scalp of Smith?

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Good length ball on middle this time, Wade taps it towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Outside off again, left alone by Wade.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Driven handsomely. Woakes overpitches this outside off, Wade leans into the drive and pierces the gap between cover and point. First boundary for him. Australia behind by 200 now.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Good length ball outside off again, it is shaping away from Wade. He lets it go to the keeper.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Fuller this time, Wade drives it straight but Archer from mid off stops it.

Chris Woakes to Matthew Wade. Good length ball outside off to start the fresh over by Woakes. Wade lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. FOUR! Full and on the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. Comical! Everyone is having a laugh. This one is full and outside off, Wade pushes this one through mid off and sets off. They decide to run the third one on the throw and Smith speeds to the striker's end. Bairstow there acts to collect the throw while the ball is gathered in between by Archer near the non-striker's end. Seeing Jonny getting into the act, Smudge puts in a big dive to get inside the crease. Everyone is laughing. Isn't faking in the field against the rules? Debatable.

Jofra Archer to Matthew Wade. First ball for Wade, he shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the front foot.

Matthew Wade is the next man in for the visitors. He is welcomed with chirps from the slip cordon. Rory Burns, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow giving him some unwanted advice. Maybe, Wadey gave them his unwanted advice while fielding at short leg. Payback time.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! LBW! Finally the partnership is broken and some respite for the hosts! Archer is the man again as he has taken all the wickets until now. This one is a similar delivery to the previous one, good length ball just outside off and nipping back in. This time Labuschagne misses his flick altogether and is hit flush on the pads. The English players all go up together for the appeal and umpire Erasmus agrees. Labuschagne walks up to his partner Steven Smith, has a long extended chat with him but eventually decides against taking the review as the time also runs out. Ball Tracker confirms that the umpire's decision is right as it shows three reds. The threatening 69-run stand is broken and this might be the window that the hosts were craving for.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball, nipping back in, Labuschagne looks to flick this one towards the leg side but only manages to get an inside edge onto the pad. It rolls towards fine leg as the batters take two.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Bouncer to end the over by Woakes, Smith does well to evade it.

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

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Fullish on off, Smith blocks it out towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Another one on the pads, Smith flicks this one towards mid-wicket.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Smith shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he tucks it towards square leg.

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

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good bouncer by Archer! On the leg pole line, it shoots off the surface and Labuschagne does well to get out of the way.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGED AND FOUR! Archer bowls this one just outside off on a length and gets it to shape away from Labuschagne. He goes for the back foot defense but it goes off the outer half past the gully fielder and into the third man fence. Loose bottom hands assisted him there.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short of a length on the body of Labuschagne, he plays it with soft hands onto the ground towards the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball just outside off, Labuschagne blocks it out.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith. A maiden to start off the new spell for Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Another one down the leg side, again Smith goes for the flick but misses. Bairstow gathers it comfortably.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Steven shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Down the leg side this time, Smith tries to flick but misses. The ball goes past him and through to Bairstow.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Similar delivery to the previous one, Smith this time pushes it towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. Woakes starts off with a good length ball on middle and off, Smith blocks it back towards Woakes.

Chris Woakes into the attack now. He didn't start well as he gave away 12 runs in the first two overs. Can he break this stand? Surprisingly, no Curran yet post Lunch. He troubled both Smith and Labuschagne in the last session.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball just outside off, Labuschagne pushes this one off the back foot towards extra cover.

The physio is out in the middle for Marnus Labuschagne. That looks really nasty. He looks in pain as the physio checks out his forearm and elbow. Remember that he joined the team as a concussion substitute for Steven Smith in the 2nd Test at Lord's. No such things here as he is ready to take strike now.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. OUCH! That has hit Labuschagne on the back of his elbow and he has straightaway signaled the physio to come out. This one is just behind a good length on the off pole line, there is some extra bounce on this as Labuschagne misses his defense. The ball goes past his bat but hits him on the back of the elbow and he is down on the ground in pain. He signals for the physio towards the dressing room.

Here comes the cake in the broadcaster's commentary box. David Gower hands it over to Sir Ian Botham who passes it on to the birthday boy, Shane Warne. The leggie tells that he is fifty now and refuses to share his birthday cake. The kid in you never gets old. Have a good one, Warnie!

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Marnus.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one, similar line and length, Labuschagne looks to tuck it towards the leg side but it goes off the outer half of his bat back towards Archer.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle and off, Marnus pushes it back towards Archer.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

By the way, the new daddy is back on the field. He had gone to visit his new born. Joe Denly is all smiles as he takes his position on the field.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! This time Smith does not miss out as he crunches this full delivery wide outside off through the cover region for a boundary. Lovely flowing shot!

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Short and wide, Smith tries to cut it powerfully but fails to do so as he hits it straight to Roy (sub) at cover-point.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Broad gets some inswing on this one. He pitches this one outside off, Smith makes the leave and then realizes that it is coming back in. It goes past the stumps but way too close for comfort.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Broad goes fuller this time, Smith pushes it powerfully towards the man at mid on.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Another one outside off, left alone by Smudge.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, Smith makes a comfortable leave.

Here is the birthday boy, Shane Warne, not taking off on his auspicious day. He is on air and tells something about Archer's bouncers. He reckons that Jofra is very effective due to the way he release his delivery. The leggie points out that his release is very late as he snaps his wrists at the very last moment, making it tough for the batsmen to pick. When the legend speaks, we listen and love it. Lovely insight in the technicalities of bowling.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith pushes this with soft hands towards cover and takes a single to retain strike.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another one on the pads, Smith flicks this one towards backward square leg and takes a couple.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Labuschagne, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer on the leg pole line, Labuschagne looks to duck under it and falls while doing it. He is down on the ground and having a laugh.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good ball to start off by Archer, he bowls this one on a good length just outside the off pole. It nips back in just a bit and hits the pads of Labuschagne but off the inside edge. The England players did go up for an appeal but soon realised there was an inside edge on it.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Outside off, Steven Smith lets the ball go through to Bairstow.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith, he flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Another fuller one outside off, Smith again pushes this towards cover.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Fuller this time, Smith punches this towards the man at cover who collects it on the bounce.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. FOUR! What a shot by Smith! A treat to the eyes! This is a short of a length ball outside off, Smith gets up on his toes and punches this square through point for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne chooses to leave this length ball outside his off pole.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish outside off, Labuschagne tries to block it out but it goes off the outside half of his bat towards point.

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

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith pushes this one towards mid on.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, left alone by Steven Smith

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer down the leg side, Smith ducks under it.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish on off, pushed towards the man at cover.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Broad pulls the length back on this one, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Uppish and over the gully fielder. Labuschagne played this shot a bit like Joe Denly. Full and wide outside off, Labuschagne looks to drive at this one but it goes off the outside edge uppishly towards backward point to the fence. The 50-run stand is up between the solid duo now!

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne blocks it back to the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to it.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Wide outside off stump, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. His numbers so far, 5-2-18-0.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, left alone by Smith.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good yorker by Archer on the leg pole. Labuschagne is quick to pick it up and flicks it towards fine leg for one.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, length ball. Left alone by Labuschagne.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne blocks it out.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Beautiful flick by Labuschagne! This one is full and on the off pole line, Marnus shuffles across and flicks this one through mid-wicket for a boundary. Lots of oohs and aahs by the English fielders! First boundary of the session this.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Starts by bowling a good length ball just outside the off pole line. Labuschagne knows exactly where his wickets are and shoulders arms to it.

Welcome back to the coverage of Day 2 of the final Ashes Test. The English players make their way out to the middle and they will be having just one objective on their mind, get Steve Smith out! He follows the English players alongside his partner Marnus Labuschagne and the latter will take strike. Jofra Archer to start the proceedings after Lunch for the hosts. He comes steaming in...

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

The day started well for the visitors as they completed the formalities and dismissed the two remaining English batters in the first five overs itself. Australia came out to bat with an 'extra positive' intent, with a run-hungry David Warner trying to pounce on every bad delivery. However, he failed in his attempt and fell to Jofra Archer. Harris too soon followed him back to the pavilion and since then, Labuschagne and Smith have tried to weather the storm. The pair has looked largely untroubled although Sam Curran has tested them with his left-arm angle. The current pair has built an unbeaten 41-run stand and will be looking to continue the good work against the English bowlers in the second session. On the other hand, England would be hoping to get at least one of them out, if not both, as soon as possible and then make further inroads into the Australian batting line-up. Do join us at 1340 local (1240 GMT) for all the action.

It's turning out to be the same old script! Australia suffering early blows and then a partnership involving Steven Smith trying to bail them out. Marnus Labuschagne has once again shown his mettle with the bat as he continues to impress everyone with his temperament and skill. There was a moment very early in his innings when he got a spike on his attempted pull shot and was caught behind but there was only a muted appeal from England. An early reprieve and this South Africa-born lad is trying to make full use of it.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Down the leg side this one, Smith looks to flick but misses and the ball carries to Bairstow. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2!

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, left alone by Smith.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Marnus, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Yorker to Labuschagne by Curran, he digs this one out at the last moment.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Length ball just outside the leg pole line, Smith shuffles and tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal by the England players but nothing serious. The ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters take a leg bye.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good bowling by Woakes. He pitches this one on a length and gets it to straighten. Labuschagne looks to block this one but the ball hits the splice of the bat and goes towards the slip cordon on the bounce.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Labuschagne.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot back towards the bowler.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! On middle and leg this one by Woakes, Labuschagne shuffles across and flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a boundary. This also bring up 50 runs for Australia.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Touch fuller this time, Labuschagne blocks it towards cover-point.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery just outside off, Labuschagne blocks this one out.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. And again. Smith shuffles across and wants to leave this one but the ball comes back in just a hint to hit him on the pads again. Impact is outside off. Testing over this one from Curran to the man in form.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball this time, pushed towards mid-wicket.

Steven Smith averages 29 against the inswing and 75.5 against the outswing. A stat shared by the on air commentators. Interesting. Aren't there any good inswinging bowlers to trouble Steven? Sam Curran seems to be getting some at the moment.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, left alone.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Bouncer now! Smith sways away from it.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. And again. Another appeal but nothing from the umpire once more. Smith is not sure which one is coming and which one is going away from him. A clueless Smith is a rarity. This is pitched around off. Smith shuffles across the off pole again but eventually doesn't play at it thinking that it will carry on with the angle of the bowler. But it straightens a bit to hit him flush on the pads. Skipper Root again has a word with the bowler and his mates but decides against the review. The Ball Tracker arrives and it shows that it was missing the off pole comfortably as it didn't come back enough into the batsman. Curran troubling Smith here. Good contest.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Huge appeal for an lbw but not given! Root is having a word with the bowler and suggesting that this might have been high. Decides against the review. Smith shuffles to work it down the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. England don't review and rightly so as the Ball Tracker rolls in to show that this was going over the off pole.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball around middle, blocked off the back foot by Labuschagne.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Another poor ball on the pads. Labuschagne stays in his crease and glances it towards the fine leg fence for another boundary. Replays showed that Bairstow made a diving attempt to his left but it was too far from his reach.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.

Chris Woakes to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! On the pads from Woakes. Labuschagne lunges forward and flicks this nicely through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Chris Woakes to Steven Smith. On the pads of Smith by Woakes, he flicks it towards deep square leg and takes a single.

Chris Woakes is into the attack now for the hosts. He has replaced Craig Overton in the side. Can he get the worthy wicket of Smith? He has 9 wickets this Ashes and would want to finish the series with a few more under his name.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller ball around off, driven firmly but straight to mid off.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel this time, Labuschagne lets it go to the keeper.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGY FOUR! Goes fuller this time and makes Labuschagne go for the drive. He goes for it but the ball takes the outside edge and flies between second slip and third slip and to the third man fence. There is a gap between the two slips and it went through that. Stokes made a diving attempt to his right at second slip but the ball eluded him.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side this time. Labuschagne looks to guide it with a glance but misses.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Quick single this time. Smith pushes this towards mid off and calls for a run instantly.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball around off, pushed back to the bowler by Smith.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Beaten! Bangs it in short, slightly. Labuschagne looks to work it away but the ball is angled into him. The ball sneaks past the inside half of his bat and heads over to the stumps. Lucky not to get an inside edge. Bairstow does well to pouch that one to his left.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Short one on the body, Labuschagne goes back and blocks.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Slightly shorter one but again outside off, Labuschagne is not bothered as he shoulders arms.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another ball outside off, Marnus makes another leave.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball again but too wide to make Labuschagne play. He lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around off, tapped towards mid off by Labuschagne.

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

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. FOUR! Excellent shot! Fuller ball outside off, Smith is not going to miss out on this one. He leans into the drive and thumps it through cover-point.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Curran is targeting the stumps as he delivers this fuller ball on middle, Smith does well to block off the front foot.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball on the pads, worked towards mid-wicket by Smith to get a couple.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Play and a miss! Smith looking slightly fishy here. Another fuller ball angling away from him. He wants to drive it but fails to put bat on ball. Curran here brings a different challenge for Smudge. His left-arm angle adds a different dimension to the English attack and the Australian talisman needs to be watchful about that, especially early on in his innings. Shuffling across the stumps too much might cost him as Curran has the ability to swing it back into the batsman as well.

Sam Curran to Steven Smith. Fuller ball outside off, Smith does his antics with the bat after leaving the ball.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Another leave as this is outside off on a good length.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel this time, Labuschagne covers his stumps and lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length around off, blocked off the back foot.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good shot from Smith. Slightly fuller around off, Smith drives this through covers nicely. The ball doesn't have the legs to reach the fence. Leach from cover hares after the ball and pulls it back in play. Interestingly, Leach, a left-hander, throws the ball with his right hand. Seems he is one of those ambidextrous cricketers. The Aussies need to be aware about that. Three runs added to the total.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Short ball outside off, Smith goes for the cut but finds the gully fielder on the bounce.

Oh hello? Nasser Hussain once again getting into the act. He starts by saying that if you think Ben Stokes hears everything, then you're wrong. Points out the fifth ball of the third over. Labuschagne there failed to connect with the pull shot to a ball down the leg side. There was only a muted appeal there by Bairstow and Stokes was just seen clapping. No one picked anything. But the Ultra Edge did. There was a spike. Big miss for England. Marnus is the batsman in form for the Aussies and has hurt the home team a few times in this series.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good length ball on the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Another ball outside off, Labuschagne lets it go to the keeper.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, left alone.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Appeal for a caught behind! Fuller ball outside off, Labuschagne goes for the drive but can't connect. Bairstow behind the wicket catches and appeals. Nothing from the umpire. Replays show that the sound was because of the bat hitting the ground. Good decision.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! CREAMED! Curran dishes a fuller ball outside off to Labuschagne. He leans into the drive and creams it through covers. He is looking in good touch here.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball angled into the batter, Labuschagne blocks this towards mid on.

Sam Curran to Marnus Labuschagne. Starts with a fuller ball around off, Labuschagne drives it towards point who does well to relay the ball towards the cover fielder on the dive. No runs taken.

Sam Curran is on now. This is the first time he is bowling in the Ashes and he will be looking to lay down a marker here. Taking the wicket of Steven Smith would especially go a long way in enhancing his reputation.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. In the channel outside off this time, Smith leaves it alone.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Wide outside off this time, Smith lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Smith is beaten again! Archer bangs one short and makes it shape away from Smith. He looks to crunch a cut but misses. A great battle between the two at the moment.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer from Archer. Smith ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Fuller ball this time, Smith walks across again to work it down the leg side but is hit on the pads.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Fuller ball around off, Smith strokes it back to the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good length ball around the fourth stump line, Smith works it through square leg for a run this time to get a single. 8 runs from the over.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Nicely done to get off the mark. Broad is targeting the stumps of Smith here. Smith reads that well and clips this fuller ball towards square leg to get a couple.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Another good length ball but this is too wide to make Smith play.

Stuart Broad to Steven Smith. Good length ball around off, Smith blocks it back to the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. A single to follow the boundary. Fuller one around off this time, Labuschagne pushes it towards point to get off strike.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Whipped off the pads from Marnus. Broad dishes a fuller ball on the pads of Labuschagne. He is not going to miss out on that one as it is flicked nicely through mid-wicket for another boundary.

Nasser Hussain points out the impact of Ben Stokes on the first wicket! No, he wasn't the bowler. He didn't even take the catch. But...but...but... It was his sharp ears that heard the edge at second slip and it was on his advice Joe Root took the review. The vice captain of the team did a commendable job there. Always alert, Mr. Ben!

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good length ball around off, Smith walks across the off pole and blocks well.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Good length ball outside off, tapped towards point.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Fuller around off this time, blocked nicely this time.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Shortens his length this time but it goes down the leg side. Smith lets it go.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Another fuller ball on middle, Smith pushes this back to the bowler who collects the ball and throws it back at the striker's end. That wasn't needed though as Smith never ventured out of the crease. Probably, Archer trying to send the message that Smith is a marked man.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Smith is beaten! Fuller ball around off, Smith goes for the drive but misses.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another fuller ball, Marnus strokes it straight to the mid on fielder.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller one on off this time, pushed back to Broad.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. This one is fuller, Labuschagne pushes this towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads this time. Labuschagne works it towards the leg side but Buttler at short leg is too sharp to let this one go through. Gets the ball and has a shy at the stumps but misses. Marnus never went out though.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish length ball this time, Marnus goes after it but misses.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Marnus lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Steven Smith. Bouncer to welcome Smudge! Smith ducks under it.

The next man is the maestro of Test batting, the modern day 'Don', Steven Smith. This is the wicket that the hosts would want the most and the crowd are trying their best to unsettle him early on in his innings.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. OUT! Caught! Archer strikes again! Australia in trouble early on as both the openers are back in the hut for them, yet again. Two outside edges fell short of the gully fielder but the third one goes straight to second slip. Stokes is superb in holding on to this one, very close to the ground. It is a good length ball closer to the off pole, Harris is squared up as he looks to block but the ball straightens a bit from there to take the outside edge. It flies to Stokes at second slip who takes it very low by going down. Australia have again started the innings very badly and need a big partnership now. David Warner is taking away all the criticism for his poor form and that has somehow protected Marcus Harris who has been equally poor in this series. Unlike Warner though, his time is running out with a few vying his spot in the Playing XI.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Slightly fuller this time from Archer. Harris looks to block but another outside edge goes towards Buttler at gully who does well to stop.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Good length ball on middle again, this one shapes a hint away. Harris looks to block but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards the fielder at gully on the bounce.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Outside off this time, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Good length ball angled into the batter, Harris looks to block but is hit on the pads. Too high to make an appeal for the LBW.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus is late in taking the bat away as the ball takes the toe end of the bat and goes to the keeper on the bounce. Lucky!

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller one middle and off this time, blocked off the front foot.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel this time, Labuschagne lets it go to the keeper.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one too.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball outside off, Labuschagne lets it through to Bairstow.

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

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. On the pads on a fullish length. Harris looks to work it down the leg side but can't get bat on ball. He takes one on the pads.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Fuller ball around off, Harris wants to drive but the ball takes the inner half of the willow and goes back to the bowler.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. In the channel on a good length. Harris lets it go to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Beaten! Superb ball this time. Good length and closer to the body and shaping away. Harris looks to block but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Jofra Archer to Marcus Harris. Fuller ball, pushed towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Gets the pull right this time. Banged short on middle by Broad, Labuschagne swivels and hammers the pull through the mid-wicket fence. Top shot that from Marnus.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Misses his line this time as this one goes down the leg side. Marnus wants to pull but misses. Bairstow does well to stop it by going to his left.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle, a fuller ball, Marnus works it down the leg side and wants two straightaway. There is an appeal for a run out at the striker's end but he is well in. He is off the mark with that.

Stuart Broad to Marnus Labuschagne. Appeal for an LBW but no review from England this time. Gets the ball to come back in with the angle. Marnus looks to work it down the leg side but is hit on the pads.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Harris is off the mark! Fuller ball on the pads, Harris tucks it nicely through mid-wicket to get three.

Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads on middle, Marnus looks to work it fine down the leg side but can't get bat on ball. He is hit high on the pads.

Marnus Labuschagne is the new man in for the visitors. Often he has had to come in very soon to the crease and this time it is no different.

Jofra Archer to David Warner. OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Warner has to walk back. Oh boy, is he disappointed? Is he angry? The look on his face seems like an obedient student who has just been asked to go home as a punishment from his school principal. Poor bloke. Cannot buy a run. Back of a length ball wide outside off, Warner is run-hungry as he throws his bat at it again but misses. There is no feet movement at all but a noise is generated as the ball goes past the bat. The slip cordon instantly appeals but there is nothing much from Bairstow. He appeals after seeing the others appealing. Root goes for the review after thinking for a while. The naked eye does not show much, as there seems to be a gap between bat and ball. The Ultra Edge is taking ages to arrive. Finally, it does and there's a tickle as the ball gets closer to the bat. Almost at the toe end. Warner has to walk back. For a change, not to Broad. He walks off with loud boos from the crowd. His poor run in the series continues. Exactly the kind of start the hosts would've wanted.

Review time! The hosts have reviewed for a caught behind after umpire Erasmus gave Warner not out. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat and maybe that is the reason Root has gone for the review. Ultra Edge comes in very late due to some technical issues and it is...

Jofra Archer to David Warner. Fuller ball this time. Warner strokes it straight to point.

Jofra Archer to David Warner. On the pads this time, Warner looks to work it down the leg side but is hit on the pads.

Jofra Archer to David Warner. EDGY FOUR! Archer goes fullish this time. Warner looks to drive but the ball takes a thick outside edge and it goes to the right of the diving gully fielder and through to the third man fence. First boundary for Warner and Australia.

Jofra Archer to David Warner. Archer starts with a good length ball, closer to off stump, Warner taps it towards point.

Jofra Archer it will be to bowl from the other end, sharing the new ball.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Too wide to make the batter play this time. Harris lets it go the keeper.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Fuller ball on middle this time, Harris pushes this towards mid off.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DENLY FAMILY! Michael Atherton (on air) just informs that Joe Denly is off the field, as he became a proud father overnight. There are a few substitutes on the field - Jason Roy and Craig Overton. The commentators were wondering as to why they are on the field and one is for Jack Leach. Why is he in the dressing room? No idea. Then Atherton asks who is the other man out. He is then informed about Joe Denly. What a feeling for the proud papa. Joe is up on his way to the ground though and is expected to arrive by 12.35 pm.

Stuart Broad to Marcus Harris. Good length ball around off, Harris blocks it towards point.

Stuart Broad to David Warner. No duck this time! Broad dishes this on a fuller length on middle, Warner pushes this towards cover and takes off for a run. Australia are underway too. David will be a relieved man, he bagged a pair in the last Test.

Stuart Broad to David Warner. Chases this time! Poor from Warner. He has been in that kind of form that he wants runs. This is a wide delivery outside off, wider than the last ball. Warner decides to go for it but misses.

Stuart Broad to David Warner. Broad starts with a good length ball outside off, Warner lets it go to the keeper. He has been Broad's bunny all Ashes. He would not want to fall for him again.

The Australian openers and the English players are near the boundary line, waiting for the umpires. The roller has also not left the field yet. Everyone eager to play. Let's get on with it.

A quick summary of the English second innings. After gaining a handy 69-run lead, their openers put on the first 50-plus stand of this Ashes and provided the platform. Post that, Joe Denly and Ben Stokes formed a century partnership with the former missing out on his maiden Test ton by a whisker. Australia were average throughout but in the last session of Day 3, they managed to pick 6 wickets to restrict England's charge somewhat. Nathan Lyon starred for them with a 4-wicket haul but the amount of turn he got from the surface will be bothering the Aussie batsmen already. Let's see how they approach the chase.

Heavy roller is on its way out as England are done within 20 minutes of Day 4! Australia didn't waste much time in picking the remaining two wickets and now will have to bat out of their skins to overhaul this enormous target of 399 runs. If they manage to do that, it will be the highest successful chase at The Oval and will hand them their first series win in England after 2001.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. OUT! CAUGHT! That is that as far as the English batting is concerned and Leach is the last man to be dismissed. Lyon tosses this one outside off, Leach gets down on one knee and goes for the slog sweep towards long on. But he top edges it and the ball balloons towards the left of mid on. Hazlewood moves across in that direction and gobbles it up before falling down in the process. The visitors have stopped England from crossing the 400-run mark and now the match relies on the Australian batters.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Lot of turn for Lyon again and Leach will be licking his lips here, waiting for his turn to bowl. Tossed up just outside off, Leach looks to defend it but it goes off the outside edge towards second slip on the bounce.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Tossed up on off, Leach blocks it out nicely towards the off side.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. This time Broad tries to defend but is squared up by the away swinging length delivery. 12 from the over!

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Cummins changes his line after a talk with his skipper, bowls it outside off. Broad goes for the slap but misses.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. SIX AGAIN! This one flies over mid-wicket! Too predictable by Cummins, Broad goes back and powers it over mid-wicket for a maximum. Important runs here for the hosts and they are now just 2 short of taking their lead to 400.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Another shorter one and Broad misses again. The umpire gives it one for the over.

Where is Steven Smith going? A long stop, right behind Tim Paine. You can call it a fly slip also. Bouncers and more bouncers, expect it.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. This time Broad misses but no harm done. Again a short ball, Broad tries to hook but misses.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. SIX! This time Broad connects and he has sent this one over in front of the square leg fence. Short again by Cummins to Broad, he goes for the pull and connects after two failed attempts. It sails over Siddle in the deep for a biggie. Broad going all guns blazing.

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

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Turning away from the batsman, Leach tries flicking against the spin and gets a leading edge. It rolls safely to backward point.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Skidding back into the left-hander from around off, Leach works it to backward square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Shortish and outside off, Leach tries cutting but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Tossed up ball outside off, left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Full and flighted on off, Leach pushes it towards point and looks for a run. He is sent back. Straightaway umpire Dharmasena gets into the act as Leach was running straight down the middle of the track. A friendly warning, teams can be penalized if their batsmen continue doing that.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. And again. Cummins continues to bang in short, it's around leg and middle, leaving the left-hander, Broad is just swinging his bat blindly in the hope to connect. Nothing doing. Pat starts with a wicket maiden!

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Swing and a miss! Broad won't die wondering. He is expecting a bouncer every time and has decided to have a go. Short and on middle, angling away, Stuart tries to pull but is beaten.

Pat Cummins to Stuart Broad. Short in length and on middle, rising onto the batsman, Broad stands tall inside the crease and taps it down in front of gully.

Stuart Broad is the last batsman for England.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. OUT! CAUGHT! Fortunes turned overnight for the Australian skipper in terms of the DRS! This time he does go for the review and it is a successful one! Jofra Archer is out of here and England are 9 down now. Again Cummins bowls this one down the leg side, Archer tries to flick this one but fails to connect. Paine collects and the Australian team put in a muted appeal. Skipper Paine thinks that Archer has edged that one. He takes a short while and goes for the DRS. Replays roll in, Ultra Edge comes into play, and YES, there is a spike as the ball passes the gloves. Umpire Erasmus has to overturn his decision and he gives Archer his marching orders. Paine gets his first review right after 13 failed attempts and he is a relieved man.

Review time! It's for a caught behind appeal which has been turned down by umpire Erasmus. Tim Paine thinks for a while and then goes for the DRS. On the first replay, it seems to be brushing the thigh pad but nopes, STOP THE PRESS, Paine has got it right. There is a slight tickle on Archer's gloves and it's well spotted by the Ultra Edge. Early success for Australia.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Short of a length near the shoulder, Archer tucks it towards short leg onto the ground. Well played this one.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Cummins starts the over with one down the leg side, Archer looks to flick this one but misses.

Pat Cummins to steam in from the other end. A short leg in place along with two men out in the deep on the leg side. Expect some short stuff!

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Leach is beaten for the third time in the over! Similar to the last two times, tossed up outside off, it spins and misses the outside edge. Good start for both the sides.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. This one is pitched outside off, Leach lets it through to Paine.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Tossed up around off, Leach goes for the sweep now but misses the ball completely.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. FOUR! First boundary of the day! A touch shorter this time, Leach goes onto the back foot, makes room for himself and slaps this through covers for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Huge turn! Another one on a good length, again Leach prods forward but he is beaten by the turn. Spin on offer for the GOAT here.

Nathan Lyon to Jack Leach. Flat and outside off, Leach looks to push at it but it turns away and beats the outside edge of Leach's bat.

The Australians are out on the field, led by skipper Tim Paine. They are taking their fielding positions as the English batters, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach follow them. Leach will face the first ball of Day 4 from Nathan Lyon who will start the proceedings for the visitors.

As for the hosts, they are way on top of the Kangaroos at the moment and Australia will need to pull a rabbit out of their hats if they want to stand any chance of winning this Test match. One might say, that the rabbit's name is Steven Smith. He has been stupendous throughout this series and will want to end it on a high as the Men Down Under look for their first series win on English soil since 2001. However, the task of chasing down such a big total is not a single person's job and he will need more than enough support from the other end. If there was ever a moment that Australia wanted David Warner to step up, this is it! Will it happen? Or will the Aussie batting order crumble under the pressure and fall apart? Stay tuned to find out!

The Three Lions lead Australia by a huge margin of 382 runs and will be looking to cross the psychological 400-run mark. On Day 3, after some bad use of the DRS (or no use) and some substandard fielding by Australia, England found themselves effectively at 262/2 at Tea. The turnaround started in the third session as Australia crawled back into the game by taking 6 wickets in the final session of the day. The 127-run stand between Stokes and Denly took the game away from the visitors and they will be hoping they can do something similar while they bat.

Welcome to Day 4 of the final Ashes Test match. England still have two wickets left and will be trying to swell their lead as much as they can before Australia can bowl them out. On the other hand, the task at hand for the visitors is quite straightforward. Take the remaining wickets as quickly as they can and then focus on the batting side of things. An enthralling day, and quite possibly, the final day of this Ashes awaits us!

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

The pitch is offering good assistance to the bowlers, mainly the spinners and the rough created on the surface will help Jack Leach later on. But this is something to look forward to after England's second innings batting closes. They still have two wickets in hand and would like to extend their lead more with plenty of time left in this Test match. What's in store for us on Day 4? Do join us at 1100 local (1000 GMT) to find out. Cheers!

Australia enjoyed a fine evening session by picking 6 wickets in it but England also managed to score quick runs and zoom their lead close to 400. The Aussies clearly have their backs to the wall and will need a record chase at this venue to fulfill their dreams of a Test series win in England since 2001.

After gaining a handy lead, the English openers produced a half century stand, something that eluded both sides throughout the series. Nathan Lyon tried to keep Australia in the reckoning with a couple of wickets after that but the century partnership between Ben Stokes and Joe Denly pushed the Aussies firmly on the back foot. The visitors were the culprit of dropping Stokes on 7 and not referring Denly's lbw appeal (when he was out). In general too, Australia did not use their reviews properly when given a chance to challenge the umpire's decision and that allowed England to rule the roost.

A cracking end to a batting dominated day at The Oval! England have parked themselves in the driver's seat in spite of losing wickets in a flurry in the last session. They have extended their lead to 382 runs and have the power to call the shots in this Test match.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Another rising delivery around off but Archer stays tall to this one and blocks it well. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Almost! Cummins bowls another bumper on the body. Leach hops to work it down the leg side. He does so but the ball is in the air as it goes past Cameron Bancroft, the substitute at short leg. Can't call it a chance as this went away quickly. Leach gets a single and would be happy that he is not going to face the last ball of the day.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. And again. Leach is right up to the bounce of the ball to block. This was banged on middle too. Good over so far but equally well played by Leach. Two more balls remaining in the day for the survival.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. And another one. This time the umpire signals one for the over. Cummins bangs this one short on middle and makes it to shape away. Leach drops his hands to sway away.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Another bumper and a good one as well. This is pitched on middle and it goes closer to the head of Leach. Jack stands tall and fends it off.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Cummins continues bowling the bumpers. This is again on the leg side. Archer works it behind square leg for a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. Gets this one to land on the rough and it spins in to hit the pads of Leach. A muted appeal but nothing serious from the Aussies.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. On the pads, worked towards square leg.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. Flatter one, this turns miles away as Leach looks to push but misses.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. Good block in the end from Leach. He advanced down the track and Marnus saw that as he darted this one on the pads. Pushed towards mid on by Leach.

Marnus Labuschagne to Jack Leach. Looks for the rough straight away but can't land it there. Leach blocks it towards cover.

Marnus Labuschagne is back into the attack. He replaces Peter Siddle. He has three fielders in catching positions, a short leg, a leg slip and a slip.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Back of a length again, Leach looks to block but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through point and gully. They take a run. Leach retains strike.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Another back of a length ball but this one is down the leg side. Archer tucks it fine down the leg side and gets off strike.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Bouncer on the body. Archer does well to block it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Jack Leach. Fuller on the pads, Leach strokes it nicely through mid on for three this time. The running between the wicket gets appreciation from skipper Joe Root from the pavilion.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Another back of a length ball on the body, this time Archer gets bat on ball. Not with proper timing as the ball goes towards square leg aerially. Jofra is off the mark with that single.

Pat Cummins to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball on the body, Archer looks to fend it away awkwardly but he his eyes are off the ball as he does that. No contact made.

Pat Cummins is into the attack after just one over from Marsh.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Back of a length on the body, Leach stands tall and blocks it onto the pitch. A wicket maiden!

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Fuller one on middle, Leach pushes this towards mid on.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Back of a length on the body, Leach manages to fend it away awkwardly.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Around off, Leach's block is met with a loud cheer from the crowd.

Peter Siddle to Jack Leach. Around middle on a good length, Leach defends it out.

Jack Leach is the next man in for the hosts. He comes out following a huge roar from the crowd. They have loved him throughout this Ashes and they are showing it in his last innings here.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. OUT! Another blinder at square leg and Buttler is outta here now! This time it's Smith's apprentice, Marnus Labuschagne. No back-to-back half centuries for Buttler. Back of a length ball around middle, this one does not rise enough but Buttler still goes for the pull. He gets the top half of his bat on this one and the ball goes high in the air towards square leg. Marnus Labuschagne runs forward from the deep, dives and pouches this one inches above the ground. A very handy knock from Buttler comes to an end. The hosts are now 374/8 now effectively and Australia are now into the English tail.

Jofra Archer is the next man in for the Three Lions.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. OUT! A Smith blinder to send Woakes packing! You can't keep this man out of the picture for a long time. Absolute stunner this one! Flying like Superman! Marsh dishes this one fuller and outside off, Woakes goes for the drive but the ball takes the outside edge of his blade and flies wide of Steven Smith at second slip. He throws his right hand at the ball and snaffles it brilliantly. Great effort. Made that look so easy. England lead by 374 at the moment and hence Australia aren't celebrating too much!

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. Wide outside off this time. Left alone by Woakes.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. Good length around off, Woakes taps it towards point.

Mitchell Marsh to Chris Woakes. On middle this time, Woakes keeps it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Fuller around off, Buttler drives it wide of the long off fielder. Cummins there dives to save a certain boundary. A good save that one from him late in the day. It's a half stop and Buttler gets a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Wide outside off, Buttler lets it be.

Mitchell Marsh is back on! He replaces Pat Cummins into the attack for the final burst of the day. His figures so far are 10-1-39-1.

Peter Siddle to Chris Woakes. Fuller around off, pushed towards Lyon at cover.

Peter Siddle to Chris Woakes. Good length ball, closer to the off pole, Woakes is right behind the line of the ball as he defends it out.

Peter Siddle to Chris Woakes. Another back of a length ball around off, Woakes stands tall and blocks.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Pulled away for a single through mid-wicket. Siddle bangs this one short around off. Buttler walks across the off stump before the ball is delivered and pulls it nicely for a single.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Around off on a good length, Buttler drives it straight to cover.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Good length ball around off, Buttler pushes this towards mid off.

Peter Siddle is back into the attack now. His figures so far are 11-3-51-1. Not too impressive for a bowler of his caliber.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Another ball on off, Buttler pushes it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball closer to the off pole this time, Buttler hops to block it out.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Around off, blocked towards mid on.

Pat Cummins to Chris Woakes. Back of a length ball on middle, Woakes works it behind square leg for an easy single.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Another good length ball, this one is pitched around off, it jags back in and hits Buttler high on the thigh pad. They go for a quick leg bye as the ball goes towards short leg.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on middle, it goes down the leg side with the angle. Buttler goes for the flick but misses.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Woakes shows the full face of the bat and defends this ball out confidently.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball on off, pushed towards cover-point for a single. Woakes on strike for the last ball. England have now scored 300 runs in their second innings and the lead is now 369.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. EDGED AND FOUR! Runs flowing now! A good length ball outside off, Buttler looks to have a push at it but it goes off the outside edge towards the third man region for a boundary. It bisects the second slip and gully fielders on its way.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Lovely shot by Buttler! Full and wide outside off, Buttler takes a step forward and drives this one through the cover region for a boundary. Creamed it!

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. A bit fuller this time, pushed towards the man at mid on by Buttler.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Length ball on the hips of Woakes, he tucks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Outside off this time, Buttler shoulders arms.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball, angled into the batter, Buttler looks to work it down the leg side but he is late into the shot. The ball hits him high on the pads and rolls towards gully.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Crunched through the covers. Slightly fullish and just outside off, Jos leans into the drive and crunches it through the covers to get a boundary. He races to 35 with that four.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Another fullish length ball, Buttler strokes it uppishly towards mid off. Falls too short of the fielder though.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Slightly fuller, Buttler blocks it towards the off side.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length ball in the channel. Buttler looks to push it on the off side but is beaten by the away movement.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Length ball around off, Woakes defends it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Bumper this one but too high as Woakes ducks under it.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length around off, blocked towards cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Chris Woakes. Good length ball around off, Woakes has a poke at the ball but it shapes away from his hanging bat and goes straight to Paine.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Around off this time, Buttler taps it past the diving gully fielder to take one.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on middle, Buttler clips it towards square leg and races for a couple. Very good running between the wickets. Paine wasn't happy with that effort from Cameron Bancroft who is on the field for Marcus Harris.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. He partners Pat Cummins as usual.

Pat Cummins to Chris Woakes. Around off on a good length, blocked.

Pat Cummins to Chris Woakes. FOUR! Another one going down the leg side. Woakes doesn't get a tickle. In fact, he flicks this from the middle of the bat through to the fine leg region for a boundary. Woakes is off the mark and takes the English lead past the 350-run mark.

Chris Woakes is the new man in for the hosts. Buttler will be asking Woakes to stick with him and stitch a good stand here.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. OUT! Gone this time around the pads. The new ball has worked for Australia as Cummins gets his first wicket of the innings. Not a great delivery to be honest but Pat won't mind. He bowls it on a good length but this one goes down the leg side. Curran goes for the flick but this time he does get a fine tickle on it as the ball goes to the right of Paine behind the wickets. He dives across and holds onto a fine catch. A good grab from the Aussie skipper. England lead by 348 runs with 4 wickets in hand.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Bumper down the leg side. Curran misses his flick. Paine catches it, makes it look like there is a a tickle down the leg side but nothing on it.

Pat Cummins to Jos Buttler. Good length on middle, tucked towards the leg side for a single by Buttler.

Pat Cummins to Sam Curran. Goes for the bumper straightaway but Curran does well to pull this behind square leg for a single.

The second new ball is available now as the 80 overs are completed in this innings. Australia have taken the new ball as well at the first opportunity and Pat Cummins will be the one to start off with it. There is still some pace and bounce on the pitch and Cummins will be looking to extract it.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Sprays this one down the leg side. Paine does well to collect that one as Buttler leaves it alone.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flatter one around off, blocked.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. On the pads this time, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Beaten! Lands this one middle and makes it spin away from the poke of Curran. Lucky not to get an edge on that one.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Looped up on middle, Curran keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Slightly shorter length, Buttler pushes this towards point to get a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Fuller ball, pushed towards mid on. 14 runs from this over. Australia are tiring!

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Great effort from Cummins at long on. Paine came up to the stumps on this ball. Marsh pitches this up to Buttler. He flicks it uppishly through mid on. The ball is racing to the fence but Cummins from mid-wicket chases it down and saves a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Around off on a good length, Curran pushes this through point to get a single this time.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. FOUR! Another fuller ball outside off, Curran throws his bat and gets an outside edge which flies through gully and point for another boundary.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. FOUR! Overpitched by Marsh and punished by Curran! Fuller and outside off, Curran gets into position to drill this one through covers to get a boundary. On the charge it seems.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Shortish ball, Curran pulls this one in front of square leg nicely. The ball goes towards the fence but Lyon from fine leg hares after the ball, makes a diving stop and saves a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Floated one on middle, Buttler pushes it back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. On the pads of Curran, he guides it towards square leg for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Flatter one on middle and leg, Buttler lunges to block but the ball takes the inner half and goes past the short leg fielder for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Loopy fuller ball, Buttler strokes it straight to mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Floated on middle and leg, clipped towards mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Bowls a fuller ball on off, blocked easily by Buttler.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Fuller and slightly outside off, Buttler looks to drive but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through point and gully for a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Around off on a good length, Buttler looks to block towards mid-wicket but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards square leg.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. On middle, pushed back to the bowler by Buttler this time.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Gets the line right this time. Closer to off, blocked towards cover.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Looks for the yorker but sprays this one down the leg side. Buttler goes for the flick but misses.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, left alone by Buttler this time.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Flatter around off, Curran taps it towards cover.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Shorter one on middle, Curran stays back to work it towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Beaten! Lovely ball. It is turning away from the push of Curran who plays down the wrong line.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. On the pads, tucked towards the leg side.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Flighted one on middle, Curran pads it away. Lyon appeals but the umpire doesn't agree. The Ball Tracker rolls in to show that this was going to miss the off pole.

Nathan Lyon to Sam Curran. Darted one on middle, Curran keeps it out.

DRINKS! Three wickets in the first half of the final session for Australia. They were on the mat at Tea but they have done well to crawl back. Stokes was cleaned up by a beauty from Lyon while Joe Denly fell 6 short of his maiden Test ton. Bairstow and Buttler came out with positive intent but Marsh sent Bairstow packing soon. Buttler was also out LBW but Australia opted not to take a review and that is why he is still on the crease along with Sam Curran. They will be looking to come out all guns blazing after the Drinks break while the visitors will be looking to continue on their wicket-taking momentum.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Length ball outside off, pushed towards point by Curran and he takes a single to retain strike.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Another swing and a miss! Outside off again, Curran once more looks to cut it towards point but misses it.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Wide outside off, Curran goes for a swing at it but misses the ball altogether.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Fuller this time by Marsh, Curran pushes this towards mid on.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. This time behind a good length on the off pole line to Curran, he defends it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Jos Buttler. Good length ball on the off pole, it comes back in a hint. It goes off the inner half of his bat towards square leg and the batters take one.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Fuller ball on off, driven toward long on for a single.

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

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Buttler is rapped in front of the stumps as Lyon and Australia appeal. The umpire does not agree. Skipper Paine and Lyon get together to check if they need to go upstairs. They decide against it. This is flatter and quicker! Buttler goes back to work it down the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. Whoa! The Ball Tracker arrives and again, it shows Three Reds. Another missed opportunity from Paine and Australia. They probably thought this was too high to be reviewed but that wasn't the case. How costly can this be for them? Because Buttler can add runs very quickly.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. On middle, Buttler blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Beautifully done! Flighted ball on a fullish length. Buttler takes one step forward and drills this one through the covers for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jos Buttler. Darts quicker one around off, blocked onto the pitch on the leg side.

Nathan Lyon back on now! He has three wickets in his kitty and with the way it's going, he would eye a fifer. Also, the second new ball will be due shortly and Tim Paine wants to get there quickly.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Wide ball outside off, Curran goes for a slash but misses the ball altogether.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. On the pads of Curran, he flicks it towards square leg and gets a couple to get off the mark.

Mitchell Marsh to Sam Curran. Back of a length delivery outside off, pushed towards point.

Sam Curran walks into the middle now. He came out with ultra aggressive intent with the bat in the first innings but failed to play a handy knock. He would try to make use of this innings with England under no pressure.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! CAUGHT! That's a clean catch and Bairstow has to go back! The budding partnership is broken and Mitchell Marsh takes his first wicket of the second innings. This one is on a length and outside off, Bairstow looks to block this one off the back foot but gets an outside edge on it. It goes low towards the left of Steven Smith at first slip where he takes a very good low catch. Paine did dive to his right and that might have blind-sided Smith a bit but he still hung onto it. There was a doubt in the umpire's minds as to whether that was a clean catch or not. Jonny also holds his ground in hope. The two umpires get together before going upstairs. The soft signal is given as out. The third umpire looks at the replays and agrees with the on field decision. The hosts lose their fifth wicket and a mini-collapse looks to be on the cards here. Lead is 318 runs!

Steven Smith has taken a good low catch at slip or has he? Bairstow is holding his ground as he thinks this might have landed just short of Smith. The umpires converge and refer it upstairs. However, the soft signal is out. And, that will remain out as Smith has grabbed that nicely, inches above the turf, as confirmed by the replays.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. This time Bairstow does manage to get behind the line of the delivery and defends it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball bowled by Marsh first up, it jags back in. Bairstow looks to defend but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Mitchell Marsh into the attack now replacing Cummins after just one over. With new ball just 8 overs away, Paine wants Cummins, his leading wicket-taker to stay fresh.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball on middle and off, blocked by Jos.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. BEATEN! Good ball by Hazlewood! Length ball just outside off, Buttler looks to fend at it but does so inside the line. It nips away and beats the outside edge of Buttler's bat. Unplayable says the commentator on air.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Fuller and on the off pole line, Buttler pushes this one towards mid on.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Down the leg side, Buttler looks to flick but misses it.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Full and wide outside off, Buttler pushes this with ease towards covers and takes a couple.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, left alone by Jos.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Great cut by Bairstow again! Length ball wide outside off by Cummins, Bairstow cuts this one through cover-point for a cracking boundary.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller this time outside off, JB pushes this towards mid off.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball above the off pole, Bairstow pushes this one back towards the bowler.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball outside off, Bairstow confidently leaves it alone.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Jonny.

Pat Cummins to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Good length ball just outside off, Cummins is welcomed into the attack in style by Bairstow as he dispatches this one towards the cover region for a boundary.

Pat Cummins is back on! 13-4-27-0 so far for him.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, left alone by Buttler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball outside off, Buttler tries to push it away from his body but misses the line of the delivery and is beaten.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball on middle and off, Buttler pushes it back towards the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. On the pads of Buttler, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a couple.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler. Length ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid on off the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. He is still looking for a wicket this innings. His numbers so far, 15-5-42-0.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Cut away! This is short and outside off, Bairstow goes onto his back foot and cuts it away through point for a boundary. An expensive over this, 15 off it.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. On the pads this time, Buttler flicks this one off his pads towards mid-wicket and takes three. With this, the lead for England crosses the 300-run mark.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Length ball on the off pole, blocked out by Buttler.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Great timing but it wasn't far away from Siddle's left hand. Bowls slightly on the good length, Buttler thumps it down the ground, and past the left side of Siddle. The ball races to the fence. Back-to-back boundaries for Buttler.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. FOUR! Punched off the back foot. Slightly shortish ball, Buttler gets on top of the bounce and slaps it through covers for his first boundary.

Peter Siddle to Jos Buttler. Fuller around off, Buttler strokes it straight to mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Flighted one on the pads this time, Bairstow can't get bat on ball this time and is hit on the pads. A muted appeal but nothing serious.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Another one which is slightly short. Another clip straight to the short leg fielder.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Slightly shortish one this time, Bairstow stays back and tucks it towards the short leg fielder.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Around off but Bairstow looks to sweep. Can't get bat on ball and is hit on the pads outside the line of off pole.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Flatter one around off, Bairstow keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Darts one on middle, Bairstow works it towards the mid-wicket.

Jos Buttler is the new man in for England. The platform is set for him to take on the Aussie bowlers yet again. If he gets going, we will be in for a thrilling experience.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. OUT! CAUGHT! Paine coming up to the stumps before this ball has worked in Australia's favour. Denly is out of here and he has missed out on his ton by just 6 runs! This is a touch fuller and just outside off, this time Siddle gets it to straighten a shade. Denly has a poke inside the line and edges it behind. It brushes Paine's pads and loops up to Steven Smith who is stationed at first slip. No mistake this time by Smudge. Denly has to take the long walk back to the pavilion. He is looking disappointed but the crowd is giving him a standing ovation. He has done a great job for his team and put the hosts in a commanding position in this match. England are just 9 runs short of taking their lead to the 300-run mark.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot on the off side.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. FOUR BYES! Peach of a delivery by Siddle! This has cut Denly in half! Some nerves maybe as he gets closer to his ton. This is again on a good length, again coming back in. Denly looks to defend off the front foot but misses as the ball goes between his body and bat, just over the leg pole and past the diving Tim Paine. It goes into the fine leg fence for four byes.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. A loud appeal by Siddle but denied by the umpire! This is a good length ball on off, it jags back in. Denly takes a step down the track and looks to flick but misses. Siddle and the Australian players appeal but nothing from the umpire. They opt against taking the review. Replays roll in and the Ultra Edge shows no bat. Ball Tracker comes in now and shows that this was missing leg. Good decision by the umpire.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Another length ball, blocked out by Denly.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Length ball just outside off, Denly opens the face of his bat and pushes this towards point. Maybe there was a run on there but the batters opt against it.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Last ball of the over, the batsman defends it from within the crease. Denly on strike for the next over now.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Shorter this time, blocked by Bairstow.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Floated on middle and off, Bairstow pushes it back towards Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Floated on off, pushed towards mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Innovative from Bairstow! Floated outside the off pole this time, very full. Bairstow goes down on one knee in an attempt to sweep the ball but opens up the face of the bat at the last moment. He guides it towards third man for a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Jonny Bairstow. Short this time just outside off, Bairstow flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Sprays down the leg side this time. Paine can't collect it cleanly to his left. The ball goes off his gloves towards fine leg for a bye.

Peter Siddle to Jonny Bairstow. Beaten first ball! Good length ball around off. It pitches and shapes away as it gets closer to Bairstow's push.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Slightly shorter and Denly goes to cut but gets an inside edge. The ball goes towards the fine leg region. He takes one and is now just 6 away from his maiden Test ton.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. One more ball around off, Denly lunges to block it towards cover.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Another fullish ball around off, Denly drives it straight to mid off.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Fuller one, closer to off pole, Denly blocks it towards the off side.

Jonny Bairstow walks out to the middle. Interesting to see what approach he opts to score his runs.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. OUT! TIMBER! What a beauty this one, a spinner's dream ball! Finally the 127-run partnership is broken and Lyon gets his third! This one was tossed up by Lyon on middle and leg, it pitches and spins away from the blade of Stokes as he is onto the front foot in defense. Stokes is completely squared up by this one and it beats the outside edge of his blade before meeting the stumps. A sensational delivery to get rid of Stokes but is it too late for Australia? Appears so. England are right now effectively 283/3.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Good ball by Lyon. He pitches this one on the off pole line and gets it to straighten. Stokes looks to block it but he gets a slight outside edge onto it. The ball brushes the pads of Paine before looping over Smith at first slip.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Another one on the pads, pushed towards square leg as the batters take one.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Denly pushes this one off his pads towards mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. On middle and leg this time, Denly flicks this one towards mid-wicket. Labuschagne from deep mid-wicket runs in and tries to collect the ball but fumbles and that allows the batters to take two.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and floated on middle, played back towards the bowler.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Bang! Wide outside off, Stokes slaps this one through covers and it races to the fence. 13 runs off the over.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, Stokes cuts this one towards backward point and takes two. Bancroft, the substitute fielder, from point runs after it and does the mopping up job.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Powerfully driven by Stokes this time! Full and on middle and off, Stokes gets onto the front foot and drives this one down through mid on for a boundary.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Stokes defends this length ball from within the crease.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Denly moves into the 90s now with this shot! Length ball outside off by Siddle, Denly opens the face of his bat and guides this one through point and gully. Lyon from gully hares after it, puts in a dive and saves a run for his side as the batters take three.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Similar ball, similarly played out by Stokes towards the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short in length, Stokes blocks this one out.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. On the pads this time, flicks towards fine leg and gives his vice-captain the strike.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. FOUR! Denly comes down the track this time and powers this one down the ground past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Stays back this time, pushes this one towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and floated on off, Denly comes down the track pushes this one towards mid off.

Nathan Lyon into the attack! He is the man with the two wickets. Can he break this stand?

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Wide outside off this one, Stokes shoulders arms.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Good length outside off, Stokes looks to drive but can't get the timing right as the ball goes towards the mid off fielder.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Another good length ball on middle, Stokes tucks it towards square leg.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Good length ball, angled into the left-hander. Stokes looks to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pad.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Gets closer to the off pole this time on a good length. Stokes taps it towards cover.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Good length ball around off, Stokes lets it go to the keeper.

The Aussies are in a huddle and are getting some pep talk by their skipper. They take their positions in the field now. Joe Denly and Ben Stokes are already out in the middle. Peter Siddle to start for Australia with the ball, Stokes to take the strike first up. Joe Denly, on the other end, will be looking to score at least the 18 runs first up so that he can get to his maiden Test ton and then carry on from there.

... Day 3, Session 3 ...

A session thoroughly dominated by England! They have extended their lead to 262 runs and are in a very dominating position in this Test match. Joe Denly and Ben Stokes are amidst a century stand and that has propelled the Three Lions. Australia tried hard but without any success. They did have a couple of chances to dismiss both the current batsmen but failed to take that. Ben Stokes was dropped on 7 by Steven Smith and then the lbw appeal of Joe Denly was not referred by Tim Paine when he was out. The visitors have themselves to blame for all these things. Currently staring down the barrel, the Aussie would be still hopeful of bouncing back in the evening session just like on the first day. Let's see if they succeed. Do join us at 1600 local (1500 GMT).

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Another one darted on the leg stump, Denly pads it away again and walks off unharmed to TEA ON DAY 3.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Another one darted from outside leg, Denly is behind the line in defense.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Another one padded away by Denly as it pitched outside leg. Labuschagne wants to use the rough but he is unable to do so.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Leading edge but lands safely. Flighted one around off, Denly looks to push it towards the leg side but the ball takes the leading edge and goes towards cover.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Darts one on the pads, Denly pads it away.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Pitched outside off, spinning into the left-hander, Stokes goes back and guides it towards fine leg for a run.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Good length ball on middle, jagging back in. Denly looks to block this one but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. FOUR! Denly comes out of his crease this time, converts this good length ball into a fuller one and creams this one through the cover region for a boundary. Labuschagne does hare after the ball, puts in a dive, but in vain.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Length ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid off.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Again outside off, Stokes plays this one towards backward point and takes a single.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. This time outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Length ball on the off pole line, Stokes stands tall and blocks it out.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Pitched outside leg this one, Stokes pads it away.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. FOUR! Full toss this time, Marnus walks across the leg stump by a step and drills the drive to the right of the diving Labuschagne. The ball races to the long on fence. The boundary brings up the 100-run stand between the two.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Shorter one this time, Stokes pulls it towards deep square leg to take a run.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Pitched on the rough and came back in. Stokes looks to work it towards the off side but is hit on the pads. A muted appeal follows but nothing from the umpire. The Ball Tracker shows that it was missing the leg stump. Marnus was there asking the umpire whether Ben offered the shot as his bat was hiding behind the pads. The umpire didn't drop any hint and Paine also wasn't in the mood to take the DRS. Anyway, it's missing leg. End of story.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Flighted outside off, on the rough, Stokes works it down the leg side.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Edged but short! Good length ball again, it is closer to the off pole so Denly plays at it. The ball takes the outside edge but drops just ahead of the diving skipper Paine.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. FOUR! Easy pickings! On the pads on a fuller length, Denly whips it off the toes and through to the mid-wicket fence.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Beaten! Good length ball in the channel, it is closer to the off pole. Denly goes for the poke but misses. The ball whizzes past the bat and to the keeper.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. Good length ball this one, it is angled into the batter. Denly looks to push it towards the leg side but fails to put bat on ball. He is hit on the pads.

Peter Siddle to Joe Denly. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Peter Siddle to Ben Stokes. Good length outside off, pushed towards point for a single.

Peter Siddle is back into the attack. Just the 4 overs for him so far in the innings. Wondering what Tim Paine is saving him for as he is one of their three frontline pacers?

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Fuller on the pads, almost yorker, Denly keeps out.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Flighted ball, Stokes works it down the leg side and wants a quick run. Wade gets to the ball and goes for the shy at the non-striker's end but misses. A direct hit would have been tight.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Shortish ball, Stokes is in an awkward position as he looks to block it. The ball drops very close to the short leg fielder. Bancroft there can't get to the ball.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. SIX! Hammered over the mid on fence to get to his half century! Stokes dances down the track to this flighted ball and converts it into a full toss and nails a six over the fence. This is his 19th half century in Tests. He was dropped on 7 by Smith and has made sure that Australia regret it.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Loopy ball on middle, tapped towards mid-wicket by Stokes.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Short and wide from Hazlewood. Stokes slaps this past point. The ball races to the fence but Labuschagne hares from the third man position and dives to save a run. The batters take three.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Goes round the wicket to Stokes and dishes this in the channel outside off, Stokes leans to push but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Bouncer around off, Denly swivels to pull but the ball takes the inside edge and goes towards square leg for a single. The single brings up Denly's highest score in Tests.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good length ball on off, pushed back to the bowler by Denly this time.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller around off, Denly drives it firmly but can't beat the cover fielder.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Bouncer on middle, Stokes pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. This time on the pads to Stokes, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single too. He keeps strike.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed towards mid-wicket for a single by Denly.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Run out chance missed! This is tossed up on off, Stokes pushes this towards mid on and sets off for a single. Denly is late to respond but obliges. Wade from mid on hares at the ball, picks it up and has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. Tim Paine fails to collect the ball as he whips the bails off with his gloves. Denly might have been in danger had Wade struck with the direct hit.

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

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Through the gate! Labuschagne tosses this one up nicely outside off. It pitches on the rough and turns back in sharply. Stokes looks to push it towards mid off but it goes between his bat and pad, missing the off pole. Paine too is unable to collect it and it goes towards fine leg as the batters take two.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Flat and on the off pole, blocked out by Stokes.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller around off this time, Denly is solid with his block again.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller this time, pushed towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good length around off, tapped towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Back of a length ball on middle, blocked back to the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good leave that one! On a length this ball, pitched around off and came into the batter. Denly covered the stumps and shouldered arms.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Appeal but not sure if that was for a catch. It has pitched way outside off on the rough and turns into the batter. Stokes looks to reverse sweep but plays all over the ball. The Ball Tracker arrives to show that this was missing the stumps by quite a big margin. Another good call not to refer it.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Flighted and fuller, pushed wide of the bowler for a single through mid off.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Another ball around off, another block towards the off side by Denly.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Flighted one on middle, pushed towards the off side.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ben Stokes. Marnus dishes a full toss on middle, Stokes pushes it towards mid on for a single.

Why did Tim Paine not go for the review when Joe Denly was trapped right in front of the stumps in the 45th over? Nasser Hussain (on air) tries to understand that. So, he finds out when the ball meets the pads of Joe Denly, Paine, as a keeper didn't move a lot. Meaning he didn't have the idea of which way the ball is going. Either his reviewing technique or the keeping technique is at fault, quips Nasser.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Outside off, left alone by Denly this time. A good leave as he had covered his stumps.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Fuller one around off, driven straight to mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Good length ball around off, Stokes taps it through point to get three. Cameron Bancroft, the substitute, hares after the ball and saves a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Fuller ball, pushed towards the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Huge appeal for LBW! The umpire is unmoved. Australia do not opt for the review again. Hazlewood hurls in a good length ball around leg and takes it away with the angle. Stokes walks across the stumps in his attempt to flick it on the leg side. But Stokes misses and is rapped on the pads. They put in an unsuccessful appeal and then Tim decides not to take the DRS again. This time it's a fair call by the Aussie skipper. The Ball Tracker shows that this one is missing the off pole.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Starts with one outside off, Stokes lets it be.

Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. Australia need him to step up big time if they want to stand any chance of pulling this game back in their favour.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. FOUR! Up and over the mid off fielder. This time Denly gets to the pitch of the ball to loft it over the mid off fielder. For one moment, Denly would've had his heart in his mouth seeing the mid off fielder leaping to take the catch but this was over his attempt.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Uppish but wide of Labuschagne. Flighted ball on off, Denly pushes it to the left of Marnus who dives to his left but can't catch that. Mid off stops and no runs taken.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Slightly shorter, pushed back to the point fielder.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. On middle, blocked back to the bowler.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. Flatter around off, blocked by coming forward.

Marnus Labuschagne to Joe Denly. FOUR! Darts one on the pads to Denly. He glances it fine down the leg side and the ball races to the fence. No chance for the deep square leg fielder there.

Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack now. One part-time spinner to another part-time spinner it seems now.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Fuller this time, pushed towards mid-wicket.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Denly. Good length on middle, worked towards square leg for a run.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Denly. FOUR! Cut away! Short and wide. Denly goes back and bisects the cover and point fielder with his cut to get a boundary. Too shot that one.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Denly. On the pads, tucked towards mid on.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Bouncer! Was that off the pads? No, the umpire gives it as runs. Stokes goes to pull it but gets a bottom edge onto the pads. The ball balloons towards short fine leg but Paine can't get there. They take a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Fuller one around off, driven straight to mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Floated outside off, pushed towards cover-point.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Denly has defended this one off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes pushes this towards mid on for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up outside off, Stokes pushes this towards cover.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and floated outside off, blocked out by Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Stokes gets onto the back foot to this length ball, pushes it towards cover with soft hands and takes a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, Stokes gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it out.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle and off, blocked out by Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, left alone by Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Full and on the pads, Stokes pushes it towards mid-wicket.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Stokes goes to push at it towards cover but it goes off the outer half towards backward point as the ball races to the fence. The 50-run stand is up with this boundary between Stokes and Denly.

DRINKS! England continue to tighten their grip in the game. Denly has moved to his half century while Stokes is racing along nicely. The duo has added 48 runs between them and would want to continue going upwards. Australians have not looked threatening. Interestingly, Marsh, their star bowler of the first innings has just bowled 4 overs until now. He returned to trouble the batters. He had Denly plumb in front of the wickets but the umpire didn't agree with him and the Aussie skipper didn't go for the review either. Also, Stokes has been dropped off the bowling of Nathan Lyon by Steven Smith. One thing everyone can agree on is that Australia are not taking the chances that fall their way. How costly will that turn out to be? Let us see.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Quicker one again, Denly looks to block but misses to get hit on the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Quicker and fuller, pushed towards mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Another solid block from Denly to this flatter delivery on the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Flighted on off this time, Denly pushes it back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flighted ball on the pads, Stokes works it through mid-wicket. He wants two straightaway but decides against it seeing the rushing fielder. Just one added to the scoreboard.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter around middle, blocked nicely by Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh to Joe Denly. Loud appeal by the Australians but denied by umpire Erasmus! This looks plumb to the naked eye but let's see. This is pitched just outside off, it comes back in with the angle. Denly looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the front pad. Marsh along with his teammates put in a loud appeal but the umpire has denied it. Tim Paine has a long chat with his bowler but decides against the review. Now with 2 reviews in hand, they might as well should have gone for it. Replays roll in, Ultra Edge confirms no bat. Ball Tracker now comes in and shows THREE REDS! Australia have missed a trick here as Denly is going good and it looks like luck is on his side too.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes flicks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Length ball on middle and leg, Stokes looks to block it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. BEATEN! Stokes goes to play this one towards the off side but is beaten by the away movement as the ball goes past his outside edge.

Mitchell Marsh to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, left alone by Stokes.

Mitchell Marsh into the attack now! Just 3 overs for him this innings so far. Can he break this stand? He nearly broke his own hamstring on the first day.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes pushes this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single to retain strike.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. SIX! What a shot by Stokes! This one is tossed up on middle and off, Stokes gets down on one knee and properly slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. Umpire Dharmasena gets it checked upstairs before raising both his hands. This takes the lead over 200 for the hosts and they will be relieved to get there with still 8 wickets in hand.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Poor fielding from Labuschagne here! This is tossed up outside off, Stokes pushes this towards cover. Labuschagne from point runs to his left, dives but lets the ball through from underneath him. There is no protection in the deep and it crosses the fence.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Tossed up on the off pole line by Lyon, it pitches and straightens. Stokes gets his bat down in time and blocks it with the outer half of his bat as the ball rolls towards the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. This time a bumper to Stokes, he too pulls it but in front of square leg and takes a single to retain strike.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Short of a length on middle, Denly pulls this one towards deep backward square leg and takes a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full this time wide outside off, Stokes leans forward and drives it towards cover for a three. Great shot this one, shows the confidence of Stokes.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one on the pads, helped to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Full and on the pads, pushed towards square leg.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. A very late call by Umpire Erasmus and it is a NO BALL! Length ball on middle and off, Stokes pushes this back towards the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he pushes it towards mid on off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. A touch short, pushed to point by Denly.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Denly comes down the track and pushes this one towards mid off. He looks for a single but is sent back by Stokes.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Full and floated on off, Denly pushes this one towards mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Tossed up by Lyon on middle and off, Stokes gets down on one knee and goes for the slog sweep but top edges it. It skies towards deep mid-wicket but there is no one down there and it falls safe. The batters take three while the fielders do the mopping up job.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Short of a length on off, Stokes blocks it out.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Solid defense by Denly off the back foot. He pushes this one towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Short of a length on off, Stokes goes onto his back foot, gets on top of the bounce and pulls this towards deep square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Fuller and outside off, Stokes looks to go for the stylish cover drive but it goes off the inner half of his bat towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Another one outside off, Stokes does not fiddle with it.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. Outside off, this time Stokes chooses to leave this one alone.

Josh Hazlewood to Ben Stokes. BEATEN! Jaffa from Hazlewood! This is on a length outside off, it shapes a bit away with the angle. Stokes looks to fend at it but it goes past the outside edge.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. On the pads, Denly flicks it away towards square leg. Good over by Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Close but Denly survives! This one is a touch shorter by Lyon, it skids off the pitch. Denly just about gets his bat down in time and the ball hits the inside edge and then the pad. Had he missed that, he was a goner!

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Flighted one on middle, Denly pushes this towards Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on by Denly.

Nathan Lyon to Joe Denly. Floated outside off to Denly, he pushes this straight to the man at cover.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Full and floated outside off, Stokes pushes this one towards covers and takes a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good length around off this time, he blocks it towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. FOUR! There is the fifty! Third one of this series, 4th overall. He gets there with a superb whip off his pads. Hazlewood dishes this full and on the leg stump line, Denly has been in the middle for too long to miss out on that one. He whips it across the line and the ball goes through to the deep square leg fence. All of his half centuries in his career have come either in the third innings or the fourth innings of a Test match. Interesting stat that one. He would want to get to his maiden century though.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Wanted to get to his fifty but Denly is sent back by Stokes, rightly so. Good length ball around off, Denly taps it towards point and wants a single. Stokes denies as the single was not on there.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. On middle, this one is blocked nicely.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Good running! Another ball on a good length, Denly looks to block but the ball takes the inside edge and goes towards deep square leg. They take a couple. Very good running between the wickets.

Josh Hazlewood to Joe Denly. Shortish ball pitched around off, this one is angled into the batter, Denly looks to push it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Josh Hazlewood into the attack. Australia need wickets.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Flatter on off, Stokes defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. Good comeback by Lyon after getting hit for a boundary on the first ball. Should have got Stokes also but Smith dropped the catch.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Outside off, left alone by Stokes.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. STOKES DROPPED BY STEVEN SMITH! Lyon serves this one short and flatter outside off, Stokes goes onto the back foot and tries to cut it. It goes off the outside edge towards Steven Smith at blistering pace near his chest. Smudge tries to catch it with his fingers pointing up but it goes through them, hits his chest and then bounces out. Stokes is a man in form and Australia would want to take his wicket as quickly as possible after this dropped catch.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Good comeback by Lyon. He pushes this one on the off side, a touch shorter. Stokes looks to defend it off the back foot but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Treat to the eyes, this shot by Stokes! Lyon tosses it up on off, Stokes comes down the track and lofts it over the fielder at mid off for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Joe Denly. Fuller on middle and leg, driven towards mid on to end the over.