England players celebrate a wicket. (Image: AFP)
"Our responsibility as players is to make sure that for the rest of the series, that is the stuff that is spoken about, what we do on the field." Root also wanted to "move on" from the Stokes saga, as much as he was excited by the prospect of the suspended all-rounder getting back out on a cricket pitch in New Zealand. Much as he wanted to move on, though, the questions kept returning to the sledging of players on the field, which Root said he was all in favour of, as long as limits were respected. "There are certain things that people know they shouldn't say on the field," he said. "I think it's important that both sides, not just one side, get that right and don't overstep." Smith was quite happy to confirm that his laughter at the Gabba had not been mockery at England's predicament, merely at Cameron Bancroft's laconic explanation of how Bairstow had greeted him with a "headbutt" in a Perth bar. Smith also fired back at James Anderson's assertion that the Australians were like "bullies" with their "sledging", suggesting the England quick was in a league of his own when it came to the art. The Australians have been quite clear that they will continue with their "chirping" at the English and while Smith agreed there was a "line" that should not be crossed, he was not about to define where it lay. "I think the umpires and the match referees are there to determine that," he said. "From my point of view it's about playing good, hard cricket and I think we did that at the Gabba and I think we'll continue to do that throughout the series." Smith was equally ebullient when asked about English attempts to frustrate him at the crease by limiting his scoring as they seek to level up the series at 1-1. "That's cool. I'm happy with that," he smiled. "I love batting, I'm happy to stay out there batting as long as I can to be perfectly honest. If it has to take me 300 balls to get a hundred then it will take me 300 balls." Adelaide, with the prospect of pink ball movement under the lights, has long been touted as England's best chance of a test win in the series but Root knows that, as his team's best batsman, he will need to fire along with his bowlers. "I've just got to do whatever I can to win games of cricket in the next four games because personally this would be the biggest achievement of my career so far," he said. "The best way of me achieving that is to go out and score heavily, big runs. It's as simple as that."
Catch all the updates from the second Ashes Test between Australia and England from Adelaide.
Commentary (Australia innings)
Tomorrow there will be an early start, half an hour early to be precise. So the day will start at 1330 local time. The contest is still pretty evenly poised, so the morning session will be crucial for both sides. Do join us for it. Till then, cheerio!
In a rain-hit morning, where the Australians were on top of the game, it was Chris Woakes who breathed life into the game and for his side (first with a run out and then Warner's caught behind). Anderson got Khawaja, and Overton then got the all-important breakthrough. Broad might not have collected a scalp to his name, but he kept things tight on his end.
England would have similar sentiments at this point, although they would have liked a wicket or two more before the day ended. They will, however, take joy from the fact that David Warner is back in the hut and more than anything else, that someone (Craig Overton in this case) managed to find a way to break through Steven Smith's defense.
55,000 in the house today and they got to witness a real spectacle. 71 runs have come in the session in 30 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Australia have done well on the whole, all things considered. At the toss, after being put into bat, Steven Smith said that he would be happy with a score around 200 for the loss of 3/4 wickets. His side has ended the day with just that, and that is something to smile about.
80.6 J Anderson to Handscomb, Oooooffffff..... Almost had him there. Last ball of the day, Jimmy Anderson all pumped up arrows it on middle and leg. It swings down and before it can hit his pads, Peter Handscomb clips it away behind square on the leg side for a run. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 1! 209/4
80.5 J Anderson to Handscomb, Full and wide outside off, swinging away, left alone for the keeper to collect. 208/4
80.4 J Anderson to Marsh, The inswinger from Jimmy, Marsh is behind instead of going forward. Buys some time for himself as he works it to mid-wicket for a single. 208/4
80.3 J Anderson to Marsh, Wild away swing again, outside off, Marsh with another leave. 207/4
80.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Appreciable amount of swing there. Anderson fires it full and it goes a long way away, Marsh doesn't have anything to do with that. 207/4
80.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Excellent start. Full ball which Jimmy brings back into the batsman, Shaun Marsh is well forward as he deals with the swing. 207/4
The second new ball has been taken. This is going to be the last over of the day. Can Jimmy Anderson have that last laugh before the close of play?
79.6 S Broad to Handscomb, Fuller length on middle, pushed down to mid on. 207/4
79.5 S Broad to Handscomb, Hits the deck hard, extracts some bounce and forces Peter Handscomb to play it down on the off side. 207/4
79.4 S Broad to Handscomb, There it is! What he's been trying to do and almost achieves it. Angles in at first and then moves away just enough as the last second. Opens up Handscomb and beats the outside edge of his hanging bat. 207/4
79.3 S Broad to Handscomb, Wide of the crease again, trying to create the angle into the batsman. Peter is, however, rock solid in defense. 207/4
79.2 S Broad to Handscomb, Angling in and there's some extra bounce due to Broad's big height. Catches Handscomb high on the thigh pad who takes a step across to play at it. 207/4
79.1 S Broad to Handscomb, Comes wide of the crease and angles it around off, it's left alone by the batsman. 207/4
78.6 J Anderson to Marsh, Have no idea what was going through Shaun Marsh's head while playing that. Maybe he didn't pick up the length, or he didn't expect the ball to move back in. Just back of a length around off, comes in and raps Marsh on the pads. He initially looks to flick but then bails out of the shot. 207/4
78.5 J Anderson to Marsh, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 207/4
78.4 J Anderson to Marsh, Length delivery on off stump, blocked out firmly with the full face of the bat. 207/4
78.3 J Anderson to Marsh, Going across Shaun Marsh again, it's outside off, he doesn't flirt with this one. Sensible stuff with just a few overs remaining in the day. 207/4
78.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Good line. Angling across, with a hint of inswing, Marsh first smartly covers the line before making a good leave. 207/4
78.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Straightish in line on middle and leg, picked off the pads before being placed to square leg. 207/4
77.6 S Broad to Handscomb, Short ball at 130 clicks, the batsman looks to pull but the bounce is too steep for him to connect. 207/4
77.5 S Broad to Handscomb, Good hand-eye coordination from the batsman. Broad looks to attack the pads, but Handscomb does well to tickle it down the leg side for a couple. 207/4
77.4 S Broad to Handscomb, ALMOST! Almost. Almost. That wasn't far off at all. Broad goes full, like he should have some time ago, there's late movement which almost foxes Peter Handscomb. Just about takes the the outside edge as it goes behind. 205/4
77.3 S Broad to Handscomb, Marginally ahead of a length, well outside off, Peter has no second thoughts about leaving it alone. 205/4
77.2 S Broad to Handscomb, Hits the deck hard and serves it outside off, it rises as Handscomb leaves it alone. Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps collects it at a good height. 205/4
77.1 S Broad to Marsh, Shortish in length, outside the off stump, Marsh leans across and pulls it down towards fine leg. Isn't in control at all though, gets it off the glove and it goes through the vacant leg gully position. One run to the total. 205/4
76.6 J Anderson to Handscomb, Lands it on a good length, some injection in pace this time from Anderson. The right-hander defends solidly. 204/4
76.5 J Anderson to Handscomb, Peter Handscomb shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 204/4
76.4 J Anderson to Handscomb, Good length ball moving away rather late, kept out off the back foot. 204/4
76.3 J Anderson to Handscomb, Off cutter around off, allows plenty of time to Handscomb to stay on his back foot and play it out. 204/4
76.2 J Anderson to P Handscomb, FOUR! Shot! Short and wide, width on offer and Handscomb takes full toll of it. Cuts it through gully and earns a boundary to his name. 204/4
76.1 J Anderson to S Marsh, The 200 is up for Australia. This is good running between the wickets. Marsh pushes it to the right of mid off and calls his partner through for a quick single. 200/4
James Anderson is on to bowl now.
75.6 S Broad to Marsh, That's a lovely looking shot. Full on the stumps, Marsh with a beautiful straight bat drives it down the ground. The thick outfield, however, doesn't let the ball go all the way to the fence, so the batsmen take three runs. 199/4
75.5 S Broad to Marsh, Bumper out of nowhere, Shaun ducks and evades. 196/4
75.4 S Broad to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 196/4
75.3 S Broad to Marsh, FOUR! Fine effort from Overton, even though it has been in vain. Fine effort nonetheless. Full and too straight from Broad, Marsh flicks it sweetly through mid-wicket. Craig moves to his right, dives to stop it and does so too, but seems like he's touched the rope as he's done it. Umpire goes upstairs to check and replays confirm that it is a boundary. 196/4
75.2 S Broad to Marsh, Zero movement on this, full on the stumps, the full face of the bat is presented to this. 192/4
75.1 S Broad to Marsh, Full delivery down the leg side from around the wicket, Marsh attempts to flick but misses. 192/4
Stuart Broad returns to the attack.
74.6 C Overton to Marsh, Worked away on the leg side again, wide of the short leg fielder in place. A single comes off it. 192/4
74.5 C Overton to Marsh, Bit straight in line, worked away off the pads, just wide of mid-wicket. No run taken however. 191/4
74.4 C Overton to Marsh, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 191/4
74.3 C Overton to Marsh, Back of a length delivery on the fifth stump channel, Marsh stands tall and blocks it out. 191/4
74.2 C Overton to Handscomb, Low full toss outside off, squeezes behind point for a single. 191/4
England's objective in this final session, largely, has been to stem the flow of runs. Whether it be the field setting or the lengths from the bowlers, everything points towards that. Possibly attacking more would have been the better option, given they have assistance from the lights. Well, either way, the Aussies haven't taken the game away, which is a credit to the Englishmen in a way. Still in it, which is a big deal.
74.1 C Overton to Handscomb, Shortish ball banged around off, Peter Handscomb gets on top of the ball and defends it down. 190/4
73.6 M Ali to Marsh, This full ball is driven to mid on to end the over. 190/4
73.5 M Ali to Marsh, Loopy and full from Ali, close to the off stump, Marsh prods forward and defends before the ball can turn. 190/4
73.4 M Ali to P Handscomb, Lovely use of the feet. Handscomb steps out and opens his body up a bit as he places it wide of mid off for a single. 190/4
73.3 M Ali to Handscomb, Straighter one on middle and off, easy enough for the batsman to block. 189/4
73.2 M Ali to Marsh, Makes use of his feet, comes down the wicket and clips it to mid-wicket for another run. 189/4
73.1 M Ali to Handscomb, Drifting in on middle and leg, worked off the pads square on the leg side. Single taken. 188/4
72.6 C Overton to Marsh, Shaun Marsh stays right behind the line before blocking it out safely. 187/4
72.5 C Overton to Marsh, That's the perfect line and the perfect length. Angling in on a full length and then it straightens up just enough. Marsh closes the face early and as a result, gets a leading edge over on the off side. 187/4
72.4 C Overton to Marsh, Similar delivery, similar shot offered by the batsman. 187/4
72.3 C Overton to Marsh, Full delivery aimed at off, blocked rather tightly by Shaun. 187/4
72.2 C Overton to Marsh, Short and wide, there to be hit, and Marsh hits. Connects the cut powerfully but finds the point fielder. 187/4
72.1 C Overton to Handscomb, Around off on a good length, Peter walks across and manages to still tuck it past the leg slip fielder for one. 187/4
71.6 M Ali to Marsh, Nice flight from Moeen, on the stumps, blocked solidly to end the over. 186/4
71.5 M Ali to Handscomb, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 186/4
71.4 M Ali to Handscomb, Picks it off his pads and tucks it away past short leg. 185/4
71.3 M Ali to Handscomb, Seeing the flight of the ball Handscomb dances down the track and works it away on the leg side. 185/4
71.2 M Ali to Handscomb, Flatter, shorter and on the stumps, camps back inside his crease and negotiates it well. 185/4
71.1 M Ali to Handscomb, Tossed right up there on middle stump, flicked to short leg who misfields. Doesn't cost anybody anything though. 185/4
Some spin for England as Moeen Ali is on to roll his arm over. A slip, a leg slip and a short leg in place for him.
70.6 C Overton to Marsh, Short of a good length outside off, Marsh cracks it but finds point. Unfortunate, made sweet connection on that. Either side of the fielder and that would have gone away. 185/4
70.5 C Overton to Marsh, FOUR! Super shot. Short ball angling in, Marsh rides the bounce to perfection and pulls it along the ground through square leg for a boundary. 185/4
70.4 C Overton to Marsh, Kicking off the deck as it's pitched on a length outside off, Shaun does not bother himself with that. 181/4
70.3 C Overton to S Marsh, Too full on middle and off, leans across and drives down the ground, unable to beat mid on despite a decent connection. 181/4
70.2 C Overton to Marsh, Length delivery on the fourth stump line, left alone by withdrawing the bat and covering the line. 181/4
70.1 C Overton to Marsh, Comes from around the wicket to Shaun Marsh, bowls it a tad fullish around off, it's defended. 181/4
69.6 C Woakes to Handscomb, Length delivery cutting away from around off, Handscomb is across again, and he dabs it to point with a slightly opened face. 181/4
69.5 C Woakes to Handscomb, Full outside off, easily kept out with the full face of the bat. 181/4
69.4 C Woakes to Handscomb, Banged in short, no problem at all to defend that out comfortably. 181/4
69.3 C Woakes to Handscomb, Another full delivery speared around off, Handscomb has to open the face at the last second and defend it towards cover. 181/4
69.2 C Woakes to Handscomb, Half volley on off, angling in, this is the kind of delivery you'd smash down the ground or through the covers, but Peter Handscomb works it off the inner half on the leg side. Two runs taken. 181/4
69.1 C Woakes to Handscomb, Peter Handscomb walks a long way across his stumps, Woakes pitches it right up there. Almost catches him leg before, but the batsman ensures that doesn't happen. Pushes it to the right of the bowler for nothing. 179/4
68.6 C Overton to Marsh, Good length ball rising off the deck with some extra bounce, Marsh gets bat on it, only to get an inside edge back onto his pads. 179/4
68.5 C Overton to Marsh, Angling down the leg side, Marsh has no trouble leaving it alone. 179/4
68.4 C Overton to Marsh, Full once more, attacking the stumps, Marsh brings down a straight blade as he pushes it to mid on. 179/4
68.3 C Overton to Marsh, From around the wicket, it's fired right up there, left alone for the keeper to collect. 179/4
68.2 C Overton to Handscomb, Full now from Overton, Handscomb moves inside the line and works it through mid-wicket for a single. 179/4
68.1 C Overton to Handscomb, Length delivery just around off, Peter is rock solid in defense. 178/4
67.6 C Woakes to Marsh, Holding its line as it's angling across the southpaw, he feels it's not going to threaten him so he shoulders arms to leave it alone. 178/4
67.5 C Woakes to Marsh, That was close! Too close. Fuller delivery outside off, Shaun Marsh goes for the expansive drive but instead gets a big inside edge onto his back pad. Could have just as easily dragged it back onto his stumps. 178/4
67.4 C Woakes to Marsh, This delivery is attacking the stumps, Marsh is right behind the line to defend it out. 178/4
67.3 C Woakes to S Marsh, Short delivery which Marsh pulls with a certain degree of control. Plays it all along the ground in front of square leg and takes two. 178/4
67.2 C Woakes to Marsh, Holds the length back just a little, but it's still quite full in length, Marsh plays it off the outer half on the off side. 176/4
67.1 C Woakes to Marsh, Woakes comes running in and with an upright seam, bowls it full on off. Marsh plants his front foot forward and drives it to mid off. 176/4
66.6 C Overton to Handscomb, Hangs back to this back of a length ball and guards it out safely. 176/4
66.5 C Overton to Handscomb, Good length delivery outside the line of off stump, left alone this time. 176/4
66.4 C Overton to Handscomb, FOUR! That's a dangerous shot to play, Peter! He's lucky to get away with it. Short ball outside off, Handscomb looks to ramp it over the slip cordon but gets a thick edge which instead flies past third slip. Runs away to the third man fence for a boundary. 176/4
66.3 C Overton to Marsh, Inswinger from Overton, on a bit of a fuller length, Marsh goes for a drive but gets it off the inside half behind square leg and takes one. 172/4
66.2 C Overton to Marsh, In the channel outside off, shaping back in, Marsh covers his off stick and makes a good leave. 171/4
66.1 C Overton to Marsh, Cutting back into Shaun Marsh, he looks to put bat on ball but fails to do so and gets hit on the thigh pad. 171/4
Peter Handscomb was one of three players to debut in the Adelaide Test against South Africa last year. There were two other debutants along with him and two were recalled. He is the only one amongst Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Wade and Jackson Bird to still stick around with the Aussie team during this period. And it is not without a reason. He averages above 51 in Tests while it rises to 54.64 in 10 first-class day-night games this season for him - best in the world. Australia will hope he produces that form here.
65.6 C Woakes to Handscomb, Gets right behind the line in defense. 171/4
65.5 C Woakes to Handscomb, Outside off, played towards point. 171/4
65.4 C Woakes to Handscomb, On a length around off, defended from the crease. 171/4
65.3 C Woakes to Handscomb, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 171/4
65.2 C Woakes to Handscomb, FOUR! He continues playing that shot. There is a leg slip in place but Handscomb still gets across and tickles it between the keeper and that fielder to the fine leg fence. 171/4
65.1 C Woakes to Handscomb, On a good length outside off, defended watchfully. 167/4
Well, DRINKS have been called for but with 18 overs left in the day, that seems a bit early. Anyways, the players will not mind it one bit. It has been an exhausting hour, mentally draining, where only 29 runs have been scored in 14 overs for the loss of Khawaja and Smith but boy, has it been entertaining. England have been very disciplined with their bowling and that has kept them on top in this game, in spite of not striking regularly with the new ball. Another exhilarating hour can be promised.
64.6 C Overton to Marsh, Darts this down the leg side, SOS thinks about the tuck but is late in the execution. 167/4
64.5 C Overton to Marsh, Landed outside off, Shaun gets across and shoulders arms. 167/4
64.4 C Overton to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 167/4
64.3 C Overton to Marsh, Outside off, left alone. 167/4
64.2 C Overton to Marsh, A bouncer around off and middle, Marsh thinks about the cut but then sways away. 167/4
64.1 C Overton to Marsh, On a good length outside off, worked straight to short mid-wicket. 167/4
63.6 C Woakes to Handscomb, Another defensive shot to end the over. 167/4
63.5 C Woakes to Handscomb, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 167/4
63.4 C Woakes to Handscomb, ALMOST! Even with that leg gully in place, Handscomb wants to get across. Looks to flick but gets a leading edge to cover. 167/4
A leg slip comes in now.
63.3 C Woakes to Handscomb, FOUR! That was so close! Full and straight, Handscomb gets across and at the last possible moment, gets bat on ball to flick it towards fine leg! 167/4
63.2 C Woakes to Handscomb, Back of a length on middle, Handscomb defends. 163/4
63.1 C Woakes to Handscomb, On a length outside off, defended watchfully. 163/4
62.6 C Overton to S Marsh, A bouncer on middle, Shaun ducks. 163/4
62.5 C Overton to Handscomb, Now he gets across and tucks it behind square leg for a single. 163/4
62.4 C Overton to Handscomb, A short ball, around off, Handscomb looks to fend it away but the extra bounce makes him hop. The ball takes the inside edge but goes to the VACANT short leg region. 162/4
62.3 C Overton to Handscomb, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. 162/4
62.2 C Overton to Marsh, Full and outside off, Marsh pushes this away from his body and gets it wide of point for a single to get off the mark straightaway. 162/4
Shaun Marsh walks in at number 6, replacing his skipper.
62.1 C Overton to Smith, OUT! Stop the press! England have found a way to get past the Aussie skipper! Massive moment in the game. And what a feeling for the debutant! He is off and running, like Imran Tahir, circling the ground in wild celebration. But he deserves this every single bit. He has found the perfect length. It is in between full and good, outside off. Smith looks to play at that, but not quite sure whether he intended to play. His bat is not quite in front of the pad. The ball nips back in, hits the pad, then hits the inside edge and rockets onto the stumps! Boy, just that wicket - just that one wicket will turbo boost England's confidence. Smith's vigil comes to a close on the 90th ball. 161/4
Craig Overton to bowl now.
61.6 C Woakes to Handscomb, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 161/3
61.5 C Woakes to Handscomb, Gets right back in his crease and defends. 161/3
61.4 C Woakes to Smith, Outside off, tapped through point for a single. Moves to 40. 161/3
61.3 C Woakes to Smith, On a good length outside off, defended from the crease. 160/3
61.2 C Woakes to Smith, Half volley outside off, driven sweetly but straight to cover. 160/3
61.1 C Woakes to Smith, Landed outside off, left alone. 160/3
60.6 S Broad to Handscomb, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 160/3
60.5 S Broad to Handscomb, A short ball, on middle and off, Handscomb attempts the hook but misses. 160/3
60.4 S Broad to Handscomb, Stays back to a fuller ball again and defends. 160/3
60.3 S Broad to Handscomb, On a good length outside off, watchfully blocked. 160/3
60.2 S Broad to Handscomb, Full again, watchfully defended. 160/3
60.1 S Broad to Handscomb, Full and outside off, punched towards mid off. 160/3
59.6 C Woakes to Smith, A bumper on middle, asking Smith to pull, he pulls out of the shot instead. 160/3
59.5 C Woakes to S Smith, Full and outside off, this time the drive is played well to mid off. 160/3
59.4 C Woakes to Smith, ALMOST! Woakes nearly gets his man. Full and straight, Smith is perhaps a touch early into his flick and gets a leading edge. Does not carry to mid off. 160/3
59.3 C Woakes to Smith, Gets right behind the line of this one and defends. 160/3
59.2 C Woakes to Smith, 'WAIT, AHHHHH!' screams Smith. It has been an hour since Smith has scored a boundary and this was right up there to be hit. Short and wide outside off, Steven looks to smash it but mistimes his punch to cover. 160/3
59.1 C Woakes to Smith, On a length outside off, Smith gets on top of the bounce and punches it through cover and point for a couple. The stand moves to 21. 160/3
Chris Woakes gives a break to Anderson.
58.6 S Broad to Handscomb, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 158/3
58.5 S Broad to Handscomb, A short ball on middle, PH gets across and lets it sail past. 158/3
58.4 S Broad to Handscomb, Full and just outside off, Peter plays back to this one once more and is beaten. Luck favours him again as the ball shapes away to beat the outside edge and the off stump. 158/3
After all that drama, Anderson has been moved out of that silly mid on position. It is Chris Woakes replacing him. He gets into Smith's ear too. Well, wait. Now, Woakes is pushed back to mid on. So no one near Smith at the non-striker's end.
58.3 S Broad to Handscomb, Full and wide outside off, driven straight to short extra cover. 158/3
58.2 S Broad to Handscomb, Goes back to play a length ball and punches it towards point. 158/3
58.1 S Broad to Handscomb, On a length outside off, Handscomb feels for it and gets beaten. 158/3
57.6 J Anderson to Smith, Full and outside off, driven down the ground. Anderson sticks out his right hand and deflects it past silly mid on to mid-wicket. 158/3
57.5 J Anderson to Smith, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 158/3
57.4 J Anderson to Smith, A short ball, Steven looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. 158/3
57.3 J Anderson to Smith, Outside off, driven towards mid off this time. 158/3
57.2 J Anderson to Smith, Full and outside off, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. 158/3
57.1 J Anderson to Smith, On a good length outside off, punched straight to cover. 158/3
56.6 S Broad to Handscomb, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 158/3
56.5 S Broad to Handscomb, Full and straight, driven back to where it came from. 158/3
56.4 S Broad to Handscomb, On a good length around off, watchfully kept out. 158/3
56.3 S Broad to Handscomb, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 158/3
56.2 S Broad to P Handscomb, FOUR! Squirted again. Handscomb is not looking comfortable at all. Plays back to a full ball, is squared up, gets an outside edge but is lucky again that the edge does not travel to hand. Past gully to third man for a boundary. 158/3
Teapots are boiling. Jimmy Anderson is standing right beside Steven Smith at silly mid on. That is frustrating Smith and he is asking Anderson to move wider. Anderson just smiles and umpire Aleem Dar intervenes. He asks Smith to run wider instead. What does Smith do? Gets even closer to Jimmy. Now, Dar, like a father controlling his two sons, asks both players to move apart as they are having a go at each other. He literally stands in between them! Sledging at its best without actually hurting the spirit of the game. Both players are having a go at each other. This is fun to watch!
56.1 S Broad to Handscomb, Full and wide outside off, Handscomb looks to play a drive but misses. Loose. 154/3
55.6 J Anderson to Smith, Clips this straightish ball through mid-wicket and gets a couple. 154/3
55.5 J Anderson to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 152/3
55.4 Anderson to Smith, Huge LBW shout, turned down. On a good length outside off, Smith gets across and shoulders arms. He is hit on the pads and Anderson appeals but the umpire is not interested. He chats with Root regarding the review but the skipper denies. Hawk Eye shows that the ball is not coming back enough. 152/3
55.3 J Anderson to Smith, Full and straight, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. 152/3
55.2 J Anderson to Handscomb, Around off, on a length, tucked through mid-wicket for a single. 150/3
55.1 J Anderson to Handscomb, Outside off, on a length, moves away late, Handscomb feels for it but misses. 149/3
54.6 S Broad to P Handscomb, Off the mark in streaky fashion. Handscomb commits the same mistake as he did at the 'Gabba. Playing back in the crease. He gets squared up as the ball is pretty full and moves away, takes the outside edge but luckily for him, the ball goes along the ground and past a diving third slip. Three runs taken. 149/3
54.5 S Broad to Smith, Full and straight, flicked behind square on the leg side for a run. 146/3
54.4 S Broad to Smith, Outside off, left alone again. 145/3
54.3 S Broad to Smith, Outside off, Steven shoulders arms then brings his bat in an exaggerated skyward circular motion. 145/3
54.2 S Broad to Smith, A little bit full, not quite as the previous one but good enough to make Smith come forward to defend. 145/3
54.1 S Broad to Smith, Full and straight, pushed straight to James Anderson at short mid on. 145/3
53.6 J Anderson to Handscomb, Handscomb gets only a bit across and blocks. 145/3
53.5 J Anderson to Smith, Gets across his stumps a century in advance, Anderson bowls it exactly where Smith wants it - outside off, angling in. Like an obedient student byhearting his notes, Smith just rehearses his tuck through square leg for a single. 145/3
53.4 J Anderson to Smith, Holds the length back a touch, bowls it outside off, Smith goes back and punches it through the covers for a couple. Moves to 31. 144/3
53.3 J Anderson to Smith, Fuller in length this time, driven straight to cover. 142/3
53.2 J Anderson to Smith, Gets across his sticks and blocks. 142/3
53.1 J Anderson to Smith, Wide outside off, a tempter, left alone. 142/3
52.6 S Broad to Handscomb, Outside off, on a length, left alone. 142/3
52.5 S Broad to Handscomb, Outside off, not as wide as the ones bowled to his skipper, Handscomb lets it through. 142/3
52.4 S Broad to Smith, Fuller again, wider again, outside off again. This time Smith puts bat to ball and pushes it wide of mid off for a quick single. Okay - SMITH REACHES 3000 TEST RUNS AS A CAPTAIN! 142/3
52.3 S Broad to Smith, Wider line outside off, left alone. 141/3
52.2 S Broad to Smith, Outside off, punched through point for a couple. 141/3
52.1 S Broad to Smith, On a good length, around off, watchfully defended. 139/3
Double kill. Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end.
51.6 J Anderson to Handscomb, In the avenue of apprehension, Handscomb feels for it but misses. A cracking over from Jimmy. 139/3
51.5 J Anderson to Handscomb, Around off, back of a length, defended back to the bowler. 139/3
Peter Handscomb walks in at number 5, replacing Khawaja.
51.4 J Anderson to U Khawaja, OUT! Jimmy strikes immediately! Moments ago, Michael Vaughan on air said, 'England generally come to life at night.' Boy, hasn't he been proved right? A length ball wide outside off, Khawaja plays a loose drive, without moving his feet. Pays the price for it as he gets a thick outside edge. It flies towards gully where James Vince dives to his left and snaps it with ease! He then throws the ball up in the air and roars. Anderson reacts as if he gets such wickets everyday in his backyard. Absolutely calm. Not much celebration. To be honest, Mark Stoneman and the whole of England would be breathing a huge sigh of relief. He had dropped Uzzie on 44. Has not cost much. Yet another 50-run stand is not converted by the Aussies. This was worth 53 and once again, Australia find themselves in trouble early in a session. 139/3
51.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, LBW SHOUT, NOT OUT. Pitched outside leg, Khawaja misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. Anderson is the only one appealing. 139/2
51.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, The length is the same, Khawaja defends. 139/2
51.1 J Anderson to Smith, A length ball to start, around off, tucked behind square on the leg side for a single. 139/2
The Adelaide Oval is baked in twilight as the players take the field. A lovely sight to behold. It will be James Anderson vs Steven Smith first up.
That was quick. THE COVERS ARE OFF. We resume at 2000 local.
Welcome back for the final session. Those should have been our words. Instead, the covers on the pitch are welcoming us. It is a slight drizzle and we have only one cover in place. So that looks promising. Play can go until 2230 local tonight and we shall be starting 30 minutes early tomorrow.
... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ...
They say, the key to success is to have a not-so-good memory. England need to forget that dropped chance and move on, coming out firing after Dinner. It will be the most difficult session to bat and if they can get a wicket or two quickly, they might well ease into the tail as well with the ball moving under the lights. Australia will do good to be mindful of that. Join us back for the final session. 32 overs scheduled.
England then bowled their hearts out to Khawaja and Smith. They were chattering constantly with the Aussie skipper and getting under his skin. And they were nearly rewarded as Khawaja was feeling the heat and almost gave it away. However, in what can be called as a possible defining moment of the match and series, Mark Stoneman shelled a relatively easy chance of Khawaja. He was on 44 then and Australia, on 109. Since that drop, they have scored 29 runs, albeit in 11.1 overs but without much pressure.
Both teams had their moments in the topsy-turvy session. England came out firing after Tea, using some juice on the pitch and denied Australia anything. That resulted in a run out and for the next 15-20 minutes, the visitors were all over Warner and Khawaja. But the duo saw that period out and got a nice 53-run stand before the former threw it away.
Enthralling session of cricket. 105/2 in 37.1 overs. Australia were rocked early via the Bancroft run out, then they bounced back, before being pegged back again, only to finish the session on top.
50.6 C Overton to Khawaja, A bouncer to end the session and UK ducks. DINNER ON DAY 1! 138/2
50.5 C Overton to Khawaja, Brain fade? Jokingly, yes. A short ball, angling into Khawaja, he shoulders arms and gets hit on the thighs. The ball rolls towards square leg and now Smith wants the single. He then asks Aleem Dar whether he could run and on receiving the shake of the head, gets back into his crease. One cannot run if he is hit on the body while shouldering arms. 138/2
50.4 C Overton to Khawaja, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. 138/2
50.3 C Overton to Khawaja, A short ball again, defended from the crease. 138/2
50.2 C Overton to Khawaja, A bouncer again, Usman ducks. 138/2
50.1 C Overton to Khawaja, A short ball, bowled from around the wicket, goes down the leg side, intentionally. Khawaja thinks about tucking it away before pulling his bat away. 138/2
49.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Gets it past mid-wicket and earns a single. 138/2
49.5 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 137/2
49.4 M Ali to Khawaja, On middle and leg, flicked to the leg side off the back foot. 137/2
49.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Third forward defense in a row. 137/2
49.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Similar line and length, watchfully blocked. 137/2
49.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Full on middle, defended to the leg side. 137/2
48.6 C Overton to Smith, Action replay of the previous delivery. 137/2
48.5 C Overton to Smith, Another length ball, forcing Steven to flick, he does play that shot but finds short mid-wicket again. 137/2
48.4 C Overton to Smith, Full and around off, flicked towards short mid-wicket. 137/2
48.3 C Overton to Smith, A bouncer around off, Smith ducks. 137/2
48.2 C Overton to Smith, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 137/2
48.1 C Overton to Smith, A length ball, tucked towards short mid-wicket. 137/2
A pretty spread out field for Craig Overton now...
47.6 M Ali to Khawaja, A touch short, worked towards short mid-wicket. 137/2
47.5 M Ali to U Khawaja, Gives this plenty of air, outside off, Usman drives but finds short extra cover. 137/2
47.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 137/2
47.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Short and outside off, punched straight to cover. 137/2
47.2 M Ali to Smith, Tossed up outside off, now Smith dances down and flicks it wide of mid on for a run. 137/2
47.1 M Ali to U Khawaja, Full and outside off, Khawaja comes down the track and drives it through mid off for a single. 50-RUN STAND is up. Consecutive ones too. Australia need this to be BIG. England need to cut it short. 136/2
46.6 C Overton to S Smith, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. 135/2
46.5 C Overton to Khawaja, Works it towards square leg for a run. 135/2
46.4 C Overton to Smith, Full and straight, Smith gets across and flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a single. 134/2
46.3 C Overton to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 133/2
46.2 C Overton to Smith, A length ball, tucked towards square leg. 133/2
46.1 C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 133/2
CRAIG OVERTON gets a change of ends.
45.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 133/2
45.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Short and around off, punched straight to cover. 133/2
45.4 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Uppish but safe! He has been lucky today. But that does not mean he has not played well. Brings up his 9TH TEST FIFTY. Short and outside off, Khawaja looks to cut but is too close to the ball. He ends up being defeated by the bounce and gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for him, the ball flies past backward point to the third man fence. 133/2
45.3 M Ali to Khawaja, In line of the stumps, watchfully defended. 129/2
45.2 M Ali to S Smith, Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it past that short mid on wide of the conventional mid on for a single. 129/2
45.1 M Ali to Smith, On middle and leg, flicked towards short mid-wicket. 128/2
Spin is back on. MOEEN ALI to have another go.
44.6 J Anderson to Smith, WHERE IS SHORT LEG? WHERE IS SHORT MID-WICKET? Unmanned. That is precisely why you need those players. Anderson bowls it really full, outside off and Smith looks to flick. But he is done in by the bounce and the ball goes off the inside edge, onto his pads and lobs up into.... space. Not a soul at short mid-wicket or short leg. Would have gobbled it. A run taken. 128/2
44.5 J Anderson to Smith, Outside off, left alone. 127/2
44.4 J Anderson to S Smith, A length ball outside off, nips back in a long way, Smith looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Anderson is frustrated while Smith is smiling. 127/2
44.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Back of a length, tucked through mid-wicket for a single. 127/2
44.2 C Overton to Smith, Rides the bounce nicely there. This one kicks off a length, outside off, Smith gets on top of the bounce and plays it past a diving third slip. James Vince gets to it, from gully one guesses, slides near the third man fence and saves a run for his side. 126/2
44.1 C Overton to Smith, Full and outside off, defended from the crease. 123/2
Three slips in place now for Anderson against Smith. A catching mid on and a wide mid on as well. Allows Anderson to bowl more straight to Smith.
43.6 C Overton to Smith, A length ball, tucked through square leg for a single. 123/2
43.5 C Overton to Smith, FOUR! GORGEOUS! Ah... that SSCD. A Steven Smith Cover Drive. Brilliant to watch. Half volley outside off, pretty wide, Smith leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! Ian Chappell on air feels there were shades of Mark Waugh in that cover drive. 122/2
43.4 C Overton to Smith, A short ball, extra bounce, tucked to the leg side. 118/2
43.3 C Overton to Smith, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 118/2
43.2 C Overton to Smith, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 118/2
43.1 C Overton to S Smith, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 118/2
42.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full and outside off, Usman looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Anderson appeals but the impact was outside off. 118/2
42.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 118/2
Round the wicket now...
42.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 118/2
42.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, punched off the back foot. 118/2
42.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 118/2
42.1 J Anderson to Smith, Oohhh... prodigious movement. Full and outside off, swinging in a long way, Smith looks to flick but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. A small moment as silly mid on nearly collides into Usman Khawaja. Seemed pretty deliberate, as in no way would he have got to the ball. A single taken to deep mid-wicket. 118/2
41.6 C Overton to Khawaja, A bouncer, but well outside leg, ducked under. 117/2
41.5 C Overton to S Smith, NEARLY CARRIES! Things are happening at the Adelaide Oval. Full and outside off, Smith plays a loose straight drive and it nearly carries to the bowler. Overton tries sticking out his left hand but it just misses his attempt by a whisker. Slows down near the long off fence and the batsmen return for the third. The stand moves to 31. 117/2
41.4 C Overton to Smith, Goes right back in his crease and blocks again. 114/2
41.3 C Overton to Smith, An LBW appeal, but nothing in it actually. Overton slips in another length ball, angling it from wide outside off. Smith gets across, looking to tuck but misses and is hit high on the pads. Overton puts in a loud shout but the umpire calms him down. The bowler asks his captain for a review but Root indicates height. And that does seem to be the case. 114/2
41.2 C Overton to Smith, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 114/2
41.1 C Overton to Smith, A length delivery around off, watchfully defended. 114/2
Craig Overton to bowl again.
40.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full on middle, flicked straight to mid on. 114/2
40.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. 114/2
40.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Shorter in length, punched straight to point. 114/2
40.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Down the leg side, played straight to square leg. 114/2
40.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full again, driven straight back. 114/2
40.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full and straight, watchfully defended. 114/2
39.6 C Woakes to Smith, FOUR! The runs are leaking now. Insult to injury after that dropped catch. A frustrated Woakes bowls it on the pads and Smith just flicks it through the vacant spaces at mid-wicket. 13 from the over! 114/2
39.5 C Woakes to Khawaja, DROPPED! Oh dear oh dear... Massive moment in the game. Banged in short, Khawaja looks to pull this away but mistimes it pretty badly. Mark Stoneman is positioned at deep backward square leg and comes across to his right to take that catch with a sprint. The ball comes onto his hands but then spills out. Alas. Opportunity missed. Flashback - 3rd December 2006. Ricky Ponting batting on 35 at the Adelaide Oval. England on top. Ponting miscues a pull straight to Ashley Giles at deep mid-wicket off Matthew Hoggard. Dropped on 35. Australia overturn the game, win the Ashes 5-0. Here Khawaja is on 44. Is history going to repeat itself? Meanwhile, a single is taken. 110/2
IamShirke The whole world is focussing on Smith and Warner but tell you what, this Uzzie lad might just score a century in no time and no one might notice.
39.4 C Woakes to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 109/2
39.3 C Woakes to Khawaja, FOUR! BLUDGEONED! Growing in confidence, is this lad. Short ball, around off, pulled over mid-wicket for a boundary. 109/2
39.2 C Woakes to Khawaja, Around off, watchfully defended. 105/2
39.1 C Woakes to Khawaja, FOUR! That is through! Again, that one bad ball which lets loose the pressure. Short and outside off, Khawaja punches it on the up, past a diving point and gets a boundary! 105/2
38.6 J Anderson to Smith, Gets behind the line this time and blocks it confidently. 101/2
38.5 J Anderson to Smith, That is a jaffa. Just what Anderson needs to do consistently. A length ball, angled in from wide outside off, Smith walks across to defend but then the ball shapes away a touch. Beats him. 101/2
38.4 J Anderson to U Khawaja, 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! Not in the most convincing fashion but they will take it. A length ball in line of the stumps, Khawaja feels for it but gets squared up a touch. However, he plays that with soft hands and hence, the ball runs down on the ground, between the slips and gully. Smith pushes Khawaja into the third as the fielder mops it up with a slide near the third man ropes. 101/2
38.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Landed outside off, left alone. 98/2
38.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full and straight, Khawaja looks to defend but is late. Is pinged on the pads but the contact of the cherry with the willow beforehand saves him. Inside edge onto the pads, in plain words. 98/2
38.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, angling away, shouldered arms to. 98/2
James Anderson is back into the attack. Good move from Joe Root. Get your premier bowler on against the world's premier batsman. This is where Jimmy needs to step up and improve his poor record Down Under.
37.6 C Woakes to Smith, Nicely bowled, a straightish line, pushed to one of those two chirping short mid ons. 98/2
37.5 C Woakes to Khawaja, A short ball, around middle and leg, Usman nails his pull shot towards deep square leg and gets a run. 98/2
37.4 C Woakes to Khawaja, Another back foot defense from the southpaw. 97/2
37.3 C Woakes to Khawaja, Gets right behind this one and blocks. 97/2
37.2 C Woakes to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 97/2
37.1 C Woakes to Khawaja, FOUR! A rare bad ball amidst all the applied pressure. Woakes bowls a half volley on the pads and Khawaja does not miss out. Tickles it towards fine leg. Normally in Test matches, we don't have fine leg manned. It is not in this case either. The stand moves to 11 while Khawaja moves to 32 too. 97/2
36.6 S Broad to S Smith, Double bluff from Broad. Steven probably expected a short and wide ball given that gully was shifted to deep point but the bowler smartly slips in a fuller ball. Smith is caught in his crease, trying to play that one and gets squared up again. The outside edge does not carry to the slip cordon. 93/2
36.5 S Broad to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 93/2
The two short mid ons are actually having a good time. They are constantly chirping with one another. They are right in the ear of Usman Khawaja and trying to irritate him. Meanwhile, a fielding change. Gully comes out and drops back to the point fence.
36.4 S Broad to Smith, Wider ball, on a length, outside off, left alone. 93/2
36.3 S Broad to U Khawaja, Banged in short, around off, pulled comfortably but straight to Moeen Ali at deep mid-wicket. Just a single. 93/2
36.2 S Broad to Khawaja, On middle and leg, watchfully defended back. 92/2
36.1 S Broad to Khawaja, A bouncer outside leg, Khawaja ducks. 92/2
35.6 C Woakes to Smith, Fine stop by Broad! England are up and running. That wicket of Warner has lifted their spirits. Full and outside off, Smith plays a lovely cover drive but Stuart Broad at short extra cover dives to his left and makes a great stop. What is more, gets up in a trice and has a shy at the striker's end. 92/2
Shane Warne is not too offended by England's current tactics. In fact, he believes this should have been the attitude right from ball 1 in this Test.
35.5 C Woakes to Smith, A short ball, outside off, pretty high, let through. Surprised not being wided. 92/2
35.4 C Woakes to Smith, Full on off, SS drives it straight back but the timing is not the best and mid on cuts it off to his left. 92/2
35.3 C Woakes to S Smith, Full and outside off, Steven is squared up, looking to defend and gets an outside edge which rolls along the ground towards the slip cordon. 92/2
35.2 C Woakes to Smith, Full and wide outside off, left alone. Woakes is trying to sledge Smith too... 92/2
35.1 C Woakes to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 92/2
34.6 S Broad to Smith, Around off, angling in, tucked through the leg side for a run. 92/2
Now Aleem Dar gets into the action. He warns both, the instigator and the retorter, saying the chatter is getting a bit too loud for his liking.
34.5 S Broad to Smith, Outside off, left alone again. More chirping from Broad. England are trying to get under the skin of the Aussie captain and he is not liking it one bit. 91/2
34.4 S Broad to Smith, Exaggerated leave. A length ball outside off, Smith walks across, shoulders arms, then takes his bat in a circular motion. Broad is not short of words and greets Smith with a friendly question. Or perhaps, not so friendly because Smith retorts angrily. 91/2
34.3 S Broad to Smith, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 91/2
34.2 S Broad to Smith, Wide outside off, let through. 91/2
Short extra cover, short cover, two short mid ons, short mid-wicket, three slips and a gully. Square leg is back on the fence. Very funky field set for Smith.
34.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Full and around middle, Khawaja looks to drive this down the ground but instead, skews it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. Takes a single. Has not got his feet moving at all this innings. 91/2
Stuart Broad is back on as Root aims to prize out his opposite number.
33.6 C Woakes to Smith, One more leave outside off to end the over. Terrific start from Woakes after the break. 90/2
33.5 C Woakes to Smith, Similar line, this time it is left alone. 90/2
33.4 C Woakes to S Smith, FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! What a way to get going! Half volley, yes. Wide, yes. Scoring opportunity, yes. Off the mark, yes! Smith just leans into this one and caresses this through the covers. No soul moves. 90/2
33.3 C Woakes to Smith, A sharp bouncer, around off, Steven ducks. 86/2
33.2 C Woakes to Smith, A length ball again, outside off, Smith walks across to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the thigh pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and Khawaja wants the run, hence keeps on running. However, Smith puts up his hand at the right time, asking him to stop and Usman turns. He tries to get back to his end before the fielder from short mid-wicket can get to the ball and throw. The throw does come but it hits Khawaja on his legs. 86/2
Skipper Steven Smith walks in at number 4, replacing Warner.
33.1 C Woakes to Warner, OUT! Caught behind and Woakes strikes for England! A wicket after 498 balls for a bowler. Remember, England were wicketless in the second innings at the 'Gabba while the first wicket today was that of a run out. What a timely strike. Things were just looking to go pear-shaped for the bowling side and then Woakes produces this. It is more of a bad shot though but the persistent lines and lengths have brought about that dismissal. It is pitched on a length, in line of the stumps but could have been left alone. However, Warner chooses to go after it, attempting a punch and nicks it behind. Not much feet movement. He was in the air while playing that shot. Warner was just beginning to open up but has been cut short now. End of a 53-run stand. 86/2
32.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Good over from Moeen Ali. Ends it by landing it around off on a bit of a shorter length, Khawaja comfortably guards it out. 86/1
32.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Extra bounce as it zips off the deck, outside off, Usman stands tall and taps it down on the surface. 86/1
32.4 M Ali to Warner, Plays with the spin and dabs it just wide of short third man to get off strike. 86/1
32.3 M Ali to Warner, Straighter one on leg stump, Warner keeps his bat right behind the line and defends it under his nose. 85/1
32.2 M Ali to Warner, Floated just outside off, driven to the left of short third man. Good effort there from Stoneman to move swiftly and cut it off. 85/1
32.1 M Ali to Warner, Continues from around the wicket and tosses it up on off, David Warner is forward to block. 85/1
Drinks break! The Aussie pair looks nervous out there in the middle, especially Usman Khawaja. England sort of have them on the ropes, but aren't capitalizing by putting enough pressure. Joe Root has been somewhat defensive in his approach. A couple of men around the batsmen, along with bringing them inside the ring is something he should consider. The time is ripe to do it too. If Warner and Khawaja survive this, chances are high they will carry on and score big ones. The pitch is starting to ease out a bit now.
31.6 C Woakes to Khawaja, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 85/1
31.5 C Woakes to Khawaja, Length ball on off, Khawaja is well forward as he defends. 85/1
31.4 C Woakes to Khawaja, Going away again, outside off, another leave. 85/1
31.3 C Woakes to Khawaja, Chooses the leave the ball outside his off stump. 85/1
31.2 C Woakes to Khawaja, Camps back, waits for the length ball to come to him and blocks. 85/1
31.1 C Woakes to Warner, Gets off strike on the very first ball. Fuller ball which is driven through the covers for one. 85/1
Chris Woakes back into the bowling attack.
30.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Fuller length ball from the spinner, kept out by coming well forward. 84/1
30.5 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Another boundary, via a misfield from Stoneman this time. Khawaja cuts it towards short third man where Mark sloppily lets it through his legs. Nobody behind him to cover, so that will run away for a boundary. 84/1
30.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Straighter one on the stumps, the batsman defends it from within his crease. 80/1
30.3 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Good shot, that. Dropped short and flat outside off, Khawaja smacks it through the cover area and sends it across the boundary line. 80/1
30.2 M Ali to Khawaja, What was he doing there? Unbelievable choice of shot from Usman Khawaja. Khawaja premeditated the lap shot, but he didn't pick up the loopy full toss which should have been sent out of the park. It takes the inside edge, lobs off his pads and flies through leg gully safely. Yikes! 76/1
30.1 M Ali to Khawaja, And Tremlett's wishes nearly come true! In the air... But it's landed safe! Tossed up from Moeen Ali on off, Khawaja gives the charge and lofts it over mid off. Not in control, but it's enough to clear the infield and fetch him a couple of runs. 76/1
29.6 C Overton to Warner, Angling in and then going away late outside off, not bothered with by the batsman. 74/1
29.5 C Overton to Warner, Bit fullish in length outside off, pushed away defensively for no run. 74/1
29.4 C Overton to Khawaja, Straight in line, extra bounce extracted from the surface. Khawaja takes his bottom hand off as he works it 'round the corner for one. His footwork was once again susceptible while playing that, hence couldn't do much else. 74/1
29.3 C Overton to Warner, Full outside off, driven through the covers for one. 73/1
29.2 C Overton to Warner, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries, albeit this isn't under his control fully. Shortish outside off, Warner glides it off the outer half through point for a boundary. 72/1
29.1 C Overton to Warner, FOUR! Overpitched and Warner has dispatched that. Around off, the southpaw opener drills it beautifully through the covers and earns himself a boundary. 68/1
28.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Flighted delivery on the stumps, eased out on the off side by Khawaja. 64/1
28.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Hangs back behind the line and defends it out. 64/1
28.4 Ali to Khawaja, Shouts for an lbw but that can't be given out. Khawaja jumps out of his crease to defend but is caught on the pads. He's too far out though to be given out by the umpire. 64/1
28.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Makes use of his feet to get close to the pitch of the ball and blocks. 64/1
28.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Adds a little pace this time, bit quicker on off as Usman meets it with his bat. 64/1
28.1 M Ali to Warner, Slower through the air from Ali, Warner places it into the gap in the cover region and takes one. 64/1
27.6 C Overton to Khawaja, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 63/1
27.5 C Overton to Khawaja, There's the extra bounce again for Overton, you can expect more of that from him through the course of the game. Big lad, bowls it on a back of a length and gets it to rise more, beats the outside edge of Khawaja's bat as he looks to play it on the off side. 63/1
27.4 C Overton to U Khawaja, Fired full around off, with the away movement but Khawaja has done well here. Plays it with soft hands, off the outer half towards backward point. 63/1
Two men out in the deep on the leg side for Usman Khawaja. He's played a couple of uncontrolled pull shots, so this is a good field change from the English skipper.
27.3 C Overton to Khawaja, Shaping away after landing on off, the batsman ensures he has not bothered himself with it. 63/1
27.2 C Overton to Warner, Fraction straight in line, on middle and leg, worked away on the leg side for a comfortable run. 63/1
27.1 C Overton to Warner, Pounded in short on off, Warner looks to play the ramp shot but the bounce is too sharp for him. Taken by Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps with ease. 62/1
26.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja comes forward and meets the ball with the full face of the bat. Keeps it out easily. 62/1
26.5 M Ali to Warner, Quicker on the stumps, almost a yorker, dug out past mid-wicket for a quick run. 62/1
26.4 M Ali to Warner, David Warner has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 61/1
26.3 M Ali to D Warner, Quicker through the air outside off, drilled to the man at cover. 61/1
26.2 M Ali to Warner, Full again, quicker in pace this time from Moeen. Warner blocks comfortably. 61/1
26.1 M Ali to Warner, From around the wicket, floats it up on off, David gets close to the pitch and defends. 61/1
25.6 C Overton to Khawaja, Overton with a full delivery, blocked by the batsman. 61/1
25.5 C Overton to Khawaja, FOUR! Not in perfect control, but the placement is good enough to fetch himself a boundary. Short ball which Khawaja pulls, off the top edge and over backward square leg. Moeen Ali in the deep can't get to it, just a little too far away from him. 61/1
25.4 C Overton to Khawaja, Off cutter outside off, Khawaja picks it up and leaves it alone. 57/1
25.3 C Overton to Khawaja, On the fuller side of the length, just outside off, pushed in front of covers off the front foot. 57/1
25.2 C Overton to Khawaja, Movement off the seam from a length, around off, plants his front foot forward to block it out. 57/1
25.1 C Overton to Khawaja, Full ball outside off, driven through the covers by Khawaja for a couple of good runs. 57/1
24.6 M Ali to Warner, Darts it full on the stumps, defended off the front foot easily. 55/1
24.5 M Ali to Warner, Sliding in with the arm, on middle and off, works it away on the on side by moving inside the line. 55/1
24.4 M Ali to Warner, That's bounced! That's bounced a lot. Immediate effect from the offie. Dropped around off and it shoots off the surface, Warner is taken completely by surprise as the ball takes the edge. There's a slip in place but much to Warner's delight, it goes past him. 55/1
24.3 M Ali to Warner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 55/1
24.2 M Ali to Warner, On a flatter trajectory, full in length, blocked again by David Warner. 55/1
24.1 M Ali to Warner, Straighter one on off stump, defended well down the track. 55/1
Seems the call has been heard. Moeen Ali is brought on into the attack. It's a known fact Usman Khawaja has trouble against spin bowling, good move by Joe Root to bring him on.
23.6 C Overton to Khawaja, Just back of a full length, moving away outside off, no shot offered. 55/1
23.5 C Overton to Khawaja, FOUR! Rare boundary in this innings so far, that's very well played by Usman Khawaja. Sees the ball pitched a little short and he's on to it in a flash. Rocks back and pulls it well in front of square for a boundary. 55/1
23.4 C Overton to Khawaja, A non-threatening delivery outside the off stump line, left alone. 51/1
23.3 C Overton to Khawaja, Usman Khawaja lets the ball go outside his off stump. 51/1
England need to keep this up. There's a packed off side field and the Aussie pair out there are finding it difficult to score. They shouldn't start experimenting any time soon and persist with this for longer. A wicket can result off it.
23.2 C Overton to Khawaja, Outside off without much movement, on a good length, left alone. 51/1
23.1 C Overton to Khawaja, Full and wide outside off, moving further away, Khawaja drives it straight to the man at covers. 51/1
22.6 S Broad to Warner, Good delivery to end the over. Fired full, on off, David Warner positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks on the off side. 51/1
22.5 S Broad to Warner, On off, Warner meets it with a straight bat in defense. 51/1
22.4 S Broad to Warner, Really wide and full, but there's some good bounce for Stuart Broad. The idea isn't bad, he's keeping it tight for the most part and baiting Warner every now and again with a loose one. Outside off, Warner throws his bat at it in an attempt to hammer it through the cover, only to miss. 51/1
22.3 S Broad to Warner, Bringing David forward again, keeps it outside off with that fullish ball. Driven to the cover fielder. 51/1
22.2 S Broad to Warner, Angling and swinging in heavily on middle and off, Warner goes deep inside the crease before working it to the man at mid-wicket. 51/1
22.1 S Broad to Warner, Lands it on a good length just outside off, not much movement on this occasion, easy leave to make for the opener. 51/1
21.6 C Overton to Khawaja, Extra bounce again for Craig Overton, shorter outside off which catches Usman Khawaja by surprise. He still somehow manages to dodge it safely. 51/1
21.5 C Overton to Khawaja, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 51/1
21.4 C Overton to Warner, On a bit of a shorter length on off, Warner wrists it over mid-wicket for a single. 51/1
21.3 C Overton to Warner, Makes it go across the batsman who doesn't bother himself with it. 50/1
21.2 C Overton to Warner, There's that extra bounce. Ooofff... Back of a length outside off, keeps rising and goes past the edge of David Warner's bat who tries to punch it through the covers. 50/1
21.1 C Overton to Warner, Just behind a good length close to the off stick, Warner safely guards it from inside his crease. 50/1
Debutant Craig Overton is into the attack. He's accurate and gets good bounce, let's see how he fares now.
20.6 S Broad to Khawaja, On the fuller side of things again, drilled to mid off for nothing. 50/1
20.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Fuller length ball which is blocked solidly. 50/1
20.4 S Broad to U Khawaja, Short delivery banged into the body, Khawaja pulls it off the inside half down to fine leg for a couple. The 50 is up for Australia with that. 50/1
20.3 S Broad to Khawaja, One more delivery outside off, another one left alone. 48/1
20.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Seaming away from a good length outside off, over the wicket, no shot offered to this one. 48/1
20.1 S Broad to D Warner, Bit overpitched from Broad, bowls it on off, David Warner drives it wide of mid off and comes back for the third with some good running. 48/1
19.6 J Anderson to Warner, Back of a length on the stumps, a touch straight in line, Warner clips it through the leg side and will keep strike. 45/1
19.5 J Anderson to D Warner, FOUR! It's gone all the way but still not exactly a free-flowing drive from David Warner. Still dwelling upon Bancroft's run out, probably. Full outside off, Warner drives it through the covers for a boundary. 44/1
19.4 J Anderson to Warner, Just ahead of a length, outside the line of off stump, kept out presenting the full face of the bat. 40/1
19.3 J Anderson to Warner, Hangs back deep inside his crease, waits for the length ball before blocking it out. 40/1
This is much better field set from Joe Root. Deep point is brought inside the circle now. This will make David Warner think about playing his favourite cut shot, and also allow Jimmy Anderson to bowl a touch straighter. Should have been done much earlier in the game, better late than never though, eh?
19.2 J Anderson to Warner, Angling away, left alone for the keeper to take. 40/1
19.1 J Anderson to Warner, It's skidded off the deck a bit, on off on a length, Warner plays this late, with soft hands. It goes off the outer half past backward point for a double. 40/1
18.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Around the wicket for the final ball of the over, the no.3 batsman leaves the full ball wide outside off. 38/1
18.5 S Broad to Khawaja, On a good length once more, draws the batsman slightly forward. Played back down the track past the bowler. 38/1
18.4 S Broad to Khawaja, Length ball around off, from the outer half of the willow Khawaja plays it towards point. 38/1
18.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Over the wicket to Khawaja, Broad drops it around off and gets it to come back in marginally. Usman comes half-forward and lets it be. 38/1
18.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Short of a good length close to off, Usman keeps it out off the back foot. 38/1
18.1 S Broad to Warner, Skidding off the surface, coming from wide of the crease. Catches Warner on the thigh pad, missing the edge of the bat. Leg bye taken as a result. 38/1
17.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Swinging away from around off, Khawaja with no foot movement pushes from inside the line. Is beaten all ends up. 37/1
17.5 J Anderson to Warner, Full ball which is pushed through the covers. Almost immediately after completing the first, Warner with a big shout of 'NO'. Doesn't want Khawaja to suffer the same fate as his opening partner, at least not because of him. 37/1
17.4 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 36/1
17.3 J Anderson to Warner, Anderson once again makes it go across, Warner with a solid defensive shot. 36/1
17.2 J Anderson to Warner, Beaten! What a peach. Angling across David Warner, he's completely undone for pace as he hangs his bat out to this. Gets beaten past the edge as the keeper takes it. Warner isn't looking too hot for the moment, the run out of his partner has seemingly got under his skin. Needs to shake it off quickly. 36/1
17.1 J Anderson to Warner, Length ball targeting the top of off stump, pushed away in front of covers from within the crease. 36/1
16.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Full outside off, pushed straight to short extra cover. 36/1
16.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Comes wide of the crease and angles it around off, kept out safely with an opened-face blade. 36/1
16.4 S Broad to Khawaja, Kicking up off the surface from around off, the batsman is up for it as he manages to block it on the off side. 36/1
16.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Straightening up after hitting the deck, around off, Khawaja stands firm and defends it right under his nose. 36/1
16.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Shaping back in on middle stump, Khawaja stays back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket. No run taken on that occasion. 36/1
16.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Length delivery outside off, placed square through point for a brace. 36/1
Four slips from Broad for Usman Khawaja.
15.6 J Anderson to Warner, Around off again but it's slightly farther away than the last ball, easy leave for the opener. 34/1
15.5 J Anderson to Warner, Good leave, that's a good leave. The previous one came back in, now it goes the other way. Around off, length delivery, Warner picks it up and lets it go by him. Wasn't too far from the off stump, that. 34/1
15.4 J Anderson to Warner, Pitched on a length on middle and off, moves off the seam into the batsman. Warner is caught high on the thigh pads as he attempts to put bat on ball. 34/1
15.3 J Anderson to D Warner, Makes great connection but it's straight to the man at short extra cover. Warner drills this full ball outside off right into the fielder's hands. 34/1
15.2 J Anderson to Warner, On the stumps, stays perfectly behind the line and blocks. 34/1
15.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Off the mark. Khawaja moves inside the line and works it with a closed face through mid-wicket for a single. 34/1
James Anderson back into the attack.
14.6 S Broad to Warner, Keeps it fuller and around off, met with the full face of the bat to end an exceptional over from Broad. 33/1
14.5 S Broad to Warner, Stuart Broad is breathing fire now. The wicket has breathed life into the English team, especially the big pacer. Lands it on a good length outside off, Warner looks to have a push inside the line but is beaten. 33/1
14.4 S Broad to Warner, Loud, loud lbw appeal! Suddenly the energy flows through Stuart Broad. He comes charging in and spears a full ball on leg and it's angling down. Warner looks to flick it away but misses and is hit on the pads. Big shout, Broad as always wants the review but Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps indicates it's missing leg stump. Good call too, it's missing by a mile. 33/1
Usman Khawaja walks in at No.3.
14.3 S Broad to Bancroft, RUN OUT! Oh, can you believe it? Exactly the thing you don't want when play starts again after several breaks. Is that the spark England needed? Horrible mix-up in the middle. David Warner pushes it towards Moeen Ali at cover, who misfields. Upon seeing this, Warner calls for the run, Bancroft responds and halfway out, the southpaw retreats, leaving his partner in no man's land. Chris Woakes from short extra cover takes the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. Exceptional throw given he had only one stump to aim. A wicket against the run of play for England. 33/1
14.2 S Broad to Warner, Angling in a first but then straightens up considerably, Warner pushes it out on the off side. 33/0
14.1 S Broad to Warner, From around the wicket, length ball well outside off, Warner watches it go past him and into the keeper's gloves. 33/0
Stuart Broad to continue from the other end. Interestingly, there's a deep point and a deep square leg in place. Not sure what the plan is here.
13.6 C Woakes to Bancroft, Served on a length in the corridor of uncertainty, Cameron Bancroft covers the line and makes a watchful leave. 33/0
Excellent news! Seems play will start earlier than expected. We are ready for action as the English team takes its place on the outfield. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft walk over to the square. Chris Woakes to bowl the final ball of his pending over...
Update 1625 local time - The rain has lessened out, almost stopped in fact. The square is still covered but the groundsmen have got down to clearing the outfield of the water. News from the middle is that play will start in about 30 minutes.
Update 1611 local time - We're past the scheduled time, which can only mean the rain is back. That means the covers will be too, and it looks unlikely it's going to start now.
It's happened as predicted. Tea has been taken. The first session marred by rain has seen Australia hold the upper hand for the time being. A vital advantage in the grand scheme of things. England went against the norm at the Adelaide Oval and opted to bowl. Early wickets were the need of the hour but the English bowlers couldn't make use of the swinging conditions. Short lengths and a lack of discipline, coupled with inconsistency to keep it full has led to them wanting more. The second session should begin at 1610 local time, provided there's no further rain. Do join us for it.
1545 LOCAL - 'We are 10 minutes away from resumption' were Mark Nicholas' words with just the Hessian in place. 10 minutes after his words, the Hessian has been replaced by a bigger cover. The drizzle has returned and it is hard to see any play happening before Tea now.
Nice interesting chat between Mark Nicholas and Michael Clarke on air. Nicholas asks Pup (Clarke) as to why is there such a big fuss about Root electing to bowl. Clarke says that it is too early to say anything right now. However, if England do end up not winning this game or losing the same, questions will be asked about the toss. It is about ownership and accountability and one has to face it. The same thing happened to Nasser Hussain way back in 2002 while Ricky Thomas Ponting faced a similar fate in the 2005 Ashes during the Edgbaston Test. Now, Pup further says that generally, in Adelaide, the pitches generally start to wear out by the fourth and fifth days. That also accounts for the drop-in ones. So, hence, he feels, batting first would have been a better choice here, especially if you have a decent spinner in the side.
Update 1530 local time - Good news! The rain has stopped, the covers are off and the supersoppers are doing their thing. It's still a bit dark and overcast out there, but for now, we should have action again soon enough.
The covers are back on! The drizzle is quite steady now, slightly heavier than the last time. The pitch is covered as is a good chunk of the outfield. We could be in for a longer delay this time.
13.5 C Woakes to Bancroft, On a good length closer to off this time, Bancroft stands tall and defends it back down the track. 33/0
13.4 C Woakes to Bancroft, Moving off the seam away from the batsman, outside off, Bancroft doesn't fiddle with it. 33/0
13.3 C Woakes to Bancroft, Stays right behind the line of this length delivery as it's blocked with a straight bat. 33/0
13.2 C Woakes to Warner, Cutting back into David Warner, the flick is missed and it goes off the thigh pads. Leg bye taken on the leg side. 33/0
It was bright and sunny when play was resumed after that brief rain interruption. It's gone quite overcast out there again. It's drizzling again...
13.1 C Woakes to Bancroft, Bancroft with another single in the covers. Maybe Root should be blocking that area. Tap and run stuff and a single is earned. 32/0
12.6 S Broad to Warner, Beautiful. Full and on the stumps, Warner gets right behind the line and pushes it towards mid on. 31/0
12.5 S Broad to Warner, From around the wicket to Warner, outside off and straightening up a shade, it's worked square towards point. 31/0
12.4 S Broad to Bancroft, Overton overdoes his underarm. Bancroft pushes it just wide of the debutant at cover. He gets to the ball, looks to hit the stumps at the striker's end but ends up throwing it way above the batsman's head. Single completed. 31/0
12.3 S Broad to Bancroft, Fullish in length outside off, left alone by Cameron. 30/0
12.2 S Broad to Warner, Length delivery in the off stump channel, tapped down in front of point for a brisk single. 30/0
12.1 S Broad to Warner, Starts off from around the wicket and almost does David Warner in. Oh, that's so risky, Davey. Has a wry smile on his face. Fuller outside off, swinging away ever so late as the left-hander looks to leave it, but does so really, really late. It goes off the bottom part of the bat behind towards the slip cordon. 29/0
Stuart Broad will have a change of ends.
11.6 C Woakes to Warner, Outside off, David taps it towards gully where James Vince dives to his left but is able to make only a half-stop. A single conceded. 29/0
11.5 C Woakes to Warner, Wide outside off, left alone. 28/0
11.4 C Woakes to Warner, FOUR! Fine shot! Full and outside off, Warner gets into his groove, does not let it go and drives it sweetly through the covers. James Anderson starts to jog from mid off, then gives it up. That was a boundary but England should not be disappointed with this length. 28/0
11.3 C Woakes to Warner, Full and wide outside off, much better length, Warner lets it go. 24/0
That was not a big break. The PLAYERS ARE BACK ON. The clouds seem to have been blown away. Nice bright sunshine as of now...
Update 1450 local time - That was a short one. The covers are already off and we're getting ready for play to resume. Good to see.
Not the ideal start for England after opting to bowl on a good batting surface. They needed wickets early on but their experienced bowlers surprisingly were unable to take full advantage of the windy conditions. Their lengths weren't too great and that's allowed the Australian openers to get their eye in. This break is something that they will welcome, they will want to reload and start fresh.
That's an unfortunate sight. It's raining in Adelaide and the groundstaff is out to do its work. Just a strong drizzle for now, doesn't look very threatening. Hopefully the breeze blowing across takes the clouds away from the ground.
11.2 C Woakes to Bancroft, Back of a length delivery angling in, Bancroft is on his toes and misses his flick. It goes off his thigh pad on the leg side as a leg bye is taken. 24/0
11.1 C Woakes to Bancroft, Just outside off on a good length, left alone for Jonny Bairstow to take in his safe gloves. 23/0
Jimmy Anderson has some taping on his right shoulder. He got hit on it in Brisbane, and had some bruising on the muscle. Probably that's still niggling him.
10.6 J Anderson to Warner, Oh wow, how close was that? Calling Warner brave will be understating it. Length ball with some extra bounce around off, comes back in and just about goes over the off stump as David Warner makes a leave. 23/0
10.5 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 23/0
10.4 J Anderson to Warner, Much better. Full and outside off, Warner covers his sticks and lets it go. 23/0
10.3 J Anderson to Warner, Short delivery outside off, Warner rises and keeps it down. Quickly shouts 'wait on' to his partner as he does so. 23/0
10.2 J Anderson to Warner, Bit short outside off, left alone. 23/0
10.1 J Anderson to Warner, Back of a length delivery outside off, Warner punches it through the gap in the covers and takes two as Woakes runs after it and throws it back in. 23/0
9.6 C Woakes to Bancroft, Jaffa! Excellent delivery to end the over. Good length delivery rising off the surface, Bancroft is almost undone as the ball whiskers past the outside edge. 21/0
9.5 C Woakes to Bancroft, Outside off again, Bancroft once again taps it down, this time square on the off side. Cameron has this habit of opening his body up on most occasions, thereby allowing the opportunity of an edge being drawn. He realizes that, maybe telling himself not to repeat it. 21/0
9.4 C Woakes to Bancroft, Nicely played. Length delivery around the off stump, played in front of covers by moving across a step. 21/0
9.3 C Woakes to Bancroft, Short from Woakes, easy enough for the batsman to let it sail over his head. 21/0
9.2 C Woakes to Bancroft, Wider outside off, Bancroft has nothing to do with it. 21/0
9.1 C Woakes to Bancroft, Good length delivery outside off, Bancroft this time lets it be. Good line to bowl to the right-handed opener, he has a tendency to play on the up. Keeping the pressure on him is key. 21/0
8.6 J Anderson to Warner, Good ball. This one holds its line, maybe moves just away enough across the batsman. David Warner hangs a straight bat in defense and gets it off the outer half towards gully. 21/0
8.5 J Anderson to Warner, Angling across just outside off, this time Warner has no trouble leaving it alone. 21/0
8.4 J Anderson to Warner, That's the perfect length. Draws David Warner forward and almost takes the edge. The line might not look too threatening, but since it's cutting across the left-hander, it's difficult not to be tempted to play at it. Fuller and outside off, Warner is forward to push it towards mid off but is beaten. 21/0
8.3 J Anderson to Warner, Good line, good length, good leave. In the channel outside off, arms are shouldered for the keeper to collect. 21/0
8.2 J Anderson to Warner, Back of a length outside off, solid punch offered from the crease a bit square on the off side. 21/0
8.1 J Anderson to Bancroft, Fuller delivery which is swinging away from Cameron Bancroft, it goes off the outer half towards covers and a run is taken. 21/0
7.6 C Woakes to Warner, Similar delivery, helped in the same region by David Warner for two more. Good over for Australia, 6 runs off it. 20/0
7.5 C Woakes to Warner, Into the body from Woakes, David Warner nudges it down towards fine leg and takes two. 18/0
7.4 C Woakes to Warner, Closer to off stump, on a short of a length, Warner leaves it alone seeing the ball moving away late. 16/0
7.3 C Woakes to Warner, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 16/0
7.2 C Woakes to Warner, Well played. Sees the ball pitched a little straight and he flicks it through mid-wicket. Two runs come for him. 16/0
7.1 C Woakes to Warner, Full inswinger from Chris Woakes, Warner defends it off the front foot with the full face of the bat. 14/0
Chris Woakes is the first bowling change for England. Three slips and a gully set for him as well.
6.6 J Anderson to D Warner, Full ball swinging in from around off, Warner has a loose drive thrown at it and he's lucky he gets an inside edge on the leg side. Could have just as easily been bowled. A single results and that'll be the end of the over. 14/0
6.5 J Anderson to Bancroft, Much better. Fast and swinging in, takes the inside edge of Bancroft's bat and goes behind square leg. Single taken. 13/0
6.4 J Anderson to Bancroft, Length delivery on the stumps, guarded well from within the crease. 12/0
6.3 J Anderson to Bancroft, The change-up from Anderson. Bangs it in short outside off, easy enough for Bancroft to sway away from the line and evade. 12/0
The Adelaide Oval is packed. Barely any seats empty, which sure enough will be filled at the minutes tick by. That's what you like to see in Test cricket, makes it all the more awesome.
6.2 J Anderson to Bancroft, Marginally fuller in length this time, defended well down on the track. 12/0
6.1 J Anderson to Bancroft, Good length delivery around the off stump line, Cameron Bancroft produces a tight defensive shot in response. 12/0
5.6 S Broad to Warner, Outside off, sixth stump line, left alone by David Warner comfortably. 12/0
5.5 S Broad to Warner, That's the downside to this field and coming from around the wicket. Fraction straight in line and you're going to go for runs. It's happened here, Warner clips it through square leg and runs hard to come back for the second. 12/0
5.4 S Broad to Warner, Around the wicket to Warner, comes wide of the crease and angles it in on off, Warner punches it firmly straight to mid off. 10/0
5.3 S Broad to Bancroft, Nicely done. Negotiates the swing well by taking a step out of his crease, pushes it into the gap in the covers and scurries across. 10/0
5.2 S Broad to Bancroft, Nice. Full once more, good seam position and outside off, forces Cameron to let it be. 9/0
5.1 S Broad to Bancroft, Well done, Stuart Broad. That would have been a boundary had he not stopped it. Full outside off, Bancroft drives it straight back, the bowler dives to his left quickly in his followthrough and gets a hand on it. 9/0
4.6 J Anderson to Bancroft, Full and attacking the stumps, driven just wide of mid on for a run. 9/0
4.5 J Anderson to Bancroft, And boom! He's right on the money. Full and swinging away on middle and off, Bancroft brings a straight blade down in defense. He shouldn't mind even if he gets hit for a boundary. That's what he should be doing more often. 8/0
4.4 J Anderson to Bancroft, Stays back to this length ball and keeps it out. Still bowling a touch short here, Anderson. Should rectify that. 8/0
4.3 J Anderson to Bancroft, Beautiful! What a ball. Length ball around off, moves away late as Bancroft has a push inside the line. Is beaten past the outside edge as it thuds into the keeper's gloves. 8/0
4.2 J Anderson to Bancroft, Outside off on a good length, left alone for the keeper to collect. 8/0
4.1 J Anderson to Bancroft, Inward movement for Anderson as he bowls it on off, Bancroft is once again hit high on the thigh pads as he looks to play at it. 8/0
The silent observer My gosh, it is so windy out there that the boundary ropes have actually been held back! There was a moment before when Aleem Dar's hat flew off.
3.6 S Broad to Warner, Oh dear, oh dear! What a jaffa from the big man Stuart Broad. David Warner is a lucky man to have survived that. The pacer runs in hard and lands it around off, it cuts back in sharply as Warner leaves. Dangerous thing to do, he didn't expect it to come back in that much. The ball barely misses the off stump as it goes past him. Wow! Terrific delivery to end a good over. 8/0
3.5 S Broad to Warner, Switches the angle to around the wicket and it's the perfect delivery with three slips and a gully in place. It's full and swinging away late around off, Warner covers the line and makes a leave. 8/0
3.4 S Broad to Bancroft, Plays this on the up. Bancroft punches it to the left of short extra cover and calls Warner for a quick single. 8/0
3.3 S Broad to Bancroft, Movement into the batsman this time, the batsman leans across a touch and works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 7/0
3.2 S Broad to Bancroft, Shaping away from around off, Bancroft has no trouble leaving it alone. 5/0
Anderson and Broad are just a tad short with their lengths here. Need to go fuller, use the seam well. It will trouble the batsmen and eventually, with some luck, reap the rewards.
3.1 S Broad to Bancroft, Nice length delivery on the fifth stump line, Cameron makes a decent leave. 5/0
2.6 J Anderson to Warner, Back of a length again, kept out off the back foot to end the over. 5/0
2.5 J Anderson to Warner, FOUR! First boundary of the innings and that's come off David Warner's bat. Anderson is short with his length so the left-hander puts it away. Crashes it through the left of point and sends it across the boundary line. 5/0
2.4 J Anderson to Warner, Good leave. An impressive leave by David Warner. Fuller in length and around off, moves away as the southpaw makes a late leave. Judged it well on that occasion. 1/0
2.3 J Anderson to Warner, Full in length, just a shade straighter in line, Warner brings bat in front of his pads and blocks it out. 1/0
2.2 J Anderson to Warner, Fires it full but well outside off, Warner has nothing to do with it. 1/0
2.1 J Anderson to Warner, Just down the leg side from Jimmy Anderson, Warner looks to get something on it but doesn't. 1/0
1.6 S Broad to Bancroft, Fullish in length outside the line of off stump, blocked with the full face of the bat. 1/0
1.5 S Broad to Bancroft, Cutting back in on middle and off, Bancroft is hit in the mid-section as he looks to work it on the leg side. Not sure if cutting his fingers across the seam this early is a good idea. Broad is a seam bowler, must play to his strengths. Bringing Cameron Bancroft forward and making him drive should be his objective, bowling just a tad short. 1/0
1.4 S Broad to Bancroft, Slightly ahead of a length around off, pushes straight to short extra cover. 1/0
1.3 S Broad to Bancroft, Length ball aiming the top of the off stick, Bancroft from within his crease offers a firm punch down towards mid on. 1/0
Quite windy out there. So much that umpire Aleem Dar's hat and glasses at square leg just blew right off. A sight which will encourage the visitors.
1.2 S Broad to Bancroft, On the fourth stump line, good length delivery from Broad as Cameron Bancroft leaves it. 1/0
1.1 S Broad to Bancroft, Broad comes steaming in and immediately goes full. Just outside off as Bancroft leans ahead and meets it with a straight bat. 1/0
Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end. He too will have three slips and a gully in place.
0.6 J Anderson to Warner, Rising at a nice height from a good length, in that off stump channel, David Warner lets it be. Tidy first over from Anderson, just 1 off it. 1/0
0.5 J Anderson to Warner, There it is... The sucker ball! Full and hurled outside off, Warner has a tame poke at it without much foot movement. Almost edges it behind, he'll feel lucky he didn't. More of that, Jimmy. That's what you want to do. 1/0
0.4 J Anderson to Warner, Goes fuller this time and it's swung a long way down leg, Jonny Bairstow moves swiftly to his right and takes it well. Anderson just needs to get his length right here, should go full and exploit the conditions here. 1/0
0.3 J Anderson to Warner, Short of a good length close to off, Warner hangs back and taps it down right under his nose. 1/0
0.2 J Anderson to Warner, Good carry. That's a superb delivery, good sign for the bowler. Lands it on a good length around off, great seam position and it nips back in just a touch. Warner shoulders his arms as the ball whizzes past him. 1/0
0.1 J Anderson to Bancroft, Bancroft is away wasting no time at all. A back of a length delivery outside off, he pushes it into the covers and hares across to the other end. Always good to get off the mark on the first delivery, he'll be feeling good about that. 1/0