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Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates with team mates after dismissing England's Mark Stoneman LBW during the second day of the second Ashes cricket test match. REUTERS/David Gray
Commentary (England innings)
Australia's session but England did offer some fight. The hosts reduced their opposition to 142/7 from 128/5 after Tea but then were surprisingly greeted by some grit from Chris Woakes and Craig Overton. Most of that has to be attributed to the fact that Australia changed their gameplan and kept banging it short.
71.6 M Starc to Broad, A short ball, around leg stump, Stuart looks to tuck it away but the ball goes off his thigh pads towards square leg. A leg bye to end the session. DINNER ON DAY 3! 219/8
71.5 M Starc to Broad, Outside off, left alone. 218/8
71.4 M Starc to Broad, FOUR LEG BYES! A short ball down the leg side, Broad looks to tuck it fine but the ball goes off his thighs past the keeper to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 10. 218/8
71.3 M Starc to Overton, The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad. They pick up a single. 214/8
71.2 M Starc to Overton, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. 213/8
This should be the last over before Dinner but should a wicket fall before the break, we can have an additional 30 minutes.
71.1 M Starc to Overton, A length ball outside off, Overton feels for it but misses. 213/8
70.6 J Hazlewood to Overton, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. 213/8
70.5 J Hazlewood to Overton, FOUR! Very nicely played! Banged in short outside off, Overton is ready for it and deftly guides it over the slip cordon to third man! 212/8
70.4 J Hazlewood to Overton, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 208/8
70.3 J Hazlewood to Overton, Three in a row. Bouncer, ducked under. 208/8
70.2 J Hazlewood to Overton, A short ball again, Craig ducks. 208/8
70.1 J Hazlewood to Overton, A bouncer, around off, Overton ducks. 208/8
Josh Hazlewood is back on. Can Australia nip England out before the break?
69.6 M Starc to Broad, Another short ball, well kept out. A successful over for Australia after 16 non-successful ones in succession. 208/8
69.5 M Starc to Broad, A short ball to welcome Broad, he fends at it and the ball goes uppishly towards gully who dives to his left. But it lands short. 208/8
Stuart Broad walks in at number 10, replacing Woakes.
69.4 Starc to Woakes, OUT! Simple caught and bowled. The plan works. It was short, short, short, short, short without much full when Woakes and Overton were new at the crease. No success. Then Australia reverted to bowling full, full, full, full and suddenly, from nowhere, this short ball comes. Woakes thinks he can pull but his bat twists in his hand while playing that shot. As a result, he gets a top edge which just lobs straight up in the air. For some reason, short extra cover and short mid-wicket come running in for the catch but Starc calmly stops them, calls for the catch, goes back a few steps and takes it. Third wicket for Starc. The 66-run stand has been broken and Woakes becomes one of those many batsmen in this Test match from both sides who have got a start but failed to make it big. But too harsh to expect so much from a number 8. 35 more needed to avoid the follow-on. 208/8
Interesting comment from Ian Chappell on air. He mentions that Craig Overton used to bat at number 4 for England in the Under-19 World Cup. What he also adds is, his twin brother, Jamie, is very quick, hitting the 140 ks consistently. So he would have seen pace in his backyard, which might be aiding him in playing this pace trio easily.
69.3 M Starc to Woakes, A fine yorker, dug out back to the bowler. 208/7
69.2 M Starc to Overton, Down the leg side, tucked towards backward square leg for a run. 208/7
69.1 M Starc to Woakes, A length ball around off, worked past short leg for a single. 207/7
68.6 N Lyon to Overton, Full and around off, well kept out. 206/7
68.5 N Lyon to Overton, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. 206/7
68.4 N Lyon to Overton, Desperate appeal for LBW. Only Lyon appealed. Okay, Smith put up a hand too. Pitched around leg, Craig looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Smith asked his bowler about the review and he got a honest reply - Going past the leg stump. 206/7
68.3 N Lyon to Overton, Great fielding again! Full and outside off, Overton drives it straight but Lyon dives to his left and stops it cleanly. 206/7
68.2 N Lyon to Overton, Full again, nicely kept out. 206/7
68.1 N Lyon to Overton, Landed around middle, watchfully defended. 206/7
67.6 M Starc to Overton, Full and outside off, Overton reaches out and drives it behind point. Shaun Marsh jogs after it and keeps the batsmen to two. Oh wait. The throw is a wild one and Paine cannot collect. By the time short leg can stop the ball, an extra run is pinched. Overton moves to 30 now. 206/7
67.5 M Starc to Overton, Landed outside off, left alone. 203/7
Another one has his bat cracked. Yesterday, it was Stoneman. Now, it is Overton. On both occasions, it was Mitchell Starc the bowler. The 12th man takes centuries to get the bats onto the field. Mason Crane it is.
67.4 M Starc to Overton, Goes back in his crease and defends. 203/7
67.3 M Starc to Overton, Full and around off, well blocked out. 203/7
67.2 M Starc to Overton, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 203/7
67.1 M Starc to Woakes, A length ball, around middle, tucked towards square leg for a single. The deficit is now 239. 203/7
66.6 N Lyon to Woakes, Fuller on middle, pushed towards mid on for a single. 202/7
66.5 N Lyon to Overton, Works this down the leg side off the back foot for a single. 201/7
66.4 N Lyon to Overton, FOUR! CLUBBED! The batsmen are now getting confident. The ball is nicely tossed up outside off and Overton gets down and then slog sweeps it over square leg. A one-bounce boundary. 200 UP FOR ENGLAND, a big psychological boost given the way the afternoon session panned out. 200/7
66.3 N Lyon to Overton, Full and around off, well kept out. 196/7
66.2 N Lyon to Woakes, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. 196/7
66.1 N Lyon to Woakes, Goes back in his crease and defends. 195/7
65.6 M Starc to Overton, And again. Full and outside off, Craig feels for it but is beaten. Now Starc looks to sledge again but Overton looks away. Starc smiles, with his tongue out. 195/7
65.5 M Starc to Overton, A short ball down the leg side, left alone. 195/7
When this pair had come out to bat, Australia's immediate plan was to bowl short, short and just short. Now that they are convinced that Overton and Woakes play the short stuff well, the Aussies have shifted to Plan B - fuller length.
65.4 M Starc to Overton, And again! Keep that full, make the batsman play and then get the ball to move. Starc is too good for Overton at the moment. He looks to sledge the batsman but the latter just looks down at the pitch. However, before looking down, he does admit that it was a beauty of a ball. 195/7
65.3 M Starc to Overton, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 195/7
65.2 M Starc to Overton, Full and outside off, Overton looks to drive but misses. 195/7
65.1 M Starc to Overton, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 195/7
64.6 N Lyon to Woakes, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. 195/7
64.5 N Lyon to Woakes, Full and around off, played in front of short leg. 195/7
64.4 N Lyon to Woakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 195/7
64.3 N Lyon to Woakes, Goes right back in his crease to block that one. 195/7
64.2 N Lyon to Overton, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. 195/7
64.1 N Lyon to Overton, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 194/7
Nathan Lyon is back. One of the rare instances that this has happened in this innings - Steven Smith is actually looking as to where and how can the next wicket come from.
63.6 M Starc to Woakes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 194/7
63.5 M Starc to Woakes, FOUR! Lucky! England deserve some luck at least. A short ball outside off, poor Woakes is in no position to play that. He is off the ground, tries to fend that but can only spoon it in the air. Luckily for him, it flies over the slip cordon to the third man fence. The 50-RUN STAND is up. For all the fight that this pair has shown and given some of the lucky dismissals that Australia have got, England need some luck. Best stand of the innings. 49 more needed to avoid the follow-on. A realistic possibility now. 194/7
63.4 M Starc to Woakes, A length ball outside off, Woakes gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. Two runs taken. 190/7
63.3 M Starc to Woakes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 188/7
63.2 M Starc to Woakes, Full and straight, watchfully defended. 188/7
63.1 M Starc to Overton, A firing yorker length, on middle, perhaps a bit full rather, flicked past short leg for a single through mid-wicket. 188/7
Mitchell Starc is back on.
62.6 J Hazlewood to Overton, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. 57 more runs needed to take the choice of follow-on out of Smith's hands. 187/7
62.5 J Hazlewood to Overton, FOUR LEG BYES! A short ball, around the rib cage, Overton looks to tuck it fine but the ball goes off his hips past the diving Tim Paine to the fine leg fence. 186/7
62.4 J Hazlewood to C Overton, Full again, better length, nice line too, just around off, pushed towards short mid on. 182/7
62.3 J Hazlewood to Overton, Just outside off, Overton comes forward and keeps it out. 182/7
62.2 J Hazlewood to Woakes, A length ball again, angling in, Chris tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. This stand is now worth 40 from just 55 balls. Good rearguard action this from England. Nice to see some fight and character. 182/7
62.1 J Hazlewood to Woakes, FOUR! MAJESTIC! That is some shot. A length ball outside off, slightly wide, Woakes reaches out and drives it through cover-point and finds the boundary. 181/7
61.6 Pat Cummins to Overton, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 177/7
61.5 Pat Cummins to Overton, A short ball outside off, Overton fends it down, getting nicely on top of the bounce. 177/7
61.4 Pat Cummins to Overton, A length ball, outside off, well kept out. 177/7
61.3 Pat Cummins to Overton, A short ball, around off, CO ducks. 177/7
61.2 Pat Cummins to Overton, Landed outside off, fuller than the previous one, Craig squirts it past the diving gully fielder for a couple. 177/7
61.1 Pat Cummins to Overton, On a length outside off, Overton comes forward and defends. 175/7
60.6 J Hazlewood to C Overton, Speared full around off, Craig with a very good shot down the ground. Plays it through mid on and earns a triple for doing so. Partnership is now worth 33, which is England's best this innings. Should say everything in itself. 175/7
60.5 J Hazlewood to Woakes, Stylishly helped away by Chris Woakes. He rises and works it past short leg to deep backward square leg. Easy single taken. 172/7
60.4 J Hazlewood to Woakes, Landed on a length once again, outside off, pushed away on the off side from within the crease. 171/7
60.3 J Hazlewood to Overton, Short of a length into the batsman, goes off Overton's thigh pad towards backward square leg. A leg bye is taken by the batsmen. 171/7
60.2 J Hazlewood to Woakes, Nicely done from Woakes, all things considered. Short and angling in, was difficult to keep it down so he does his best to chip it well short of the fielder. Starc at fine leg collects it as the batsmen take a run. 170/7
60.1 J Hazlewood to Woakes, Good length delivery outside off, Woakes walks a step across and punches it to the man at cover. 169/7
Drinks have been called for. Stating the obvious in saying England are staring down the barrel. Australia are right on top and are bowling fiercely. The wickets could fall soon, and it would be interesting to see whether Steven Smith enforces the follow-on or not.
59.6 Pat Cummins to Overton, Over the wicket to Overton, angles it in on middle and leg, it catches his thigh pad and falls down safely. 169/7
59.5 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Woakes has got away with one here! Really, really lucky. Short ball into the body, Woakes looks to pull but the bounce gets big on him. Goes off the top edge and over short leg's head. Single taken. 169/7
59.4 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Fraction ahead of a length, skidding on from middle and leg, Chris Woakes solidly defends it beside short leg. 168/7
59.3 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 168/7
59.2 Pat Cummins to Overton, Connects the pull this time, helps it along the ground through backward square leg for a single. 168/7
59.2 Pat Cummins to Overton, Wide! Banged in short but it's too short, wide called by the umpire. 167/7
59.1 Pat Cummins to Overton, Continues from around the wicket and pounds it in hard. Down leg, short and Overton goes for the pull. Misses it altogether. 166/7
58.6 J Hazlewood to Overton, Tucked 'round the corner with a closed face and that will be a single. 166/7
58.5 J Hazlewood to Overton, Cracker of a bouncer from Hazlewood. It's anyway difficult for tall guys to duck, they instinctively want to stand tall and play. Considering that, he's done well to avoid this one. 165/7
58.4 J Hazlewood to Overton, Angling back in on middle and leg, shorter in length and into the body, Craig somehow manages to work it down beside the short leg fielder. 165/7
58.3 J Hazlewood to Overton, Length ball targeting the off stick, blocked out on the off side. 165/7
58.2 J Hazlewood to Overton, FOUR! Positive shot, that. Nicely done by Overton. It's on a length outside off, he square drives it through point and earns a boundary to his name. 165/7
58.1 J Hazlewood to Overton, The assault continues. Bumper around off, Overton gets on top of the ball somehow and defends it. 161/7
57.6 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Good shot, Chris. Pulls this shorter length ball through square leg. Hazlewood does equally well out in the deep with a superb dive to his left, thereby saving a boundary. Two runs taken. 161/7
57.5 Pat Cummins to Woakes, The batsman works it down the leg side. 159/7
57.4 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Shortish in length going across the batsman, patted down in front of covers for nothing. 159/7
57.3 Pat Cummins to C Overton, Short again, pulled away through backward square leg for a single. 159/7
57.2 Pat Cummins to Overton, Not out! Never in doubt, really. Short ball into the body from around the wicket, Overton fends it down in front of Marsh at short leg. He gets low, quickly underarms it at the striker's end seeing Craig out of his crease by one step. It's taken upstairs and replays show that the batsman is well in. 158/7
Run out appeal. Shaun Marsh is quick to hit the stumps from short leg, seeing Overton slightly out of his crease. Looks comfortably safe though...
57.1 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Outside off on a good length, Woakes plays it through point and gets off strike. 158/7
Pat Cummins to have a go with the ball once more.
56.6 J Hazlewood to Overton, This is good bowling. You know your bowling is right on the money if you can make a tall guy rise and leap to play that. Shortish in length, Craig Overton just about manages to fend it down on the track with his gloves. 157/7
56.5 J Hazlewood to Overton, Sharp again. The bouncer from Josh, Overton does the right thing by getting out of its way. 157/7
56.4 J Hazlewood to Overton, FOUR! He's played that very well. Short ball outside off, Overton stands tall and steers it with an angled bat past the diving gully fielder. Behind him and away to the fence for a boundary. 157/7
56.3 J Hazlewood to Overton, Zipping off the surface on a back of a length, cuts back in too on middle and leg. Overton is completely beaten for pace as he's hit high on the thigh pad. 153/7
56.2 J Hazlewood to Overton, Venomous bumper from Hazlewood, angling down on middle and leg, Overton barely manages to duck and evade. Nasty one, that. 153/7
56.1 J Hazlewood to C Overton, Good length delivery on middle and off, slightest of angles away, takes the outside edge of Overton's bat and falls just before Steven Smith at second slip. 153/7
Josh Hazlewood is back into the bowling attack.
55.6 M Starc to Woakes, FOUR! Shot. Literally nobody out there. Short and wide, Woakes flays it over point and sends it across the boundary line. Picked his spot well, executed it properly too. The 150 is up for England with that. 153/7
55.5 M Starc to Woakes, Keeps it short, on the off stump, defended down right under his nose. 149/7
55.4 M Starc to Overton, Almost a catch! Fast, short, into the body, Overton works it aerially just past Marsh at short leg. He couldn't react in time and just got his hand wide of the ball. One run to the scoreboard. 149/7
55.3 M Starc to Woakes, Short of a good length outside off, punched firmly just wide of the man positioned at cover. Single taken. 148/7
55.2 M Starc to Woakes, With the short leg in place, Starc is going short again. It's down the leg side this time, however, which lets the batsman not play at it. 147/7
55.1 M Starc to Woakes, Length delivery just outside off, a hint of movement off the seam. Woakes stands his ground and blocks it down in front of covers. 147/7
54.6 N Lyon to Overton, Goes with the spin, turns it away gently on the leg side for no run. 147/7
54.5 N Lyon to C Woakes, Drifts it away from the batsman, Woakes is forward and almost done in. The edge is drawn and it goes past the slip fielder behind for three runs. 147/7
54.4 N Lyon to Woakes, Pitched right up there, this one doesn't turn. Woakes sees it and defends it by bringing his bat ahead of his pad. 144/7
54.3 N Lyon to Overton, Goes the other way this time. Uses the spin and works it wide of mid on for a single. 144/7
54.2 N Lyon to C Overton, Quite full in length, the ball doesn't turn much as a result and Overton pushes it towards wide mid off. 143/7
54.1 N Lyon to Overton, Spinning sharply down the leg side, Overton doesn't bother playing at that. 143/7
53.6 M Starc to Woakes, Positions himself behind the line of this length ball and sees the over out safely. 143/7
53.5 M Starc to Woakes, Camps back, waits for the ball to come to him and then blocks. 143/7
53.4 M Starc to Woakes, Angling away with some pace and bounce, Woakes looks to push it away from his body but can't make any connection. 143/7
53.3 M Starc to Overton, Into the hips, worked it through backward square leg for a single. 143/7
53.2 M Starc to Overton, Venomous bouncer from Starc, Overton cautiously gets his head under it. 142/7
Craig Overton to bat next for the visitors.
53.1 Starc to Bairstow, OUT! Another terrific catch! How did that stick in? Unreal. Lucky it didn't lob off behind, but he did well in the first place to get a hand on it to begin with. Starc bowls it full and straight from around the wicket, Jonny Bairstow drives it in the air straight back. The pacer sticks his right hand out, can't take it on the first attempt but then collects it on the second. Made that look quite comfortable to be honest, wasn't exactly as easy as it looked. With this wicket, it's not farfetched to say England's hopes have ended. 142/7
52.6 N Lyon to Woakes, Right behind the line of this one as he guards it out safely. 142/6
52.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Plays with the spin, turns it away behind square leg and crosses over. 142/6
52.4 N Lyon to Woakes, Takes a step out of his crease, gets close to the pitch and turns it to mid-wicket. One run taken. 141/6
52.3 N Lyon to C Woakes, Sharp spin from off, into the batsman, Woakes goes behind to play and gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad which falls safely down. 140/6
52.2 N Lyon to Woakes, Fuller in length this time, quite straight in line, allows Woakes to get ahead and bury it into the track. 140/6
52.1 N Lyon to Woakes, Floats it up just outside off, Woakes defends it with ease. 140/6
51.6 M Starc to Woakes, Back of a length outside off, tapped down into the covers for an easy run. 140/6
51.5 M Starc to Woakes, Further away around off, still in that niggling zone, Woakes has a poke at it and gets beaten. Could have just as easily edged that. Wasn't too far away from the edge. 139/6
51.4 M Starc to Woakes, Ripper! Ripper! What a ball. Just back of a length on middle and off, angling away slightly, very slightly, and it almost does the batsman in. He fishes inside the line and nearly nicks it behind. 139/6
51.3 M Starc to Woakes, Over the wicket now to Chris Woakes, bumper on the stumps. Evaded comfortably by the batsman. 139/6
51.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Angling in again, Bairstow uses the angle well and turns it away n the leg side for a single. 139/6
51.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Comes from around the wicket and angles it in around off, Jonny Bairstow is behind the line as he keeps it out. 138/6
50.6 N Lyon to Woakes, Off spinner around off, catches Woakes' pads and flies past the vacant silly point region. Don't think there was any bat involved, so no problem there. 138/6
50.5 N Lyon to Woakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 138/6
50.4 N Lyon to C Woakes, Inside edge but it's fallen short. Spinning in from around off, Woakes gets an inside edge onto his pads but it lobs safely wide of the short leg fielder who's positioned deep. 138/6
50.3 N Lyon to Woakes, Straighter one outside off, left alone for the keeper to take. 138/6
50.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Looped up off spinner on middle and off, Bairstow is forward and defends it off the inner edge past short leg for a single. 138/6
50.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Turning in from outside off, Bairstow backs away and offers a firm punch to cover. 137/6
49.6 M Starc to Woakes, Angling away late, Woakes gets a leading edge square on the off side. No harm done, end of the over. 137/6
49.5 M Starc to Woakes, FOUR! That's a fantastic shot. Pure instincts took over there for Woakes. Short, he pulls it hard and along the ground through backward square leg, beating the man out in the deep. 137/6
Shaun Marsh is now at silly point. No wait, he's at forward point. Interesting, attacking approach from Australia. Deep square leg in place too.
49.4 M Starc to Woakes, Some extra bounce on this occasion, Woakes hangs his bat out to this back of a length ball and gets it off the outer half towards point. 133/6
49.3 M Starc to Woakes, Fierce bouncer from Starc, angling across on middle and off, Chris Woakes arches back and lets it be. 133/6
49.2 M Starc to Woakes, Holds the length back once more, Woakes stands tall and keeps it out. 133/6
49.1 M Starc to Woakes, Back of a length delivery on off stump, guarded out off the back foot. 133/6
48.6 N Lyon to Woakes, Steps out of his crease to get close to the pitch and pushes it to covers for one. 133/6
48.5 N Lyon to Woakes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 132/6
48.4 N Lyon to Woakes, Slower through the air on middle, driven to mid on. 132/6
48.3 N Lyon to Woakes, Darted full on the stumps, Woakes manages to dig it out by bringing his bat down in time. 132/6
Chris Woakes is the player in to bat for England.
48.2 Lyon to Ali, OUT! OH DEAR GOD.... NATHAN LYON, YOU ABSOLUTE BEAUTY! What a catch! Out of the blue, taken it spectacularly. Wow! I think that's the best catch I've seen taken in recent memory. He's been bowling beautifully and taken an absolute ripper to dismiss Moeen Ali. Tossed up on the stumps, probably holds up a bit which is why Ali chips it back down the ground. The GOAT dives superman-like to his left and takes a one-handed stunner. The tradition of this game continues with this wicket - a wicket has fallen almost immediately after every session has started. England back in real trouble here. 132/6
48.1 N Lyon to Ali, It's a mishit but he's got enough to clear the infield. Moeen Ali gives the charge to this tossed up delivery and goes over covers. Falls well short of the man in the deep and a couple of runs are taken. 132/5
47.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, easy leave to end the over. 130/5
47.5 M Starc to Bairstow, Real zip off the deck as Starc angles it in from outside off. On a back of a length, Bairstow goes deep inside the crease, covers the line and lets it be. 130/5
47.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Angling back in on the stumps, stays right behind the line and keeps it out. 130/5
47.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Low full toss fired wide outside off, Bairstow looks to hit it through the covers but misses. 130/5
47.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Full delivery attacking the stumps, driven to mid on. 130/5
47.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Well outside off from around the wicket, no shot offered from Bairstow. 130/5
He will want to break this stand and break it early. The duo of Ali and Bairstow can be dangerous, they've shown that over time. And Australia will be wary of the threat.
Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end.
46.6 N Lyon to Ali, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 130/5
46.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Goes back and flicks it between leg slip and short leg for a single. 130/5
46.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Trying something new. Gets across and looks to sweep it fine. Exposes all his stumps and luckily for him, the ball hits his glove and lands short of leg slip. So he could have been bowled, LBW or even caught in attempting that shot. Risky. 129/5
46.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Goes back and works it towards square leg. 129/5
46.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Around off, watchfully defended. 'Niceeee Garrrry!' shouts Paine. Matthew Wade would have done this on almost every ball had he been the stumper. Paine is usually a quiet bloke. 129/5
46.1 N Lyon to Ali, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. 129/5
A bright sunshine envelops the ground as the players make their way to the middle. Nathan Lyon to start off proceedings.
... Day 3, Second Session ...
To be honest, Pat Cummins has been the pick of the bowlers in my opinion. He has actually made THINGS HAPPEN. Made the batsmen think differently, trying to do something different. Not that the other bowlers haven't but this lad has been impressive. England will hope that the pair of Moeen and Bairstow bats through or at least a major part of what is called as the 'best batting session of a day-night Test.' Only that could bring them out of this hole. Join us back at 1623 local (0553 GMT) for the second session.
Not quite sure whether we can credit the dismissals to the Aussie bowling entirely. Yes, they did bowl well, but were they tested? Nope. In the very second over of the day, a bloke plays a rash shot. That is followed by his skipper who seemed to be wanting to play his strokes. Malan and Cook tried to offer some resistance but that is where the menacing Aussie bowling came into play. If three seamers making life difficult was not enough, the spinner was creating plenty of trouble.
Nice finish to the session for England but it has been Australia's 150 minutes. They have conceded 99 runs in 36.5 overs. Economical? Wait. Vince, Root, Cook and Malan. All gone. Terrific start to the day.
45.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Full on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a couple. TEA ON DAY 3! 128/5
45.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone. 126/5
45.4 Pat Cummins to Ali, Nice shot. This is very full and Ali drives it down the ground. The ball stops on its way to the ropes and David Warner gives it a good chase from cover. Three runs taken. Moeen moves to 22 now. 126/5
45.3 Pat Cummins to Ali, Awkward length if you are a batsman, between full and good, around off, Moeen looks to defend but the ball keeps rising. Manages to keep it down. 123/5
45.2 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Tucks this through mid-wicket for a single. 123/5
45.1 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, EDGED, SHORT! Nearly another wicket before the break. A length ball outside off, a tentative Bairstow pokes and edges it. The ball lands short of third slip where Cameron Bancroft dives to his right and makes a clean stop. Australia seem to be getting good close-in fielders. Bancroft is good at short leg and even in the slips. So is Matt Renshaw while Peter Handscomb is not bad either. 122/5
Should be the last over before Tea. Cummins adds drama. Comes running in, then bails out. Mind games. Now a short mid on in place.
44.6 N Lyon to Ali, Outside off, left alone. 122/5
44.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, A shortish ball, punched towards THAT deepish mid on for another easy run. 122/5
44.4 N Lyon to M Ali, Now Moeen turns this through mid on and runs across. 121/5
44.3 N Lyon to J Bairstow, Full and around off, Jonny drives it towards deepish mid on. That is a kind of a position which is not saving the single but is not at the fence either. Just enticing the batsman, to try and go over his head. Not quite sure whether that is needed right now. 120/5
44.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Spins back in, Bairstow pushes it towards cover. 119/5
44.1 N Lyon to Ali, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single. 119/5
43.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Another leave to end the over. 118/5
43.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A shortish delivery now, Jonny ducks. 118/5
43.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, quietly left alone this time. 118/5
43.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 118/5
43.2 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, There..... now Cummins corrects his length but Bairstow misjudges this time. Thinks he can drive, looks to drive but he mistimes it uppishly to mid off. 118/5
43.1 Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Cummins keeps bowling full and Bairstow is not in the mood to leave balls alone. He drives it through the covers for a boundary. Cummins did not miss the length by much. May be, a tad shorter than this length could have got the edge. Cricket at its best. Good ball, a slight error and the batsman plays a wonderful shot. That is exactly how the sport should be. Love all. 118/5
42.6 N Lyon to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 114/5
42.5 N Lyon to Ali, Wider outside off, left alone. 114/5
42.4 N Lyon to Ali, Every ball that Lyon is bowling, it gives the feeling that a wicket is going to fall. Full and outside off, Moeen looks to drive, comes forward but the ball spins and bounces a mile to beat the outside edge. 114/5
42.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, This time he gets it wide of that man and a single results. 114/5
42.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, A touch short, around middle, whipped straight to square leg. 113/5
42.1 N Lyon to Ali, Comes down the track and eases it wide of mid off for a single. 113/5
41.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Excellent bowling. The line does not change, nor does the length. Bairstow comes half forward to defend but is beaten by the extra lift. 112/5
41.5 Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, FOUR! Actually a good shot. Not a bad ball. It is the sucker ball. Keep mixing the lengths and then bowl full, hoping he will nick one off the drive. Cummins got Root nicking but here Bairstow drives it straight down the ground past mid off. The stand moves to 10. 112/5
41.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A length ball outside off, Bairstow feels for it but the ball just lifts after pitching. Cannot do anything once you have committed. He is lucky the ball does not take the edge but perhaps, if not being over-critical, the ball was wide enough to be left alone. 108/5
41.3 Pat Cummins to Ali, A good length delivery, clipped through square leg for a single. 108/5
41.2 Pat Cummins to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 107/5
41.1 Pat Cummins to Ali, Straight line, watchfully defended. 107/5
40.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 107/5
40.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Short and outside off, punched straight to cover. 107/5
40.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. 107/5
40.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Around off, defended from the crease. 107/5
40.2 N Lyon to Ali, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. 107/5
40.1 N Lyon to Ali, Around off, spinning in, defended to the leg side. 106/5
39.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A bouncer on middle and off, Jonny ducks. 106/5
39.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A peach. Full and outside off, Jonny looks to drive and we feel - Caught behind! There is some noise but nothing from the bowler or the keeper. Replays indicate noise as well but no conclusive evidence about the ball hitting the edge. May have been the bat hitting the pitch. 106/5
39.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 106/5
39.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, A shortish ball, defended from the crease. 106/5
39.2 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 106/5
39.1 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Landed outside off, on a length, coming in, Bairstow watches it go. 106/5
38.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Works it with the spin towards the leg side for a run. 106/5
Mid on goes back a little bit and a sweeper in place too for Bairstow.
38.5 N Lyon to Ali, Comes down the track and pushes this wide of cover for a single. 105/5
38.4 N Lyon to Ali, Floated around off, Moeen comes down the track and defends. 104/5
38.3 N Lyon to Ali, On middle, Mo just chips it wide of the bowler towards mid on. 104/5
38.2 N Lyon to Ali, Fuller, draws the batsman forward, Ali defends. 104/5
38.1 N Lyon to Ali, Landed around off, Moeen defends it from his crease. 104/5
37.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Full and around off, well defended. 104/5
37.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 104/5
37.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Nothing shot. Sheer pace, is this. Bairstow just fishes and misses. No feet movement. 104/5
37.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow initially makes some trigger movement to play it through the off side but then withdraws his bat. 104/5
37.2 Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. 104/5
Jonny Bairstow walks in next, at number 7, replacing Malan.
37.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, OUT! Caught behind! The bowling change works for Australia. This is pace bowling at its best. As a cricket fan, it is real fun to watch when someone moves a ball consistently at over 140 clicks. Here, it is someone plus someone plus someone. This trio can make life difficult for any world class batsman and Malan is only finding his feet in this world. Nothing much he could do about this. Cummins charges in, on his very first ball of a new spell, no warm-up but straightaway on the mark. Hits the length outside off and Malan is in two minds whether he should play or let it go. He ends up being non-committed but the ball just kicks back in. Then bounces, that too, with pace. Malan can only defend to counter the late movement but the ball just keeps coming in. Takes the left glove and Tim Paine does the rest behind. Malan does not want to go but then Australia appeal. They are confident and eventually the umpire raises his finger. No review from Malan, he knows he is a goner. Tough luck. What a ball. England still 141 away from avoiding the follow-on. 102/5
Pat Cummins is back into the attack. Bowled really really well this morning. Bowled with pace and consistency.
36.6 N Lyon to Ali, FOUR! This is more of a hack. Lyon drifts this a bit away from the batsman, bowls this slightly wider outside off, Moeen looks to slog sweep again but gets it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A boundary is the result. 102/4
36.5 N Lyon to Ali, FOUR! Finally Moeen gets one away! Full and down the leg side, Moeen gets down and sweeps it powerfully through the leg side, through square leg for a boundary! 98/4
36.4 N Lyon to Ali, Full on middle and leg, flicked towards mid on. 94/4
36.3 N Lyon to Malan, Outside off, pushed towards point for a single. The deficit is now 349. 94/4
36.2 N Lyon to Malan, Outside off, played straight to point. 93/4
36.1 N Lyon to Malan, Full and around off, well defended. 93/4
35.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, On middle, pushed towards mid on. Mitchell Starc comes charging in but then fumbles and concedes a single. 93/4
35.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, A bumper to test his temper, but Malan is composed and ducks. 92/4
35.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 92/4
35.3 J Hazlewood to Ali, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 92/4
35.2 J Hazlewood to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 91/4
35.1 J Hazlewood to Ali, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 91/4
34.6 N Lyon to M Ali, EDGED, DROPPED, RUN OUT MISSED! What a delivery. Lyon gives this plenty of flight outside off and Moeen comes forward to defend. However, the ball spins and then bounces away. Takes the outside edge but the bounce defeats Tim Paine. He gets across to his left, but the ball hits his left elbow and deflects wide of Steven Smith at first slip. Moeen is in his own world but Malan calls him for the single. The fielder from backward point quickly gets to the ball, picks it cleanly and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Moeen was a goner. 91/4
34.5 N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 90/4
34.4 N Lyon to Ali, Around middle, defended towards short leg. 90/4
34.3 N Lyon to Ali, Fuller and slower, around middle and leg, Moeen defends. 90/4
34.2 N Lyon to Malan, Comes down the track this time and just pushes it with soft hands wide of mid off for a single. The stand moves to 10 now. 90/4
34.1 N Lyon to Malan, Full and on the pads, flicked straight to mid-wicket. 89/4
33.6 J Hazlewood to Ali, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. 89/4
33.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, A short ball around middle, nicely pulled towards deep backward square leg for a single. Good control. 89/4
33.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 88/4
33.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 88/4
33.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, A bouncer on middle and off, watchfully ducked under. 88/4
33.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Landed around off, watchfully defended. 88/4
32.6 N Lyon to Ali, Full and outside off, well kept out. 88/4
32.5 N Lyon to Ali, Comes down the track and swings it towards mid on but cannot find the gap. He is itching to get one away. The problem for England right now is they are tentative. Not quite sure whether they should play the waiting game and then score runs. Their issue is - if they keep on waiting for that moment when Australia get frustrated, they might be sucked into the mire anyways. On the flip side, if they play shots, they could run a 50 percent risk of giving the game away today itself. But then, for great success, you need to take some risk in life. For starters, they need to rotate the strike at least. 88/4
32.4 N Lyon to Ali, Closer to the batsman, this time Ali comes forward and defends it right under his eyes, with his bat close to his pad and the ball. 88/4
32.3 N Lyon to Ali, Landed outside off, a bit full and wide, Moeen lets it go. 88/4
32.2 N Lyon to Ali, Goes back in his crease and defends it to the leg side. 88/4
32.1 N Lyon to Ali, Landed around off, watchfully defended. 88/4
31.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 88/4
31.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, A short ball, around middle and leg, Dawid looks to tuck but misses. And for a good reason. That came at 141.8 kph. Is hit on the thigh and the ball lobs in the air, beside him. 88/4
31.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Landed around off, watchfully kept out. 88/4
31.3 J Hazlewood to Ali, Down the leg side, flicked away for a single. 88/4
31.2 J Hazlewood to Ali, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 87/4
Hazlewood has a chat with the umpire. Something seems to have come on the ball. Something whitish. The umpire clears it off and we are ready.
31.1 J Hazlewood to Ali, FOUR Leg Byes. England will take these happily. A. A rare loose ball. B. A boundary. The only thing if someone might complain, might be Moeen as he missed out on a scoring opportunity. But not the team. Down the leg side, fuller in length, a loosener from Hazlewood, Moeen misses his flick but the ball goes off his pads and goes past the diving Tim Paine through his right side to the fine leg boundary. 87/4
Josh Hazlewood is back on. He too, likes bowling against southpaws.
30.6 N Lyon to Malan, Outside off, played straight to point. 83/4
30.5 N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. 83/4
30.4 N Lyon to Ali, This is slightly wider outside off, comfortably left alone. 82/4
30.3 N Lyon to Ali, Close leave! Landed outside off, Ali comes forward and then leaves it alone, perhaps expecting the ball to turn away. But it does not. Comes straight on and just misses the off pole! 82/4
30.2 N Lyon to Ali, Fuller in length, around off, watchfully defended. 82/4
30.1 N Lyon to Ali, Short and outside off, not quite sure whether it was there for the cut but Moeen opts to. Ends up playing it half-heartedly to point. 82/4
TheGoat - Not quite sure why Bairstow did not come at 6. I understand that Moeen has been confirmed as the number 6 player in the absence of Ben Stokes. But with Lyon bowling so well, if you keep on sending left-handers, then it is like hammering your own head and then complaining of headache. @TheGoat - Nice to see a goat talking about another. But yes, get your point A right-hand - left-hand combination will definitely make Australia change bowling plans. Right now, they do not have to do much changes.
29.6 M Starc to Ali, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. 82/4
29.5 M Starc to Ali, One more leave outside off. 81/4
29.4 M Starc to Ali, Full and outside off, nice and swinging away a touch, tempting to drive but Moeen holds himself back. 81/4
29.3 M Starc to Ali, Full and outside off, left alone. 81/4
29.2 M Starc to Malan, Bowling to a plan. Coming around the wicket and then banging it short down the leg side. Malan is forced to play at it and tucks it around the corner. There is a leg gully in place and he dives to his right but the ball bounces in front of him and goes through. Just a single. 81/4
29.1 M Starc to Malan, Landed outside leg, angling away, nice carry, left alone. 80/4
28.6 N Lyon to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 80/4
28.5 N Lyon to Ali, Slower through the air and on a bit of a shortish length, Moeen Ali presents a solid defensive shot. 80/4
28.4 N Lyon to Ali, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 80/4
28.3 N Lyon to Ali, Gentle spin around off, Ali is brave as he leaves this alone. 80/4
28.2 N Lyon to Ali, Edge? Yes? No? According to the umpire, no. Spinning away from around off, Ali hangs back to cut and Paine appeals, along with his skipper. The umpire remains unmoved, indicating there was nothing. Snicko shows nothing too, so unsure where that slight noise came from. 80/4
Moeen Ali is the next man to walk in. Has a monumental responsibility on his shoulders.
28.1 N Lyon to A Cook, OUT! NATHAN LYON WITH THE ALL-IMPORTANT BREAKTHROUGH! This is what Australia wanted, this is what Australia needed. Could the floodgates open now? This is a huge wicket. Tossed up from around the wicket around off, spins away ever so slightly and that does Cook in. The line is such that he's drawn forward and the edge is taken. Steven Smith at first slip gets low and takes a good catch. Celebrates and screams under his breath. He knows what this wicket means, he knows! Alastair Cook has now gone 32 consecutive innings without an Ashes ton. This is also Nathan Lyon's 50th Test wicket against England. 80/4
27.6 M Starc to Cook, Short of a length on middle, pulled away through square leg for a single. 80/3
27.5 M Starc to Malan, Moves inside again, gets bat on it and past Cameron Bancroft at short leg. Single taken. 79/3
27.4 M Starc to Malan, He is not looking comfortable at all. Malan needs to find a better way to deal with Mitchell Starc, otherwise the bowler is going to get the better of him soon enough. Short ball, it's ducked and evaded, barely. 78/3
27.3 M Starc to Malan, The bombardment continues. Into the body once again, Dawid Malan rises and awkwardly keeps it down beside short leg. 78/3
27.2 M Starc to Malan, Short ball into the body, Malan moves inside the line and plays it down beside short leg, where Bancroft makes a good stop to his left. 78/3
27.1 M Starc to Malan, Well played. Angled across on a short length to Dawid Malan, he rises and with an angled bat glides past gully along the ground. Two runs taken for doing so. 78/3
Drinks break! Australia's moment so far. They've managed to pluck two English wickets, and one of them was the big fish. Root's dismissal means the onus now lies on Alastair Cook, who has been in impeccable touch since the day has started. He and Malan now must make it till Tea without any further damage. Another wicket now and Australia could have a significant advantage in this game.
26.6 N Lyon to Cook, Just behind a driving length, on the off stick, Cook presents a forward defensive shot. 76/3
26.5 N Lyon to Cook, Not much pace on this, but some decent spin provided by Lyon. Cook stands firm and lets it go past him. 76/3
26.4 N Lyon to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 76/3
26.3 N Lyon to Cook, Drifting in from around off, fullish in length once more, defended to the left of the bowler comfortably. 76/3
26.2 N Lyon to Cook, Tossed up around the off stump, Cook presses forward and dead-bats it. 76/3
26.1 N Lyon to Malan, Flighted ball on the stumps, full in length, Malan clears his front leg and eases it towards mid off. Calls for the single, takes the fielder on and completes the run with ease. 76/3
25.6 M Starc to A Cook, Over the wicket to Cook now, it's full and fast at 143 kph. The batsman is forward to drive but gets a huge inside edge onto his pads. 75/3
25.5 M Starc to Malan, Into the body again, worked away past the short leg fielder for a single. 75/3
25.4 M Starc to Malan, Hangs back to this short of a length delivery to keep it out rather safely. 74/3
25.3 M Starc to Malan, Hits the deck hard and pounded in short, Dawid Malan is alert to this as he ducks under it in time. 74/3
The field set is definitely for the short ones. A short leg and a leg slip are in place. Basically says that 'be prepared for the peppering, mate'. And that's never a nice feeling. Important phase of play for England. Survive this and things might get easier for them.
25.2 M Starc to Malan, Bumper down the leg side, Malan moves inside the line and lets it be. 74/3
25.1 M Starc to Malan, Comes steaming in from around the wicket and bangs it in short, Malan ducks and evades. 74/3
24.6 N Lyon to Cook, Not much spin on this occasion, Cook is forward to this full ball and blocks it. 74/3
24.5 N Lyon to Cook, Another one on the shorter side, defended out from the back foot. 74/3
24.4 N Lyon to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 74/3
24.3 N Lyon to Cook, Nice loop on this as it's pitched around off, Cook prods forward in defense. 74/3
24.2 N Lyon to Cook, Flatter and shorter around off, kept out off the back foot. 74/3
24.1 N Lyon to Cook, Drifting in on off, turns away and Cook is beaten as he looks to poke at this. 74/3
Two slips in place for Lyon.
23.6 M Starc to Malan, Length delivery kicking off the deck outside off, Malan rises and keeps it down on the off side. 74/3
23.5 M Starc to Malan, Bumper from Starc, outside off, Dawid ducks and evades. 74/3
23.4 M Starc to Cook, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 74/3
23.3 M Starc to Malan, Flicks it off his pads and turns it towards backward square leg for a single. 73/3
23.2 M Starc to D Malan, Run out chance goes begging! Oh my... Dawid Malan just panicked there. Nice work by Cameron Bancroft, did well in that quick situation. Short ball angling in, Malan works it past short leg and sets off without thinking. Bancroft is quick to the ball, turns and throws while sliding. Probably why he couldn't aim it better. Just misses the stumps at the striker's end. Malan was not even in the frame, would have been gone for all money had that hit. 72/3
Short leg in place now...
23.1 M Starc to Malan, Short of a good length around off, stays back and guards it out off the back foot. 72/3
22.6 N Lyon to Cook, FOUR! Loosener from the offie. Short and wide outside off, Cook rocks back and pounces on it with a fierce cut shot through point for a boundary. 72/3
22.5 N Lyon to A Cook, Full outside off, pushed to the cover fielder for nothing. 68/3
22.4 N Lyon to Cook, Looped up by Lyon, Cook blocks. 68/3
22.3 N Lyon to Malan, Knocks this into the covers and takes an easy run. Was in the gap, so no trouble at all. 68/3
22.2 N Lyon to Malan, Slower through the air on the stumps, Dawid presents a front foot defensive shot. 67/3
22.1 N Lyon to Malan, Drifting in on middle and off, Malan clears his front leg and flicks it to mid-wicket. 67/3
21.6 M Starc to Cook, Close to the off stick, touch fuller, Cook ensure there's no damage done and ends the over safely. 67/3
21.5 M Starc to Malan, Full and straight, swinging back in, Dawid Malan flicks it away square on the leg side and gets off strike. 67/3
21.4 M Starc to Malan, Outside off on a good length, left alone for the keeper to collect. 66/3
21.3 Starc to Malan, NOT OUT! Rather strange from the umpire. Height was always the concern, not sure what was going through his mind. Well, anyway, Starc comes steaming in and zips it off the surface on a length. Malan is beaten for pace as he's pegged back inside his crease. Caught on the pads and there's a loud shout for a leg before. Aleem Dar thinks, long and hard, and eventually raises his finger. Malan reviews and it's taken upstairs. Replays show that height is indeed the problem and so, Malan is safe. 66/3
Review! For an lbw call against Dawid Malan. Umpire Aleem Dar took a really long time to raise his finger. Height could be the issue here, and rightly Malan refers it.
21.2 M Starc to D Malan, Short of a good length outside off, Malan opens the bat face and with soft hands, plays it down towards gully. 66/3
21.1 M Starc to Malan, Instantly goes full. Tails it back into Malan on off, it's defended off the front foot. 66/3
Finally! Mitchell Starc will bowl for the first time today morning. Not sure why, but he's here now. And he has three slips in place for him.
20.6 N Lyon to Cook, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 66/3
20.5 N Lyon to D Malan, Full delivery on the stumps, driven towards mid off for a brisk single. 66/3
20.4 N Lyon to Cook, Decent air on this occasion, worked away off the pads for a run. 65/3
20.3 N Lyon to Cook, Third ball in a row where Cook hasn't picked him up. This time Lyon with the straighter one on off, Cook plays for the turn and as a result, plays it back to the bowler off the inner half. 64/3
20.2 N Lyon to A Cook, Edged and it's gone behind! Lyon with another amazing delivery. Similar to the previous ball, Cook with a front foot defense and the spin takes the edge. This time, the ball flies past the slip fielder and runs behind. Two runs taken. 64/3
20.1 N Lyon to Cook, Little bit of turn there for Nathan Lyon. Pitched full on off, spins away after the initial drift into the batsman. Cook comes forward to defend but it goes off the outer half on the off side. 62/3
19.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Angling in on the pads, it's flicked away to mid-wicket for one. 62/3
19.5 Pat Cummins to Cook, Beaten! Oh, that's an excellent delivery. Movement off the seam for Pat Cummins. He lands it around off, angles in at first and then moves away ever so slightly, beating the outside edge of Alastair Cook's bat. He looks to have a tame poke at it from inside the line but can't connect. 61/3
19.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Considerably away from the off stump, Cook is one to not bother himself with that. 61/3
19.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Fuller in length, just outside off, a punchy-drive played straight to mid off. 61/3
19.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Good length delivery just around off, nipping back in, Cook has his off stump covered and blocks it out on the off side. 61/3
19.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, Cummins too continues from around the wicket, lands it outside off and it zips off the surface. Cook shoulders his arms to it. 61/3
18.6 N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Shot. Ends the over well. Short and wide, Dawid Malan hangs back and cuts it past point to send it across the rope for a boundary. 61/3
18.5 N Lyon to Malan, Uses his feet well to get close to the pitch and blocks it out before it can turn. 57/3
18.4 N Lyon to Malan, Straighter one on off, stays behind the line and defends. 57/3
18.3 N Lyon to Malan, Quicker through the air, flat and short around off, Malan is back as he punches it to point. 57/3
18.2 N Lyon to Malan, Floats it up around off, Malan prods forward and keeps it out. 57/3
18.1 N Lyon to Malan, Around the wicket, it's tossed up on middle and off, Dawid Malan prods forward and blocks. 57/3
Nathan Lyon into the attack. Still no Mitchell Starc. Good move? Think it is, the ball is a little old now and it has been said the wicket will turn, we saw that yesterday too. A slip and a short leg in place.
17.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. More of those, as far as England are concerned. 57/3
17.5 Pat Cummins to A Cook, MISFIELD! FOUR! Much better from Cook. He sees it short and goes after it because it is not that dangerous and not that wide. Pulls it on the bounce towards square leg. There is a substitute on the field who gets to his left but he gets a bad bounce too and the ball goes through. 57/3
17.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 53/3
17.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Dangling the carrot. England batsmen are batting like rabbits who get enticed easily. No disrespect but their minds are being flirted with. Even Cook, who is usually the most composed of them all, is looking temperamentally flustered. Full and wide outside off. Early in the morning. Nothing much happening. Need to settle down. Calm yourself. All Cook needs to do is watch such balls go by. But he reaches out for that one. Does not move his feet and nearly pays the price. Inside edge, but does not hit the stumps, luckily for him. Hits the pads, but could have hit the stumps. Good bowling, yes. Smart bowling, definitely. But England are just giving this away. Need more focus. Spend some time in the middle. 53/3
17.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Landed outside off, not played at again. 53/3
17.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 53/3
16.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Landed outside off, safely left alone. Better sense prevails. 53/3
16.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Down the leg side, clipped away for a run. 53/3
16.4 J Hazlewood to D Malan, MISCUE, SAFE! The short ball is the ploy against Malan. Once again, temperamental issues, one can say. Short and outside off, Malan goes for the pull but the ball is away from his body. Gets a top edge which lands wide of the man running in at short mid-wicket. A single taken. 52/3
16.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Fuller in length, let through again. 51/3
16.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 51/3
16.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Around middle and leg, Cook walks across his sticks and looks to flick. The ball goes off the inside edge, hits him on the thighs and then rolls towards fine leg. A single taken. 51/3
15.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Landed outside off, not played at. A decent over from Cummins. 50/3
15.5 Pat Cummins to D Malan, EDGED, SHORT! Cummins bowls this short again, outside off, Malan needlessly has a poke. Luckily for him, it lands short of the slip cordon. One can understand a batsman playing at balls around off and outside if he is not sure whether they will come in or go away. But not quite sure why play at balls which can be left alone, especially when you are new at the crease. 50/3
15.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Short and outside off, left alone. 50/3
Dawid Malan walks in at number 5, replacing Root.
15.3 Pat Cummins to Root, OUT! Caught behind! One brings two. Now Cummins will smile even more. Loose from Root. Almost the way Mitchell Johnson got him in the previous Ashes Down Under. Only this time there was no short stuff before the sucker ball. This is pretty much full outside off and a wide one as well. Root thinks he can drive but Australia have made that road their own. You cannot drive so early, they say. You don't have license. Root does not agree and goes after it. There is not too much issue with the footwork but he is not exactly to the pitch of the ball. Edges it, looks behind and then walks off. Cameron Bancroft does not drop it at third slip. No big partnership from the big two. Australia have gone bang bang this morning. 50/3
15.2 Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! Pretty much intentional. On a length outside off, Root waits in his crease and then opens the bat-face at the last moment to guide it past gully to third man. Cummins smiles. He likes that intention from Root. 50/2
15.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. 46/2
14.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Full delivery angling in on off, met with a straight blade in defense. 46/2
14.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Positions himself right behind the line of this length ball and keeps it out. 46/2
14.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 46/2
Astute observation from the commentators on air. Alastair Cook had a part of the shoulder of the bat shaved off. His grip is such that his thumb is blocked, thereby not allowing him to grip it properly. No shoulder on a bat. Amazing. Don't think I've personally seen anybody doing that before.
14.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, This is a beauty! Hazlewood comes from around the wicket and serves this full outside off, it swings away and beats the outside edge of Cook's bat, who attempts to drive it through the covers. Lovely, just lovely. 46/2
14.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, In the channel outside off, on a good length, Cook has nothing to do with it. 46/2
14.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Angling down the leg side, Cook tries to put bat on ball but misses. 46/2
13.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full and a tad straighter in line, Cook works it just wide of mid-wicket and will keep strike with a run. 46/2
13.5 Pat Cummins to Cook, Short and wide outside off, too far out for Cook to even think of playing at that. 45/2
13.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full ball on off stump, Alastair Cook with a solid defensive shot. 45/2
13.3 Pat Cummins to Root, Full again, swinging back in, Root once again flicks it through that relatively vacant mid-wicket area. Both batsmen run hard and are able to come back for the third this time. 45/2
13.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Outside off on a good length, moving away a little, dabbed to point with an open face. 42/2
Interesting to note. It's not the ideal thing to bring it back in to Root early in his innings. It's a noted fact that he's susceptible to get out by the full away swinger. But, if they plan to swing it in, then keeping a bat-pad in place would be better. Maybe even get a catching mid-wicket fielder in place since he's working it through that area.
13.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Full delivery swinging back in, Joe Root flicks it through mid-wicket and picks up a brace for doing so. 42/2
12.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Short delivery just outside off, Cook drags the pull and keeps it in control too. Places it through the mid-wicket area and takes two. 40/2
12.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Full delivery angling across, arms shouldered by the southpaw. 38/2
12.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Good shot, very good shot. Cook drives this full length ball outside off through the covers and both batsmen come back for the second. The third run would be on usually, but credit to Davey Warner where it's due. He's lightning fast as he chases the ball down and stops the batsmen from taking that third run. 38/2
12.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Oooh! Bit risky from from the former England Test skipper. Length delivery pretty close to off, slight nip back in, Cook looks to leave it really late but it goes off the bottom part of the bat behind towards the slip cordon. 36/2
12.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Better line, that's where he should be staying. On a good length and just outside off, with some movement away, Cook makes a safe leave. 36/2
12.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, On the pads again to Cook, not where you should be bowling to him. He flicks it through mid-wicket and picks up a couple as Mitchell Starc runs after it. 36/2
11.6 Pat Cummins to Root, Another full ball, on the stumps again, driven to mid on to end the over. 34/2
11.5 Pat Cummins to Root, Full delivery attacking the stumps, Root drives this straight to the man at mid on. 34/2
11.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Fuller in length and outside off, at almost 140 clicks, it's pushed in front of covers with soft hands for a quick single. 34/2
11.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full and straight from Cummins, flicked well through the mid-wicket region for a double. Nicely played, he's quite strong off his pads. 33/2
11.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Wider away from outside off, moving a decent amount, Alastair lets it be. 31/2
11.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, Slightly fuller in length, outside off, Alastair Cook comes half-forward and pushes it out. 31/2
10.6 J Hazlewood to Root, Stays right behind the line and keeps it out. Excellent over from Hazlewood comes to an end. 31/2
10.5 J Hazlewood to Root, Outside off and angling away, Joe Root lets it be. 31/2
Joe Root, the skipper, walks in at No.4. Big, big task ahead of him. England have their two best and most experienced players out in the middle, they must see through this first session at the very least.
10.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, OUT! GOT HIM... YES, HE'S GONE! Josh Hazlewood has given his side the best of starts possible. An early breakthrough. Keeps it around off, in that zone, on a back of a length and Vince goes at this with hard hands. The extra zip off the deck does him in and the ball takes the edge behind. Tim Paine behind the stumps takes a regulation take which spells the end of the right-hander's knock. James didn't exactly play that with a straight bat, which proved to be his undoing. Marginal factor, but it plays a huge role in such games. Also, it's interesting to note that in England, it would have been a fine shot, but given the pitches in Australia bounces a bit more, it's proved to be his undoing. 31/2
10.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, Good length delivery aiming the top of off stump, Vince keeps it out. This is where Hazlewood needs to be all day, right around that niggling area. 31/1
10.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Full delivery coming in, Vince flicks it towards mid-wicket. 31/1
10.1 J Hazlewood to Vince, Good, positive intent from James Vince straightaway. Length ball outside off with some extra bounce, Vince with good balance stands tall and offers a firm punch through the covers. Nathan Lyon chases after it and keeps the batsmen to two. 31/1
Josh Hazlewood surprisingly to bowl from the other end. Think Mitchell Starc would have been ideal given the conditions on offer. Interesting. Anyway, three will be three slips and a gully for him as well.
9.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Fuller ball on the stumps, nice and straight, it's blocked with a straight blade to end the over. 29/1
9.5 Pat Cummins to Cook, Probing without wasting much time. Pat Cummins keeps it close to that off pole and bowls it on a length, nips back in as Cook makes a watchful leave. 29/1
9.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Wider away outside off, arms are shouldered to that one. 29/1
9.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Fullish in length, attacking the off stump, Cook prods forward and blocks it out back down the track. 29/1
9.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Alastair Cook makes a safe leave on that one. 29/1
The players are out in the middle to get things underway. Alastair Cook and James Vince stride out to the middle, with Pat Cummins ready to race in first up and finish his pending over. Three slips and a gully set for him. Early wickets will be on the Aussies' mind. Here we go...
If it doesn't rain now - advantage Australia! The new ball is just 9 overs old and with the overcast conditions present, it will make their threat even more lethal. However, on the flip side, England have avoided the danger under the floodlights and have two sessions to bat through before they undergo that danger again. If the pair of Cook and Vince can at least manage to survive this first hour, things could be interesting. Should be fun either way.
Welcome to the third day of this rain-hit affair so far in Adelaide. Just an FYI for everyone tuned in - it's quite overcast out there and there are chances it could pour down, so let's hope that's not the case. Now, coming to the game, a little recap of what happened on Day 2. Shaun Marsh rose to the occasion and grinded out an unbeaten ton, making significant contributions with Tim Paine and Pat Cummins. That saw Australia get around 450 after which, they had a go at the Englishmen under lights. Starc got Stoneman and the hosts were right on it, but the rain saw to the fact that there were only 9 overs bowled before play was called off.
... Day 3, First Session ...
A rather sad end to this day. It was wonderful throughout. First with Shaun Marsh batting like a stalwart for his side. And then, the Aussie bowlers being unleashed at the Englishmen after a calculative declaration from Steven Smith. Mitchell Starc got Mark Stoneman and the Aussies were on top, but the rain intervened and ruined good day's finish. England will be happy, having survived playing under the lights and will feel they can do better tomorrow. It should be a good third day, having an early start again at 1330 local time. Do join us for it. Take care till then. Be safe, peeps!
Update 2100 local time - That's it. The outfield is still pretty wet and there isn't enough time to get it ready for playing again. So, the umpires have made their decision. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!
Update 2044 local time - Word from the middle is that play has to start by 2110 latest, otherwise it'll be close and we'll be done for the day. We should have some news in just a few minutes.
Update 2040 local time - The rain has stopped, but the outfield is still quite wet. The big rope and the supersoppers are out in full swing, looking to get this game back on ASAP. The square is still covered, but the action might begin soon enough. No evidence suggesting otherwise for now at least.
Update 2030 local time - Well, that was unexpected. Pleasant surprise of course. The rain has let up and the COVERS ARE COMING OFF. Think we're going to have resumption sooner than expected.
England will welcome this halt. The Australian pacers are breathing fire and under these conditions, it's extremely difficult to play. The more time lost, the better for them. Another drawback of them coming back out is that if they do, there will be more juice in the wicket due to the rain, so batting will become more difficult.
Play has stopped. IT'S RAINING AND THE COVERS ARE ON. It's pretty windy out there too, the groundsmen are finding it difficult to even spread the covering around. It's coming down quite heavily, so we might be in for a long delay. We'll keep you guys posted. Stay tuned...
9.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, This is the trouble for opposition batsmen when facing Australia. You take one out of the attack, but then another comes on and then begins to terrorize them. Talk about a wonderful first delivery from Pat Cummins. Lands it on middle and leg, gets it to move away sharply and opens Cook up completely. Barely, barely whiskers past the edge and goes behind. There's a loud appeal from every Aussie player out there, but the umpire denies it. Great eye from him too, we know why he denies it in the replays. The noise is off the ball brushing the flap of his pocket, than the edge of the bat. Excellent call, but what a delivery. Cummins already showing he's ready to rumble. 29/1
Pat Cummins is the first bowling change for Australia.
8.6 M Starc to Vince, Lucky to get away with that, Mitchell Starc. Darts it on the pads, Vince flicks, there's an open field out there but he somehow manages to find the only fielder positioned on the leg side. The lone man at square leg. 29/1
8.5 M Starc to Vince, Shorter again, outside off, Vince with no shot on offer. 29/1
8.4 M Starc to Vince, Holds the length back this time and keeps it around off, Vince with a solid back foot defense to keep it out. 29/1
8.3 M Starc to Vince, Mitchell Starc is on fire! What a delivery. Hurls it across in that channel, forces James Vince to bring his bat and leave it hanging there. He almost edges it, lucky not to, as the ball goes behind. 29/1
8.2 M Starc to Vince, Length delivery outside off, Vince doesn't bother playing at it. 29/1
8.1 M Starc to Vince, Well bowled and equally well played. Yorker fired on off, James Vince brings down his bat in time, opens the face too and jams it out behind towards the slip cordon, where a diving stop ensures the ball doesn't go through. 29/1
7.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. End of the over. 29/1
7.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, On a good length once more, outside the off stump, left alone. 29/1
7.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Hazlewood has been a bit leg sidish this session. Strays it on the pads and catches Cook low over there. Won't get anything though as it's obviously missing leg. 29/1
7.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Moving away, in that tempting zone, Cook with all his wisdom, lands up on the conclusion that he should leave it. Good call if you ask me, Cookie. 29/1
7.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Angles it across, touch fuller outside the off stick, brings his bat forward and blocks it out. 29/1
7.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Cook has nothing to do with that one. 29/1
James Vince is in at No.3.
6.6 M Starc to Stoneman, OUT! STARC STRIKES! Draws first blood and gets the Kangaroos flying in this game. A change of bats has not bought the opener any luck. Stoneman was looking good out there, had a good start but has been undone for pace. Full delivery tailing back in on middle and leg, raps Mark low on the pads and the Aussies immediately appeal. The umpire raises his finger but the batsman thinks it's going down leg. So he reviews and it's taken upstairs. Replays show there's a tick on all three boxes and that spells the end of his short knock. The Adelaide Oval erupts, there's a loud buzz around everywhere. 29/1
Review from Stoneman! He's been caught leg before but he feels the ball is going down leg. Over to the TV umpire now...
6.5 M Starc to A Cook, A short delivery which has been pulled away. They pick up a single. 29/0
6.4 M Starc to Cook, Slightly fuller just outside off, buried into the track from the front foot. 28/0
6.3 M Starc to Cook, Good length delivery on the fifth stump line, Alastair covers his off stump well beforehand and lets the ball through. 28/0
6.2 M Starc to Cook, Going down the leg side, Cook misses his tickle. Paine looks to collect, but the ball is a little away from him. Seeing this, Stoneman wants the run but Cook sends him back. 28/0
6.1 M Starc to Cook, Starc comes steaming in and bowls it full on off, Cook takes a big stride forward and works it towards mid-wicket. 28/0
5.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Flashes at that and flashes hard. Nothing wrong with that, the width's there, the pace is there and the field is inside the ring. Slashes it over backward point and across the boundary line. Needs to be careful not to do it too often, but that's a good shot. 28/0
5.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Flashes at that and flashes hard. Nothing wrong with that, the width's there, the pace is there and the field is inside the ring. Slashes it over backward point and across the boundary line. Needs to be careful not to do it too often, but that's a good shot. 26/0
5.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Rock solid in defense, is Mark Stoneman. Looks completely unfazed by the threat in front of him. Stands his ground, waits for the length ball to come to him and blocks it down beside him. 22/0
5.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, A little too full, on middle and off, Cook nicely leans forward, a little across and clips it wide of the mid-wicket fielder for a single. 22/0
5.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Bit fuller than a length around off, stays back and pushes it out with soft hands. 21/0
5.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Rare bad ball from Josh Hazlewood. Arrows it full on the pads, Cook's strong suit. He will hit you all day if you bowl him there. Picked off the pads and away to the mid-wicket fence. 21/0
4.6 M Starc to Stoneman, Bit uppish on this occasion. Stoneman flicks it aerially towards Cummins at mid-wicket. He misfields there and allows the batsmen to take two. Bit sloppy, but Australia won't mind that right now, really. 17/0
4.5 M Starc to Stoneman, Short of a good length on the stumps, Stoneman is right behind this as he taps it down under his nose. 15/0
4.4 M Starc to Cook, Too full, a bit too straight from Starc and that's played very well by Alastair Cook. Times the flick well through mid-wicket and picks up a triple. 15/0
4.3 M Starc to Cook, Tailing back in on middle and leg, raps Cook low on the pads. No appeal from anyone as the ball was clearly going down leg. 12/0
4.2 M Starc to Cook, What a ball! That pace and that carry. Full outside off, Cook is forward to push it away from his body to the covers but is beaten. Has to forget about that now, these misses will be frequent till that ball is moving under these lights. Only focus on the next ball. 12/0
4.1 M Starc to Cook, Full ball aiming the base of off stump, Cook meets it with the full face of the bat. 12/0
3.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Another shout for a leg before, this too has pitched outside leg. Similar the previous now, Stoneman is caught missing his flick. The umpire rightly turns the appeal down. 12/0
3.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Angling across the batsman, Mark does not bother himself with that. 12/0
Stoneman will have a change of bats. The bottom part of the willow broke while keeping that last one out at bay. Can see why, look at the pace these bowlers are bowling at. Sheeesh!
3.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Pacy yorker around the off stump, 145 kph. Hazlewood isn't holding back here at all. Stoneman brings his bat down and jams it out. 12/0
3.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Expected from Hazlewood. He'll bowl there all day if he has to. In that niggling line around off, Stoneman could just as easily be drawn forward to play at it, but the opener does really well to resist the temptation and let it be. This is good batting. 12/0
3.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, That's a wonderful leave. Shows he's seeing the ball till the last second. Landed on a length around off, cuts in a decent amount. Stoneman covers the line and shoulders his arms. 12/0
3.1 Hazlewood to Stoneman, Shout for an lbw but it's denied, probably pitched outside leg. But the length is superb and it's troubling the batsman. Coming on middle and leg after pitching outside leg, Stoneman is struck on the pads as he looks to flick. The umpire correctly shuts the appeal down. 12/0
2.6 M Starc to Cook, Yorker speared outside off, brings his bat down and squeezes it out to point. 12/0
2.5 M Starc to Cook, Short delivery into the body, Alastair Cook swivels to pull but finds square leg. 12/0
2.4 M Starc to Stoneman, Brings it back in this time, full on off, closes the face and drives it towards short mid-wicket. Single taken. 12/0
2.3 M Starc to Stoneman, There's the swing. Fast, full swing. 146 kph. Full and moving away around off, Stoneman drives without any foot movement and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. 11/0
2.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Short of a good length outside off, Stoneman leaves it this time. 11/0
2.1 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! In the air... But safe! Now Starc has his hands on his head. Angles it in and then swings it away on middle and leg, Stoneman is squared up as he attempts to block. It goes off the leading edge and flies past the diving Usman Khawaja away to the boundary line. 11/0
1.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Holy moly! Seemed like that took the edge. Was super close. Excellent length delivery angling away, around off, Cook hangs his bat forward and nearly nicks it behind. Hazlewood has his hands on his head. Dear me... End of a testing over from Josh. 7/0
1.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, That's a good shot. The outfield is a little slow which stops the ball from getting to the fence but a good shot nonetheless. Full outside off, Stoneman drives it down through mid off. Warner from short extra cover chases after it and keeps it inside the rope. Three taken. 7/0
1.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Fullish in length and attacking the stumps, a firm punch down towards mid on which sees the batsman get no run. 4/0
1.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, That's the length. Perfect line too. Just around off, drawing Mark Stoneman forward to play at it. Just about misses the off stick as the ball goes behind. 4/0
1.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Errs in length slightly, fires it full on the pads, Cook flicks it down towards fine leg for a single. 4/0
1.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Full delivery outside off, Stoneman drives just wide of mid off and takes a brisk single. 3/0
Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end. Three slips and a gully in place for him.
0.6 M Starc to Cook, Back of a length around off, the speed gun clocks 150 clicks on this, Cook stays back and blocks. Starc hasn't taken time to warm himself up, he's pumped. 2/0
0.5 M Starc to A Cook, Great effort from Pat Cummins, saves a certain boundary for his side. Cook pushes this back down the ground, Pat from mid on moves swiftly to his right and puts in a great dive. The batsmen don't even take a single. 2/0
0.4 M Starc to Cook, Peach! Marvelous pace from Mitchell Starc. On a length and just outside off, Alastair Cook lets it be. 2/0
0.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Good running between the wickets from these two. Stoneman drops this in front of covers and Cook responds to the call. Both rush and finish the run before even David Warner can get to the ball from mid off. 2/0
0.2 M Starc to Cook, First runs for England. Cook picks it off his pads and works it away through square leg to get off the mark. 1/0
0.1 M Starc to Cook, Here we go! Ripper from Starc as he starts off with a length delivery outside off, at 145 clicks, Cook leaves it alone. 0/0