GET APP
Live Now :
File image of Stoneman. (Getty Images)
Australia skipper Steve Smith elected not to enforce the follow-on after the tourists had been dismissed for 227, a first-innings deficit of 215, and probably rued his decision as England attacked under the Adelaide Oval lights. James Anderson led the way with the wickets of Cameron Bancroft (four) and Usman Khawaja (20) while Chris Woakes removed David Warner with a delivery that moved off the seam and got an edge to fly to Joe Root in the slips.That the usually free-scoring Warner took 60 balls to eke out 14 runs was an indication of the tough conditions and captain could have followed vice-captain in the following over when Smith was given out lbw for a three-ball duck. For the third time in two days, though, Anderson was denied an lbw decision by the DRS system with tracking suggesting the ball had pitched fractionally outside leg. Smith only survived to make six runs before he was given out lbw to Woakes and this time there was to be no reprieve from the technology. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon survived to the end of the day and will resume with Peter Handscomb. Both were three not out.
Lyon had earlier taken 4-60 as he and Australia's pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combined to humble England's top order and build on the 442-8 declared the hosts had accumulated in their first innings. England, 1-0 down in the five-match series after a 10-wicket defeat in Brisbane, had resumed on 29-1 only to lose James Vince for two in the second over. Desperate for a decent partnership to bolster the top order, expectations were high when Root came out to join Alastair Cook in the middle. Root made just nine before he got a thick edge to a Cummins delivery, however, and Cook departed for 37 prodding at a Lyon tweaker with Smith gobbling up the catch at first slip. Dawid Malan got a life when he successfully referred an lbw decision but made his exit for 19 when he got a bit of glove on another snorter from Cummins soon after England had reached the hundred mark. Woakes and debutant seamer Craig Overton (41 not out) put on 66 for the eighth wicket but once the former departed for 36, the writing was on the wall. Off-spinner Lyon had removed Moeen Ali for 25 with a brilliant leaping catch off his own bowling and Starc followed suit to remove Jonny Bairstow (21) and Woakes, making it three caught and bowleds in a row.
Commentary (England innings)
The hopes of England shall be pinned on their skipper, while the hosts would feel, if they get that man early, they can sense victory. Either way. The morning session tomorrow would be very crucial and it would be interesting to see how the visitors go about their business. Will they go for runs or will they take it session-by-session? Whereas, the Aussies would be looking for that opening wherein they can cash in. A cracking day 5 finish is on the cards and it is something we all have been waiting to happen. Do join us to see if the Ashes gets squared up tomorrow or not. Until then, it's goodbye from us. Take care! Cheers!
The duo hung around, survived a few scares but boy, they nearly managed to keep the hosts at bay for the remainder of the session. They stitched a crucial 78-run stand before Cummins bowled a peach to dismiss Malan, thereby dragging some momentum his side was desperately or anxiously waiting for. With still 178 runs needed and 6 wickets in hand, one cannot predict who will come out on top tomorrow.
A nutritional Ashes day comes to an end! Never seen a final session under lights more entertaining than this one. It had runs, it had wickets, it had sledging, it had close calls and more importantly, it has given both sides equal chance to win this one. The way this session started, Australia were right on top as Starc removed Vince. But the English skipper, Joe Root stood up. He led from the front and decided to take it on him. He was looking for support and Dawid Malan played a perfect foil.
61.6 Pat Cummins to Woakes, It's full, it's straight and on the stumps. Woakes brings his bat down at the angle and clips it through mid-wicket. Starc gives a long chase but the batsmen get three. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 4! 176/4
61.5 Pat Cummins to Woakes, What a delivery! Nearly... nearly! How well has Cummins bowled? He can't believe nor can his teammates! Comes steaming in, fires it full on the stumps. Almost a toe-crusher. Woakes somehow, somehow manages to get his bat down in time. The ball squirts off the edge past the flying gully fielder and they come back for a couple. Last ball coming up... 173/4
61.4 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Pitches it up outside off, defended off the front foot. 171/4
61.3 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Peach! Hurls it on off, Woakes comes forward to defend but the ball straightens and nearly takes the outside edge of Woakes' bat. 171/4
61.2 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Fuller and wider outside off, Woakes has got nothing to do with that one. Cummins, bring it on the stumps. Make Chris play. 171/4
61.1 Pat Cummins to Root, A bit on the shorter length, it's served outside off. Root looks to run this one down. Khawaja from third slip dives and parries it to Lyon at point. A single taken, importantly for England, Root is off strike. 171/4
Could be the last over before stumps. Will this pair see it off or will Cummins sneak in one more?
60.6 J Hazlewood to Woakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 170/4
60.5 J Hazlewood to Woakes, On a length and just outside off, Woakes off his back foot defends. 170/4
60.4 J Hazlewood to Root, Angling in on the pads, clipped through square leg for one. 170/4
60.3 J Hazlewood to Root, Good ball! This is what a wicket can do! Josh certainly has his tail up. He bangs in a short ball, kicks off the surface and Root is taken aback. He takes evasive action and tries to duck. Is a bit late in doing so but manages to evade in the end. Adelaide Oval erupts! 169/4
60.2 J Hazlewood to Root, That's stays a bit low! Fuller and angling in from around off, stays low as well. Root has to crouch and keep it out. 169/4
60.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Hazlewood keeps it fuller on off, a wicket has just fallen but Root doesn't care. He goes on with his drive, just that he coulnd't pierce the gap. 169/4
59.6 Pat Cummins to Woakes, Almost though as well! A low full toss, around off, Woakes defends it to the off side. 169/4
Chris Woakes comes in as the night watchman. 6 overs left...
59.5 Cummins to D Malan, OUT! Knocked him over! Cummins brings the Adelaide Oval to life! This is a ripper. He perhaps is bowling the second-last over in this spell and gives it his all. In the first innings, he got Malan with a beauty. In this one, he gets him with another attractive one. On a length outside off, Malan looks to defend, seems to have covered the line but the ball comes back in, goes past the inside edge and hits the top of off stump! He was dismissed by a similar ball in the first innings. Boy, is the bowler pumped up! Just what Australia needed going into the close. ENGLAND NEED 185 MORE TO WIN. A fine, fine knock from the southpaw. The 78-run stand is broken. 169/4
59.4 Pat Cummins to Root, That is a terrific short ball, around off, Root is off his feet as he tries to fend that one. The ball goes off the edge to fine leg. A single taken. Cummins is bowling his heart out there. 169/3
59.3 Pat Cummins to Root, One more leave outside off. 168/3
59.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Landed outside off, left alone. 168/3
59.1 Pat Cummins to Root, On a length outside off, Root plays this well inside the line. 168/3
58.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Changes the angle for the last ball of the over. Josh comes from around the wicket, hits the back of a length area. Pushed towards gully on the bounce. 168/3
58.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan shoulders his arms to it. 168/3
58.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, It's on the back of a length, just outside off, DM dabs it on the bounce to Khawaja at gully. 168/3
58.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Back of a length outside off, Malan with an angled bat plays it towards gully. 168/3
58.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Length ball, in that zone of apprehension, Dawid leaves it alone. 168/3
58.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Sprays on the pads, Joe Root tucked fine down the leg side for one. Not the best of the balls to bowl when you are starting a new spell. 168/3
Josh Hazlewood is called back into the attack.
57.6 Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Drilled! Delightful from the skip! A bit overpitched on off, Root ain't missing this. He bends his back knee and drives it nicely. Warner from covers gives it a chase to prevent a run for his side. 167/3
57.5 Pat Cummins to Root, Keeps it ahead of a length, just around off, Root looks to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads. 164/3
57.4 Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! It's uppish but safe! Cummins keeps it full outside off, Root strides forward a touch and drives it uppishly. Seemed like Bancroft got a hand to it at short cover. Anyway, the ball goes through to the rope for a boundary. 164/3
57.3 Pat Cummins to Root, A bit fuller and just outside off, JR blocks it out towards cover. 160/3
57.2 Pat Cummins to Root, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. 160/3
57.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Length delivery, angling in from over the wicket, Root is standing tall to keep it out. 160/3
Pat Cummins is recalled into the attack. He troubled Malan with short stuff in his previous spell. Can he break this stand? Can he get the Adelaide Oval going? For now, it's Root facing him...
56.6 N Lyon to Root, On middle and leg, wristed through square leg for a single. 160/3
56.5 N Lyon to Root, Root needs to be careful! He wears one again on the pads. The last time he survived a scare and does so again. Lyon drops it around leg, Root initially tries to go after it but then for some reason doesn't opt for. Wears it near the groin and the appeal follows. Not given. Pitched outside leg! 159/3
56.4 N Lyon to Malan, Short and outside off, Malan cuts it through backward point for one. 159/3
56.3 N Lyon to Root, A rare poor ball and Root puts it away not for a boundary though. He rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for one. 158/3
56.2 N Lyon to Root, Gives it loop, lands it outside off, Joe smothers it away. 157/3
56.1 N Lyon to Root, Floated delivery on middle, Root lunges forward in defense. 157/3
10 overs to go in the day. The current pair of Root and Malan have done the good work but can they see off those 60 legal deliveries? Australia would still be eyeing a wicket. They seem to be under the pump. Exciting finish on day 4, beckons. Into an extended half an hour...
55.6 M Starc to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 157/3
55.5 M Starc to Root, Full and fired wide outside off, Root leans ahead and square drive it towards point where Lyon dives to make a stop. A single taken. 157/3
55.4 M Starc to Root, Fuller in length on the stumps, Root with a stride forward drives it back to the bowler. 156/3
55.3 M Starc to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 156/3
55.2 M Starc to Root, Bangs in a short ball, coming in on the body, Root arches back and steers it towards point. He seems to be handling Starc with ease here. Australia starting to feel pressure? 156/3
55.1 M Starc to Root, Fuller and sprayed down the leg side, Root looks to flick it away but fails to get any wood on it. 156/3
54.6 N Lyon to Root, A bit short on leg, Root helps it with a pull towards Starc at deep square leg and will keep strike. 156/3
54.5 N Lyon to D Malan, Drives it through mid off to get off the strike. Target comes under 200 now. 155/3
54.4 N Lyon to Malan, A huge appeal for an LBW! Not given! Australia can't review this either as they don't have any! Lyon bowls it around middle, it skids off the deck and pings Malan on the pads who tires to flick it away. Lyon appeals long and hard but the umpire shakes his head. Hawk Eye shows, the impact was in line but would have clipped the leg stump. Umpire's call! What was good to see was English crowd making the most of the opportunity risen. They are seen signalling 'T' as a sign of fun. 154/3
54.3 N Lyon to Malan, Leans ahead and defends it off the front foot. 154/3
54.2 N Lyon to Malan, Around middle and leg, worked towards the leg side. 154/3
54.1 N Lyon to D Malan, Short and outside off, a bit of extra bounce on this occasion. Malan goes back to cut but is undone by the spit off the surface. It goes off the gloves and lobs uppishly towards point. 154/3
53.6 M Starc to Root, Spears it full on off, a nice front foot drive but finds mid off. A maiden. Australia need to put a lid on the scoring rate now. After going for runs in the previous over, Starc has done well now. 154/3
53.5 M Starc to Root, Length delivery outside off, Root guides it towards the gully fielder. 154/3
53.4 M Starc to Root, Fuller and a bit wider on off, Root leans into it and drives it towards cover-point. Lyon from point is quick to stop the ball. 154/3
53.3 M Starc to Root, Tries to angle it in from outside off, the batsman remains solid and defends it down again. 154/3
53.2 M Starc to Root, Keeps it on a fuller length, at 144.1 kph, JR blocks it back to the bowler. 154/3
53.1 M Starc to Root, Fuller and angling in on middle, Joe Root defends it down watchfully. 154/3
52.6 N Lyon to Malan, Loopy delivery around off, bunted back to the bowler. 154/3
52.5 N Lyon to Malan, Floated on the stumps, Malan presses forward in defense. 154/3
52.4 N Lyon to Malan, Short and outside off, slapped nicely bu finds backward point. 154/3
52.3 N Lyon to Malan, Comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler. 154/3
52.2 N Lyon to Malan, Malan gets down and paddle sweeps it down to fine leg for a brace. 154/3
52.1 N Lyon to Root, Around middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket for a single. 152/3
51.6 M Starc to D Malan, FOUR! Another boundary! 14 off the over! All of a sudden the runs are flowing now! Starc goes short, angling in on middle. Malan swivels and pulls it along the ground. Boy, how well has he connected it? Bisects the gap through backward square leg. Hazlewood and Lyon were in the deep but could do nothing about it. 150 up as well! 151/3
51.5 M Starc to Malan, Back of a length outside off, stabbed towards point off the back foot. 147/3
51.4 M Starc to D Malan, Sprays it full and on the pads, Dawid flicks it wide of mid on. Won't get a boundary but will get a couple. 147/3
51.3 M Starc to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 145/3
51.2 M Starc to Malan, FOUR! Inside edge... Lucky Malan! On a length and this one jags back in, Malan looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge. The ball just goes past the leg stump and races down to the fine leg fence for back-to-back boundaries. 145/3
51.1 M Starc to Malan, FOUR! Squeezed through! Brings up the 50-run stand! These two have brought the chase back on track or should I say, they have steadied the ship? Be it anything, that English dressing room can breathe a sigh of relief. Fuller in length and outside off, a wide yorker. Malan crouches low and squeezes it through backward point. No need to run for those. 141/3
50.6 N Lyon to Malan, On middle and leg, driven towards mid on. They take Hazlewood on who is lazy to attack. By the time he does, the single is already taken. 137/3
50.5 N Lyon to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 136/3
50.4 N Lyon to Root, Lobs.... ahhh just past Handscomb at short leg! Lyon smiles! Changes the angle, goes around the wicket to the right-hander. Lands it around off, turning back in, Root looks to work it away but gets an inside edge. It hits the pads and lobs wide of Peter Handscomb who is stationed at bat-pad. A single taken. 136/3
50.3 N Lyon to Malan, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. 135/3
50.2 N Lyon to Malan, Lyon drops it short and outside off, DM camps back and cuts it square of the wicket on the off side. 134/3
50.1 N Lyon to Malan, Malan was beaten and was tested in the last over when he was inside the crease. Now he decides to use his feet. But should be careful as Lyon is getting some turn too. In this case, a drive towards mid off. 134/3
49.6 M Starc to Root, Good length ball on the stumps, defended by getting behind the line. 134/3
49.5 M Starc to Root, FOUR! Using the pace of the bowler! Well played, skip! Joe Root, the English run-machine has taken it on himself. Gets to his 34th Test fifty, raises the bat but knows the job isn't done yet. Got to convert it now. Ball - A bit short, angling away, Root arches back a bit and places it with an angled bat past a diving backward point fielder for a boundary. 134/3
49.4 M Starc to Root, Fuller in length and curling back in a bit, worked straight to short mid-wicket. 130/3
49.3 M Starc to Root, Starc wants Root to fall in the trap. He keeps it nice and full, outside off, Joe Root resists and leaves it alone. 130/3
49.2 M Starc to Malan, Tucked away on the leg side for a single. 130/3
49.1 M Starc to Root, Starts his spell from over the wicket, hurls it on a back of a length outside off. Root stands tall and steers it through point for a single. 129/3
Mitchel Starc is brought into the attack as well. So, double change. He took the wicket of Vince and was taken off.
48.6 N Lyon to Malan, Loops it up around middle and off, Dawid presses forward in defense. 128/3
48.5 N Lyon to Malan, Fraction short and outside off, Malan camps back to cut but finds the man at backward point. 128/3
48.4 N Lyon to Malan, Gets forward and defends it down safely. 128/3
48.3 N Lyon to Malan, Edged... dropped! Oh, Smith is the man! It was a tough one but the way he reacted, should have taken it. Big moment in the game! Dawid Malan gets a reprieve! Lyon immediately comes and action happens. He lands it around leg, Malan prods forward to defend but the ball turns away with some bounce, takes the outside edge and flies towards the Aussie skipper at first slip. Smith reacts and stretches full length to his right but the ball doesn't stick. Lyon is down in disbelief, Smith is fuming with himself. 128/3
48.2 N Lyon to Root, Flatter one down leg, Root moves inside the line and lets it be. The keeper too fails to collect it. The batsmen run three. 128/3
48.1 N Lyon to Joe Root, Floated delivery outside off, Root drives it confidently towards the mid off fielder. 125/3
Nathan Lyon is brought back into the attack.
47.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Another bouncer, this time down the leg side. Easy for Dawid who ducks to let the keeper do the rest. 125/3
47.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Shortish delivery on middle and off, bounces a bit more. Malan initially tries to pull but then realizes it's not the right ball to go after. Bails out at the last moment. 125/3
47.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Sprays it a bit wider outside off, the southpaw offers no shot. 125/3
47.3 Pat Cummins to D Malan, Cummins makes the batsman play! That's because of his physical appearance. He tends to hit the deck really hard. Does so this time, DM off the back foot tries to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads. 125/3
47.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Back of a length again, around middle and off. Poked with an angled bat towards point. Seemed like Dawid got squared up a bit there. 125/3
47.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, It's on a back of a length, deviating a bit off the seam. Malan plays inside the line of it and gets beaten by the away movement. 125/3
46.6 J Hazlewood to Root, Maybe, he expected that coming. It's a bumper from Josh, Joe is quick to sway away from the line. 125/3
46.5 J Hazlewood to Root, Stays right behind the line to this length ball and answers it with a straight blade. 125/3
46.4 J Hazlewood to Root, Fuller in length and outside off, there to be hit. Joe isn't shy. He leans ahead, drives but straight to Marsh at point. 125/3
46.3 J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! And again! Hazlewood once again sprays on the pads, Root maintains his balance and clips it again. This time through square leg. Moves to 45 now! 125/3
46.2 J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! Beautiful! Just so beautiful! Hazlewood fires it full on the stumps, a bit around the pads. A batsman like Root won't miss out. He gets forward and across and flicks it neatly through mid-wicket for a boundary. 121/3
46.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Hits the length and gets a bit of inward movement too, Root knows where his off stump is before making a leave. 117/3
DRINKS break. England have negotiated 18 of the allotted 38 in this session. Losing just one wicket, that too, pretty early, is not that bad. They have managed to exhaust Australia of their reviews too. All they need to do now is ensure that they do not lose more than a wicket till stumps. If that happens, the runs needed would come down under 200 which should be possible given the whole day tomorrow.
45.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Another short ball. Around leg. DW is in the air to play that and somehow, the ball flies off his gloves, then onto his chest but drops down safe on the off side. 117/3
45.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 117/3
45.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, A short ball on middle and leg, Dawid plays it straight to short leg, on the bounce. 117/3
45.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 117/3
Short leg coming in now for Malan.
45.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, OUCH! Not the best way to play the short ball. Malan takes his eyes off and shows his back to the ball. He is hit on the gloves and the ball drops to the leg side. That could have so easily lobbed up in the air. Root walks over to him and has a chat. 117/3
45.1 Pat Cummins to D Malan, FOUR! SUBLIME! Best shot of the day by Malan. Full and outside off, Malan reaches out and drives it through the covers. Even Warner, who usually chases everything, gives it up after taking 10 steps. 237 runs more needed. 117/3
44.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 113/3
44.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman does well to leave that bouncer. 112/3
44.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Gets right behind the line and defends. 112/3
44.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, FOUR LEG BYES. Down the leg side, Malan looks to tickle but the ball goes off his pads to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 21. 112/3
44.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full on middle, Malan looks to flick but gets a leading edge to cover. 108/3
44.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. 108/3
43.6 Pat Cummins to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 108/3
43.5 Pat Cummins to Root, Fuller on middle and off, watchfully prodded away. 108/3
43.4 Pat Cummins to Root, One more leave outside off. 108/3
43.3 Pat Cummins to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 108/3
43.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Outside off, left alone. 108/3
43.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 108/3
42.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 108/3
42.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 108/3
42.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, defended solidly. 108/3
42.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 108/3
42.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, NOT OUT it is and AUSTRALIA ARE REVIEWLESS for the rest of this run chase. Height indeed was the issue. On a good length outside off, Malan stays back to defend but is beaten by pace. Is hit on the pads and Hazlewood puts in an appeal. Then he goes down on his haunches (to appeal, that is) but Aleem says no. Now Smith wants this reviewed as well. Missing the sticks, going over the top. Not the best of reviews but perhaps the one to Smith last evening and the one to Cook earlier in the afternoon today was playing on Smith's mind. Just the luck which England needed. 108/3
Another review! Well, this is for an LBW. Australia reckon this is out. Malan is the batsman. Height seems to be the issue.
42.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 108/3
Josh Hazlewood is into the attack now.
41.6 Pat Cummins to Root, Not out. Chris Gaffaney continues to impress. Another decision which stays. On a length outside off, Root stays back to defend but the ball comes back in off the seam a long way. There is a noise as the ball goes past and Tim Paine appeals after collecting. However, the umpire stays put and Australia review. Replays do not detect anything, but there seems to be a noise somewhere. Hot Spot shows where it is coming from - the back thigh. They check for the LBW as well but there too, the impact is umpire's call and the ball is going over the top. One review gone. 108/3
Caught behind? Australia reckon Root is gone. Umpire Chris Gaffaney does not think so. Smith wants the review.
41.5 Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Oops! Good awareness. A back of a length ball outside off, Root stays back and defends. The ball then threatens to go back onto the stumps but Root is aware. He initially tries to hit away with his bat but then kicks it off with his pad. 108/3
41.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, On middle and leg, flicked away for a single. 108/3
41.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, A bouncer on middle, Dawid ducks and then the ball swirls after going past his head. 107/3
41.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, On a good length outside off, Malan gets on top of the bounce and dabs it to gully who dives to his right and stops it. 107/3
41.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Landed outside off, shouldered arms to. 107/3
40.6 N Lyon to Root, This time he goes back and keeps the ball out. 107/3
40.5 N Lyon to Root, Full and just around off, JR comes forward, keeps his bat close to the pad and then defends. 107/3
40.4 N Lyon to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 107/3
40.3 N Lyon to Root, Full and around off, pushed to the off side. 107/3
40.2 N Lyon to Root, Full and outside off, Joe pushes this to the off side, wants a single but is sent back. 107/3
40.1 N Lyon to Root, FOUR! Nicely done. Full and around off, Root gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. The runs needed come under 250 now. 107/3
39.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Full on middle, pushed back to mid on. 103/3
39.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Goes back and defends from his crease. 103/3
39.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 103/3
39.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Wider than the previous one, left alone comfortably. 103/3
39.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, On a good length outside off, coming in, Dawid watches it carefully and then takes his bat away from the line. 103/3
39.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, A bouncer on middle, Malan ducks. 103/3
38.6 N Lyon to Malan, Nice footwork. Full and outside off, Malan gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it past cover towards widish mid off for a single. 103/3
38.5 N Lyon to Malan, Landed outside off, once again DW is watchful and lets Paine collect. 102/3
38.4 N Lyon to Malan, Throws this one up on the pads, Dawid flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. 102/3
38.3 N Lyon to Malan, Landed outside off, Malan watches it carefully and sees the ball spin away. 102/3
38.2 N Lyon to Root, Not all that short but Root gets down on a knee and pulls it behind square leg for a single. 102/3
38.1 N Lyon to Root, Outside off, punched towards cover. 101/3
37.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, On the pads, Cummins gets away with it as Malan flicks it straight to square leg. 101/3
37.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 101/3
37.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Goes right back in his crease and blocks it watchfully. 101/3
37.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, On a length outside off, Malan feels for it but misses. 101/3
37.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 101/3
37.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 101/3
36.6 Lyon to Root, OVERTURNED! Seemed not out to the naked eye itself. A length between full and good on middle, Root goes back to play that initially but then chooses to just wear it on his body. He is hit very high on the thigh, almost near the groin but umpire Aleem Dar straightaway raises his finger on the appeal. Root immediately takes the review and Hawk Eye shows the ball going over the top. 101/3
Root has been adjudged LBW! He has taken the review. Big moment in the game.
36.5 N Lyon to Root, FOUR! 'This was always coming,' says an excited Amit, my colleague, with his mouth full of food. The excitement got the better of him as he could not even wait to swallow the morsel before speaking. Coming to the ball, a rare bad one from Lyon, banged in short, on middle and Root pounces. Goes back in his crease and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND! 101/3
36.4 N Lyon to Root, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 97/3
36.3 N Lyon to Root, Flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. 97/3
36.2 N Lyon to Root, Down the leg side, extra bounce, Root looks to tuck but misses. Paine collects and starts to appeal but Lyon shakes his head. Nothing in it. 97/3
36.1 N Lyon to Malan, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. 97/3
35.6 Pat Cummins to Root, A short ball outside off, Root sways away. 96/3
35.5 Pat Cummins to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 96/3
35.4 Pat Cummins to Root, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on this time. 96/3
35.3 Pat Cummins to Root, Full and outside off, driven straight back. Some swag from Cummins as he just sticks out his left hand and stops the ball. 96/3
35.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 96/3
35.1 Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! PRISTINE! Welcome into the attack, mate! Full and wide outside off, Root leans into this one, GETS TO THE PITCH OF THE BALL and drives it through the covers. What was wrong with the one Vince played? Similar shot there, similar shot here. Similar ball there, similar ball here. Similar pace there, similar pace here. The difference - words mentioned in bold. 96/3
Pat Cummins into the attack now.
34.6 N Lyon to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 92/3
34.5 N Lyon to Root, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. 92/3
34.4 N Lyon to Root, Comes down the track and pushes it back. 91/3
34.3 N Lyon to Root, Goes back in his crease and blocks. 91/3
34.2 N Lyon to Root, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 91/3
34.1 N Lyon to Root, Down the leg side, worked towards short leg. 91/3
Dawid Malan walks in at number 5, replacing Vince.
33.6 M Starc to J Vince, OUT! Wicket number 3 is down! And Australia have struck in the 6th over of the night session. Not the best of balls but this is what happens. The difference between a technically correct batsman and a good batsman. Vince is not bad but the way Root played Starc in the last over is the way to emulate. Full and wide outside off, yes, there to be driven. Vince is looking to be positive which is really nice. But his feet are not quite to the pitch of the ball. As a result, ends up being away from the cherry. Oops... strawberry, since it is pink. Result? An edge to first slip where Handscomb takes it easily and is all smiles. Vince is crestfallen. He looks at Root and then trudges back. Small mistake, costs big time. England need 263 more to win. 7 wickets in hand. 91/3
33.5 M Starc to Vince, Around off, watchfully defended. 91/2
33.4 M Starc to Vince, Landed around off, Vince stays back in his crease and defends. 91/2
33.3 M Starc to Vince, Landed outside off, left alone. 91/2
33.2 M Starc to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 91/2
33.1 M Starc to Root, Outside off, left alone. 90/2
32.6 N Lyon to Vince, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 90/2
32.5 N Lyon to Vince, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 90/2
32.4 N Lyon to Root, Just short! Short again, Joe tucks it past Warner at leg slip. It lands just short and goes through. A run taken. 90/2
32.3 N Lyon to Root, A short ball, Root looks to tuck it away but the ball goes off his thigh pads and lands short of David Warner at leg slip. 89/2
32.2 N Lyon to Root, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. 89/2
32.1 N Lyon to Root, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 89/2
31.6 M Starc to Vince, Outside off, left alone. 89/2
31.5 M Starc to J Vince, Full and outside off, Vince looks to drive but edges it. The ball lands just short of gully. 89/2
31.4 M Starc to Root, A short ball, around off, angling away, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. 89/2
31.3 M Starc to Root, Excellent batting. Not a bad ball at all, on a length outside off and angling away. Could have been left alone but Root gets across, is close to the ball and punches it through the covers for a couple. Moves to 20 from 27 balls. In arguing with Root leaving that ball would have been better, the feet were close to the ball on this occasion. Normally, when that happens, you generally don't edge the ball unless it does something late. 88/2
31.2 M Starc to Root, This is much straighter, around off, Joe is forward and defends this confidently. 86/2
31.1 M Starc to Joe Root, Full and outside off, Root comes forward and drives it straight to widish mid off. 86/2
30.6 N Lyon to Root, Darts it on the pads, flicked through the leg side for a single. 86/2
30.5 N Lyon to Vince, Past Warner at leg slip! That went quickly though! Lyon drifts it around the pads, Vince looks to flick it away but gets it off the inner half. Warner at leg slip dives full length to his right but before he could, the ball goes past him to the fine leg fence. Starc does the mopping up work in the deep. Another three added to the total. 85/2
30.4 N Lyon to Vince, Takes a stride forward and blocks it down. 82/2
30.3 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter through the air around middle, Vince covers the line and defends. 82/2
30.2 N Lyon to Root, A bit short and outside off, Root goes back and punches it to deep mid off for a single. 82/2
30.1 N Lyon to Root, Floats it up around middle and off, Root gets well forward to bury it down. 81/2
29.6 M Starc to Root, On the pads, clipped to deep square leg for just a single. 11 off the over! 81/2
29.5 M Starc to Root, Slants it away outside off, Root shoulders his arms. 80/2
29.4 M Starc to J Vince, A bit fuller and around off, searching for swing but there isn't any. James drives it through covers. The fielder there gives it a chase but they run three. Good running! 80/2
29.3 M Starc to Vince, Good length, just outside off, defended off the front foot. 77/2
29.2 M Starc to Root, Fuller and tailing back in on middle, turns out to be a half-volley. Root leans across and wrists it superbly to get three towards mid-wicket. 77/2
29.1 M Starc to Root, FOUR! Right through the gap! Action immediately! We saw Root edging a couple off Starc before the break and now again he survives! Length delivery, angling away outside off. Root stays back to dab it away but gets it off the outer part right through the gap between the third slip and gully for a streaky boundary. 74/2
Mitchell Starc to start from the other end.
28.6 N Lyon to Root, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 70/2
28.5 N Lyon to Vince, Goes back and turns it behind square on the leg side for a single. 69/2
28.4 N Lyon to Vince, Worked away towards the leg side for nothing. 68/2
28.3 N Lyon to Vince, Fuller on the stumps, blocked. 68/2
28.2 N Lyon to Vince, Flatter through the air around middle, a bit of bounce, Vince goes back to defend but then lets it be. The ball goes off the pads past Smith at leg slip. They cross but the umpire reckons that no shot was offered and signals it as dead-ball. 68/2
28.1 N Lyon to Vince, Tossed up delivery outside off, Vince lunges forward in defense. 68/2
Welcome back for the final session. The hosts' pacers would be licking their lips and would be raring to go in. The pink ball does a lot under lights. Can the Englishmen survive this tricky period? Will wait and find out. LYON will start the proceedings. VINCE on strike. A bat-pad and a slip in place...
... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...
Australia, well, will look to emulate what Anderson, Broad and Woakes did last evening. They will be targeting Root and will sense that if they get him early, this could end rather quickly. On the flip side, what has been observed with this Aussie side in this Test is, if they end up trying too hard, they fall away from their plans. Normal cricket from both sides would be the key. Join us back at 1900 LOCAL (0830 GMT) for the final session.
England would not have wished to end the session on this note, especially with the night one coming. But they need all their focus to ensure that they do not do what Australia did last evening. They will have two daylight sessions tomorrow and if they see this current night one off, without losing more than 2 wickets, they could still be in with a chance to create history.
The saying usually goes - 'When things are not going, the best get going.' Australia were struggling with their lines, lengths and even mind games when Cook and Stoneman were going at 4 an over. Then came the GOAT - Nathan Lyon. His first couple of overs started to play some tricks and that got the better of Cook, thanks to a brilliant review from Smith. That was followed by Stoneman's wicket and in this passage before the first wicket and the final ball before the break, the hosts have conceded just 15 runs in 8.2 overs.
Excellent finish to the session for Australia. Just what they would have wanted. Two relatively new men in the middle under lights. At 53/0, things were not looking that rosy but two quick wickets have ensured that England are pegged back.
27.6 M Starc to Root, Around off, coming in, tucked to the leg side. Starc smiles even more and has a few questions to ask to his Yorkshire team-mate. Does not seem like sledging because both players are seen laughing it off. Papa Aleem won't be required in this case because the sons are not fighting. DINNER ON DAY 4! 68/2
27.5 M Starc to Vince, Full and outside off, Vince gets a nice stride forward and drives it down the ground. David Warner dives to his right from cover but cannot cut it off. However, he gets up in a flash and stops the ball near the boundary. The batsmen take three. 68/2
27.4 M Starc to Root, Outside off, pushed towards cover for a quick single. Vince was not ready initially but would have made it even if Warner's throw had hit the stumps at the striker's end. 65/2
27.3 M Starc to Root, Stays back in his crease and defends. 64/2
27.2 M Starc to Root, Almost got him! Root is too loose at the moment, especially with the break round the corner. Full and wide outside off, Root looks to drive again, when he can leave it alone and gets a thick outside edge. Lands short of gully. Starc grins at Root. Ian Chappell on air says that the two have played for Yorkshire in county cricket in England and would be knowing each other very well. 64/2
27.1 M Starc to Root, A length ball outside off, pushed towards point. 64/2
26.6 N Lyon to Vince, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 64/2
26.5 N Lyon to Vince, Full and outside off, watchfully blocked to the off side. 64/2
26.4 N Lyon to Vince, Full and around off, well defended. 64/2
26.3 N Lyon to Vince, Stays back in his crease and defends. 64/2
26.2 N Lyon to Vince, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 64/2
26.1 N Lyon to Vince, Landed around middle, Vince stays back to flick but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. 64/2
Nathan Lyon is back on. 5 minutes to go for Dinner. Smith looking at 2 overs before the break.
25.6 M Starc to Root, FOUR! Almost got him! Australia bowling to a plan. In the first innings, Root was out in a similar fashion. Full and wide outside off, Root looks to drive away from the body and gets a thick outside edge. In the first innings, it went straight to gully. This time, it went between gully and backward point. Starc smiles. 64/2
25.5 M Starc to Root, Back of a length outside off, watchfully defended. 60/2
25.4 M Starc to Root, A sharp bouncer outside off, Root lets that pass. 60/2
25.3 M Starc to Root, Goes back in his crease and defends. 60/2
25.2 M Starc to Root, Outside off, left alone. 60/2
25.1 M Starc to Joe Root, Full and outside off, Root looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. 60/2
24.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, FOUR! MARVELLOUS! That is the Root effect! One has to say, going by Chappell's comments. He has comfortably come forward to this one and driven a length ball through the covers. This would have got to do with Root in the middle. He would have eased the new man's nerves. 60/2
24.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, There comes the bouncer now, around off, Vince sways away, but in a hurry. 56/2
Ian Chappell on air feels England could have avoided the wicket of Stoneman. Inexperience plays a big role in mind games. With Cook in the middle, Stoneman was looking very confident. But with the former gone, nerves seemed to settle in. Now, in this scenario, it would have been better for England had Root come in at number 3. Because he is not a guy who is fazed by nerves. Instead he could have made the nerves disappear from Stoneman. With Vince as his partner, you had two inexperienced guys in the middle. And Australia just pounced on those nerves. Great observation.
24.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, Landed outside off, left alone. 56/2
24.3 J Hazlewood to Root, On a length around middle, tucked through square leg for a single. 56/2
24.2 J Hazlewood to Root, Landed on a length, defended solidly. 55/2
24.1 J Hazlewood to Root, Outside off, left alone. 55/2
23.6 M Starc to Vince, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 55/2
23.5 M Starc to Root, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Off the mark quickly. The target is under 300 now. 55/2
23.4 M Starc to Root, Outside off, left alone. 54/2
Joe Root walks in with a massive responsibility on his shoulders. He has got 18 minutes to negotiate.
23.3 M Starc to M Stoneman, OUT! Ohhh... Handscomb has a competition for a position of a fielding coach who gives catching practice. It was Handscomb this afternoon. Now, it is Stoneman. This wicket has to go to Steve Smith. Not because he brought Starc on. With this field setting, even Peter Handscomb bowling would have got a wicket. Nothing special on the delivery. It is a short one outside off but it is playing with that habit of Stoneman. He likes to play the ball behind point and through gully. Smith has been observing that and before this ball had kept gully a lot closer. Stoneman tries to do what he has been doing all this while. But to his dismay, he guides it straight to Usman Khawaja at the close-in gully! Australia are ecstatic. This is one of those pitches where one wicket brings two. First Cook. Now Stoneman. Arguably, he could have left it alone. But after facing 15 dots in a row before this, Stoneman perhaps thought, well, here is a scoring chance. Gave a catching chance instead. England still need 300 to win. 54/2
23.2 M Starc to Stoneman, A length ball around off, coming back in, Mark misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. 54/1
23.1 M Starc to Stoneman, A beauty first up. Lands this outside off, Stoneman feels for it but misses. 54/1
Mitchell Starc has the ball in his hand now. Around 21 minutes to go for Dinner. Australia will be aiming for a wicket at least. Stoneman would be the prized one for now. Can England see off this tricky period? Don't want two new batsmen from the very beginning of the night session. We saw what happened last evening.
22.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 54/1
22.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 54/1
22.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, A length ball slightly wider outside off, almost similar to the one which got him in the first innings. Vince lets it go past. 54/1
22.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 54/1
22.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Fuller and wider outside off, let through. 54/1
22.1 J Hazlewood to Vince, Outside off, left alone. 54/1
21.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, On leg stump, pushed towards mid on. 54/1
21.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, Short and outside off, punched towards point. 54/1
21.4 N Lyon to Stoneman, Beauty! Lyon is making things happen even outside the 'Gabba. He flights this one around off, Stoneman comes forward to defend but then the ball spins and bounces past the outside edge. Once again, spectacular keeping from Paine. 54/1
21.3 N Lyon to Vince, Short and on middle, tucked behind square leg for a single. Gets off the mark. 54/1
21.2 N Lyon to Vince, Goes right back in his crease and blocks. 53/1
21.1 N Lyon to Vince, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 53/1
20.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. 53/1
20.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 53/1
20.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Outside off, played straight to point. 53/1
20.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Hat-trick of leaves now. 53/1
20.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Action replay of the previous delivery. 53/1
20.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Outside off, left alone. 53/1
19.6 N Lyon to Vince, That's hit the batsman on his pads as well but outside leg. 53/1
James Vince walks in at number 3, replacing Cook.
19.5 Lyon to Cook, OUT! LBW! The decision is overturned! Australia strike, the GOAT roars. Beautiful bowling again. Lyon tosses this up around leg and Cook looks to flick. Our first reaction is a leading edge as the ball goes to cover. However, Lyon and Paine put in a huge appeal. But the umpire is unmoved. Now, this is interesting. Smith asks Lyon about the inside edge. The bowler shakes his head but feels it is spinning away! Smith disagrees to that. He just confirms whether there is an inside edge with Paine and signals the 'T'. Chris Gaffaney signals the review and after doing so, seems to indicate to Lyon that he feels that it is going straight on and not turning away. Let us see know. First check - No ball. No. It is a ball. A legal one. Second check - Inside edge? There seems to be a sound in the replays but nothing on the Snicko or Hot Spot. Now. The most important check - Hawk Eye. From the angle, it seems to be going down leg but nope, like the previous LBW appeal against Cook by Hazlewood, Hawk Eye shows this to be hitting leg! Boy, this is a big wicket for Australia. England need 301 runs with 9 wickets in hand. 53/1
Howzzzatttttttttttttt???? That was a lonnnnng appeal from Lyon and Paine. They reckon Cook is LBW here. Smith takes the review...
19.4 N Lyon to Cook, Full on middle, watchfully defended. 53/0
19.3 N Lyon to A Cook, Full and flatter this time, pushed towards mid off. 53/0
19.2 N Lyon to Cook, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler this time. 53/0
19.1 N Lyon to Cook, Tossed up slowly on middle, Cook comes forward and defends it towards cover. 53/0
18.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Outside leg, flicked down to fine leg for a single. 53/0
18.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Outside off, angling away, left alone. 52/0
18.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Full and straight, solid defense on offer. 52/0
18.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 52/0
18.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Beaten! On a length around leg, Alastair feels for it but is beaten. 52/0
18.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Excellent fielding! On the pads, Cook flicks it beautifully but Shaun Marsh throws himself to his left at square leg and stops it! 52/0
17.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 52/0
17.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 52/0
17.4 N Lyon to Stoneman, OUCH! Short and outside off, Stoneman looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which hits Paine right in the abdomen. 52/0
17.3 N Lyon to Stoneman, Around off and middle, watchfully defended. 52/0
17.2 N Lyon to A Cook, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. 52/0
17.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, ALMOST AGAIN! Things are happening. And England are riding their luck a little bit in the last few minutes. Full on middle, Stoneman gets down and looks to sweep but the bounce on that induces a top edge. For a second, it seems like it will carry to Josh Hazlewood at deep backward square leg but he is a second late and that is the difference. He gets to the ball after it bounces in front of him. Matter of a second. Meanwhile, a run taken. 51/0
16.6 J Hazlewood to A Cook, Driven through mid on by the batsman. 50/0
16.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, 50-RUN STAND! First instance for the opening wicket for England in this Ashes. Perfect stepping stone if you are chasing down a huge target. A length ball outside off, Stoneman punches it through the covers and gets a single. Comparing this with the third ball of this over, this time he was closer to the delivery. Got on top of the bounce and earned runs. This start should give England a lot of boost. Question is - are Australia starting to look nervy already? 50/0
16.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Very close to the off stump, Mark defends it compactly. Better. 49/0
16.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Close, nearly! Perhaps the first loose shot of the morning. Hazlewood keeps it just outside off, Stoneman pushes at it away from his body but gets a thick inside edge which just misses the stumps! Goes to fine leg and the batsmen take a couple. 49/0
16.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Outside off, angling in, let through. 47/0
16.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a single. 47/0
Change of bowling. Josh Hazlewood is back on. Was pretty expensive in his first spell - 0/16 in 4. That is costly not only by his standards but by his team's too.
15.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, Full and around middle and leg, solidly blocked. 46/0
15.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, A little bit of pace on this one, around leg, pushed back to the bowler. 46/0
15.4 N Lyon to Cook, Slightly short, this time AC goes back and punches it through the covers for a single. 46/0
15.3 N Lyon to Cook, Thrown up outside off, Alastair comes forward again and blocks. 45/0
15.2 N Lyon to Cook, Landed outside off, a slight bit of loop, Cook comes forward and pushes it towards point. 45/0
15.1 N Lyon to Cook, Full and straight, blocked back to the bowler from the front foot. 45/0
Drinks are on the field! An excellent start for England! They have put their dismal batting show behind and have come out with intent now. Initially, when the ball was new, they looked a bit itchy but as the game has progressed, they have started to look aggressive. They were also aided by some poor bowling from the pacers. Cook survived an LBW scare but since then he has come into his own. Runs are coming for England but Lyon is making the ball talk. What's going to happen in the next hour? Let's wait and find out...
14.6 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Fuller and on the stumps, Mark Stoneman gets his bat down in time and defends it safely back to Cummins. 45/0
14.5 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, A bit short but the line is wide outside off, Mark doesn't play at it. 45/0
14.4 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Pitches it up on off, driven off the front foot but straight to mid off. 45/0
14.3 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Outside off, not paid attention to. 45/0
14.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Arrow it on the stumps, kept out with a front foot defense. 45/0
14.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, Angles it in on middle, Cook looks to work it away but gets it off the inner half through backward square leg for a single. 45/0
13.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, A bit full outside off, pushed towards the cover region. Another tight over from Lyon. 44/0
13.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 44/0
13.4 N Lyon to Stoneman, Stoneman presses forward and stonewalls this loopy delivery on off. 44/0
13.3 N Lyon to Cook, Chance? Nope it was off the pads! Lyon drifts it in around middle and leg, Cook leans across to flick it away but it goes off something past the short leg fielder. They cross but the umpire signals it as a leg bye. 44/0
13.2 N Lyon to Cook, Pushes it through the air around middle and off, buried into the ground. 43/0
13.1 N Lyon to Cook, Floats it up around off, Cook prods forward in defense. 43/0
12.6 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, FOUR! Spoils a good over! He serves a short ball, slightly wider outside off. This makes Stoneman greedy. He opens the bat face and guides it through backward point. It was in the air for a while but through the gap. A boundary to end the over. Stoneman has quickly moved to 32 from just 34 balls. 43/0
12.5 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, In the corridor of uncertainty, nothing doing says, Mark. Another leave. 39/0
12.4 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Continues to hit the deck hard, Stoneman jumps a bit in the crease but manages to defend it towards the cover region. 39/0
12.3 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Sticks to his short balls! Shoots off the deck but the line is wide outside off. No trouble for MS, he drops his wrists and lets it go. 39/0
12.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Short of a length delivery, angling in, Mark is on his toes as he tucks it in front of Marsh at square leg. 39/0
12.1 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, A harmless delivery! Short and wide outside off, Stoneman simply ignores. 39/0
11.6 N Lyon to A Cook, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. A fumble but no run. 39/0
11.5 N Lyon to Cook, Superb bowling! 'Lovely, Gazza!' says Paine. Full and around off, AC is again forward to defend but the ball takes off and just beats the outside edge! Tim Paine collects it beautifully again. 39/0
11.4 Lyon to Cook, Huge LBW appeal! Not out says the umpire and Smith wants the review. Bat, indicates Lyon. And he is correct. Full on middle and leg, Alastair looks to sweep but misses and wears it on the pads, but after an inside edge. 39/0
11.3 N Lyon to Cook, Fuller and in line of the stumps, pushed to the off side. 39/0
11.2 Lyon to Cook, Comfortably home. A terrific delivery to be honest but not quite sure whether it was legal. Replays seemed to suggest that Lyon did not have anything behind the line with his heel on the mark. However, the third umpire seems to be happy. Coming to the delivery, Lyon loops this around leg and Cook lunges to defend. The ball spins away past his outside edge and then bounces too! Terrific take from Paine, near his shoulder and even better from him to whip the bails off. He appeals and the square leg umpire refers it upstairs. Not quite sure why. Replays show that the foot hardly went up and even if it did, was marginal. Else it was firmly in the crease. A lot of replays are seen and eventually, the third umpire agrees that it is not a wicket. Could have been a no ball though... 39/0
Stumping appeal! Is Cook home?
11.1 N Lyon to Cook, Landed around middle, spinning away, Cook goes back and clips it towards short mid-wicket. 39/0
10.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Down the leg side, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single. 39/0
10.5 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full and around off, Alastair gets across to push it down the ground but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on. 38/0
10.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Angling this one away from the left-hander, left alone. 38/0
10.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Shortish in length outside off, Alastair punches it towards point but the timing is not that great to find the gap. 38/0
10.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Full and outside off, Cook gets across and is solidly behind the line as he defends the ball to cover. 38/0
10.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, Outside off, left alone. 38/0
9.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, Quicker through the air around middle and off, Stoneman hangs back in defense. 38/0
9.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, Comes forward and wrists it towards the leg side. 38/0
9.4 N Lyon to M Stoneman, Lyon once again bowls short and outside off, cut away nicely but finds the man at backward point. 38/0
9.3 N Lyon to Stoneman, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 38/0
9.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, Short and outside off, cut off the back foot through backward point for a couple. 38/0
9.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, Lands it on a length outside off, turns away a bit, left alone. 36/0
Spin is brought into the attack. Nathan Lyon to roll his arm over. With two southpaws at the crease, Smith must have opted his ace-spinner to come early.
8.6 Pat Cummins to Cook, Good over from Pat! Bowled well and didn't give any run. A maiden to start with, just what his skipper wanted after the bleeding. Cook prods forward to keep this out. 36/0
8.5 Pat Cummins to Cook, In the channel outside off, Alastair shoulders his arms. 36/0
8.4 Pat Cummins to Cook, Fuller in length and outside off, defended off the front foot gently. 36/0
Good observation from the commentators on air. They observe that, whenever the ball is coming back in, Cook hops in his attempt to work it through the leg side. They add, when he does so he seems to lose his balance and there are chances he might miss one and could be a candidate for an LBW.
8.3 Pat Cummins to Cook, Outside off, left alone. 36/0
8.2 Pat Cummins to Cook, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot again. 36/0
8.1 Pat Cummins to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 36/0
First change from Steven Smith is being made. He has called Pat Cummins into the attack. Can he give his skipper a breakthrough?
7.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Eased down the ground! An overpitched delivery from Josh, Cook lunges ahead and drives it straight down the ground past mid on for a boundary to end the over. 36/0
7.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 32/0
7.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Edged and through! Fuller in length and just outside off, Cook comes forward to defend but gets an outside edge which flies past the second slip fielder for a boundary towards third man. This is the highest opening stand for England in this series. 32/0
7.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Taps one to the off side and calls through for a single. Good running! 28/0
7.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, FOUR! Handsome looking shot, that! Cook has come out with intent it seems! Leaving the balls outside off and then making the most when it's there to be hit. Shortish but not rising much, Cook gets on top of the bounce and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. 27/0
7.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Fuller around middle and leg, clipped through backward square leg for a single. 23/0
6.6 M Starc to Cook, Ahead of a length around middle and off, defended off the back foot. 22/0
6.5 M Starc to Cook, That's third leave in the row! Cook is resisting here! He is taking his time. 22/0
6.4 M Starc to Cook, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 22/0
6.3 M Starc to Cook, Fuller in length and outside off, swinging away, AC lets it be. 22/0
6.2 M Starc to Cook, FOUR! Pulled away in style! Cook at his best! Sees the length short, stands tall with swivels just a bit to pull it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. Smith immediately drops a man back on the boundary. 22/0
6.1 M Starc to Cook, Length delivery on middle and off, Cook covers the line and defends. 18/0
5.6 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, Stoneman is looking in good touch here! After clipping four on the leg side he plays one through the off side. Fuller in length and just outside off, probably after those boundaries his confidence must have boosted up. He drives one through covers and collects two. 18/0
5.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Sprays a bit wider outside off, Mark Stoneman has no qualms in letting it go through to the keeper. 16/0
5.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Angles it in from a length on middle, Stoneman defends it down. 16/0
5.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 16/0
Nathan Lyon is warming up...
5.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Outside off, MS has got nothing to do with that one. 16/0
5.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Fuller length on off, driven towards mid off. 16/0
4.6 M Starc to Stoneman, No... no... no. Nearly the fourth boundary of the over! Starc has been guilty of spraying a bit too much on the pads. Stoneman doesn't miss out. He walks across a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket. The ball slows down near the fence as the batsmen run three. 15 off the over! Just the start England needed? 16/0
4.5 M Starc to Stoneman, There comes Starc! That's some response! After going full, he bangs in a short ball on middle and off. Mark arches back and evades. 13/0
4.4 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! This is all along the ground now! The best of the lot! And the most pleasing one. He got Stoneman LBW in the first innings by bowling it there. But the ploy isn't working this time. It's on the pads and guess what? Stoneman makes the most of it by flicking it away through mid-wicket. Three on the trot! What will Starc do now? 13/0
4.3 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! Once again aerial and once again gets the same result. Starc in search of some swing, sprays it on the pads. Stoneman shuffles a bit and clips it aerially over mid-wicket for back-to-back boundaries. 9/0
4.2 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! Well not this time! He gets it again right there and flicks it beautifully. Was in the air for a while but goes safely to the mid-wicket fence. He's off the mark with a boundary. 5/0
4.1 M Starc to Stoneman, Sprays it down leg, Mark tries to clip it away but fails to get any wood on it. Stoneman would feel he missed out on a scoring opportunity there. 1/0
3.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Bowls it on a driving length outside off, AC isn't tempted to go after it. A lovely over from Josh! Could have had Cook but it wasn't meant to be. 1/0
3.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Now angles it in again, Alastair is right behind the line to keep it out. 1/0
3.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Swings away from a length outside off, Cook ain't playing at those. 1/0
3.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Fuller again on off, easily defended by lunging forward. 1/0
3.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Keeps it fuller on off, blocked off the front foot. 1/0
3.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, That's struck on the pads. A loud, loud appeal follows. In fact, Hazlewood is pleading. He keeps pleading, now the slip cordon joins too but the umpire shakes his head. Hazlewood from around the wicket, angles it in from around middle. It zips a bit off the surface as Cook hops a bit to work it away on the leg side. Misses and is hit on the pads. They appeal long and hard but nothing from the umpire. Josh has a chat with his skipper but they deny taking the DRS. Oh wait, Hawk Eye shows Three Reds! But it didn't look like at the first instance. So some share of luck going Cook's way. 1/0
2.6 M Starc to Stoneman, Almost! Fuller and swinging away further, Stoneman lazily has a poke at it only to see the ball whizz past the outside edge. 1/0
2.5 M Starc to Stoneman, Rising from a length on middle, defended with a straight bat. It's always a good feeling when you are yet to get off the mark and the ball hits that part of the willow. 1/0
2.4 M Starc to Stoneman, Superb! Starc is getting his length right here. It's again on a length outside off, Stoneman this time feels for it. However, the tiniest of away movements beats the outside edge. 1/0
2.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Beautiful! He is making the batsman going after it. Drops it on a length outside off, Stoneman comes forward but the away movement meant that, he's not going to go after it. 1/0
2.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Hurls it on a length, it swings further away, Mark Stoneman is rooted inside the crease as he watchfully leaves it alone. 1/0
2.1 M Starc to Stoneman, Starc keeps the length full and swings away after pitching. Too wide to make Stoneman have a go at it. 1/0
1.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Fuller and angling in on middle, Cooky brings his bat down at the angle and works it towards short mid-wicket. 1/0
1.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, On a good length just outside the off stump, AC hangs back in defense. 1/0
1.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, Excellent from Josh! Gets some inward movement this time. He drops it on a length outside off, it jags back in as Cook gets across before lifting his bat to make another leave. 1/0
1.3 J Hazlewood to Cook, Good line and length! Hazlewood wants Cook to go after it but the ex-English skipper resists! It's nice and full outside off, left alone. 1/0
1.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Pitches it right up, but it's a bit too full. Cook jams it out. 1/0
1.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, Fuller in length from around the wicket, Cook is right behind the line and defends. 1/0
Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball with Starc.
0.6 M Starc to Cook, England are away! This would calm some nerves! Starc keeps it on a back of a length outside off, Alastair punches it towards cover and scampers through for a single. 1/0
0.5 M Starc to Cook, On a length and seaming away a touch, Cook goes back and with those soft hands he taps it towards point. 0/0
0.4 M Starc to Cook, A bit of bounce and good carry here! Length delivery, in the channel outside off, Alastair shoulders his arms to it. 0/0
0.3 M Starc to Cook, Back of a length on middle, Cook loves the length as he goes back to pull. Gets it off the inner half but straight to Marsh at square leg. 0/0
0.2 M Starc to Cook, Starc keeps it full, searching for some swing but it does so but after going past the batsman. Easily left alone. 0/0
0.1 M Starc to Cook, Right on the money is Starc! Comes running in from over the wicket, hurls a length delivery around the off stump line. Cook initially was on the front foot but then seeing the bounce he immediately goes back and defends. 0/0