Ashes 2017, Live Score, Australia vs England, 3rd Test Day 2 at Perth

Catch all the live updates from the third Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth through Cricketnext.com's live commentary.

Day 1 Round-up: Dawid Malan said it was time for England to pile the pressure on Australia after his maiden Test century helped the besieged visitors fight back on the opening day of the vital third Ashes Test in Perth on Thursday. After Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat, Malan's unbeaten 110 helped the tourists to breathe life back into their Ashes defence by countering hostile Australian bowling on a bouncy wicket at the WACA Ground, which is hosting an Ashes Test for the last time. At stumps, the visitors were 305 for four after their best day of the series, and Malan said the challenge for England was to grasp their chance. "We've just not capitalised on the crucial moments," Malan said of the series thus far. "The first hour tomorrow is crucial for us and if we give them any sniff with the second new ball, we will give the momentum right back to them," he added. "We will have to be quite ruthless in the way we play tomorrow morning." As one of the players identified as suspect going into the series and after failing to get a big score in the first two Tests, Malan said he was relieved to get the monkey off his back. "I was under a bit of pressure coming into the game so it was nice to score some runs," he said. "It was nice to do it when the team needed it and cash in when I made a start" Malan admitted it was tough when he came to the crease against the rampaging Australian fast bowlers, but said he enjoyed the challenge. Already down 2-0 in the five-match series, the visitors were wavering at 131 for four against some fiery pace bowling after lunch, but Malan steadied the innings with an unbroken 174-run stand for the fifth wicket alongside Jonny Bairstow (75 not out), England's highest partnership of the series. England overcame the controversial dismissal of opener Mark Stoneman for 56 on a third-umpire decision, and their cause was helped by some generosity from the Australian fielders, who dropped three catches and missed a run out. Malan was one of the chief beneficiaries as the 30-year-old notched his first century in his eighth Test, and England's first hundred of the series. He would have been run out for 32 had David Warner managed a direct hit, and was dropped by Cameron Bancroft in the slips on 92. He steadied his nerves to reach a century with a powerful pull shot off Josh Hazlewood, having faced 159 balls in 221 minutes at the crease, hitting 13 fours and one six. Malan came to bat with England under pressure against short-pitched bowling from Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who terrorised the tourists with aggressive bowling that was often more than 145 kilometres (90 miles) per hour. Stoneman was dropped twice on 52 and struck on his helmet by a fierce delivery while on the same score. He survived all that, only to be contentiously given out for 56. The opener fended at a sharply-rising delivery from Starc and wicketkeeper Tim Paine pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch, but on-field umpire Marais Erasmus turned down the Australian appeal. The hosts called for a review and third umpire Aleem Dar took little time overturning the original decision, although there did not appear to be any conclusive evidence to support the reversal. The decision clearly upset the England camp, with Root and fielding coach Paul Collingwood coming out of the dressing rooms to voice their concern as Stoneman trudged off. Unfortunately for England, former skipper Alastair Cook's form woes continued when he was trapped leg before wicket by Starc for just seven, on his landmark 150th Test appearance. Cook has more than 11,000 Test runs, but the former England skipper has scored just 69 in this series at 13.80.

Commentary (England innings)

Finally, England have batted to their potentials and have put up big scores. What is to be seen is whether this is just a one off day or can they prolong this good period of play for them. Day 2 promises thrills to no ends. We will resume this battle tomorrow at 1030 local time (0230 GMT). Do join us then. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Michael Slater has a chat with Mitchell Starc on the sidelines. He reckons Malan has batted really well. States that there is a bit of bounce on the track but not much sideways movement. Opines that they didn't bowl in the right areas consistently. Feels that this is the quickest outfield in the country. Mentions that it has been a pretty even day for both sides even though they would have loved to pick up a few wickets and have their noses in front. Ends saying that England took their risks and they came off.

Australia will be disappointed with the result of the last session but they won't be disappointed with the efforts of their bowlers. Led by Mitchell Starc, all the seamers were right on the money most of the time and consistently tested the English batsmen. Nathan Lyon didn't look at his usual best but he too cannot be doubted for effort. The hosts would hope for a change in fortune tomorrow morning. The second new ball is only 8 overs old and they will expect some assistance.

A wicketless evening session and England have taken the advantage home courtesy the unbeaten 174-run stand between Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow. These two joined forces when Mark Stoneman got dismissed and things were not looking too promising for England. The Aussie speedsters had their tails up and were bowling with fire. Not only did the current pair survive the onslaught, they also made sure that the runs keep coming. Malan, in particular, fought fire with fire and dealt with Aussies' short pitch tactic with full confidence. Deservingly, he completed his maiden Test hundred and in the process also became the leading run-scorer in this series.

88.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Cummins charges in one final time for the day. Serves a length ball around and it shapes back in, Bairstow gets forward and defends it with a loose bottom hand. It takes the inside edge and rolls behind towards the slip cordon off his pads. David Warner walks up and shakes hand with the centurion. Stumps on day 1! 305/4

88.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Sharp delivery, full and nipping back into the batsman, Bairstow keeps it out from the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. 305/4

88.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Brave leave! Cummins hurls across a full length ball outside off, moving back in a little, Bairstow covers his stumps and shoulders arms. That wasn't very far from the off stick. 305/4

88.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Beats the edge! Terrific delivery, on a length just outside off, shaping in a bit, Jonny plays inside the line, flat-footed completely and is beaten. 305/4

88.2 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Outside off on a length, Bairstow plays it down to point. 305/4

88.1 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 305/4

The Australian players rush to change over. The clock is showing one more minute left and the hosts want to slip in another over. Pat Cummins charges in...

87.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Short ball around off, ducked under by Malan. He shut shop for the day and started making his way to the dressing room. The umpire though decides that there is time for one more over. 305/4

87.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, FOUR! Such shots are a delight to watch at any part of the day, let alone towards the end of day's play. Hazlewood spears it full around off, Malan drives it crisply down the ground. Josh gets out his right hand but fails to stop that. A boundary results. This stand is now worth 174 runs, THE HIGHEST OF THIS SERIES! 305/4

87.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Back of a length delivery outside off, Dawid arches back to let the ball fly to the keeper. 301/4

87.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full delivery around off, defended back towards the bowler. 301/4

87.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Josh comes around the wicket for the southpaw and delivers it outside off. Malan doesn't bother playing that. 301/4

87.1 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Full delivery outside off, Bairstow is again loose on the drive. Looks to go through the off side but gets an inside edge towards backward square leg. One run is what he gets for that. 301/4

Josh Hazlewood is back on.

86.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Bangs in a bouncer, Malan sits underneath it. 300/4

86.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Good length delivery landing outside off and shaping back into the batsman, Malan deals with an inswinger well. Brings his bat and front pad close in defense. 300/4

86.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Shortish and on off, Malan goes on his toes to play that one. Blocks it safely. 300/4

86.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length and around off, Dawid pushes it towards mid off. 300/4

86.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Malan has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 300/4

86.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Steams in from around the wicket and bowls it down the leg side. Malan lets it be. 300/4

Pat Cummins is back on.

85.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Fullish and on middle, Jonny flicks it through backward square leg for a couple of runs. 300 up for England! 300/4

85.5 M Starc to J Bairstow, FOUR! Not the desired result for the bowler. He wanted to hurl in a yorker but ends up dishing a full toss, at 143.8 kph. Starc is cranking it up. Bairstow tries driving but it takes the outer half of the bat and speeds through the gap between gully and slips for a boundary. 298/4

85.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Shout for an lbw! Bairstow has failed to connect with his flick shot here. The umpire remains unmoved. The replays show it to be pitching outside leg. 294/4

85.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller in length and on middle, Bairstow gets half forward and defends it back. 294/4

85.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. 294/4

85.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Slips a length ball down the leg side, Bairstow tries to flick but misses. 294/4

84.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under it at the last moment. 294/4

84.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Fullish again, outside off, Josh wants him to keep driving and err once. This time though he middles his shot and defends it back. 294/4

84.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, FOUR! He is not done yet, this time displays his range of shots like he has done all innings. Receives a full ball and nails his drive through covers for a boundary. 294/4

84.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 290/4

84.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, FOUR! Here it is, maiden Test hundred for Dawid Malan. First time since 2006 an England number 5 has made an Ashes ton Down Under. Also the first century by an Englishman in this series. What a moment for Malan! He brings it up with a pull shot. The shot he has played really well in this innings. Connects well and sends this short ball down to long leg for a boundary. The Barmy Army gets into action now. A loud cheer for the 30-year old. An Ashes ton, something every cricketer dreams of! 290/4

84.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Back of a length delivery on middle, played straight to mid-wicket. 286/4

83.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Poor shot attempted! Starc delivers it very full and outside off, Bairstow attempts to drive it through covers but is probably beaten for pace. Needs to be careful here. England don't want to lose a wicket and expose the lower half against the new ball. 286/4

83.5 M Starc to Bairstow, Effort ball, it's short and wide outside off, Bairstow flashes and misses. Jonny getting carried away now. 286/4

83.4 M Starc to J Bairstow, FOUR! Wow, great shot! A pitched up delivery on off, Bairstow presses forward and drives it handsomely past the left side of the mid off fielder for a boundary. All of a sudden, runs are flowing. That's one of the disadvantages of taking the new ball. It's hard and will come onto the bat nicely. 3000 Test runs for Jonny as well! 286/4

83.3 M Starc to Malan, Starc attempts to spear in a yorker but instead it's a friendly full toss on the pads, Malan helps it to fine leg for a run. 282/4

83.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Gentle hands by Bairstow. He taps a length ball to mid on and scampers across to the other end. The stand is now worth 150! 281/4

83.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Full and on middle, Bairstow drives it straight back past the bowler. The mid off fielder dives and parries it to Cummins at mid on. 280/4

82.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Short and angling down the leg side, Malan tries to pull but misses. 280/4

82.5 J Hazlewood to D Malan, Another delightful drive, this time straight towards point. 280/4

82.4 J Hazlewood to D Malan, FOUR! This will release some pressure. He moves to 97 and can smell his maiden Test century. A full length delivery outside off, Malan leans forward and caresses it through covers. 280/4

82.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 276/4

82.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Stifled appeal for an lbw. A short delivery angling into the batsman, Malan fails to defend and is hit on the front pad. They appeal but it's too high. 276/4

82.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Sliding down the leg side, Malan tries to flick but misses. Paine dives across to his right to collect the ball. He has dived around the whole day today. 276/4

JOSH HAZLEWOOD to share the new cherry from the other end.

81.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller and around off, Bairstow keeps it out safely at point. Top over! 276/4

81.5 M Starc to J Bairstow, Bairstow is living dangerously. This time attempts a cover drive to a full delivery but it seams back in to gather the inside edge. It hits him on the leg. Could have easily gone onto the stumps. 276/4

81.4 M Starc to J Bairstow, EDGY FOUR! Bairstow is very lucky here. It could have easily gone into gully's hands. Starc runs in again and darts in a fuller length ball on middle. Jonny is early into the shot as he tries to flick through mid-wicket. Closes the face of the bat early and the outside edge flies behind past the gully fielder for a boundary. 276/4

81.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Angles across a length ball outside off, Bairstow with minuscule front foot movement tries to drive and gets beaten. It's all happening now. 272/4

81.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Going down the leg side, Bairstow tries flicking but misses. 272/4

81.1 M Starc to D Malan, DROPPED BY BANCROFT! Action immediately after the second new ball is taken. Starc steams in and spears in a fuller length ball outside off. Some movement off the pitch there as Malan tries flicking it across the line. It gets to him quicker than he expects and as a result, he edges it behind. It flies towards second slip, Steven Smith stretches to his left to take the catch but Bancroft from third slip intervenes and spills the chance. Oh dear, they waited for this opportunity for so long and have dropped it when it's offered. They cross for a single. Malan will be a relieved man. He is in the nervous 90s! 272/4

Second new ball taken and MITCHELL STARC is back in action.

80.6 M Marsh to Bairstow, Another bouncer, down the leg side, a harmless one, Bairstow gets underneath that one. Safely negotiated. 271/4

80.5 M Marsh to Bairstow, Angling into the batsman, on middle, Bairstow gets behind the line and defends it to mid-wicket. 271/4

80.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Bouncer at 134.1 kph, Jonny ducks. 271/4

80.3 M Marsh to Bairstow, Back of a length delivery on off, Bairstow punches it from the back foot to mid off. 271/4

80.2 M Marsh to Bairstow, FOUR! Easy runs! On the pads, fuller in length, Jonny gets some part of bat behind it and it happily races away to the fine leg fence. 271/4

80.1 M Marsh to Bairstow, Full and on middle, driven down to mid on. 267/4

Second new ball is now available but not taken. Steven Smith signals one more. Mitchell Marsh continues...

79.6 S Smith to Malan, A low full toss outside off, Malan tries to play an extravagant cover drive but it takes the inside edge of his bat and rolls to mid-wicket. 267/4

79.5 S Smith to Malan, Tossed up delivery outside off, Malan reaches out and drives it to covers. 267/4

79.4 S Smith to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 267/4

79.3 S Smith to Malan, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it to mid off. 267/4

79.2 S Smith to Malan, Loopy full ball on middle, Malan lunges and pushes it to mid off. 267/4

79.1 S Smith to D Malan, Quicker full on middle, dug out back to the bowler. 267/4

78.6 M Marsh to Bairstow, Short in length outside off, Jonny allows it through. 267/4

78.5 M Marsh to Bairstow, Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. 267/4

Mitchell Starc is warming up. Second new ball is just 8 balls away. We will see him bowling soon in all likelihood.

78.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 267/4

78.3 M Marsh to Bairstow, Good length ball on off, Bairstow turns it on the leg side but finds the fielder at mid-wicket. 267/4

78.2 M Marsh to Bairstow, A hint of reverse there, full and moving into the batsman, Jonny gets forward and pushes it down to mid on. 267/4

78.1 M Marsh to Bairstow, Good length ball on off, Bairstow gets on his back foot and defends it to the off side. 267/4

77.6 S Smith to Bairstow, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. Easy going for England. 267/4

77.5 S Smith to Bairstow, Tossed up ball on off, Bairstow plays it out with the spin but finds the point fielder. 266/4

77.4 S Smith to Malan, Moves into the 90s! Smith serves it short and wide outside off, Malan reaches out for it and forces it past the first slip fielder for three runs. 266/4

77.3 S Smith to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 263/4

77.2 S Smith to Bairstow, Loopy and on middle, Bairstow leans forward and eases it down to fine leg for a run. 263/4

77.1 S Smith to Bairstow, Flighted ball on middle, driven back to the bowler. 262/4

76.6 M Marsh to Bairstow, On the pads, eased down to long leg for a single. 262/4

76.5 M Marsh to Bairstow, A cracking delivery, yorker on middle and leg, Jonny does really well to dig it out. 261/4

76.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Short and on off, Bairstow moves away from the line. 261/4

76.3 M Marsh to Bairstow, FOUR! Change in batting order and Jonny Bairstow is back in business, scoring runs for England. His 18th Test half century. A brilliant shot to get there too. Marsh dishes out a length delivery just outside off, Jonny delays his shot and plays an extremely late cut fine down to third man for a boundary. Wonderful knock! 261/4

76.2 M Marsh to Bairstow, Shortish on middle, worked straight to mid-wicket. 257/4

76.1 M Marsh to Bairstow, Fullish and on middle, driven down to mid on. 257/4

Change of ends for Mitchell Marsh.

75.6 S Smith to Malan, A full toss on middle, helped on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket. 257/4

75.5 S Smith to Malan, Presses forward to a full ball and drives it to mid off. 257/4

75.4 S Smith to Malan, Loopy and full on middle, Malan is on the front foot in defense. 257/4

75.3 S Smith to Malan, This time Malan connects with his attempted square cut and finds the gap. Returns for the second run. Dawid now becomes the leading run-scorer in this series! 257/4

75.2 S Smith to Malan, Short again, outside off, Malan tries to cut but misses. 255/4

75.1 S Smith to Bairstow, As expected, first delivery is short and around middle and leg, Bairstow nudges it through square leg for a run. 255/4

Steven Smith introduces himself into the attack! He used to be a leg spinner, then became a part-timer and now is an occasional bowler who just fills in if the new ball is around the corner or some bowler needs a change of ends.

74.6 N Lyon to J Bairstow, A hint of inward spin from a fuller length around middle, Bairstow gets on the front foot and knocks it down to long on for a single. 254/4

74.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Loopy and on off, defended back off the front foot. 253/4

74.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 253/4

74.3 N Lyon to Malan, Skidding back into the batsman from outside off, Malan draws forward and pushes it to covers for one. 253/4

74.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Bairstow plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single. 252/4

74.1 N Lyon to D Malan, Flighted ball outside off, Malan jumps out of the crease and drives it through mid off for a single. 251/4

73.6 M Marsh to Bairstow, Full and angling into the batsman, Jonny flicks it off his pads to short mid-wicket. 250/4

73.5 M Marsh to Bairstow, Gets on the front foot to a full ball and drives it to point. 250/4

73.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Width on offer outside off, Jonny stands tall and steers it down towards third man for a couple of runs. 250/4

73.3 M Marsh to J Bairstow, Rising delivery, on middle, Bairstow does well to play it through backward square leg for a couple of runs. 248/4

73.2 M Marsh to Bairstow, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. 246/4

73.1 M Marsh to Bairstow, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched to covers. 246/4

72.6 N Lyon to Malan, Tossed up ball on middle, played off the pads to mid-wicket. 246/4

72.5 N Lyon to Malan, Loopy full ball outside off, Malan drives it through covers for a couple of runs. This is now the highest score by an Englishman in this series. 246/4

72.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Walks down the track and pushes it off the inner half of the bat. It sneaks past the short mid-wicket fielder to the widish long on region for one. 244/4

72.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Spinning back into the batsman from outside off, Jonny goes deep inside the crease and helps it to backward square leg. He needs to be careful with these shots as Cameron Bancroft at short leg is quite sharp with his reflexes. 243/4

72.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Tossed up ball on middle, pushed down towards short mid-wicket. 243/4

72.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Sharp spin into the batsman from a full length outside off, Bairstow tries to defend but gets an inside edge. It rolls past short leg. 243/4

71.6 M Marsh to Malan, Fractionally short in length on off, Dawid defends it off his back foot. 243/4

71.5 M Marsh to Bairstow, Angling down the leg side, too straight in line, Bairstow clips it in front of square leg and picks up a single. 243/4

71.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Good length delivery outside off, once again Bairstow sticks back and taps it down to point. 242/4

71.3 M Marsh to Bairstow, Nearly chops it on! This delivery nips back in a little bit, Jonny tries playing at it from the crease but gets an inside edge onto the back leg. 242/4

71.2 M Marsh to D Malan, Short and on middle, pulled down to long leg for one. 242/4

71.1 M Marsh to J Bairstow, Pitches it full outside off, Jonny takes his front leg to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers for three runs. Not quite the timing to take it past the ropes. 241/4

MITCHELL MARSH is back into the attack.

70.6 N Lyon to Malan, Sliding down the leg side, worked behind square leg for a couple of runs. 238/4

70.5 N Lyon to Malan, Walks down the track and pushes it out towards mid on. 236/4

70.4 N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Growing in confidence with every shot and is nearing his maiden Test ton. A flighted full ball outside off has been drilled through covers for a boundary. 236/4

70.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Turning down the leg side, helped wide of short fine leg for one. 232/4

70.2 N Lyon to Malan, 100-run stand comes up! What a fruitful partnership this has been! England were struggling after losing Mark Stoneman and that was the moment when the Aussie pacers were dominating proceedings. These two weathered the early storm and have now settled in. Dawid Malan in particular has batted with a lot of intent. Coming to the delivery, it was a full ball which got driven through covers for one. 231/4

70.1 N Lyon to Malan, A touch short in length and around off, Malan gets back and plays it down to covers. 230/4

Time for Drinks. Dawid Malan is the man that the Aussies dearly want as he is carrying on well post his half century. This was evident in the review that they decided to take against him. At the other end, Bairstow is looking good with a solid 35 and is amidst a 99-run stand. The hosts would want to get a break before the day's play to make inroads into the opposition.

69.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Fuller outside off, driven straight to the man at covers. 230/4

69.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Bouncer outside off, left alone. 230/4

69.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Full outside off, Malan reaches out and drives it straight to the man at deep backward point for a single. 230/4

69.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 229/4

69.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, FOUR! Risky but effective in this case. Length ball outside off, Malan slashes at it with hard hands. The ball flies off the edge past a diving gully fielder and races away to the third man fence. 229/4

69.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Malan blocks it by getting behind the line of the ball. 225/4

68.6 N Lyon to Malan, Malan drives it to long off for one. 225/4

68.5 N Lyon to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 224/4

68.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Quicker one on the pads, Bairstow clips it in front of square on the leg side for a single. 224/4

68.3 N Lyon to Malan, Landed around off, driven through covers for one. 223/4

68.2 N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! Gorgeous! Lyon floats it around middle and leg, Malan comes down the track and pushes it past the bowler's left side. Such pristine is the timing that it beats mid on and goes to the fence. This is Malan's best Test score now. 222/4

68.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Lyon serves it around middle and leg, Jonny works it with the spin through square leg for a single. 218/4

NATHAN LYON to roll his arm over.

67.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Fuller around off, Malan gets his bat down in time to defend it towards mid on. 217/4

67.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Malan stays in the crease and blocks. 217/4

67.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Bouncer around off, angling into the batter. DM ducks under that. 217/4

67.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, This delivery is pushed towards point. 217/4

67.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Bowled outside off, well left by Dawid. 217/4

67.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, The cheer from the Barmy Army shows that the decision returned is NOT OUT! Height turns out to be a factor indeed as suggested by the Hawk Eye. Cummins steams in from over the wicket and spears it on a length outside off. The ball nips back in after pitching. Malan hops to flick it away but fails to do so and gets hit above the knee roll. The Australians put in a HUUGEEEEE appeal only to see it turned down. There was some signal from covers saying height could be a factor. But considering Malan is on 64, Smith decides to take it upstairs. However, the ball goes on to miss the stumps as returned by the Ball Tracker. It showed that the impact was umpire's call yet the home side loses a review as the ball would go on to miss the stumps. 217/4

Big appeal for LBW from the Aussies against Malan. The umpire says NO. After much deliberation, Smith opts for the DRS. Height could be a factor...

66.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Another length ball on the stumps, turned towards square leg. 217/4

66.5 M Starc to Bairstow, On a length around middle and leg, clipped towards mid-wicket. 217/4

66.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Landed around off and middle, kept off with a straight bat. 217/4

66.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Bouncer around off, swayed away from the line. 217/4

66.2 M Starc to Bairstow, This ball is pushed towards covers. 217/4

66.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Starc bowls a very full delivery with a scrambled seam. Bairstow digs it out towards mid off. 217/4

65.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. 217/4

65.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Short delivery down the leg side, Malan looks to pull it initially but then decides against it. 217/4

65.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, This ball is punched off the back foot towards covers. 217/4

65.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Oh Cummins, you little beauty! You almost did it! He bowls a length delivery angling into Malan, the Englishman looks to clip it away and it goes off something to the keeper. Paine gets low to his right, catches that and along with the bowler, rises in appeal. The umpire stays unmoved. On second look, you realise the umpire is right as it came off the thighs. Hot Spot is shown from the off side but not from the other side. The incoming nippy delivery seems to be Dawid's weakness as in the previous game, he got out to such similar delivery twice. 217/4

65.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Short delivery around off, Malan swivels and pulls it in front of square on the leg side. Before Shaun Marsh can get to his right and stop that, a couple of runs result. 217/4

65.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Cummins comes round the wicket and lands it around off, Malan defends. 215/4

PAT CUMMINS back on.

64.6 M Starc to Bairstow, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 215/4

64.5 M Starc to Bairstow, FOUR! This is one of the disadvantages of coming around the wicket. Most of the fielders are manning the off side area and the natural angle of the left arm bowler angles the ball into the batsman. This makes it a touch easier for the batter to score through the on side. Starc angles in a length delivery into Jonny, who flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This partnership is now worth 84! 215/4

64.4 M Starc to Bairstow, This is outside off, left alone. 211/4

64.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Banged short on the stumps, Bairstow ducks and lets it go. 211/4

64.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Fuller outside off, JB mistimes his drive towards covers. 211/4

64.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Starc comes around the wicket to Bairstow and lands it on a fuller length around off. Jonny stands tall and blocks it from the crease. 211/4

63.6 J Hazlewood to D Malan, FOUR! The quality of a stroke is often judged by how it is described. Normally Warner is a good fielder and hence the final outcome isn't often predicted when he is chasing the ball. But looking at the way the ball was struck, Mark Taylor on air said it's a four. It stayed that way. Fuller delivery around off, Malan drives it crisply through the gap between covers and mid off. The ball has just one destination - the boundary fence. 211/4

63.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Blocked solidly from the crease. 207/4

63.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Length ball going away from Dawid. He has nothing to do with that. 207/4

63.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Josh continues over the wicket to Malan and bowls it fuller around off. Malan defends it from the crease. 207/4

63.2 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Outside off, crunched towards covers. There's a slight misfield and that enables JB to complete a quick run. 207/4

63.1 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, FOUR! Majestic! Hazlewood errs in his line and ends up serving it around middle and leg. Bairstow is really watching the ball well and clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The Hot Spot shows that the ball made contact with the middle of the bat. Great feeling. 206/4

62.6 M Starc to D Malan, Very full delivery around off, driven beautifully through covers. Gets a brace for that shot. 202/4

62.5 M Starc to Bairstow, Good length delivery on the pads, Bairstow clips it fine down the leg side and hares across to the other end as he wants two. The fine leg fielder runs to his right and returns the throw to the keeper. Jonny slipped as he turned and hence couldn't complete the second. Cheers go around the ground as ENGLAND REACH 200! 200/4

62.4 M Starc to Bairstow, Here comes the bouncer. It is down the leg side, Jonny ducks to let it go. 199/4

62.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Similar delivery outside off, this time Jonny just lets it be. 199/4

62.2 M Starc to Bairstow, On a length outside off, Bairstow is unsure of his footwork and ends up chopping it back towards the bowler. 199/4

62.1 M Starc to D Malan, Full delivery searching for the reverse swing, Malan pushes it towards covers and scampers across for a quick run. 199/4

Starc runs in to bowl but has to abort his run up. Malan had some issues with the sightscreen there.

MITCHELL STARC is brought over to bowl now.

61.6 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Hazlewood comes over the wicket and bowls it around off, pushed towards point. 198/4

61.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, On the pads, flicked away round the corner for one. 198/4

61.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 197/4

61.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Nicely clipped to the man at mid on who stops it with a dive. 197/4

61.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, Malan blocks this delivery from the crease. No ball signaled as Josh has overstepped big time. 197/4

61.2 J Hazlewood to Malan, Fuller on the line of off stump, Malan meets the ball with a straight bat face. 196/4

61.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, What's that? Hazlewood comes into the attack and there's some action right away. Bowls a length ball from round the wicket, Malan looks to pull it. But the ball doesn't climb as expected and ends up striking him high on the thigh pad. 196/4

JOSH HAZLEWOOD is back on. Often he gives the breakthrough when his skipper requires one. Can he do so now?

60.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Jonny hangs back in his crease and negotiates it safely to end the over. 196/4

60.5 N Lyon to J Bairstow, FOUR! Oh Starc! Floated around off, Bairstow gets nicely forward and drives it through covers. Starc runs to his left from mid off, puts in the dive but fails to stop that. Gets up, chases the ball and again dives but the ball beats him to the fence. 196/4

60.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Around off, watchfully defended from the crease. 192/4

60.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 192/4

60.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Bairstow lunges forward and buries it onto the ground. 192/4

60.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter quicker delivery outside off, Jonny lets it go. 192/4

59.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Sometimes the sound that is made when the ball and the bat make contact shows how confidently a batter is playing. This one is blocked off the front foot towards mid off. 192/4

59.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Another delivery outside off, left alone. 192/4

59.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Bouncer around off and angling in to Dawid. He crouches low to let the keeper do the rest. 192/4

59.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Malan stays in the crease and blocks it. 192/4

59.2 Pat Cummins to D Malan, FOUR! This is what runs under the belt can do to you, to the extent that Pietersen calls it as the shot of the game so far. Cummins spears an overpitched delivery outside off. Malan gets his right foot forward and drives it magnificently through covers for a boundary. There's nothing stopping that. 192/4

59.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 188/4

58.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter outside off, cut straight to the man at point. Shouts a huge NO as soon as he played that. 188/4

58.5 N Lyon to Malan, 4th Test fifty for Dawid Malan! Knocks this one down to long off for a single. How different has he played! He wasn't shy on taking on the seamers when they were peppering him with short stuffs and against Lyon, he is using all his freedom to use his feet. He would know, however, that his job is just half done. 188/4

58.4 N Lyon to Malan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 187/4

58.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Quicker one around middle and leg, turned through mid-wicket for one. 187/4

58.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Bairstow flicks it aerially towards mid on. Mitchell Marsh dives to his left from short mid-wicket and doesn't concede a run. 186/4

58.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Floated around off and middle, JB gets a stride forward and defends it towards covers. 186/4

57.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Length ball on the pads, nudged down to fine leg for a single. 186/4

57.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Bouncer around off, Bairstow moves away from the line. 185/4

57.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Full delivery on the pads, turned through square leg for a brace. 185/4

57.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Jonny covers the sticks and lets it pass safely. 183/4

57.2 Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, A touch fuller, driven to mid on. 183/4

57.1 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Full length ball around off, defended off the front foot onto the ground. 183/4

56.6 N Lyon to Malan, Malan slinks down and blocks this one towards mid off. Wants a run to take him to fifty but Lyon gets to the ball quickly. Malan stays on 49. 183/4

56.5 N Lyon to Malan, FOUR! 50-run stand up between these two in style! Malan had come down the track on a couple of occasions and this forced Lyon to shorten his length. There is width on offer as well and Dawid goes back and deftly guides it through short third man for a boundary. This is another good stand developing for England and they would want it to carry on for long. 183/4

56.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Darted around leg, Bairstow flicks it past short leg for one. 179/4

56.3 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter on the stumps, Malan gets down the track and looks to flick it through mid-wicket but gets it off the inner half past short leg for a single. 178/4

56.2 N Lyon to Malan, Malan charges down the track yet again only to block it watchfully. 177/4

56.1 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter around middle, Malan goes back and blocks it. 177/4

55.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Doesn't let this be a maiden over as Dawid pushes it towards covers for a single. 177/4

55.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Full and well outside off, Malan does the right thing by not going for it. 176/4

55.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Cummins bangs in a bouncer around off, Malan sways away from the line to let it go. 176/4

55.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Length ball around off, Malan stays in the crease and defends it towards gully. 176/4

55.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, This ball is blocked from the crease. 176/4

55.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Cummins comes round the wicket and lands it around off. Malan defends it off the front foot. 176/4

54.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Bairstow lunges forward and blocks it off the front foot onto the ground. 176/4

54.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, On the pads, flicked away to square leg. 176/4

Hit out or get out? That's what Kevin Pietersen opines on air. He says you'd be well off going for your strokes and getting out caught in the deep rather than defend and get out in some close-in area. What this would do is disturb the spinner's rhythm which will aid England.

54.4 N Lyon to Malan, Malan takes a single after driving it to long off. 176/4

54.3 N Lyon to D Malan, A tad shorter outside off, cut away towards backward point. 175/4

54.2 N Lyon to Malan, Malan makes use of his feet to come down the track but all he does post that is block it to the off side. 175/4

54.1 N Lyon to Malan, Straighter delivery well outside off, Dawid covers his stumps and lets that go. 175/4

NATHAN LYON to carry on.

53.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, This time the keeper keeps it out from the crease. 175/4

53.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Again outside off, left alone by JB. 175/4

53.4 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Another harmless delivery outside off, Jonny lets that one go through the keeper. 175/4

53.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, On a length around off, Bairstow stays in the crease and keeps it out watchfully. 175/4

53.2 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Jonny cuts it to the man at point. 175/4

53.1 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Starts off with a back of a length delivery outside off, Bairstow covers his stumps and shoulders arms to that. 175/4

We're back! 37 overs left in the day's play. Will we get all of those? Not sure. The Australians are done with their final planning in the huddle and rush out to the center. DAWID MALAN and JONNY BAIRSTOW will resume their innings. The latter will face PAT CUMMINS for the first ball in this session. How long can this pair keep the hosts at bay? Here we go...

...Day 1, third session...

The pitch looks a good one for stroke-making but the extra pace and bounce available has tested the batsmen. Dawid Malan adopted an aggressive approach to deal with Australia's short ball tactics and has succeeded so far. Jonny Bairstow has also looked quite at ease and England will be banking on this partnership to take them through the day's play. The hosts, on the contrary, will be aiming to make early inroads after the break to get into the tail. Do join us in a short while for the last session.

Enthralling session! The Aussie pacers bowled with a lot of intent and pace to unsettle the English batsmen. Pat Cummins removed Joe Root early and Mark Stoneman after crossing his fifty had a real torrid time in the middle against the short pitch bowling dished at him. He eventually succumbed to it, however, it was a controversial decision.

52.6 N Lyon to Malan, Was there a chance? An off spinner landing on middle, Malan flicks it across the line, a shade uppish and it hits the short leg fielder who was late in reacting. Too tough to catch those. That will be TEA ON DAY 1! 175/4

52.5 N Lyon to Malan, Change of angle for Nathan Lyon. Comes from over the wicket and bowls a tossed up delivery on leg, Malan defends it off his front foot. 175/4

52.4 N Lyon to Malan, Loopy ball on middle, Malan defends it off his front foot. 175/4

52.3 N Lyon to J Bairstow, Knocks a full ball down to long on for a run. 175/4

52.2 N Lyon to Malan, Flatter and on off, punched off the back foot towards cover-point for a run. 174/4

52.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 173/4

51.6 M Marsh to Malan, FOUR! Good shot! This time Marsh is too full and too straight in his line and length, Malan flicks it with good timing through mid-wicket. It beats the diving mid on fielder, Starc and races through. Shaun Marsh runs a marathon from deep mid-wicket, puts in a dive just before the rope but fails to pull it back. 172/4

51.5 M Marsh to Malan, Angling away from the batsman, outside off, Dawid leaves it. 168/4

51.4 M Marsh to Malan, A pitched up delivery on middle and off, Malan drove off the front foot to mid off. 168/4

51.3 M Marsh to Malan, Bowls it wide outside off, on a length, Dawid shoulders arms. Watchful. 168/4

51.2 M Marsh to Malan, Play and a miss! Marsh hurls across a full delivery around off, Malan pushes inside the line and is beaten. Nearly edged it. 168/4

51.1 M Marsh to Malan, Good length delivery on middle and off, Malan stays on the back foot and defends it to the off side. 168/4

50.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Fullish and on off, Jonny strides forward to meet the ball and jams it out. 168/4

50.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Tossed up outside off, left alone. 168/4

50.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Floated and fuller on off, Bairstow presses forward and defends it back. 168/4

50.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Shortish and on off, Jonny goes on the back foot and punches it to covers. 168/4

50.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Lunges to a full ball and defends it solidly. 168/4

50.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Flighted and outside off, a bit on the shorter side, Bairstow watches the line closely before making the leave. 168/4

49.6 M Marsh to Malan, Another leave outside off to end the over. 168/4

49.5 M Marsh to Malan, Angles across a length delivery outside off, Malan shoulders arms. 168/4

49.4 M Marsh to Bairstow, Fullish and on the pads, worked through square leg for a run. 168/4

49.3 M Marsh to Malan, Too full in length outside off, Malan squeezes out his drive through backward point. Nathan Lyon anticipates it well, immediately rushes across to his right and slides to stop the ball. Only a single taken. 167/4

49.2 M Marsh to Bairstow, Probably attempts a yorker but it turns out to be a full toss on middle, Jonny flicks it in front of square leg for a single. 166/4

49.1 M Marsh to Bairstow, Starts with a good length delivery on off, Bairstow defends it back. 165/4

MITCHELL MARSH is introduced into the attack. The local lad is greeted with a big cheer from the crowd.

48.6 N Lyon to Malan, A slider around off, skidding through and cramping the batsman, Malan moves back and defends it at the last moment. 165/4

48.5 N Lyon to Malan, Walks down the track to a full delivery and defends it back. 165/4

48.4 N Lyon to Malan, Flighted and full on middle, Dawid leans forward and defends it back. 165/4

48.3 N Lyon to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 165/4

48.2 N Lyon to Malan, A touch short and around off, skidding back in, Malan gets deep inside the crease and defends it back. 165/4

48.1 N Lyon to Malan, Loopy and full on middle, Malan lunges and defends it back. 165/4

47.6 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Brilliant fielding, Bancroft! Hazlewood pitches it full and outside off, Bairstow unfurls a delightful cover drive which is stopped by Cameron with a dive. Saved a certain boundary. 165/4

47.5 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Presses forward to a length ball and drives it towards mid off. 165/4

47.4 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Angling into the batsman, targeting the top of off stump, Bairstow defends it to the off side. 165/4

47.3 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, Good length delivery on off, Bairstow punches it from the back foot to covers. 165/4

47.2 J Hazlewood to Bairstow, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 165/4

47.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full in length outside off, Malan leans forward and across before flicking it with good timing through mid-wicket. Three runs added to the total. Shades of Alastair Cook in that flick. 165/4

46.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Another quicker delivery on middle, Jonny keeps it out safely on the leg side to end the over. 162/4

46.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Quicker one, 93 kph, around middle, Bairstow goes deep inside the crease and helps it towards square leg. 162/4

46.4 N Lyon to Malan, Uses his feet on this occasion and flicks it wide of mid on for a single. 162/4

46.3 N Lyon to Malan, Another delivery skidding back into the batsman, Malan deals with it from the crease and pushes it to covers. 161/4

46.2 N Lyon to Malan, A touch short and around off, skidding back into the batsman, Malan punches it off his back foot to covers. 161/4

46.1 N Lyon to Bairstow, Loopy and full on middle, it's flicked in front of square leg for a single. 161/4

45.6 J Hazlewood to Malan, Malan picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. Maiden. 160/4

45.5 J Hazlewood to Malan, Hurls in a length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, Malan makes a watchful leave. 160/4

45.4 J Hazlewood to Malan, Good length delivery on off, Malan remains back and defends it towards cover-point. 160/4

45.3 J Hazlewood to Malan, This was coming, a bouncer. It's around middle and leg, Malan easily ducks. 160/4

45.2 J Hazlewood to D Malan, Another textbook forward defense offered by Malan to a full delivery. 160/4

45.1 J Hazlewood to Malan, Full length ball angling into the batsman, Malan defends it back. 160/4

Bowling change. JOSH HAZLEWOOD to have another go.

44.6 N Lyon to Bairstow, Played to the point region by the batsman. No run to end the over. 160/4

44.5 N Lyon to Bairstow, Flatter and a touch short around off, Jonny defends it from the back foot. 160/4

44.4 N Lyon to Bairstow, Gets on the front foot and defends it watchfully. 160/4

44.3 N Lyon to Bairstow, Almost a return catch! Floated full ball on off, spinning back in, Bairstow tries driving through the line but there is some overspin on this delivery and he ends up pushing it back aerially. Lyon flies to his left but it goes wide of him. He took a stunner in Adelaide and nearly repeated the same. 160/4

44.2 N Lyon to Bairstow, Tossed up ball on middle, Bairstow gets forward and defends it to the leg side. 160/4

44.1 N Lyon to J Bairstow, FOUR! Fine shot! A flighted full ball on middle and off, Bairstow draws forward, shows the full face of the bat and drives it through mid off for a boundary. 160/4

43.6 M Starc to Malan, Short and on middle, Malan jumps and keeps it out on the leg side. 156/4

43.5 M Starc to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 156/4

43.4 M Starc to D Malan, Direct hit would have been curtains for Malan! A back of a length delivery on off, Jonny goes back and taps it down at covers. They scamper across for a quick single as Warner attacks the ball. He has a shy at the striker's end but misses. The replays show that Dawid would have been a goner in case of a direct hit. A chance missed. 156/4

43.3 M Starc to Bairstow, Shout for a catch! Starc sprays it down the leg side, Bairstow fails to flick and there is some deflection along with noise as it goes past Jonny. Paine collects the ball, throws it in the air and Steven Smith joins him in appeal. It lacks conviction though. Nothing from the umpire. 155/4

43.2 M Starc to Bairstow, Puts it on a length around off, Jonny gets half forward and defends it to point. 155/4

43.1 M Starc to Bairstow, Fractionally short in length and angling away from the batsman, around off, Bairstow stands back and allows it through to the keeper. 155/4

42.6 N Lyon to Malan, Malan has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 155/4

42.5 N Lyon to Malan, Walks down the track to a full ball and defends it to the off side. A little bit of outside edge there. 155/4

42.4 N Lyon to D Malan, Lyon drops it short outside off, Malan fails to cash in on the gift and cracks it straight to the point fielder. 155/4

42.3 N Lyon to Malan, Flighted and on off, turning away a bit, Malan tries playing a little lap sweep but fails to connect. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but the umpire disagrees. Impact well outside off. 155/4

42.2 N Lyon to Malan, Loopy and full around off, Malan takes a step down the track and presents a straight bat in defense. 155/4

42.1 N Lyon to Malan, Flighted full ball on off, Malan gets on the front foot and defends it to the leg side. 155/4

NATHAN LYON is back into the attack.

41.6 M Starc to D Malan, Another rib-tickler by Starc, Malan plays a strong pull shot. Sends it to deep backward square leg for a single. 155/4

41.5 M Starc to Malan, Short in length outside off, Malan sways away from the line. 154/4

41.4 M Starc to Malan, Once again Malan leaves a delivery outside off untouched. 154/4

41.3 M Starc to Malan, Angling away from the left hander, short in length, Malan drops his wrists and allows it through. 154/4

41.2 M Starc to Malan, SIX! Malan is fighting fire with fire! Starc digs in another short delivery, sharp pace, Dawid tries pulling it with a swivel but gets a thick top edge which flies all the way over fine leg for a biggie. 154/4

41.1 M Starc to Malan, Starc steams in from around the wicket and lets out a short delivery around leg, Malan ducks. 148/4

40.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 148/4

40.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. 148/4

40.4 Pat Cummins to J Bairstow, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style. A juicy half-volley outside off, Bairstow drives it with all the elegance through mid off for a boundary. 148/4

40.3 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Back of a length delivery on off, Bairstow punches it off his back foot but finds the point fielder. He is not off the mark yet. 144/4

40.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. 144/4

40.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Short and around leg, Malan once again takes the challenge of pulling it but fails to connect. There is an element of risk in this shot at the moment. Australia have set a trap on the leg side. 143/4

A leg slip in place.

39.6 M Starc to Malan, In better control with his pull shot this time. Keeps it all along the ground through square leg and takes a single. 143/4

39.5 M Starc to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 142/4

39.4 M Starc to Malan, Length delivery outside off, played down towards covers. 142/4

39.3 M Starc to D Malan, Unconvincing from Malan. He takes on Starc's short delivery and tries to pull. Gets a big top edge but luckily for him it falls safely in the deep mid-wicket region. A couple of runs taken. 142/4

39.2 M Starc to Malan, Pulls his length back a bit and keeps it on off, Malan defends it from the back foot. 140/4

39.1 M Starc to D Malan, FOUR! Cracking shot! This will settle down some nerves. A full pitched delivery outside off, Malan takes his front leg forward and drives it crisply through extra cover for a boundary. 140/4

38.6 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Another watchful leave outside the off stump by Bairstow to end the over. 136/4

38.5 Pat Cummins to Bairstow, Bowls it in the area outside off, Jonny shoulders arms. 136/4

38.4 Pat Cummins to Malan, Short and around middle, worked to deep backward square leg for a run. 136/4

38.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, Angling into the batsman, on a length, Malan is strong in his front foot defense. 135/4

38.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, FOUR! Not in control. Short delivery arrowed into the batsman, Malan tried to pull but probably got a top edge which sped past the keeper to the fine leg fence. On the replays, it seems it came off Malan's helmet. Given as runs. 135/4

38.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, In the zone outside off, left alone. 131/4

37.6 M Starc to Bairstow, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 131/4

JONNY BAIRSTOW is the new batsman. The umpires were looking at further replays to see if the ball had indeed brushed the gloves. Meanwhile, Joe Root and Paul Collingwood don't seem one bit amused with that decision as inspite of not having conclusive evidence, the on-field call was overturned. This has resulted in a small halt in play.

37.5 M Starc to Stoneman, OUT! Stoneman fails to survive the tough period. He made a strong fifty but looked very uncomfortable against the short pitch bowling. That has finally brought his downfall. A well-directed one by Starc. Fearsome pace. Stoneman tries fending at it and in the process his bottom hand comes off the handle. There is some noise as it flies behind to Paine. He catches it with a jump, they appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Now, Steven Smith goes for the DRS and the replays roll in. There is nothing on the Hot Spot but the Snicko shows some spike. But it's not conclusive whether it came after hitting the bottom hand or the top. The third umpire watched just one angle and requested umpire Marais Erasmus to change his decision. Stoneman walks back to the pavilion. The English players in the dressing room are not looking too pleased with the call. There was a shade of doubt. If that deflection was off the bottom hand which was off the bat handle, it cannot be termed out. A controversial moment. 131/4

Tim Paine has plucked a catch out of thin air and is appealing. The umpire shakes his head and Australia take the referral.

37.4 M Starc to Stoneman, Another delivery on middle and off, good accurate bowling, Mark keeps it out safely towards mid on. 131/3

37.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Good length delivery on off, Mark covers the line, goes on his toes and defends it back to the bowler. 131/3

37.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Slips a length delivery down the leg side, Stoneman tries flicking but misses. Michael Clarke on air feels that this pitch has quickened up a little bit. 131/3

37.1 M Starc to Malan, Straighter in line, Malan turns it in the gap at mid-wicket and takes a single. 131/3

36.6 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Switches to over the wicket for the last delivery and serves a shortish ball on off, angling away, Mark goes on his toes and defends it down with gentle hands. 130/3

36.5 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Back of a length delivery on off, Stoneman defends it from the back foot. 130/3

36.4 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Another bouncer is safely negotiated by Stoneman. 130/3

36.3 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 130/3

36.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, On a length around off, Stoneman defends it off his back foot. 130/3

36.1 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Good length delivery on off, defended from the crease. 130/3

35.6 M Starc to Malan, FOUR! Streaky! Short delivery wide outside off, Malan throws his bat at it and it flies off the outside edge over the slip cordon for a boundary. Loose! 130/3

35.5 M Starc to Malan, FOUR! Starc goes for the magic delivery to follow-up his shorter one. But it turns out to be a fuller length ball down the leg side. Malan tickles it fine down the leg side for a boundary. 126/3

35.4 M Starc to Malan, Some chin music for Malan. It whistles past his face as he tries to duck. 122/3

35.3 M Starc to Malan, Just short of short leg! Starc bangs in a short ball on middle and off, Malan probably picks the length late and hence gets into an awkward position. Tries avoiding the delivery but it takes his gloves and pops out. Bancroft under the lid stretches to his right but it falls just short of his outstretched hand. 122/3

35.2 M Starc to Malan, Angles in a length ball on off, Malan draws forward with a straight bat and defends it back. 122/3

35.1 M Starc to Malan, Lets the ball go outside his off stump. 122/3

MITCHELL STARC is back on for a burst.

34.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, A delightful drive through the gap between extra cover and mid off. Warner gives it the chase and pulls it back just before the rope. Saves a run for his side. Top effort! 122/3

34.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. 119/3

34.4 Cummins to Malan, Huge appeal for a caught behind but only from the bowler. He bowls it short and down the leg side, Malan tries getting it away fine but misses. Paine collects the ball and Cummins appeals. Nothing from the umpire! 119/3

34.3 Pat Cummins to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 119/3

34.2 Pat Cummins to Malan, Good length delivery angling into the body of the batsman, Malan tries working it away but is beaten for pace. He takes a hit on his thigh pad as it rolls to the leg side. 119/3

34.1 Pat Cummins to Malan, Outside off, left alone. 119/3

33.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, A bouncer to end the over. An easy leave this time for Mark. 119/3

33.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Movement away from the batsman, Stoneman tries to drive without getting entirely forward and is beaten. 119/3

33.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Stoneman is having a really tough time. Josh tests him with yet another well-directed short delivery, Mark fails to get away from the line and takes a blow near his right shoulder. 119/3

33.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Just used the pace of the bowler. A length ball around off, Stoneman stands back with an open face of the bat and guides it through backward point for a boundary. 119/3

33.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, And a bouncer to soften the batsman. His alteration in lengths have kept Stoneman guessing. As a result, Mark is not getting either entirely forward or backward. 115/3

33.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Beaten! Hazlewood continues to flirt with the outside edge of Stoneman's bat. Bowls it on a length outside off, sucking the batsman into a drive. The extra movement beats the bat. 115/3

32.6 Pat Cummins to Malan, Cummins uses the crease well. Goes wide this time as he dishes out a lethal short delivery, 144.2 kph in pace. Malan just manages to evade it. Cracking over, a wicket maiden! 115/3

32.5 Pat Cummins to Malan, Bowls it around off, Malan covers the line and blocks it. 115/3

DAWID MALAN is the new batsman.

32.4 Pat Cummins to Root, OUT! Gone! Big wicket for Australia and the crowd roarrrrrsss... Another effort delivery by Pat, bends his back and darts in a shortish delivery around middle and leg. It angles down after pitching and Root tries glancing it off his hips. He fails to middle his shot and gets it away off the bottom of the gloves. Paine makes no mistake behind the stumps and they all go up in a huge appeal. The finger goes up immediately and Joe takes a long walk back to the hut. Cummins hunts down England's premier batsman for the third time in the series. Making him his bunny. 115/3

32.3 Pat Cummins to Root, Length and on off, defended by Root. 115/2

32.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. 115/2

32.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 115/2

31.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Good length outside off, defended to the off side to end the over. A testing one. 115/2

31.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Beaten! Hazlewood cooks yet another full delivery outside off, tempting the batsman into the drive. Stoneman obliges but gets beaten by the slight away movement. This is extraordinary stuff from Josh, just toying with the batsman who has scored a fifty. 115/2

31.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Bumper! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 115/2

31.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Alters his length and bowls it a tad fuller outside off, Stoneman sticks back and plays it out to the off side. 115/2

31.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Nearly a wicket next ball! It's a cruel sport. Hazlewood shows no mercy after delivering a blow on the last ball. Serves yet another sharp short delivery around middle. Stoneman is not at all comfortable dealing with it. Fends at it awkwardly, it flies off the splice of the bat and Lyon running in from point nearly snapped it inches off the surface. Another life for Stoneman. 115/2

Physio comes out! Mark Stoneman seems fine though. He is just buying some time to catch his breath after that blow. Maybe, a change of helmet as well.

31.1 Hazlewood to Stoneman, OUCH! Stoneman is hit on the helmet by a Hazlewood bouncer. A well-directed one, Mark takes his eyes off the ball as he tries to duck. He fails to get away from the line of fire and takes a nasty blow on the right side of the grille as the extra protection comes off. Concerned looking Aussies surround him. Everybody checking with him. Stoneman is slowly walking away from the pitch. He is moving freely, that's good to see. 115/2

30.6 Pat Cummins to Root, Good length delivery angling in, Root helps it towards mid-wicket to end the over. 115/2

30.5 Pat Cummins to Root, An effort delivery to hurry up the English skipper. Cummins bangs in short, around middle and leg, Root rises on his back foot and tries to fend it away. He is hurried up by the extra pace and somehow keeps it out safe towards short leg. No bat-pad around! 115/2

30.4 Pat Cummins to Root, Pitches it full this time, around off and shaping back in, Root is on the front foot as he meets the ball with a straight bat. Nicely blocked. 115/2

30.3 Pat Cummins to Root, Back of a length delivery on off, Root rocks back and punches it to the off side. 115/2

30.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 115/2

30.1 Pat Cummins to Joe Root, EDGY FOUR! Cummins bowls it on a length outside off, moving away a bit, Root strides forward, opens the face of the bat and gets it away off the outer half. It runs wide of the slip cordon and races away to the fence. 115/2

29.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, On a length around off, Stoneman defends it solidly. Excellent over by Josh, unlucky not to have Stoneman. 111/2

29.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Pitches it up and outside off, Stoneman drives it off his front foot to mid off. 111/2

29.4 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, EDGED AND DROPPED! Mitchell Marsh, what have you done? Hazlewood keeps probing around the off stump line and delivers this one outside off on a length. Stoneman plays a loose drive away from his body and gets big fat outside edge behind. It flies straight in and out of Marsh's hands at first slip. He tried pouching it with his fingers pointing skywards but his hands never came together. A sitter has gone down. 111/2

29.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, A touch short and around off, angling in, Mark leans back, drops his wrists and allows it through. 111/2

29.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Hurls on a length outside off, Stoneman has nothing to do with it. 111/2

29.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Gets behind the line of the delivery and dead bats it watchfully. 111/2

28.6 Pat Cummins to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 111/2

28.5 Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! No stopping Root if it's short and around off. He just camps back, rides the bounce and strokes it with all the timing in the world. Finds the gap through point and fetches another boundary in the over. Australia need to be careful here, Root is known to score in brisk manner. 111/2

28.4 Pat Cummins to Root, A touch short and on off, Root goes back and shoulders arms. 107/2

28.3 Pat Cummins to Root, FOUR! Fab shot! Cummins overdoes his length and bowls it fuller around middle and leg. Root leans forward and across before flicking it wide of mid on for a boundary. 107/2

28.2 Pat Cummins to Root, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 103/2

28.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root takes a liking to that length. Just stays back and punches it through cover-point for a couple. 103/2

28.1 Pat Cummins to Root, Wide called for height! Cummins bowls a bouncer first up and it sails over the batsman. 101/2

PAT CUMMINS to operate from the other end.

27.6 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, FOUR! Connects and connects well this time to reach his third Test fifty. Another half-tracker outside off, this time Mark whacks it over the point fielder for a boundary. Fantastic knock by him! He was positive from the onset, punished most of the full balls coming his way, although struggled against the shorter ones. Good part is that he is still out there and looking good for a big one. 100/2

27.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Play and a miss! Hazlewood serves it short and wide outside off, Stoneman stands back to slap it through the line but misses. Needs to be careful as there is some extra lift on this surface. 96/2

27.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 96/2

Short leg and deep square leg in place.

27.3 J Hazlewood to Root, An inswinger this time, but it's too full and too straight. Root clips it off his pads to fine leg and gets off strike. 96/2

27.2 J Hazlewood to Root, Good length delivery in the region outside off, Root shoulders arms. 95/2

27.1 J Hazlewood to Root, FOUR! A bit edgy, half a victory for the bowler. He pitches it full and outside off, forcing the batsman forward, Root plays the drive away from his body but fails to middle it the way he would have liked. It comes off the outer half of his willow and runs behind backward point for a boundary. 95/2

Welcome back for the afternoon session. The players are taking the field again. It will be JOE ROOT on strike with his partner MARK STONEMAN at the other end on 48. JOSH HAZLEWOOD to continue. Three slips and a gully in place. Sun out in its full glory, here we go...

...Day 1, second session...

The Aussie seamers were right on the money from the word go. In search of swing early on, they offered freebies but Cook's wicket reduced those vague offerings. Cricket is a team sport and their bowling efforts so far show exactly that. All the bowlers have looked threatening in their own way. What will the post-Lunch session have in store for us? A few more wickets? Runs galore? Staunch resistance? Join us to know.

The session ends on an equilibrium! We wouldn't have said that 10 balls before the break as the 63-run partnership between Stoneman and Vince seemed to tilt the initial balance of the game in their favour. But Vince's untimely shot changed that. He would be kicking himself as he had largely looked at ease unlike the southpaw who looked troubled by the short delivery. Nevertheless, he is still unbeaten on 48.

26.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, Stoneman will go into LUNCH, DAY 1, unbeaten on 48 as he blocks this delivery from the crease. 91/2

Last ball before Lunch...

26.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, Mark gets forward and presents a straight bat in blocking that. 91/2

26.4 N Lyon to Root, Root clips it off his pads through backward square leg for a run to get off the mark. 91/2

26.3 N Lyon to Stoneman, A touch short outside off, Stoneman cuts it to the man at deep backward point for a run. 90/2

26.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, Lunged forward and blocked off the front foot. 89/2

26.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 89/2

25.6 J Hazlewood to Root, Short ball around off, ducked under by Joe. 89/2

25.5 J Hazlewood to Root, Root shoulders arms to this length delivery. The ball moves in prodigiously after pitching. Good for him that it was far from the off stick. 89/2

25.4 J Hazlewood to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root lets it go. The keeper had to collect it in front of his face. Shows the carry off the surface. 89/2

JOE ROOT, the English skipper, walks in to the middle. He has had a quiet series so far and this is the game for him to come good, we believe. Will he? Three minutes left before Lunch...

25.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, OUT! Hazlewood is the man! His consistent lines and lengths have got him the desired result - a wicket. Full delivery outside off, Vince looks to drive this one. Ends up getting the faintest of nicks to Paine who doesn't miss such chances. Know a thing or two about earning your scalp? This is it. Hazlewood had bowled three consecutive maidens prior to this, just a couple of leg byes had come off them. Post that, Vince was the man facing the remaining deliveries. The batter had been watchful so far but his concentration gave way at the wrong time for England, who are rocked just before the break now. The 63-run stand that looked so promising is a thing of the past now. The timing of this dismissal won't please the visitors one bit. 89/2

25.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince gets forward and blocks it solidly. 89/1

25.1 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince blocks it from the crease. 89/1

24.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, Dropped but a tough chance that. Lyon delivers it around middle and leg, Stoneman flicks it. Ends up hitting it straight on the boot of Bancroft at short leg. The ball lobs up but Cameron isn't able to get to that and catch it. Very tough chance this. These are the sort that stick. 89/1

24.5 N Lyon to Stoneman, This is outside off, MS cuts it towards backward point. 89/1

24.4 N Lyon to Stoneman, Nicely bowled. Lyon darts it around middle, Stoneman looks to defend. Gets an inside edge that goes on the bounce to short leg. 89/1

24.3 N Lyon to Stoneman, MS lunges forward and defends it with a straight bat. 89/1

24.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, Mark watchfully defends this from the crease. 89/1

24.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, Flatter delivery around 91.8 kmph, Stoneman stays back and offers a straight bat face to that. 89/1

23.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Fuller around middle and leg, clipped towards mid-wicket. 89/1

23.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, Short outside off, Vince doesn't bother playing that. 89/1

23.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, Hazlewood goes wide of the crease and angles it into Vince. The latter is good in judging this and points his bat skywards as he lets it go. 89/1

23.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, Back of a length delivery around off, Vince arches back and lets it go through to the keeper. 89/1

23.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince keeps it out solidly off the front foot. 89/1

23.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Length ball on the pads, Stoneman fails to flick it away. Gets it off his thigh pad towards fine leg for a leg bye. 89/1

22.6 N Lyon to Vince, Vince buries this delivery onto the ground. 88/1

22.5 N Lyon to Vince, Fired around middle and leg, bunted off the front foot. 88/1

22.4 N Lyon to Vince, Turned towards mid-wicket. 88/1

22.3 N Lyon to Stoneman, Now Mark does the sensible thing of pushing it towards covers and crossing over to the other end. 88/1

22.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, FOUR! Wow! Lunch-break looming? Best spinner around? Who cares! Lyon lands it around off, Stoneman gets low and slog sweeps it aerially. The ball lands just inside the rope before crossing over the square leg boundary. 87/1

22.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, Served outside off, Stoneman pushes it towards covers. 83/1

21.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Landed outside off, Vince gets a half-stride forward and lets it go. 83/1

21.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, Similar delivery, Vince defends it off the front foot. 83/1

21.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, Fuller around off, defended with a straight bat face. 83/1

21.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, Hazlewood bangs it short outside off, Vince evades to let it go. 83/1

21.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Outside off, easy leave for James. 83/1

21.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Fuller but the line is wrong. It is on the pads. Stoneman misses the flick and gets it off his pads towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. 83/1

20.6 N Lyon to Vince, Vince keeps it out from the crease. 82/1

20.5 N Lyon to Vince, FOUR! Wonderful use of the feet. Lyon serves it around off, Vince comes down and hits it through covers against the spin. The ball finds the gap and races away to the boundary. He moves to 25. 82/1

20.4 N Lyon to Vince, Flicked off his pads towards backward square leg. 78/1

20.3 N Lyon to Vince, Vince comes down the track and blocks it. 78/1

20.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, Stoneman is following the risk-reward policy. He uses his feet to spin yet again but is not to the pitch of the ball. Hits it a touch aerially towards mid on. Starc the man there, Mark takes him on and gets a run. 78/1

20.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, Flatter around off and middle, a bit of spin there. Stoneman pushes it back towards the bowler. 77/1

19.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Has to play this time. Length delivery angling into the batsman, Vince stands tall and keeps it out. 77/1

19.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, Leave no.4! Hazlewood offers this well outside off, JV lets the keeper do the rest. 77/1

19.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, Another ball outside off is left alone by Vince. He is in no hurry to get bat to ball. 77/1

19.3 J Hazlewood to Vince, This one is too wide to make James play there. 77/1

19.2 J Hazlewood to Vince, Length ball outside off, left alone. 77/1

19.1 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince defends it off the front foot onto the ground. 77/1

JOSH HAZLEWOOD back for another burst before lunch.

18.6 N Lyon to Stoneman, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. 77/1

18.5 N Lyon to Vince, Vince picks up a run after driving it through mid on. 77/1

18.4 N Lyon to Stoneman, Hello, Stoneman! What are you upto? The sweep isn't the safest option against the off spinner but he doesn't care. He plays that shot to the man at fine leg for a run. Brings up the 50-RUN STAND between Stoneman and Vince. These two have done well to hold fort post Cook's departure. Even in the first game these two were among the runs with fifties to their names and they would do well to not miss the chance yet again. 76/1

18.3 N Lyon to Vince, Lyon continues round the wicket to Vince. Vince uses his feet and turns it through mid-wicket for a single. 75/1

18.2 N Lyon to Stoneman, Stoneman's intent is to attack Lyon it seems. He comes down and sweeps it towards fine leg for a single. 74/1

18.1 N Lyon to Stoneman, Floated around off, Stoneman defends with his bat and pad close together. 73/1

Spin time! NATHAN LYON comes into the attack. Two things - one, the over rate will get a boost because of this. Two, with a southpaw at the crease, a wicket before lunch would be helpful. A slip and a short leg in place.

17.6 M Starc to Vince, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 73/1

17.5 M Starc to Vince, Four Byes! Poor Paine, how he'd hope that he had been much more taller to stop such deliveries. Starc bowls it short down the leg side, Vince crouches in response. Paine leaps to his left but fails to get a hand to that. 73/1

17.4 M Starc to Vince, Vince pushes this length ball around middle and leg defensively towards mid on. 69/1

17.3 M Starc to Vince, Length ball outside off, Vince this time does well to not play at that. 69/1

17.2 M Starc to Vince, This time this delivery is confidently pushed to the cover region. 69/1

17.1 M Starc to Vince, Nearly! Starc bowls it very full outside off, Vince looks to drive it without great feet movement. Ends up hitting the bat on the ground. This is how he was dismissed in the previous game and he seems to be falling to the trap there. 69/1

16.6 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Beauty to end the over. Length ball just outside off, making Stoneman play. He has a feel for that and gets beaten. 69/1

16.5 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Perfect reply from a fast bowler after being hit for a boundary. Pat bangs in a bouncer from wide of the crease, Stoneman ducks to let it pass. 69/1

16.4 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, FOUR! The boundaries have slowed, says Ian Healy on air and immediately comes this shot. Cummins hurls it full around off, something that hasn't troubled the English opener. Stoneman drives it straight back past the bowler and gets a boundary. 69/1

16.3 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, A bit fuller around off, Mark presents a straight bat in defense. 65/1

16.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 65/1

16.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Where's the ball? Cummins bowls it around off, Vince gets it off the inside half of his bat towards mid-wicket for one. But the camera pans to the cover region to cover the region of the original shot. 65/1

15.6 M Starc to Stoneman, A touch closer to the off stump this time. Blocked solidly off the front foot. 64/1

15.5 M Starc to Stoneman, Back of a length ball well outside off, easy leave for the southpaw. 64/1

15.4 M Starc to Stoneman, What happened there? Starc spears it full outside off, Stoneman's concentration lapses a bit. He looks to drive it away from the body but just misses the ball by a whisker. Smith, strangely, is seen thinking about a review for caught behind as he seems to have heard something there. Strange because the nick is generally spotted by the keeper and the bowler first, who on this occasion weren't excited. 64/1

15.3 M Starc to Stoneman, This ball is blocked from the crease. 64/1

15.2 M Starc to Vince, Back of a length delivery around leg, Vince hops and fends it towards fine leg for one. 64/1

15.1 M Starc to Vince, Full ball on the pads, James fails to flick it away and wears it on the protective gear. 63/1

14.6 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Delivered on a length outside off, MS stands his crease and defends it towards point. 63/1

14.5 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Stoneman gets forward to this one and blocks it towards covers. 63/1

14.4 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Length ball around off, blocked watchfully from the crease. 63/1

14.3 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Post the drinks break, Stoneman has been a bit assured in dealing with the short ball, observed my colleague Praky. There might have been a message sent to him from the dressing room he reckons. Mark picks this bouncer early and crouches low for the keeper to do the rest. 63/1

14.2 Pat Cummins to Vince, Similar delivery around off, Vince gets it off the inner half towards fine leg for a single. 63/1

14.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, On a length outside off, Vince shoulders arms to that. Good judgement there as the ball moved in after passing the batsman. 62/1

13.6 M Starc to Stoneman, This ball is kept off from the back foot. 62/1

13.5 M Starc to Vince, Fuller outside off, Vince drives it through covers. The ball doesn't have enough legs to go to the fence and the batsmen get three for that. 62/1

13.4 M Starc to Stoneman, This one's flicked round the corner for a single. 59/1

13.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Stoneman negotiates this bouncer well by ducking under it. 58/1

13.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Howzzat? Nothing from the Aussies there. Starc angles it on the pads, Stoneman looks to flick it but the ball goes off something to Paine who dives to his right to catch that. No real appeal from the home side as it seems to have gone off the pads. 58/1

13.1 M Starc to Stoneman, First loose shot attempted by Stoneman. Length ball outside off, he looks to flay it through the off side but gets beaten. 58/1

Drinks are on the field now. The first hour of play has seen the hosts strike a crucial blow on the visitors. Cook's sorry run continues as he failed to trouble the scorers much. All the seamers have looked incisive and look like picking up a wicket every single ball. Would be good to see how long Vince and Stoneman can keep them quiet.

12.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, FOUR! There will be deliveries that may be unplayable but it is all about forgetting that and playing the next ball on its merit. Proved rightly by Vince. This one is fuller outside off. He forgets what happened a ball before and drives it confidently through point for a boundary. Good to see. 58/1

12.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, Outside off, left alone. 54/1

12.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Brilliant delivery. On a fuller length around off, Vince is caught on the crease. Thankfully gets an inside edge onto the front pad and the ball rolls towards first slip. If not for that edge, another man would have been sent packing. 54/1

12.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, Harmless delivery outside off, Vince has nothing to do with that. 54/1

12.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Stoneman pushes it towards covers and crosses over to the other end. 54/1

12.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Vince taps it towards cover-point for a single. 53/1

11.6 M Starc to Stoneman, Four Byes! This is what I was talking about earlier. Another effort ball from Starc, the batsman ducks under it. In spite of Paine's high jump, the ball flies over him and into the boundary fence. These runs would be mistaken to be the keeper's fault but not this one. 52/1

11.5 M Starc to Stoneman, Back of a length delivery around middle, Stoneman looks to fend it but wears it on the side of the stomach. Ouch that must have hurt! 48/1

Ian Chappell makes a good observation here. He is of the opinion that the proper bouncer should be aimed at the batsman's helmet grill. Anything higher than that is easier to negotiate by ducking under and anything below could be played with the bat. At the level of the grill, the batsman is unsure whether to play at it or let it go and that could cause problems for him.

11.4 M Starc to Stoneman, Punched through the cover region by Mark for a couple. 48/1

11.3 M Starc to Stoneman, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 46/1

11.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Don't know who has a task cut out to the short ball - the batsman or the keeper. Starc bangs it short on the stumps, Stoneman ducks under that. Paine has to leap high yet again to prevent the ball from passing him. 46/1

11.1 M Starc to M Stoneman, Fuller around middle, driven to mid on. 46/1

MITCHELL STARC gets a change of end.

10.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, Blocked solidly from the crease. 46/1

10.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, Now Vince is caught being unsure of his footwork here. Length delivery, a touch on the fuller side this time. James presents a straight bat but ends up getting an inside edge onto the front pad. 46/1

10.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Cracking shot, straight to the fielder. Cummins bowls it on a length outside off, Vince stands tall and cuts it. Finds the man at point, who mimes a throw to the non-striker's end. 46/1

10.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 46/1

10.2 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, Stoneman plays it with soft hands towards covers for a run. 46/1

10.1 Pat Cummins to Stoneman, An edge for the umpteenth time! This time the ball rolls towards the vacant third slip region. Smith from second slip puts in the dive and stops the ball. 45/1

Cummins has to abort his run up. Reason - the batsman wasn't ready.

9.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, FOUR! The margin for error on this surface is very little. Hazlewood angles it full into the batsman, Vince shows good balance as he clips it through mid-wicket. The timing is so good that a boundary is what he gets. 45/1

9.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, This ball is blocked from the front foot. 41/1

9.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Stoneman is playing for the short ball. Not looking good this. This is a length ball, not too short. Since the batter is on the back foot he gets the toe end of the bat as he looks to keep it out. The ball goes towards covers and he gets a run. 41/1

9.3 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. 40/1

9.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Smell the ball, did you? Hazlewood bangs it short at 143.4 kmph. Stoneman is alive to this one and ducks to let the ball pass. Paine has to leap up and gets his right hand to collect that but doesn't do so cleanly. 40/1

Short point in place. Nathan Lyon has been brought to that position.

9.1 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, Another one! Stoneman stays in the crease to block this one but gets a thick outside edge. The ball rolls towards gully. 40/1

8.6 Pat Cummins to Vince, Vince lets the ball go outside his off stump. 40/1

8.5 Pat Cummins to Vince, FOUR! Beautiful stroke. Cummins delivers this on a length on the fuller side outside off. Vince gets forward and drives it through covers. Gets a boundary for doing so. A nice way to get off the mark. 40/1

8.4 Pat Cummins to Vince, Outside off, left alone. 36/1

8.3 Pat Cummins to Vince, Another full ball around off, Vince looks to block it from the crease. Gets an inside edge onto his pads. 36/1

The on-air commentators have just analyzed what Stoneman has shown in this innings so far. You pitch the ball upto him and he looks at ease in banishing it to the fence or negotiates it without much ado. Bowl him something on a back of a length and he is all at sea. There were a couple of edges in the vacant short leg region and some behind point on the off side. All safe as yet.

8.2 Pat Cummins to J Vince, Fuller on the stumps, flicked towards wide mid on, where the fielder dives to prevent a run. 36/1

8.1 Pat Cummins to Vince, Begins with a length delivery outside off, Vince shoulders arms to that. 36/1

More fire! PAT CUMMINS is brought into the attack. He wanted to emulate Mitchell Johnson and here is his chance.

7.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Bouncer around off, Stoneman picked that one early and evaded it. 36/1

7.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, This is outside off, Mark lets this one go unharmed. 36/1

7.4 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! Stoneman is looking very comfortable against the full ball and hence Australia would need to realise this sooner than later. Hazlewood angles it into the batsman on a full length. Mark clips it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. 36/1

7.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Length ball on the stumps, stonewalled with a straight bat. 32/1

A bat-pad in place now. The on-air commentators reckon that this is a good field position to have at this venue.

7.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Back of a length delivery around off, Stoneman gets squared up and gets an outside edge towards backward point. 32/1

7.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Stoneman keeps it out off the front foot. 32/1

6.6 M Starc to Vince, Length delivery angling away from James, left alone. 32/1

6.5 M Starc to Stoneman, The short ball is back. Stoneman keeps it out uncomfortably towards the vacant short leg region. A run is what he gets though. 32/1

6.4 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! This should ease Stoneman's nerves a bit. Starc looks to do the double bluff and bowls it full around off and middle. Stoneman is up to the task and drives it straight back. The ball races past mid on for a boundary. 31/1

6.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Edged but safe! Bowled on a back of a length around off, Stoneman looks to keep it away from the crease. Ends up getting an edge off the shoulder of the bat and the ball lands just short of backward point. He is not looking at ease against the short ball. 27/1

6.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Full delivery down the leg side, Mark misses the flick. 27/1

Broken bat for Stoneman! He got the previous ball high on the blade and needs a change of willow as a result.

6.1 M Starc to Stoneman, The news is out - Stoneman isn't comfortable with the short length delivery. Starc bowls it on a back of a length around middle and leg, Stoneman presents a straight bat face but the ball hits the blade near the handle before dying down on the pitch. 27/1

5.6 J Hazlewood to Vince, Vince gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it. 27/1

5.5 J Hazlewood to Vince, A touch fuller outside off, pushed towards mid off. 27/1

5.4 J Hazlewood to Vince, On a length around off, defended with a straight bat face. 27/1

5.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Short leg, where art thou? This could have been a potential catch if that man would have been there. Hazlewood bends his back and bowls it short around middle. Stoneman looks to fend it away but gets a glove on that. The ball lobs on the leg side and a run results. 27/1

5.2 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Outside off, left alone. 26/1

5.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Hazlewood continues round the wicket and lands it on a length outside off. Stoneman has a feel for that just to find the ball whiz past the edge of the bat. 26/1

4.6 M Starc to Vince, Another delivery outside off, left alone. 26/1

4.5 M Starc to Vince, Very full outside off, Vince covers the stumps and lets that go. 26/1

JAMES VINCE walks in at the fall of the first English wicket. He has a fifty in this series and nothing thenceforth. Can he make amends now?

4.4 M Starc to Cook, OUT! Alastair Cook's wretched form on this tour ensues! Starc's persistence with the fuller delivery has reaped dividends. Hurls it full around middle and leg, Cook doesn't move his feet and looks to keep it out from the crease. Misses the ball and gets caught adjacent to the stumps. As plumb as it gets. He doesn't bother reviewing that and he never should on such occasions. This is his 34th Test innings without an Ashes ton. Notably, this was Starc's fastest ball in this innings so far - 147.6 kmph! Australia are up and running at the WACA. 26/1

4.3 M Starc to Cook, Starc hurls it on a length around middle and angling down leg. Cook flicks it through backward square leg. Hazlewood gets to his right from fine leg, slides and parries it to Shaun Marsh who returns the throw. Two runs is the result. 26/0

4.2 M Starc to Stoneman, Full ball around middle and leg, clipped straight to the man at deep mid-wicket for a single. 24/0

4.1 M Starc to Stoneman, Full length ball outside off, Stoneman gets it off the outer half of his bat. The ball rolls past gully and the batsman gets a brace. 23/0

3.6 J Hazlewood to Cook, Length delivery outside off, Cook has a feel for it but gets beaten. Good one to end the over from the bowler. 21/0

3.5 J Hazlewood to Cook, Around middle and off, turned towards mid on. 21/0

3.4 J Hazlewood to Cook, This delivery is pushed towards mid off. 21/0

3.3 J Hazlewood to A Cook, FOUR! It's so good to see how strokes from a particular batter gets his partner going. This one is fuller outside off, Cook gets his stride forward and drives it through wide mid off. The proof of how good the outfield is, is evident as even Warner's hare to cut that off proved futile. He dived like one does in a swimming pool yet the ball trickled away to the fence. 21/0

3.2 J Hazlewood to Cook, Fuller around off, defended towards mid off. 17/0

3.1 J Hazlewood to Cook, This one is outside off, left alone by AC. 17/0

2.6 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! Ahhh! The square drive is such a glorious shot in the game. More so if it earns you a third consecutive boundary. Fuller outside off, driven through backward point from Stoneman. Another boundary results. 13 from this over. 17/0

2.5 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! Encore from Starc! Another very low full toss around leg, Stoneman clips it through square leg to earn himself another boundary. Not a wrong strategy this from the bowler but shows how narrow the margin for error is. 13/0

2.4 M Starc to Stoneman, FOUR! A low full toss in search of a yorker. Ends up being a run-yielding delivery. It is on the pads of Stoneman, who does well to get some bat to that. The ball speeds away to the fine leg fence. 9/0

2.3 M Starc to Stoneman, Beauty! Starc and swing is a treacherous combination for a batsman to negotiate. He lands it on a length around off, the ball moves away from the batsman just a touch. Stoneman looks to whip it to the on side but the ball just spears past the outside edge and flies to the keeper. 5/0

2.2 M Starc to Cook, Well done, Cook. Gets off the mark with a quick run. Length delivery on the stumps, Alastair taps it in front of mid-wicket and hares to the other end. 5/0

2.1 M Starc to Cook, Hurled around off, Cooky stays in the crease and blocks it solidly. 4/0

1.6 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, A touch shorter than the previous one, well outside off. Left alone by Mark. Four runs from the over, courtesy a boundary. 4/0

1.5 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, FOUR! First runs for Stoneman and England! Hazlewood shouldn't mind it though. He bowls it fuller outside off, the opening batsman reaches out to it with a stride and drives it through covers for a boundary. Good for the bowler that the batter is reaching out to such deliveries. Increases the chances of inducing a nick. 4/0

1.4 J Hazlewood to M Stoneman, Similar delivery, driven to mid off. 0/0

1.3 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Good tactic from Josh to make the batsman play. Bowls it full around off, Stoneman drives it to the man at covers. 0/0

1.2 Hazlewood to Stoneman, Appeal straightaway, for LBW! Turned down. Hazlewood spears this full around leg, Stoneman misses the flick and gets hit low on the pads. On the question being asked, umpire Erasmus replied in the negation. Pitching outside leg the reason. Hawk Eye confirms the same. 0/0

1.1 J Hazlewood to Stoneman, Starts off with a delivery outside off, Stoneman watches it sail to the keeper. 0/0

Starc's partner in crime, JOSH HAZLEWOOD to bowl from the other end. Same fielding set up for him too.

0.6 M Starc to Cook, Maiden from Starc to begin the game! Outside off, swinging away, shouldered arms to by Cook. 0/0

0.5 M Starc to Cook, Another delivery around off, blocked off the front foot. 0/0

0.4 M Starc to Cook, This ball is delivered around off and middle, Cook gets ahead and defends it with a straight bat. 0/0

With Handscomb out of the side, Mitchell Marsh is seen standing at first slip. We mentioned in our build-up that he was seen practicing to man that position.

0.3 M Starc to Cook, Fuller around off, Cook blocks it from the crease. 0/0

0.2 M Starc to Cook, Fuller and well outside off, it swings away from the batter. Cook is experienced enough to know that these deliveries can be left unharmed. Does so. 0/0

0.1 M Starc to Cook, Starts on the money! Spears in a full length delivery around middle and off. A bit of shape towards the slip cordon. Cook stays in the crease, hops a touch and keeps it out towards mid-wicket. 0/0

First Published: December 14, 2017, 11:41 PM IST

Rank	Team	Points	Rating
1	India	4969	124
2	South Africa	3767	111
3	England	4497	105
4	New Zealand	3489	100
5	Australia	3294	97
FULL Ranking

Rank	Team	Points	Rating
1	South Africa	6386	120
2	India	6546	119
3	Australia	5948	114
4	England	6156	114
5	New Zealand	5432	111
FULL Ranking

Rank	Team	Points	Rating
1	Pakistan	2843	124
2	New Zealand	1925	120
3	West Indies	2395	120
4	England	2029	119
5	India	2965	119
FULL Ranking

Ashes 2017, Live Score, Australia vs England, 3rd Test Day 2 at Perth

Australia vs England Live Cricket Score, The Ashes, 2017-18 3rd Test, W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth 14 December, 2017

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