Live Cricket Score, Ashes, Australia vs England, 5th Test, Day 4 at SCG

Australia's Shaun Marsh bats against England during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday. (AP)

Commentary (Australia innings)

Okay then! With 2 full days to go, a result is certain and only one team is likely to win from here. Given the way, the pitch is spitting, wouldn't be wrong to say, Nathan Lyon will have a ball. But for that, England will have to put into bat again. How much will Smith think is enough? Do England still have it in them to fight back? Join us tomorrow at 1030 Local (1130 GMT) to catch all the action from day 4. We are done but you can catch some more Test cricket from the ongoing India vs South Africa, 1st Test where the hosts are all over the no. 1 Test team. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Well, England will be down and out for sure. The fact that they could only pick up two wickets in the entire day, should tell you how hard they were made to toil. Mason Crane, bowled a marathon spell to finally open his account in Test cricket. James Anderson was tidy but not threatening. Moeen Ali picked up the big wicket of Smith but lacked consistency. Overall, their bowling lacked venom which made Root to try himself out which didn't work either.

Earlier in the day, the overnight pair of Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja frustrated the visitors before the skipper got out on 83. In walked Shaun Marsh and he along with Khawaja, saw off the second session without losing a wicket. The no. 3 was looking set to get a double ton but it was cut short by Mason Crane who gave him a life earlier by overstepping and then finally got him through a stumping. And then in the final session, it was all about Marsh's. They completely destroyed the tired bodies to push England in the corner.

Marsh brothers walk back to the dressing room amidst a huge round of applause from the SCG crowd. Mitchell Marsh took the attack to the opposition, this was after facing 18 dot balls in a row. He slammed a quickfire 50 in 64 balls and give perfect company to his elder brother as the duo amassed an unbeaten 104-run stand to stretch the lead to 133 runs. Mind you, they aren't done yet. Both of them have enough time to reach the three-figure mark tomorrow.

156.6 J Anderson to Marsh, And that's the end to the day! On a length and in the channel outside off, Mitchell Marsh shoulders his arms. STUMPS ON DAY 3! 479/4

156.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Shaun Marsh won't get a ton now! Back of a length ball outside off, Marsh covers the line to keep it out. 479/4

156.4 J Anderson to Marsh, Shortish and outside off, Marsh chops it towards backward point. 479/4

156.3 J Anderson to Marsh, In the channel outside off, Marsh shoulders his arms. 479/4

156.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Stays back and dabs it towards the point fielder. 479/4

156.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Angling in from around the wicket, Shaun Marsh pushes it down to long on for a single. 479/4

Last over of the day coming up. Shaun Marsh is on 97. He has a chance to get to his ton today. Can he? Here comes Anderson...

155.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, Hangs back and blocks it out to give Shaun a chance to score a ton today. 478/4

155.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, FOUR! Flayed! 100-run stand comes up! What a way, what a hit! Shortish and outside off, Mitchell Marsh cuts it powerfully through point for a boundary. 478/4

155.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Back of a length delivery outside off, Marsh looks to punch but mistimes it towards cover. 474/4

155.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, Marsh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 474/4

155.2 Tom Curran to S Marsh, It's been driven superbly through the covers. 473/4

155.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller in length and on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. 473/4

154.6 J Anderson to Marsh, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 471/4

154.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. 471/4

154.4 J Anderson to Marsh, Back of a length delivery outside off, Shaun Marsh taps it in front of point and calls through for a single. 471/4

154.3 J Anderson to Marsh, Fuller in length and wider outside off, driven hard but finds the man at cover-point who is placed a bit deep. 470/4

154.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Stays behind the line and keeps it out. 470/4

154.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Good length outside off, pushed towards point. 470/4

James Anderson is back into the attack. Nathan Lyon is seen padded up in the dressing room. Looking at this, Clarke says, he doesn't want a nightwatchman to come out next. He wants Tim Paine to walk in and have a crack if a wicket falls...

153.6 Tom Curran to M Marsh, FOUR! Crunched! Fuller in length and outside off, Mitchell Marsh bashes it along the carpet through covers to end the over with a boundary. 470/4

153.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller in length and angling in, driven straight back to the bowler. 466/4

153.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller in length and angling in, blocked solidly. 466/4

153.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 466/4

153.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Back of a length delivery outside off, patted towards point. 466/4

153.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, NOT OUT! Inside edge! The on-field decision has to be overturned! Curran comes from over the wicket and hurls it on middle and off. It nips back in and pings Marsh on the pads. Seemed like it's going down leg but umpire Wilson raises his finger to the appeal. Mitchell Marsh, however, takes the DRS after having a word with his brother, suggesting that he has hit that. Hot Spot shows nothing but Snicko spots a little spike. The TV umpire relies on the latter and asks Wilson to reverse the decision. Even if there wasn't an inside edge, the Ball Tracker shows it to be missing the stumps. Later on Hot Spot shows the bat has brushed the front pad. Good use of the review! 466/4

The finger has gone up. Mitchell Marsh is adjudged LBW by Joel Wilson and he takes the DRS straightaway. Looks like it's sliding down leg. Let's wait for the Ball Tracker...

152.6 M Ali to Marsh, Floated ball around off, defended off the front foot. 466/4

152.5 M Ali to Marsh, Shortish ball on middle, tapped past short leg for a single. 466/4

152.4 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 465/4

152.3 M Ali to Marsh, Flattish ball down leg, Marsh misses out on his whip and wears it on the pads. 465/4

152.2 M Ali to S Marsh, Gets to the pitch of the ball and eases it down to long on for a single. 465/4

152.1 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Into the 90s goes the elder one! Ali drops it short and outside off, Shaun Marsh goes deep in the crease and slaps it through point to find the fence. 464/4

151.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, Good length delivery, staying low, Mitchell does well to defend this one down. 460/4

151.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 460/4

151.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller and angling in, defended into the ground. 460/4

151.3 Tom Curran to M Marsh, FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length delivery, close to the off stump line. Marsh arches back a touch and cuts it squarer on the off side. a boundary results. 460/4

151.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Back of a length ball outside off, Shaun looks to force it through the line but gets it off the inner half through square leg for a single. 456/4

151.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fifty up for Mitchell Marsh! Good knock from him. Took 19 balls to get off the mark and now scores a half ton in 64 balls. Shortish on middle, pulled in front of square on the leg side for a single. 455/4

150.6 M Ali to S Marsh, Shaun Marsh comes down the track to go after this but is done in the flight. Gets it off the edge as the ball rolls safely towards backward point. A maiden after going for 16 in his previous over. 454/4

150.5 M Ali to Marsh, Tossed up ball around middle and off, defended down gently. 454/4

150.4 M Ali to S Marsh, Tossed up ball outside off, driven straight to the cover fielder. 454/4

150.3 M Ali to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 454/4

150.2 M Ali to Marsh, Shimmies down a bit and pushes it to mid off. 454/4

150.1 M Ali to Marsh, Darted on middle and leg, jammed out towards mid on. 454/4

Moeen Ali returns.

149.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. 454/4

There comes the aggressive point from Clarke. While the other commentator was busy thinking if Marsh brothers can get to their milestones, Clarke says he doesn't want that. He says this is the best time for them to keep hitting and swell the lead. Hand it over to England tomorrow morning and try to win this Test match on day 4 itself, he reckons...

149.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller in length and outside off, blocked. 453/4

149.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 453/4

149.3 Tom Curran to M Marsh, That nearly took Dharmasena! Short ball on middle, Marsh pulls it hard and the umpire at square leg had to take evasive action. Good reflexes shown by the Sri Lankan there. They run one. 453/4

149.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Stays behind the line and stabs it away. 452/4

149.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, Slants it away on a length outside off, pushed with an angled bat past cover-point for a single. 452/4

Tom Curran is back into the attack.

148.6 Joe Root to Marsh, Goes back and clips it towards the leg side. 451/4

148.5 Joe Root to Marsh, Around middle and leg, clipped towards fine leg for three more. 451/4

148.4 Joe Root to Marsh, MM has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 448/4

148.3 Joe Root to Marsh, Round-arm action, skidding a bit, flicked off the pads towards backward square leg for a couple. 448/4

148.2 Joe Root to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 446/4

148.1 Joe Root to S Marsh, FOUR! Easy for Shaun! Root serves a loopy full toss outside off, Marsh takes a stride forward and drills it through extra cover for a boundary. The lead touches 100 for the hosts. 446/4

Joe Root is back on!

147.6 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 442/4

147.5 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Another boundary! Tossed up ball on the stumps, Marsh comes down the track and tonks it down the ground for a boundary. 442/4

147.4 M Ali to Marsh, Flatter one around middle and off, defended off the back foot. 438/4

147.3 M Ali to S Marsh, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. They pick up a single. 438/4

147.2 M Ali to Marsh, Floats it up outside off, blocked into the ground. 437/4

147.1 M Ali to Marsh, Flatter and quicker on off, Marsh goes back to cut but the length wasn't an ideal one. He somehow chops it towards backward point. 437/4

146.6 M Crane to Marsh, Sits back and punches this short ball towards extra cover. 437/4

146.5 M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Drilled it! Mitchell Marsh is in the zone! Crane flights it outside off, Marsh leans forward a touch and powers it through cover. There was a man there who I think got a hand to it but the ball still goes to the fence. 437/4

Another false start. Not the first time we are seeing this from Crane. He had his front foot over the line in his landing but realizes it which is why stops and goes back to his marking area. The crowd boooosss.

146.4 M Crane to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 433/4

146.3 M Crane to Marsh, Takes a stride forward and pushes it towards point. 433/4

146.2 M Crane to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 433/4

146.1 M Crane to Marsh, Worked through the leg side for a single. 433/4

145.6 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 16 off Ali's over on return! 432/4

145.5 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Changes the angle but Marsh still finds a boundary! Ali goes around the wicket and fires it full outside off, Marsh makes room of his own to crash it through the covers this time. Runs coming thick and fast! 432/4

145.4 M Ali to Marsh, SIX! A flat biggie! How on earth do they manage to hit those? Have tried a lot to do this in gully cricket but never got enough. Massive power Mitchell boy! Another tossed up ball, Mitchell skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and goes bang over mid off. That's gone all the way again. Brings up the 50-run stand as well between the two brothers. 428/4

145.3 M Ali to Marsh, Turning in from around off, stays a bit low but Marsh does well to block it out. 422/4

145.2 M Ali to Marsh, SIX! That's gone all the way! Ali tosses it up outside off, Marsh comes dancing down the track and belts it with sheer power over long off for a maximum all the way. If Marsh gets going, he can hurt you. 422/4

145.1 M Ali to Marsh, Moeen from over the wicket, drops it a bit short outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. 416/4

Moeen Ali is brought into the attack.

144.6 M Crane to Marsh, Outside off, Shaun presses forward to kill it before the ball could do anything. 416/4

144.5 M Crane to Marsh, Flatter leg spinner, spinning in from outside off, punched off the back foot through wide mid off for two. 416/4

144.4 M Crane to Marsh, Flighted ball around middle, patted towards mid off for one. 414/4

144.3 M Crane to Marsh, Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Marsh makes room and then lunges forward to defend. 413/4

144.2 M Crane to Marsh, Takes it on the full by coming down the track and wrists it towards deepish mid on for an easy single. 413/4

144.1 M Crane to Marsh, Tossed up delivery, spinning massively down leg, Marsh misses his clip. 412/4

143.6 S Broad to Marsh, Good length delivery on off, defended by getting right behind the line. 412/4

143.5 S Broad to Marsh, Arrows in a fuller delivery, angling in from outside off, MM gets his bat down at the angle to jam it out back towards Broad. 412/4

143.4 S Broad to Marsh, A bumper to follow, the batsman quickly ducks under it. 412/4

143.3 S Broad to Marsh, Another one down the leg side, Shaun Marsh misses the clip as the ball brushes the pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye collected. 412/4

143.2 S Broad to Marsh, Comes from around the wicket and strangles it down the leg side. Nothing doing says Shaun. 411/4

143.1 S Broad to Marsh, Shortish delivery on middle and leg, pulled to deep square leg for a single. 411/4

142.6 M Crane to S Marsh, Comes down the track and gets it off the inner half past short leg as the man at square leg mops it up. 410/4

142.5 M Crane to Marsh, Leading edge... no harm done! But what was Broad doing at mid on? Didn't even charge in. Crane from around the wicket, lands it outside off, it turns in. Marsh goes back to work it away but it early to close the bat face. Gets a leading edge as the ball skies up in the air and then falls safely near mid on. Wonder why Broad didn't go after it. 410/4

142.4 M Crane to Marsh, Turning back in with bounce, tucked off the back foot past short leg for another single. 410/4

142.3 M Crane to Marsh, Bowls a googly which turns the other way. Shaun goes back and then reaches out to go after that one. Gets it off the toe-end towards point for a single. 409/4

142.2 M Crane to M Marsh, Too much flight, landed outside off, creamed through extra cover to get three. 408/4

142.1 Crane to Marsh, A loud shout for an LBW! Dharmasena ain't keen! Where is it pitching, is the question. Floats it up around leg, turning in and hitting Mitchell on the front pad who is late to bring his bat down in time. They appeal but the umpire shakes his head. England think about the review but good that they didn't as it was pitching outside leg. 405/4

141.6 S Broad to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 405/4

141.5 S Broad to Marsh, Fuller in length and on the pads, worked towards the fielder at mid on. 405/4

141.4 S Broad to Marsh, Broad with another short one, Marsh gets hurried by it but still opts to pull. Somehow gets it through backward square leg for a single. 405/4

141.3 S Broad to Marsh, FOUR! Three in three for young Marsh! Broad strays it on the pads, Mitchell moves inside the line and gets enough on it send it down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. He's getting a move on now. 404/4

141.2 S Broad to S Marsh, Short on the body, pulled to deep square leg for a single to rack up 400 on the board for Australia. 400/4

141.1 S Broad to S Marsh, Fuller and angling in, clipped towards the man at mid on. 399/4

140.6 M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! And again! That's the way to go Mitchell! Crane drops it short on middle and off, Marsh camps back and murders the pull through mid-wicket to find back-to-back boundaries. No stopping that. 399/4

140.5 M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Drilled it! Crane gives too much flight and seeing this Marsh's eyes light up. He takes a stride forward and bashes it through cover to find a boundary at last. 395/4

140.4 M Crane to Marsh, Ripper! Draws Mitchell forward and then gets it to turn away to nearly kiss the off pole. So, so close was that. 391/4

140.3 M Crane to Marsh, Flighted ball on middle and leg, clipped through the leg side for a single. 391/4

140.2 M Crane to Marsh, Around middle, turning back in, Marsh goes back to work but gets it off the pads to short leg. 390/4

140.1 M Crane to Marsh, Floats it up around middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 390/4

Time for some refreshments! In this period of play, Crane looked the menacing bowler. He picked the lone wicket to fall in the day and threatened to send Mitchell Marsh back. But that wasn't to be. Both the Marsh brothers have held fort now - 14 runs off 56 balls so far. Can the tourists spark a collapse here? Sounds cliched but we can always hope.

139.6 S Broad to Marsh, Toe end! Safe. Back of a length ball outside off, Mitchell tries to pull it. Is a wee bit too early into it and ends up toe-edging it towards gully. The fielder fails to make a clean stop there and a run results. 389/4

139.5 S Broad to Marsh, Banged short around off, MM has nothing to do with that. 388/4

139.4 S Broad to Marsh, Length ball at 129.6 kph, pushed towards mid-wicket. 388/4

139.3 S Broad to Marsh, Angling in on off and middle, knocked towards mid-wicket to rotate strike. The stands climbs up to 13 from 53 balls. 388/4

139.2 S Broad to Marsh, A bit fuller outside off, Marsh doesn't bother playing that. 387/4

139.1 S Broad to Marsh, Rushes in from round the wicket and lands it on a length just outside off. Marsh gets behind that and defends. 387/4

138.6 M Crane to Marsh, Another forward defense to a delivery in front of the stumps. Adds another maiden to Mason Crane's tally. 387/4

138.5 M Crane to Marsh, MM has played it towards mid-wicket. 387/4

138.4 M Crane to Marsh, This one is turned towards mid-wicket. 387/4

138.3 M Crane to Marsh, Again Marsh finds the cover fielder with the drive. 387/4

We should have a counter here. Just to count the number of times Crane has jogged to the crease but failed to release it. Add one more to it.

138.2 M Crane to Marsh, A bit more air on this one, Marsh drives it off the outer half to covers. 387/4

138.1 M Crane to Marsh, Floated on off, defended towards covers. 387/4

137.6 S Broad to Marsh, Angling in from around the stumps, knocked to mid on. 387/4

137.5 S Broad to Marsh, Stuart changes angles, comes round the wicket and bowls it on off. Shaun blocks. 387/4

137.4 S Broad to Marsh, Aww, such a wonderful looking shot for nothing! Fuller around off, Marsh gets his front foot forward and drives it to mid off. 387/4

137.3 S Broad to M Marsh, Ohh! That stayed low as well as came back in. Marsh hopped and was almost beaten till the inside edge saved him. The ball rolled to fine leg and ends up in a run. 387/4

137.2 S Broad to Marsh, Full on off, defended with a straight bat. 386/4

137.1 S Broad to Marsh, Fuller on the pads, Shaun misses the flick and the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. A leg bye stolen while Broad is busy appealing for LBW. 386/4

136.6 M Crane to Marsh, Bowled on the stumps, defended with a lunge. 385/4

136.5 M Crane to Marsh, Finally Mitchell Marsh gets off the mark off the 19th delivery that he faces. Lunges forward in defense and gets a thick outside edge that comfortably beats slip. Gets two against his name in this partnership that has just entered double figures. 385/4

136.4 M Crane to Marsh, Let the counter tick. No. 18. A forward defense to this delivery in line of the stumps. 383/4

136.3 M Crane to Marsh, Tossed up outside off, pushed straight to the man at covers. 17th dot for him. 383/4

False start again.... Twice in a row! The second of that would have been a no ball, if he'd have delivered that. Perhaps he realised that he had lost his run up and hence aborted it.

136.2 M Crane to Marsh, Shaun pushes it towards covers and opts to get to the other end. 383/4

136.1 M Crane to Marsh, Floated in line of the stumps, Marsh gets down and works it towards mid-wicket. 382/4

135.6 S Broad to Marsh, This is a touch fuller outside off, MM drives it to the off side and thinks about the run but no, won't get it. Stays on a 16-ball duck. 382/4

135.5 S Broad to Marsh, Length delivery on off, defended from the crease. 382/4

135.4 S Broad to Marsh, 14th dot ball in a row from Mitchell Marsh who is yet to get going in this innings. 382/4

135.3 S Broad to Marsh, Shaun hits it towards point and gets to the other end. 382/4

135.2 S Broad to Marsh, Length ball down the leg side, Marsh misses the flick. It goes to the keeper and Broad puts in an appeal, to no avail. 381/4

135.1 S Broad to Marsh, Full outside off, Marsh square drives it. The fielder at backward point dives to prevent a run. 381/4

Stuart Broad is brought back to bowl now. Anderson was looking in good rhythm and this comes as a surprise to me.

134.6 M Crane to Marsh, Dream ball! Pitches on leg, spins past the outside edge of Marsh's bat and past the off pole. Hard on Crane that it isn't anything more than a mere dot. A maiden for the debutant. 381/4

134.5 M Crane to M Marsh, Marsh gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. 381/4

Another false start...

134.4 M Crane to Marsh, MM lunges forward and defends it with a straight bat. 381/4

134.3 M Crane to Marsh, Punched off the back foot by Mitch. 381/4

134.2 M Crane to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 381/4

134.1 M Crane to Marsh, Tossed up around off, blocked with a prod forward. 381/4

133.6 J Anderson to Marsh, This is full in line of the stumps, defended off the front foot. Anderson has bowled another maiden here, third in his four overs after Tea so far. 381/4

133.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Length ball around off, defended towards point. 381/4

133.4 J Anderson to Marsh, On the pads, turned towards square leg. 381/4

133.3 J Anderson to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 381/4

133.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Shaun keeps it out off the back foot. 381/4

133.1 J Anderson to Marsh, This is outside off, left alone. 381/4

132.6 M Crane to Marsh, This is knocked towards mid on. 381/4

132.5 M Crane to Marsh, Not Out! Excellent bit of umpiring this, we don't often say this. Kumar Dharmasena the umpire in focus. Crane dangles it up nicely just outside off, Mitchell Marsh looks to drive. The ball spins and seems to go off something straight into the waiting hands of Root at slip. England begin celebrating before the umpire's denial quietens them. After some discussion with his teammates, Root signals the 'T'. Replays roll in. It shows that the ball spins away sharply after pitching and at the same time, Marsh's bat hits the ground. Huge cheers go around the SCG after this is shown on the big screen. England lose a review as the on-field decision stays. 381/4

Things happening for Crane and England! There is an appeal for a catch against Mitchell Marsh by Root at first slip but the on-field umpire denies it. Root confers with his players and opts to go upstairs.

132.4 M Crane to Marsh, This goes straight on outside off, Marsh eases it towards covers. 381/4

132.3 M Crane to Marsh, Crane is trying to entice Marsh here. Knows that this guy loves to be aggressive and wants him to take the aerial route. Tosses this up outside off, Marsh looks to drive but fails in the attempt. 381/4

132.2 M Crane to Marsh, Played with the turn through mid-wicket for a single. 381/4

132.1 M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! Nice, very nice. Khawaja came down the track and lost his wicket. Shaun Marsh shows how it is done. Sees the flight and charges down in the direction of the ball and drives it down the ground. Well timed and a boundary results. 380/4

131.6 J Anderson to Marsh, Mitchell blocks this off the front foot. 376/4

131.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Shaun gets to the other end by guiding it through point. 376/4

131.4 J Anderson to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 375/4

131.3 J Anderson to Marsh, Another one outside off, Marsh just lets it be. 375/4

131.2 J Anderson to Marsh, On a length on off, defended from the crease. 375/4

131.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Outside off, left alone. 375/4

130.6 M Crane to Marsh, Lovely bit of spin bowling from the fresh wicket-taker. Dangles Marsh with the flight just outside off, who lunges forward to defend but just gets beaten. Almost a caught behind there. 375/4

130.5 M Crane to Marsh, Look what a wicket does to the bowler's confidence. Tosses this up nicely outside off, Mitch Marsh looks to drive but misses. 375/4

Mitchell Marsh walks in next. Party time for him?

130.4 M Crane to Khawaja, OUT! Finally, finally a spinner beats Khawaja's bat after he comes down the track and the marathon knock ends at last. Khawaja, as he has done on most occasions, premeditates and charges down the track against the spinner. Seeing this, Crane hurls it flatter, wider and quicker. Usman had to adjust by getting quickly to the right but the ball spins in and he gets beaten on the inside. He was long way down the track and that gave Bairstow ample time to collect it and whip off the bails. With Crane, the umpire doesn't want to take a chance and checks for the front foot. Finds it fine and that's it. Michael Clarke on air was shouting his lungs out that Khawaja often comes down the track to make room, rather than to get to the pitch of the ball. Here, he makes the same mistake and pays the price. Fails to better his best Test score as he departs for 171. The 101-run stand stands broken and now the tourists should look to make further inroads. The debutant is ecstatic and makes his joy clear to all in his celebration. Gets his maiden wicket in the longest format at last. 375/4

130.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman works it down the leg side. 375/3

130.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Ahh! These little risks of coming down the track to a ball that turns. Sees this ball tossed up, Khawaja comes down to go over the top. The spin on that means that he gets it off the inner half towards mid on. 375/3

130.1 M Crane to Marsh, Tossed up outside off, Marsh allows it to turn before patting it towards covers and takes a single. 375/3

129.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Another ball outside off, driven nicely to the cover region. Consecutive maidens for the seamer. 374/3

129.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 374/3

129.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full on off, driven to mid off. 374/3

129.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Delivered in line of the off stump, blocked from the crease. 374/3

129.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 374/3

129.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Fuller on off, defended from the crease. 374/3

128.6 M Crane to Marsh, FOUR! A couple of hundreds on this delivery! Crane floats it outside off, Shaun gets down the track and cracks it through covers for a boundary. The 100-run stand between the duo is up and also a 100 is up against Mason's name on the scorecard. The lead goes up to 28 now. 374/3

128.5 M Crane to Marsh, Marsh gets down and defends this one. 370/3

128.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Knocked through covers for one. 370/3

128.3 M Crane to Khawaja, UK gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. 369/3

128.2 M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Khawaja is growing in confidence against the spinners with more time in the middle. Sees some air on this one, slinks down the track and takes it on the full. Trashes it past mid off who was wider and earns a boundary. Moves to 170, four shy of his Test best. 369/3

128.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Landed in line of the stumps, blocked. 365/3

And for the umpteenth time, Crane withdraws from his run up. The only other bowler who used to do this was Stuart MacGill, says Michael Clarke on air. Incidentally, he is the mentor of Crane.

Mason Crane to continue his spell. A leg slip and a slip in place.

127.6 J Anderson to Marsh, Shaun defends this ball towards point. A maiden to begin. 365/3

127.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Full ball on off, defended with a straight bat. 365/3

127.4 J Anderson to Marsh, Nicely bowled. Angles this in from round the wicket, it nips back in after landing. Marsh gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. 365/3

127.3 J Anderson to Marsh, Full length ball outside off, Marsh exhibits a front foot defense towards covers. 365/3

127.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Makes him play this time. Marsh blocks it towards covers. 365/3

127.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Full ball outside off from round the wicket, Marsh just lets it be. 365/3

We are back one last time today. Exactly 30 overs left in the day's play and this shows England have been extremely good with the overrate. The only positive for them. Only time will tell how long they will have to be out in the middle with both Khawaja and Marsh looking largely fluent. James Anderson will set things rolling and the latter will face the first delivery. A lone slip stands.

... Day 3, Final Session ...

It has been chanceless batting alright. But none of the English bowlers seemed like picking a wicket. In helpful conditions, their spinners have been a let down. The only excitement in the session for them came when Marsh was ruled out caught behind. But even that joy was short lived for them as the DRS aided the batter in that case. Hard to be in the tourists' dressing room at the moment. Join us back for the final session of play, where we will turn up with a hope that an interesting turn of events await us.

Australia on top. Period. Often we've seen on this tour that England have failed to hold on to the momentum that they have. When that's the case, the talk of seizing it from the opposition stays in the hinterland. Australia have made merry while they could and have had a wicketless session here. Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja have had a wonderful outing in the middle amidst their stand that is worth 91 now.

126.6 M Crane to Marsh, Doesn't matter even if it's the last ball, Marsh uses his feet to come down and flicks it in front of square on the leg side for a single that takes him to 54 and the hosts' lead to 19. TEA, DAY 3! 365/3

126.5 M Crane to Marsh, Turned away towards square leg from the crease. 364/3

Leg gully in place. Anderson gets there with a couple of balls to go before the interval.

126.4 M Crane to Marsh, Served in line of the stumps, turned away round the corner. 364/3

126.3 M Crane to Marsh, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. 364/3

126.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Usman pulls this shortish delivery through mid-wicket for one. 364/3

126.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Outside off, Khawaja fails to cut it away. 363/3

Should be the last over before Tea.

125.6 J Anderson to Marsh, SM shoulders arms to let that one through. 363/3

125.5 J Anderson to Marsh, Outside off, left alone. 363/3

125.4 J Anderson to S Marsh, FOUR! Now Shaun Marsh joins the half century bandwagon! Only Cameron Bancroft has missed making merry in the fair. Gets an overpitched delivery outside off, Shaun strides forward and square drives this for a boundary. He began slow but has settled in nicely. For the record, this is his 10th fifty in Test cricket. 363/3

125.3 J Anderson to Marsh, FOUR! Gets to 49 now, does Shaun Marsh! Anderson gives some width on this length delivery, Marsh just guides it through the vacant gully region for a boundary. 359/3

125.2 J Anderson to Marsh, Length ball outside off, defended towards point. 355/3

125.1 J Anderson to Marsh, Driven through the covers by the batsman. 355/3

124.6 M Crane to Khawaja, A touch short, Marsh goes back and pulls it through square leg for a brace. Stoneman was in the firing line and he ducked in at the right time. 355/3

124.5 M Crane to Marsh, Flat on the pads, worked off the pads through backward square leg. Gets three runs as a result. 353/3

124.4 M Crane to Khawaja, 350 up for the Aussies! Khawaja drives it nicely through covers for one. The lead goes up to 4. 350/3

124.3 M Crane to Marsh, Marsh nudges this through mid-wicket to get to the other end. 349/3

Mindset, it matters. Ian Chappell reckons that England need to make something happen rather than waiting for something to happen. He says that Root certainly is running short of ideas, pointing to the perplexed nature of the skipper by stating that he doesn't even know where to stand at first slip.

124.2 M Crane to Marsh, SM has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 348/3

124.1 M Crane to Marsh, Floated on the stumps, whipped towards mid-wicket. 348/3

Mason Crane to have another spell now.

123.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Similar length but a bit closer to the off pole. Khawaja lets it come on before dead-batting it. 348/3

123.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Khawaja has shut his shop probably. Lets another full ball outside off go unharmed. 348/3

123.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 348/3

123.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Usman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 348/3

123.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Another one outside off, left alone. 348/3

123.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Jimmy comes round the wicket and bowls it well outside off. Khawaja watches the ball sail into the keeper's gloves. 348/3

James Anderson to have a burst now.

122.6 M Ali to Marsh, Floated on the stumps, defended with a straight bat. 348/3

122.5 M Ali to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 348/3

122.4 M Ali to Marsh, Very full in line of the stumps, blocked. 348/3

122.3 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 348/3

122.2 M Ali to Marsh, This is hurled outside off, left alone. 348/3

122.1 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Taking a lead over the opposition signifies the authority that one side has over the other. Marsh takes his side ahead with a stroke full of authority here. Ali flights this up generously outside off, Shaun slinks down quickly and goes inside out through covers. A boundary results and the HOSTS ARE AHEAD by a couple of runs now. What about this stand? It is worth 74. 348/3

121.6 S Broad to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 344/3

121.5 S Broad to Khawaja, FOUR! Know how much margin for error is available here? Not much! Broad was bowling it tight all through out but gives some width on this occasion. What else does Khawaja require? He just works it past backward point and collects a boundary. Australia are just two runs behind England's first inning total now. 344/3

121.4 S Broad to U Khawaja, Driven towards mid on off the inner half. 340/3

121.3 S Broad to Marsh, Pleading doesn't get you LBW dismissals, Broady! Delivers it on a fuller length, Marsh gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls to the leg side. Stuart pleads in his appeal but doesn't get the nod. A run taken. 340/3

121.2 S Broad to Marsh, Marsh keeps this one out towards covers. 339/3

121.1 S Broad to Marsh, Marsh plays this full ball towards mid-wicket. 339/3

120.6 M Ali to Marsh, Shaun slinks down and pats it towards mid on and hurries to the other end. 339/3

120.5 M Ali to Marsh, Some more air on this one, driven back to where it came from. 338/3

120.4 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 338/3

120.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Shorter outside off, cut away square on the off side for one. 338/3

120.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Now he uses his feet to get to the ball only to stonewall it. 337/3

120.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Served on a length outside off, Khawaja is squared up in his defense and gets it off the outer half towards point. 337/3

119.6 S Broad to Marsh, This ball is driven towards mid on. 337/3

119.5 S Broad to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 337/3

119.4 S Broad to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 337/3

119.3 S Broad to Marsh, Full on middle and leg, driven down the ground past silly mid on. Gets a couple before it is chased down. 337/3

119.2 S Broad to Marsh, Length ball on the pads, flicked away through square leg for a brace. 335/3

119.1 Broad to Marsh, An appeal made, withdrawn immediately! Broad runs in from over the wicket and hurls it on a length in line of the stumps. Marsh offers no stroke and is hit high on the back thigh. Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian Prime Minister is on air and Healy asks him what he reckons. Height, responds the PM. Spot on! 333/3

Stuart Broad to bowl now. Silly mid off and silly mid on in place.

118.6 M Ali to Marsh, Marsh fails to sweep this away. But the ball deflects off the keeper's pads. A bye taken that takes the score to triple nelson - 333/3! 333/3

118.5 M Ali to Marsh, Marsh gets forward in defense but does so off the inner half of the bat. 332/3

118.4 M Ali to Marsh, Flat and short outside off, cut away to point. 332/3

118.3 M Ali to Marsh, This ball is flicked away off the pads. 332/3

Ali was more relieved than anything else after picking up the wicket of Steven Smith. Nice to see that as there isn't a dearth of over-the-top celebrations in world cricket, irrespective of the situation of the side.

118.2 M Ali to Khawaja, UK has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. 332/3

118.1 M Ali to Marsh, Looped up around off, Shaun uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it down to long off for one. 331/3

Moeen Ali is back on. He's the lone wicket-taker of the day so far and who was his scalp? The never-tired-of-scoring-runs Steve Smith!

117.6 Tom Curran to S Marsh, This one is patted towards mid on and Shaun scurries across to the other end to retain strike. 330/3

This is a revelation. Ian Healy reveals that they used to call Glenn McGrath as 'Miller' before he became famous as the 'Pigeon'.

117.5 Tom Curran to S Marsh, Fuller in length, driven down the ground. Mid on cuts that off. 329/3

117.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Shaun presents a straight bat in defending this length ball from the crease. 329/3

117.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, Two batters not known to be the best of runners between the wickets, pick up a brace here. Well run. Marsh just tucks this length delivery through backward square leg and hares across the turf. 329/3

117.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, This ball is kept out towards the bowler from the crease. 327/3

117.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, On a length outside off, pushed towards point. 327/3

116.6 Joe Root to Khawaja, Usman gets nicely forward to this one and dead-bats it. 327/3

116.5 Joe Root to Khawaja, On a flatter trajectory, turned towards mid-wicket. 327/3

116.4 Joe Root to Marsh, Slinks down yet again to this one and eases it to long on for a single. The deficit gets down a run below 20. 327/3

116.3 Joe Root to Marsh, Floated on middle, Marsh gets down and plays it back. 326/3

116.2 Joe Root to Marsh, This ball is blocked by showing a full face of the bat. 326/3

116.1 Joe Root to Khawaja, Tossed up on off, whipped away nicely through mid-wicket for a single. 326/3

115.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 325/3

115.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, FOUR! Curran misdirects this one and pays the price. Angles it on a length on the pads, Marsh just works it away off the pads. The ball races away through the backward square leg region. The fielder in the deep gets to his left, puts in the slide but takes the ball with him to the ropes. Also, the Khawaja-Marsh stand crosses 50. 325/3

115.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Full outside off, driven towards covers. 321/3

115.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, This one is defended towards point. 321/3

115.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Length ball on off, blocked from the crease. 321/3

115.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 321/3

114.6 Joe Root to Marsh, Marsh gets down to sweep this full toss but the ball goes off his pads towards short fine leg. A leg bye it is. 321/3

114.5 Joe Root to Marsh, Floated outside off, driven towards mid on. 320/3

114.4 Joe Root to Marsh, Gets forward to this one and blocks it. 320/3

114.3 Joe Root to Marsh, Did you know why the DRS is into effect? Precisely for this, as Marsh makes good use to receive the decision in his favour, NOT OUT! Root and England's ecstacy is short lived. He tosses this one nicely outside off, Shaun Marsh prods forward in defense. The ball spins away ever so slightly to land in the keeper's gloves. There was a sound as the ball passed the willow, which made England put in a celebratory appeal. Kumar Dharmasena was convinced and he raised the dreaded finger. The southpaw seemed to be convinced that he hadn't nicked it. Opts for the DRS, which helps him out. There's nothing on the Hot Spot and the Snicko which means the on-field call has to be overturned. The noise was of the bat brushing the front pad. Marsh will bat on, with his side trailing by just quarter of a century and he being in a 47-run stand with Khawaja. 320/3

Shaun Marsh is a goner! He's been ruled out caught behind but he feels otherwise. Challenges the decision.

114.2 Joe Root to Marsh, Flatter on off, Marsh lunges forward defense. 320/3

114.1 Joe Root to S Marsh, Floated outside off, driven towards covers. 320/3

113.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, Not this time. Bowled on a similar length, slapped towards covers for one. 320/3

113.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, Beaten! Length ball outside off, Marsh looks to cut but misses. The ball passes from under the bat. Failed to pick that length up early. 319/3

113.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 319/3

Tom Curran has been a bit short than Michael Clarke would have liked. His pitch map was flashed on the screen and many deliveries were bowled on good length and short of that, it showed.

113.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller this time, hit to the same fielder. 319/3

113.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Punched off the back foot towards covers. 319/3

113.1 Tom Curran to Marsh, Comes round the wicket and hurls it on a length outside off. Marsh watches it sail to the keeper. 319/3

Drinks called! 18 overs in an hour, what about the overrate! Woaah! Crane and Moeen bowled in tandem after the lunch break but the pair of Marsh and Khawaja dealt them well. They used their feet to good effect and one good thing is that they made sure the runs keep coming. We saw Root chipping in with a few overs but none of the bowlers have troubled the batsmen. Will these two continue to dig in? Or will England break this stand?

112.6 Joe Root to Khawaja, Stays back and pokes it towards the cover fielder. Another tidy over from Joe. 319/3

112.5 Joe Root to Khawaja, Loopy delivery outside off, Usman prods forward to bury it down. 319/3

Nathan Lyon will be waiting in the wings. On seeing Root and Ali getting the extra bounce, Clarke reckons that the Aussie offie will be licking his lips. He has a nice high-arm action and gives a lot of revs which can prove to be deadly on this kind of a wicket. England, beware...

112.4 Joe Root to Khawaja, Leans forward and across and kills it into the turf. 319/3

112.3 Joe Root to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 319/3

112.2 Joe Root to Khawaja, On a flatter trajectory, kept out off the back foot. 319/3

112.1 Joe Root to Khawaja, Root gets away with that! Bowls a loopy full toss outside off, Khawaja reaches out and smashes it hard only to find the man at short cover. 319/3

111.6 Tom Curran to Marsh, Angling in on middle and leg, Marsh looks to clip but gets it off the inner half behind square on the leg side for a couple. 319/3

111.5 Tom Curran to Marsh, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. Third consecutive leave. 317/3

111.4 Tom Curran to Marsh, Fuller in length and outside off, Shaun Marsh points his bat skywards to make another leave. 317/3

111.3 Tom Curran to Marsh, Better! Resists this time and makes a good leave through to the keeper. 317/3

111.2 Tom Curran to Marsh, Goes chasing after a tempting delivery in the sixth stump line and gets beaten. 317/3

111.1 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Curran comes from around the wicket and angles in a short ball on middle, Khawaja pulls it in front of square on the on side for one. 317/3

Phew! Some respite for my fingers. Tom Curran is brought into the attack.

110.6 Joe Root to Khawaja, That stays really low! Fuller and fired outside off, at 91.3 kph, Khawaja looks to poke at it but it stays low and skids off the deck. Goes through the legs of the keeper behind and they take three byes. Oh wait, the umpire signals it as runs. Maybe, he must have got some bat there. 316/3

110.5 Joe Root to Khawaja, Beaten! There is the extra bounce! Root pushes it quicker through the air, at 90.9 kph, Khawaja winds up for the cut shot but there is extra bounce and also some turn which gets the better of Usman. The ball beats the inside edge and settles into Jonny's gloves. 313/3

110.4 Joe Root to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 313/3

110.3 Joe Root to Khawaja, Hangs back and defends it down with a straight bat. 313/3

110.2 Joe Root to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 313/3

110.1 Joe Root to Khawaja, Slider around middle, kept out towards the off side. 313/3

109.6 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. 313/3

109.5 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! No one there! Ali bowls it on leg stump, Marsh sinks low and sweeps it with disdain towards fine leg for a boundary. Third one of the over. 313/3

109.4 M Ali to Marsh, Skips down the track and works it towards the left of Ali. 309/3

109.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Flattish on off, tapped towards cover for one. 309/3

109.2 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! 150 up for Usman Khawaja! Ali floats it up on middle and off, Usman Khawaja dances down the track and flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket. He is to the pitch of the ball which is why he got time to free his arms. Gets a huge cheer from the crowd. March on, Uzzie. Make a double ton is what his side would be hoping for. 308/3

109.1 M Ali to U Khawaja, FOUR! Edgyyy! Ali bowls it flatter outside off, it's not that short but Khawaja feels the other way. He looks to cut but gets an outside edge past slip. Curran gives it a chase but fails to stop it from running away. 304/3

108.6 Joe Root to S Marsh, Shaun drives it hard but finds the man at short cover. 300/3

Shane Warne feels Malan should be given a chance to bowl. Since the spinners are getting some purchase, he opines Dawid bowled well at the MCG and could be a good option as he is a tidy bowler.

108.5 Joe Root to Marsh, SM has driven it straight down the ground. 300/3

108.4 Joe Root to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 300/3

108.3 Joe Root to Marsh, Width on offer, cut hard by Marsh but cannot pierce the gap. 300/3

108.2 Joe Root to Marsh, Marsh is half forward as he pushes it back to the bowler. 300/3

108.1 Joe Root to Marsh, Flatter outside off, Shaun Marsh stays back and with an angled bat pushes it towards the off side. 300/3

107.6 M Ali to Khawaja, A bit of loop on this occasion, Usman easily defends it down with a forward push. 300/3

107.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja comes forward and with his bat and pad together, he keeps it out. 300/3

107.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Fired around the pads, flicked towards square leg. 300/3

107.3 M Ali to Marsh, Good running! Marsh sees the flight and decides to come down the track. He works it towards mid on and scurries through to the other end. 300 comes up for Australia, they trail by another 46. 300/3

107.2 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 299/3

107.1 M Ali to Marsh, Lands it full around off, blocked into the ground. 299/3

106.6 Joe Root to Khawaja, Slider on middle and leg, defended from within the crease. 299/3

106.5 Joe Root to Marsh, Tossed up outside off, a bit of turn away, driven past cover for one. 299/3

106.4 Joe Root to Marsh, Bowls this with an round-arm action, fires it on middle, it skids a touch as Marsh tucks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a couple. 298/3

106.3 Joe Root to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 296/3

106.2 Joe Root to Marsh, Gives it a bit of air outside off, Marsh lunges forward to defend it. 296/3

106.1 Joe Root to Marsh, Starts off from around the wicket with a flatter ball, Marsh keeps it out towards the leg side. 296/3

Okay then, Joe Root decides to try himself out. He bowled the last over before stumps yesterday.

105.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Tosses it up outside off, Khawaja presses forward and smothers it away. 296/3

105.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Fuller and darted on off, blocked into the ground. 296/3

105.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Short and outside off, Khawaja goes back and cuts it really late. In fact it's off the edge but wide of Root at first slip. The ball rolls towards third man as the pair take a couple. 296/3

105.3 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 294/3

105.2 M Ali to Khawaja, On middle and off, bunted back to Moeen. 294/3

105.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Full outside off, blocked right in front of silly point. 294/3

104.6 M Crane to Marsh, Marsh dances down the track and drives it back down the ground. Crane sticks his left hand out to parry it towards mid on. 294/3

Once a leggie always a leggie. Shane Warne continues to back Mason Crane. There was another false start before the fourth ball by him. He says that it could be a tactic as to see whether the batsman is going for a pull, coming down the track. In short just to read what the batsman is trying to do...

104.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Stays leg side and hits it through cover for a single. 294/3

104.4 M Crane to Marsh, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 293/3

104.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Half tracker on off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. 292/3

104.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Gets down and sweeps it straight to the man at short fine leg. 291/3

104.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Shortish and around off, punched off the back foot towards point. 291/3

It's not the first time that we have seen Crane losing the run up. Warne backs him up saying that, it's good he doesn't bowl. Usually, others just tend to bowl it out as they feel lazy to go back to the mark. In doing so they bowl a bad ball and get punished...

103.6 M Ali to Marsh, Drifting in on middle and off, SM prods forward in defense. Another tight over from Mo. 291/3

103.5 M Ali to Marsh, Shortish and outside off, Marsh goes back and cuts it hard but finds the man at point. 291/3

103.4 M Ali to Marsh, Floated ball outside off, a forward push towards the cover fielder. 291/3

103.3 M Ali to Marsh, Pitches it on middle, turns away, Marsh blocks it out. 291/3

103.2 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman dances down the track and does well to block the ball. 291/3

103.1 M Ali to Marsh, Drifting in on middle and leg, Marsh clips it by coming down the track. 291/3

102.6 M Crane to Marsh, Short and outside off, tapped towards cover for a single. 291/3

102.5 M Crane to Marsh, Stays leg side and pushes it towards mid off. 290/3

Marsh stops Crane. The leggie comes up and was about to deliver but something went in the eyes of Shaun Marsh which is why he gets disturbed and pulls out...

102.4 M Crane to U Khawaja, A rank long hop from Mason, Khawaja pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 290/3

102.3 M Crane to Marsh, Landed outside off, Shaun uses the feet to milk it down to long on for a single. 289/3

102.2 M Crane to Marsh, A bit fuller outside off, worked towards the man at short leg. 288/3

102.1 M Crane to Marsh, Spins back in from outside off, Marsh goes back and tucks it on the bounce to FSL. 288/3

101.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Flighted delivery, dipping in, Usman looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball bobbles towards the vacant short leg region. 288/3

101.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Very full on the stumps, jammed out towards Ali. 288/3

101.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Gets nicely forward and blocks it into the ground. 288/3

Silly mid off in place...

101.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Turning away from a length outside off, defended off the back foot. 288/3

101.2 M Ali to U Khawaja, Makes a bit of room and drives it along the ground towards cover. 288/3

101.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Loopy delivery outside off, defended by coming forward. 288/3

100.6 M Crane to Marsh, Flighted delivery outside off, blocked into the ground watchfully. 288/3

100.5 M Crane to Marsh, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. 288/3

100.4 M Crane to Marsh, Pitches it around middle, turning down leg, Shaun misses his attempted sweep shot. Bairstow is quick to go to his right and collect it. 288/3

100.3 M Crane to Marsh, Fuller on the stumps, Marsh stays leg side and pushes it back. 288/3

100.2 M Crane to Khawaja, A long hop from leggie, Usman pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 288/3

100.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Short and outside off, Khawaja goes back to cut but misses it. 287/3

99.6 M Ali to Marsh, Darted on middle, driven towards the man at mid on. Another maiden for the offie. 287/3

99.5 M Ali to Marsh, On middle and leg, whipped straight to the man at short mid-wicket. 287/3

99.4 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 287/3

99.3 M Ali to Marsh, Marsh uses his feet to works it towards the man at mid-wicket. 287/3

99.2 Ali to Marsh, An appeal for LBW! Moeen Ali bails out immediately. Lands it outside off, Marsh plonks his front foot across to pad it away. They appeal but nothing much from the umpire. 287/3

99.1 M Ali to Marsh, Tossed up delivery outside off, Marsh comes down the track to bunt it back. 287/3

98.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Goes back and with an open bat face, dabs it towards the off side. 287/3

98.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Outside off, UK prods forward in defense. 287/3

98.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Pushes it quicker through the air outside off, punched off the back foot towards point. 287/3

98.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 287/3

98.2 M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Nailed it! Crane tosses it up generously, Khawaja gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it off the sweet spot. Goes on the bounce to the deep mid-wicket fence. 287/3

98.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Loopy ball outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. 283/3

97.6 M Ali to Marsh, Flighted delivery outside off, defended into the ground. 283/3

97.5 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 283/3

97.4 M Ali to Marsh, Floats it up around off, Marsh comes forward to defend but the ball turns away to beat the batsman all ends up. 283/3

97.3 M Ali to Marsh, Short and outside off, chopped towards the cover fielder. 283/3

97.2 M Ali to Marsh, On middle and off, blocked gently. 283/3

97.1 M Ali to Marsh, Shimmies down the track and bunts it back. 283/3

96.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 283/3

96.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Flighted delivery outside off, swept towards the square leg fielder. 283/3

96.4 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman offers no stroke and gets hit on the pad. 283/3

The commentators on air discuss about Khawaja's wicket. Ian Chappell wonders whether the on-field umpire communicates with the TV umpire about a shot being offered in case of LBW calls. If you see, Khawaja came forward at first but then kept his bat behind the pad. One cannot be entirely sure that he offered no shot, at the very first look. Hence Chappell wonders whether there would be clear communication in overturning such decisions.

96.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Dances down the track to push it back to the bowler. 283/3

96.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Pitches it on the rough, Khawaja misses the sweep as the ball stays low. 283/3

96.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Outside off, turning in, Khawaja sweeps it straight short leg. 283/3

Mason Crane to continue from the other end.

95.6 M Ali to Marsh, Around off, turning away a touch, SM comes half forward and defends it down. 283/3

95.5 M Ali to Marsh, FOUR! Whips it away! Ali tosses it up on the stumps, Marsh comes dancing down the track, takes it on the full and whips it cleanly through the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary. Good positive intent from Shaun Marsh. 283/3

95.4 M Ali to Marsh, A bit flatter and served on off, Shaun stonewalls it. 279/3

95.3 M Ali to Marsh, Floated ball around middle and off, blocked off the front foot and into the ground. 279/3

95.2 M Ali to Marsh, Skips down the track to a flighted ball and eases the drive to short cover. 279/3

95.1 M Ali to Marsh, Starts off with a loosener! Short and spinning away outside off, Marsh camps back and cuts it behind point to collect a couple. 279/3

Welcome back for the second session. England will have their tails up for sure. Can the spinners weave their magic? Remains to be seen. Moeen Ali to bowl. Shaun Marsh to face. Let's play...

... Day 3, Session 2 ...

Right then! The spinners have come to the party. They have got enough purchase off the deck and it would be interesting to see how the Aussie batsmen respond. Shaun Marsh has just arrived. He is known to be a good player of spin and has a set Khawaja for company. The deficit is down to 69. Can England turn things around or will the hosts prevail again? Don't go anywhere, we'll be back in a short while.

Drama towards the end has just spiced the session up! Phew! Crane would be cursing himself as he could have got rid of another set batsman, Usman Khawaja, in the last over before lunch had he not overstepped. The session began with the overnight batsmen making merry on the flattened-out wicket and thereby keeping the scoreboard moving. Both Khawaja and Smith registered their personal milestones and it seemed like these two will dominate the proceedings but Moeen Ali had other ideas. He was brought back into the attack before lunch and struck immediately to send the big fish, Smith, packing to calm some nerves in the English camp.

94.6 M Crane to Khawaja, That must have stung! Short ball outside off, Khawaja rocks back and pulls it with the spin. It hits Stomeman at short leg who is down in pain. Nothing serious though and that's LUNCH ON DAY 3! 277/3

94.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Leans forward and buries it into the ground. 277/3

94.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 277/3

94.4 Crane to Khawaja, Crane has OVERSTEPPED! Mason, what have you done, son? A spinner doing this is a sin! England can't believe it and understandably so. It's pitched outside off, turning back in, Khawaja leans across and doesn't offer any stroke. In fact, he was hiding his bat behind his front leg. The ball hits the front pad and lobs to short leg. They all appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Root, Bairstow and Crane come together and the English skipper takes the review. It's seen that Crane has nothing behind the line and that is it. The story doesn't end here. If you are an England fan don't read this - Hawk Eye shows the impact is outside the line but it would have hit the stumps. Since no shot was offered, the on-field call would have been reversed. Reprieve for Usman, disappointment for England, although the review is retained. What's with the debutants this series? Tom Curran overstepped at the MCG in what could have been his maiden Test wicket then and now Crane joins him by doing the same. 277/3

It's all happening out there. Mason Crane convinces his skipper to take the DRS against Khawaja. Have England got another?

94.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 276/3

94.2 M Crane to Khawaja, In the air... just short of Crane! He floats it up outside off, Usman Khawaja comes down the track to defend but the ball spins back in, hits the pad first and then the bat. The ball lobs back towards the bowler as Crane comes sprinting in to his right and dives in an attempt to take it with his right hand but the ball lands just short. 276/3

94.1 M Crane to Marsh, Spins back in, Marsh works it off the inner half through square leg for a single. 276/3

93.6 M Ali to Marsh, Comes down the track and whips it through mid-wicket does Marsh to get off the mark. Excellent over from Moeen Ali. He strikes immediately. 275/3

93.5 M Ali to Marsh, Gets nicely forward and blocks it into the ground. 274/3

93.4 M Ali to Marsh, Beaten! Ali lands it around middle, Marsh comes forward to defend but the ball turns away and beats the outside edge of Marsh's bat. 274/3

93.3 M Ali to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 274/3

93.2 M Ali to Marsh, Very full on middle and off, jammed out towards mid off. 274/3

Shaun Marsh is the new man in. A bat pad and slip for him.

93.1 Ali to Smith, OUT! Caught and bowled! Ladies and gentlemen, England have got rid of Steven Smith! He misses out on a ton at his home ground and is fuming as he walks back. Boy, Moeen Ali is amongst the wickets, finally! Stop the press! Ali from around the wicket bowls a loopy delivery on middle and leg, Smith comes down the track to drive it against the spin but ends up getting it off the inner half back to the bowler. Ali crouches really low to pluck it just inches above the ground. He takes and claims it immediately. The umpire agrees and the Aussie skipper departs. Totally against the run of play. The 188-run stand comes to an end. 274/3

Moeen Ali is brought back into the attack.

92.6 M Crane to Khawaja, That stayed a bit low! Loopy delivery, pitched on the rough outside off. Khawaja gets down to sweep but the ball spins back in, stays low and sneaks under his bat and then goes into the keeper's gloves. 274/2

92.5 M Crane to Smith, Loopy ball outside off, SS presses forward to drive it through cover for a single. 274/2

92.4 M Crane to Smith, Almost a replica of the previous ball. 273/2

92.3 M Crane to Smith, On a flatter trajectory, Steven has got nothing to do with that one. 273/2

92.2 M Crane to Smith, Floats it up around middle and leg, Smith leans forward in defense. 273/2

92.1 M Crane to Smith, Leg spinner around middle, turning towards off, Smith hangs back to punch it back to Mason. 273/2

91.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, On middle and leg, nudged towards the leg side. 273/2

91.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Good length delivery outside off, pushed towards the cover region. 273/2

91.4 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 273/2

91.3 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Short of a length delivery, kicking a bit off the deck, Khawaja takes his bottom hand off to keep it out. 273/2

91.2 Tom Curran to Khawaja, FOUR! Finesse! Curran comes from around the wicket and angles it in on the pads, Khawaja comes across a touch and flicks it neatly through mid-wicket. Made amazing connection as the ball races away to the fence. 273/2

91.1 Tom Curran to S Smith, Pounds in a short ball on middle, pulled with ease through mid-wicket for a single. 269/2

90.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Works it with the spin past short leg for nothing. 268/2

90.5 M Crane to Smith, Lovely shot! Crane gives it nice flight again, it's full outside off, Smith makes room and drives it through extra cover. Malan gives it a chase and slides to save a run. 268/2

90.4 M Crane to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 265/2

90.3 M Crane to Smith, Another feat for Steven Smith! He now becomes the Aussie captain with second most runs (682) in an Ashes series, only behind Sir Don Bradman! Incredible stuff. Flighted ball, landed outside off, eased through cover for a couple. 265/2

90.2 M Crane to Smith, Loops it around off, defended down into the ground. 263/2

90.1 M Crane to Smith, Tossed up delivery on middle and off, blocked off the front foot. 263/2

Mason Crane to roll his arm over.

89.6 Tom Curran to U Khawaja, Fullish outside off, Khawaja eases it through mid off. Broad gives it a chase to keep them down to two. 263/2

89.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Gets forward and pats it nicely towards the cover region. 261/2

89.4 Tom Curran to U Khawaja, Fuller on the stumps, driven towards mid on. 261/2

89.3 Tom Curran to Smith, Back of a length delivery outside off, Smith could have punched it through the line but he knows there is a big gap at mid-wicket and hence whips it off the inner half wide of Broad at mid on and takes three. 261/2

89.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Fuller and angling in on off, Smith brings his bat down at the angle but gets it off the outer towards cover. 258/2

89.1 T Curran to Smith, Starts off from over the wicket and lands it in the corridor of uncertainty, Smith yawns at it. 258/2

Tom Curran is back on.

88.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 258/2

88.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Stays back and keeps it out. Anderson is bowling tidy lines but without any success. 258/2

88.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Back of a length and rising a bit off the deck, Khawaja hangs back to defend but gets it off the splice. The ball dies down safely in the cover region. 258/2

88.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Fuller in length and angling in from outside off, Usman stays rock solid in defense. 258/2

88.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, Khawaja ignores. 258/2

88.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Good length delivery on off, defended back to the bowler. 258/2

87.6 S Broad to Smith, What was that? Too funny I tell you! Broad bangs in a short one, Smith initially tries to duck but then realizes that the ball isn't too short to do so. So what does he do now? He keeps his eyes on the ball, crouches low and swat-pulls it somehow back to the bowler. Seemed funny and even the skipper was seen having a laugh with his partner. 258/2

87.5 S Broad to Smith, Fuller and angling in at the base of the stumps, Steven Smith stays leg side to jam it out towards the left of the bowler. 258/2

87.4 S Broad to Smith, Sprays it a bit wider outside off, left alone without much fuss. 258/2

87.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Clips this length ball on middle and leg through square leg for one. 258/2

87.2 S Broad to U Khawaja, FOUR! Controlled, along the ground, says Clarke on air! Broad once again bowls it short but without much venom behind it. It comes up at a good height as Khawaja stays rooted inside the crease and with a minimal swivel he pulls it really well to send it across the mid-wicket fence. Gets appreciation from Smith too. 257/2

87.1 S Broad to Smith, Shortish delivery on middle and off, Smith looks to pull but mistimes it towards mid-wicket for a single. 253/2

86.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Good length delivery on middle and off, Usman defends with a straight blade. 252/2

86.5 J Anderson to U Khawaja, Good stop, Root! Anderson keeps probing in that zone outside off, it comes in first and then shapes away after hitting the deck. Khawaja gets squared up a touch as he tries to poke at it. He does so with soft hands and hence gets an edge which goes on the bounce to slip cordon where Root makes a diving one-handed stop to his left. Saved some runs for his side. 252/2

86.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Anderson bowls a cutter outside off, Usman points his bat skywards and makes a leave. 252/2

86.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Very full outside off, Khawaja nicely pats it towards the cover fielder. 252/2

86.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Gets forward and across and gently defends it towards the off side. 252/2

86.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Harmless ball in the sixth stump channel, not going after it says Uzzie lad. 252/2

85.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Stuart with a short one but not that threatening. Khawaja gets on top of it as he eases the pull through square leg to keep strike. 252/2

85.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Marginally fuller, angling across the southpaw, defended down. 251/2

85.4 S Broad to U Khawaja, FOUR! That's as good as anything! Broad overcooks it, serves it just outside off. Khawaja presses forward and caresses it off the meat. Pierces the gap at extra cover and picks up another boundary to his name. 251/2

85.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Tries to ease it down the ground and does so but the mid off fielder is quick to get to his left and make a stop. 247/2

85.2 S Broad to Smith, Short of a length delivery, angling in on middle and leg, Smith gets inside the line and rolls his wrists over the pull and sends it towards backward square leg for a single. 247/2

85.1 S Broad to S Smith, Fuller in length and angling in, Smith leans forward a touch and pushes it straight towards mid off. 246/2

84.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Fuller and angling in, defended down watchfully. 246/2

84.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Good delivery! Comes in from around off, Khawaja looks to defend but then zips away to beat the outside edge by a whisker. 246/2

84.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Back of a length outside off, blocked down. 246/2

84.3 J Anderson to U Khawaja, Played with soft hands! Good length delivery once again hurled outside off, Khawaja prods across and with soft hands tries to dab it away but gets a soft edge which rolls towards the gully fielder. 246/2

84.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Keeps it in the channel outside off, the fifth stump line, Usman makes an easy leave. 246/2

84.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, FOUR! Round the wicket comes Anderson and gets too straight. It's drifting on the pads, Khawaja moves inside the line and clips it fine down the leg side for a boundary. Deft! 246/2

83.6 S Broad to Smith, Broad with another bouncer, angling in towards the body of the batsman. Smith quickly arches back to let it be. 242/2

83.5 S Broad to Smith, On a length and outside off, Steven lifts his bat to make another leave. 242/2

83.4 S Broad to Smith, Good length delivery, wider outside off, Smith leans across before making a leave. 242/2

83.3 S Broad to Khawaja, This time he gets on top of it and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single. 242/2

83.2 S Broad to Khawaja, That surprised him actually! Broad bangs in a short one, a well-directed on from him. Khawaja is taken aback by it. The ball goes off the gloves and pops up towards the off side. On another day, it could have carried to the slip cordon or to the gully fielder. Not this time. 241/2

83.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Ahead of a length, slanting it away a bit, Khawaja has it covered as he defends it down. 241/2

82.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 241/2

82.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Fuller in length, served on off, defended by prodding ahead. 240/2

82.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Behind length and outside off, Usman stands tall to keep it out. 240/2

82.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Touch fuller and outside off, blocked gently off the front foot. 240/2

82.2 J Anderson to Smith, Fuller and arrowing in on the pads, Steven gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket. Didn't time it well but still will get three runs. 240/2

82.1 J Anderson to Smith, Anderson bowls it on a back of a length, Smith gets across and with a high bat he defends it towards mid on. 237/2

Drinks are on the field now. Nothing to write home about as far as England are concerned. Both the batters are making merry, notching up their respective milestones. Khawaja got to his 6th Test ton, while his skipper romped over to another half century. Their stand is worth 151 runs, the deficit coming down to 9 runs over 100. Where does the respite for England come from now? This divine drinks interval?

81.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Full on the stumps, hit towards mid-wicket. 237/2

81.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Similar delivery, action replay. 237/2

81.4 S Broad to Khawaja, This is full outside off, left alone. 237/2

81.3 S Broad to Khawaja, FOUR! Poor line that. Broad strays on the pads with this length ball, easy pickings for Khawaja. He just tickles it away and the ball goes to the fine leg fence in a trice. Nice way to bring up the 150-run stand with his skipper. Also, he aggregates 2000 Test runs. 237/2

81.2 S Broad to U Khawaja, This time the drive is played to mid off, but doesn't beat the man there. 233/2

81.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Steams in from round the wicket and bowls it full outside off. Khawaja drives this nicely to covers. 233/2

As expected, Stuart Broad will run in with this new cherry from the other end.

80.6 J Anderson to Smith, Smith plays it off the back foot towards square leg. A non-eventful over with this second new cherry, a maiden nevertheless. 233/2

Anderson has been around the good and short lengths so far in this over. Not ideal with the new ball, considering the speed with which he bowls.

80.5 J Anderson to Smith, Length ball outside off, Smith just lets it be. 233/2

80.4 J Anderson to Smith, Smith blocks by getting nicely behind this one. 233/2

80.3 J Anderson to Smith, This delivery is flicked towards mid-wicket. 233/2

80.2 J Anderson to Smith, Length ball on off, punched off the back foot towards mid off. 233/2

80.1 J Anderson to Smith, Anderson begins with a delivery on a length outside off. Smith covers his stumps and leaves it alone. Hint of movement there as the ball moves away nicely. 233/2

The second new ball is available and TAKEN STRAIGHTAWAY. James Anderson to have a go with it first up. Two slips in place. This is where things changed for England in their first essay.

79.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Full outside off, left alone. 233/2

79.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Yorker around off, digged out by Khawaja. 233/2

Wondered why Smith is so good with these on side flicks? Mark Taylor makes a nice observation. Smith's bat is held at an angle pointing towards mid on when he gets ready to face the ball. He just losens the grip and flicks the ball to the leg side when the ball appears. The initial angle of the bat helps him play that shot easily.

79.4 Tom Curran to Smith, This is whipped away through square leg for one. 233/2

79.3 Tom Curran to Smith, Another ball outside off, punched towards covers. 232/2

79.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Punched off the back foot towards covers. 232/2

Good observation. The on-air commentators observe that England were in a similar position in the first innings. They were 228/3 before the second new ball was taken, from where things went downhill for them.

79.1 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Khawaja works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. 232/2

78.6 M Crane to Smith, Steven rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 231/2

78.5 M Crane to Khawaja, A bit short outside off, cut away through point for one. 231/2

78.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Played with the spin through mid-wicket for a couple. 230/2

78.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 228/2

78.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja dances down to this one and blocks it. 228/2

78.1 M Crane to Smith, Mason strays on the pads again, Smith clips him away for a single. 228/2

77.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, This ball is pushed to the man at covers. Not a bad start for the young Tom. 227/2

Good point. Cameron Bancroft hasn't had a great run so far in this series and Khawaja, too, didn't have one till this one. Shane Warne on air opines that the youngster should be persisted with even after this series just to ensure that he gets the confidence and gets back among the runs. One can't always expect immediate results and patience is the key.

77.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, This is bowled aiming at the stumps, Uzzie defends it towards covers. 227/2

77.4 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Full outside off, left alone. 227/2

77.3 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Curran comes round the wicket and bowls a length ball around off. Khawaja stands tall and defends. 227/2

77.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Angled in on the pads, worked through backward square leg for one. Smith moves up to 66, the trail gets down to 119. 227/2

77.1 Tom Curran to Smith, Length ball in line of the stumps, defended towards mid on. 226/2

77.1 Tom Curran to Smith, WIDE! Curran begins with a bumper that goes way over the batter's head. Smith ducks. Wide given. 226/2

Tom Curran to bowl now. He replaces Broad, who bowled just the one over. Shows England will opt for the second new cherry as soon as it will be available.

76.6 M Crane to Smith, Short and spinning away outside off, Smith goes back and punches it through covers to retain strike. 225/2

76.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Nicely flighted, Khawaja gets to the pitch of the ball and works it past mid-wicket for one. 224/2

76.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Served around off, Usman hangs in his crease and defends with a lunge forward. 223/2

76.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Sees this tossed up ball outside off, Khawaja comes down only to bunt it. 223/2

76.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Crane continues over the wicket to the southpaw and tosses it outside off. Khawaja presents a straight bat face in defends. 223/2

76.1 M Crane to Smith, A touch short on the pads, whipped away through square leg for a single. 223/2

The second new ball is 4 overs away. Meanwhile, Mason Crane comes in for a bowl. He lacked control towards the end of yesterday and one hopes, along with Warne, that he gets better.

75.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Gets a soft outside edge towards gully as he looks to defend this. 222/2

75.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 222/2

Shane Warne was surprised this morning. He says that the early tactics from Anderson to bowl wide outside off from round the wicket seemed like backyard cricket for him. He admits to not have seen anything like that in the sport till that moment.

75.4 S Broad to Smith, Full outside off, eased through covers for one. 222/2

75.3 S Broad to Smith, Smith gets behind that and blocks it. 221/2

75.2 S Broad to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 221/2

75.1 S Broad to Smith, On the pads, flicked away towards square leg. 221/2

74.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated on off, defended with a straight bat. 221/2

74.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Another delivery in line of the stumps, blocked. 221/2

74.4 M Ali to Khawaja, UK has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 221/2

74.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja prods forward and defends this. 221/2

74.2 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. 221/2

74.1 M Ali to U Khawaja, There it is! Usman Khawaja gets to his 6th Test hundred and he's pumped up. Why won't he be! This is his first Ashes hundred and with this he also ends a period where he has got starts but failed to convert it big. How does he get there? Gets a shortish ball outside off, Khawaja goes back and cuts it through point for a couple. Raises his bat in acknowledgement, unmindful of the fact that his skipper is seen lauding the effort and running towards him for a hug. The Australian trail comes down to 125 now. 221/2

Khawaja on 99 now. He'll face Ali now. Easier bowler? Maybe.

73.6 S Broad to Smith, Broad makes Smith play this one with a full one on off. Steven blocks. 219/2

73.5 S Broad to Smith, This is fuller outside off, but not good enough to make Smith play. 219/2

73.4 S Broad to Smith, Another one outside off, Smith just lets it be. 219/2

73.3 S Broad to Smith, Hurled outside off, left alone. 219/2

73.2 S Broad to Smith, Full on off, defended off the front foot. 219/2

73.1 S Broad to Smith, FOUR! Textbook, sit back and enjoy, says Bill Lawry on this one. Hardly do we see back foot drives being played in this modern era and here is Smith with the same. Gets a delivery that is relatively full outside off, he gets his back leg across and drives it through covers. Result, a boundary. 219/2

Stuart Broad into the attack now, replacing Anderson. After Bancroft's wicket early yesterday, he has failed to add another to his kitty.

72.6 M Ali to Smith, Bowled on the pads, worked to fine leg for one. 215/2

72.5 M Ali to U Khawaja, Khawaja moves on 99 by guiding this to the right of point. 214/2

72.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 213/2

72.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 213/2

72.2 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Not the best of balls this. Ali serves this short and wide outside off, Khawaja stays back and cuts it powerfully in front of square. The ball speeds away to the fence to take UK to 98. 213/2

72.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Flat outside off, left alone. 209/2

71.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Tucked away through square leg for a single that takes him to 94. 209/2

71.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full outside off, driven towards mid off. 208/2

71.4 J Anderson to Smith, This ball is driven towards mid off for one. This is Smith's 2000th run against England in Tests. 208/2

71.3 J Anderson to Smith, Outside off, left alone. 207/2

71.2 J Anderson to Smith, For once, we can say this - Smith is foxed by Anderson. He stands in a wide-stanced position anticipating another full and wide delivery. What does he get? A spearing yorker at 138 kph. Thankfully for Smith, it is not in line of the stumps and before he could adjust and get some bat to that, it makes contact with the front pad that is outside the line of the leg stick. The ball rolls to the slip cordon then. Well bowled, Jimmy. 207/2

71.1 J Anderson to S Smith, Full outside off, driven towards mid off. 207/2

70.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Another forward defense to end the over. A maiden for Mo. 207/2

70.5 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 207/2

70.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated full outside off, driven towards covers. 207/2

70.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja lunges forward and blocks this one. 207/2

70.2 M Ali to Khawaja, What's that? A chance? Don't think so. Khawaja gets down to this tossed up ball and looks to go inside out. Ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads and it lobs towards silly mid off. Perhaps it just bumped before lobbing off the pads. 207/2

70.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 207/2

69.6 J Anderson to Smith, This length ball is worked through backward square leg for a brace. Smith moves to 56 and the stand to 121. 207/2

69.5 J Anderson to Smith, Well outside off, left alone. 205/2

69.4 J Anderson to Smith, Full outside off, Smith exposes his stumps, gets across and blocks it with a straight bat. Never plays according to the books, does this guy. Yet he scores runs and that's what matters. 205/2

69.3 J Anderson to Smith, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. 205/2

69.2 J Anderson to Smith, This is full outside off from round the wicket, Smith just lets it be. 205/2

69.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Fuller on middle and leg, worked away through square leg for one. Uzzie moves to 93. 205/2

A silly mid off in place.

68.6 M Ali to S Smith, This ball is played towards mid on. 204/2

68.5 M Ali to Smith, SS defends it from within the crease. 204/2

68.4 M Ali to Smith, FOUR! Nicely struck. Ali tosses this wide outside off, Smith reaches out to this and whips it through covers. Yes, he whips it - one of his typical wristy shots through covers. The fielder from covers chases it down, slides and seems to have done well. The umpire goes upstairs just to be sure and finds that the player was in contact with the ball and the ropes at the same time and thus it is a boundary, the first one of the day. 204/2

68.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Nicely played. Khawaja picks up his first run of the day by getting down the track and placing this through covers. 200/2

68.2 M Ali to Smith, A milestone early in the day. No prizes for guessing who, Steven Smith. He just flicks this off his pads and picks up three as the ball rolls towards fine leg to bring up his 23rd HALF CENTURY IN TESTS. He has largely been untroubled yet again and continues to be England's nemesis on the tour. 199/2

68.1 M Ali to Smith, Ali begins with a floated delivery on off, turned to mid-wicket. 196/2

Surprising move this. Moeen Ali to begin the day from the other end. Perhaps more purchase is expected to be extracted from the surface and hence this move.

67.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, This is full outside off, left alone by Usman. Tidy start for both sides. 196/2

67.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Jimmy comes over the wicket to Khawaja and bowls it full around off. The batter just pushes it back defensively. 196/2

67.4 J Anderson to Smith, This ball is similar to the second delivery, turned through mid-wicket for one. 196/2

67.3 J Anderson to Smith, Full and well outside off, Steven gets behind that and pushes it towards covers. 195/2

67.2 J Anderson to Smith, On a length angling away from the off stump, Smith gets across and clips it wristily through square leg for a brace. First runs for the day already. Hard to keep this guy quiet, isn't it? 195/2

67.1 J Anderson to Smith, Strange start. Anderson runs in from round the wicket and bowls it full outside off. Smith covers the stumps and lets it go. 193/2

All the off-cricket action is done now. Time for the sport to take centre stage now. The unbeaten pair of Khawaja and Smith walks out to the middle. It will be James Anderson to begin the day first up. 13 overs to go before the second new ball is available. A slip and a short cover stand in position for Smith, who will face the first delivery. Here we go...

A huge pink cloth, having the photo of Jane McCgrath, is held up on the ground. It is due to her that the McGrath foundation has come up to support the cause of breast cancer. The former pacer himself is very actively involved in promoting this noble cause. The response that they receive for the same is massive. Everything right from the players' caps to the caps that the security forces are wearing are pink in color. Now the Aussies walk out, shake hands with Glenn McGrath and hand over their signed pink baggy caps to him. Even the English players do the same now. Lovely to see players from both the sides unite in this noble cause.

Today is Day 3, the Pink day at the SCG. Everything would be rosy-colored to commemorate the Jane McGrath day. This is in honor of former pacer Glenn McGrath's wife, who had succumbed to breast cancer. England, so far, have lacked inspiration and would need to lift themselves up quickly. The hosts are behind by 153 runs and thus, the visitors still have plenty in their bank to play with. Will Joe Root's men manage to turn it around today? Or will Smith's and Australia's juggernaut roll on? We'll find out in just a bit.

How do we get past the enigma called Steven Smith, this might be the thought in the English camp as we enter the third day of this final Ashes Test. Australia find themselves at a comfortable position, thanks to fifties from David Warner and Usman Khawaja. The latter is well on course to get a triple figure score in this format after a gap of over a year and 8 Tests while the Aussie skipper is just 6 short of raking up another 50-plus score.

... Day 3, Session 1 ...

An involving day's play ends. Day 3 is often reckoned as the moving day in a Test and we would love to see what happens tomorrow. It promises to be a day full of thrilling action and we would love to have your company then. There is a tweet from Cricket Australia that confirms play will start tomorrow at 1030 local time (1130 GMT). Do join us then. Meanwhile, you can switch over and catch another exciting Test that we have on the cards where India take on South Africa in the series opener in Cape Town. See you tomorrow, ta-ta, take care!

One wonders what wrong did England do. Their bowlers weren't as awry as the figures suggest. They were successful in inducing numerous edges but those failed to carry to the fielders. Crane was a disappointment on a surface that aided spin. He was losing his run up continuously and needs to get that sorted before he can settle into a nice rhythm. Anderson and Broad bowled their hearts out but have only one wicket to show. This is after their lower order did well to post a score that seemed decent at the end of the innings. Broad and Curran did well with the bat as well apart from Malan, who failed to add much to his overnight score.

The Australian opener says that Khawaja's temperament was fantastic and he seemed to be in full flow. Adds further that he has a fantastic hand-eye coordination, wonderful timing and he models himself on Lara. Lauds him for playing well against Ali. Khawaja was irritated about not converting the starts but has rectified that with this knock, he reveals. Admits to being shocked at England not sending in the nightwatchman last night. Adds that their bowlers reaped rewards for their toil on the field. About the catches that have gone down, he agrees that's not a good thing and the team is not happy with that. Jokes that Smith drops catches that come straight to him but takes the difficult ones. About Hazlewood's dropped catch, he says these can be difficult ones, to which Healy and Nicholas, on a lighter note, tell him to not make excuses for his teammate. About Cummins, he states that he is an athlete who has been good at home as well as away. Admits bowling well to the opposition tail and states that it was a collective effort on their part. Singles out Lyon for his significant contribution with the ball and on the field. He wasn't aware of being on the cusp of scoring four consecutive hundreds at the SCG but adds that he doesn't chase records. Reckons that he is trying to move late and is working hard in the nets. Reasons that he had to change his gameplan owing to the different field placements that England have had against him. Ends saying that he is running out of superlatives to describe Smith, who faces a lot of balls in the nets and blows away everyone with the way he trains. Goes to the extent of naming him as the 'New-age Bradman'.

Australia's session, no doubt, and they even take the day's honors. They are just 153 runs behind England's score and one can assume that England would already be feeling low about the situation that they are in right now. Warner and Khawaja set about with the task after they lost Bancroft pretty early. The former departed soon after his fifty, something he might be ruing after seeing the latter go about with his task. Khawaja is just 9 short of his ton and has an in-form Smith, who has just passed 6000 Test runs, for company. Mark Nicholas and Ian Healy catch up with David Warner for a long chat and lets have a look at what he had to say...

66.6 Joe Root to Khawaja, Flatter on the stumps, Khawaja goes back and safely sees the day off. That's STUMPS! Australia TRAIL by 153 runs! 193/2

66.5 Joe Root to Khawaja, Floated outside off, driven nicely straight to the man stationed at covers. 193/2

66.4 Joe Root to Khawaja, Flatter on the pads, kept out from the crease. 193/2

66.3 Joe Root to Khawaja, Now he has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 193/2

66.2 Joe Root to Khawaja, Khawaja seems to want it today. Goes back and cuts this one fiercely but fails to beat point. 193/2

66.1 Joe Root to Khawaja, FOUR! Almost seems like the moment Cook notched up his hundred at the MCG. It was the last over of the day then, Smith came and offered him freebies to help him. Here Root comes in and bowls it short around off. Khawaja goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Moves to 91 now. A century tonight? 193/2

'Rooooooooooot' goes the crowd as it sees Joe Root come into the attack. This is the final over of the day. Is he the man with the golden arm? Remember, he picked a set Warner up in the previous game off his second ball.

65.6 M Crane to Smith, This is a yorker, Smith digs it out back towards the bowler. 189/2

65.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated around off, Khawaja looks to defend. But the ball goes off the outside edge past slip for a single. 189/2

65.4 M Crane to Smith, Smith flicks this off the pads and gets to the other end. 188/2

65.3 M Crane to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 187/2

65.2 M Crane to Smith, Served on the pads, clipped away fine on the leg side for a brace. That brings up the 100-run stand between these two. 187/2

65.1 M Crane to Smith, Flatter ball in line of the stumps, punched back to mid on. 185/2

64.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated outside off, eased towards covers. 185/2

64.5 M Ali to Smith, This is bowled around middle and leg, SS gets down and sweeps it through backward square leg for one. Moves to 41, trail comes down to 161. 185/2

64.4 M Ali to Smith, Straight outside off, Smith doesn't put bat to that. 184/2

64.3 M Ali to Smith, This one is wristed to the man at mid-wicket. 184/2

64.2 M Ali to Smith, Quicker on the stumps, blocked towards short leg. 184/2

64.1 M Ali to Smith, Loopy ball outside off at 85 kph, Smith turns it to mid-wicket. 184/2

63.6 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 184/2

63.5 M Crane to Smith, Shorter outside off, carved through covers for one. 184/2

63.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Wow! Khawaja with a quick single? Yep, you read it right. He pats it towards mid off and scurries to the other end. There is a missed throw at the bowler's end but he seemed to be safe. 183/2

63.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja gets down the track and dead-bats it. 182/2

63.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated in line of the stumps, Khawaja presents a straight bat face in blocking that. 182/2

63.1 M Crane to Smith, Flatter outside off, slapped through covers for one. 182/2

Mason Crane is brought back for another spell.

62.6 M Ali to Smith, One can't help but envy seeing the time that Smith seems to have to play his shots. This is just a touch shorter outside off, Smith goes back and cuts it through point and gets three runs for the effort. 181/2

62.5 M Ali to Smith, Bowled on a flatter trajectory, spinning down leg. Smith fails to flick it and even Bairstow misses collecting that. The ball rolls towards third man and seeing this the Aussie skipper wants a run but Khawaja doesn't respond. Bill Lawry says that he has probably dozed off. 178/2

62.4 M Ali to Smith, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 178/2

62.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Eased through covers to get to the other end. 178/2

62.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Well done, Joe! Another edge played with soft hands that doesn't carry. Root at first slip, had to dive to his right to stop that. Saves a certain couple. 177/2

62.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Flat and outside off, Usman punches it towards covers. 177/2

61.6 J Anderson to Smith, Short of length and well wide of off, Smith gets his right leg across and punches it on the up through covers. Beats the man there who attempts to stop it with a dive. A couple added to Smith's tally who moves to 35. 177/2

61.5 J Anderson to Smith, On a length well outside off, Steven watches it go and thud into the keeper's gloves. 175/2

61.4 J Anderson to Smith, Full and outside off, Smith leaves it alone. 175/2

61.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball outside off, punched off the back foot through covers. Wait, was the initial call from Khawaja but he had done well to get it through the gap. It races down the hill there and a treble results. 175/2

61.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball on middle and leg, clipped towards mid-wicket where Stoneman puts in the dive and stops. 172/2

61.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Jimmy steams in and lands it on a length angling across Uzzie. He just lets it be. 172/2

60.6 M Ali to Khawaja, This is angled in, tucked to square leg for one. 172/2

60.5 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 171/2

60.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Tossed up around off and middle, Khawaja comes down the track and bunts it down. 171/2

60.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Served outside off, pushed towards point. 171/2

60.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Ali has beaten Khawaja's bat numerous times and does so yet again. Tosses it just outside off, draws Usman's defensive bat and spins the other way to go into the keeper's gloves. 171/2

60.1 M Ali to Smith, Floated outside off, eased through mid-wicket for a single. 171/2

Moeen Ali to roll his arm over.

59.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full on off, stonewalled off the front foot. 170/2

59.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, On a length around middle and off, Usman looks to punch it but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. 170/2

59.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Anderson changes his angle and comes over the wicket. Bowls it on a length in line of the stumps. Khawaja defends showing the full face of the bat. 170/2

59.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, This is outside off on a fuller length, Khawaja presents a straight bat in defending that towards covers. 170/2

59.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 170/2

59.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full outside off, Khawaja fails to beat the man at covers with the drive. 170/2

58.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja drives this through covers to register his highest Test score at the SCG. 170/2

58.5 M Crane to Smith, This is the wrong one, worked away with the spin through mid-wicket for a single. 169/2

Another false start... Crane really needs to sort his issues out. Not good this for a spinner.

58.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Served outside off, reverse swept to deep point. Curran does well to save a run for his side. 168/2

58.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 165/2

58.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated outside off, Khawaja gets down to sweep. Does so but it strikes Stoneman at short leg. The ball deflects to mid on. 165/2

58.1 M Crane to Smith, Tossed up outside off, driven through covers to get to the other end. 165/2

57.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 164/2

57.5 J Anderson to U Khawaja, Full outside off, driven to cover. 164/2

57.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Another one outside off, left alone. 164/2

57.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, On a length on off, Khawaja goes back to block. 164/2

57.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Another ball outside off, Usman lets it go unharmed. 164/2

57.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. 164/2

Root is seen wearing a helmet as he is standing ahead at second slip.

56.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated on off, clipped through square leg for one. Crane is yet to bowl a maiden in this innings. Here again he concedes a run off the last ball of the over. Needs to exert more control on the proceedings. 164/2

56.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja defends with his bat in front of his pads. 163/2

56.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja works it off his pads towards mid-wicket. 163/2

56.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 163/2

56.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated outside off, Usman gets down to sweep but wears it on the front pad. No appeal made as the impact is well outside off. 163/2

56.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Big turn. Crane pitches this well outside off but the ball spins in big. Khawaja looks to defend but it goes off the pad towards square leg for nothing. 163/2

55.6 J Anderson to Smith, Similar delivery and sequence of action like the previous ball. 163/2

55.5 J Anderson to Smith, Fuller on off, defended from the crease. 163/2

55.4 J Anderson to U Khawaja, Excellent running between the wickets. Whether he is running for his runs or for others', Smith does his best to steal an extra one. This is bowled a touch fuller outside off, Khawaja guides it past gully with soft hands. Gets three runs as a result of good running. 163/2

55.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Angling in, UK plays it towards mid-wicket. 160/2

55.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full ball aiming at the off stump, Khawaja presents a straight bat in defense. 160/2

55.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Comes round the wicket and bowls it full outside off, Usman points his bat skywards to let that go. 160/2

James Anderson is back on.

54.6 M Crane to Smith, Smith hits this one with the turn to the man at covers. 160/2

54.5 M Crane to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 160/2

Another false start...

54.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja looks to go over the top but gets it off the inner half towards deep square leg for one. 160/2

54.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman works it down the leg side. 159/2

54.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Slight mix up. Khawaja gets down and places this one towards mid on. Takes start as if to take a run but then decides against it. Smith had responded initially but then he had to run around the bowler to make his ground. All safe in the end as the throw is at the keeper's end. 159/2

54.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated outside off from round the wicket, Khawaja comes down the track and takes it on the full. Hits it straight to mid on. 159/2

53.6 S Broad to Smith, Another dot ball to end the over. It is a touch fuller, Smith blocks. 159/2

53.5 S Broad to Smith, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 159/2

53.4 S Broad to Smith, Smith gets forward and blocks it with a straight bat. 159/2

53.3 S Broad to Smith, On a length on off, defended from the crease. 159/2

53.2 S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! Another edge, another boundary, more agony! Broad runs in and delivers a leg cutter around off, the ball straightens after pitching, Smith offers a dead bat in defense but the movement on the occasion means that the outside edge is taken. It flies down low towards first slip but doesn't carry to Cook there. Bairstow realises this early and puts in the dive but it is far for him as well. The ball races away to the fence behind after going in between the two of them. Broad, understandably, is frustrated and vents it out to let everybody know. The key there was Smith playing it with soft hands, which meant that the ball wouldn't carry to the slip cordon. 159/2

53.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Angling in to Usman from round the wicket, he taps it towards mid-wicket and gets across to the other end. 155/2

52.6 M Crane to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 154/2

52.5 M Crane to Smith, Tossed up outside off, Smith allows it to turn and lets it go. 154/2

52.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Floated outside off, Khawaja gets down and reverse sweeps it through point and gets to the other end. 154/2

52.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 153/2

52.2 M Crane to Khawaja, On the pads, flicked round the corner from the crease. 153/2

52.1 M Crane to Smith, There it is! 6000 Test runs for Steven Smith and he is the second quickest to the mark behind Sir Don Bradman. He has got there in 111 Test innings, equalling Gary Sobers' mark. How does he get there? By pulling a short delivery offered by Crane to deep backward square leg for a single. Just a small raise of the bat to acknowledge the feat. 153/2

51.6 S Broad to Khawaja, This one is defended towards point. 152/2

Reverse swing? Broad is seen running with the ball covered.

51.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Length ball outside off, punched towards covers. 152/2

51.4 S Broad to Khawaja, Broad comes in from round the wicket and bowls it full outside off. Left alone by UK. 152/2

A leg gully, mid-wicket and mid on in place apart from a deep backward square leg.

51.3 S Broad to Smith, Short on the stumps, pulled away to fine leg for one. 152/2

51.2 S Broad to Smith, On a length on off, defended towards cover-point. 151/2

51.1 S Broad to S Smith, FOUR! More agony for England! Here is another edge from the willow of an Australian that doesn't go to the hands of an English fielder. Broad bowls it full outside off, Smith goes for the full-blooded cover drive. Gets a thick outside edge past the second slip fielder for a boundary. Smith stands on 24 runs, 5998 Test runs to his credit. 151/2

Drinks are on the field! Australia have done well to not lose a wicket after tea. Smith and Khawaja both have settled with the latter registering his fifty. England are looking really flat. Who will produce that spark to bring them back into the game?

50.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Turning a touch, stabbed off the back foot towards point. 147/2

50.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Quicker one outside off, Khawaja pads it away. Root at first slip fluffs but they can't run as Khawaja didn't offer any shot. 147/2

50.4 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. 147/2

50.3 M Crane to S Smith, Gets forward and eases it through covers for a single. 147/2

50.2 M Crane to S Smith, Did that carry? Nope! Floats it up around middle and off, Smith comes down the track to defend but the ball spins away, takes the outside edge and it falls just short of Root at first slip. 146/2

50.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Outside off, turning in, Khawaja gets into the position early and nails the reverse sweep to deep point for a single. 146/2

49.6 S Broad to Smith, In the channel outside off, pretty harmless, Steven lifts his bat to make an assured leave. 145/2

49.5 S Broad to Smith, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 145/2

49.4 S Broad to Smith, Fires it wider outside off, Smith shoulders his arms. 145/2

49.3 S Broad to Smith, Bangs in a short ball on middle and off, Smith ducks under it. 145/2

49.2 S Broad to Smith, Fuller in length and outside off, driven towards the man at cover. 145/2

49.1 S Broad to Smith, Back of a length delivery to begin with, Smith defends it off the back foot. 145/2

Stuart Broad is back into the attack.

48.6 M Crane to Smith, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 145/2

48.5 M Crane to Smith, FOUR! That's a gift wrapped with red ribbon on it! A juicy full toss on middle, Smith murders the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. 144/2

What's wrong Crane? Twice he misses his run up. Looks that he is not finding his rhythm...

48.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Full toss outside off, UK nails the sweep through mid-wicket for one. 140/2

48.3 M Crane to U Khawaja, Almost takes the wicket! Crane goes around the wicket, pitches it on the rough outside off, Khawaja plants his front foot across and half-heartedly goes after it. He is late to take his bat out and the edge is found. It goes wide of Root at first slip. In fact right between Bairstow and the English skipper. Two taken. Strangely, Root has placed himself wider as Crane is a leg spinner and if the edge is induced, it won't go wider. 139/2

48.2 M Crane to Smith, Loopy full toss, dipping in, Smith whips it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. 137/2

48.1 M Crane to Smith, Tossed up delivery outside off, Smith presses forward to kill it into the ground. 136/2

47.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Fuller in length and in the corridor outside off, Usman Khawaja ignores. 136/2

47.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, In the probing zone outside off, Usman lifts his bat to let it be. 136/2

47.4 Tom Curran to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 136/2

47.3 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Wider outside off, Usman shoulders his arms. 136/2

47.2 Tom Curran to U Khawaja, On a length and in the channel on off, Usman looks to defend but gets an edge which falls well short of Root at second slip who stops it with his left palm. 136/2

47.1 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Curran comes from around the wicket and hurls it on off, Khawaja prods forward in defense. 136/2

46.6 M Crane to S Smith, Leg break, pitching on middle, turning away, Smith leans forward and drives it towards cover. 136/2

46.5 M Crane to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 136/2

46.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Comes down the track and pushes it towards cover for a quick single. Brings up the 50-run stand as well. 136/2

46.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Leans across to flick it with the turn towards mid-wicket. 135/2

46.2 M Crane to Khawaja, FOUR! Thumped! Khawaja makes good use of the feet to this flighted ball and goes bang down the ground for a boundary. 135/2

46.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Around middle and leg, Khawaja comes down the track to flick but misses as the ball goes off the pads and falls short of Stoneman at short leg. 131/2

45.6 Tom Curran to Smith, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 131/2

45.5 Tom Curran to Smith, Good length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot comfortably. 131/2

45.4 Tom Curran to Smith, Outside off, it's a loopy full toss, another drive and finds the man at cover. Smith knows he has missed out on that one. 131/2

45.3 Tom Curran to S Smith, Driven straight to the fielder at cover. 131/2

45.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Fuller again and angling in, Smith drives it back down the track as Curran stops it in his followthrough. 131/2

45.1 Tom Curran to Smith, Fuller in length and outside off, driven nicely only to find the man at cover. 131/2

44.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Just short of the man at short leg! Around middle, turning back in, Khawaja goes back and tucks it. The man at short leg crouches low and tries to take it but the ball still falls short of him. 131/2

44.5 M Crane to U Khawaja, Short and outside off, Khawaja goes back and cuts it to deep backward point for a couple. 131/2

44.4 M Crane to Smith, Around middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. 129/2

44.3 M Crane to U Khawaja, Makes room and drives it through covers for a single. 128/2

44.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Comes down the track and jams it back to the bowler who collects. England feel it's caught and bowled but it's a bump ball. 127/2

44.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Floats it up on the stumps, Khawaja blocks it out from the crease. 127/2

43.6 Tom Curran to Smith, A tidy over from Curran! Drags his length back, Smith defends it off the back foot and calls for a new pair of gloves immediately. 127/2

43.5 Tom Curran to S Smith, Very full outside off, almost a yorker, Smith digs it out towards cover. 127/2

43.4 Tom Curran to Smith, Back of a length ball outside off, punched nicely off the back foot towards the cover fielder. 127/2

43.3 Tom Curran to Smith, Gets right behind the line and shows a straight bat. 127/2

43.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Tad short and outside off, Smith walks across and defends it down solidly. 127/2

43.1 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Edgyyyy! Curran bowls it fuller and wider outside off, Khawaja goes fishing after it. Gets a thick edge which flies on the bounce to the left of the gully fielder. The man there gets a bit of hand to it which slows it down. A single collected. 127/2

42.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Comes down the track does Khawaja and nearly yorks himself. Still manages to dig it out towards the cover region which allows him to keep strike. 126/2

42.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Pitching on leg, turning down, Khawaja leans forward to flick but misses. 125/2

42.4 M Crane to Smith, That's the thing with the leggies. They will surely bowl one short. Here it is, Smith goes back and crunches it to deep point for a single. 125/2

42.3 M Crane to Smith, Tossed up leg break outside off, turning further away, Smith is happy to leave it alone. 124/2

42.2 M Crane to Smith, A bit too full on the stumps, blocked down gently. 124/2

42.1 M Crane to Smith, Around middle and leg, Smith pushes it towards cover. Comes halfway down the track in search of a single but Khawaja sends him back. 124/2

41.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, A confident stride forward to this full ball from Khawaja as he blocks it back down the track. 124/2

41.5 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Fuller and angling away, staying a bit low too. Khawaja has it covered as he makes a leave. 124/2

41.4 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Good length ball on off, defended with soft hands as the ball rolls towards mid off. 124/2

41.3 Tom Curran to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 124/2

41.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Once again flicks it from middle stump and sends it towards backward square leg this time. A single taken. 124/2

41.1 Tom Curran to Smith, Gets across, it's full on middle and leg, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a double. 123/2

40.6 M Crane to U Khawaja, FOUR! That has to be a boundary! Good effort from Curran though! Fuller delivery outside off, Khawaja leans forward and drives it through square of the wicket on the off side. Tom in the deep runs across to his right, puts in a dive but makes contact with the rope when he had the ball in the hand. Replays confirm the same. Usman moves to 55. 121/2

40.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Stays back and pushes it towards point. 117/2

40.4 M Crane to Khawaja, A bit short on middle, tucked towards the leg side. 117/2

40.3 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. 117/2

40.3 M Crane to Khawaja, No ball! Tossed up on off, driven back to the bowler. Crane oversteps and will have to reload it. 117/2

40.2 M Crane to Khawaja, Around middle and leg, worked towards the leg side. 116/2

40.1 Crane to Khawaja, A cry for an LBW! Crane starts off with a leg spinner, pitching on middle and leg and turning further down. Usman comes forward to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. They appeal but umpire shakes his head. Bairstow and Root come down to the pitch to have a word with the bowler. But they don't take the review. Replays show the impact is outside leg. 116/2

Double change as debutant Mason Crane is brought back to roll his arm over.

39.6 Tom Curran to S Smith, Smith once again drives it in the same region. Shows patience of not going after it. 116/2

39.5 Tom Curran to Smith, Seam up delivery on the stumps, driven straight to Anderson at silly mid on. 116/2

39.4 Tom Curran to S Smith, Length delivery, nipping away a shade, Smith tries to defend but this one stays a tad low too. Takes an outside edge which evades the man at gully and they come back for a couple. 116/2

39.3 Tom Curran to Smith, Back of a length outside off, a bit of extra bounce but Smith adjusts to keep it out. 114/2

39.2 Tom Curran to Smith, Another short one outside off, Smith taps it towards the off side. 114/2

39.1 Tom Curran to Smith, Shortish on middle and off, pushed towards Anderson at silly mid on. 114/2

Tom Curran is back!

38.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Short outside off, cut towards the man at point. 114/2

38.5 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 114/2

38.4 M Ali to Khawaja, SIX! Down the track and banggggg! That's some shot to bring up your fifty! Khawaja will be itching to get a big one now. This is his third fifty in the series, 11th overall. Ali bowls a flighted ball around middle, Usman wears his dancing shoes, gets to the pitch of the ball and smacks it straight down the ground for a biggie. Superb! 114/2

38.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Takes a stride forward and pushes it towards cover. 108/2

38.2 M Ali to Smith, That's off the meat! Smith gets down to sweep but it hits the pad of Stoneman at short leg and deflects further towards square leg. A single taken. 108/2

38.1 M Ali to Smith, Tossed up outside off, Smith comes down the track to flick but is early into the shot. Gets a leading edge towards cover. 107/2

37.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Opens the bat face and defends it towards point. 107/2

37.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Attacking the stumps does Anderson, Khawaja gets across and defends. 107/2

37.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 107/2

Michael Clarke on air analyzes Smith's scoring chart. It shows that about 166 and 136 runs that Smith has scored in this series have come through cover and mid-wicket respectively. It's only through mid off where the Aussie skipper has the least no. of runs which reads just 16. He wants Root to take that man out from mid off and place him either at catching cover or mid-wicket to block Smith from scoring runs through his favoured regions...

37.3 J Anderson to Smith, On middle and leg, worked through backward square leg for a single. 107/2

37.2 J Anderson to Smith, Pitches it further up outside off, blocked solidly again. 106/2

37.1 J Anderson to Smith, Anderson continues from over the wicket and hurls it outside off, Smith defends it off the back foot. 106/2

36.6 M Ali to Khawaja, This delivery is cut away towards point. 106/2

36.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Flatter on the stumps, defended from the crease. 106/2

36.4 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Brilliant use of the feet here. Khawaja has walked out from the break with a positive mindset. He charges down to this one and whips it past mid on for a boundary. 106/2

36.3 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 102/2

36.2 M Ali to Smith, This one is turned through mid-wicket for a single. 102/2

36.1 M Ali to Smith, Floated in line of the stumps, blocked from the crease. 101/2

35.6 J Anderson to U Khawaja, Full on off, driven to mid off. 101/2

35.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Usman blocks it off the front foot onto the ground. 101/2

Mindset. It matters a lot in sport. Ian Healy jokes saying whether England would be wondering Smith's due for a failure and bowl accordingly. To this Clarke replies saying if they think on those lines, they'll be in trouble. Cannot take anything for granted in sport.

35.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 101/2

35.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Anderson pitches this further than the previous one, Khawaja covers his stumps and lets it go. 101/2

35.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, FOUR! Look at the Hot Spot to see where Khawaja got it on the bat. Absolutely middled that one. Anderson lands it on a length around middle, Khawaja pulls it with some authority through square leg for a boundary. 101/2

35.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Lands it on a length around off and middle, Usman punches it back. 97/2

James Anderson will continue.

34.6 M Ali to Smith, Short in length, pulled to the man at square leg for nothing. 97/2

34.5 M Ali to Smith, Floated outside off, turned to the man at mid on. 97/2

34.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Bit more air given on this one, Khawaja lunges forward in defense. But he gets an inside edge towards square leg for one. 97/2

34.3 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 96/2

34.2 M Ali to Khawaja, This is bowled in line of the stumps, Usman goes back and defends it with a straight bat. 96/2

34.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Flatter ball on the stumps, Khawaja goes back and keeps it out towards mid-wicket. 96/2

We are back for the final session. Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja will resume the battle. Australia trail by 250 runs and we have around 30 overs remaining in the day. Moeen Ali will kick off the proceedings. Let's roll...

... Day 2, Session 3 ...

Right then! Steven Smith is at it again. Khawaja is unbeaten on 36 and needs to carry on. England would very well know that if they manage to remove that man who has just arrived, they can surely gain the upper hand in this Test. Their bowling has been relatively flat with only Anderson and Broad finding their rhythm. Ali has been good today but at the same time has offered freebies to nullify his effort. Debutant Crane didn't impress much but it would be interesting to see how he fares further. An exciting final session awaits! Join us back shortly...

Had it not been for the wicket of David Warner, this would have been Australia's session all the way. But the honours are shared for now. After getting bundled out in the first session, England got a perfect start through Broad who removed Bancroft for a duck. However, the pair of Warner and Khawaja weathered the storm with the former looking really solid. The opener scored a gritty fifty but just before the break, Anderson outfoxed him with a lovely off cutter to make sure the southpaw doesn't get a big one at his home ground.

33.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Shortish on leg, helped with a pull to deep backward square leg for a single. TEA ON DAY 2! 96/2

33.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball on middle, turned toward mid-wicket. 95/2

33.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 95/2

33.3 J Anderson to S Smith, Nice way to open the account! Fuller ball, a half volley from Jimmy. Smith leans across and caresses it through extra cover. Gets three for doing so. 95/2

33.2 J Anderson to Smith, Driven towards mid off for nothing. 92/2

33.1 J Anderson to Smith, Fuller in length and outside off, Smith presses forward to defend but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards mid on. 92/2

32.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Fuller on off, Khawaja mistimes his drive towards cover. 92/2

32.5 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 92/2

32.4 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! There to be hit! Ali throws it short, it's wider outside off, enough room for Khawaja to pounce on it. He jumps back and slaps it a bit squarer on the off side to pick up a boundary. The commentator on air jokes saying that this is the tough time for any batsman in this Ashes as most of them have departed in the mid 30s. 92/2

32.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Gets down and across to paddle scoop it towards fine leg for a couple of runs. 88/2

32.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Flatter through the air, UK hangs back in defense. 86/2

32.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated delivery outside off, Khawaja prods forward to block it out. 86/2

31.6 J Anderson to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 86/2

31.5 J Anderson to Smith, Fuller in length and just outside off, dealt off the front foot by Smith. 86/2

Steven Smith strides out to bat next. Huge cheers from the crowd as the Aussie run-machine walks out. The home town boy is at it again. What will we see from him today?

31.4 J Anderson to Warner, OUT! Got him... Yes, gone! No hundred for David Warner, shouts an excited Mark Taylor on air. What a classical delivery from Anderson to break this stubborn stand! He has his right hand up as he races towards the slip cordon. He smartly tries an off cuter that pitches on middle and off and moves away slightly. Warner is neither fully forward nor backward and in the end has a tame poke at it. Gets a feather and it travels low to Bairstow behind who accepts the catch. A solid fifty for Warner but he walks back dejected. England rejoice! 86/2

31.3 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second. 86/1

31.2 J Anderson to D Warner, Fullish on off, pushed towards mid off. 84/1

31.1 J Anderson to Warner, Good length delivery on middle and off, Warner is happy to sit back and defend. 84/1

30.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated delivery outside off, Khawaja prods forward in defense. A good over from Ali. 84/1

30.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Loopy ball outside off, defended into the ground. 84/1

30.4 M Ali to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 84/1

30.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Slower through the air outside off, Khawaja comes forward to defend but the ball turns away to beat the outside edge. 84/1

30.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Around middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket. 84/1

30.1 M Ali to Khawaja, In the air... just wide of Cook at silly mid off. Tossed up delivery outside off, Khawaja comes down the track and looks to chip it over the off side. It's just wide of Cook at silly mid off who dives to his right with his hand out but the ball evades him and rolls towards mid off. 84/1

29.6 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 84/1

29.5 J Anderson to Warner, Hangs back and shows a straight blade. 84/1

29.4 J Anderson to Warner, Ohhhhhh! That was close! Anderson angles it away on a length outside off, gets it to seam away with some bounce. Warner tries to hit on the up but is beaten all ends up. David smiles and appreciates it as well. 84/1

29.3 J Anderson to Warner, Fuller and slanted away outside off, defended off the front foot. 84/1

Mark Taylor on air makes a fair point. He agrees that Australia have got a good start after an early stutter but feels Khawaja should start to score freely now. The more he hangs back, the higher is the possibility of him getting out. The Englishmen were guilty of doing just that. Warner on the other end is keeping the scorecard ticking and Usman Khawaja should think on the same lines...

29.2 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 84/1

29.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length delivery, curling back in a bit, Khawaja works it off the inner half through backward square leg for a single. 84/1

28.6 M Ali to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 83/1

28.5 M Ali to Warner, Darted on middle and leg, wristed towards mid-wicket. 83/1

28.4 M Ali to Warner, Drifting in on middle and leg, Warner gets an inside edge on the pads. 83/1

28.3 M Ali to Warner, Makes some room and pushes it towards the cover region. 83/1

28.2 M Ali to D Warner, FOUR! Warner has flayed this one! Ali drops it short and it's wider outside off. David doesn't miss out on this as he rocks back in a jiffy and cracks it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. 83/1

28.1 M Ali to Warner, Tossed up outside off, defended into the ground. 79/1

There is some issue with the ball. It's not going through the 8-shaped gauge and the umpires are getting it changed...

27.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Shortish on middle, punched back to Anderson. A maiden on return for Anderson. 79/1

27.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball, closer to the off stump line, dealt off the back foot by Usman. 79/1

Root is standing a few steps ahead from where he was originally standing waiting for the edge to come. Ian Healy on air reckons, the edge that didn't carry a while ago would have carried had Root positioned himself here at that time...

27.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Back of a length delivery on middle, defended from within the crease. 79/1

27.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 79/1

27.2 J Anderson to Warner, Fifty for David Warner, his 27th in Tests! He continues to impress at his home ground. Gets a length delivery and tucks it through square leg for a single. Gets a warm applause from the crowd and he shows the bat to the dressing room. Another big one on the cards? 79/1

27.1 J Anderson to Warner, Fuller in length and outside off, Warner eases the drive towards mid off. 78/1

James Anderson is back into the attack.

26.6 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 78/1

26.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Out of nowhere! Moeen Ali floats it up around off, Khawaja comes charging down the track but isn't completely to the pitch of the ball. Drags it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. 78/1

26.4 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 78/1

26.3 Ali to Khawaja, A huge shout for an LBW, not given! Loopy ball outside off, Khawaja gets across to play the paddle sweep but seems to have missed it and gets hit on the pads. They keep appealing but umpire turns it down. Root is interested in reviewing it but doesn't get the desired support. Replays show there was a thin feather which would have saved Khawaja and also the impact would have been umpire's call. 78/1

26.2 M Ali to Warner, After bowling full on the previous ball, Moeen bowls it short outside off to which Warner rocks back and punches it towards cover-point for a single. On 49 now. 78/1

26.1 M Ali to D Warner, FOUR! Beautifully done! Amazingly timed as well! Ali tosses it up outside off, Warner makes room and drills it exquisitely to beat the dive of the man at extra cover. Away she races for a boundary and Warner moves to 48. 77/1

25.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Good length ball, in the probing channel outside off, UK is happy to block those. 73/1

25.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Broad goes fuller, it's on off, Usman presses forward to push it towards mid off. 73/1

25.4 S Broad to Khawaja, Angling across Khawaja who has it covered before making a leave. 73/1

25.3 S Broad to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 73/1

25.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Good length delivery on off, answered with a straight bat. 73/1

25.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Fuller and around off, Khawaja closes the face of the bat and works it towards the man at mid-wicket. 73/1

24.6 M Ali to Warner, Gets forward and defends it off the inner half towards square leg. 73/1

24.5 M Ali to D Warner, Spinning away from a length outside off, slapped towards the point fielder. 73/1

24.4 M Ali to Warner, Flatter delivery outside off, Warner punches it towards point. 73/1

24.3 M Ali to D Warner, Fuller outside off, driven towards mid off. 73/1

24.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Drops it short and outside off, Khawaja chops it behind point. It beats the man there and the batsmen start to sprint. In fact it's Warner who is really quick and calls for the third. They take three in the end. 73/1

24.1 M Ali to Khawaja, That stayed really, really low! Quicker through the air, fired outside off, Khawaja goes back to defend but the ball doesn't rise at all. Beats the edge too and Bairstow behind the stumps collects it and takes the bails off. 70/1

Moeen Ali is back on.

23.6 S Broad to Warner, Good length ball on middle and off, Warner covers the line and defends it. 70/1

23.5 S Broad to Warner, Leans forward and defends it right under his eye line. 70/1

23.4 S Broad to Warner, Edged just short of Root at second slip! Good bowling from Broad! He steams in and angles it away on a length just outside off. The line is such that Warner had to play at it and the ball jags away a bit to take the edge. Luckily for him the ball dips in front of Root at second slip before the English skipper takes it. He then gets up and throws the ball in disgust towards mid off. 70/1

23.3 S Broad to Warner, Length delivery, close to the off stump line, blocked out. 70/1

23.2 S Broad to Warner, Offers a bit of width and it's on the shorter length. Warner cracks one through the line but the packed off side field means that it goes straight to point. 70/1

23.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Good length ball on the pads, tucked away through square leg for a single. 70/1

22.6 M Crane to Khawaja, Very full outside off, UK crouches a bit and squeezes it out past Cook at first slip for a single to keep strike. 69/1

22.5 M Crane to Khawaja, Seeing the flight, Khawaja steps out of the crease, takes it on the full and drives it hard only to find the man at cover. Anderson dives to his right to make a good stop. 68/1

22.4 M Crane to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 68/1

22.3 M Crane to Khawaja, Turning back in on middle and leg, Khawaja comes forward to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads but the ball dies down safely. 68/1

22.2 M Crane to Khawaja, More flight from Mason, pushed into the off side. 68/1

22.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Loops it up around middle, Khawaja comes down the track and bunts it back to Crane who picks it up and mimes a throw back at the striker's end. 68/1

21.6 S Broad to Warner, Another one on the same length, blocked safely off the back foot towards cover. 68/1

21.5 S Broad to Warner, Hits the length, it's served outside off, tapped off the back foot. 68/1

21.4 S Broad to Warner, Shortish and angling away a touch from over the wicket, David hangs back to defend it down. 68/1

21.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Another one strangled on the pads, easily clipped towards fine leg for a single. 68/1

21.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Back of a length delivery on middle, turned towards mid-wicket off the back foot. 67/1

21.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Broad comes from around the wicket and strays on the pads, Khawaja walks across and clips it towards deep backward square leg for a brace. 67/1

Change in bowling. Stuart Broad is back into the attack. Bowled just 4 overs in his opening spell and got a wicket of Bancroft. Can he provide another breakthrough?

20.6 M Crane to Warner, Bowls the googly on middle but the length is short which allows Warner to go back and counter it. 65/1

20.5 M Crane to Warner, Keeps it fuller on the stumps, defended into the ground by David. 65/1

20.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja skips down the track and nudges it with the spin through mid-wicket for a single. 65/1

20.3 M Crane to Warner, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for one. 64/1

20.2 M Crane to Warner, Leans forward and blocks it out watchfully. 63/1

20.1 M Crane to Warner, Nice loop on this occasion. Warner is up for the task, he makes room and places it wide of the man at cover for a couple. 63/1

19.6 M Ali to Warner, Warner comes down the track and hits it back down the ground. Ali gets a bit of hand to it as he parries it towards mid off. The duo take the single. 61/1

19.5 M Ali to Khawaja, This time Khawaja drives one through the cover region to get off strike. 60/1

Good point from Shane Warne. An off spinner is likely to pick wickets when he gets the ball to drift. And for that you need to give revs on the ball. Something, Ali is failing to do in this series. During the English summer he was successful as he was seen doing the same. Whatever maybe the reason, you need to give it a nice loop to trouble the batsmen...

19.4 M Ali to Warner, Makes a bit of room and eases it through cover for a single. 59/1

19.3 M Ali to Warner, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. 58/1

19.2 M Ali to Warner, Loopy delivery outside off, blocked off the front foot. 58/1

19.1 M Ali to Warner, Close! Quicker one on off, Warner makes room and cuts it from off stump towards point. 58/1

18.6 M Crane to Khawaja, An appeal for an LBW! England think of the review but decide not to. Flighted ball around middle and leg, Usman comes forward and with his bat and pad close together. The ball hits the pads but not sure if it hit that first. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. Maybe, Khawaja got an inside edge there. 58/1

18.5 M Crane to Warner, Pitches it fuller, provides some loop, Warner whips it wide of Broad at mid on for a single. 58/1

18.4 M Crane to Khawaja, Khawaja goes deep in the crease and tucks it past short leg for a single. 57/1

18.3 M Crane to Warner, Quicker one one leg, spinning further down leg, Warner clips it off the inner half past short leg for a single. 56/1

18.2 M Crane to Warner, Around middle, turning in, Warner covers the sticks to defend it down. 55/1

18.1 M Crane to Warner, Slower leg break outside off, turning in a bit, Warner stands back to stab it away. 55/1

17.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated delivery outside off, Khawaja presses forward to keep it out. 55/1

17.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Pushes it quicker through the air around off, Usman stands back in defense. 55/1

17.4 M Ali to Warner, This time David gets it past the man at cover-point for a single. 55/1

17.3 M Ali to Warner, Flatter one on off, Warner cuts it off the back foot but finds the man at cover-point. 54/1

17.2 M Ali to Warner, Floats it up on the stumps, Warner defends it comfortably off the front foot. 54/1

17.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Fuller in length and angling in around middle and leg, Khawaja leans across and clips it past short leg for a single. 54/1

Time for drinks. England believed that they could make further inroads when they had Bancroft early. The ensuing period saw some disciplined efforts with the ball from Broad and Anderson. However, Khawaja and Warner have managed to keep them at bay and now are starting to get a move on. Can England manage to break this stand and make further inroads?

16.6 M Crane to Warner, This is landed around off, pushed back towards the bowler. 53/1

16.5 M Crane to Warner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 53/1

16.4 M Crane to Warner, Short and wide outside off, cut away through point for a couple. 53/1

16.3 M Crane to Warner, Tossed up on off, driven towards covers. 51/1

16.2 M Crane to Khawaja, 50-run partnership between Warner and Khawaja is up. They have steadied the ship yet again after an early fall of a wicket. Crane bowls this down the leg side, Usman just lets it be. Bairstow fails to collect it cleanly and a bye results. 51/1

16.1 M Crane to Warner, Floated outside off, stabbed through covers for one. 50/1

15.6 M Ali to Warner, This one is knocked through covers for a single. 49/1

15.5 M Ali to Warner, Warner stays in the crease and blocks it solidly. 48/1

15.4 M Ali to Warner, Served in line of the stumps, turned towards square leg. 48/1

15.3 M Ali to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 48/1

15.2 M Ali to Khawaja, This is on the pads, worked away to fine leg for one. 48/1

15.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated on a fuller length on off and middle, Khawaja lunges forward in defense. 47/1

Change of ends for Moeen Ali. Meanwhile, Anderson was seen talking to Crane after the end of the previous over. Gives him a high five after the small talk.

14.6 M Crane to Warner, A short ball to end the over, punched through wide mid off for a brace. 3 runs of Crane's first over in Test cricket, not a bad one. 47/1

14.5 M Crane to Warner, Flatter on the stumps, Warner goes back and defends it towards point. 45/1

14.4 M Crane to Warner, Floated on the stumps, Warner presents a straight bat in forward defense. 45/1

14.3 M Crane to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 45/1

14.2 M Crane to Warner, Flatter down the leg side, left alone. 45/1

14.1 M Crane to Khawaja, Crane begins with a half-tracker in line of the stumps, Khawaya goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. 45/1

Mason Crane is brought into the attack. He is making his debut and would like to make the right noises first up.

13.6 Tom Curran to Warner, FOUR! Three boundaries in four balls to end the over. Warner is on the charge and the young Curran bears the brunt of that. This is bowled on a length around off, Warner punches it through mid off. The fielder there puts in the dive but fails to get any hand to that. 12 runs off this over, Warner moves to 30. 44/1

13.5 Tom Curran to Warner, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 40/1

13.4 Tom Curran to Warner, FOUR! Now this is overcorrection. On the previous ball, he had given enough width to the batsman, now he straightens his line a bit too much. All Warner has to do is get some bat on that, which he does with a flick. There is no protection in the deep on the leg side and the ball goes away to the fence. 40/1

13.3 Tom Curran to D Warner, FOUR! Curran isn't being disciplined with his stuff so far. Overpitches this outside off, Warner leans ahead and drives it through covers for a boundary. Wonderful balance maintained by him there. 36/1

13.2 Tom Curran to D Warner, Fuller around off, driven towards mid off. 32/1

13.1 Tom Curran to Warner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 32/1

12.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Served in line of the stumps, defended with a straight bat. 32/1

12.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja goes back and slaps it but straight to the cover fielder. 32/1

12.4 M Ali to Khawaja, You hit me for a boundary, I get back at you with a ripper, says Moeen Ali with this jaffa. He gets this one to pitch around off and just spin past the bat that is poken by Khawaja as he attempts to block this one. 32/1

12.3 M Ali to Khawaja, FOUR! Well played. The key to play against spin is to make good use of the feet and that is exactly what Khawaja has done here. He sees the tossed up ball on offer and gets down the track. Blasts it past Ali. The mid off fielder is pretty wide and has no chance of preventing the boundary. 32/1

12.2 M Ali to D Warner, Warner pats this one towards mid off and gets to the other end. 28/1

12.1 M Ali to U Khawaja, First run off Ali's bowling. He tosses it up on a fuller length around off, eased down to long off for one. 27/1

11.6 Tom Curran to Khawaja, On the pads, turned through square leg for a single. 26/1

11.5 Tom Curran to Warner, Outside off, driven through the cover region for one. 25/1

11.4 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Well done, Stoneman! Curran strays on the pads but gets away. He bowls it full on the pads, Khawaja clips it away. Stoneman at mid-wicket dives to his right and manages to save 3 runs for his side. 24/1

11.3 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 23/1

11.2 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Full outside off, left alone by UK. 23/1

11.1 Tom Curran to Khawaja, Overpitched outside off, Khawaja mistimes the cover drive. He manages to get it in the gap and gets a couple for that. Clarke, on air, observes that his head position isn't the best there as it is seen falling over. Quickly goes on to add that it would get better with time in the middle. 23/1

10.6 M Ali to Warner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. Back-to-back maidens for Ali. 21/1

10.5 M Ali to Warner, This flighted ball is driven back to where he came from. 21/1

10.4 M Ali to Warner, Flatter on off, slapped towards cover-point for nothing. 21/1

10.3 M Ali to Warner, Warner goes back to this one and punches it towards covers. 'Nice bowling, Mo,' shouts Jonny from behind. 21/1

10.2 M Ali to Warner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 21/1

10.1 M Ali to D Warner, Floated full outside off, driven towards covers. 21/1

9.6 Tom Curran to D Warner, Fuller on off, driven towards wide mid off, where Broad does well with a tumble. A run results though. 21/1

9.5 Tom Curran to Warner, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 20/1

9.4 Tom Curran to Warner, Warner gets ahead in defense to this delivery. 20/1

Michael Clarke was considered to be a good player of spin and he makes this valid point on air. We saw Khawaja use his feet to come down the track twice in the previous over. On the first instance, he went away from the line of the ball before having to adjust to get close to the ball. In the second time though, he came down in a straight line and defended the ball right under his eye line. Clarke feels that the second instance is the right way to do it as the ball is covered well by the batter. In making room by coming down, chances are that the ball might spin past the edge.

9.3 Tom Curran to Warner, Hurled outside off, Warner leaves it unharmed. 20/1

9.2 Tom Curran to Warner, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 20/1

9.1 Tom Curran to D Warner, A touch short on the body, pulled away through mid-wicket for a couple. 20/1

Double change. Tom Curran to have a bowl now. Often we have seen in the sport that performance with one aspect rubs off on the player who ends up doing well in another aspect as well. Curran had a good outing with the bat today and should carry his confidence to his performance with the ball.

8.6 M Ali to Khawaja, Khawaja comes down the track and dead-bats this one. Maiden to begin for Mo. 18/1

8.5 M Ali to Khawaja, Loopy ball around off, forward defense on display. 18/1

8.4 M Ali to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 18/1

8.3 M Ali to Khawaja, Ahh! Khawaja perhaps makes his intentions to come down the track clear. Ali fires this just outside off. Usman had to adjust to get forward and block. 18/1

8.2 M Ali to Khawaja, Floated around off, defended off the front foot. 18/1

8.1 M Ali to Khawaja, Flatter outside off, cut towards point. 18/1

Surprise change! Moeen Ali is the first change bowler for England. Root's decision to go to his out-of-form off spinner might have something to do with the presence of two left-handers at the crease.

7.6 S Broad to Warner, Broad straightens his line and bowls it on middle and leg. Warner clips it through square leg. Warner wanted two immediately and Khawaja responded well. 18/1

7.5 S Broad to Warner, Length ball outside off, Warner covers his stumps and lets it be. 16/1

7.4 S Broad to Warner, Bowled in line of the off stump, Warner gets behind that in defense. 16/1

Interesting point. Both the sides have been having similar problems with their top order. For the hosts, Bancroft and Khawaja haven't really fired in the series, just like England's top order. But Australia haven't really been two or three down for nothing. They have somehow managed to hold fort and let the runs mount.

7.3 S Broad to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 16/1

7.2 S Broad to Khawaja, Hip high length ball on the pads tucked away through backward square leg for one. 16/1

7.1 S Broad to Khawaja, Full in length around off and middle, defended right back towards the bowler. 15/1

6.6 J Anderson to Warner, Warner drives this one through the cover region and picks up a couple. 15/1

6.5 J Anderson to Warner, Fuller in length, pushed towards covers. 13/1

6.4 J Anderson to Warner, Another delivery on a length on off, defended towards mid off. 13/1

6.3 J Anderson to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 13/1

6.2 J Anderson to Warner, Length ball on the stumps, defended from the crease. 13/1

6.1 J Anderson to Warner, Landed in line of the off stump, Warner goes back and offers a straight bat face in defense. 13/1

5.6 S Broad to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 13/1

5.5 S Broad to Khawaja, Hurled outside off, left alone. 13/1

Jonny Bairstow is wearing a black arm band. The reason for that is that it is the 20th death anniversary of his father, who committed suicide.

5.4 S Broad to Warner, Similar delivery, Warner looks to tuck it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards backward square leg as David takes off for a single. Bairstow rushes there and fires a wild throw at the bowler's end but Warner is well in anyway. 13/1

5.3 S Broad to Warner, FOUR! Not a bad ball but still put away. Broad lands it on a length in line of the leg stump, Warner hops a touch and plays the flick. The ball takes the inner edge and goes off the thigh pads towards the fine leg fence. It has enough legs on it to roll away to the fence, in spite of Bairstow chasing it down. 12/1

5.2 S Broad to D Warner, Full on off, driven towards mid off. 8/1

5.1 S Broad to Warner, Broad comes from over the wicket and hurls it on a length in line of the stumps. Warner stands tall and blocks that. 8/1

4.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball in line of the stumps, Khawaja gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for nothing. 8/1

4.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full pitched ball on off, pushed down the ground, to be intercepted by the man at mid off. 8/1

4.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, Full and outside off, Khawaja just lets it be. 8/1

4.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Much better from Jimmy. Just shortens his length a touch and angles it across Khawaja. The southpaw has a poke at that only for the ball to whiz past the outer edge through to the keeper. 8/1

4.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 8/1

4.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Nicely played. Anderson serves this a touch fuller than a good length, Khawaja punches it down the ground past mid off. Gets two for the shot. 8/1

3.6 S Broad to Warner, Warner drives this one towards mid off. 6/1

3.5 S Broad to Warner, Outside off, left alone. 6/1

It is seen that England seem to be learning from their mistakes. They have been bowling on the shorter side in the series generally. But in this innings so far, Anderson and Broad have been bowling on the good length and fuller length areas and have made the batsmen play. Ian Healy thinks it to be a better tactic as that increases the chances of a wicket, like it did with Bancroft's dismissal.

3.4 S Broad to U Khawaja, Fuller in length, driven through covers to rotate strike. 6/1

3.3 S Broad to Warner, Warner has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. 5/1

3.2 S Broad to D Warner, Driven through mid on by the batsman. 4/1

3.1 S Broad to Warner, Broad bowls it outside off from round the wicket, David lets it alone. 4/1

2.6 J Anderson to Khawaja, This is outside off, left alone. 4/1

2.5 J Anderson to Khawaja, On the pads, flicked to mid-wicket. 4/1

2.4 J Anderson to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 4/1

2.3 J Anderson to Khawaja, Length ball outside off, guided towards gully. 4/1

2.2 J Anderson to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 4/1

2.1 J Anderson to Khawaja, Anderson runs in and bowls it full on off and middle. Usman drives it back towards the bowler. 4/1

1.6 S Broad to Warner, Outside off, driven nicely through covers for a couple. 4/1

1.5 S Broad to Warner, Warner hangs back to this one and blocks this. 2/1

1.4 S Broad to Khawaja, Khawaja gets going with a flick through mid-wicket for a single. 2/1

1.3 S Broad to Khawaja, Fuller on off, defended back towards the bowler. 1/1

Usman Khawaja is the next man in. It would be safe to assume that he is battling to save his place in the side as he hasn't got the scores expected from him.

1.2 S Broad to Bancroft, OUT! Broad strikes straightaway and gets his 399th Test wicket in style. He runs in from over the wicket to Bancroft and hurls it on a fuller length around off. The opener looks to drive this down the ground but gets beaten on the inside due to the nip back on that. The ball goes through the gate and disturbs the pink-coloured woodwork behind. He has to walk back for a duck and England are up and running. On further looks, Bancroft's bat seems to come down in the direction of mid off, thereby leaving a huge gap between bat and pad. He has been dismissed in this series off deliveries from a similar length and that should get him thinking. 1/1

The on-air commentators analyse Warner's run taking method. They opine that as the southpaw has this knack of hitting the cricket ball powerfully, the fielders in a single-saving position often tend to stand a touch deeper. This helps Warner exploit that to tap and run, which he did even today.

1.1 S Broad to Warner, Broad runs in from round the wicket and lands it on a length on off. Warner pats it in front of covers and gets to the other end to open his account. 1/0

Stuart Broad to share the new ball from the other end.

0.6 J Anderson to Bancroft, Maiden over to begin for Anderson. He lands it on the stumps, Bancroft blocks it nicely. 0/0

0.5 J Anderson to Bancroft, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 0/0

0.4 J Anderson to Bancroft, Fuller in line of the stumps, flicked to the man at mid-wicket. 0/0

0.3 J Anderson to Bancroft, Bowled on a length outside off, left alone by Cameron. 0/0

0.2 J Anderson to Bancroft, Angling in to the batter, Bancroft keeps it out towards mid-wicket. 0/0

0.1 J Anderson to Bancroft, Anderson steams in from over the wicket and lands it on a length outside off. Bancroft covers the stumps and lets that go. 0/0