Summary

Live Reporting

by Sam Drury & Timothy Abraham

  1. Michelle Goszko
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    There's plenty of chatter from England. I didn't hear this yesterday.

  2. Matthew Mott
    Ex-England and Australia coach on TNT Sports

    I don't know who did a pitch report this morning, but it's doing loads!

  3. Aus 422-5

    Lead by 252

    Great start by Sophie Ecclestone.

    She gets one to turn sharply, so much so that it goes down leg, and then beats Beth Mooney on the outside edge next ball with one that doesn't turn so much.

    The nerves from Mooney are clear for all to see. Even such a high-class player, who has achieved so much in the game, can get jitters when there is a Test hundred on the line.

  4. Sophie Ecclestone will bowl the first over of the day with Beth Mooney, on 98, on strike...

  5. Sarah Elliott
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    I think the message for England will be staying tight as a group. They won't be able to change their fielding or fitness overnight.

    It's such a mental game as well. After that first one went down, you didn't know how they were going to react. The pressure builds after every drop.

  6. It's another lovely sunny day in Melbourne as the players make their way out to the middle.

    England have it all to do just to avoid defeat but they've got to stay positive in trying to do so.

    As for Australia, why wouldn't they be positive? The sun is shining, the Ashes are won and the clean sweep is there for the taking...

  7. Sarah Elliott
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    This Australian group are so hungry. I think they'll bat for a little longer, they'll only want to bat once.

  8. Georgia Elwiss
    England all-rounder on TNT Sports

    Beth Mooney can bat anywhere. She can open but can also be as destructive in the middle order as when she opens. With the wicketkeeping gloves she just gives Australia that extra option. With Alyssa Healy going down she is someone who can step up into a variety of different roles.

    I like at her at the top of the order but equally she's batted well in the middle and almost approaches it in exactly the same way.

  9. Beth MooneyGetty Images

    The big question going into day three is how much longer will Australia want to bat?

    They have a big lead already, especially when you consider England were bowled out for 170 in the first innings.

    But given their plan appears to be making sure they only bat once, it is probably more about how long they want to give themselves to bowl the tourists out than the size of the lead.

    Whatever they decide, they look to be well on their way to a 16-0 clean sweep.

  10. Mark Robinson
    Warwickshire first-team coach on TNT Sports

    England's plans have actually been pretty good - you look at the fields set for Beth Mooney for example. But they just haven't taken their chances. The bowlers will have felt a little bit let down.

  11. That's right, England bowled pretty well on day two but their efforts were undermined by some woeful catching.

    Australia took full advantage with Annabel Sutherland - dropped twice - making 163 and Beth Mooney - dropped thrice - still there and on the brink of a maiden Test hundred.

    Australia dominate on day two as England fielding woes continue

  12. Good morning

    Day three of this one-off Ashes Test is upon us - and there is every chance it could be the last of the series.

    Australia have dominated from the start at the MCG and will resume this morning on 422-5.

    That's a lead of 252 with Beth Mooney still there, two shy of a century, alongside Tahlia McGrath.

    The hope for England is that today surely can't possibly be any worse than yesterday...

    'Goodness me!' - England drop seven catches