Can England show some fight, or will this most one-sided of Ashes series continue towards an Australia landslide?
Join us tomorrow to find out.
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I could say that the first hour tomorrow is important, but I wouldn't fool you. The most important time to come in this match is when England put the pads on for their second innings. They will either be following on, or batting to save the match. Either way, it requires a very long effort.
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Jamie in London: Weren't we saying during the NZ series that if we are to embrace this new attacking brand of cricket we'd have to expect and support the odd collapse like this. That didn't last long.
"301 runs, 15 wickets but a strangely unsatisfying day of Test cricket, not that Australia will be complaining."
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Has an Ashes series ever been completed with every match failing to get to the final day? That is what we are facing here, unless England find some fight and/or a bit of rain.
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Ethan Carr: Everybody has been celebrating England's performances and as soon as we play badly it's back to the old pessimistic ways. When will us fans ever be satisfied?
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It might also interest you to know that Gary Ballance, more runs in this series than Adam Lyth and Jos Buttler, has made an unbeaten 98 for Yorkshire today.
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Peter Howard: I know we've regained the urn, but I think this is a pretty strong shout for the worst Ashes series ever. Terrible batting from both teams at various points, multiple no-ball wickets and some fairly flukey bowling. I don't think South Africa or Pakistan will be quaking in their boots.
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More from Steven Finn: "There's still 12 wickets for them to get on a pretty good batting wicket. We have to get through the tricky periods. There's a lot of fight in us yet. We're very much looking to get ourselves out of this situation."
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Stephen Wright: Awful day to be a neutral surely. Zero application by one side and zero contest. Good day for the Aussie contingent no doubt.
Nelson the Cat: The most inept England team to win the Ashes. With thanks to the Australian selectors for not picking Siddle before now
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England bowler Steve Finn on Sky Sports: "We're disappointed, we've had a very, very poor day. Australia batted well then showed us how to bowl.
"It's not a 107-8 pitch. It's a good wicket, but Australia have got more out of it than we did. We didn't bowl well, but not badly either.
"We have to fight tomorrow."
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Graeme Donaldson: Geoffrey Boycott in full flow is a thing to behold. He's absolutely right too.
"You can't go on like that - Lyth, Buttler playing shots like that. It's not good enough."
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More from Australia batsman Steve Smith on Sky Sports: "You can leave balls on length here, I couldn't get in a real rhythm for my first 20 runs but the more time you spend out there, it gets easier. It was part of my game plan to wait for balls to hit."
On the no-balls: "They probably haven't called as many as we actually balled - Mitch Johnson, most of the balls he bowled in his first spell were apparently no balls."
On making England follow on: "It's not my job yet, Michael Clarke's got to decide!"
"If this is the modern way, it's the wrong way. Somehow there needs to be a reminder that an equally important part of Test cricket is to play defensively."
"You need to know when you defend and when you attack. England have committed hari-kari.
"Lyth grafted then Siddle comes on, his second ball is a loosener, a lollipop and he pulls it to deep square leg. Your career is at stake here. Then Bairstow, then Stokes pulling, trying to win the game.
"Buttler can't get a run - he's like a rabbit caught in the headlights of Ashes cricket. A seven-year-old schoolboy would have played better. There has to be a question mark over his Test future. His mind and confidence look shot for Test cricket - it's pathetic."
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After Alastair Cook was bowled by a very good delivery from Nathan Lyon on the stroke of tea, the procession really got under way in the evening. In all, seven wickets for 46 runs. Some, like Joe Root and Ian Bell, fell to very good balls. Others, like Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, played idiotic pull shots. Jos Buttler inexplicably missed a straight ball. Adam Lyth moved closer to the axe.
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Australia batsman Steve Smith on Sky Sports: "That's the best we've bowled all series, we created pressure, made them earn their runs and got eight wickets, so it speaks for itself. There's enough there in the wicket if you hit the right spot. I was disappointed not to get more runs in the third and fourth Test, but pleased to get some today."
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But the sniff was snuffed out by Mitchell Starc's 52-ball 58. Along with Smith, he took Australia to 481 all out. Still, with the sun shining and the pitch looking good to bat on, England should have held no fear. Cue the carnage.
"England will follow-on tomorrow and it will be all over by Saturday night."
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It was actually going reasonably well for England this morning. Steve Smith completed a hundred for the Aussies, but four wickets in the second hour, including two in one Moeen over, saw England reduce the Aussies to 376-7 at lunch. They had a sniff.
"When the going gets tough, they run for the hills. There's been no application, no determination to turn the game around. They simply have a swipe and get out."
"It was a wonderful day watching if you were a neutral. If you were an England supporter, you're staggered. That was a pathetic display of batting.
"England have got sucked in. They believe their own publicity - we're going to play attacking, aggressive cricket. There was some really really bad cricket. We want application, we want fight, we want some adaptability to the conditions."
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Peter Fletcher: It's very straightforward: England just need to stop playing test matches in London.
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Can you quite believe that? England, so dominant since Lord's, have been kicked all round The Oval. Is it the conditions? A series-winning hangover? Or do Australia only do the business in London?
"That is another extraordinary day of Ashes Test cricket. Australia have got England on the run - hopelessly on the run."
Close of play
Eng 107-8
The carnage is over, until tomorrow at least. England, the Ashes winners, have been steamrollered by a brilliant display from a wounded Australia. In replay to the Aussies' 481 all out, England have limped to 107-8. It's looking for all the world like this series will end up as one of the most bizarre 3-2 scorelines you could ever see.
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Andy, Worcester: Only Yorkshire folk could be questioning Moeen's role in this side. Daryl Mitchell to replace Lyth, I say.
Eng 107-8
The rarest of rare things, a Siddle bad ball, is flicked for four by Moeen, who gets nothing else remotely hittable. Off-stump. Leaves and defence. One to come.
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Rory Taylor: The good thing about our tickets for tomorrow is that we'll get to see Cook lift the Ashes.
Eng 103-8
Last over of the day, to be delivered by Peter Siddle...
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Stuart Foster: England have won the Ashes because they are marginally less worse then Australia.
Eng 103-8 (trail by 378)
Moeen does that thing that Australia did but England have been incapable of - leave the ball. Mitchell Marsha, Test-best figures to his name, skids from the sunshine towards the shadows and explores the off-stump channel. Moeen not interested. A siren is heard in the distance. It's an ambulance for this England innings. I'm afraid it's too late.
"This is the strangest Test series I've ever seen. England have thoroughly deserved to win but there have been some weird and wonky Test matches."
Eng 102-8 (trail by 397)
Why have all the Test matches in this series been so one-sided? Why has neither team been able to put up a fight when they are behind? Where's the spirit of Mike Atherton? In the England dressing room, Ben Stokes has his hand on his head on his hand as he looks at a laptop, while Jos Buttler leans on the door like a man denied entry to a nightclub. In front of him is a cuddly rabbit. Is it signalling no-ball? Three overs left, have to be bowled by 18:30.
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Gareth Evans: Good to see England have my Friday-evening-at-work attitude and have stopped doing any proper work.
Langs_London: This is like turning up to your own party, throwing up on your guests and falling in your cake...
Eng 101-8 (trail by 380)
Cheers for the Wood boundary that takes England past 100, while the fact they have made it to 18:20 means they wouldn't have to follow-on tonight. There are songs inside The Oval for the first time in the match. England fans awake when their team is getting thrashed.
"The umpire's just not bothered looking for that. It was a whopper."
Wood caught off a no-ball on 4
Eng 97-8
Scratch the wicket, yet another batsman is caught from a massive no-ball. Not just a small no-ball, but a massive no-ball. Poor from Mitchell Marsh, poor from Mark Wood to edge to first slip. Very, very poor from Kumar Dharmasena not have spotted the over-step. Why isn't he watching? That's twice today. Still, the bowler should be behind the line.
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Paul Mitchell: Is this the poorest quality Ashes ever? Laughably bad cricket throughout.
AC: Obviously I am delighted with the #Ashes result but the standard of cricket has been unbelievably low.
Eng 92-8 (trail by 389)
There are six overs left in the day. Are you backing England to get through them? As we've said before, it's like England have been playing a different sport, on a different surface. Whereas Australia showed patience, England have opted for the bull-in-a-china shop style of batting. Edge from Moeen Ali, just short of first slip. Every ball is a wicket-taking grenade.
"This is the first time Mitchell Marsh has taken three wickets in an innings."
Eng 92-8 (Marsh 5-2-8-3)
If you've just joined us, this is not Australia batting. England really are 92-8. The Ashes winners have lost seven wickets for 48 runs. On a pitch where Australia scored 481. In the sunshine. Mark Wood the new man. He can't do much worse.
"It's inexplicable - how Australia are 481 all out and England are 92-8."
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Broad c Voges b Marsh 0 (Eng 92-8)
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What I meant to say is that England will do well to make it through the night. On a road, in the sunshine, they have been reduced to 92-8. Stuart Broad never looked like resisting and fends Mitchell Marsh to first slip, where Adam Voges take a good catch. Are England still hungover from Trent Bridge? Already on holidays? Either way, this is awful.
Eng 92-7
PACopyright: PA
Replays show the rare celebrations of the Aussie fans in the background as the ball dropped into Nevill's gloves. Michael Clarke has a smile on his face. I don't think we've seen that since Lord's. Stuart Broad the new man, playing and missing then edging short of Clarke at second slip. England might not make it through the night...
"What's happening out there? This is extraordinary Test cricket."
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Stokes c Nevill b Marsh 15 (Eng 92-7)
PACopyright: PA
Did I say that this pair were showing application? Scratch that. Ben Stokes is the second man to join the 'Idiotic Pull Shot Club', not bothering to have a look at Mitchell Marsh and instead trying to belt the ball to Vauxhall station. Marsh's first delivery, short of a length, a Stokes pull shot going straight up and into the paws of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. Awful and ugly.
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Nicholas Carvallo: More questions than answers after this series I'm afraid. Cook, Bell and Lyth offer nothing when opposition score big, it's got to be a time for some youth...
Eng 92-6 (trail by 389)
A shadow creeps across the outfield, looming menacingly behind Nathan Lyon as he prepares to deliver the ball to this pair of left-handers. Nice from Lyon, dippy turny, but this seventh-wicket pair are showing a modicum of application. Atmosphere non-existent in the ground, the crowd must have been stunned into silence.
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Christopher David: Poor looking scorecard but still - it's not 60 all out is it...
Eng 88-6 (Stokes 13, Moeen 1)
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Eeesshh that's quick from Mitchell Johnson, forcing Ben Stokes to jack-knife backwards to make sure he doesn't take one on the bonce. The speedo up towards 90, Stokes doing well to force off the back foot for a couple. Stokes gets into his stance, checks his box (I would too if I was facing Mitchell Johnson) and looks calm in defence.
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Joe Bishop: So what we've learnt from this series is that England shouldn't play cricket in London.
Joe Penrose: England slowly collapsing like a flan in a cupboard.
Eng 86-6 (trail by 395)
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That England collapse from 46-1 to 84-6 was 5-38. Surrender in the sunshine. Ten overs left in the day, England have lost four wickets in the last 10. Lyon with the first, dipping the ball in to Moeen Ali, who shows that rarest of things; a solid defence.
"Even with the iffy forecast for Sunday and Monday, Australia are taking the rain out of it."
Eng 85-6 (need 197 to avoid follow-on)
Graeme Swann has correctly spotted that Moeen is still wearing the same lid. He gives a thumbs up to Ben Stokes, but you suspect he should be ready for more chin music. Incidentally, there was immediate concern from Michael Clarke, who only needs to look at the black band on his arm for the reminder of the dangers of a short ball.
"Moeen Ali should be changing his helmet after being hit there. Like motorbike helmets... once they've been hit, you need to change them. You can't take any chances these days."
Eng 85-6
Welcome to the bear pit, Moeen Ali. A Mitchell Johnson bumper finds the target, pinning Moeen on the back of the head. Will the real Australia please stand up? Where has this been all series?
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James McHale: Cricketing equivalent of taking the ball home. Capitulation in the face of a big total.
Jonny Lipsham Studio: I have seen primary school batting in the Scottish Highlands better than this!
Darrell Reynolds: I know we have won the Ashes but to bat like this on a flat wicket is a disgrace!
Eng 85-6 (Lyon 7-2-27-2)
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Looking again, Buttler has missed that ball by miles. In the midst of an Ashes win, little has been made of the England wicketkeeper's struggles in this series. He's kept well, but managed only 80 runs at an average of 11. Is his place secure? Moeen Ali the latest pushed out of the door in an attempt to halt the Aussie charge.
"It was a good ball from Lyon, from round the wicket, enticing Buttler to drive. He's bowled through the gate but he shouldn't have been driving at that so early in his innings. It was ludicrously loose. England are 84-6 on a featherbed."
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Buttler b Lyon 1 (Eng 84-6)
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This is very, very inept from a team that has won the Ashes. Jos Buttler is the latest to join the procession of shame, somehow missing a straight ball from Nathan Lyon. Round the wicket, length, middle stump, Buttler driving to leave a gap big enough to drive a tank through. Bowled through the gate. Awful. The Oval quieter than silent. England on the way to a shellacking.
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Matthew Warne: Shocking from Bairstow.
Peter Wickham: Before today Bell averaging 53 in series, now 47. Drop him? Why?
Eng 84-5 (Johnson 6-3-19-1)
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It's hard to describe how poor that was from Bairstow, a man who was bounced out by Johnson at Edgbaston. The trap was so obvious, Johnson could have shouted it would be a short ball from the end of his run. Two men on the hook, a short leg. Still, it wasn't a particularly good ball. Bairstow was trying to fetch a ball from well outside the off stump with a paddle pull. Is he definitely on tour this winter? He averages 27 in 17 Tests. Jos Buttler the new man.
"If you play a pat-on-the-head hook shot and you get it wrong, it just spoons up in the air. It was so wide he could have square-cut it. England miles behind and five down."
"I just don't get the inability of either team to get their heads down and knuckle down. I don't care if it's the modern way - it's the wrong way."
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Bairstow c Lyon b Johnson 13 (Eng 83-5)
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Jonny Bairstow, this is absolutely awful. Your team are four down for nothing, you are facing Mitchell Johnson for the first time in your innings and you decide to pull your first ball. Did you see Nathan Lyon lurking at deep square leg? Not even the obligatory wait to check the no-ball can save you. Be away, back to the pavilion. That was village.
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Charlie Drayton: Sorry to play the pessimist but there are far more concerns in this England team than many are suggesting, and this series win has mostly been down to poor Aussie batting. The captain is not getting significant runs and doesn't have a solid opening partner, and there's still confusion over the role of Moeen Ali...
Eng 82-4
More danger for England, Mitchell Johnson is at the end of his run. The evening sunshine feels like the time Johnson is at his most blood-thirsty.
"This has shades of Lord's about it - you come to the capital, the wicket is more batsman-friendly and their bowlers put it in the right place. Thank heavens Peter Siddle didn't play the whole series."
Eng 82-4 (trail by 399)
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Spin, Nathan Lyon replacing Peter Siddle and immediately creating a chance. His shaven head round the wicket to Stokes, who flat-footedly edges past the helpless Michael Clarke at slip. Every ball an event at the moment, mainly because each one carries a wicket threat. There are 13 overs left in the day. You wouldn't bet much that England will make it to the close five down.
Which ground produces the best matches?
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We asked you to vote on which Test ground in England produces the best matches, taking into account the pitch and atmosphere.
A hefty 39% of those who voted said Edgbaston, with Trent Bridge second on 16% and Headingley third on 14%. Click on the 'Vote' tab for the full results.
Eng 70-4 (trail by 411)
A final point on the Root dismissal. Yesterday, Michael Clarke was sent on his way by Snicko largely because he had been given out on the field. The on-field umpire thought there was an edge, the technology said there was a sound, on your way. Here, Root was given not out on the field. Is a slight spike on Snicko really enough to conclusively prove he hit it? Marsh as a shadow from a floodlight lies across the wicket, Stokes driving imperiously for four.
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Ashley Wells: This is a carbon copy of Lord's. It'll be somewhat embarrassing parading the Ashes if we end up being thrashed.
Mike Speirs: After weeks of unbelievable English cricket, normality returns.
Eng 66-4 (trail by 415)
The one-sided nature of this series continues. All four matches, regardless of who was victorious, have been won at a canter. This time it's Australia who are dominating, Michael Clarke buzzing around, pulling strings like a man captaining for the first, not the last time. Siddle has provided both control and threat, again he probes Jonny Bairstow. Scoreboard at a standstill, wickets in peril.
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Charlie Rhodes: Was there really enough evidence to overturn the decision?
Martin Nesbit: OK, how do I turn these wicket alerts off now?
Eng 64-4 (Marsh 3-1-4-1)
AFPCopyright: AFP
There was varying degrees of appeal from Australia. Bowler Marsh and second slip Adam Voges were convinced, keeper Nevill and second slip Michael Clarke didn't even go up. To reiterate, nothing on Hot Spot, Root given out on the evidence of Snicko. Further replays show how it took about five Australia fielders to convince Clarke to review. The upshot is this; Ben Stokes is the new man, England need this red-haired pair to dig them out of a big hole.
"The TV umpire got that absolutely dead right. England are in trouble."
WICKET
Root c Nevill b Marsh 6 (Eng 64-4)
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This is not the end we have heard of this dismissal. Joe Root is given out on the evidence of Snicko, with third umpire S Ravi saying the spike of noise coincided with the moment the ball passed the bat. Root stomps off shaking his head, while Australia are roaring with delight. Boos inside The Oval. Either way, England are drowning in the soup.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
AFPCopyright: AFP
Lots of replays. It was a jaffa from Marsh, bouncing and moving away. Still we wait.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
Nothing on Hot Spot, but there is a hint of something on Snicko. Remember, Root has been given not out, so we need evidence to overturn.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
Australia are absolutely convinced Marsh has Root caught behind. Huge appeal, followed by a shake of the umpire's head. Cue review.
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Mike Ball: Confused by the talk around Moeen Ali replacing Lyth at the top of the order for England. Did no one learn from Trott opening?
Huw Braithwaite: In the last year or two England have really struggled to chase big scores. Need a solid top order in place!
Eng 64-3
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Joe Root talks to himself. Not just a few words, but a whole conversation. Something along the lines of "is there any chance of someone else getting some runs. I can't keep digging these clowns out of trouble". If he is irked, his mood won't be improved by one from Marsh that spits and hits him on the hand. Then...
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Tony Kibble: England 60 for 3, that's twice as much as we normally get for three down. #Babysteps #improvement
Eng 61-3 (trail by 420)
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As the shadows lengthen, it's looking like a different game. At times yesterday and today, Australia's progress was serene, while England didn't look like taking a wicket. Now, every ball seems fraught with danger. Funny how that happens when one side racks up 481. Bairstow away with a single.
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Steve Ashfield: Two more cheap dismissals from Lyth and Bell, how many more chances will they get just because we have a winning side.
Evan Samuel: Got to wonder how Siddle would have gone at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, really. Bowled, son.
Ewan Ramsay: Siddle what a beauty. Should have been in team since day one.
Eng 60-3 (Siddle 5.3-2-11-2)
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Siddle celebrated with an Alan Shearer-style arm-raised run, while The Oval responded with, well, nothing. What was supposed to be an Ashes coronation is heading towards a spoilt party. Replays show just how good a ball that was from Siddle, literally clipping the top of the off bail. Jonny Bairstow the new man. Yorkshire v Australia.
"It was a good ball but Bell hasn't looked comfortable at all. In the whole innings he has been like a cat on a hot tin roof."
WICKET
Bell b Siddle 10 (Eng 60-3)
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Peter Siddle, where have you been all summer? An absolute rozzer does for Ian Bell, angling in, pitching on middle, nipping away to defeat the leaden-footed batsman and trim the top of the bails. A drinks carrier all summer, Siddle now has Lyth and Bell, while England are slipping into a deep spot of bother. The Oval is silent.
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Richard J Law: England have actually won the Ashes with only 10 men per game as Lyth has contributed pretty much nothing.
Jack Weston: Goodbye Adam, you've had your 9 Lyths.
Eng 60-2 (trail by 421)
Mitchell Marsh, a haircut you can set your watch to, scurries in, shaping the ball away from Ian Bell under blue sky and fluffy cloud. Lots of chat about the England XI for the next Test against Pakistan. If Moeen does open, presumably England will still need a reserve batsman. Alex Hales? Gary Ballance? Good over from Marsh, just an inside-edged single from it.
Australia 481: Smith 143, Warner 85, Voges 76; Finn 3-90, Moeen 3-102, Stokes 3-133
Eng 59-2 (trail by 422)
Don Bradman of live texters? You're too kind, Higgo, but the truth is nearer Mark Lathwell. Nineteen overs remain in the day, Australia with their tails up and the backing of heavy scoreboard pressure. England in survival mode.
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Adam Lee: My England XI vs Pakistan: Cook, Ali, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Rashid, Wood, Broad, Anderson.
Eng 59-2 (Bell 9, Root 6)
PACopyright: PA
It's a glorious evening now - spectators using cards given to them to signify boundaries to shelter from the sun, gentlemen of a certain vintage sipping refreshing beverages. You get the picture. In the middle, Peter Siddle gets Joe Root to nick off but the catch drops short of the slips. And with that, my time is up. Here's the Don Bradman of live texters, Stephan Shemilt.
Eng 59-2 (trail by 422)
Time for some Mitchell Marsh, who shapes a nice delivery past Joe Root's outside edge. Displaying his inconsistency, however, he then strays down leg and the batsmen help themselves to a leg-bye. Maiden.
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Daniel Webster: Win lose or draw, the one thing I want now from England is for the top order to stay in for a bit and a get a score. This Root to the rescue business is getting a little worrying. If this team is going to prosper going into the future the 1, 2 and 3 need to become more consistent
Eng 58-2
Joe Root, like Michael Clarke, has a back problem. And, like Clarke, he is wearing a jumper while batting. It's not affecting him too much at present though, the right-hander flicking a couple off his pads and into the leg side. There's then some goalkeeping practice for Peter Nevill when a Peter Siddle delivery shapes towards first slip. Plenty in it for the bowlers. A good pitch.
Knives out for Lyth?
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Ian Bradley: Lyth finds an even more disappointing way than his usual caught behind to get out, nothing shot, surely end of road.
Toby Pimlott: Get a wicket alert on the BBC app and could have told you before I looked it was Lyth getting out #shock
Jonny Bairstow appears to have his eyes closed on the England balcony. He'll soon wake up when Mitchell Johnson whistles one past his nose. Joe Root is relishing the battle, grinning like a schoolboy who's just been told off for talking in class as he evades another bouncer. Which, coincidentally, was a no ball. One of many sent down by the quick man.
"Even if Australia win the Ashes here in 2019, they won't have won a Test series here for 18 years - they've never gone longer than that without winning here."
Eng 54-2 (trail by 427)
AFPCopyright: AFP
Ian Bell has three half-centuries this summer, yet it still feels like he's not quite fulfilled his obvious potential. Joe Root has two centuries and two fifties. More adept at kicking on? Peter Siddle is doing what he does best, bowling dot ball after dot ball. The type of over which would end in a Kevin Pietersen dismissal back in the day. His figures are spoilt, however, when Bell drives four through the covers.
"When Darren Lehmann came to Yorkshire as overseas player, he used to stand in the team room and say 'bowl three maidens, something will happen'."
Knives out for Lyth?
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Karl Reynolds: I blame the 666 on Lyth's chest...should have opted to skip it!
CHaMbO: I think he's used up all his Lyths.
Fenners: Lyth was stitched up by his captain when he chose to spend a day & a half chasing leather, rather than batting on a flat deck.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 50-2 (Bell 5, Root 4)
AFPCopyright: AFP
A penny for Jonny Bairstow's thoughts. Mitchell Johnson is bowling the type of spell which sent the young Yorkie packing at Edgbaston. What a delivery that was - the best of the series for me. Fast, hostile, at the throat and Bairstow edged behind.
Joe Root is being peppered and the short leg is waiting ready to pounce. MJ has his tail up. Like a shark circling an injured surfer, he can smell blood. Another maiden.
Get ready for the Rugby World Cup
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It's nearly time for the next major sporting event - and in preparation we've added rugby alerts to the BBC Sport app.
You can get the line-ups, scores and results for your country and club sides; stay right across the match even when you're out and about.
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If you're not sure what push alerts are, they are little pop-ups which tell you when something of direct interest to you has happened, for example your country or club side have scored a try, or your football team have scored. More details here.
Eng 50-2 (trail by 431)
Peter Siddle has spent the early part of the summer playing for Lancashire and he's more than useful in these conditions - running one past Ian Bell's outside edge. A lot of energy goes into his bustling run-up, yet he's nothing more than an 85mph bowler. Good as he is at what he does. Another maiden. Three in a row.
"The Australians are bowling nicely. They have that intensity with the backing of scoreboard pressure. Ian Bell just hasn't got the rhythm of batting."
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 50-2
AFPCopyright: AFP
Mitchell Johnson is brought back for a burst. Joe Root and Ian Bell have seen it all before... but do they have the ability to do something about it? Ian Healy reckoned every batsman in the world could pick Shane Warne but they just couldn't play him. Joe Root manages to duck beneath a rapid bouncer. Clearly rattled he wafts at one outside off stump.
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Ben from Alberta: I am interested in this idea of batsmen talking to themselves. We had a fast bowler in school in the UK who was constantly talking to himself. He was a bit nutty anyway so we never thought anything of it, but he was a wicked bowler so it obviously helped. Who else talks to themselves at the crease etc?
Ex-West Indies batsman Carlisle Best (uncle of Tino) used to commentate on himself while batting!
Celeb spotting at The Oval
Former England bowler Stuart Meaker rubbing shoulders with Apprentice stars...
Eng 50-2 (trail by 431)
Nathan Lyon is round the wicket to the right-handers, an air of expectation surrounding his every delivery. From the bowler and the close fielders at the very least. The sort of aura which Shane Warne had throughout his career. The sort of aura you suddenly get when you bowl the England captain with one which pitches on leg and takes out off.
Knives out for Lyth?
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Bobbinson Crusoe: Spent ages like half of Yorkshire calling for Lyth's inclusion, but he just seems out of his depth I'm afraid.
Andy Donley: As Lyth throws his wicket away in embarrassing fashion, Hales approaches a run-a-ball double century at Warwickshire...
Paul Lewis: What is Lyth doing playing a shot like that when you are trying to save a Test match? Surely his England career is over now.
Eng 50-2 (Bell 5, Root 4)
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Joe Root marches to the crease with England in another sticky situation - both openers gone with less than 50 on the board - and he smashes his first ball for four. His second? It's a loud leg-before appeal but the ball is clearly going down leg.
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AFPCopyright: AFP
Evan Samuel: That'll be Lyth out for P45, then...
James 'Tinch' Stride: And with that stupid shot goes Lyth's England career.
"He played nicely and then a rash, horrible shot - Lyth will be unhappy with that. He would have been wanting to make a mark on this Test, bearing in mind tours to be picked..."
WICKET
Lyth c Starc b Siddle 19 (Eng 46-2)
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Can you believe it? The lesser spotted Peter Siddle, who is also of lesser pace than his seam bowling colleagues, drops one into the middle of the pitch and Adam Lyth plays a horrible pull shot which sees the ball spoon to mid-on.
Ashes souvenirs
We asked what souvenirs the Aussies can take home from this Ashes tour. Here's one we came up with...
Send us your ideas for Ashes mementos.
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Eng 45-1 (Lyon 1-14)
PACopyright: PA
Adam Lyth is playing Nathan Lyon well, which bodes well for his chances should he go to the UAE this winter. He rocks back in his crease and cuts four backward of point. He's got the start he craves, now he's got to build on it. As I type though... there's a play and miss and an edge drops short of first slip. Shows what I know.
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John Rodway: When was the last Ashes series when neither batting captain scored a hundred?
Rory Taylor: Steve Smith has had a bad series but is still the highest run scorer, couldn't stick around when it mattered.
Eng 40-1 (trail by 441)
Mitchell Starc bowls some spiteful deliveries at times, one rearing off a good length and smashing into the fingers of Ian Bell. A scream of anguish follows. As he runs through to the other end, that must surely be one of the most painful singles he's ever scored.
Are there 99 different explanations?
Text 81111
Mike in Liverpool: The '99' was coined in Portobello, Scotland, in 1922, by the Arcari family, who owned a well known ice cream shop there. They sold ice-creams with half a large 'Flake' inserted in the top, and reputedly gave it the name based on living in 99 high street.
Richard, Bishop's Stortford: An ice cream served in a cone with a Flak e99 is the UK's favourite ice cream. In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King had an elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers. Subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99".
Christian from Essex (and others): It's called a 99 because the flake had to be 99 millimetres long.
Eng 37-1 (10 overs)
APCopyright: AP
Nathan Lyon has a spring in his step. When a spinner realises the pitch is turning on day two, it's like finding a fiver in an old suit jacket. Pure glee. Adam Lyth gets back in his crease and watches the ball onto the bat as shadows begin to form on this sunny Friday evening. A leg-before shout when the ball strikes Lyth on the pad but it's outside the line and there's a little inside edge too.
Ashes souvenirs
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Mark W: 'Calypso Collapso' is seen in newspaper extracts from the early 1970s on the film 'Fire in Babylon'. It referred to the Windies.
I take it all back... I must've heard it before and not realised. I'll get my coat.
Eng 36-1 (Lyth 12, Bell 2)
Ian Bell opens his stance ever so slightly to deal with the left-arm angle of Mitchell Starc, talking to himself as the bowler runs up. He's not the only one - Ricky Ponting would tell himself to concentrate before each delivery. Bell knocks a single to square leg where Chris Rogers runs round the ball before fielding it. Taking the scenic route.
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Stalky George: Alex Hales chugging along nicely at Trent Bridge, fast approaching three times what the whole of Australia managed at Trent Bridge. England have to fit him in somewhere. He is a match-winner!
Eng 35-1 (trail by 446)
Ian Bell is off the mark with a gentle push into the off side. Adam Lyth raises him with a late cut for four.
Eng 30-1
With 34.5 overs left in the day, Ian Bell strides out to start his innings alongside Adam Lyth. Spin first up as Nathan Lyon finishes his over.
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99 debate
Around the counties
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Alex Hales has plenty of people advocating him for a Test call-up - and they will be pleased to hear he's currently 170 not out for Nottinghamshire as they've reached 307-1 against Warwickshire in the County Championship. He's added an unbroken 246 with Steven Mullaney, who has 107.
Meanwhile, England discard Gary Ballance is 35 not out in Yorkshire's 215-5 against Sussex.
Dan in London: All this talk about Lyth struggling - he only needs to score 489 in this match to top the averages for England in the series...
Sri Lanka v India update
AFPCopyright: AFP
At the P Sara Oval in Colombo, India were bowled out for 393 on the second day of the second Test, with KL Rahul hitting 108, while there were fifties for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. The ageless Rangana Herath took 4-111.
It appears there's been a study on '99s' done before. Well worth a read - over here.
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Tony Kibble: 99 is from an Italian origin where 99 means special or first class.
James 'Tinch' Stride: An ice cream with a flake was a 99 cos it used to cost 99p! Now it's like £2.50 ha! Not got the same ring to it...
Get Involved
Afraid not, James. We do have an office Oxford fan but it's not me.
Post update
£2,000 to watch a Ashes Test
Australia fanCopyright: Australia fan
"Erica Thuijs from Perth is no big cricket fan, but her boyfriend insisted that their round-the-world trip would be incomplete without taking in an Ashes Test.
'We would have been pretty disappointed if we have decided to come to the fourth Test instead of the fifth. At least this one is a little more exciting to watch,' said 25-year-old Thuijs.
'Tickets were pretty difficult to come by. We're here with the Cricket Australia tour. We originally got into a ballot directly from the Oval but we missed out and our only option was to go through the tour group. It meant if we had only wanted to come to a couple of days play we wouldn't have been able too. It becomes pretty expensive - for each of it was around £2,000.'"
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Stefan Glosby: Re: "Collapso" - I think Ben Lewis is right. The phrase was used more recently in the song 'It's Just Not Cricket' by The Duckworth Lewis Method in 2013, so it's been around for a while.
"That's a beauty, a legitimate dismissal. The Oval is a great place to bowl spin. It's turned, taken a chunk out of the wicket and hit the off stump, leaving Cook floundering."
Tea
Eng 30-1
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And with Alastair Cook shaking his head and cursing his luck to get a delivery like that, the players march off for tea. Inspired captaincy by Michael Clarke to have the spinner bowling so early. Like a football manager making a double substitution after 30 minutes and being rewarded with a goal.
WICKET
Cook b Lyon 22 (Eng 30-1)
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Sometimes you put your bat under your arm, whip off your helmet and acknowledge you've been dismissed by a ripper. That's what has just happened to Alastair Cook who prods forward at a Nathan Lyon delivery which pitches on middle and leg and clips the top of off.
Eng 30-0 (Starc 0-9)
Two fellas in the crowd sit and eat an ice cream. A 99, in fact. Why do they call an ice cream with a flake in a 99? I've never understood that. Maybe it's just me.
More importantly, Adam Lyth is leaving well and only playing the balls which are going on to hit the stumps. For now at least. Maiden.
Ashes souvenirs
The no ball debate
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Patrick A. Holmes: I wonder if there were any missed no balls in the 2005 Edgbaston Test?
Bruce_zeb: Perhaps the non-calling of no-balls is just an attempt to nullify Extras, the rising star of this Aussie side.
Eng 30-0 (trail by 451)
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I like this from Michael Clarke... spinner on with his fast men being plundered for 26 runs in five overs. The England openers would probably prefer to face pace early on. Alastair Cook is not fazed though... five dot balls and then a late cut for four.
Eng 26-0
Five overs in and off-spinner Nathan Lyon is brought into the attack.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 26-0
Adam Lyth is hit on the pads by Mitchell Starc. Going down leg. Too high. Apart from that... a decent appeal. Not out says umpire Dharmasena.
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Ben Lewis: Did I miss something? I thought the "Collapso" had been around cricket since England's famous "Calypso Collapso" in 2007.
Eng 25-0 (Cook 17 off 12)
Alastair Cook thick-edges Mitchell Starc for four. The runs are flowing for England. Did Australia only get 481 on this? 300 below par if you ask me.
Eng 21-0 (4 overs)
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Alastair Cook has a close shave when a seagull flies overhead and the shadow it produces puts off the batsman who is late to jam his bat down on a Mitchell Johnson thunderbolt. The skipper looks in good touch though... flicking three through mid-wicket. Adam Lyth does the same to a similar delivery and it goes for four.
The no-ball debate
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Phil Marvin: If this Test match is lost by a couple of runs will the third umpire go thru every delivery to count the missed no-balls for extras?
Jack Blackburn: Why not give the responsibility of calling no-balls to the third umpire? They can radio it down. Gives onfield umpires less to do.
Eng 14-0
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Good cricket. Mitchell Johnson tests out the middle of the pitch, the ball arrives at a height which tickles Alastair Cook's fancy and he pulls it for four through mid-wicket.
Eng 8-0 (Lyth 4, Cook 4)
Mitchell Starc has got Adam Lyth three times in this series, so it's about time the boy from Whitby landed a few counter punches. Watching the ball onto the bat, he plays some solid forward defensive shots. He's clearly stuck in two minds - if he's positive and goes hard outside off stump, he runs the risk of being caught in the slip cordon. Again. Maiden over.
'The fairytale didn't work out...'
Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
"I've been chatting to some Australians in the crowd, many of whom have flown around the world to watch a dead rubber - but still seemed remarkably chipper.
"Melbourne refrigerator mechanic Max Stevenson (left) and his plumber friend Luke Clarke (right) started saving up about a year ago for flights and the £2,000 cricket package.
'Our trip was based around the cricket,' said Stevenson, 24. 'We tried to get tickets to Lord's but we missed out. It was heartbreaking at home, I felt ill. Staying up all night to watch it, work has been interesting with no sleep. We were expecting it to be 2-2 but the fairytale didn't work out.'
Clarke, 24, added: 'It took a lot of saving, we had to put aside a few hundred bucks every week. "It was devastating watching them lose before we left, it wasn't even close. But we're still having fun.'"
Post update
Eng 8-0 (trail by 473)
What's going on here? Mitchell Johnson is thick-edged for four through the gully region by Alastair Cook. Replays show it was a no-ball - and it wasn't called. Why do umpires not look for front-foot fouls any more? Like somebody said earlier, if they can find technology of a similar ilk for 10-pin bowling...
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Martin: I really wish some would refer to the fact that Lyth should have been bloodied in the West Indies instead of the awful management decision by Moores to play Trott as opener. Lyth could have been set by now, instead he has not settled.
"Mitchell Johnson is opening the bowling, meaning there are two left-armers opening the bowling to two left-handed openers, the first time that has happened in an Ashes Test."
Post update
Mitchell Johnson to take the new ball, in the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
Eng 4-0
Adam Lyth shows the bowler all three of his stumps before his trigger movement, which sees him cover two of them with his pads. Crouching ever so slightly he lets a couple go which are on a certain length. Trust the bounce.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 4-0 (trail by 477)
Rather like having a nip of whiskey before taking to the stage, Adam Lyth has his nerves settled when he squirts a yorker-length ball for four. That'll do.
"This will be a really good test for Lyth. The ball is swinging, but it's a very good pitch. If you're going to face swing music, this is the pitch to do it on. This is a chance for him to keep his place."
Eng 0-0
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Mitchell Starc's first ball to Adam Lyth is a bouncer. Right past the grille of a leaping Lyth. Chin music.
Ashes souvenirs
BBCCopyright: BBC
Post update
AFPCopyright: AFP
Adam Lyth and Alastair Cook, in sync, trot out as though they are treading water. A few squats and they're ready to take on a 90mph ball being flung at their head.
I wonder how Adam Lyth is feeling right about now? Many an England batsman has booked his winter plane ticket with a hundred at The Oval...
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Roy Naidoo: Agree about southern Tests being more commercial, maybe explains why the pitches are better batting tracks?
PaulHendo1974: Seems all future Ashes Tests should be played at Headingley, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Durham, then...
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I'll be honest... I'm pretty happy with this having coined the phrase earlier in the summer.
Post update
Thanks Mark. Good test of England now... how will they respond to scoreboard pressure? It didn't go well at Lord's and this winter they're likely to be chasing similar scores against Pakistan in the UAE and South Africa.
Post update
And having wrapped up the tail, high time for me to hand you to Marc Higginson to talk you through England's reply.
Text 81111
Eccy, a Lancastrian in Yorkshire: Is a draw the best we (England) can hope for now? A day and a half in the field; anyone else feel a 3-40 coming on?
"He moved a couple of paces to his right, took the catch, threw the ball up and legged it off. Lyth has shown promise with the bat, but he has to get runs. He'll be nervous now."
WICKET
Siddle c Lyth b Finn 1 (Aus 481 all out)
Not awkward. Siddle is superbly caught by Adam Lyth diving to his right at gully, and the Yorkshire opener has no time to celebrate as it's time for him to dash off and put his pads on. With his Test career in the balance.
Aus 481-9 (Stokes 29-6-133-3)
Stokes was a little expensive when Smith and Starc were at the crease, but he was vindicated asking for a review of that Starc lbw. Lyon negotiates the over safely, twice picking out Moeen Ali who makes a couple of good stops at point, and then lifting the ball over the non-striker's head but it drops safely in front of mid-on. And as if to show he's no mug at number 11, he drives the grinning Stokes past mid-off for four.
Awkward last-wicket stand, anyone?
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David Holliday: This is like winning the Wimbledon final 3-1 and then made to play another meaningless set.
Aus 477-9 (Siddle 1, Lyon 1)
Lyon defends his first ball from Finn as it rears up at him, then knocks a single off his legs to keep the strike.
Ashes souvenirs
Missed run-out chance
Aus 476-9
So England finally have numbers 10 and 11 together, neither of them with a run to their name - how quickly can they wrap up the innings? That wicket fell on the last ball of the over so last man Nathan Lyon is non-striker for now, it's Finn bowling to Siddle who sets off for a risky single... but Jonny Bairstow's throw is wide. If it had hit, Siddle would have been run out by a third of the pitch.
"Usually, Cook gets together with the keeper, but there was no reaction here at all. Stokes wanted it right away and he was justified."
WICKET
Starc lbw b Stokes 58 (Aus 475-9)
"No bat", says third umpire S Ravi, so we go to the ball-tracker... "wickets hitting!" It's been a collector's item in this series, but an on-field decision has been overturned for only the second time (since Warner at Cardiff), and it's easy to see why, the ball whacking Starc on the back pad in front of middle and leg.
"He's gone straight to Cook and said 'I'm having that one, skip'."
Umpire review
Aus 471-8
PACopyright: PA
Having helped himself to a couple more fours, Starc is hit on the boot, Stokes yells for lbw and immediately wants a review...
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Anand Sangha: It seems England are going to be saved by the rain, with heavy rain scheduled for day 4 and 5. Australia would be better served to declare here
Aus 467-8 (Finn 28-7-88-2)
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A wicket maiden for Finn, who let's not forget, has two wickets today - but was denied another earlier by a no ball.
Ashes souvenirs
BBCCopyright: BBC
Here's another one from us...
Aus 467-8 (Starc 50, Siddle 0)
Peter Siddle is the new batsman for his first innings of the series, can Finn clean him up as well? Australia's number 10 plays and misses.
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Miss Stringer: Just when I beginning to think Steve Smith was invincible.
JoElle: England will be asked to follow on here. Calling it now. Hope I'm wrong but…
Ashes souvenirs
And as Michael Clarke likes to remind us at every press conference, he's not a selector.
Drinks break
And on that note, the players are taking some drinks.
"He was getting into one-day mode, clearing the front leg. It was pushed wider from Finn and he tried to smash it through the off side, but he just got the inside edge. His first 20 runs were all over the place, but he's got a really good mentality."
"Smith was looking to get on with it. He leant back and played with a horizontal bat. It was dragged on from a couple of feet outside off stump."
WICKET
Smith b Finn 143 (Aus 467-8)
AFPCopyright: AFP
Steven Finn returns at the Vauxhall End - and it does the trick for England as Smith tries to force him through the leg side and gets an inside edge onto his stumps.
Aus 467-7 (Smith 143, Starc 50)
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Smith guides Stokes between slip and gully for four - this is now the highest eighth-wicket stand (a single takes it to 91) for Australia in Tests on this ground, beating a record that had stood since 1899 - about the time when young Geoffrey was first learning about how to bat on uncovered pitches.
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Jamie in Kingston: Trying to compare Lord's and Trent Bridge is like trying to compare champagne and ale. No prizes for guessing what I was drinking when I watched the Ashes at those grounds this summer!
Post update
Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
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"One of the most striking features of The Oval is the number of nearby properties offering vantage points from which to watch the cricket. As well as the numerous apartment blocks on surrounding streets, the classrooms of the red brick Archbishop Tenison's School provide the perfect view. Can't be much fun being a teacher when there's a match on. Thank goodness it's the school hols."
Aus 462-7 (120 overs)
PACopyright: PA
Thoughts now turn towards possible declaration tactics. Maybe that was why England did a guard of honour for Michael Clarke yesterday - they weren't at all confident that Australia would have to bat again? Root finishes his over, five from it.
50 for Mitchell Starc
Aus 459-7
The crowd rise to applaud Mitchell Starc's sixth Test fifty as he guides Root for a single. It came from 45 balls.
"At Lord's Australia got such a big score that Starc and Johnson had the freedom to sling them down. It will be the same here."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 457-7 (Smith 134, Starc 49)
PACopyright: PA
Starc is closing on a pretty rapid half-century here, whipping Stokes through square leg for another four before clipping a single to the same region. Smith effortlessly chips a single to deep square leg - plenty of effort from Stokes but it's not been his, or England's, session.
"The snicks have fallen short or have gone in the gap. At Trent Bridge and Edgbaston, everything went straight to hand."
Aus 451-7 (Smith 133, Starc 44)
Stokes resumes his bang-it-in-from-round-the-wicket assault at Starc, and is quickly informed by umpire Kumar Dharmasena that he's had his two bouncers for the over. A thick edge past third slip brings Starc four and takes the Aussies past 450...
"That's not an easy chance. He clipped it and it went very quickly. Wood got both hands to it, but when his elbow landed on the ground the ball bounced out."
Dropped catch
Aus 446-7 (118 overs)
Dropped! Starc tries to force Root off his legs and is put down by Mark Wood at backward square leg. A hard chance... but a chance.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 442-7
Having been called upon for that one over before lunch, England turn back to Joe Root's off-spin, it's an in-out field with a slip, a leg slip, two other men in the circle and the other five back on the fence. Starc has a big heave... but misses.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 439-7 (Smith 132, Starc 38)
Stokes is attacking with three slips, but Starc and Smith pick off some singles. Batting hasn't been this easy for the Aussies since... Lord's.
"That is a batsman looking after a tailender... Steve Smith saw Mitchell Starc was hurt after the bouncer and pulled him through for a quick single."
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Robert Way: I can't believe so many people have voted for Lord's for having the best pitches/atmosphere… I imagine these voters are mainly called Bruce and Charlene.
Aus 436-7
Stokes goes round the wicket to the left-handed Starc, who is rapped on the glove by a lifter. It's his bowling hand, as well... but he seems to be OK.
"There's a bit there for the spinner, the ball has turned off the straight and Nathan Lyon will be watching keenly. I'm intrigued to see how England play this from now, with the scoreboard pressure."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 435-7 (Smith 130, Starc 36)
And that's four more as Starc repeats the shot for a first-bounce four. It's a hundred up for Moeen, who has 3-102 from 18 overs - that last over from Stokes also took him into three figures (he has 2-101 from 24).
My kingdom for a wicket, Captain Cook may be thinking.
"That's the way tailenders should play. Starc's played well on the back foot and then when it came into his eyeline he swings through the line of the ball."
Aus 431-7
Starc swings lustily, lifting Moeen for a six over long-on! That's the fifty stand.
"The game is getting away from England, which is very good for Australia. Tailenders play better when there's a proper batter at the other end."
Aus 424-7 (Smith 129, Starc 26)
Change of bowling - Ben Stokes is going to have a trundle from the Pavilion End. But Starc continues to press his case for promotion up the order, guiding the ball through extra cover and racing back for three as though his life depended on it.
Smith adds some ones and twos, also nicking a four past slip as an expensive over ends, but compared to the high-octane atmosphere of the last two Tests, if ever a match felt like being "after the Lord Mayor's Show"...
"Mitchell Johnson doesn't get it wrong as such in England, he just doesn't move the ball enough laterally to be a success over here. We have slower pitches, we don't have the heat to make them concrete hard like they are in Australia."
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Matthew Walker: Did the Aussies vote for Lord's and The Oval for the best pitches? Hmmmmm.
Aus 413-7 (Moeen 17-1-91-3)
Moeen into his 17th over, the 114th of the innings, but it remains easy pickings for Australia. Smith adds a single, then the Worcestershire man bowls one far, far too short which Starc happily cuts for four. The Aussie fans haven't had a lot to cheer about lately, but they're eagerly waving their flags at that one.
Ashes souvenirs
Vote now
The eagle-eyed among you will notice we've opened up a vote on the best Test venue in England and Wales. Click on your favourite - you can find it on the right-hand side of your screen, or via a "vote" tab (refresh your browser if you can't see it) - and we'll bring you the result later.
Aus 408-7 (Smith 120, Starc 19)
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Starc is showing plenty of application with the bat here, perhaps when Johnson hangs up his boots (one to the left, one to the right) he'll be moving up to number eight. Another flashing cover drive brings him a third boundary of his brief innings... and then he plays and misses in a manner which perhaps shows why he's only batting at nine at this stage. A stifled appeal for lbw off the final ball, but not even Wood appears convinced.
"If Mitchell Starc has a day when he gets the angles right, he can knock two over with the new ball. But he could equally have a day where he struggles to hit the cut strip."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 404-7
AFPCopyright: AFP
Starc, looking comfortable against Moeen's off-spin, helps himself to a three while a couple of leg byes push the tourists' score to the magic 400 mark. A fluent sweep for four takes Smith to 120. Time for a bowling change?
Ashes souvenirs
BBCCopyright: BBC
Russ Saunders: Lived in Melbourne since 2002. After the 2009 series I had this T-shirt printed, as I had suffered plenty of local abuse. They were huge fans.....not! :-)
Aus 395-7 (Wood 25-9-55-1)
Just the one slip in now for Smith as Wood, a few splodges of green on his flannels, sends down another probing maiden over. He comfortably has the best economy rate of all England's bowlers in this Test.
Ashes souvenirs
We've been asking what souvenirs the Aussie fans could take home at the end of their tour...
"Smith has now gone past Chris Rogers as the leading run scorer in the series with 481."
Aus 395-7 (110 overs)
Smith clips Moeen to deep mid-off before daintily sauntering through for a single, as befits a man who's taken 213 balls to score 115. An attractive cover drive brings Starc another four, and it's as if this match has reverted to "first hour mode" when Australia were taking runs at will earlier today, as opposed to "second hour mode" when there were wicket-taking chances at every turn.
Ashes souvenirs
BBCCopyright: BBC
Perhaps there could also be a Steve Smith beer? Bubbly, but best served on a flat wicket.
Aus 388-7 (Smith 114, Starc 7)
Starc, having stolen the strike at the end of the last over, shows Wood a straight bat as he plays out a maiden over, though the left-hander does play and miss at one outside off stump.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 388-7 (Moeen 14-1-72-3)
A few of the crowd are still returning to their seats as Starc gets off the mark with a two past short leg, before Moeen Ali serves up a gilt-edged half-volley outside off stump which Starc (who has a 99 on his Test CV, and I'm not talking ice-cream here) eagerly cuts for four. Yum.
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Hebburnlee: Slow start for Extras but he's now only 10 behind Clarke, Marsh, Nevill and Johnson, combined #goodeffort.
Aus 381-7 (Smith 114, Starc 0)
Geoffrey Boycott on TMS is doubting Wood's ability to get through a five-Test series unscathed, remembering how it would be "a miracle" to get the injury-prone Chris Old to play an uninterrupted run of games for Yorkshire or England. Wood, close to crossing the border between "unshaven" and "bearded", tries to tempt Smith with a few outside off stump, but the Aussie captain-in-waiting opts to leave anything he doesn't have to play at.
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Jon, Upminster: In a dead rubber like this loss of concentration should be on umpires. What they are doing right /wrong how can it be improved, the no ball stuff is woeful, when do club umpires not watch for it!
Rob, Chelmsford: Could one of the reasons for the umpires missing no balls is because they are concentrating on the business end of the wicket. Perhaps that explains why they have made barely any iffy decisions this series (as Andrew Samson points out for the review system). Time for some 'CreaseSpot' technology anyone?
Aus 380-7
Mark Wood to take up the attack from the Pavilion End after that one over of Joe Root, and Steve Smith shows he's back in the zone by pulling his first ball after the interval for four through mid-wicket.
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Nathan Cooper: Surely it would make sense to take no balls out of the hands of the on-field umpires so they can concentrate on the other end of the pitch. The third umpire should give all no balls, which would not be called live, but the following ball could be a free hit.
Aus 376-7
AFPCopyright: AFP
And on that note, we're ready to resume, and we've got one ball of that pre-lunch Moeen Ali over to go. With Australia's lunch watchman Mitchell Johnson dismissed second ball, it's the left-handed Mitchell Starc to face. He defends.
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Merv Hughes was a pretty aggressive character, so I felt the best way was trying to get to know him, speaking to him and having a beer at the end of each Test. He was calling me every name under the sun, but socialising with him was a way of humanising someone trying to terrify you on the field. My Ashes career pre-Glenn McGrath was pretty decent, post-McGrath it wasn't. I got out a lot to Walsh and Ambrose, but I felt I got my fair share of runs against them, which I never did with McGrath."
Ashes souvenirs
BBCCopyright: BBC
With the Ashes nearly over (though we've still got the one-dayers to come), we've been asking around the office what souvenirs any of those yellow-and-green-clad Aussies sat with Merv Hughes and Allan Border at The Oval might like to take home at the end of their tour. Here's the first... and of course we'd like you to send us any suggestions you might have.
Chris Tremlett retires
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John Burns: One review from 32 overturned [see 12:26]? Thank "Umpire's call" for that. Half the time they are wrong but the decision's upheld because of it.
Ludora's Ghost: While I agree that no balls are poor, most of us don't have to do our job with television cameras highlighting every mistake.
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Former players have to take media jobs seriously. They can't just breeze in on the back of their name. But I have to constantly remind myself not to lose empathy with the players, and need to remember how physically arduous and mentally tough it is for the players out there."
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Terry Mahoney: The wicket alert feature on the BBC Sport app seems to be working again OK unlike most of yesterday. Thanks to whoever fixed it.
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Cook and the England team have made a concerted effort to be more open this summer towards the media and former players. Before this Test for instance, being at The Oval, Alec Stewart was invited to come and speak to the team. But ex-players should know the dressing-room isn't the place for them to be."
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J Baillie: Any chance that Mr Boycott could state on air he was wrong about Moeen Ali? Wishful thinking perhaps but he has taken some useful wickets this series.
Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh on TMS: "There's a deep-seated streak of masochism in Australian fans, as the Ashes is our perennial benchmark and gives us a periodic indication of where we stand compared to the rest of the world. Perhaps Australia have repeated the error England made in 2013-14 by bringing a squad with players who were on one tour too many."
Chris Tremlett retires
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As you may have heard earlier, former England fast bowler Chris Tremlett has announced his retirement.
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Channel 9's viewing figures in Australia have been very good, despite Australia not winning. This hasn't been one of the great series, because the games haven't been close enough, but the swings from team to team in game to game have been alarming. I don't think anyone though England would win this series so handsomely - I had predicted 2-2 before the series."
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Orlando in Bath: An ode to Peter Nevill, leaning heavily on the fantastic "Neville Neville" football chant: "Nevill Nevill, that shot was a mess. Nevill Nevill, you're far from the best. Nevill Nevill, off you go. Moeen Ali, I love you so."
Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh on TMS: "The Ashes isn't the oldest rivalry in cricket - I think the USA and Canada have been playing each year since something like 1844 - but it is the one which never seems to go out of date, and we never seem to get sick of. We've had three series in two years, and we're still following it avidly."
Get ready for the Rugby World Cup
AFPCopyright: AFP
It's nearly time for the next major sporting event - and in preparation we've added rugby alerts to the BBC Sport app.
You can get the line-ups, scores and results for your country and club sides; stay right across the match even when you're out and about.
And with cricket, football and Formula 1 alerts also in the app, you can now get all the scores that matter as they happen.
If you're not sure what push alerts are, they are little pop-ups which tell you when something of direct interest to you has happened, for example your country or club side have scored a try, or your football team have scored. More details here.
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Football Fragmento: That was a session of two halves. First half to Australia. Second half England took four wickets. Should have had Smith too.
Dov Tate: One of the strangest things about this series is learning that you can always rely on an Australian collapse sooner or later.
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Many thanks, Stephan, honoured to be here. A curate's egg of a session, really...
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Don't forget that Michael Atherton and Gideon Haigh, two of the world's premier cricket writers, are the Test Match Special guests during the lunch break. Speaking of the world's premier cricket writers, here's Mark Mitchener.
The two-wicket Moeen over takes England to lunch after a morning they will be pretty pleased with. In all, Australia have lost 4-44 and are in danger of being bowled out for less than 400. England would be delirious with that.
"Two-card trick from Moeen Ali - the ball before went on with the arm, but this one drifted in, pitched on middle stump, clipped the top of the off bail. It's not turned a great deal, just enough to get past that outside edge. As a new batsman, subconsciously you think if the first one skids on, the next one will. Great for England."
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Johnson b Moeen 0 (Aus 376-7)
PACopyright: PA
Bowled him! If Moeen Ali got Nevill with a shocker, then he's done Mitchell Johnson with an absolute ripper. Round the wicket to the left-hander, pitching on middle, turning to hold its line and flick back the off stump. The game has come alive in the second hour of the first session and England's lunch will taste a whole lot better.
"He's been burgled! Not a good way to get out - I wonder if Nevill's been caught down the leg side more often in Test cricket, as a percentage, than anyone else. It was a long-hop, but he got a little tickle through to Buttler, and it was a good catch."
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Nevill c Buttler b Moeen 18 (Aus 376-6)
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This is as brilliant from Jos Buttler as it is agonising for Peter Nevill. Buttler has kept well this morning and earns Moeen Ali a wicket from an absolute pie. It's short, down the leg side and Nevill drowns in honey trying to pull. A little under edge is brilliantly held by Buttler, who skips across and holds an under-edge despite being unsighted. A real bonus for England on the stroke of lunch.
"A little goldenarm isn't he, Joe Root? Alastair Cook turns to him when he needs a partnership broken, and he has an uncanny knack of delivering."
Aus 372-5 (105 overs)
Spin from both ends, Joe Root asked to roll his arm over before lunch. Round the wicket, low arm, sleeveless sweater and Milky Bar Kid hair. As the sun pokes through, Nevill dances to take four through mid-wicket.
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Olly H: Anthony Wright [12:52], is that Boycott's grandma's sweeping brush?
Aus 367-5 (Smith 110, Nevill 9)
Anthony, I'm loving that. Always good see examples of cricket in strange places and/or with strange equipment. I find an umbrella to be an excellent substitute for a bat. Smith gets four fine off Moeen Ali thanks to some horrendous fielding from Stuart Broad, then opts to play three awful swipes. Fresh air for all three, but Jos Buttler nearly in the game.
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Aus 363-5 (Smith 106, Nevill 9)
So the last 45 minutes or so have had two wickets, a wicket-that-wasn't and a century. Pretty much more action than we had in the whole of yesterday. Stokes continues with his in-ducking bananas, some 12 minutes or so before lunch. The sun just dips behind a cloud as he serves up a ridiculously high bouncer to Smith, one that is called wide. After all the excitement, maybe both teams need the break.
"Steve Smith joins Tom Graveney and Ashwell Prince as the only players with 11 career centuries having scored all of them in the first innings. It is the 10th time that he has made a hundred in the first innings of the match."
"He's played very well. Very scratchy at first, rode his luck, nearly got out to a horrific shot because of Steven Finn's no-ball, but now he's got his hundred."
100 for Steve Smith
Aus 351-5
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Two years after making his maiden Test hundred on this ground, Steve Smith returns for another as the captain-in-waiting. A clip to mid-wicket and a fumble from Ben Stokes allows Smith through for the single that takes him to an 11th Test ton. He survived yesterday and has racked up the runs with a a plethora of drives through the off side. He celebrates with a kiss of the badge and a dance for a straight six.
Former England captain and current Times chief cricket correspondent Michael Atherton and Australian journalist Gideon Haigh are the lunchtime guests on Test Match Special. That'll be well worth a listen.
Aus 350-5
Smith on 99 and the off-spin of Moeen Ali into the attack. Carrot dangled.
"There's still no leg slip, despite that ball Nevill deflected earlier in the over. He plays very side on, and he's the sort of guy who will get tickles down the leg side."
Aus 350-5 (Smith 99, Nevill 5)
Smith's nerves look to have abated. He's getting right across to the Ben Stokes inswingers, a couple of singles moving him to 99. Nevill is opting for a similar plan - he's been caught down the leg side a couple of times this series. Smith keeps the strike, one away from a ton...
Aus 343-5 (100 overs)
PACopyright: PA
Decent pace from Finn, shaping the ball away from right-hander Nevill, who looks a little nervy, In the deep, Moeen Ali goes through some looseners, so we might be set for a little spin. Outside the playing area, the hum of the crowd just becomes audible, as if the the last half hour has been worth investing in. From looking toothless in the first hour, England have a touch of menace about them.
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Aus 343-5 (Smith 97, Nevill 0)
Good from Stokes, making Smith wait. Inswing, the odd bumper, Smith continues to sit three runs away. Just thinking, after the Mitchell Marsh failure, will Australia recall brother Shaun for the next Test???
"It's not the umpire's fault. The problem lies with the bowler and always has done. Fast bowlers throughout my career bowled no-balls in the nets but always said they wouldn't bowl them in matches. And then they did. That's two matches in a row now for Finn. He is a great mate of mine but he shouldn't be bowling no-balls."
Aus 343-5 (Finn 26-5-88-1)
Peter Nevill is the new man, while England have look to have abandoned the off-side theory against the hundred-hunting Smith. After a pretty humdrum first hour, there's a bit going on.
"I don't think Mitchell Marsh can bat much. There's something to work with as a bowler, but as a batter that was limp. It was a tentative poke... catching practice."
"That was a tame shot, a nice catch from Ian Bell and Steven Finn finally gets to his 100 wicket landmark."
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Marsh c Bell b Finn 3 (Aus 343-5)
AFPCopyright: AFP
Gone this time! Steven Finn's 100th Test wicket with no need to check the front line. It's a very good ball from Finn, pitching on off stump, rising and moving away. Mitchell Marsh has to play, but he can only fend to second slip, where Ian Bell takes a sharp catch above his head. Marsh's poor time continues, while Finn and Stokes have found something for England here.
"There have been 32 reviews in this series so far - and only one decision has been overturned: David Warner at Lord's."
Aus 342-4 (Smith 97, Marsh 3)
I say that Stokes is no longer finding that wicked inswing, but it looks like he's been told not to. England have seven men on the off side for Smith, Stokes is hanging the ball out there, testing his patience. All a bit odd when Stokes has just taken a wicket with a rozzer of an in-ducker.
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Steve Woolerton: If they have the technology for ten-pin bowling, why not cricket?
David Chalmers: How can umpires miss these no balls? I umpire at club level and it is not that difficult.
Aus 341-4 (Smith 96 from 182 balls)
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Smith, bat tapping like a man trying to dig is way home, moves closer when Stokes serves up one that doesn't swing. A wide half-volley is taken through the covers for four.
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Aus 336-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 3)
Still Finn - I can't tell if his front foot is behind the line or not. It's decent stuff, good length with a hint of shape away from this pair of right-handers. In all the no-ball fuss, the fact that Steve Smith is still hunting a century has rather been forgotten.
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Jamie Webb: Why aren't these umpires giving these no balls? I'm sat at square leg and I can see Finn's no ball from here.
Aus 336-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 3)
In all of that, we have missed the fact that Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman and Ben Stokes is bowling inswingers that are travelling around corners. His ball to get Voges moved devilishly from a long way outside the off stump to trap the right-hander on the crease. The Durham all-rounder has looked the most likely of all the England bowlers this morning, making the previous tactic of bowling short look a bit silly.
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Adam Lee: How can a bowler correct himself if he doesn't know if there's anything to correct? Poor from the umpire there.
Aus 336-4
Incidentally, after the Trent Bridge Test, when there were numerous occasions of no-balls not being called, the BBC asked the ICC to comment on the issue. The request was declined.
Scorecard update
Australia 333-4 (94 overs)
Batsmen: Smith 92*, M Marsh 0*
Fall of wickets: 110-1 (Rogers 43), 161-2 (Warner 85), 186-3 (Clarke 15), 332-4 (Voges 76)
Stephen Byrom: Farcical by Finn. No-balls at this level are criminal. Should be fined a proportion of match fee for bowling no balls.
Ian Bradley: When will umpires admit they simply don't look for no balls unless a wicket falls, ridiculous.
Owen Riley: Woeful shot from Smith. Worse from Finn whose big toe was closer to the batsman's crease than the bowler's end.
Aus 333-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 0)
AFPCopyright: AFP
That's the third instance of England taking wickets off no-balls I can remember in this series. Lots of people to blame here. First and foremost, the bowlers. The line doesn't move, so get behind it. But, we've also seen umpires not calling no-balls from deliveries that haven't taken wickets. Why aren't they watching? Why do they only check when a wicket is taken? Meanwhile, Steve Smith is looking very nervous in the 90s.
"His whole foot is three inches over - that's not a fraction. That's bad - that's really bad."
Smith caught off a no-ball on 92
Aus 333-4
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
This is poor from pretty much everyone involved. The headline is this; Steve Smith has been caught behind off a Steven Finn no-ball. The ball after Voges goes, Smith plays a horrible cut and edges behind. England coackahoop, but the replay shows that Finn is miles over. How did Aleem Dar not spot that? Finn wasn't a tiny bit over, but inches. The only explanation is that Dar wasn't looking. It would have been Finn's 100th Test wicket too.
"Good double bluff from Stokes. Voges thought the short one was coming and Stokes caught him on the crease. And a terrible review."
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Voges lbw Stokes 76 (Aus 332-4)
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How England needed this. Ben Stokes is the man to produce a touch of unexpected magic, somehow pulling out a wonderful delivery that hooped back in to Adam Voges and trapped him on the crease. The ball-tracker showed it would have hit middle and leg halfway up, denying Voges a second Test hundred. England will want much more of the same.
"What Smith seems really good at is when he gets in, he makes it count. When you get in, cash in."
Aus 330-3 (Smith 91, Voges 75)
Only two slips for Finn as he pumps his knees towards Smith, whose pursuit of an 11th Test hundred is currently stuck on the Australian unlucky number of 87. Not for long, though, as he cuts a half-tracker for four. If we're honest, there's been a few too many four-balls from England this morning. Smith, fair hair and the waist band of his trousers rolled over (could he not find a pair that fit properly?) is looking immovable.
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Jonathan Durling: All this talk of Lord's and Oval having no atmosphere. How about England v NZ at Lord's when Stokes went barmy? #shortmemories
Matthew Hall: Location nothing to do with poor atmosphere, 100s of runs behind at Lords and Oval, of course the crowds have been a bit flat.
Aus 325-3 (Smith 87, Voges 74)
A double change for England, the slippery Ben Stokes into the attack for the first time today, serving up a horrible short ball that Voges cuts for four. The atmosphere remains flat, but there is little to draw the spectators in. At the moment, bat is entirely dominating ball. In the crowd, it's a time for private conversations or an early lunch. Cricket is a sport you can attend without really watching. Read the paper, do a lap of the ground, have a nap.
"The odd ball is seaming and swinging through the air. It's still the time to be bowling outside off stump. England shouldn't revert to bowling short just yet."
Aus 317-3 (90 overs)
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Steven Finn into the attack, looking for his 100th Test wicket. In the posh seats, former England pacer Steve Harmison is tucking into a pre-lunch lager. Voges, batting so far across that his bat is line with off stump, finds the fence through his favourite mid-wicket region. I wonder if the England bowlers are still behind Cook's decision to field first?
"England haven't really looked like taking a wicket."
Aus 313-3 (Smith 84, Voges 65)
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It turns out that Steve Smith plays the short ball well enough for the time being. The captain in waiting, all shuffles and twitchy energy, gets right across his stumps to deflect and pull the Broad bumpers away. Voges looks just as comfortable, even when Broad goes round the wicket. I'm not sure of the wisdom of bowling short when the new ball is only nine overs old.
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Rob Esteva: Ashes Tests down south purely for commercial reasons but atmosphere is nowhere near as good as Midlands or North #homeadvantage
Aus 309-3
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England go through their dossiers and come up with a new plan to Steve Smith. There's three men out on the leg side boundary. They are going to see if he's any good on the pull.
"It's swinging too much for Mark Wood, it's going too early. His pace is good, he's bowling quickly, but he's not getting it into the right area to find the edge."
Aus 309-3 (partnership 123)
Good from the gurning Mark Wood, who cranks the speedo up above 90mph. The tall Voges waits, one tap of the bat, then pulls a short ball for four. In the crowd, Merv Hughes has a root around inside his nose. Nice.
"Usually days two and three are the best for batting, once the juice has gone out of the pitch."
Aus 305-3 (Smith 82, Voges 59)
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I'll be honest, there's very little happening for England out there. The new ball has threatened to dance, but is now back in its chair, sipping half a lager, not moving. With the sun beating down, it feels very much like a time to be batting. Broad strives, looking for Voges' pads, but twice gets taken through mid-wicket.
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Fenners: If Australia rack up 500-600 then at least some good will come out of it - Cook wont be tempted to bowl first on a batting track again.
Aus 300-3 (Smith 82, Voges 54)
Warm at The Oval now, a day for hats and suncream. Mark Wood thinks about asking the question against Steve Smith, but that's too high. When the bowler finally loses patience, Smith is able to drive for four, his first runs of the day some 27 minutes in. The Aussie 300 is up, too. Crowd very quiet. It was the same at Lord's earlier in the summer. I'll stick my helmet on when asking this question, but is the atmosphere better outside London?
"Good batting from Adam Voges, he's had to dig in and be patient again this morning against the new ball but he put the bad ball away there to reach his half-century."
50 for Adam Voges
Aus 295-3
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Well played, Adam Voges. The Australia number fives goes to a second consecutive half-century with a cut for four off Stuart Broad. Keeping in mind he was set for the chop at Trent Bridge, it's been a good effort. Lots of runs scored through mid-wicket and square on the off side. Voges actually averages 49 in his short Test career.
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Wayne from Kingsbury: I think the answer to winning the Ashes 5-0 is to play all Tests away from London if Lords and The Oval are anything to go by!
Aus 290-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
Wood, short run-up, beard and quiff, continues to skid in to Smith, shaping the ball away from the right-hander, albeit a touch too wide. Australia are just as watchful as they were this time yesterday, playing the ball only when is absolutely necessary. Once again, there is a huge block of Aussie fans in the crowd. Have you made the trip from down under to see your team lose the Ashes? The trip of a lifetime that has ended in defeat? Did you have to sell a kangaroo to fund your flight?
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Evan Samuel: Right... TV, text commentary, coffee, pessimistic attitude. Check. Ready for another hard day at the office.
Jon Matthews: Singing Jerusalem in a school office in Beijing is one way to get you stared at.
Aus 290-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
APCopyright: AP
I think we've already had more sunshine today than we had in the whole of yesterday. Occasionally the sun dips behind a cloud, but it's very pleasant in south London. Plenty of empty seats in The Oval, mind, the hum of the crowd barely audible. Better over from Broad, but the pace still down in the low 80s.
"There's definitely some swing in the air for Mark Wood. I'd like to see Stuart Broad bowling from this end though. It's perfect for outswing with the breeze that is coming across the ground."
Aus 289-3 (82 overs)
Can you just clear that up for me, Jim? Was it Bobby Ewing's dream or was it him in the shower? Or both? Mark Wood shares the new ball, immediately finding swing away from right-hander Voges. Pace good, 86mph, but the early signs are that a little of the carry has gone from this pitch. Jos Buttler is taking the ball around his ankles. Decent maiden.
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Jim, Bexleyheath: I must be the unluckiest England fan: went to day one at both Lord's and The Oval and so have seen the Aussies amass 624 runs for the loss of four wickets. Not even a sniff of these Cardiff, Trent Bridge or Edgbaston emotional rollercoasters. Are we really 3-1 up or did I dream it all, Bobby Ewing-style, in the shower?
Aus 289-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
Immediate jag for Broad, Adam Voges inside-edging on to his pad to give a chance to a non-existent short leg. On the Aussie balcony, Michael Clarke yawns behind a thick pair of shades. Tough night, Pup? The rest of the Broad over doesn't pose much of a threat, he's looking a touch short of rhythm. Pace in the low 80s, not much carry, wide of off stump.
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New ball
Aus 287-3
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena whips the new nut out of its plastic bag and shows it to all corners of the ground, like that scene in the Lion King when Simba is presented to the pride. Stuart Broad is the man entrusted with the precious cherry. Three slips and a gully.
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James in Tower Hill: So far in the series England have won every Test where a beer snake is made... Bring back the snakes at The Oval.
Aus 287-3
Two Finn deliveries pass by without incident, the new ball is now available.
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Alastair Cook gathers his players for a cuddle. If you've ever wondered why they do that, Michael Vaughan once said that there are so many people in the dressing room, he felt the huddle was the only place he could address his team without distractions. Finn to Smith, two slips and gully. Blue sky. Feels like a batting day.
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The umpires step over the boundary rope, sharing a little handshake as they do. "Don't mess it up, mate". England applauded as they skip down the stairs, followed by Steve Smith and Adam Voges. Everyone in brilliantly pressed whites. Are they a new set or have yesterday's been in the wash?
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Thanks for that, Higgo. He's in a good mood today. Proper Test crick-eet (in the style of Geoffrey Boycott) yesterday and expect more of the same the same today.
The new ball is due after two deliveries from Steven Finn. England will want it to bring rewards, Australia will look to get through then go big.
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The sensational scribe Stephan Shemilt has sidled up alongside me. Enough of the alliteration, over to Stoke's finest...
"It's good for the England team to have to do the hard work. It's great to win games like Edgbaston and Trent Bridge when you bowl Australia out cheaply, but, for the development of the team, to have days like yesterday and come back from it - by having to use all the attack and different plans - is really good for the team."
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He sure is, Hoggy... and Anthony is a guest on TMS this afternoon!
"England have to strike with the second new ball. They need a four-wicket first session. If Australia had shown the same discipline against Jimmy Anderson and co in the first session at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, they wouldn't be 3-1 down."
Listen abroad to Test Match Special
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You can even listen to TMS and follow us at a beach concert in Atlantic City...Image caption: You can even listen to TMS and follow us at a beach concert in Atlantic City...
Incidentally, you can listen to ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary in Europe and North America by clicking here.
Unfortunately, because of rights issues, this is not available in the UK, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
"Australian batsmen don't leave the ball naturally. They tend to impose themselves on the bowlers - people like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Michael Slater - because the pitches in Australia are fairly true. But Rogers scored two runs in his first 40 balls yesterday. It forced the bowlers to seek a fuller length or a fuller line, and you can pick up runs."
'Clarke a good player... but no great'
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How will Michael Clarke be perceived when he retires from Test cricket? As a great?
Former England fast bowler Derek Pringle, writing for Fox Sports in Australia, doesn't believe so: "Good batsmen, and he has been at the top end of that classification rather than with the greats, don't tend to get out when pushed onto the back foot, but Australia's captain managed to do so yesterday. The ungainly poke away from his body possessing the added indignity of soaking up a review, convinced as he seemed that he had not hit it.
"Cricketers are not yet the play actors we see on football fields but Stokes's appeal was instantaneous and heartfelt, and possessed no artifice. Equally instinctive was Clarke's look behind, a sign usually that the batsman has nicked it. As Aleem Dar had already raised his finger, Clarke's review had to show compelling evidence that he had missed it, but while Hotspot demurred, Snicko's spike condemned him to another standing ovation on the long walk back into a new life."
"The highest total Australia have made after being sent in by England is 601-8 at Brisbane in 1954 and 601-7 at Leeds in 1989. The highest total made by a team being sent in in all Tests is 735-6 by Australia v Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003."
It's that time... Test Match Special are on the air. You can listen in the UK via this page or on the BBC Sport app via a variety of smart devices. It is, as always, a must-listen on any summer's day.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
"It's hot. Comfortably the warmest day of the series so far by my reckoning, and yet the temperature around the ground feels lukewarm. Sadly, the events of yesterday, when Test cricket reverted to type and the Australians remembered how to leave the ball, seems to have burst the bubble of England's supporters and left them feeling rather flat. Can England get back in the game? As the saying goes, it's a big first session."
Well done Buck
Chris Rogers is also retiring after this Test. Here he is being honoured by his team-mates.
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Joe Wilson
BBC News sports correspondent at The Oval
"It was a frantic day for Michael Clarke signing photographs yesterday, at least virtually. Cricket Australia on Twitter replied to tweets featuring #thankspup! with a personalised signed photo from the man itself. At 10 o'clock this morning they'd sent close on 17,000 replies, like this one..."
@CRICKETAUSCopyright: @CRICKETAUS
408
AFPCopyright: AFP
Michael Clarke was wearing a black armband in memory of Philip Hughes yesterday. And did you see the time of Clarke's dismissal? 4.08pm.
Of course, Hughes was the 408th Test cricketer to represent Australia...
Guard of honour
Away from the actual action, one of the best things that happened on the first day was the guard of honour England afforded Michael Clarke before he went out to bat. Pure class and respect.
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This is a proper job... but what's that next to the sausage and egg? It looks like a dog's bone!
Raining sixes
Counting down the minutes until play begins? Why not have a look at our latest iWonder guide... and click on each and every six scored at The Oval since the 1940s. It's over here.
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Better late than never
At least Australia have turned up at the party - if even it's just as everyone else is leaving, the DJ is packing up and the only thing left on the buffet is stale egg mayo sandwiches.
As Australian journalist Greg Baum eloquently puts it: "This was the equivalent of Australia lying in bed at night and running through in their minds the answers they should have had for Anderson and Finn at Edgbaston, and the knowing smiles they should have given Broad and Stokes at Trent Bridge."
Back pages
But is the Aussie fightback too late? The Daily Mail certainly thinks so...
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'England didn't hit right lengths'
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David Warner scored a decent 85 before getting out to Moeen Ali for the fourth time in the series, and he believes England just didn't get it right with the ball.
"They've bowled fantastically well through this series, but today it just looked like they probably didn't hit their right lengths," he said.
"For a lot of the time out there I felt like they bowled just a fraction too short. In every other game they've bowled fantastically, put it up there and allowed us to try and drive. We've been getting the odd one away and then the nicks are coming.
"I won't speak on their behalf about their intensity but any time you're playing a game for your country you're always going to come out and give 100%. Today we batted well."
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England have disputed any suggestion they were taking it a little easier with the Ashes in the bag. Mark Wood, speaking at the close of play, said: "This is the Ashes and you're representing your country. We've got that desire to win 4-1."
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At least England made Australia scrap for their runs yesterday. I heard one of the players mention it was like Angus Fraser bowling to Mark Taylor at times. Old school.
But did they end the day like they would in the late eighties and early nineties?
A few tinnies, a couple of cigars...
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James in Woolwich: Thought my day five tickets were virtually worthless, was feeling slightly more optimistic today until you posted that weather forecast, when it rains it pours…
Wood supports decision to field first
Durham bowler Mark Wood backed Cook's decision to bowl first, saying: "With the overheads yesterday morning, it was the right decision to bowl.
"I thought we bowled all right as a group. A couple of nicks didn't carry, we just didn't get the wickets, now we've got that second new ball round the corner."
"I suspect many people will be wondering why Alastair Cook put Australia into bat. The England captain admitted it was a marginal decision but was clearly hoping to prey on the batting frailties that his bowlers had so ruthlessly exposed in their victories at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge.
"A couple of early wickets could easily have opened the floodgates and allowed England to roll Australia over once again.
"I doubt, however, whether Cook would have chosen to bowl had England needed to win this match to win the Ashes, but with the series in the bag he gambled on Australia's fragile confidence and I don't think you can question the logic of his thinking."
Don't blame Cook
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
There's been some criticism of Alastair Cook's decision to put Australia into bat yesterday, but Michael Clarke would have fielded first too. It was a brave and understandable call from the England skipper and no blame should be attached.
His bowlers were good too - sticking to their plans and continually pitching the ball up in pursuit of wickets. They didn't retreat into any negativity. Mark Wood, in particular, bowled some world-class deliveries. If he can stay injury-free, he should be able to get wickets on any pitch in the world.
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Pint-Sized Ashes
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What on earth is that image you've just put up, some may ask. Others may know it's from the excellent Pint-Sized Ashes. It's Tuffers talking about the end of term - it had that feeling yesterday - and how pupils at his school would throw eggs and flour etc at each other on the final day. My school too, I'm afraid.
We'll crack on with more analysis of the first day shortly, but let's check in with the weather guys before we go any further.
BBC Weather's Alex Deakin was at the cricket yesterday but is back in the office today, issuing the following forecast: "It looks pretty good at The Oval today. Warm and humid with more sunshine than yesterday and very little risk of interruptions.
"Saturday is set for a scorcher with temperatures up in the high 20s and plenty of sun, there's the small risk of a late downpour. Sunday and Monday are more uncertain with likelihood of heavy downpours."
It was good... but we're ready for the collapse
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As Graeme Swann said on Test Match Special, if it was England who finished the day on 287-3 we'd be waxing lyrical about what a fine day's cricket it had been. Finally Australia have shown some fight.
But, after saying all of that, there's nothing better than watching an Australian batting collapse. Absolutely nothing.
Anytime from 11 will do boys...
The first day in numbers
The numbers tell you it was a day of attrition.
Three wickets in 478 balls
16 maiden overs
352 dot balls
But... you know what, it was good, attritional cricket. The type which sets up a match and can lead to a barnstorming crescendo on the final day. At least let's hope so.
Proper, old-fashioned Test cricket
AFPCopyright: AFP
We'd almost forgotten what Test cricket was like.
The fact it could last five days
That you could go an entire session without seeing a wicket
That batsmen could apply themselves and score big runs
That it is, in essence, a test of skill and patience.
Live Reporting
Marc Higginson, Stephan Shemilt and Mark Mitchener
All times stated are UK
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images - Three wickets in 478 balls
- 16 maiden overs
- 352 dot balls
AFPCopyright: AFP - The fact it could last five days
- That you could go an entire session without seeing a wicket
- That batsmen could apply themselves and score big runs
- That it is, in essence, a test of skill and patience.
Latest PostPost update
And that is where we shall leave it.
Can England show some fight, or will this most one-sided of Ashes series continue towards an Australia landslide?
Join us tomorrow to find out.
Post update
I could say that the first hour tomorrow is important, but I wouldn't fool you. The most important time to come in this match is when England put the pads on for their second innings. They will either be following on, or batting to save the match. Either way, it requires a very long effort.
Text 81111
Jamie in London: Weren't we saying during the NZ series that if we are to embrace this new attacking brand of cricket we'd have to expect and support the odd collapse like this. That didn't last long.
Close-of-play scorecard
England 107-8 (40 overs) - trail by 374 runs
Batsmen: Moeen 8*, Wood 8*
Fall of wickets: 30-1 (Cook 22), 46-2 (Lyth 19), 60-3 (Bell 10), 64-4 (Root 6), 83-5 (Bairstow 13), 84-6 (Buttler 1), 92-7 (Stokes 15), 92-8 (Broad 0)
Bowling figures: Starc 6-2-14-0, Johnson 8-4-21-1, Lyon 9-2-32-2, Siddle 10-4-18-2, Marsh 7-2-18-3
Australia 481: Smith 143, Warner 85, Voges 76; Finn 3-90, Moeen 3-102, Stokes 3-133
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"301 runs, 15 wickets but a strangely unsatisfying day of Test cricket, not that Australia will be complaining."
Post update
Has an Ashes series ever been completed with every match failing to get to the final day? That is what we are facing here, unless England find some fight and/or a bit of rain.
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Ethan Carr: Everybody has been celebrating England's performances and as soon as we play badly it's back to the old pessimistic ways. When will us fans ever be satisfied?
Post update
It might also interest you to know that Gary Ballance, more runs in this series than Adam Lyth and Jos Buttler, has made an unbeaten 98 for Yorkshire today.
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Peter Howard: I know we've regained the urn, but I think this is a pretty strong shout for the worst Ashes series ever. Terrible batting from both teams at various points, multiple no-ball wickets and some fairly flukey bowling. I don't think South Africa or Pakistan will be quaking in their boots.
Post update
More from Steven Finn: "There's still 12 wickets for them to get on a pretty good batting wicket. We have to get through the tricky periods. There's a lot of fight in us yet. We're very much looking to get ourselves out of this situation."
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Stephen Wright: Awful day to be a neutral surely. Zero application by one side and zero contest. Good day for the Aussie contingent no doubt.
Nelson the Cat: The most inept England team to win the Ashes. With thanks to the Australian selectors for not picking Siddle before now
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England bowler Steve Finn on Sky Sports: "We're disappointed, we've had a very, very poor day. Australia batted well then showed us how to bowl.
"It's not a 107-8 pitch. It's a good wicket, but Australia have got more out of it than we did. We didn't bowl well, but not badly either.
"We have to fight tomorrow."
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Graeme Donaldson: Geoffrey Boycott in full flow is a thing to behold. He's absolutely right too.
Post update
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I agree with every word you've said, Geoffrey."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"You can't go on like that - Lyth, Buttler playing shots like that. It's not good enough."
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More from Australia batsman Steve Smith on Sky Sports: "You can leave balls on length here, I couldn't get in a real rhythm for my first 20 runs but the more time you spend out there, it gets easier. It was part of my game plan to wait for balls to hit."
On the no-balls: "They probably haven't called as many as we actually balled - Mitch Johnson, most of the balls he bowled in his first spell were apparently no balls."
On making England follow on: "It's not my job yet, Michael Clarke's got to decide!"
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"If this is the modern way, it's the wrong way. Somehow there needs to be a reminder that an equally important part of Test cricket is to play defensively."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"You need to know when you defend and when you attack. England have committed hari-kari.
"Lyth grafted then Siddle comes on, his second ball is a loosener, a lollipop and he pulls it to deep square leg. Your career is at stake here. Then Bairstow, then Stokes pulling, trying to win the game.
"Buttler can't get a run - he's like a rabbit caught in the headlights of Ashes cricket. A seven-year-old schoolboy would have played better. There has to be a question mark over his Test future. His mind and confidence look shot for Test cricket - it's pathetic."
Post update
After Alastair Cook was bowled by a very good delivery from Nathan Lyon on the stroke of tea, the procession really got under way in the evening. In all, seven wickets for 46 runs. Some, like Joe Root and Ian Bell, fell to very good balls. Others, like Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, played idiotic pull shots. Jos Buttler inexplicably missed a straight ball. Adam Lyth moved closer to the axe.
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Australia batsman Steve Smith on Sky Sports: "That's the best we've bowled all series, we created pressure, made them earn their runs and got eight wickets, so it speaks for itself. There's enough there in the wicket if you hit the right spot. I was disappointed not to get more runs in the third and fourth Test, but pleased to get some today."
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But the sniff was snuffed out by Mitchell Starc's 52-ball 58. Along with Smith, he took Australia to 481 all out. Still, with the sun shining and the pitch looking good to bat on, England should have held no fear. Cue the carnage.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"England will follow-on tomorrow and it will be all over by Saturday night."
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It was actually going reasonably well for England this morning. Steve Smith completed a hundred for the Aussies, but four wickets in the second hour, including two in one Moeen over, saw England reduce the Aussies to 376-7 at lunch. They had a sniff.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"When the going gets tough, they run for the hills. There's been no application, no determination to turn the game around. They simply have a swipe and get out."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It was a wonderful day watching if you were a neutral. If you were an England supporter, you're staggered. That was a pathetic display of batting.
"England have got sucked in. They believe their own publicity - we're going to play attacking, aggressive cricket. There was some really really bad cricket. We want application, we want fight, we want some adaptability to the conditions."
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Peter Fletcher: It's very straightforward: England just need to stop playing test matches in London.
Post update
Can you quite believe that? England, so dominant since Lord's, have been kicked all round The Oval. Is it the conditions? A series-winning hangover? Or do Australia only do the business in London?
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"I'd say Australia have got to make England follow-on. Why wouldn't you?"
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I thought we'd seen the last of those collapses..."
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"That is another extraordinary day of Ashes Test cricket. Australia have got England on the run - hopelessly on the run."
Close of play
Eng 107-8
The carnage is over, until tomorrow at least. England, the Ashes winners, have been steamrollered by a brilliant display from a wounded Australia. In replay to the Aussies' 481 all out, England have limped to 107-8. It's looking for all the world like this series will end up as one of the most bizarre 3-2 scorelines you could ever see.
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Andy, Worcester: Only Yorkshire folk could be questioning Moeen's role in this side. Daryl Mitchell to replace Lyth, I say.
Eng 107-8
The rarest of rare things, a Siddle bad ball, is flicked for four by Moeen, who gets nothing else remotely hittable. Off-stump. Leaves and defence. One to come.
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Rory Taylor: The good thing about our tickets for tomorrow is that we'll get to see Cook lift the Ashes.
Eng 103-8
Last over of the day, to be delivered by Peter Siddle...
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Stuart Foster: England have won the Ashes because they are marginally less worse then Australia.
Eng 103-8 (trail by 378)
Moeen does that thing that Australia did but England have been incapable of - leave the ball. Mitchell Marsha, Test-best figures to his name, skids from the sunshine towards the shadows and explores the off-stump channel. Moeen not interested. A siren is heard in the distance. It's an ambulance for this England innings. I'm afraid it's too late.
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"This is the strangest Test series I've ever seen. England have thoroughly deserved to win but there have been some weird and wonky Test matches."
Eng 102-8 (trail by 397)
Why have all the Test matches in this series been so one-sided? Why has neither team been able to put up a fight when they are behind? Where's the spirit of Mike Atherton? In the England dressing room, Ben Stokes has his hand on his head on his hand as he looks at a laptop, while Jos Buttler leans on the door like a man denied entry to a nightclub. In front of him is a cuddly rabbit. Is it signalling no-ball? Three overs left, have to be bowled by 18:30.
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Gareth Evans: Good to see England have my Friday-evening-at-work attitude and have stopped doing any proper work.
Langs_London: This is like turning up to your own party, throwing up on your guests and falling in your cake...
Eng 101-8 (trail by 380)
Cheers for the Wood boundary that takes England past 100, while the fact they have made it to 18:20 means they wouldn't have to follow-on tonight. There are songs inside The Oval for the first time in the match. England fans awake when their team is getting thrashed.
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"The umpire's just not bothered looking for that. It was a whopper."
Wood caught off a no-ball on 4
Eng 97-8
Scratch the wicket, yet another batsman is caught from a massive no-ball. Not just a small no-ball, but a massive no-ball. Poor from Mitchell Marsh, poor from Mark Wood to edge to first slip. Very, very poor from Kumar Dharmasena not have spotted the over-step. Why isn't he watching? That's twice today. Still, the bowler should be behind the line.
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Paul Mitchell: Is this the poorest quality Ashes ever? Laughably bad cricket throughout.
AC: Obviously I am delighted with the #Ashes result but the standard of cricket has been unbelievably low.
Eng 92-8 (trail by 389)
There are six overs left in the day. Are you backing England to get through them? As we've said before, it's like England have been playing a different sport, on a different surface. Whereas Australia showed patience, England have opted for the bull-in-a-china shop style of batting. Edge from Moeen Ali, just short of first slip. Every ball is a wicket-taking grenade.
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"This is the first time Mitchell Marsh has taken three wickets in an innings."
Eng 92-8 (Marsh 5-2-8-3)
If you've just joined us, this is not Australia batting. England really are 92-8. The Ashes winners have lost seven wickets for 48 runs. On a pitch where Australia scored 481. In the sunshine. Mark Wood the new man. He can't do much worse.
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"The dryness of pitch is just making it deviate off the wicket."
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Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It's inexplicable - how Australia are 481 all out and England are 92-8."
WICKET
Broad c Voges b Marsh 0 (Eng 92-8)
What I meant to say is that England will do well to make it through the night. On a road, in the sunshine, they have been reduced to 92-8. Stuart Broad never looked like resisting and fends Mitchell Marsh to first slip, where Adam Voges take a good catch. Are England still hungover from Trent Bridge? Already on holidays? Either way, this is awful.
Eng 92-7
Replays show the rare celebrations of the Aussie fans in the background as the ball dropped into Nevill's gloves. Michael Clarke has a smile on his face. I don't think we've seen that since Lord's. Stuart Broad the new man, playing and missing then edging short of Clarke at second slip. England might not make it through the night...
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"I don't know! It's a catalogue of poor shots from England. This is still a decent pitch."
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Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"What's happening out there? This is extraordinary Test cricket."
WICKET
Stokes c Nevill b Marsh 15 (Eng 92-7)
Did I say that this pair were showing application? Scratch that. Ben Stokes is the second man to join the 'Idiotic Pull Shot Club', not bothering to have a look at Mitchell Marsh and instead trying to belt the ball to Vauxhall station. Marsh's first delivery, short of a length, a Stokes pull shot going straight up and into the paws of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. Awful and ugly.
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Nicholas Carvallo: More questions than answers after this series I'm afraid. Cook, Bell and Lyth offer nothing when opposition score big, it's got to be a time for some youth...
Eng 92-6 (trail by 389)
A shadow creeps across the outfield, looming menacingly behind Nathan Lyon as he prepares to deliver the ball to this pair of left-handers. Nice from Lyon, dippy turny, but this seventh-wicket pair are showing a modicum of application. Atmosphere non-existent in the ground, the crowd must have been stunned into silence.
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Christopher David: Poor looking scorecard but still - it's not 60 all out is it...
Eng 88-6 (Stokes 13, Moeen 1)
Eeesshh that's quick from Mitchell Johnson, forcing Ben Stokes to jack-knife backwards to make sure he doesn't take one on the bonce. The speedo up towards 90, Stokes doing well to force off the back foot for a couple. Stokes gets into his stance, checks his box (I would too if I was facing Mitchell Johnson) and looks calm in defence.
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Joe Bishop: So what we've learnt from this series is that England shouldn't play cricket in London.
Joe Penrose: England slowly collapsing like a flan in a cupboard.
Eng 86-6 (trail by 395)
That England collapse from 46-1 to 84-6 was 5-38. Surrender in the sunshine. Ten overs left in the day, England have lost four wickets in the last 10. Lyon with the first, dipping the ball in to Moeen Ali, who shows that rarest of things; a solid defence.
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"Even with the iffy forecast for Sunday and Monday, Australia are taking the rain out of it."
Eng 85-6 (need 197 to avoid follow-on)
Graeme Swann has correctly spotted that Moeen is still wearing the same lid. He gives a thumbs up to Ben Stokes, but you suspect he should be ready for more chin music. Incidentally, there was immediate concern from Michael Clarke, who only needs to look at the black band on his arm for the reminder of the dangers of a short ball.
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Moeen Ali should be changing his helmet after being hit there. Like motorbike helmets... once they've been hit, you need to change them. You can't take any chances these days."
Eng 85-6
Welcome to the bear pit, Moeen Ali. A Mitchell Johnson bumper finds the target, pinning Moeen on the back of the head. Will the real Australia please stand up? Where has this been all series?
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James McHale: Cricketing equivalent of taking the ball home. Capitulation in the face of a big total.
Jonny Lipsham Studio: I have seen primary school batting in the Scottish Highlands better than this!
Darrell Reynolds: I know we have won the Ashes but to bat like this on a flat wicket is a disgrace!
Eng 85-6 (Lyon 7-2-27-2)
Looking again, Buttler has missed that ball by miles. In the midst of an Ashes win, little has been made of the England wicketkeeper's struggles in this series. He's kept well, but managed only 80 runs at an average of 11. Is his place secure? Moeen Ali the latest pushed out of the door in an attempt to halt the Aussie charge.
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"It was a good ball from Lyon, from round the wicket, enticing Buttler to drive. He's bowled through the gate but he shouldn't have been driving at that so early in his innings. It was ludicrously loose. England are 84-6 on a featherbed."
WICKET
Buttler b Lyon 1 (Eng 84-6)
This is very, very inept from a team that has won the Ashes. Jos Buttler is the latest to join the procession of shame, somehow missing a straight ball from Nathan Lyon. Round the wicket, length, middle stump, Buttler driving to leave a gap big enough to drive a tank through. Bowled through the gate. Awful. The Oval quieter than silent. England on the way to a shellacking.
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Matthew Warne: Shocking from Bairstow.
Peter Wickham: Before today Bell averaging 53 in series, now 47. Drop him? Why?
Eng 84-5 (Johnson 6-3-19-1)
It's hard to describe how poor that was from Bairstow, a man who was bounced out by Johnson at Edgbaston. The trap was so obvious, Johnson could have shouted it would be a short ball from the end of his run. Two men on the hook, a short leg. Still, it wasn't a particularly good ball. Bairstow was trying to fetch a ball from well outside the off stump with a paddle pull. Is he definitely on tour this winter? He averages 27 in 17 Tests. Jos Buttler the new man.
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"If you play a pat-on-the-head hook shot and you get it wrong, it just spoons up in the air. It was so wide he could have square-cut it. England miles behind and five down."
Post update
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I just don't get the inability of either team to get their heads down and knuckle down. I don't care if it's the modern way - it's the wrong way."
WICKET
Bairstow c Lyon b Johnson 13 (Eng 83-5)
Jonny Bairstow, this is absolutely awful. Your team are four down for nothing, you are facing Mitchell Johnson for the first time in your innings and you decide to pull your first ball. Did you see Nathan Lyon lurking at deep square leg? Not even the obligatory wait to check the no-ball can save you. Be away, back to the pavilion. That was village.
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Charlie Drayton: Sorry to play the pessimist but there are far more concerns in this England team than many are suggesting, and this series win has mostly been down to poor Aussie batting. The captain is not getting significant runs and doesn't have a solid opening partner, and there's still confusion over the role of Moeen Ali...
Eng 82-4
More danger for England, Mitchell Johnson is at the end of his run. The evening sunshine feels like the time Johnson is at his most blood-thirsty.
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"This has shades of Lord's about it - you come to the capital, the wicket is more batsman-friendly and their bowlers put it in the right place. Thank heavens Peter Siddle didn't play the whole series."
Eng 82-4 (trail by 399)
Spin, Nathan Lyon replacing Peter Siddle and immediately creating a chance. His shaven head round the wicket to Stokes, who flat-footedly edges past the helpless Michael Clarke at slip. Every ball an event at the moment, mainly because each one carries a wicket threat. There are 13 overs left in the day. You wouldn't bet much that England will make it to the close five down.
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Eng 70-4 (trail by 411)
A final point on the Root dismissal. Yesterday, Michael Clarke was sent on his way by Snicko largely because he had been given out on the field. The on-field umpire thought there was an edge, the technology said there was a sound, on your way. Here, Root was given not out on the field. Is a slight spike on Snicko really enough to conclusively prove he hit it? Marsh as a shadow from a floodlight lies across the wicket, Stokes driving imperiously for four.
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Ashley Wells: This is a carbon copy of Lord's. It'll be somewhat embarrassing parading the Ashes if we end up being thrashed.
Mike Speirs: After weeks of unbelievable English cricket, normality returns.
Eng 66-4 (trail by 415)
The one-sided nature of this series continues. All four matches, regardless of who was victorious, have been won at a canter. This time it's Australia who are dominating, Michael Clarke buzzing around, pulling strings like a man captaining for the first, not the last time. Siddle has provided both control and threat, again he probes Jonny Bairstow. Scoreboard at a standstill, wickets in peril.
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Charlie Rhodes: Was there really enough evidence to overturn the decision?
Martin Nesbit: OK, how do I turn these wicket alerts off now?
Eng 64-4 (Marsh 3-1-4-1)
There was varying degrees of appeal from Australia. Bowler Marsh and second slip Adam Voges were convinced, keeper Nevill and second slip Michael Clarke didn't even go up. To reiterate, nothing on Hot Spot, Root given out on the evidence of Snicko. Further replays show how it took about five Australia fielders to convince Clarke to review. The upshot is this; Ben Stokes is the new man, England need this red-haired pair to dig them out of a big hole.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"The TV umpire got that absolutely dead right. England are in trouble."
WICKET
Root c Nevill b Marsh 6 (Eng 64-4)
This is not the end we have heard of this dismissal. Joe Root is given out on the evidence of Snicko, with third umpire S Ravi saying the spike of noise coincided with the moment the ball passed the bat. Root stomps off shaking his head, while Australia are roaring with delight. Boos inside The Oval. Either way, England are drowning in the soup.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
Lots of replays. It was a jaffa from Marsh, bouncing and moving away. Still we wait.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
Nothing on Hot Spot, but there is a hint of something on Snicko. Remember, Root has been given not out, so we need evidence to overturn.
Umpire review
Eng 64-3
Australia are absolutely convinced Marsh has Root caught behind. Huge appeal, followed by a shake of the umpire's head. Cue review.
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Mike Ball: Confused by the talk around Moeen Ali replacing Lyth at the top of the order for England. Did no one learn from Trott opening?
Huw Braithwaite: In the last year or two England have really struggled to chase big scores. Need a solid top order in place!
Eng 64-3
Joe Root talks to himself. Not just a few words, but a whole conversation. Something along the lines of "is there any chance of someone else getting some runs. I can't keep digging these clowns out of trouble". If he is irked, his mood won't be improved by one from Marsh that spits and hits him on the hand. Then...
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Tony Kibble: England 60 for 3, that's twice as much as we normally get for three down. #Babysteps #improvement
Eng 61-3 (trail by 420)
As the shadows lengthen, it's looking like a different game. At times yesterday and today, Australia's progress was serene, while England didn't look like taking a wicket. Now, every ball seems fraught with danger. Funny how that happens when one side racks up 481. Bairstow away with a single.
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Steve Ashfield: Two more cheap dismissals from Lyth and Bell, how many more chances will they get just because we have a winning side.
Evan Samuel: Got to wonder how Siddle would have gone at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, really. Bowled, son.
Ewan Ramsay: Siddle what a beauty. Should have been in team since day one.
Eng 60-3 (Siddle 5.3-2-11-2)
Siddle celebrated with an Alan Shearer-style arm-raised run, while The Oval responded with, well, nothing. What was supposed to be an Ashes coronation is heading towards a spoilt party. Replays show just how good a ball that was from Siddle, literally clipping the top of the off bail. Jonny Bairstow the new man. Yorkshire v Australia.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It was a good ball but Bell hasn't looked comfortable at all. In the whole innings he has been like a cat on a hot tin roof."
WICKET
Bell b Siddle 10 (Eng 60-3)
Peter Siddle, where have you been all summer? An absolute rozzer does for Ian Bell, angling in, pitching on middle, nipping away to defeat the leaden-footed batsman and trim the top of the bails. A drinks carrier all summer, Siddle now has Lyth and Bell, while England are slipping into a deep spot of bother. The Oval is silent.
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Richard J Law: England have actually won the Ashes with only 10 men per game as Lyth has contributed pretty much nothing.
Jack Weston: Goodbye Adam, you've had your 9 Lyths.
Eng 60-2 (trail by 421)
Mitchell Marsh, a haircut you can set your watch to, scurries in, shaping the ball away from Ian Bell under blue sky and fluffy cloud. Lots of chat about the England XI for the next Test against Pakistan. If Moeen does open, presumably England will still need a reserve batsman. Alex Hales? Gary Ballance? Good over from Marsh, just an inside-edged single from it.
Scorecard update
England 59-2 (22 overs) - trail by 422 runs
Batsmen: Bell 9*, Root 6*
Fall of wickets: 30-1 (Cook 22), 46-2 (Lyth 19)
Bowling figures: Starc 6-2-14-0, Johnson 5-3-17-0, Lyon 5-2-14-1, Siddle 5-2-11-1, Marsh 1-1-0-0
Australia 481: Smith 143, Warner 85, Voges 76; Finn 3-90, Moeen 3-102, Stokes 3-133
Eng 59-2 (trail by 422)
Don Bradman of live texters? You're too kind, Higgo, but the truth is nearer Mark Lathwell. Nineteen overs remain in the day, Australia with their tails up and the backing of heavy scoreboard pressure. England in survival mode.
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Adam Lee: My England XI vs Pakistan: Cook, Ali, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Rashid, Wood, Broad, Anderson.
Eng 59-2 (Bell 9, Root 6)
It's a glorious evening now - spectators using cards given to them to signify boundaries to shelter from the sun, gentlemen of a certain vintage sipping refreshing beverages. You get the picture. In the middle, Peter Siddle gets Joe Root to nick off but the catch drops short of the slips. And with that, my time is up. Here's the Don Bradman of live texters, Stephan Shemilt.
Eng 59-2 (trail by 422)
Time for some Mitchell Marsh, who shapes a nice delivery past Joe Root's outside edge. Displaying his inconsistency, however, he then strays down leg and the batsmen help themselves to a leg-bye. Maiden.
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Daniel Webster: Win lose or draw, the one thing I want now from England is for the top order to stay in for a bit and a get a score. This Root to the rescue business is getting a little worrying. If this team is going to prosper going into the future the 1, 2 and 3 need to become more consistent
Eng 58-2
Joe Root, like Michael Clarke, has a back problem. And, like Clarke, he is wearing a jumper while batting. It's not affecting him too much at present though, the right-hander flicking a couple off his pads and into the leg side. There's then some goalkeeping practice for Peter Nevill when a Peter Siddle delivery shapes towards first slip. Plenty in it for the bowlers. A good pitch.
Knives out for Lyth?
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Ian Bradley: Lyth finds an even more disappointing way than his usual caught behind to get out, nothing shot, surely end of road.
Toby Pimlott: Get a wicket alert on the BBC app and could have told you before I looked it was Lyth getting out #shock
You can sign up for BBC wicket alerts (Adam Lyth included) here...
Eng 54-2 (Bell 9, Root 4)
Jonny Bairstow appears to have his eyes closed on the England balcony. He'll soon wake up when Mitchell Johnson whistles one past his nose. Joe Root is relishing the battle, grinning like a schoolboy who's just been told off for talking in class as he evades another bouncer. Which, coincidentally, was a no ball. One of many sent down by the quick man.
Post update
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"Even if Australia win the Ashes here in 2019, they won't have won a Test series here for 18 years - they've never gone longer than that without winning here."
Eng 54-2 (trail by 427)
Ian Bell has three half-centuries this summer, yet it still feels like he's not quite fulfilled his obvious potential. Joe Root has two centuries and two fifties. More adept at kicking on? Peter Siddle is doing what he does best, bowling dot ball after dot ball. The type of over which would end in a Kevin Pietersen dismissal back in the day. His figures are spoilt, however, when Bell drives four through the covers.
Post update
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"When Darren Lehmann came to Yorkshire as overseas player, he used to stand in the team room and say 'bowl three maidens, something will happen'."
Knives out for Lyth?
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Karl Reynolds: I blame the 666 on Lyth's chest...should have opted to skip it!
CHaMbO: I think he's used up all his Lyths.
Fenners: Lyth was stitched up by his captain when he chose to spend a day & a half chasing leather, rather than batting on a flat deck.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 50-2 (Bell 5, Root 4)
A penny for Jonny Bairstow's thoughts. Mitchell Johnson is bowling the type of spell which sent the young Yorkie packing at Edgbaston. What a delivery that was - the best of the series for me. Fast, hostile, at the throat and Bairstow edged behind.
Joe Root is being peppered and the short leg is waiting ready to pounce. MJ has his tail up. Like a shark circling an injured surfer, he can smell blood. Another maiden.
Get ready for the Rugby World Cup
It's nearly time for the next major sporting event - and in preparation we've added rugby alerts to the BBC Sport app.
You can get the line-ups, scores and results for your country and club sides; stay right across the match even when you're out and about.
And with cricket, football and Formula 1 alerts also in the app, you can now get all the scores that matter as they happen.
If you're not sure what push alerts are, they are little pop-ups which tell you when something of direct interest to you has happened, for example your country or club side have scored a try, or your football team have scored. More details here.
Eng 50-2 (trail by 431)
Peter Siddle has spent the early part of the summer playing for Lancashire and he's more than useful in these conditions - running one past Ian Bell's outside edge. A lot of energy goes into his bustling run-up, yet he's nothing more than an 85mph bowler. Good as he is at what he does. Another maiden. Three in a row.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The Australians are bowling nicely. They have that intensity with the backing of scoreboard pressure. Ian Bell just hasn't got the rhythm of batting."
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 50-2
Mitchell Johnson is brought back for a burst. Joe Root and Ian Bell have seen it all before... but do they have the ability to do something about it? Ian Healy reckoned every batsman in the world could pick Shane Warne but they just couldn't play him. Joe Root manages to duck beneath a rapid bouncer. Clearly rattled he wafts at one outside off stump.
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Ben from Alberta: I am interested in this idea of batsmen talking to themselves. We had a fast bowler in school in the UK who was constantly talking to himself. He was a bit nutty anyway so we never thought anything of it, but he was a wicked bowler so it obviously helped. Who else talks to themselves at the crease etc?
Ex-West Indies batsman Carlisle Best (uncle of Tino) used to commentate on himself while batting!
Celeb spotting at The Oval
Former England bowler Stuart Meaker rubbing shoulders with Apprentice stars...
Eng 50-2 (trail by 431)
Nathan Lyon is round the wicket to the right-handers, an air of expectation surrounding his every delivery. From the bowler and the close fielders at the very least. The sort of aura which Shane Warne had throughout his career. The sort of aura you suddenly get when you bowl the England captain with one which pitches on leg and takes out off.
Knives out for Lyth?
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Bobbinson Crusoe: Spent ages like half of Yorkshire calling for Lyth's inclusion, but he just seems out of his depth I'm afraid.
Andy Donley: As Lyth throws his wicket away in embarrassing fashion, Hales approaches a run-a-ball double century at Warwickshire...
Paul Lewis: What is Lyth doing playing a shot like that when you are trying to save a Test match? Surely his England career is over now.
Eng 50-2 (Bell 5, Root 4)
Joe Root marches to the crease with England in another sticky situation - both openers gone with less than 50 on the board - and he smashes his first ball for four. His second? It's a loud leg-before appeal but the ball is clearly going down leg.
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Evan Samuel: That'll be Lyth out for P45, then...
James 'Tinch' Stride: And with that stupid shot goes Lyth's England career.
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He played nicely and then a rash, horrible shot - Lyth will be unhappy with that. He would have been wanting to make a mark on this Test, bearing in mind tours to be picked..."
WICKET
Lyth c Starc b Siddle 19 (Eng 46-2)
Can you believe it? The lesser spotted Peter Siddle, who is also of lesser pace than his seam bowling colleagues, drops one into the middle of the pitch and Adam Lyth plays a horrible pull shot which sees the ball spoon to mid-on.
Ashes souvenirs
We asked what souvenirs the Aussies can take home from this Ashes tour. Here's one we came up with...
Send us your ideas for Ashes mementos.
Eng 45-1 (Lyon 1-14)
Adam Lyth is playing Nathan Lyon well, which bodes well for his chances should he go to the UAE this winter. He rocks back in his crease and cuts four backward of point. He's got the start he craves, now he's got to build on it. As I type though... there's a play and miss and an edge drops short of first slip. Shows what I know.
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John Rodway: When was the last Ashes series when neither batting captain scored a hundred?
Rory Taylor: Steve Smith has had a bad series but is still the highest run scorer, couldn't stick around when it mattered.
Eng 40-1 (trail by 441)
Mitchell Starc bowls some spiteful deliveries at times, one rearing off a good length and smashing into the fingers of Ian Bell. A scream of anguish follows. As he runs through to the other end, that must surely be one of the most painful singles he's ever scored.
Are there 99 different explanations?
Text 81111
Mike in Liverpool: The '99' was coined in Portobello, Scotland, in 1922, by the Arcari family, who owned a well known ice cream shop there. They sold ice-creams with half a large 'Flake' inserted in the top, and reputedly gave it the name based on living in 99 high street.
Richard, Bishop's Stortford: An ice cream served in a cone with a Flak e99 is the UK's favourite ice cream. In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King had an elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers. Subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99".
Christian from Essex (and others): It's called a 99 because the flake had to be 99 millimetres long.
Eng 37-1 (10 overs)
Nathan Lyon has a spring in his step. When a spinner realises the pitch is turning on day two, it's like finding a fiver in an old suit jacket. Pure glee. Adam Lyth gets back in his crease and watches the ball onto the bat as shadows begin to form on this sunny Friday evening. A leg-before shout when the ball strikes Lyth on the pad but it's outside the line and there's a little inside edge too.
Ashes souvenirs
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Mark W: 'Calypso Collapso' is seen in newspaper extracts from the early 1970s on the film 'Fire in Babylon'. It referred to the Windies.
I take it all back... I must've heard it before and not realised. I'll get my coat.
Eng 36-1 (Lyth 12, Bell 2)
Ian Bell opens his stance ever so slightly to deal with the left-arm angle of Mitchell Starc, talking to himself as the bowler runs up. He's not the only one - Ricky Ponting would tell himself to concentrate before each delivery. Bell knocks a single to square leg where Chris Rogers runs round the ball before fielding it. Taking the scenic route.
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Stalky George: Alex Hales chugging along nicely at Trent Bridge, fast approaching three times what the whole of Australia managed at Trent Bridge. England have to fit him in somewhere. He is a match-winner!
Eng 35-1 (trail by 446)
Ian Bell is off the mark with a gentle push into the off side. Adam Lyth raises him with a late cut for four.
Eng 30-1
With 34.5 overs left in the day, Ian Bell strides out to start his innings alongside Adam Lyth. Spin first up as Nathan Lyon finishes his over.
Get Involved
99 debate
Around the counties
Alex Hales has plenty of people advocating him for a Test call-up - and they will be pleased to hear he's currently 170 not out for Nottinghamshire as they've reached 307-1 against Warwickshire in the County Championship. He's added an unbroken 246 with Steven Mullaney, who has 107.
Meanwhile, England discard Gary Ballance is 35 not out in Yorkshire's 215-5 against Sussex.
You can listen to commentary on all county games on the BBC Sport website.
Text 81111
Dan in London: All this talk about Lyth struggling - he only needs to score 489 in this match to top the averages for England in the series...
Sri Lanka v India update
At the P Sara Oval in Colombo, India were bowled out for 393 on the second day of the second Test, with KL Rahul hitting 108, while there were fifties for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. The ageless Rangana Herath took 4-111.
In reply, Sri Lanka closed on 140-3. Kaushal Silva made 51 and Kumar Sangakkara 32 in his final Test.
Ashes souvenirs
Post update
It appears there's been a study on '99s' done before. Well worth a read - over here.
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Tony Kibble: 99 is from an Italian origin where 99 means special or first class.
James 'Tinch' Stride: An ice cream with a flake was a 99 cos it used to cost 99p! Now it's like £2.50 ha! Not got the same ring to it...
Get Involved
Afraid not, James. We do have an office Oxford fan but it's not me.
Post update
£2,000 to watch a Ashes Test
"Erica Thuijs from Perth is no big cricket fan, but her boyfriend insisted that their round-the-world trip would be incomplete without taking in an Ashes Test.
'We would have been pretty disappointed if we have decided to come to the fourth Test instead of the fifth. At least this one is a little more exciting to watch,' said 25-year-old Thuijs.
'Tickets were pretty difficult to come by. We're here with the Cricket Australia tour. We originally got into a ballot directly from the Oval but we missed out and our only option was to go through the tour group. It meant if we had only wanted to come to a couple of days play we wouldn't have been able too. It becomes pretty expensive - for each of it was around £2,000.'"
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Stefan Glosby: Re: "Collapso" - I think Ben Lewis is right. The phrase was used more recently in the song 'It's Just Not Cricket' by The Duckworth Lewis Method in 2013, so it's been around for a while.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"How does it inflate a score of 481 all out when you see a ball turn like that? Cook has still never scored a home hundred against Australia."
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"This is the game Australia wanted to play after Lord's, rather than having Trent Bridge and Edgbaston in between."
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"That's a beauty, a legitimate dismissal. The Oval is a great place to bowl spin. It's turned, taken a chunk out of the wicket and hit the off stump, leaving Cook floundering."
Tea
Eng 30-1
And with Alastair Cook shaking his head and cursing his luck to get a delivery like that, the players march off for tea. Inspired captaincy by Michael Clarke to have the spinner bowling so early. Like a football manager making a double substitution after 30 minutes and being rewarded with a goal.
WICKET
Cook b Lyon 22 (Eng 30-1)
Sometimes you put your bat under your arm, whip off your helmet and acknowledge you've been dismissed by a ripper. That's what has just happened to Alastair Cook who prods forward at a Nathan Lyon delivery which pitches on middle and leg and clips the top of off.
Eng 30-0 (Starc 0-9)
Two fellas in the crowd sit and eat an ice cream. A 99, in fact. Why do they call an ice cream with a flake in a 99? I've never understood that. Maybe it's just me.
More importantly, Adam Lyth is leaving well and only playing the balls which are going on to hit the stumps. For now at least. Maiden.
Ashes souvenirs
The no ball debate
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Patrick A. Holmes: I wonder if there were any missed no balls in the 2005 Edgbaston Test?
Bruce_zeb: Perhaps the non-calling of no-balls is just an attempt to nullify Extras, the rising star of this Aussie side.
Eng 30-0 (trail by 451)
I like this from Michael Clarke... spinner on with his fast men being plundered for 26 runs in five overs. The England openers would probably prefer to face pace early on. Alastair Cook is not fazed though... five dot balls and then a late cut for four.
Eng 26-0
Five overs in and off-spinner Nathan Lyon is brought into the attack.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 26-0
Adam Lyth is hit on the pads by Mitchell Starc. Going down leg. Too high. Apart from that... a decent appeal. Not out says umpire Dharmasena.
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Ben Lewis: Did I miss something? I thought the "Collapso" had been around cricket since England's famous "Calypso Collapso" in 2007.
Eng 25-0 (Cook 17 off 12)
Alastair Cook thick-edges Mitchell Starc for four. The runs are flowing for England. Did Australia only get 481 on this? 300 below par if you ask me.
Eng 21-0 (4 overs)
Alastair Cook has a close shave when a seagull flies overhead and the shadow it produces puts off the batsman who is late to jam his bat down on a Mitchell Johnson thunderbolt. The skipper looks in good touch though... flicking three through mid-wicket. Adam Lyth does the same to a similar delivery and it goes for four.
The no-ball debate
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Phil Marvin: If this Test match is lost by a couple of runs will the third umpire go thru every delivery to count the missed no-balls for extras?
Jack Blackburn: Why not give the responsibility of calling no-balls to the third umpire? They can radio it down. Gives onfield umpires less to do.
Eng 14-0
Good cricket. Mitchell Johnson tests out the middle of the pitch, the ball arrives at a height which tickles Alastair Cook's fancy and he pulls it for four through mid-wicket.
Eng 8-0 (Lyth 4, Cook 4)
Mitchell Starc has got Adam Lyth three times in this series, so it's about time the boy from Whitby landed a few counter punches. Watching the ball onto the bat, he plays some solid forward defensive shots. He's clearly stuck in two minds - if he's positive and goes hard outside off stump, he runs the risk of being caught in the slip cordon. Again. Maiden over.
'The fairytale didn't work out...'
Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
"I've been chatting to some Australians in the crowd, many of whom have flown around the world to watch a dead rubber - but still seemed remarkably chipper.
"Melbourne refrigerator mechanic Max Stevenson (left) and his plumber friend Luke Clarke (right) started saving up about a year ago for flights and the £2,000 cricket package.
'Our trip was based around the cricket,' said Stevenson, 24. 'We tried to get tickets to Lord's but we missed out. It was heartbreaking at home, I felt ill. Staying up all night to watch it, work has been interesting with no sleep. We were expecting it to be 2-2 but the fairytale didn't work out.'
Clarke, 24, added: 'It took a lot of saving, we had to put aside a few hundred bucks every week. "It was devastating watching them lose before we left, it wasn't even close. But we're still having fun.'"
Post update
Eng 8-0 (trail by 473)
What's going on here? Mitchell Johnson is thick-edged for four through the gully region by Alastair Cook. Replays show it was a no-ball - and it wasn't called. Why do umpires not look for front-foot fouls any more? Like somebody said earlier, if they can find technology of a similar ilk for 10-pin bowling...
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Martin: I really wish some would refer to the fact that Lyth should have been bloodied in the West Indies instead of the awful management decision by Moores to play Trott as opener. Lyth could have been set by now, instead he has not settled.
Post update
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Mitchell Johnson is opening the bowling, meaning there are two left-armers opening the bowling to two left-handed openers, the first time that has happened in an Ashes Test."
Post update
Mitchell Johnson to take the new ball, in the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
Eng 4-0
Adam Lyth shows the bowler all three of his stumps before his trigger movement, which sees him cover two of them with his pads. Crouching ever so slightly he lets a couple go which are on a certain length. Trust the bounce.
Ashes souvenirs
Eng 4-0 (trail by 477)
Rather like having a nip of whiskey before taking to the stage, Adam Lyth has his nerves settled when he squirts a yorker-length ball for four. That'll do.
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"This will be a really good test for Lyth. The ball is swinging, but it's a very good pitch. If you're going to face swing music, this is the pitch to do it on. This is a chance for him to keep his place."
Eng 0-0
Mitchell Starc's first ball to Adam Lyth is a bouncer. Right past the grille of a leaping Lyth. Chin music.
Ashes souvenirs
Post update
Adam Lyth and Alastair Cook, in sync, trot out as though they are treading water. A few squats and they're ready to take on a 90mph ball being flung at their head.
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Post update
Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Lyth has not looked out of his depth in any of his Test matches so far. He has looked at home, he's just got out."
Post update
Come on England... our Ashes souvenirs feature might fall a bit flat if you're 20-4 at tea.
End-of-innings scorecard
Australia 481: Smith 143, Voges 76, Starc 58 (52)
Fall of wickets: 110-1 (Rogers 43), 161-2 (Warner 85), 186-3 (Clarke 15), 332-4 (Voges 76), 343-5 (Marsh 3), 376-6 (Nevill 18), 376-7 (Johnson 0), 467-8 (Smith 143), 475-9 (Starc 58), 481 all out (Siddle 1); Not out: Lyon 5
Bowling figures: Broad 20-4-59-0, Wood 26-9-59-1, Stokes 29-6-133-3, Finn 29.1-7-90-3, Moeen 18-1-102-3, Root 3-0-13-0
Full scorecard
Post update
I wonder how Adam Lyth is feeling right about now? Many an England batsman has booked his winter plane ticket with a hundred at The Oval...
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Roy Naidoo: Agree about southern Tests being more commercial, maybe explains why the pitches are better batting tracks?
PaulHendo1974: Seems all future Ashes Tests should be played at Headingley, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Durham, then...
Get Involved
I'll be honest... I'm pretty happy with this having coined the phrase earlier in the summer.
Post update
Thanks Mark. Good test of England now... how will they respond to scoreboard pressure? It didn't go well at Lord's and this winter they're likely to be chasing similar scores against Pakistan in the UAE and South Africa.
Post update
And having wrapped up the tail, high time for me to hand you to Marc Higginson to talk you through England's reply.
Text 81111
Eccy, a Lancastrian in Yorkshire: Is a draw the best we (England) can hope for now? A day and a half in the field; anyone else feel a 3-40 coming on?
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He moved a couple of paces to his right, took the catch, threw the ball up and legged it off. Lyth has shown promise with the bat, but he has to get runs. He'll be nervous now."
WICKET
Siddle c Lyth b Finn 1 (Aus 481 all out)
Not awkward. Siddle is superbly caught by Adam Lyth diving to his right at gully, and the Yorkshire opener has no time to celebrate as it's time for him to dash off and put his pads on. With his Test career in the balance.
Aus 481-9 (Stokes 29-6-133-3)
Stokes was a little expensive when Smith and Starc were at the crease, but he was vindicated asking for a review of that Starc lbw. Lyon negotiates the over safely, twice picking out Moeen Ali who makes a couple of good stops at point, and then lifting the ball over the non-striker's head but it drops safely in front of mid-on. And as if to show he's no mug at number 11, he drives the grinning Stokes past mid-off for four.
Awkward last-wicket stand, anyone?
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David Holliday: This is like winning the Wimbledon final 3-1 and then made to play another meaningless set.
Aus 477-9 (Siddle 1, Lyon 1)
Lyon defends his first ball from Finn as it rears up at him, then knocks a single off his legs to keep the strike.
Ashes souvenirs
Missed run-out chance
Aus 476-9
So England finally have numbers 10 and 11 together, neither of them with a run to their name - how quickly can they wrap up the innings? That wicket fell on the last ball of the over so last man Nathan Lyon is non-striker for now, it's Finn bowling to Siddle who sets off for a risky single... but Jonny Bairstow's throw is wide. If it had hit, Siddle would have been run out by a third of the pitch.
Get Involved
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Usually, Cook gets together with the keeper, but there was no reaction here at all. Stokes wanted it right away and he was justified."
WICKET
Starc lbw b Stokes 58 (Aus 475-9)
"No bat", says third umpire S Ravi, so we go to the ball-tracker... "wickets hitting!" It's been a collector's item in this series, but an on-field decision has been overturned for only the second time (since Warner at Cardiff), and it's easy to see why, the ball whacking Starc on the back pad in front of middle and leg.
Post update
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He's gone straight to Cook and said 'I'm having that one, skip'."
Umpire review
Aus 471-8
Having helped himself to a couple more fours, Starc is hit on the boot, Stokes yells for lbw and immediately wants a review...
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Anand Sangha: It seems England are going to be saved by the rain, with heavy rain scheduled for day 4 and 5. Australia would be better served to declare here
Aus 467-8 (Finn 28-7-88-2)
A wicket maiden for Finn, who let's not forget, has two wickets today - but was denied another earlier by a no ball.
Ashes souvenirs
Here's another one from us...
Aus 467-8 (Starc 50, Siddle 0)
Peter Siddle is the new batsman for his first innings of the series, can Finn clean him up as well? Australia's number 10 plays and misses.
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Miss Stringer: Just when I beginning to think Steve Smith was invincible.
JoElle: England will be asked to follow on here. Calling it now. Hope I'm wrong but…
Ashes souvenirs
And as Michael Clarke likes to remind us at every press conference, he's not a selector.
Drinks break
And on that note, the players are taking some drinks.
Post update
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"He was getting into one-day mode, clearing the front leg. It was pushed wider from Finn and he tried to smash it through the off side, but he just got the inside edge. His first 20 runs were all over the place, but he's got a really good mentality."
Post update
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Smith was looking to get on with it. He leant back and played with a horizontal bat. It was dragged on from a couple of feet outside off stump."
WICKET
Smith b Finn 143 (Aus 467-8)
Steven Finn returns at the Vauxhall End - and it does the trick for England as Smith tries to force him through the leg side and gets an inside edge onto his stumps.
Aus 467-7 (Smith 143, Starc 50)
Smith guides Stokes between slip and gully for four - this is now the highest eighth-wicket stand (a single takes it to 91) for Australia in Tests on this ground, beating a record that had stood since 1899 - about the time when young Geoffrey was first learning about how to bat on uncovered pitches.
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Jamie in Kingston: Trying to compare Lord's and Trent Bridge is like trying to compare champagne and ale. No prizes for guessing what I was drinking when I watched the Ashes at those grounds this summer!
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
"One of the most striking features of The Oval is the number of nearby properties offering vantage points from which to watch the cricket. As well as the numerous apartment blocks on surrounding streets, the classrooms of the red brick Archbishop Tenison's School provide the perfect view. Can't be much fun being a teacher when there's a match on. Thank goodness it's the school hols."
Aus 462-7 (120 overs)
Thoughts now turn towards possible declaration tactics. Maybe that was why England did a guard of honour for Michael Clarke yesterday - they weren't at all confident that Australia would have to bat again? Root finishes his over, five from it.
50 for Mitchell Starc
Aus 459-7
The crowd rise to applaud Mitchell Starc's sixth Test fifty as he guides Root for a single. It came from 45 balls.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"At Lord's Australia got such a big score that Starc and Johnson had the freedom to sling them down. It will be the same here."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 457-7 (Smith 134, Starc 49)
Starc is closing on a pretty rapid half-century here, whipping Stokes through square leg for another four before clipping a single to the same region. Smith effortlessly chips a single to deep square leg - plenty of effort from Stokes but it's not been his, or England's, session.
Ashes souvenirs
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The snicks have fallen short or have gone in the gap. At Trent Bridge and Edgbaston, everything went straight to hand."
Aus 451-7 (Smith 133, Starc 44)
Stokes resumes his bang-it-in-from-round-the-wicket assault at Starc, and is quickly informed by umpire Kumar Dharmasena that he's had his two bouncers for the over. A thick edge past third slip brings Starc four and takes the Aussies past 450...
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's as tough chance and he did well to get to it. They come as a surprise when you're in that position."
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"That's not an easy chance. He clipped it and it went very quickly. Wood got both hands to it, but when his elbow landed on the ground the ball bounced out."
Dropped catch
Aus 446-7 (118 overs)
Dropped! Starc tries to force Root off his legs and is put down by Mark Wood at backward square leg. A hard chance... but a chance.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 442-7
Having been called upon for that one over before lunch, England turn back to Joe Root's off-spin, it's an in-out field with a slip, a leg slip, two other men in the circle and the other five back on the fence. Starc has a big heave... but misses.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 439-7 (Smith 132, Starc 38)
Stokes is attacking with three slips, but Starc and Smith pick off some singles. Batting hasn't been this easy for the Aussies since... Lord's.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"That is a batsman looking after a tailender... Steve Smith saw Mitchell Starc was hurt after the bouncer and pulled him through for a quick single."
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Robert Way: I can't believe so many people have voted for Lord's for having the best pitches/atmosphere… I imagine these voters are mainly called Bruce and Charlene.
Aus 436-7
Stokes goes round the wicket to the left-handed Starc, who is rapped on the glove by a lifter. It's his bowling hand, as well... but he seems to be OK.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"There's a bit there for the spinner, the ball has turned off the straight and Nathan Lyon will be watching keenly. I'm intrigued to see how England play this from now, with the scoreboard pressure."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 435-7 (Smith 130, Starc 36)
And that's four more as Starc repeats the shot for a first-bounce four. It's a hundred up for Moeen, who has 3-102 from 18 overs - that last over from Stokes also took him into three figures (he has 2-101 from 24).
My kingdom for a wicket, Captain Cook may be thinking.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"That's the way tailenders should play. Starc's played well on the back foot and then when it came into his eyeline he swings through the line of the ball."
Aus 431-7
Starc swings lustily, lifting Moeen for a six over long-on! That's the fifty stand.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"The game is getting away from England, which is very good for Australia. Tailenders play better when there's a proper batter at the other end."
Aus 424-7 (Smith 129, Starc 26)
Change of bowling - Ben Stokes is going to have a trundle from the Pavilion End. But Starc continues to press his case for promotion up the order, guiding the ball through extra cover and racing back for three as though his life depended on it.
Smith adds some ones and twos, also nicking a four past slip as an expensive over ends, but compared to the high-octane atmosphere of the last two Tests, if ever a match felt like being "after the Lord Mayor's Show"...
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Mitchell Johnson doesn't get it wrong as such in England, he just doesn't move the ball enough laterally to be a success over here. We have slower pitches, we don't have the heat to make them concrete hard like they are in Australia."
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Matthew Walker: Did the Aussies vote for Lord's and The Oval for the best pitches? Hmmmmm.
Aus 413-7 (Moeen 17-1-91-3)
Moeen into his 17th over, the 114th of the innings, but it remains easy pickings for Australia. Smith adds a single, then the Worcestershire man bowls one far, far too short which Starc happily cuts for four. The Aussie fans haven't had a lot to cheer about lately, but they're eagerly waving their flags at that one.
Ashes souvenirs
Vote now
The eagle-eyed among you will notice we've opened up a vote on the best Test venue in England and Wales. Click on your favourite - you can find it on the right-hand side of your screen, or via a "vote" tab (refresh your browser if you can't see it) - and we'll bring you the result later.
Aus 408-7 (Smith 120, Starc 19)
Starc is showing plenty of application with the bat here, perhaps when Johnson hangs up his boots (one to the left, one to the right) he'll be moving up to number eight. Another flashing cover drive brings him a third boundary of his brief innings... and then he plays and misses in a manner which perhaps shows why he's only batting at nine at this stage. A stifled appeal for lbw off the final ball, but not even Wood appears convinced.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"If Mitchell Starc has a day when he gets the angles right, he can knock two over with the new ball. But he could equally have a day where he struggles to hit the cut strip."
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 404-7
Starc, looking comfortable against Moeen's off-spin, helps himself to a three while a couple of leg byes push the tourists' score to the magic 400 mark. A fluent sweep for four takes Smith to 120. Time for a bowling change?
Ashes souvenirs
Russ Saunders: Lived in Melbourne since 2002. After the 2009 series I had this T-shirt printed, as I had suffered plenty of local abuse. They were huge fans.....not! :-)
Aus 395-7 (Wood 25-9-55-1)
Just the one slip in now for Smith as Wood, a few splodges of green on his flannels, sends down another probing maiden over. He comfortably has the best economy rate of all England's bowlers in this Test.
Ashes souvenirs
We've been asking what souvenirs the Aussie fans could take home at the end of their tour...
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Smith has now gone past Chris Rogers as the leading run scorer in the series with 481."
Aus 395-7 (110 overs)
Smith clips Moeen to deep mid-off before daintily sauntering through for a single, as befits a man who's taken 213 balls to score 115. An attractive cover drive brings Starc another four, and it's as if this match has reverted to "first hour mode" when Australia were taking runs at will earlier today, as opposed to "second hour mode" when there were wicket-taking chances at every turn.
Ashes souvenirs
Perhaps there could also be a Steve Smith beer? Bubbly, but best served on a flat wicket.
Aus 388-7 (Smith 114, Starc 7)
Starc, having stolen the strike at the end of the last over, shows Wood a straight bat as he plays out a maiden over, though the left-hander does play and miss at one outside off stump.
Ashes souvenirs
Aus 388-7 (Moeen 14-1-72-3)
A few of the crowd are still returning to their seats as Starc gets off the mark with a two past short leg, before Moeen Ali serves up a gilt-edged half-volley outside off stump which Starc (who has a 99 on his Test CV, and I'm not talking ice-cream here) eagerly cuts for four. Yum.
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Hebburnlee: Slow start for Extras but he's now only 10 behind Clarke, Marsh, Nevill and Johnson, combined #goodeffort.
Aus 381-7 (Smith 114, Starc 0)
Geoffrey Boycott on TMS is doubting Wood's ability to get through a five-Test series unscathed, remembering how it would be "a miracle" to get the injury-prone Chris Old to play an uninterrupted run of games for Yorkshire or England. Wood, close to crossing the border between "unshaven" and "bearded", tries to tempt Smith with a few outside off stump, but the Aussie captain-in-waiting opts to leave anything he doesn't have to play at.
Text 81111
Jon, Upminster: In a dead rubber like this loss of concentration should be on umpires. What they are doing right /wrong how can it be improved, the no ball stuff is woeful, when do club umpires not watch for it!
Rob, Chelmsford: Could one of the reasons for the umpires missing no balls is because they are concentrating on the business end of the wicket. Perhaps that explains why they have made barely any iffy decisions this series (as Andrew Samson points out for the review system). Time for some 'CreaseSpot' technology anyone?
Aus 380-7
Mark Wood to take up the attack from the Pavilion End after that one over of Joe Root, and Steve Smith shows he's back in the zone by pulling his first ball after the interval for four through mid-wicket.
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Nathan Cooper: Surely it would make sense to take no balls out of the hands of the on-field umpires so they can concentrate on the other end of the pitch. The third umpire should give all no balls, which would not be called live, but the following ball could be a free hit.
Aus 376-7
And on that note, we're ready to resume, and we've got one ball of that pre-lunch Moeen Ali over to go. With Australia's lunch watchman Mitchell Johnson dismissed second ball, it's the left-handed Mitchell Starc to face. He defends.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh on TMS: "The Ashes is the one series we'd play whether it made money or not."
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Asif Khan: Moeen Ali is the Harrods food hall of cricket; expensive but worth it.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Merv Hughes was a pretty aggressive character, so I felt the best way was trying to get to know him, speaking to him and having a beer at the end of each Test. He was calling me every name under the sun, but socialising with him was a way of humanising someone trying to terrify you on the field. My Ashes career pre-Glenn McGrath was pretty decent, post-McGrath it wasn't. I got out a lot to Walsh and Ambrose, but I felt I got my fair share of runs against them, which I never did with McGrath."
Ashes souvenirs
With the Ashes nearly over (though we've still got the one-dayers to come), we've been asking around the office what souvenirs any of those yellow-and-green-clad Aussies sat with Merv Hughes and Allan Border at The Oval might like to take home at the end of their tour. Here's the first... and of course we'd like you to send us any suggestions you might have.
Chris Tremlett retires
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John Burns: One review from 32 overturned [see 12:26]? Thank "Umpire's call" for that. Half the time they are wrong but the decision's upheld because of it.
Ludora's Ghost: While I agree that no balls are poor, most of us don't have to do our job with television cameras highlighting every mistake.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Former players have to take media jobs seriously. They can't just breeze in on the back of their name. But I have to constantly remind myself not to lose empathy with the players, and need to remember how physically arduous and mentally tough it is for the players out there."
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Terry Mahoney: The wicket alert feature on the BBC Sport app seems to be working again OK unlike most of yesterday. Thanks to whoever fixed it.
You can find wicket alerts here for those interested...
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Cook and the England team have made a concerted effort to be more open this summer towards the media and former players. Before this Test for instance, being at The Oval, Alec Stewart was invited to come and speak to the team. But ex-players should know the dressing-room isn't the place for them to be."
Text 81111
J Baillie: Any chance that Mr Boycott could state on air he was wrong about Moeen Ali? Wishful thinking perhaps but he has taken some useful wickets this series.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh on TMS: "There's a deep-seated streak of masochism in Australian fans, as the Ashes is our perennial benchmark and gives us a periodic indication of where we stand compared to the rest of the world. Perhaps Australia have repeated the error England made in 2013-14 by bringing a squad with players who were on one tour too many."
Chris Tremlett retires
As you may have heard earlier, former England fast bowler Chris Tremlett has announced his retirement.
The 33-year-old, who played for Hampshire and Surrey, won 12 Test caps and played a vital role in the 2010-11 Ashes victory in Australia.
"After 16 enjoyable years I feel that now is the right moment to call time on my playing career," he wrote on Twitter.
"Unfortunately injury has hampered me throughout my career and now plays the leading role in my decision to retire."
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton, now chief cricket correspondent of The Times, on TMS: "Channel 9's viewing figures in Australia have been very good, despite Australia not winning. This hasn't been one of the great series, because the games haven't been close enough, but the swings from team to team in game to game have been alarming. I don't think anyone though England would win this series so handsomely - I had predicted 2-2 before the series."
Text 81111
Orlando in Bath: An ode to Peter Nevill, leaning heavily on the fantastic "Neville Neville" football chant: "Nevill Nevill, that shot was a mess. Nevill Nevill, you're far from the best. Nevill Nevill, off you go. Moeen Ali, I love you so."
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh on TMS: "The Ashes isn't the oldest rivalry in cricket - I think the USA and Canada have been playing each year since something like 1844 - but it is the one which never seems to go out of date, and we never seem to get sick of. We've had three series in two years, and we're still following it avidly."
Get ready for the Rugby World Cup
It's nearly time for the next major sporting event - and in preparation we've added rugby alerts to the BBC Sport app.
You can get the line-ups, scores and results for your country and club sides; stay right across the match even when you're out and about.
And with cricket, football and Formula 1 alerts also in the app, you can now get all the scores that matter as they happen.
If you're not sure what push alerts are, they are little pop-ups which tell you when something of direct interest to you has happened, for example your country or club side have scored a try, or your football team have scored. More details here.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Football Fragmento: That was a session of two halves. First half to Australia. Second half England took four wickets. Should have had Smith too.
Dov Tate: One of the strangest things about this series is learning that you can always rely on an Australian collapse sooner or later.
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Many thanks, Stephan, honoured to be here. A curate's egg of a session, really...
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Don't forget that Michael Atherton and Gideon Haigh, two of the world's premier cricket writers, are the Test Match Special guests during the lunch break. Speaking of the world's premier cricket writers, here's Mark Mitchener.
Lunch scorecard
Australia 376-7 (105.5 overs) - England won toss
Batsman: Smith 110*
Fall of wickets: 110-1 (Rogers 43), 161-2 (Warner 85), 186-3 (Clarke 15), 332-4 (Voges 76), 343-5 (Marsh 3), 376-6 (Nevill 18), 376-7 (Johnson 0)
Bowling figures: Broad 20-4-59-0, Wood 22-7-50-1, Stokes 23-6-90-2, Finn 27-6-88-1, Moeen 12.5-1-65-3, Root 1-0-5-0.
Full scorecard
Lunch
Aus 376-7
The two-wicket Moeen over takes England to lunch after a morning they will be pretty pleased with. In all, Australia have lost 4-44 and are in danger of being bowled out for less than 400. England would be delirious with that.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Two-card trick from Moeen Ali - the ball before went on with the arm, but this one drifted in, pitched on middle stump, clipped the top of the off bail. It's not turned a great deal, just enough to get past that outside edge. As a new batsman, subconsciously you think if the first one skids on, the next one will. Great for England."
WICKET
Johnson b Moeen 0 (Aus 376-7)
Bowled him! If Moeen Ali got Nevill with a shocker, then he's done Mitchell Johnson with an absolute ripper. Round the wicket to the left-hander, pitching on middle, turning to hold its line and flick back the off stump. The game has come alive in the second hour of the first session and England's lunch will taste a whole lot better.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He's been burgled! Not a good way to get out - I wonder if Nevill's been caught down the leg side more often in Test cricket, as a percentage, than anyone else. It was a long-hop, but he got a little tickle through to Buttler, and it was a good catch."
WICKET
Nevill c Buttler b Moeen 18 (Aus 376-6)
This is as brilliant from Jos Buttler as it is agonising for Peter Nevill. Buttler has kept well this morning and earns Moeen Ali a wicket from an absolute pie. It's short, down the leg side and Nevill drowns in honey trying to pull. A little under edge is brilliantly held by Buttler, who skips across and holds an under-edge despite being unsighted. A real bonus for England on the stroke of lunch.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"A little goldenarm isn't he, Joe Root? Alastair Cook turns to him when he needs a partnership broken, and he has an uncanny knack of delivering."
Aus 372-5 (105 overs)
Spin from both ends, Joe Root asked to roll his arm over before lunch. Round the wicket, low arm, sleeveless sweater and Milky Bar Kid hair. As the sun pokes through, Nevill dances to take four through mid-wicket.
Text 81111
Olly H: Anthony Wright [12:52], is that Boycott's grandma's sweeping brush?
Aus 367-5 (Smith 110, Nevill 9)
Anthony, I'm loving that. Always good see examples of cricket in strange places and/or with strange equipment. I find an umbrella to be an excellent substitute for a bat. Smith gets four fine off Moeen Ali thanks to some horrendous fielding from Stuart Broad, then opts to play three awful swipes. Fresh air for all three, but Jos Buttler nearly in the game.
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Aus 363-5 (Smith 106, Nevill 9)
So the last 45 minutes or so have had two wickets, a wicket-that-wasn't and a century. Pretty much more action than we had in the whole of yesterday. Stokes continues with his in-ducking bananas, some 12 minutes or so before lunch. The sun just dips behind a cloud as he serves up a ridiculously high bouncer to Smith, one that is called wide. After all the excitement, maybe both teams need the break.
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Steve Smith joins Tom Graveney and Ashwell Prince as the only players with 11 career centuries having scored all of them in the first innings. It is the 10th time that he has made a hundred in the first innings of the match."
100 for Steve Smith
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He's played very well. Very scratchy at first, rode his luck, nearly got out to a horrific shot because of Steven Finn's no-ball, but now he's got his hundred."
100 for Steve Smith
Aus 351-5
Two years after making his maiden Test hundred on this ground, Steve Smith returns for another as the captain-in-waiting. A clip to mid-wicket and a fumble from Ben Stokes allows Smith through for the single that takes him to an 11th Test ton. He survived yesterday and has racked up the runs with a a plethora of drives through the off side. He celebrates with a kiss of the badge and a dance for a straight six.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
Former England captain and current Times chief cricket correspondent Michael Atherton and Australian journalist Gideon Haigh are the lunchtime guests on Test Match Special. That'll be well worth a listen.
Aus 350-5
Smith on 99 and the off-spin of Moeen Ali into the attack. Carrot dangled.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"There's still no leg slip, despite that ball Nevill deflected earlier in the over. He plays very side on, and he's the sort of guy who will get tickles down the leg side."
Aus 350-5 (Smith 99, Nevill 5)
Smith's nerves look to have abated. He's getting right across to the Ben Stokes inswingers, a couple of singles moving him to 99. Nevill is opting for a similar plan - he's been caught down the leg side a couple of times this series. Smith keeps the strike, one away from a ton...
Aus 343-5 (100 overs)
Decent pace from Finn, shaping the ball away from right-hander Nevill, who looks a little nervy, In the deep, Moeen Ali goes through some looseners, so we might be set for a little spin. Outside the playing area, the hum of the crowd just becomes audible, as if the the last half hour has been worth investing in. From looking toothless in the first hour, England have a touch of menace about them.
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Aus 343-5 (Smith 97, Nevill 0)
Good from Stokes, making Smith wait. Inswing, the odd bumper, Smith continues to sit three runs away. Just thinking, after the Mitchell Marsh failure, will Australia recall brother Shaun for the next Test???
Umpires and no balls
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"It's not the umpire's fault. The problem lies with the bowler and always has done. Fast bowlers throughout my career bowled no-balls in the nets but always said they wouldn't bowl them in matches. And then they did. That's two matches in a row now for Finn. He is a great mate of mine but he shouldn't be bowling no-balls."
Aus 343-5 (Finn 26-5-88-1)
Peter Nevill is the new man, while England have look to have abandoned the off-side theory against the hundred-hunting Smith. After a pretty humdrum first hour, there's a bit going on.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I don't think Mitchell Marsh can bat much. There's something to work with as a bowler, but as a batter that was limp. It was a tentative poke... catching practice."
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"That was a tame shot, a nice catch from Ian Bell and Steven Finn finally gets to his 100 wicket landmark."
WICKET
Marsh c Bell b Finn 3 (Aus 343-5)
Gone this time! Steven Finn's 100th Test wicket with no need to check the front line. It's a very good ball from Finn, pitching on off stump, rising and moving away. Mitchell Marsh has to play, but he can only fend to second slip, where Ian Bell takes a sharp catch above his head. Marsh's poor time continues, while Finn and Stokes have found something for England here.
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"There have been 32 reviews in this series so far - and only one decision has been overturned: David Warner at Lord's."
Aus 342-4 (Smith 97, Marsh 3)
I say that Stokes is no longer finding that wicked inswing, but it looks like he's been told not to. England have seven men on the off side for Smith, Stokes is hanging the ball out there, testing his patience. All a bit odd when Stokes has just taken a wicket with a rozzer of an in-ducker.
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Steve Woolerton: If they have the technology for ten-pin bowling, why not cricket?
David Chalmers: How can umpires miss these no balls? I umpire at club level and it is not that difficult.
Aus 341-4 (Smith 96 from 182 balls)
Smith, bat tapping like a man trying to dig is way home, moves closer when Stokes serves up one that doesn't swing. A wide half-volley is taken through the covers for four.
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Aus 336-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 3)
Still Finn - I can't tell if his front foot is behind the line or not. It's decent stuff, good length with a hint of shape away from this pair of right-handers. In all the no-ball fuss, the fact that Steve Smith is still hunting a century has rather been forgotten.
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Jamie Webb: Why aren't these umpires giving these no balls? I'm sat at square leg and I can see Finn's no ball from here.
Aus 336-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 3)
In all of that, we have missed the fact that Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman and Ben Stokes is bowling inswingers that are travelling around corners. His ball to get Voges moved devilishly from a long way outside the off stump to trap the right-hander on the crease. The Durham all-rounder has looked the most likely of all the England bowlers this morning, making the previous tactic of bowling short look a bit silly.
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Adam Lee: How can a bowler correct himself if he doesn't know if there's anything to correct? Poor from the umpire there.
Aus 336-4
Incidentally, after the Trent Bridge Test, when there were numerous occasions of no-balls not being called, the BBC asked the ICC to comment on the issue. The request was declined.
Scorecard update
Australia 333-4 (94 overs)
Batsmen: Smith 92*, M Marsh 0*
Fall of wickets: 110-1 (Rogers 43), 161-2 (Warner 85), 186-3 (Clarke 15), 332-4 (Voges 76)
Bowling figures: Broad 20-4-59-0, Wood 22-7-50-1, Stokes 18-5-69-2, Finn 24-3-88-0, Moeen 10-1-49-1
England won toss
Full scorecard
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Stephen Byrom: Farcical by Finn. No-balls at this level are criminal. Should be fined a proportion of match fee for bowling no balls.
Ian Bradley: When will umpires admit they simply don't look for no balls unless a wicket falls, ridiculous.
Owen Riley: Woeful shot from Smith. Worse from Finn whose big toe was closer to the batsman's crease than the bowler's end.
Aus 333-4 (Smith 92, Marsh 0)
That's the third instance of England taking wickets off no-balls I can remember in this series. Lots of people to blame here. First and foremost, the bowlers. The line doesn't move, so get behind it. But, we've also seen umpires not calling no-balls from deliveries that haven't taken wickets. Why aren't they watching? Why do they only check when a wicket is taken? Meanwhile, Steve Smith is looking very nervous in the 90s.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"His whole foot is three inches over - that's not a fraction. That's bad - that's really bad."
Smith caught off a no-ball on 92
Aus 333-4
This is poor from pretty much everyone involved. The headline is this; Steve Smith has been caught behind off a Steven Finn no-ball. The ball after Voges goes, Smith plays a horrible cut and edges behind. England coackahoop, but the replay shows that Finn is miles over. How did Aleem Dar not spot that? Finn wasn't a tiny bit over, but inches. The only explanation is that Dar wasn't looking. It would have been Finn's 100th Test wicket too.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Good double bluff from Stokes. Voges thought the short one was coming and Stokes caught him on the crease. And a terrible review."
WICKET
Voges lbw Stokes 76 (Aus 332-4)
How England needed this. Ben Stokes is the man to produce a touch of unexpected magic, somehow pulling out a wonderful delivery that hooped back in to Adam Voges and trapped him on the crease. The ball-tracker showed it would have hit middle and leg halfway up, denying Voges a second Test hundred. England will want much more of the same.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"He's reviewed it but he knows he's made a mistake here."
Umpire review
Aus 332-3
Adam Voges, I think this review is futile. It's a beauty from Ben Stokes, out of nowhere, late in-swing pinning Voges in front...
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"What Smith seems really good at is when he gets in, he makes it count. When you get in, cash in."
Aus 330-3 (Smith 91, Voges 75)
Only two slips for Finn as he pumps his knees towards Smith, whose pursuit of an 11th Test hundred is currently stuck on the Australian unlucky number of 87. Not for long, though, as he cuts a half-tracker for four. If we're honest, there's been a few too many four-balls from England this morning. Smith, fair hair and the waist band of his trousers rolled over (could he not find a pair that fit properly?) is looking immovable.
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Jonathan Durling: All this talk of Lord's and Oval having no atmosphere. How about England v NZ at Lord's when Stokes went barmy? #shortmemories
Matthew Hall: Location nothing to do with poor atmosphere, 100s of runs behind at Lords and Oval, of course the crowds have been a bit flat.
Aus 325-3 (Smith 87, Voges 74)
A double change for England, the slippery Ben Stokes into the attack for the first time today, serving up a horrible short ball that Voges cuts for four. The atmosphere remains flat, but there is little to draw the spectators in. At the moment, bat is entirely dominating ball. In the crowd, it's a time for private conversations or an early lunch. Cricket is a sport you can attend without really watching. Read the paper, do a lap of the ground, have a nap.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The odd ball is seaming and swinging through the air. It's still the time to be bowling outside off stump. England shouldn't revert to bowling short just yet."
Aus 317-3 (90 overs)
Steven Finn into the attack, looking for his 100th Test wicket. In the posh seats, former England pacer Steve Harmison is tucking into a pre-lunch lager. Voges, batting so far across that his bat is line with off stump, finds the fence through his favourite mid-wicket region. I wonder if the England bowlers are still behind Cook's decision to field first?
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"England haven't really looked like taking a wicket."
Aus 313-3 (Smith 84, Voges 65)
It turns out that Steve Smith plays the short ball well enough for the time being. The captain in waiting, all shuffles and twitchy energy, gets right across his stumps to deflect and pull the Broad bumpers away. Voges looks just as comfortable, even when Broad goes round the wicket. I'm not sure of the wisdom of bowling short when the new ball is only nine overs old.
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Rob Esteva: Ashes Tests down south purely for commercial reasons but atmosphere is nowhere near as good as Midlands or North #homeadvantage
Aus 309-3
England go through their dossiers and come up with a new plan to Steve Smith. There's three men out on the leg side boundary. They are going to see if he's any good on the pull.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's swinging too much for Mark Wood, it's going too early. His pace is good, he's bowling quickly, but he's not getting it into the right area to find the edge."
Aus 309-3 (partnership 123)
Good from the gurning Mark Wood, who cranks the speedo up above 90mph. The tall Voges waits, one tap of the bat, then pulls a short ball for four. In the crowd, Merv Hughes has a root around inside his nose. Nice.
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Usually days two and three are the best for batting, once the juice has gone out of the pitch."
Aus 305-3 (Smith 82, Voges 59)
I'll be honest, there's very little happening for England out there. The new ball has threatened to dance, but is now back in its chair, sipping half a lager, not moving. With the sun beating down, it feels very much like a time to be batting. Broad strives, looking for Voges' pads, but twice gets taken through mid-wicket.
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Fenners: If Australia rack up 500-600 then at least some good will come out of it - Cook wont be tempted to bowl first on a batting track again.
Aus 300-3 (Smith 82, Voges 54)
Warm at The Oval now, a day for hats and suncream. Mark Wood thinks about asking the question against Steve Smith, but that's too high. When the bowler finally loses patience, Smith is able to drive for four, his first runs of the day some 27 minutes in. The Aussie 300 is up, too. Crowd very quiet. It was the same at Lord's earlier in the summer. I'll stick my helmet on when asking this question, but is the atmosphere better outside London?
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"Good batting from Adam Voges, he's had to dig in and be patient again this morning against the new ball but he put the bad ball away there to reach his half-century."
50 for Adam Voges
Aus 295-3
Well played, Adam Voges. The Australia number fives goes to a second consecutive half-century with a cut for four off Stuart Broad. Keeping in mind he was set for the chop at Trent Bridge, it's been a good effort. Lots of runs scored through mid-wicket and square on the off side. Voges actually averages 49 in his short Test career.
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Wayne from Kingsbury: I think the answer to winning the Ashes 5-0 is to play all Tests away from London if Lords and The Oval are anything to go by!
Aus 290-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
Wood, short run-up, beard and quiff, continues to skid in to Smith, shaping the ball away from the right-hander, albeit a touch too wide. Australia are just as watchful as they were this time yesterday, playing the ball only when is absolutely necessary. Once again, there is a huge block of Aussie fans in the crowd. Have you made the trip from down under to see your team lose the Ashes? The trip of a lifetime that has ended in defeat? Did you have to sell a kangaroo to fund your flight?
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Evan Samuel: Right... TV, text commentary, coffee, pessimistic attitude. Check. Ready for another hard day at the office.
Jon Matthews: Singing Jerusalem in a school office in Beijing is one way to get you stared at.
Aus 290-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
I think we've already had more sunshine today than we had in the whole of yesterday. Occasionally the sun dips behind a cloud, but it's very pleasant in south London. Plenty of empty seats in The Oval, mind, the hum of the crowd barely audible. Better over from Broad, but the pace still down in the low 80s.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"There's definitely some swing in the air for Mark Wood. I'd like to see Stuart Broad bowling from this end though. It's perfect for outswing with the breeze that is coming across the ground."
Aus 289-3 (82 overs)
Can you just clear that up for me, Jim? Was it Bobby Ewing's dream or was it him in the shower? Or both? Mark Wood shares the new ball, immediately finding swing away from right-hander Voges. Pace good, 86mph, but the early signs are that a little of the carry has gone from this pitch. Jos Buttler is taking the ball around his ankles. Decent maiden.
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Jim, Bexleyheath: I must be the unluckiest England fan: went to day one at both Lord's and The Oval and so have seen the Aussies amass 624 runs for the loss of four wickets. Not even a sniff of these Cardiff, Trent Bridge or Edgbaston emotional rollercoasters. Are we really 3-1 up or did I dream it all, Bobby Ewing-style, in the shower?
Aus 289-3 (Smith 78, Voges 48)
Immediate jag for Broad, Adam Voges inside-edging on to his pad to give a chance to a non-existent short leg. On the Aussie balcony, Michael Clarke yawns behind a thick pair of shades. Tough night, Pup? The rest of the Broad over doesn't pose much of a threat, he's looking a touch short of rhythm. Pace in the low 80s, not much carry, wide of off stump.
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New ball
Aus 287-3
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena whips the new nut out of its plastic bag and shows it to all corners of the ground, like that scene in the Lion King when Simba is presented to the pride. Stuart Broad is the man entrusted with the precious cherry. Three slips and a gully.
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James in Tower Hill: So far in the series England have won every Test where a beer snake is made... Bring back the snakes at The Oval.
Aus 287-3
Two Finn deliveries pass by without incident, the new ball is now available.
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Alastair Cook gathers his players for a cuddle. If you've ever wondered why they do that, Michael Vaughan once said that there are so many people in the dressing room, he felt the huddle was the only place he could address his team without distractions. Finn to Smith, two slips and gully. Blue sky. Feels like a batting day.
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The umpires step over the boundary rope, sharing a little handshake as they do. "Don't mess it up, mate". England applauded as they skip down the stairs, followed by Steve Smith and Adam Voges. Everyone in brilliantly pressed whites. Are they a new set or have yesterday's been in the wash?
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Thanks for that, Higgo. He's in a good mood today. Proper Test crick-eet (in the style of Geoffrey Boycott) yesterday and expect more of the same the same today.
The new ball is due after two deliveries from Steven Finn. England will want it to bring rewards, Australia will look to get through then go big.
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The sensational scribe Stephan Shemilt has sidled up alongside me. Enough of the alliteration, over to Stoke's finest...
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's good for the England team to have to do the hard work. It's great to win games like Edgbaston and Trent Bridge when you bowl Australia out cheaply, but, for the development of the team, to have days like yesterday and come back from it - by having to use all the attack and different plans - is really good for the team."
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He sure is, Hoggy... and Anthony is a guest on TMS this afternoon!
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Save us a slice, Andrew
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"England have to strike with the second new ball. They need a four-wicket first session. If Australia had shown the same discipline against Jimmy Anderson and co in the first session at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, they wouldn't be 3-1 down."
Listen abroad to Test Match Special
Incidentally, you can listen to ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary in Europe and North America by clicking here.
Unfortunately, because of rights issues, this is not available in the UK, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
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Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It's almost like seeing off the new ball has gone out of the game these days."
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They're talking about the application of the Australian batsmen on Test Match Special...
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More food chat... it appears we have an answer to the question I posed at 10:10 BST...
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Simon Hughes
BBC Test Match Special
"Australian batsmen don't leave the ball naturally. They tend to impose themselves on the bowlers - people like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Michael Slater - because the pitches in Australia are fairly true. But Rogers scored two runs in his first 40 balls yesterday. It forced the bowlers to seek a fuller length or a fuller line, and you can pick up runs."
'Clarke a good player... but no great'
How will Michael Clarke be perceived when he retires from Test cricket? As a great?
Former England fast bowler Derek Pringle, writing for Fox Sports in Australia, doesn't believe so: "Good batsmen, and he has been at the top end of that classification rather than with the greats, don't tend to get out when pushed onto the back foot, but Australia's captain managed to do so yesterday. The ungainly poke away from his body possessing the added indignity of soaking up a review, convinced as he seemed that he had not hit it.
"Cricketers are not yet the play actors we see on football fields but Stokes's appeal was instantaneous and heartfelt, and possessed no artifice. Equally instinctive was Clarke's look behind, a sign usually that the batsman has nicked it. As Aleem Dar had already raised his finger, Clarke's review had to show compelling evidence that he had missed it, but while Hotspot demurred, Snicko's spike condemned him to another standing ovation on the long walk back into a new life."
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"The highest total Australia have made after being sent in by England is 601-8 at Brisbane in 1954 and 601-7 at Leeds in 1989. The highest total made by a team being sent in in all Tests is 735-6 by Australia v Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003."
Mmmm....
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
It's that time... Test Match Special are on the air. You can listen in the UK via this page or on the BBC Sport app via a variety of smart devices. It is, as always, a must-listen on any summer's day.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at The Oval
"It's hot. Comfortably the warmest day of the series so far by my reckoning, and yet the temperature around the ground feels lukewarm. Sadly, the events of yesterday, when Test cricket reverted to type and the Australians remembered how to leave the ball, seems to have burst the bubble of England's supporters and left them feeling rather flat. Can England get back in the game? As the saying goes, it's a big first session."
Well done Buck
Chris Rogers is also retiring after this Test. Here he is being honoured by his team-mates.
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Joe Wilson
BBC News sports correspondent at The Oval
"It was a frantic day for Michael Clarke signing photographs yesterday, at least virtually. Cricket Australia on Twitter replied to tweets featuring #thankspup! with a personalised signed photo from the man itself. At 10 o'clock this morning they'd sent close on 17,000 replies, like this one..."
408
Michael Clarke was wearing a black armband in memory of Philip Hughes yesterday. And did you see the time of Clarke's dismissal? 4.08pm.
Of course, Hughes was the 408th Test cricketer to represent Australia...
Guard of honour
Away from the actual action, one of the best things that happened on the first day was the guard of honour England afforded Michael Clarke before he went out to bat. Pure class and respect.
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This is a proper job... but what's that next to the sausage and egg? It looks like a dog's bone!
Raining sixes
Counting down the minutes until play begins? Why not have a look at our latest iWonder guide... and click on each and every six scored at The Oval since the 1940s. It's over here.
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Better late than never
At least Australia have turned up at the party - if even it's just as everyone else is leaving, the DJ is packing up and the only thing left on the buffet is stale egg mayo sandwiches.
As Australian journalist Greg Baum eloquently puts it: "This was the equivalent of Australia lying in bed at night and running through in their minds the answers they should have had for Anderson and Finn at Edgbaston, and the knowing smiles they should have given Broad and Stokes at Trent Bridge."
Back pages
But is the Aussie fightback too late? The Daily Mail certainly thinks so...
'England didn't hit right lengths'
David Warner scored a decent 85 before getting out to Moeen Ali for the fourth time in the series, and he believes England just didn't get it right with the ball.
"They've bowled fantastically well through this series, but today it just looked like they probably didn't hit their right lengths," he said.
"For a lot of the time out there I felt like they bowled just a fraction too short. In every other game they've bowled fantastically, put it up there and allowed us to try and drive. We've been getting the odd one away and then the nicks are coming.
"I won't speak on their behalf about their intensity but any time you're playing a game for your country you're always going to come out and give 100%. Today we batted well."
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England have disputed any suggestion they were taking it a little easier with the Ashes in the bag. Mark Wood, speaking at the close of play, said: "This is the Ashes and you're representing your country. We've got that desire to win 4-1."
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At least England made Australia scrap for their runs yesterday. I heard one of the players mention it was like Angus Fraser bowling to Mark Taylor at times. Old school.
But did they end the day like they would in the late eighties and early nineties?
A few tinnies, a couple of cigars...
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James in Woolwich: Thought my day five tickets were virtually worthless, was feeling slightly more optimistic today until you posted that weather forecast, when it rains it pours…
Wood supports decision to field first
Durham bowler Mark Wood backed Cook's decision to bowl first, saying: "With the overheads yesterday morning, it was the right decision to bowl.
"I thought we bowled all right as a group. A couple of nicks didn't carry, we just didn't get the wickets, now we've got that second new ball round the corner."
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I suspect many people will be wondering why Alastair Cook put Australia into bat. The England captain admitted it was a marginal decision but was clearly hoping to prey on the batting frailties that his bowlers had so ruthlessly exposed in their victories at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge.
"A couple of early wickets could easily have opened the floodgates and allowed England to roll Australia over once again.
"I doubt, however, whether Cook would have chosen to bowl had England needed to win this match to win the Ashes, but with the series in the bag he gambled on Australia's fragile confidence and I don't think you can question the logic of his thinking."
Don't blame Cook
There's been some criticism of Alastair Cook's decision to put Australia into bat yesterday, but Michael Clarke would have fielded first too. It was a brave and understandable call from the England skipper and no blame should be attached.
His bowlers were good too - sticking to their plans and continually pitching the ball up in pursuit of wickets. They didn't retreat into any negativity. Mark Wood, in particular, bowled some world-class deliveries. If he can stay injury-free, he should be able to get wickets on any pitch in the world.
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Join the debate at #bbccricket
Let me tell you how to get involved today. You can send a tweet to #bbccricket, text us on 81111, email tms@bbc.co.uk or post to the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.
Pint-Sized Ashes
What on earth is that image you've just put up, some may ask. Others may know it's from the excellent Pint-Sized Ashes. It's Tuffers talking about the end of term - it had that feeling yesterday - and how pupils at his school would throw eggs and flour etc at each other on the final day. My school too, I'm afraid.
Watch the full version of Pint-Sized here.
Weather forecast
We'll crack on with more analysis of the first day shortly, but let's check in with the weather guys before we go any further.
BBC Weather's Alex Deakin was at the cricket yesterday but is back in the office today, issuing the following forecast: "It looks pretty good at The Oval today. Warm and humid with more sunshine than yesterday and very little risk of interruptions.
"Saturday is set for a scorcher with temperatures up in the high 20s and plenty of sun, there's the small risk of a late downpour. Sunday and Monday are more uncertain with likelihood of heavy downpours."
It was good... but we're ready for the collapse
As Graeme Swann said on Test Match Special, if it was England who finished the day on 287-3 we'd be waxing lyrical about what a fine day's cricket it had been. Finally Australia have shown some fight.
But, after saying all of that, there's nothing better than watching an Australian batting collapse. Absolutely nothing.
Anytime from 11 will do boys...
The first day in numbers
The numbers tell you it was a day of attrition.
But... you know what, it was good, attritional cricket. The type which sets up a match and can lead to a barnstorming crescendo on the final day. At least let's hope so.
Proper, old-fashioned Test cricket
We'd almost forgotten what Test cricket was like.
Welcome back Test cricket. We've missed you.