Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes' last four partnerships together have been 110, 68, 95 and now 109 unbroken today.

That is absolutely massive from Morgan. Massive! Maxwell just dropped a touch short and Morgan was all over it, hoisting it over cow corner and into the stands yet again. That's two big sixes that Morgan has thrashed off Maxwell.

Drinks have arrived out in the middle, which gives Australia a chance to regroup from being thrashed around the place. I'd be interested to know what Steve Smith's pep talk consists of. Suggestions welcome. Here's Eoin Morgan's best bits on his way to his 11th half-century against Australia.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Zampa is not a huge spinner of the ball. Nice and accurate but doesn't have a lot of threat.

Adam Zampa has dreadful hair. Which is definitely the sort of high quality technical analysis that you come to this live text for. That's four from Morgan, down on one knee and reverse-sweeping furiously through third man. This has been an enjoyable counter-attack from England.

Eng 138-3published at 22 overs

22 overs

Glenn Maxwell has been brought into the attack, and his first ball is now nestling in the stands somewhere! Too short from Maxwell and Morgan latched onto that to flay it over the ropes. That brings up the 100 partnership too, from 98 deliveries. The rest of his over is tidier, Morgan content to rock onto the back foot and pat the ball this way and that.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

I'm loving this by Ben Stokes. He's always had the talent but he's honed it and become world class. I mean, truly world class.

We're into the 20th over now, which means Australia have got a game in for the first time in this Champions Trophy. Ben Stokes celebrates that with them by crunching a short ball from Zampa to the boundary. There was plenty of oomph in that and the fielder at cover didn't bother moving.

Here are some of Stokes' best shots as he made his way to a 39-ball half-century.

That half-century is also Morgan's 11th against Australia. Starc hurtles down a 91mph delivery that Stokes takes a step towards and gently taps away into the covers. Morgan then digs out a fine yorker to end the over. That's a good over from Starc, just the two runs from it.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

That is Ben Stokes' 12th score of 50 or more in ODIs, two of which he has converted into centuries.

50 for Morganpublished at 19 overs

19 overs

Eng 124-3

And that's the England captain's half-century, brought up with a calm flick into the covers. It's his 34th in ODI cricket, and it's been thoroughly entertaining. Zampa spears the ball in and the England duo work a couple of singles.

Steve Smith has remembered he's got a leggie in his ranks. Against Bangladesh, he didn't bowl Adam Zampa until the 34th over, and he instantly took two wickets and went for just 13 runs. Now here he is, Alice band in place, Eoin Morgan in his sights.

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Edgbaston

Impressive 50 off 39 balls from Ben Stokes. Even more impressive when you find out he's faced 20 dot balls. And so has scored 52 off 19 scoring shots.

50 for Stokespublished at 18 overs

18 overs

Eng 121-3

What a way to bring up your half-century: smashing Mitch Starc into the stands for six! This has been some top bashing around from Stokes. Good running, big shots that have cleared the field, and they've put England firmly on top. Stokes raises his bat to the crowd, who cheer loudly.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Stokes is puffing his chest out. He's always been an elegant puller and cutter of the ball but he's looking a world apart from anyone else.

Australia have turned to Moises Henriques while Aaron Finch is serenaded by the Hollies crowd. He looks thrilled. Stokes comes down the pitch and mows at Henriques' first delivery but ends up swiping at fresh air. Ooh, in the air from Stokes, but it skims over mid-on's hand and away for four! Pat Cummins is a tall fella but even he couldn't get a touch on that. That'll be four.

Image source, Getty Images

This has been a statement of proper intent from England. They were three down, a rain break can do odd things to a batsman's mind, and yet these two have come out and just launched into the Australian attack. They've not allowed them to settle and it's thrown them off line. Travis Head whirls through another over and England steal four singles here and there, keeping that rate ticking along.