Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

That was everything England wanted. They have blunted the home crowd, got themselves into the game and they'll take this. They need more of the same this afternoon - I don't think it will be a day full of runs. It's a grafting day but, so far, Mark Stoneman and James Vince are complementing each other.

So what to make of that opening session? Well after the early loss of Alastair Cook, England will be delighted with the way Mark Stoneman and James Vince have applied themselves to make it through to lunch without any further loss.

Runs have been hard to come by at times - in part due to the slow pitch, in part due to decent containment from Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

But the hosts haven't got their lengths right in general. Cagey but absorbing cricket so far.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Mitchell Starc is bowling too short for this surface. It will quicken up, but England are doing alright. They are not going to score quickly on this yet. Mark Stoneman, for example, is struggling with his timing but he's grafting. That's good.

So can Starc conjure something special before the break? Nothing doing from his first three balls as Stoneman calmly ducks and weaves.

Bat on ball for the fourth, before Starc finally gets the bouncer right and Stoneman has to take evasive action.

Final ball before lunch - played. Stoneman just pushes it away to mid-off. Calmness personified.

Lyon also now opts to go round the wicket to Vince, finding some decent turn back into the number three as he also finds the outside edge. It runs away for four but the off-spinner deceived Vince there.

Eek, a nice little contest brewing before lunch as Vince flicks one round the corner with leg slip briefly interested. Solid defence to the last.

Are we going to sneak another over in before lunch? Yes and it'll be Starc to bowl it...

Image source, Getty Images

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, AFP

In all the years I've been coming to Brisbane, this is the best I've known it for cricket conditions. Normally, the sweat is pouring off you and it's ridiculously hot. It's nice and cool today.

Starc now goes around the wicket at Stoneman - time for some short stuff? Yep, the Surrey man ducks under the first and then gets on top to defend the second.

The next few deliveries are also aimed at Stoneman's chest but the opener plays them all well. Starc drifting too far to the off side to really trouble Stoneman there.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Vince has a history of looking good for 20 or 30 and then getting out. That worries me.

Lyon's containment policy appears to be based on rifling through his overs as quick as possible.

Another quick, teasing one that leads to another maiden.

Stoneman punches Starc off the back foot but can't beat the infield. A wafty drive does so though and he picks up a single. Not perfect timing from Stoneman so far but he's accumulated well.

Starc drifts onto Vince's pads, the number three flicking it away for one.

A loose, short delivery from Starc almost dribbles off Stoneman's cut stroke, a sure sign the pitch is slow.

Stoneman misses out again as he can only flick a poor ball down leg along the groun to Paine behind.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Australia are going to try and tie England down with Lyon and Hazlewood. The strike bowlers are Starc and Cummins. England have got to be wise to this plan and not make mistakes when the runs dry up.

Lyon drops short and Stoneman cuts him away for a single.

Vince continues to calmly rock back and glance the off-spinner safely away.

Oo-er, a wide, full one sees Vince unfurl the drive and he miscues it into the pitch. That will give Lyon some hope that he can tempt him into a loose shot.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at the Gabba

There's a swimming pool at the Gabba. Obviously. Kudos to those who had the foresight to bring their trunks.

Many of you are getting in touch asking about online TMS coverage overseas. Unfortunately it's only available in the UK during this series.

Full ball from Starc is clipped away by Stoneman off his toes and more good running from this pair sees them pick up three.

That's 50 up for England and the fifty partnership too - a sterling effort by these two so far.

Vince misses out on a short ball that evades his pull shot and whacks him just above the thigh pad. Again it seems the lack of pace did for him.

Michael Glasper: Watching Vince & Stoneman out there is like watching your kids on the trampoline. They're doing great, but they probably need an adult to supervise.

Image source, PA

Lyon races through the rest of the over, Vince briefly on the charge but wisely just defends.

Another maiden - a bit of pressure on England? They don't seem too fazed by any of this though.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

There is a bit of turn, but not a lot - don't underestimate Nathan Lyon, he's done well for Australia. Just play sensibly.

Image source, Getty Images

Lyon gets a hint of turn into Vince, who shapes to flick it away. The ball pops up to short leg, who snaffles it and the Aussies go up in appeal.

Not out. Clearly missing the bat and hitting Vince above the knee roll.