Summary

  • England reach close with a lead of seven runs

  • Australia's fast bowlers intimidate in final session

  • 'Like Thomson & Lillee all over again' - Tufnell on TMS

  • Cook & Vince out; Root hit on helmet by Starc bouncer

  • Australia 328 all out - Smith 141 not out

  1. Postpublished at 03:00 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    I don't think he should have thrown it. It's silly. If it hits the bat and goes for four, it's your own fault. Every four runs are priceless in this low scoring game. No sympathy.

  2. Aus 229-7published at 93 overs

    Trail by 73

    Ball to Smith, who guides it away and scurries through for a single before flashing a cheeky grin at the England bowler who smiles in respone.

    Cummins then glances one in a similar area but hesitates on the call - Vince picks up and shies at the stumps but it deflects off Cummins' bat and streaks away to the boundary.

    Sickener. That's five runs to Cummins, who looked like he would've made his ground anyway.

    Glorious! A delicious on-drive from Smith down the ground and to the fence. A loose over undoing England's good work since lunch.

  3. Postpublished at 02:57 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Are England bluffing by insisting Anderson is fine? You would expect your best bowler to be on after lunch but then again Root has plenty of schemes up his sleeve.

  4. From the press boxpublished at 02:56 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

  5. Aus 219-7published at 02:56 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Smith 83, Cummins 6

    There it is. Woakes finally starting to find some rhythm as he pitches it up with a bit of wobble and beats the outside edge of Cummins' bat.

    Another decent delivery as he leaps wide of the crease and angles it into the corridor of uncertainty.

    Another maiden.

  6. Postpublished at 02:53 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    I always think, in these low scoring games, if neither side gets a first innings advantage, whoever has to bat in the third innings is the crucial one. I've seen a lot of teams that bat third collapse. If the team batting first gets a lead, it's a big psychological advantage.

    AshesImage source, Getty Images
  7. Aus 219-7published at 91 overs

    Ball continues, just back of a length and on a nagging line just around off stump. Smith can't get anything away but is also refusing to be drawn into the drive.

    Cagey yet engrossing stuff. A maiden - can England keep building the pressure?

    Jake BallImage source, Getty Images
  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 02:50 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Text 81111

    In New York and the -5 hour time difference is doing wonders for following more of the cricket! Let's polish these Aussies off and get a healthy lead please...

    Alex H, Lincolnshire

  9. Aus 219-7published at 90 overs

    Tidy enough from Woakes, conceding a single to Smith off the first.

    Ah that's a peach, bit of movement off the seam and evading Cummins' defence but also rising over the stumps.

    Bit more convincing from Woakes that.

  10. Postpublished at 02:46 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    Bowling Woakes and Ball first after lunch is a little puzzling. It wouldn't have been my choice. Joe has displayed some innovative field settings and when nothing's happening, and the batsmen are settling in, you have to try something different.

  11. Postpublished at 02:46 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Mmm, Chris Woakes is coming on at the other end.

    The ball is only nine overs old and Stuart Broad hasn't bowled much with it. Not convinced by this move.

  12. Postpublished at 02:43 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Dan Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    This field is like the field we used to have when I first played cricket, when I was about nine or 10. My cricket didn't progress terribly well.

    Geoffrey Boycott: "Well, obviously the field flummoxed you!"

  13. Aus 218-7published at 89 overs

    A lovely drive from Smith but a decent diving stop from the lanky Broad keeps it to one.

    Cummins on strike - Root brings in two men in very close on the drive. Ooshk - a peach from Ball that keeps coming back in and Cummins plays round it, very close to an inside edge onto the stumps that.

    Last laugh from the number nine though, an on-drive racing away to the fence.

  14. Postpublished at 02:40 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Right. The players are back out on the field at the Gabba. A cracking session in store.

    Jake Ball to Steve Smith first up.

    Here we go...

    AshesImage source, AFP
  15. Postpublished at 02:39 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Essex and England Lions batsman Tom Westley, speaking to TMS: "A lot of guys have shown glimpses they can play at that level but the difficulty is someone consistently taking that opportunity.

    "I don't know the answer to that until someone comes along who grabs that opportunity. Numbers two, three and five are perceived as problem positions but it can only take a run of good form by players there for those questions to no longer be asked.

    "[If an injury occurs] I could be involved in the Ashes - and the Lions is the best place to prepare, it's intense. I'm definitely better placed to play for England now than I was first time."

  16. Postpublished at 02:34 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Ah yes Kyle - James Anderson did appear to be holding his side while grimacing a bit towards the end of the session.

    But word from the England camp is that he is fine. We'll see whenever he comes back on after the resumption.

    AshesImage source, Getty Images
  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 02:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    #bbccricket

    Kyle: The biggest worry is the injury to Jimmy Anderson, hopefully its just a minor injury. That apart its been a perfect morning for England and we are in a great position.

  18. Postpublished at 02:31 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Essex and England Lions batsman Tom Westley, speaking to TMS: "I went into Test cricket knowing that media scrutiny would be the case. It's obviously not nice sometimes when you read what's being said but I went in knowing how fickle the media can be.

    "After my debut everything was positive but after a few failures it all changed very quickly

    "You can't be completely prepared for it but I was aware of it."

  19. Postpublished at 02:28 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    To help you stay awake, England Lions and Somerset spin duo Dom Bess and Jack Leach are being quizzed on their friendship (and international ambitions) over on TMS.

    You can listen in by clicking the tab at the top of the page or over on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

    They had Tom Westley on before. Some more thoughts from him coming up...

  20. Postpublished at 02:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2017

    Welcome to those of you who have just left the club/pub/house party and are checking in on the Ashes score. (And hello again to those who've stayed with us.)

    As you can see, it's going rather well for England - three wickets this morning:

    • Stuart Broad drawing Shaun Marsh into a mistimed drive that lolloped to James Anderson (resulting in some afters below)
    • Tim Paine edging an Anderson beauty behind to Jonny Bairstow
    • Broad snaffling Mitchell Starc caught and bowled

    But Steve Smith is still there for Australia. Another belting session in store after lunch - don't go to bed yet!

    AshesImage source, Reuters