Summary

  • Smith 92*, S Marsh 7*

  • England drop three catches

  • Two wickets for injured Overton

  • Khawaja 50, Bancroft 25, Warner 22

  • England slip from 368-4 to 403 all out

  • Malan 140, Bairstow 119; Starc 4-91

  • Australia lead 2-0 in five-Test series

  1. Until Saturdaypublished at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Steve SmithImage source, PA

    Will it be a 'Super Saturday' or 'A Sadly Not Saturday' for England?

    We will be back at about 02:00 GMT for the third day of this intriguing third Test.

    TMS highlights of Friday's play are available here.

    Thanks again for your contributions.

  2. Not one for the cameraspublished at 11:50 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Then there was this.

    The day could have ended with Australia on 203-4 had either Mark Stoneman or wk Jonny Bairstow held on to the ball to remove Shaun Marsh.

    The batsman flicked the ball on to the boot of Stoneman. The ball careered upwards and both Stoneman and Bairstow produced their best David de Gea impressions only for neither to scoop the prize.

    Mark Stoneman and Jonny BairstowImage source, Getty Images
  3. Missed opportunities for Englandpublished at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    The Western AustralianImage source, The Western Australian

    Now then.

    The 'daydreaming' The Western Australian is referring to is when Khawaja edged to Root, who was... er... caught napping.

    The ball flew past the grasp of the captain, who perhaps could have done better at slip.

    Am I being harsh?

  4. Khawaja: 'Smudge batted beautifully today'published at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Usman KhawajaImage source, EPA

    Queensland batsman Usman Khawaja was a good support act for skipper Smith, before he fell lbw to Chris Woakes having made 50.

    He spoke to the press afterwards.

    On Smith: "It's nice to watch. He batted beautifully today. He makes any conditions seem really easy.

    "Most batsmen react instinctively. More impressive is the way Smudge bats in terms of the margin for error being so little, as the English found out today. He hit a lot of balls that should have been dots for four. He was in fine form today."

    On the England collapse: "It wasn't that England have a history of collapsing, it's that new batsmen would find it tough to come in. It's not an easy place to start your innings. The boys bowled really well. To restrict to them 400 was a really good effort.

    "It's still a good wicket. The Malan-Bairstow partnership, they batted really well, hopefully we can do the same tomorrow, get a couple of nice partnerships. There's a lot of hard work to do. It's a good wicket."

    Looking forward: "Traditionally, batting fourth is the hardest. At the Waca and Gabba, chases have been done. We have to try to bat as well as we can. If we get a lead, it means fewer to chase. Day five is still a long way away.

    "Give credit to the bowlers, we had been in the field for a long time. Pat Cummins getting Moeen second ball, Moeen didn't too much wrong. You don't want that second ball. They could have got a few more runs if we didn't bowl well. Starcy, Josh and Cummins have big tanks. They keep going and don't slow down. Credit to them, they're very fit. They are still bowling with venom at the tail after 100 overs."

    On his lbw: "I thought it might be a little bit high. Waca hard to get lbws because of the bounce."

  5. Postpublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

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  6. They call him ‘Steadfast’published at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Steve SmithImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Why is he in a subway?

    Steve Smith.

    If he was a cuboid he’d be a breeze block.

    If he was herbaceous plant he’d be a Japanese knotweed.

    Once Smith is in, he’s in.

    The Aussie skipper has a Test average of 60.40 which he gave nudge up with his 92*.

    He was ably supported by Usman Khawaja, who made his second 50 of the series, although England had two chances to remove him.

    If England can do what Australia did to them earlier on Friday then they have a chance.

    Australia will be looking at big, big score on Saturday with Smith leading the way.

  7. Happy b'day Carl Hooperpublished at 11:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

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    Loved Carl Hooper - and his hats.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    #bbccricket or text 81111 (UK only)

    Adam Davies:We need to pick players on form" says Daniel at 10:56. Then names two bowlers who bowled 160 overs between them all season for their counties. Wood played one entirely unconvincing Test match and returned poor figures for the Lions. Madness.

    There is anger there Adam. Real anger.

  9. Has the tail grown?published at 11:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Moeen AliImage source, .

    It was yet another blip for Moeen with the bat, who hasn’t sparkled with the ball either. Did moving down the order affect his confidence?

    That’s 38, 40, 25, 2 and 0 for him.

    This is what former England spinner Graeme Swann said: "Moeen Ali's dismissal was meek. He's getting out more meekly each innings. He had watched the entire innings, batted in the net for three days - he knows it's going to be bouncy. He looked half asleep."

  10. 'Just some lighthearted fun'published at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Jonny BairstowImage source, Getty Images

    Here's a little bit more from Jonny Bairstow who made his first Ashes ton on Friday: "Our job when we come back in the morning - we got capabilities to take take five or six wickets.

    "It's my favourite hundred. I have played in a few Ashes and to score an Ashes hundred is something you dream about. It's eluded me until now. There were a whole heap of emotions. The celebration was light-hearted fun with everything that's gone on, that's the way it should be taken.

    "It means a heck of a lot to be part of records. You look back to Cape Town, Stokesy [Ben Stokes] and I, now this innings. Malan played outstandingly. He deserves all the plaudits that he got.

    "We believe going forward to tomorrow that our guys have the skills to take 20 wickets to win this Test."

  11. Averagepublished at 11:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Stuart BroadImage source, Rex Features

    There was that feeling that once either Malan or Bairstow fell the rest of the order would follow in fairly quick succession – and they did not disappoint.

    England nosedived from 368-5 to 403 all out which means from losing their fifth wicket to all out the tourists have averaged 71.8 runs in five innings.

    A sad tail

    03:52: Dawid Malan drives at Nathan Lyon and sub fielder Peter Handscomb takes a fine, diving catch to dismiss him for 140.

    03:56: Pat Cummins bounces Moeen Ali, who fends at a short ball and sends a simple catch to slip. He falls for a duck.

    04:14: Chris Woakes, on 8, flicks Josh Hazlewood to Pat Cummins at fine leg.

    04:18: Centurion Jonny Bairstow has his middle stump is knocked out of the ground by Mitchell Starc as he played across the line.

    04:27:Craig Overton works a short ball straight to Cameron Bancroft at short leg.

    04:40: Starc take his fourth wicket as Stuart Broad, hooking, offers another simple catch to short leg.

  12. Third Test, day two recappublished at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    • Dawid Malan posts a brilliant 140
    • Jonny Bairstow also scores a ton
    • England slip from 368-5 to 403 all out
    • Australia 203-3 at the close of play
    • Smith 92*; Khawaja 50
    • England had three chances to remove Khawaja and Marsh

    Your thoughts at #bbccricket, external and/or text 81111 (UK only).

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    #bbccricket or text 81111 (UK only)

    Daniel: We need to pick players on form and a few of our bowlers aren't doing it, I would be seriously tempted to bring in Wood and Plunkett

  14. Malan cakewalkpublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Media caption,

    I almost cried - Malan on his century

    Read this excellent and insightful piece by Marc Higginson about Englandman-of-the-mo Dawid Malan.

    Here’s a snippet:

    “So when England needed a middle-order batsman for their Test side, they eventually landed on a man with 10 years of county experience - and more than 8,000 first-class runs - to his name.

    “Two half-centuries against West Indies earned him his place in the Ashes tour party, and he is now making the number five spot his own after years of upheaval in the national team's batting order.”

  15. The (head) butt of jokespublished at 10:46 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

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  16. Mate?!published at 10:44 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    FanImage source, Getty Images
  17. The good news for Englandpublished at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Dawid Malan and Jonny BairstowImage source, .

    Malan, Malan, Malan – 140 runs in 322 minutes off 227 balls. A simply brilliant and crucial innings, matched by an equally mettlesome knock from Jonny Bairstow who made a mature and patient 119.

    Of course, JB being JB had a bit of fun when he headbutted his helmet after achieving his ton. Larks!

    Their 237-run partnership was England’s highest fifth-wicket stand against Australia. That total beat the 206 set by Denis Compton and Eddie Paynter in Nottingham back in 1938.

    Now, even I don’t remember that one.

  18. Third Test, day two recappublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Steve Smith and Shaun MarshImage source, Getty Images
    • Dawid Malan posts a brilliant 140
    • Jonny Bairstow also scores a ton
    • England slip from 368-5 to 403 all out
    • Australia 203-3 at the close of play
    • Smith 92*; Khawaja 50
    • England had three chances to remove Khawaja and Marsh

    Cheers Amy L and Tom R.

    So, still in the balance?

    Your thoughts at #bbccricket, external and text 81111 (UK only).

    We will have reaction from both camps, plus anger, frustration, perspective, flippancy and fun.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    #bbccricket or 81111

    Philip Dantes: I have concerns about Moeen. He is not a top order batsman nor a front line bowler: he averages 34 and 38, respectively. Is an infrequent lower order ton worth more to England than the runs or wickets of a specialist batsman or bowler?

  20. Postpublished at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Australia still trail England by 203 runs, but they've got seven wickets in hand and Steve Smith looking imperious on 92.

    I'm off for some sleep. Saj Chowdhury will take you through all of the reaction to today's play.