Summary

  • Smith and Labuschagne take superb catches as England lose two quick wickets before close

  • Buttler (47) counters after England lose four wickets for 65 runs

  • Denly hits 94 before being caught at slip by Smith

  • Stokes - dropped on 7 by Smith - makes 67 in 127-run stand with Denly

  • Lyon takes three wickets as pitch begins to take turn

  • Australia - 2-1 up in series - have already retained Ashes

  • Australia won toss; 5th Test, day three, The Oval

Live Reporting

Matthew Henry and Jack Skelton

  1. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at The Oval

    I would like this on my wall at home...

    Surrey

  2. Eng 75-1

    Lead by 144

    Hmmm. I don't mean to sound clever but...

    Denly now edges just a few inches away from his stumps. Steve Smith leaps in the air at slip in frustration.

  3. Eng 71-1

    Denly just needs to be careful here with half an hour to go until lunch. He's made a lot of starts this summer. Don't throw this one away.

    He drives in the air but wide of short extra cover.

  4. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    There is another box coming out. Joe Denly wasn't happy with the first replacement.

    No, wait, he's sending the 12th man back.

    Joe Denly of England calls for a new protector after being struck in the groin during day three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia OvalGetty Images

  5. Eng 70-1

    Denly 28, Root 13

    I'm sure he's still feeling a little yukky and Denly is almost hit in the exact same place again. There's no sympathy from the Aussies.

    The 12th man is running out with a different box. Denly isn't happy with his second one.

    That's got to be the worst job in cricket. Running a box back and forth from the middle.

  6. Eng 69-1

    Denly has composed himself. We're back under way and Joe Root edges one well short of first slip. David Warner can't take it cleanly and it's another couple of runs added to England's lead.

  7. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at The Oval

    I like any ground that gives you a history lesson...

    Oval

  8. Denly is not getting a lot of sympathy. Four Australians walked by him while he is on the ground to have a word or two.

    It looks like Denly is also going to have to change his box.

    Joe Denly of England checks his protector after being struck in the groin during day three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia OvalGetty Images

  9. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Bullseye! Joe Root had his box broken at Old Trafford. That might have happened to Joe Denly here.

    Joe Denly reacts after being hit by the ball during day three of the fifth test match at The Kia OvalPA Media
  10. ouch!

    Eng 67-1

    Denly 28, Root 10

    A sequence of more watchful strokes from Denly is broken by a slash to a wide ball. It was pretty controlled and gets him two.

    Oh no. Joe Denly ends the over doubled over on the ground after being hit right where it hurts. Joe Root is grinning. I'd give him a kick in the shins for that.

  11. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Rash from London: As an off-spinner in the south London league, I dismissed Rory Burns with a half-pitcher of my deadly off spin. I guess me and Nathan Lyon have a lot of similarities - a shame that I haven’t taken more than 300 Test wickets!

  12. Eng 65-1

    Lead by 134

    More runs for Root as he gives Matthew Wade some work to do, sending him scurrying into the covers after a drive. It'll keep Wade quiet for a while. It also gives Root another couple.

    Joe Root of England drives during Day Three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia OvalGetty Images

  13. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    That's a good shot. Joe Root knew exactly what he was doing there. He looks like he wants to play a busy innings here.

  14. Eng 63-1

    I'm not sure Root meant to play this so fine but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He cuts in the air over the top of first slip. It might have been close to a top edge but it gets him four.

  15. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Phillip Saunders: If only Wade had the ability and form to back up his constant chirping.

    Hugo Flaxman: It’s been amusing to watch this ‘new direction’ of Tim Paine fall apart, not as the Aussies have lost, but as they’ve succeeded. Some things never change.

  16. Eng 59-1

    Denly 26, Root 4

    Just one from Cummins' over. England just need to see off this spell from Hazlewood and Cummins. There should be chance to cash in afterwards.

  17. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Rory Burns will be gutted. He worked hard for an hour this morning and had earned the right to get a score today.

    This is Joe Denly's big chance now though.

  18. Eng 59-1

    Joe Denly is being much more watchful against the seamers compared to Lyon. There's no swing but Denly is showing Cummins plenty of respect.

    Pat Cummins of Australia bowls during Day Three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia OvalGetty Images

  19. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at The Oval

    Drinks choices at The Oval: prosecco bars, gin bar, craft beer bar, Pimms and, to help digest it all, a posh cheese toasty. If you need me, I’ll be out the back testing the food...

  20. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Australia are struggling here.