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. Eng 49-0

    This is almost going too well for England. You fear something is going to go wrong soon. Peter Siddle now loses his line and a flick off Burns' pad brings four leg byes.

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    Howard Horner: If the other English batsmen had shown the consistent grit and determination as Denly we’d have won this series. Say what you want about his talent but the man grafts hard!

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

  3. Eng 45-0

    Lead by 114

    This could be a good battle. Denly is winning it at the moment but Nathan Lyon reminds us of his guile with a fast dart when Denly comes down the pitch again.

  4. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    Denly keeps looking to be positive. That's a good old club cricket shot.

    Joe Denly hits a four during play on the third day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The OvalAFP

  5. Eng 45-0

    Denly goes again! He clobbers a skimmer down the ground off Lyon. There were a few yelps of "catch" but it was well away from mid-off.

  6. Cameron BancroftGetty Images

    We've just had a leaf through the laws of cricket following Tom's question about Cameron Bancroft fielding at short leg as a substitute for Marcus Harris. There's nothing in the rules which says he can't. Bancroft can't captain the side, bowl or keep wicket - unless, for the latter, he has permission from the umpires.

  7. Eng 41-0

    Burns 16, Denly 20

    Joe Denly is playing some lovely shots. He doesn't try to overhit this drive and he collects three out through the covers. He always looks good. Can he get a big score?

  8. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at The Oval

    One thing England can take from this series is how well they've played Nathan Lyon. They were almost paralysed against him in Australia two years ago and, after he span them out at Edgbaston, they've just looked much smarter. They've used their feet, thrown him off his lines and, as a result, I think he's struggled to work out how to bowl at them.

  9. Eng 38-0

    This will be Joe Denly's last Test knock of the summer. I'm not sure he's done enough yet to guarantee a place on the winter tours despite two good battling fifties. This looks a great chance.

    Peter Siddle is on.

    Australia's Tim Paine during the matchReuters

  10. How's stat?!

    Andrew Samson
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    That's the highest opening partnership of the Test summer in England, surpassing William Porterfield and James McCollum's 32 for Ireland at Lord's.

  11. What do we reckon?

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    Thomas Banks: If this pair get the score to a 100 lead, are we classing this as the first 100 opening partnership of the series?

  13. Isa Guha
    Ex-England women's bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    It was merely a checked drive.

    Joe Denly of England hits down the ground for six runs during day three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia OvalGetty Images

  14. Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    All the way!

  15. 6 runs

    Eng 37-0

    Lead by 106

    Even better! That is brilliant from Joseph Liam Denly. It's the same shot but with a little more oomph and it carries well into the stand above the sightscreen.

    This is now the highest opening partnership of the entire summer. England now lead by more than 100.

  16. Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Joe Denly is trying to put Nathan Lyon off his line and length straight away.

  17. Eng 31-0

    Well then... Joe Denly is going to attack Nathan Lyon. He skips down the pitch and chips him beautifully for four.

  18. I think England fans should keep quiet on this one. *Cough*Gary *cough* Pratt.

    Ricky PontingGetty Images

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    tms@bbc.co.uk

    I think Cameron Bancroft is at short leg. Surely that shouldn’t be allowed? Is there any rule on substitute fielders occupying specialist fielding positions?

    Tom

  20. Eng 26-0

    Australia are turning to Nathan Lyon early in the day. He has struggled since taking six in the second innings at Edgbaston.