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. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent

    England should bat out the day but there's a lurking suspicion they won't.

  2. Eng 9-0

    Lead by 78

    Pat Cummins, the man that never ever ever gets tired is going to open the bowling. This ball is just four overs old.

  3. There is not a cloud in the sky. It's absolutely perfect for batting. Can England take advantage. Here come the players.

    Crowds watch the action during day three of the fifth test match at The Kia OvalPA Media

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    Just seen Liam Plunkett getting off the train on his was way to The Oval. Looking very dapper!

    Mark at Vauxhall

  5. Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    If England are still batting at stumps, I wouldn't have thought Australia have much chance in this game and they'll be disappointed to not finish off this series with a win.

  6. It wasn't straight forward for the England openers last night. They'll resume shortly on 9-0. Will things be any calmer?

  7. Alec Stewart
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    If England are batting at 18:30 tonight I am convinced they will win this game.

  8. Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    Tim Paine's decision at the toss could definitely contribute to a loss for Australia in this match. The consensus within the team 15 minutes before the toss was to bat first - his bowlers had spent a long time in the field in Manchester, Nathan Lyon had a sore finger but he had a gut feeling. It might have backfired.

  9. Today's going to be a belter...

    Weather

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

    England have to show the discipline they showed at Old Trafford. Dig in and play for your off stump.

    The energy and buzz of this England team is completely different to what we have seen today. They are two good batting sessions away from winning the match.

    A score of 250+ will be very difficult to chase on this wicket.

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    Jim Dale: England's plan from here should be to bat for a day and half.

  12. BBC Test Match Special

    Jofra Archer has been speaking to Test Match Special and it's fair to say he's hoping to keep his feet elevated today!

    "We've grafted hard all Ashes and I'd like to have a day off today - so let's be 400-2 at the close, please," he said.

    Over to you, Rory and Co.

  13. It has come too late to win the Ashes but yesterday was a really good day with the ball for England.

    Jofra Archer just keeps getting better. He took 6-62 yesterday and now has 22 wickets in four matches in his Test career.

    It has got Aggers excited about the next Ashes series down under.

  14. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at The Oval

    I was joined at breakfast this morning by two Australia fans, one of who was decked out in a green and gold waistcoat, the other in a waistcoat with the Australian flag on it. They were discussing Nathan Lyon and his technique and action. The baffled looks from a group of non-cricket loving tourists were a highlight.

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    What we need today is slow steady defensive play. We need to bat well into tomorrow, set the Aussies a big target and tear the wicket up a bit.

    Chris

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

    If England bat all of today I think they will win the Test match quite convincingly.

    But, as we have seen, don't rule out 50-5!

  17. Joe Denly and Rory BurnsReuters

    It's surely just a matter of batting, batting and batting some more today for England.

    There is still so much time in this match. They just need to try to bat Australia out of the game.

    Of course that will not be easy against Cummins, Hazlewood and co. Australia will know if they have a good day then they still have every chance of winning the series.

  18. Good morning. Things look a whole lot better for England in this game than they did 24 hours ago.

    They had one of their best fielding days of the series yesterday with Jofra Archer and Sam Curran showing a glimpse of the future.

    They'll start day three with a 78-run lead. England could set up the push for victory today.

  19. The future is bright after all...

    Jofra Archer and Sam CurranGetty Images