Summary

  • Lightning stops play and ends day two early

  • Burns & Hameed fall to Starc & Neser respectively

  • Australia 473-9d: Labuschagne 103, Smith 93, Carey 51

  • Labuschagne completes maiden Ashes century

  • Second Test, Adelaide - day-night match, England trail 1-0

  • Use play icon at top of the page to listen to Test Match Special commentary

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    #bbccricket

    Jack Olsburgh: I do feel heretical saying this but Jimmy just does seem so placid and innocuous in Australian conditions - Robinson’s height is far more of a weapon.

  2. Postpublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    We've had a whole global pandemic since his last but Steve Smith is closing on yet another Ashes hundred.

    He'll still be getting them in 2050.

  3. drinks break

    Drinks breakpublished at 07:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    The players are taking a drink with an hour's play done in this session. A fair bit has happened today but after a little England fight back Australia are well in command.

  4. Postpublished at 07:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    Wow. Is that the start of Australia stepping on the gas?

  5. 6 runs

    Aus 352-5published at 130 overs

    Smith 79, Carey 30

    Where has that come from? Steve Smith has been snoozing his way through this innings for the most part, batting like he is booked into an Adelaide hotel for two weeks.

    Now he whacks Chris Woakes off a length way back over the leg side.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:38 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    #bbccricket

    Mike: This batting performance from Australia does not end England's chances of winning the series because technically they never had any chance of winning it.

  7. Aus 341-5published at 129 overs

    Smith 73, Carey 25

    Joe Root barks some more encouragement while bending over his knees at slip. It's another accurate over from Robinson but with every block Steve Smith is looking more and more Smith-like.

    There's not too much happening and I'm considering cheekily doing some Christmas shopping. I still need something for my brother. Suggestions?

  8. What have you missed this morning?published at 07:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Media caption,

    Smith brings up 50 with edge over keeper

    If you're just joining us, it's not been all doom and gloom this morning but Australia are just starting to pull away from England again.

    England started a bit of a fightback in the first session - Australia were 221-2 at the start of the day and are now 340-5.

    But since the lunch break, Alex Carey has started to free his arms and yes, Steve Smith is still batting - he has 73.

    Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne turned his overnight 95 into a maiden Ashes hundred. It was followed by some classic England calamity when he was caught behind by Ollie Robinson on 102 that turned out to be a no-ball.

    He was eventually out lbw to Robinson for 103 and followed back by Travis Head for 18 and Cameron Green for two.

    To put it simply, England need wickets.

  9. Postpublished at 07:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    They have got to do something about these no-balls.

  10. Aus 340-5published at 128 overs

    Smith 73, Carey 24

    Edged! In the gap. It's Steve Smith as well. Chris Woakes covers his eyes in with hands.

    Oh it was a no-ball. That'll make it a little less painful.

  11. Postpublished at 07:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    With the development of human beings, should the stumps be increased in height?

  12. Aus 331-5published at 127 overs

    Alex Carey tilts his helmet to allow sweat to stream from below to peak. It is that kind of day. Ollie Robinson bowls England's third consecutive maiden.

  13. Postpublished at 07:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    The ball isn't really coming on to the bat that nicely. It's not always been an easy pitch to bat on. If Australia lose a wicket now, England could rattle through them and have a chance to settle into their batting before the lights come on.

  14. Aus 331-5published at 126 overs

    I said 40 minutes ago this was going to be an important hour in the match. Only one winner so far. England are searching for wickets but they look to be in the wrong postcode at the moment.

  15. Postpublished at 07:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England have bowled much better today, they've bowled much fuller than yesterday and made the batsmen have to think a lot more about their shot selection.

  16. Aus 331-5published at 07:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Smith 65, Carey 24

    I'll see what I can do, James. Smith's wicket does always seem to count as double. Remember at Edgbaston in the last Ashes when he dragged Australia from 120-8 to 284? Something similar today would mean game over for England.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:15 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Text 81111

    Can we introduce 'Smicket' on the feed to immediately clarify whether a wicket is a Steve Smith wicket and not a 'standard' Australian wicket?

    James, Bristol

  18. Postpublished at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Ollie Robinson is back. He bowled well earlier when he took the Labuschagne wicket.

    England need another.

  19. Aus 331-5published at 124 overs

    Because of their heavily reduced numbers, they are not as loud as previous tours but the sound of England fan chants provide the backing track to Anderson's latest over - another quiet, slightly short one.

    "We are the army, the Barmy Army," the fans sing. A group of Aussie fans dressed as Richie Benaud are involved in some friendly banter back in their direction.

  20. Postpublished at 07:13 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Alex Carey has come to the crease with the aim of adding some impetus. He's trying to force Jimmy Anderson off his length.