50 for Joe Rootpublished at 05:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

05:50 GMT 18 December 2021

Root clips off his pads down to fine leg for four runs and reaches yet another half century. What a player, pure class.

I'm sure we'll have plenty of Root's stats in 2021 to follow.

Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Australia have not been able to bowl six deliveries at the top of the off stump all testing the batsman.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

Malan is a good driver and good puller. He is a good hard-wicket player.

Green drops a ball short and Malan's not missing that. Pulled away for four.

Cameron Green is so tall. Like ridiculously tall. Ollie Robinson's extra height made his bowling stand out yesterday for England so if he gets it right, it could be very effective.

Cameron Green is on for his first bowl, much to the delight of the radio commentary team.

Here's Dawid Malan's run map so far. Consistency.

Image source, BBC Sport

Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

You've said it now, Simon...

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

England are threatening to get to the break without losing a wicket.

James Price: Woke up this morning to find Root and Malan still batting. Had to check we weren’t following on.

A shot of real intent from Joe Root as he perfectly times a pull shot off Jhye Richardson to the square leg boundary.

He then has to wave a security guard away from behind the sight screen. Bless him, he just wanted some shade, but in fairness to Root he is wearing a luminous vest that would be rather distracting.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

That was only the third maiden of the morning so far in 27 completed overs. There were 14 in the first 35 overs if Australia's innings.

Tom: Debated not getting up at 4 for a third day in a row, but so glad I did to watch these two, so much class and quality.

A Nathan Lyon maiden whizzes by. My eyes are stinging from staring at a screen for so long for three consecutive 3am starts.

Think I should get some glasses. I must be getting old.

Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

I have been impressed with England. They have showed good intent, not getting bogged down. They are making the batting look so much easier than previous days.

There haven't been as many plays and misses. I wonder if the pitch has quickened up a little but the attitude, these two have been happy to drop and run whereas Australia were quite defensive.

Dawid Malan has started confidently this morning. Treat yourselves to watching the best shots of his 50 so far.

Four from Jhye Richardson's over, who beats the bat again but also allows England to keep the score ticking over.

That brings up 100 runs for England in this session.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

The hundred partnership has come in exactly 27 overs. It is Root and Malan's fifth century stand in 20 partnerships together.

In their 20 partnerships together they average 62 per dismissal. In England's Test history 105 pairs have batted 20 or more times together and their average is the seventh best and second best in the last 50 years.

Only Cook and Pietersen, averaging almost 65, have a better average stand in that time.

Dawid Malan nudges one into the leg side and the single brings up the 100 partnership between him and Root.

When they're batting like this it's easy to forget that England were 12-2 yesterday.

And as I say that, Malan misses a cut shot through to the keeper and wow, that was close.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It has been a great start for England.

Still no Cameron Green, as Jhye Richardson is on to replace Michael Neser.

Seems a good move though as Joe Root plays and misses at a good length delivery on off stump that wakes Australia up a bit.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

I am surprised we haven't seen Cameron Green at all yet in this innings after the bounce he found in Brisbane.