Ollie Robinson can bat. It's just that in his short Test career so far, he hasn't really chosen to. He made a hundred on his first-class debut. This is a nice shot, turning Neser through square leg for four. We know Robinson is a fierce competitor. Can he ignore the devil on his shoulder?

Nicky Shaw
England World Cup winner on ABC

Mitchell Starc is pushing the ball across Jos Buttler, searching for that edge. That appears to be the plan at the moment.

Jhye Richardson is replaced by Mitchell Starc. This is how Richardson knocked over Chris Woakes...

Robinson dropped on 0published at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2021

07:50 GMT 20 December 2021

Eng 168-7

A chance. A tough chance, but still a chance.

Ollie Robinson jabs the ball back at Michael Neser, who is in his follow-through. It's low, down by the bowler's right ankle. He thrusts out a hand, but it doesn't stick.

Catches win matches, you Aussies...

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

There is still a long way to go for England, but the application they have show is admirable. Who knows what might happen? We've seen some spirit. When Jos Buttler can play a situation which is set out in front of him he adapts, and does a good job.

Michael Neser has the ball after the drinks break, sporting the sort of beard that would be the envy of hipsters the world over. He probably drinks a type of coffee I've never heard of. He asks the question when Buttler is struck on the pads, but that's heading well down the leg side.

Just waking up? Terrible, terrible timing.

Hope of the impossible was starting to rise but Chris Woakes has just been bowled by Jhye Richardson with the second new ball.

Woakes had combined with Jos Buttler for a partnership lasting 31.2 overs - more than into two hours - and into the second session.

England had earlier lost Ollie Pope in the second full over of the day, nicking off to Mitchell Starc for four, and after an hour's play, Ben Stokes lbw to Nathan Lyon.

There are 44 overs remaining with Buttler and Ollie Robinson at the crease.

Edgy from Robinson, who isn't too keen on getting forward. Twice it rolls along the ground towards the waiting catchers. The Adelaide Oval, a vast cathedral of a cricket ground, is almost empty, but there is still some clapping as Richardson hurries in. One more over chalked off.

Mitchell Johnson
Ex-Australia bowler on ABC

Stuart Broad can bat and James Anderson hung on at Cardiff 2009.

You always have to believe as a player.

Looking again, that ball from Richardson really jagged, but given how well Woakes had batted he played it badly.

It's been a theme of this series so far. There is absolutely no doubting England's ticker (see Joe Root's problems), but it's the skill, planning and execution that has been the problem.

That partnership chewed up 31.2 overs. Ollie Robinson is the new man. Dig in.

Mitchell Johnson
Ex-Australia bowler on ABC

That's an absolute beauty by Jhye Richardson. He's pumped.

He'd just been drive for four but this time could his length right and got it to nip back. Beautiful movement off the seam.

Morning. Just waking up? Surprised to see cricket still being played?

That makes two of us.

It's the hope that kills you.

Whisper it quietly over the breakfast table but England have a glimmer of hope here. Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler are hanging in, and there aren't any real demons in the pitch.

Can they survive this session in the first instance? One wicket changes everything, of course. My esteemed colleague Stephan Shemilt is on hand to take you through until the interval.

A little feather in England's caps as Steve Smith takes Mitchell Starc out of the attack and replaces him with Michael Neser.

Jos Buttler picks up a couple of runs and then defiantly shows the maker's name.

Jos Buttler is 21 not out from 124 balls, and watches on at the non-striker's end as Chris Woakes bobs and weaves to get out of the way of a short ball from Jhye Richardson.

Jos Buttler is leaving the ball well from Mitchell Starc here.

There is, of course, a vastly different type of rhythm compared to his bombastic clean-hitting limited overs game, but equally impressive in a way.

Australia's slip cordon are little bit muted as he serenely sees out a maiden.