Summary

  • England close on 31-4 after Australia take 82-run lead

  • Starc takes two wickets in two balls & Boland removes Hameed & Leach

  • England's bowlers fight back on second day

  • Anderson stars with four wickets; Harris top-scores with 76

  • Daily highlights show on BBC iPlayer from 17:00 GMT

  1. Postpublished at 04:32 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    GreenImage source, gett

    At the moment England just need to frustrate Cameron Green. He looks like he is itching to play a big drive and England will hope that brings an error.

  2. Aus 195-6published at 69 overs

    The batters scamper a T20-style two off Ben Stokes' bowling and he flaps his arms around in frustration.

    Alex Carey and Cameron Green have toughed this out well. Batting still doesn't look easy out there.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 04:27 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    #bbccricket

    Vilcisco: England are getting themselves right back into this. Can't be long before a regulation catch is put down and then Australia kick on to 250+?

  4. Aus 192-6published at 68 overs

    Lead by 7

    What started as a good over ends in disappointment as Mark Wood gifts a four to Cameron Green, drifting down leg and allowing him to easily clip off his pads.

  5. Postpublished at 04:26 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    I think the Australians are banking on the fact England can't hit the stumps. They've taken a lot of tight runs. As if they're going to chance their arm until England hit.

  6. Aus 188-6published at 67.2 overs

    The batters take a quick single, Haseeb Hameed throws and misses. Replays show it would have been very, very close if he'd hit.

    But he never seems to manage that.

  7. Aus 187-6published at 67 overs

    Prashant, we don't mention Anderson and the 'r' word in the same sentence.

    And Ian Chappell, we're not talking about England's batting yet. Just let us enjoy this, please.

  8. Postpublished at 04:22 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    England will need to bat with some guts in the second innings even if they can knock Australia over for a little over 200. The top order needs to get some runs because they can't keep relying on Dawid Malan and Joe Root.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 04:22 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    #bbccricket

    Prashant: What happens when Jimmy Anderson retires? Honestly, I really don't want him to retire. Legend! Greatest of all time! As a fan, the day he retires will be a very sad day. The game will lose a master!

  10. Aus 186-6published at 66.1 overs

    Lead by 1

    Ben Stokes replaces Wood.

    Cameron Green edges tentatively past slip to take Australia into the lead. Every run is precious now.

  11. Postpublished at 04:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Just to keep the Anderson love going, here's the big wicket of Marcus Harris.

  12. Postpublished at 04:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    There's a bit of vim, vigour and speed about England's bowlers here. It's making it compelling viewing.

  13. Aus 184-6published at 66 overs

    Trail by 1

    These past few overs have been fascinating viewing. Anderson giving nothing away, Wood causing problems with his pace and Green and Carey toughing it out.

    You just can't beat Test cricket, can you?

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 04:14 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    #bbccricket

    James Anderson's bowling in this innings: 5% full, 78% good length and 18% short. 18 overs, 8 maidens, went for 24 runs, took 3 wickets with an economy of 1.33.

    Caleb: If there was a word count for every word ever used to describe a Jimmy Anderson wicket, 'brilliant' and 'phenomenal' would be the most common words.

    Paul: If Jimmy can bowl for the next 7352647848 overs, we’re good.

    Mike: I was amazed at Root’s criticism of the bowlers. They may well have been slightly short, but they’re let down by the batsmen time and time again. Excellent again here, Anderson absolutely outstanding.

  15. Postpublished at 04:14 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Cameron Green was surprised by the bounce. It was a disgusting delivery from Mark Wood. It looked minging - not pleasant at all!

  16. Aus 184-6published at 65 overs

    Trail by 1

    That was a brutal, brutal delivery from Wood. When he gets going he is just a joy to watch.

  17. Postpublished at 04:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    That could easily have gone to gully. Bounce again!

  18. ouch!

    Aus 182-6published at 64.1 overs

    It's all happening! Mark Wood sends down a ferocious bouncer that rears up and clatters into Cameron Green's glove.

    He's a pretty tall man so that's a long way up. Fortunately for the batter it lands safe from any fielders.

  19. How's stat?!published at 04:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021

    Andy Zaltzman
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    Marcus Harris' 76 was his second highest Test score. He hadn't passed 25 in his last 10 games.

  20. Aus 182-6published at 64 overs

    Trail by 4

    Another maiden. And he hasn't even got a new ball at his disposal yet.