Summary

  • Bairstow, who was hit on finger by Cummins, impresses with brilliant century

  • Stokes, in visible pain with side injury, hits 66 off 91 balls

  • Stokes dropped on 9 & survives ball hitting stumps but not dislodging bails on 16

  • England lose three wickets for no runs in 70 balls either side of lunch

  • Malan caught at leg slip & Root slashes to slip

  • Both England openers out cheaply after being bowled through the gate

  • Daily highlights on BBC iPlayer from 17:00 GMT

  1. 100 runs

    100 for Jonny Bairstowpublished at 69.4 overs

    Well played, Jonny Bairstow. A seventh Test match century.

    He really needed it too. England really needed it.

    It has been a brilliantly paced and, at times, brutal innings. It has been a brave one too. Don't forget he got smashed on the thumb by Pat Cummins and was in considerable pain.

  2. Postpublished at 07:29 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It was there, but Bairstow missed it.

  3. Eng 254-7published at 69.2 overs

    Pat Cummins is bowling round the wicket, across Jonny Bairstow, with a seven-two off-side field.

    The first ball is wide and Jonny Bairstow tries to cut but misses. He connects with the second ball but finds backward point.

  4. Eng 254-7published at 69 overs

    Trail by 162

    FansImage source, Getty Images

    Jack Leach defends the final three balls of the over.

    Over to Jonny Bairstow, on 99, with time for one or two more overs on day three.

  5. Postpublished at 07:25 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    If you're on 98, that was the delivery you want.

  6. Eng 253-7published at 68.2 overs

    Jonny Bairstow rocks back and cuts away. Will it go to the boundary and bring up that century? No. Scott Boland gets across and keeps it to a couple. On to 98 Bairstow goes.

    Marnus Labuschagne then drops short and Bairstow can only pull to the fielder on the boundary for one. He's on 99.

  7. Eng 251-7published at 68 overs

    Trail by 165

    Jonny Bairstow helps himself to another single to move to 96 - he's running out of time to get to that century tonight. He'll want to get there tonight surely?

    Jack Leach sees out the final four balls of the over.

    Earlier, we were chatting about this game being over today, so England have battled back well. They are still a long way behind in the game though.

  8. Postpublished at 07:20 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Ollie Pope has been practising his wicketkeeping.

  9. Eng 250-7published at 67 overs

    Trail by 166

    Jonny Bairstow is within one blow of a century, but he seems happy to bide his time at the moment. He moves to 95 with a push down to mid-off.

    There's an appeal for lbw against Jack Leach to end the over. Marnus Labuschagne likes it a lot - he is on his knees pleading with the umpire. He then talks to try anyone who will listen into the review, but Pat Cummins says no.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    #bbccricket

    Tom Clarke: Finally a great couple of hours of batting resistance. And as for Woody...You beautiful Geordie, England's shining light down under this winter.

  11. Eng 249-7published at 66 overs

    Trail by 167

    Jack Leach gets off the mark with a squirt to the point boundary.

    Pat Cummins then beats Leach's outside edge to end the over.

    There are 15 minutes left on day three.

  12. Postpublished at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Jack Leach is the new batter.

    Mark Wood looked genuinely surprised when the umpire said he was out then. It was similar to the Pat Cummins one yesterday when the squiggle on the technology seemed to be the frame after the ball passed the bat.

    CumminsImage source, Getty Images
  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:13 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    #bbccricket

    Loz: Mark Wood just making you love him more and more every day.

  14. Postpublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Wood made an initial movement to walk off, as if he might get away with it. It was very entertaining while it lasted.

  15. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 65.3 overs

    Wood c Lyon b Cummins 39 (Eng 245-7)

    Gone! A very thin edge.

    Mark Wood was looking to pull away again, but there was a very faint top edge and it cannoned into his helmet and looped up to Nathan Lyon at point, who took an easy catch.

    Wood departs for an important and entertaining 39 from 41 balls.

  16. Postpublished at 07:11 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Australia are not sure what part of Wood this came off. I just got the sense Wood was going to walk off there.

  17. Postpublished at 07:11 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    It has definitely clubbed him on the head but is there a top edge on the way through?

    There might be.

  18. Australia reviewpublished at 07:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Has Mark Wood been caught at backward point?

    He looks slightly guilty but he then asks for a helmet check.

  19. Postpublished at 07:08 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    It's the first time in this series we've seen England's middle order weather the storm.

  20. Postpublished at 07:08 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Henry Moeran
    BBC Test Match Special

    Mark Wood, whatever he’s doing on the field, is a magnificently fun cricketer.