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. Eng 242-6published at 65 overs

    The change to the part-time spin of Marnus Labuschagne almost pays immediate dividends as Mark Wood edges just past his stumps.

    He then drives out to deep cover for a single, before Jonny Bairstow picks up a couple to end the over.

    The partnership is 69 now.

  2. Postpublished at 07:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Mark Wood is on 37 off 36 balls by the way.

    He's entertaining us.

    Wood
  3. Postpublished at 07:03 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Marnus Labuschagne is going to send down some of his leg-spin.

  4. Eng 238-6published at 64 overs

    Bairstow 92, Wood 37

    Pat Cummins responds with a slower ball bouncer, which Mark Wood looks to upper cut but doesn't make contact.

    Cummins then throws down a horrible leg-side wide, before Wood keeps the strike with a pulled single.

    The partnership is worth 66 now and England are 177 behind.

  5. Postpublished at 07:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    This is thrilling batting.

  6. 6 runs

    Eng 237-6published at 64.4 overs

    MARK WOOD!

    He's hit Pat Cummins for successive sixes.

    The highlight of England's Ashes campaign.

  7. 6 runs

    Eng 231-6published at 63.3 overs

    Yessss Woody! He's pulled Pat Cummins, the world's number one-ranked bowler, for another six.

    The previous ball he'd got in a tangle and was hit on the quad. He almost hit the stumps with his bat as he swivelled too.

  8. Postpublished at 06:57 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Back to double pace for Australia as Pat Cummins replaces Nathan Lyon.

    CumminsImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 06:57 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    We've not seen this side of England. It's the first time Australia have been put under pressure.

  10. Eng 225-6published at 62.4 overs

    Bairstow 92, Wood 24

    BairstowImage source, Getty Images

    Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood have now put on 52 for the seventh wicket. It has been a crucial stand, because when Jos Buttler was out the follow on was a real possibility.

    England are now 191 behind.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 06:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    #bbccricket

    Bairdy: Bairstow deserves a century if only for his bravery in batting on after that thumb injury. I yelped each time I watched it - goodness knows how he felt.

  12. Eng 222-6published at 62.1 overs

    Mark Wood flicks Mitchell Starc fine and picks up another four.

    He's up to 23 off 27 balls. A good hand.

  13. Eng 218-6published at 62 overs

    England milk Nathan Lyon for three singles.

    Next aim? Still be batting at close? That's a maximum of 40 minutes away.

  14. England avoid the follow onpublished at 06:50 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022
    Breaking

    Australia will have to bat again. That will prolong the game somewhat - and there is some more rain predicted in the final two days.

  15. Eng 215-6published at 61 overs

    Bairstow 89, Wood 17

    Just two singles from Mitchell Starc's over. England are two runs away from the follow-on target.

    At 36-4, with no runs for 70 balls, that felt a long way away.

  16. Postpublished at 06:44 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Here's Mark Wood just casually pulling the number one-ranked bowler in the world for six.

    Enjoy.

  17. Postpublished at 06:43 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist on Test Match Special

    How do you like that, Nathan Lyon? Mark Wood has said it's a lovely day for a stroll.

  18. Eng 213-6published at 60 overs

    Shot! Mark Wood is looking decent here.

    He skips down the pitch and drives Nathan Lyon to the long-off boundary, after picking up three with a drive through point to start the over too.

    England are just four runs away from guaranteeing that Australia will have to bat again.

  19. Postpublished at 06:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Spinner Nathan Lyon will continue after the drinks break.

    Scott Boland has returned to the SCG after his scan. He fell over in his follow-through in the final over before tea.

  20. From the press boxpublished at 06:38 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

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