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. drinks break

    Eng 205-6published at 59 overs

    Need 12 more runs to avoid the follow-on

    Good running from Jonny Bairstow sees him pick up a couple, before he gets a slice of luck.

    It is a well executed yorker from Mitchell Starc and Bairstow digs it out but it bounces back into the ground and only just over leg stump. Starc is frustrated.

    Time for a drink. We can play until 07:30 GMT, if the light holds. That is an if.

  2. What have you missed?published at 06:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    If you're just joining us, then morning.

    It's been a mixed bag for England, who found themselves 36-4 at lunch.

    Haseeb Hameed made his fifth consecutive single figure score while Joe Root made England's first duck of the year in a difficult morning.

    However, a 128-run stand between Ben Stokes, who was visibly struggling with his side injury, and Jonny Bairstow lifted England before Stokes fell for 66.

    Bairstow, however, has continued on his beligerent way, with Mark Wood the latest batter to keep him company.

  3. Postpublished at 06:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Mitchell Starc has replaced Cameron Green at the other end.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 06:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    #bbccricket

    David Hutton: Jos Buttler should not be playing Test cricket! Fed up of him doing nothing every Test. One gutsy stay in the series should not be enough to keep your place after the Ashes. Bring in Foakes. YJB 100 now please!

  5. Postpublished at 06:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Here's how Jos Buttler got out. Soft.

  6. Eng 201-6published at 58 overs

    Bairstow 84, Wood 9

    A quiet over for a change.

    Jonny Bairstow works round the corner for a single from the first ball, before Mark Wood blocks out the final five deliveries.

  7. Postpublished at 06:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Nathan Lyon is back on, to replace Pat Cummins.

    It was set to be Mitchell Starc but Australia have changed their mind.

  8. Postpublished at 06:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    At 36-4, the follow-on was well in the equation. Now you get the feeling it wouldn't be enforced.

  9. Postpublished at 06:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Exhibit A and Exhibit B, Number41.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 06:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    #bbccricket

    Number41: Jonny Bairstow playing his natural game and he's started scoring runs. That's a shocking discovery.

  11. Eng 200-6published at 56.5 overs

    You can't take your eyes off this game for a single second at the minute.

    England move four runs closer to avoiding the follow-on as Cameron Green sends one down the leg side, which Alex Carey can't gather cleanly.

    Mark Wood then chips just past Marnus Labuschagne in the covers to pick up a couple.

    England need 17 more to make the hosts bat again.

  12. Postpublished at 06:22 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    You might think this is dangerous, but I think Bairstow is doing the right thing.

  13. Postpublished at 06:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Here's how Ben Stokes' brilliant innings came to an end...

  14. Eng 193-6published at 56 overs

    Bairstow 82, Wood 7

    Mark Wood picks up a single with another pull down to fine leg, before Jonny Bairstow keeps the strike with a leg glance.

    Make it 24 more runs needed to make Australia bat again.

  15. 6 runs

    Eng 191-6published at 55.2 overs

    Six more!

    A bit top edgy from Mark Wood but the hook shot clears fine leg.

    England have hit five sixes in the last half an hour.

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

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    He's taken the approach to try to wipe out the follow-on as quickly as he can.

  17. Eng 184-6published at 55 overs

    BairstowImage source, Getty Images

    Four more.

    Bairstow scythes to the point boundary, before keeping the strike with a pull for a single.

    England need 33 more to avoid the follow-on.

  18. Postpublished at 06:15 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    Ian Chappell
    Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

    He has hit him a long way. That wasn't a big swing.

  19. 6 runs

    Eng 179-6published at 54.3 overs

    Six again! Jonny Bairstow.

    It doesn't get up that high from Cameron Green - about waist height - and Bairstow deposits it over square leg for a third six.

    He's up to 75 now.

  20. Postpublished at 06:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

    England have smacked Nathan Lyon out of the attack.

    Cameron Green replaces the spinner.