What will Australia's approach be from here?

They'll have to put the thought of showers - or potentially more - out of their minds at this stage really.

If we get a full two-hour session here they will probably add 80-100 runs you would think and their lead would be around 270-290.

They could then look to take that to 350 in the final session and then have a 30-minute or so dart at England tonight? There are doubts about the weather tomorrow too, so you would think Australia will want to bowl today if we get close to a full day.

Image source, Getty Images

Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes - who is struggling with a left side strain - have all been for scans and are being assessed continually by the England medical staff.

There will be an update on their availability for the fifth Test in Hobart - which starts on 14 January - after this game has finished.

Ollie Pope is having to keep wicket for England today with Jos Buttler struggling after taking a blow to the hand in the first innings, and Jonny Bairstow also in pain after being struck on the thumb by Pat Cummins while batting.

Pope, who hasn't kept in a competitive game since he took the gloves for England in a Test in New Zealand in 2019, has been excellent so far. He hasn't put a foot wrong, and his catch to dismiss Marcus Harris was very, very good. He's been vocal behind the stumps too.

Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne then grew Australia's lead as they shared 40 for the second wicket, before Harris nicked Jack Leach behind to England's stand-in wicketkeeper Ollie Pope.

Labuschagne and Steve Smith then saw the hosts through to lunch, with their lead now 188.

That meant that England faced a 122-run deficit after their first innings.

Mark Wood dismissed David Warner for just three to give England an early breakthrough.

England resumed this morning on 258-7 and added 36 runs before they were bowled out for 294.

They adopted an aggressive approach, with Jack Leach and Stuart Broad playing plenty of shots.

Jonny Bairstow could only add 10 to his overnight unbeaten 103 before he feathered behind.

Test Match Special are playing a tape from their Project Ashes series during the lunch break.

Aggers is catching up with Mark Wood's wife Sarah and is discussing what it is like to be married to an England cricketer.

A fascinating listen. Hit the big audio icon at the top of the page to listen along.

I've had a look at one weather forecast which suggests that we may be clear for the whole day. Another suggests that thunderstorms and rain are on the way.

Amy has informed me that a massive storm is apparently close.

Quite frankly, who knows how much more cricket we'll see today. At the moment there is blue sky with wispy white clouds.

Thanks Amy.

Morning everyone, hope you are all doing well and are not too sleep deprived!

I've been looking at the weather forecast all day and I am genuinely shocked we've made it through the whole morning session without any interruptions. I didn't think we'd see much cricket today.

Thanks for sticking with us, folks. You're all excused for a nap.

Callum Matthews will take you hardy souls through to tea.

Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match Special

Australia are still in a dominant position in this Test match.

Australia walk off with a more-than-handy 188-run lead to their names.

A wicket apiece for Jack Leach and Mark Wood will have cheered England, but Australia are still in the hot seat.

That's risky from Labuschagne, looking to slap Leach through cover but sending it a little aerially and within touching distance of Craig Overton...

Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match Special

That was masterful toying of the field from Smith. Field up, hit over the top. Field drops back, thanks for the single.

Shot!

Steve Smith dances down and deposits Jack Leach over long-off for four.

Have you seen England bat on this tour, Eddie?

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie: Is Harris the most uncomfortable looking top order batsman of all time?

Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match Special

There seems to be a clear plan from Australia to get past Anderson. Don't take him on!

A nice clip off the pad from Labuschagne is all Austrlia manufacture from this Anderson over.

I think we'll squeeze one more in before lunch.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Ollie Pope hasn't kept in a competitive match since doing so in that Test in New Zealand in 2019.