Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

Oh! What a shot! It is like an up and under in rugby.

Shot! Jack Leach!

He takes a little skip forward and drives nicely up and over mid-off to pick up the first runs of the day.

Safely popped into the off side, and we're under way.

Nathan Lyon, who took a lot of tap yesterday, will get things going.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

There was some wonderful striking from Mark Wood yesterday. I'd dine out on that innings for years if I'd have played it! It was nice respite from the sitting duck nature, which might be a harsh description, of England's batting in this series.

Right, we have players and we have sunshine.

Let's go.

Incidentally, Josh Hazlewood will stay in Sydney and will miss the final Test of the series in Hobart.

Ashes series, man. They're bruising events.

Ross: If Bairstow doubles up I’ll call my son (who’s 2 days overdue) Jonny. Absolute hero.

I watched a video this morning of Jonny's dad, David, hitting Dennis Lillee for six at the SCG in a tour in 1979-80.

This Test began on the anniversary of David's death, who took his own life in 1998. He would have been one proud dad yesterday.

England batter Jonny Bairstow on making his seventh Test century: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be really honest. It was the hardest one so far in the circumstances.

"It was tough out there and I'm really, really delighted with it. Obviously they've got a very good bowling attack so it was one of those where I'm just delighted to reach three figures for England again.

"I'm very, very proud. It's been a lot of hard work. You know how much this means to me."

Image source, Getty Images

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Unless you're running on pure adrenaline, and you're in the zone and able to get through the days play, you'd think Jonny Bairstow wouldn't have been able to carry on if his thumb was broken. You'd think he'd have been constantly taking his hand off the bat because you get a vibration, even if you middle it.

Jonny Bairstow went for a scan yesterday after the knock to his right thumb, with England waiting on the results.

Jos Buttler has been for an x-ray but again, the extent won't be evaluated until the end of the Test, but Ollie Pope will keep in his place.

And of course Ben Stokes will not be bowling after injuring his left side. He has also been for a scan this morning.

Stephan Shemilt
Chief cricket writer at BBC Sport

There are few sports where the agony is as protracted as that of the cricket team on the wrong end of a thumping in a five-Test series.

A knockout from a football, rugby, tennis or tiddly-winks tournament is instant. Golf is done in a maximum of four days, two if you've been really bad. Missed out on an Olympic medal? Catch the next flight home and skip the closing ceremony.

But, as has become the norm on trips to Australia, England have to battle through two dead rubber Tests despite the Ashes being lost at the earliest possible opportunity.

That is not to say these contests lack drama, narrative or consequence. There are faces to save, careers to salvage and points to prove.

There are few who like proving those quite so pointedly as Jonny Bairstow.

Read more from Stephan Shemilt.

Meanwhile, it looks like Ollie Pope will be keeping wicket in Australia's second innings, with Buttler and Bairstow both taking nasty knocks to the hand.

Pope has kept for England once before, during the second Test against New Zealand in 2019.

I'm absolutely delighted to tell you all that Stuart Broad is out practising his forward defensives.

Kent wicketkeeper Sam Billings has been added to the squad as cover for the final Test in Hobart.

England were in the wars yesterday, with Jonny Bairstow taking a sickening blow to thumb off Pat Cummins before going on to make his century.

Ben Stokes was visibly struggling with a left side injury during his gutsy 66, while Jos Buttler is being troubled by a hand problem.

Billings, who has yet to make his Test berth, has been playing in the Big Bash in Australia.

Image source, Getty Images

Ollie Pope is doing some keeping drills this morning.

On the subject of injuries and keepers...

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Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

It is a really beautiful, humid morning.

Weather watchpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2022

22:35 GMT 7 January 2022

I mean, there's bright sunshine at the SCG, so I'd take this with a pinch of salt...