Summary

  • England declare on 393-8 after Root hits brilliant century off just 145 balls

  • Earliest ever declaration in the first innings of an Ashes Test

  • Root and Bairstow (78) put on 121 for sixth wicket

  • Brook (32) & Stokes (1) fall after lunch to leave England 176-5

  • Crawley, who creamed first ball of match through covers for four, hits 61

  • Watch Today at the Test at 19:00 on BBC Two and iPlayer (UK only)

Live Reporting

Ffion Wynne, Tom Mallows and Sam Drury

  1. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Someone’s got inside Travis’s Head…

    Daniel, London

  2. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    It's a clean pick up from Head, he's going to have that all day now.

  3. Eng 174-3

    Ironic cheers goes up as Travis Head successfully fields on the boundary this time.

    He doffs his cap to the Hollies Stand to show he is in on the fun, though his stern expression suggests otherwise.

    The 50 partnership is up from 54 balls.

    Bazball is go.

  4. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    He's having a howler down there. I think he lives down there on the boundary. I think he's quite fortunate not to be in front of the Hollies.

  5. Eng 170-3

    Wa-hey! Cheers go up from the Edgbaston crowd as Travis Head fumbles on the boundary to gift Harry Brook four runs.

    Head has had a bit of a shocker since lunch, and the crowd are loving it.

  6. We all want to see it at one point though, right?

  7. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    I wonder whether Joe Root has rationalized the reverse ramp and thought to not use it today.

  8. Eng 165-3

    Straight as an arrow.

    Joe Root plays a lovely crisp drive down the ground that beats the diving Pat Cummins and hops over the rope for four.

    Josh Hazlewood looks furious with himself.

  9. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Tom McCarron: Boland looks very dangerous here. Defend for a bit Root and Brook!

    Kevin Ticehurst: Get your head down Harry!!!!

    Aly: Refreshing reaction to a near miss by Brook sees him laughing.

  10. Andy Zaltzman
    Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

    BrookGetty Images

    It's only the fourth over in the first 34 overs where England have scored fewer than three runs in the over.

  11. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    You talked about the Hollies and the crowd getting a bit lively. They were a bit tense then realised, it's just a game of cricket.

  12. Eng 161-3

    It is definitely getting a bit lively in the crowd at Edgbaston now, helped by some thrilling cricket (and refreshment).

    England are trying to stop Nathan Lyon get any rhythm as Joe Root scampers down the track, forcing him to adjust his line and England run a single.

    Australia have turned to Josh Hazelwood to see if he can make a breakthrough.

  13. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    The sun has gone behind the high cloud now, the Hollies are just getting into their stride.

  14. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Lucky, lucky!

    Peter Welsh

    Is it too early to say Head just dropped The Ashes?

    Jonathan, Tynemouth

  15. Eng 159-3

    Travis HeadGetty Images

    That dropped catch had echoes of Marcus Harris' drop of Ben Stokes at Headingley in 2019.

    Australia will hope it does not prove as costly.

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Does Head get there? No. He drops it. Not sure whether he had it but it spilled out of his hands. Brook is chasing a wide-ish delivery. He had it in his hands and it slipped out.

  17. dropped catch

    Brook dropped on 24

    Oh my, a life for Harry Brook!

    It is a top-edge towards Travis Head, who dives forwards gets both hands to the ball but as he lands on the turf it bounces out of his grasp.

    Brook looks both relieved and delighted.

  18. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Charge! One thing about Boland is because of his accuracy, you know where he is going. If you go down the pitch, you can have a go.

  19. Eng 158-3

    Shot! Harry Brook is pure box office.

    He has charged Scott Boland and smashed him through the covers.

  20. Eng 154-3

    Harry Brook shows it isn't all about power hitting as he rocks back and gently guides the ball fine for four.

    He attempts a similar shot the next deliver but the busy Travis Head claws it back from the rope and England run two.

    I don't want to jinx it, but he is looking in good touch...