Summary

  • England close on 384-4, leading by 67

  • Crawley hits majestic 189 off 182 balls

  • Crawley & Root put on 200 stand

  • Root hits superb 84 and Moeen makes fluent 54

  • Australia, who lead series 2-1, dismissed for 317

  • Use audio icon at top of page to listen to Test Match Special commentary from 10:25 BST

  • Get Involved: #bbccricket, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

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

    Is there a better sight than Crawley in full flow? Got me on the edge of my seat. Don’t tell my boss how much I’ve been following hahaha.

    Glenn, London

  2. Postpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    You get a sense that England are going to try to dislodge the lead really quickly, everyone knows the forecast for Saturday and I think this England side are just ready to go. I just hope they don't take too many risks.

  3. Postpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    That shot from Root has lifted the fans off their seats in the party stands.

  4. Eng 138-2published at 27.2 overs

    Trail by 179

    Roooooottt! is the cry from the Old Trafford Party Stand.

    No prizes for guessing who the next batter is.

    Joe Root signals his intent by pulling his first ball away for four. He ends the over by guiding the ball away fine for four.

    The platform is set. I think the former skipper is going to get on with it.

  5. Postpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Sam Drury
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Old Trafford

    There was a split second of silence after the catch was taken, the crowd were in disbelief that it had been taken.

    Moeen Ali and Zak Crawley had been going so well and the chances they had given had been put down!

  6. Postpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I don't think anyone quite realised what happened there, a short ball Moeen Ali pulled away and didn't get all of it. That was a much harder catch for Khawaja to catch than the one Cummins dropped.

  7. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 27.1 overs

    Moeen c Khawaja b Starc 54 (Eng 130-2)

    Usman Khawaja holds onto that one though, what a catch!

    Moeen Ali pulls into the on-side but Khawaja dives to take with both hands - that was a tougher chance than the one spilled by Pat Cummins last over.

    Moeen departs for 54 - the highest score by a batter at three this series.

  8. Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    It's been a clear step here for England, they are in a good position.

  9. Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    There's a lot on Cummins' mind at the moment and he didn't get his hands in he right place there.

  10. dropped catch

    Moeen dropped on 53 by Cumminspublished at 26.5 overs

    The Travis Head experiment did not last long. Josh Hazlewood comes into the attack

    The field spreads for Moeen Ali in anticipation of the short ball, which duly arrives. Moeen's mistimed pull loops towards Pay Cummins at midwicket, but he cannot hold onto the ball as he dives forward.

  11. Postpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    This is how Zak Crawley brought up his half-century.

    There have been a few nervy moments (isn't there always?) but he has largely paced his innings very well.

  12. Postpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England have to win this to stay in it. They will need to get a substantial lead and see what happens from there. England weren't doing anything risky in the morning session but now we are seeing more positivity.

  13. Eng 122-1published at 26 overs

    Australia respond to those quickfire half-centuries by bringing on Mitchell Starc.

    It nearly delivers instantly as Zak Crawley is inches away from chopping onto his own stumps (again).

    We have seen the full range of shots from Crawley so far, with this being a highlight:

  14. Postpublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Sam Drury
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Old Trafford

    A slightly fortuitous way to get to his half-century - the fielder didn’t pick up the ball at all - but the crowd are full of appreciation for Moeen Ali.

    There’s a standing ovation from the Party Stand as they sing Moeen’s name.

  15. How's stat?!published at 14:18 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Andy Zaltzman
    Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

    That's Moeen Ali's first Test half-century since January 2019 against West Indies.

  16. Postpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    Even Moeen Ali has bowled some of those loose deliveries and he wasn't going to miss the opportunity to hit it.

  17. 50 runs

    50 for Moeenpublished at 25 overs

    The volume at Old Trafford ratchets up still further.

    Travis Head serves up a full toss to Moeen and he gives it the treatment it deserves, thwacking it over mid-on for four.

    The next ball is slapped straight past Head for another boundary to bring up his half-century.

    It was in the air for a while, but fortunately for Moeen Pat Cummins did not pick it up and moved to his left as the ball went to his right.

  18. Eng 111-1published at 24 overs

    Zak Crawley cuts away to the point boundary for a single that brings up the 100 partnership to more warm applause from the crowd.

    It may be lovely and sunny at Old Trafford but we have just seen a shot of Marcus Trescothick wrapped up in a huge thick coat on the England balcony.

    Guessing there is a chill in the Manchester air when you are sat in the shade.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 20 July 2023

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

    I’ve made two mistakes today. The first was choosing to fly to the US today on a flight that cuts into most of the day’s play — and consequently I’m now hoping that the flight is delayed a convenient 4 hours. The second mistake was being so engrossed in TMS that I walked right through Heathrow’s security metal detectors still wearing my bluetooth headphones — much to the amusement of the border officer there who also had the commentary on on a little portable radio. My apologies to everyone in the queue behind me!

    Jonah from Cambridge

  20. Eng 108-1published at 23 overs

    England take 11 runs off Travis Head's first over.

    Is this where the Nathan Lyon-shaped hole in the Australia side starts to be felt?