Summary

  • Australia close on 113-4, trailing by 162

  • Superb Wood dismisses Khawaja, Smith & Head to move past 100 Test wickets

  • Warner chops on off Woakes for 28

  • England 592 all out - leading by 275 - after Bairstow's sparkling 99*

  • Australia are 2-1 up in the five-match series

  • Rain forecast on days four and five

  1. Eng 397-4published at 74 overs

    Lead by 80

    Ben Stokes should be out.

    He drives out to deep cover, and he opts to turn and take on the throw from Michael Neser.

    Stokes is well short of his ground, but Alex Carey fails to gather cleanly and ends up demolishing the stumps with his gloves.

  2. Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    That was a bit like Strictly Come Dancing for Ben Stokes.

  3. Eng 394-4published at 73.3 overs

    Lead by 77

    Ufff.

    Brilliant comeback from Mitchell Starc, firing a yorker into the toes of Ben Stokes, but the latter is able to jam it through his legs for a single.

  4. Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Brutal is the right word.

    Length ball, middle stump, gives himself some room and heaved it with all the time in the world.

  5. Postpublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Brutal shot and suddenly everyone wakes up.

  6. Eng 393-4published at 73.2 overs

    Lead by 76

    Shottt!

    Ben Stokes backs away to leg and heaves Mitchell Starc through mid-wicket.

    Serious shot and bat speed from the England captain.

  7. Postpublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    At the moment Australia are up against it.

  8. Postpublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Mitchell Starc, who went off the field with a shoulder issue last night, is going to bowl from the other end.

  9. Eng 389-4published at 73 overs

    Lead by 72

    Five from the first over.

    The sun is starting to peek through at Old Trafford. Good news.

  10. Eng 388-4published at 72.4 overs

    Lead by 71

    Ben Stokes gets England up and running on day three with a dab through point for a single.

    Harry Brook then picks up three with a glorious drive and brings big cheers from the Old Trafford crowd.

  11. Postpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    That swipe from Stokes has told us what is going on.

  12. Eng 384-4published at 72.2 overs

    Lead by 67

    Ben Stokes blocks the first ball, before charging at the second and having an ugly swipe.

    Any clearer on the tactics? No, me either.

  13. Postpublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Josh Hazlewood is going to bowl the first over.

    Play.

  14. Postpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Michael Vaughan reckons a lead of 200 is enough for England to win this game.

    Agree?

    Media caption,

    Ashes: Michael Vaughan previews crucial day three of the fourth Test

  15. Postpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    What an ovation England are getting!

  16. Postpublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    What approach will we see from England this morning?

    They've often been criticised for not being able to recognise moments and go through the gears in this series, but they did that brilliantly in the last hour last night.

    Joe Root and Zak Crawley got out to balls that kept low, while a couple got big on Ben Stokes.

    England could have attacked and only got a lead of 120-140, but by playing slightly more cautiously they will be hoping they get a lead of up to 180-200.

  17. Postpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    Thanks Tom.

    Everyone ready?

    Buckle up. This should be another cracking day of Ashes cricket.

  18. Postpublished at 10:53 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    With that good news, it is time for me to take a break.

    I predict some more Bazball fireworks this session. Here to guide you through it is Callum Matthews.

  19. Postpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

    The hover cover, which was lurking rather menacingly by the pitch, is being moved off the field.

    We are ready to go, folks.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 21 July 2023

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

    Having relocated to Oz 12 months ago, the youngest has been packed off to bed early and me and my eight-year old daughter are getting ready for a great nights cricket! Her love of cricket started with white ball at the 20/20 World Cup semi final here in Adelaide last year which we were able to attend. Come on boys!

    Gavin & Megan