Postpublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
What a surprise... Ben Stokes has come down the wicket and hooked a six in the first over after lunch.
Summary
Broad announces he will retire after conclusion of final Ashes Test
England end day with a lead of 377
Hosts slip from 360-5 to 379-9 - losing four wickets for 19
Root (91) falls short of brilliant century
Bairstow (78) & Root add 110 in less than 25 overs
Root anchors middle order after loss of Stokes (42) and Brook (7)
Crawley makes 73 at top of order alongside Duckett (42)
Australia, who lead series 2-1, have retained Ashes
Postpublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Eng 138-1published at 25.3 overs
Image source, Getty ImagesTo recreate a famous bit of famous Aggers commentary: "this is six or out....it's six!"
Ben Stokes pulls towards Mitchell Starc on the fine leg boundary. Starc gets both hands on the ball, but tumbles over the rope in doing so.
Postpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Josh Hazlewood will open up the afternoon session.
Postpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Here come the players for the afternoon session.
The morning was undoubtedly England's, what will the next few hours bring?
get involved Get Involved - Your cricket memoriespublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
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Best Test match memory - re Leigh at 11.41, I was sat next to him at Old Trafford, remember it well. We'd literally just sat down when Corky started that first over. He still owes me a pint (Leigh not Dominic..)
Steve, Altrincham
I too was at Old Trafford that day. Brian Lara also hit a brilliant 145.
Not a bad introduction to watching Test cricket.
Postpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Our very own Ross Bone should take the credit for this...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 13:28 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
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Re: that David Warner pic. Warner was wearing that Baggy Green until he got to the part in his dream when Stuart Broad comes on to bowl.
Tim Alsager
Postpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Thanks, Ffion.
Weird indeed. Let's hope Matthew Henry doesn't have to make a similar pose before he tucks into his Baggy Green.
Postpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
And on that rather weird note, I'm going to hand over to Tom Mallows for the afternoon session.
Let's hope it's just as entertaining as the first!
Postpublished at 13:22 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
All I'll say is that I hope David Warner knew that photo was being taken.
Postpublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
While searching for a picture of a Baggy Green to aid in the search for Matthew Henry (see 12:55 for context), we stumbled across this...
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Sometimes, it's best to just let the cricket do the talking.
A fair few of Zak Crawley's shots have been examples of that. He has been a joy to watch.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
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Dan Nixon: I guess it will be a light lunch for Zak Crawley. He’s spent the last two hours tucking into the pies that Australia have been throwing down.
How's stat?!published at 13:09 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match SpecialComparing today's morning session with yesterday's:
Australia scored 54 runs, 41 off the bat, for the loss of one wicket from 26 overs.
England have scored 130 runs, 126 off the bat, for the loss of one wicket from 25 overs.
Postpublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Australia started terribly and England cashed in.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 79 for the first wicket in just 17 overs, and after a (very) brief spell where Australia got a bit of control back, they go to lunch in a very, very promising position.
Postpublished at 13:03 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match SpecialZak Crawley has had a wonderful two hours in the sunshine and the crowd are loving it.
Lunch - Eng 130-1published at 25 overs
What a session!
England have raced to a lead of 118 already, for the loss of just one wicket.
Zak Crawley smoked the first ball for four and hasn't looked back, going into the break unbeaten on 71 from 73 balls.
The skipper is with him on 12, and Australia must be itching for a rest.
How's stat?!published at 12:58 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match SpecialZak Crawley scored 25 from his first 42 balls, then 46 from his last 41.
Postpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 29 July 2023
Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialAustralia just cannot stop the scoring here.
Eng 129-1published at 24 overs
Lead by 117
Over to you, Matt.
Meanwhile on the pitch, we're treated to back-to-back fours from Zak Crawley as he absolutely nails two sweeps off Todd Murphy that reach the square leg boundary in the blink of an eye.
A bit of pre-lunch carnage from England, as Stokes and Crawley bring up their 50 partnership from just 42 balls.