Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

This is a good, sensible move.

Stokes is the best technician to play this role.

Ben Stokes strides to the middle at number three for England, and The Oval gives him a huge reception.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

That's not too far from the outside edge.

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I knew Australia would go for this. They need a wicket.

Has Mitch Starc got Ben Duckett caught behind?

The umpire is unmoved, and Duckett shrugs in bemusement.

Alex Carey likes it, though.

Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

These England openers have passed 350 runs in nine innings this series. That is the most England have added for the first wicket since the 2010-11 series in Australia.

Since then England's average for the first wicket was just 21. This series it is 44.

Jonathan Bergdahl: One of the problems with Stokes batting at three is Crawley/Duckett rely on running but Stokes cannot run at all. So it will be a boundary-fest from Crawley/Duckett as well as Stokes.

Did you say it was a problem, Jonathan?!

Ben Stokes is padded up on the England balcony - is he going to be England's number three for today?

Although if these two keep going, it could easily be enough for Moeen Ali to stay in his place (if he feels up to it, of course).

Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special

This is Pat Cummins' sixth over of this spell. I would be surprised if he bowled a seventh.

Pat Cummins, who has bowled very well without any luck, is edged down to third man for four by Crawley.

It feels like we are properly noticing the impact of Nathan Lyon's absence now.

Hazlewood and Marsh have been economical but unthreatening, Cummins testing but expensive, and Starc has gone for 22 in just two overs - so when do they risk giving him a second burst?

Ben Duckett took him apart this morning.

Plenty for Cummins to think about, as if his own bowling wasn't enough.

Just two from a tidy Mitchell Marsh over.

The sun is out in south London and it looks - as Crawley and Duckett are proving - a prime day for batting.

I wonder how much England will also be thinking about making sure their bowlers get a full day of rest? Australia's certainly look like they could've done with a little more time to put their feet up.

Zak Crawley and hitting the first ball of an innings for four.

Name a better duo.

Feels like one of those passages where something is waiting to happen.

Pat Cummins zips a couple past both players' edge, drawing a few oooohs from the slip cordon.

Time for a drinks break that in a weird way, will probably suit England more after a few testing overs.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Australia have to go for some wickets, if you let them knock it about they will do it all day.

Steady from the openers, who are entering a brief 'absorbing pressure' phase of the innings (but still going at five an over).

It just goes to show that there is thought and logic to their approach, rather than just simply giving it a whack.

What a brilliantly bonkers statistic that is!

England take their lead to 46 in less than an hour.