Australia With the Lead

England were 180-4 when they began clawing their way back against Australia's 385 1st innings total and hoping to put a few runs more than that on the board.

Bell, 15*, and Stokes, 14*, had a monumental task ahead of themselves and the muggy morning conditions meant to wicket wasn't going to play in their favour with a little spin or uneven bounce from the cracks likely to be the order of the day.

Resuming on 180-4 with the ball 68 overs old there is a big appeal early on against Ian Bell. It looks like the ball is bouncing over but Harris, Clarke and Haddin agree to review it since they get their two reviews back at the 80 over mark. The tactical review has landed Australia a surprise wicket and Bell goes for 15. England 190-5.

Johnson takes Stokes on a loose drive shot and Brad Haddin takes the catch. Stokes walks off with 18 to his name. England spiralling now on 198-6.

Prior and Bresnan the two in, but not for long as Siddle gets his man - again. Prior is dismissed for 8 and that's 11 times he's taken Prior now. Broad is in to bat.

Johnson takes Broad out at 90mph (quite literally- read on to find out!) with a yorker. He's gone for 5. England 233-8.

Bresnan goes shortly after on 21, leaving England on 233-9. That spiralling I spoke about earlier - now complete destruction of England's lower order!

Swann and Anderson in.

Appeal from the Aussie's against Swann. Haddin stayed quiet but Clarke appeals it anyway. All pad, no bat, no LBW. Waste. Shocking review choice shows Clarke's desperation to end England's innings as soon as he possibly can.

Swann injures his spinning hand and gets some treatment but he's okay to continue.

It's Siddle who takes the final wicket and it's Anderson who's caught by George Bailey on 2.

England all out for 251.

Yet another collapse has left England behind by 134 runs.

LUNCH

England had to wipe their minds of the collapse and go back out into the searing heat for the rest of the afternoon. Hopefully bowling Austrlaia out as cheaply as they possibly can.

Rogers and Warner head out after a slightly early lunch, hoping to build on the lead Australia already have.

Anderson and Bresnan opening the bowling. Broad has been replaced in the field by Bairstow, worries over his foot as he hobbled through his fitness test in the nets.

Warner can't take the heat from Prior and England crowd round the batsman trying to diffuse the tension. Warner can dish it out but clearly can't take it. Afraid that's not how it works David.

DROPPED CATCH from Matt Prior and Warner survives on 13*.

Great fun out here today if you're an Australian as the boundaries come thick and fast. 67-0 after 17 overs, eventually bringing up the 50 for Warner. Bet Prior's regretting that drop right about now!

DROPPED CATCH again, this time from Cook at first slip as he leaves it a fraction too late diving for the ball.

Tea: Australia 123-0 (lead 257).

Warner resuming on 81* and Rogers on 42*.

Still no Broad as we're told the x-Ray showed something but it was inconclusive. An MRI has been done and the results sent off to England. No cast for the Nottinghamshire bowler so not all hope is lost.

Rogers reaches his fourth half century in 9 test matches.

Matt Prior MISSED STUMPING and he's not having a great day. Australia 147-0.

England finally get a breakthrough with Bresnan and Carberry taking out Rogers on 54. Australia on 157-1.

Warner gets his fifth century of his test match career. He hits a massive six off Swann, tries the same shot a second time but doesn't get it quite right, Stokes holds on to that one rather tightly. He goes for 112. Australia 180-2.

Watson and Clarke together bring up the 200 for Australia.

Stokes probably takes the most memorable wicket of his test career as he bowls the Aussie captain Clarke out for 23. Australia 223-3. The ball bouncing back towards the batsman ever so slightly, Michael Clarke walks off shaking his head.

235-3 and Cook uses up a review since he'll be getting back two more at the 80 over mark, similar to what Clarke did last innings.

And that's it. Close of play: Australia on 235-3 (lead of 369).


Ball on Willow.