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Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham, Elizabeth Botcherby, Esha Nayar & George Booth

  1. Root is not out

    No need to spit your cornflakes out. It's bouncing over the stumps.

  2. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Australia are desperate for that breakthrough.

  3. Australia review

    Joe Root steps across his stumps and is struck high on the pad by Scott Boland attempting to work it to leg.

    Australia appeal for lbw but it's turned down by the on-field umpire.

    However, Australia fancy a look at this.

  4. What's happened so far...

    England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat – a decision which did not look good when England slipped to 5-2 inside the opening 15 minutes.

    Mitchell Starc had Ben Duckett caught in the slips for 0 (1) in the opening over before Ollie Pope chopped on for a duck of his own.

    However, Zak Crawley and Joe Root steadied the ship, seeing England through to the end of the session without further incident (98-2) and putting on 117 (152) for the third wicket.

    Twenty minutes after the interval, Michael Neser made the breakthrough for Australia, having Crawley caught behind for 76 (93) off a shorter delivery: England 122-3.

    And it was nearly two wickets in quick succession, Harry Brook narrowly surviving being stumped on 15 after going for a reckless ramp.

    But since then, it's been a good session for England. Root brought up his half-century off 83 deliveries and is currently unbeaten on 61 (193 balls). Brook has 30 (31 balls).

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    England on top especially regarding the absence of Nathan Lyon. I think the slow over rate will favour them tonight and then have the benefit of a new ball tomorrow

    Stephen, Melbourne

    Granted it'll be harder under lights, but with no Lyon we simply have to bat out the day and another session or two tomorrow. Get some miles in the bowler's legs please!

    Dom, Shropshire

  6. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That last shot is so similar to how Kevin Pietersen used to play with his strokes through the off side. The reach of Kevin Pietersen and Harry Brook - they make those shots through the off side look so easy.

  7. Eng 172-3

    While Joe Root is a picture of calm, seeing off a maiden from Scott Boland, it's a different story with his fellow Yorkshire native.

    Harry Brook attempts to upper cut a short ball from Cameron Green but does not connect. That certainly interested Alex Carey and co.

    Last ball of the over and Brook flamboyantly thrashes Green through point for four.

    The last few rays of sunshine at the Gabba.

  8. How's stat?!

    Wagon wheelCricViz

    33% of Joe Root's runs have come in the 'V' in front of the wicket - his highest such percentage in any 50+ knock across his Test career.

    He has also scored just 18% of his runs between third man and extra cover, across his career, that value stands at 34%.

  9. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    That's only the second maiden of the innings.

  10. Eng 166-3

    Not a bit of it, Michael.

    Joe Root happy to see off a maiden from Scott Boland.

  11. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I hope Joe Root is not thinking of the shot that he might play. That reverse scoop over the cordon. I hope he is not thinking of it, but it's the time and bowler that he will play that to.

  12. Eng 166-3

    Joe Root took his gloves off and had a good old fiddle with the grip on his bat during that drinks break.

    Scott Boland continues with three dots to Root, who defends and leaves calmly.

  13. As the players gulf down some refreshments, we can take a quick look at how England's premier batting maestro got himself to fifty at the Gabba.

  14. England 166-3 at drinks

    On the whole, England are going along nicely here.

    Time for a drink.

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    I can see Joe Root getting into the 90s and running out of partners at the other end. Cricket can be a cruel game.

    Ed Powell. Colchester, Essex

    Root’s got his fifty. Now he just needs someone to stick around long enough to see him to a hundred.

    Derrick, Chesterfield

  16. Eng 166-3

    RootGetty Images

    You cannot bowl there to Joe Root.

    Cameron Green is too full to England's all-time leading runscorer and it is easy pickings as he stylishly pings a drive straight down the ground for four.

    Lovely balance and technique from the Yorkshireman.

    Is today going to be the day?

  17. Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    We have another change of bowler as Cameron Green is coming in.

    England are going along OK here. The way Zak Crawley got out was against the run of play, but Harry Brook and Joe Root and forging a partnership.

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    Re Ian at 07:31/ I wish I could be a walking wicket that averages 56 in Test cricket. A bit of perspective would be nice!

    William, London

  20. Eng 157-3

    BolandGetty Images

    Harry Brook drives on the up against Scott Boland, but it's safely out of the range of any fielders and he picks up a couple.

    The pink ball is starting to look quite soft here. Favourable batting conditions.

    Will Australia rue not picking Nathan Lyon?