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

  1. Eng 58-2

    Lovely shot! Joe Root drives for four to bring up the fifty partnership. After a grim opening 15 minutes, which saw both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope depart for ducks, England have rebuilt well.

    However, as Ian says, Zak Crawley (37 off 44) is still throwing in a stress-inducing shot now and then.

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    Zak Crawley of England hits the ball to the boundaryGetty Images

    Watching Crawley bat is basically gambling: you’re either seeing a four or sighing at another edge. Edge of seat stuff.

    Ian Whyte, Leicester, England

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I liked Doggett in the last Test, feels like a hard worker, someone who puts in the hard yards. He gets that extra little bounce and I like that from him. Especially with this pitch that is a bit tennis ball-like.

  4. Eng 51-2

    Brendan Doggett replaces Mitchell Starc. Four dots interspersed with a three for Joe Root and a three for Zak Crawley. I wonder how often you get two threes in the same over.

  5. HaydenGetty Images

    When you get to your seat and you're sat next to Matthew Hayden...

  6. Eng 45-2

    Australia fanEPA

    Single. Single. Scott Boland beats Zak Crawley's outside edge. Breathe.

    The over finishes with a huge appeal from Boland to Zak Crawley. Steve Smith gathers his troops but quickly rules out both caught behind and lbw. No review.

    Might start watching this through my fingers.

  7. How's stat?!

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Historically, since the start of the 2021-22 Ashes, no pitch has had more bounce than the one at the Gabba. Looking at deliveries on a good length pitching between 6-8m, the average height of the deliveries at stumps has been 91.4 cm at the Gabba – the highest for any venue in the world. For context, the average height at stumps for Test venues in England in the same timeframe has been around 81 cm. That’s a difference of close to 10 cm.

  8. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That tennis ball bounce again from Mitchell Starc - it's just gone flying above Crawley's head.

  9. Eng 43-2

    CrawleyGetty Images

    Zak Crawley, collar popped but missing the stylish flash of yellow on Australia's tops, drives nicely into the covers and collects two.

    Mitchell Starc responds with a bouncer, which Crawley flays at. His wild attempt at a pull shot doesn't come off and the ball sails over wicketkeeper Alex Carey's head and away to the rope.

    He drives down the ground, just out of Starc's reach, for four more and then takes a single to retain the strike.

  10. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Eight overs and it's been eventful to say the least. Crawley and Root are just trying to weather the storm a bit.

  11. Eng 32-2

    Two singles from Scott Boland's first over. Zak Crawley keeps the strike.

  12. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I'm really surprised that Australia left Lyon out given his record at the Gabba and also how this ball gets soft quickly.

    You might need someone to hold up an end but maybe they're thinking they've got enough part-time spinners to do that. Labuschagne can bowl a bit.

  13. Eng 30-2

    Zak Crawley drives aerially and picks up two - the only scoring shot of the over.

    Mitchell Starc finishes with a low full toss which Crawley can't capitalise on, picking out the fielder at mid-on. He has 2-14 from his four overs.

    Scott Boland will replace Michael Neser.

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    12 days inbetween Tests and our 'top order' look clueless against the pink ball. What exactly have they done to prepare for this whole series, because it looks like there's zero plan and zero ideas. It already looks like it's gonna be a tragic series.

    Kev B, Cheshire

  15. Eng 28-2

    Zak Crawley adds another five runs to his tally to move into the 20s.

    However, in between a couple of decent strokes into the off side for his runs, there's another play and miss which sets nerves (mine at least) jangling.

  16. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Australia's Mitchell Starc prepares to bowlGetty Images

    Mitchell Starc is one of those bowlers that, especially when we were sharing hotels - when I'm sitting there eating my breakfast, a bit nervous - that always walked down looking so calm.

    Starc already has two wickets and he hasn't even broken a sweat yet. That's what makes world class performers. You can tell who's a world class cricketer by how they eat breakfast, I bet he's calm.

  17. How's stat?!

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Mitchell Starc now goes on par with Wasim Akram, tied as the leading wicket-taker amongst left-arm pacers in Test history.

    Left-arm pacers - most wickets in Tests

    • Wasim Akram - 414
    • Mitchell Starc - 414
    • Chaminda Vaas - 355
    • Trent Boult - 317
    • Mitchell Johnson - 313

  18. Eng 23-2

    Mitchell Starc has to do without a wicket in his third over.

    Zak Crawley, now up to 17 (18), takes a single for the only scoring shot.

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    PopeGetty Images

    An attacking philosophy is fine but you have to earn the right to be aggressive in Test match cricket but this England team and set up has no intention of ever doing that? I hope this inevitable embarrassing Ashes defeat will lead to changes but until Key, McCullum and Stokes are gone nothing will change??!!

    Mark, Mcr

    England’s top order has hatched a brood of ducks under Mother McCullum’s wing. Duckett gone first ball to a static prod, Pope follows for nought, Crawley flirting outside off with only one cut for four. Root dragged in early, opening the innings in all but name. Bazball gamble already unraveling.

    Derrick Ford, Chesterfield

  20. Eng 22-2

    That was a bit of an in, out, in, out, shake it all about kind of over.

    Zak Crawley picks up his second boundary of the day through square.

    Next ball, he finds himself looking nervously over his shoulder as Michael Neser gets one to whistle past his inside edge.

    He pings another four through the covers - a lovely shot.

    And then, an excited appeal from Neser and Alex Carey for caught behind. The umpire says no and Australia don't review it.

    Blimey.