Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Mitchell Starc looks like he's going to get a wicket off every ball.

OH! Nearly a third wicket for Australia as Joe Root nicks the final ball of the third over into the slips. Steve Smith, the stand-in captain, puts in an excellent dive to his left but can't quite get there and the ball runs away for four.

It's been a nervy start from Root, who played and missed at the previous delivery.

I do feel sorry for him - England's top three don't give him many chances to put his feet up.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

A bit of extra bounce, just outside of off stump, do you need to be cutting that? You've got to leave it. I know it's difficult and the pressure cooker of Test cricket but it's a poor shot. The drag on is a wicket in Australia because of that extra bounce.

Australia will be absolutely delighted with losing the toss. I bet England wished they would've lost it now.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

Pope's out, England are 5-2. It's all going horribly wrong. Poor shot.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

The pink ball does this, it's going to move around a bit, it's grassy out there.

Duckett shouldn't have played that. Anything in the channel, just leave.

Michael Neser, bowling on his home ground, opens with a maiden to Zak Crawley.

Crawley opts for sensible defence for five deliveries and then needlessly plays and misses at a wider delivery. Alex Carey goes up for an optimistic caught behind but no one joins him.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Mitchell Starc, that's all you can say. It's just in that area, all his experience with the pink ball. Nice height, nice carry, just in the midst to Labuschagne.

As a fielding side, that's just what you want, to put pressure on and break that opening partnership. They are so good at hitting that channel, you get no freebies from these fellas, you've got to have a bit of luck early on to survive.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

It's gone straight to first slip, again England lose a wicket in the first over.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Wow! That's some carry. That's a full length, flown through.

Mitchell Starc gives a small thumbs up after receiving the all-clear from the umpire to get the second Test under way.

He runs in... and Zak Crawley shoulders arms, wicketkeeper Alex Carey taking the ball around shoulder height.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

This is really crucial. England need Crawley and Duckett to get off to a really good start.

Righty-ho, the players are out in the middle.

A reminder that England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat. Will Jacks replaces Mark Wood in the England XI while Josh Inglis and Michael Neser come in for Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon for Australia, who have opted to go pace-heavy at the Gabba.

Zak Crawley, with two ducks in Perth, and Ben Duckett will open the batting against the pink-ball master Mitchell Starc...

Srinivas Vijaykumar
CricViz analyst

Australia have elected to leave Nathan Lyon out of their playing XI and go with a four-man pace attack. This is the first time in 71 Tests an 13 years in Australia that they've decided to play without Lyon in a home Test.

The last instance was back in January 2012 against India at the Waca when Australia played with four pacers - Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc & Peter Siddle.

Image source, Getty Images

This could be the most important Test for the entire Bazball project. It is certainly the most crucial since the third Test of the 2023 Ashes, when England were 2-0 down and teetering on implosion.

If coach Brendon McCullum believes this Ashes series is the defining moment for this team, now is the time to be defined.

Yes, a 2-0 deficit would not mean the Ashes are mathematically gone, but we have seen this movie before. It ends with a scoreline including a four or five, sackings and a review of the domestic system.

You can read more from chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt here.

BBC iPlayer

Shortly after the end of the day's play, Alex Hartley will present the TMS Ashes Debrief on BBC iPlayer alongside members of the TMS team and special guests.

Full highlights of all of the action, plus reaction from the players and analysis from the TMS team, will be available from 5pm each day on BBC iPlayer.

Have England made the correct call with their team selection? How will they fare against the pink ball and Mitchell Starc? Are you feeling confident about an England win at the Gabba?

Do get in touch to let us know your thoughts.

A bit of housekeeping - use the form at the top of this page to have your say!

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Prior and Brett Lee have delivered the trophy. England and Australia are making their way onto the field.

Both teams are wearing black armbands on day one of the second Test in memory of former England and Hampshire cricketer Robin Smith, who sadly passed away earlier this week.

There will also be a moment of silence before the national anthems.

You can read Robin Smith's obituary here.

In his latest column, former England bowler Steven Finn has given his verdict on why Australia bowler Mitchell Starc is so good with the pink ball.

You can read his thoughts here.