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Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham & Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    Travis Head is standing there crestfallen. He reviews immediately.

    Did it pitch outside off stump, that is the question?

  2. Australia review

    Travis Head attempts to sweep Jacob Bethell but is struck on the front pad by the left-arm spinner's arm ball.

    He's given out, and reviews. But this looks good for England.

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    Whenever "dismal England" is in the headline - and it happens a lot when we bowl - I always get a flutter of excitement before realising I haven't read the word "dismissal".

    Luke, clutching for anything!

  4. Aus 288-3

    Just a single off Ben Stokes' over after lunch. Albeit there's not much doing.

  5. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    Ben Duckett and Travis Head were having a lovely conversation before the players headed out after lunch.

    Where is the intensity? If I were a captain, I would be furious at that.

  6. Aus 287-3

    Alex Hartley has her wish and Ben Stokes bowls immediately after lunch.

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    I'm making roasties in the oven. The only highlight to my morning here in Manchester.

    Graham, Manchester

    Roasties?! At 2am?! So many questions but also plenty of admiration!

  8. Aus 287-3

    Steve Smith dismissively square drives Jacob Bethell's second delivery for four.

    Later in the over, Smith dances down the wicket and chips the left-arm spinner back over his head. He does not quite middle it, so had to settle for a couple.

    Hmmm.

  9. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Ben Stokes needs to open the bowling now.

    It is a worry that Australia will get a substantial lead and then England will be all out for 150.

  10. Aus 281-3

    Jacob Bethell to bowl the first over after lunch...

  11. Ben Stokes purposefully jogs out on to the field at the SCG with the rest of his England team behind him.

    Steve Smith follows not longer after, shadow batting practically all the way to the middle. Travis Head strolls a lot more leisurely.

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

    Australia are in the territory of turning around the toss here. England missed out on that 450 that gives you some strength in the game.

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    Out of all the bad sessions of cricket that's the worst from England this Ashes. To be even worse than the brainless batting is an achievement of sorts I guess.

    James, Newcastle

  14. WinViz gives England a 57% chance of not losing this game...

    WinViz gives Australia 43% chance of victory, England 19% and the draw 38%CricViz

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    Came into the stadium this morning at 9am, Stokes was out doing bowling practice. Root was having throw downs. The rest were playing headers (with the coach). It’s the hope that kills you…

    Ben, SCG

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Matthew Potts has gone for a gallon. It has not been return he was looking for.

  17. Dropped catches, two reviews burned on nightwatcher Michael Neser, and Matthew Potts' bowling figures (0-104).

    There's no sugar coating a woeful session for England.

  18. How's stat?!

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Since his return to the Australian side in the 2021-22 Ashes in Australia, Travis Head in 24 home Tests has scored 2,123 runs at 59 average and 89 strike rate with nine hundreds and six fifties. These are elite stats even if you're playing in ODIs.

  19. Travis Head has done Travis Head things so far today.

  20. Thank you, Elizabeth.

    A chastening morning for England.

    I've taken solace in limoncello panettone and some heather tea bought on a trip to Scotland a few years ago which was stuffed away at the back of the cupboard.