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Live Reporting

by Mike Peter & Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. 'A game-changing spell from Stokes'

    Brydon Carse, speaking on TNT Sports: "What a day. I think everyone that's come today has got their time worth - 19 wickets. Fantastic last session from everyone to put us in a strong position heading into tomorrow."

    On Ben Stokes: "He's amazing. His character, his resilience is everything this team strives to be. A game-changing spell from him in that session."

    On his own bowling and removing Steve Smith: "There's enough assistance there with the pace and the bounce and I was trying to hit the wicket as hard as I could throughout the day. There were a couple of balls I was delighted with. It's always nice to get one of the best players in the world out."

  2. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    To BH, @ 09:45 - Yes. Keep running until 7 January 2026 please.

    Rory, Surrey

  3. Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Quickest to a five-wicket haul in Tests for England:

    • 19 balls - Stuart Broad v Australia, Nottingham, 2015
    • 32 balls - Johnny Briggs v South Africa, Cape Town, 1889
    • 32 balls - Bernard Bosanquet v Australia, Sydney, 1904
    • 34 balls - Stuart Broad v New Zealand, Lord's, 2013
    • 36 balls - Ben Stokes v Australia, Perth, today

  4. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    This is Ben Stokes' sixth five-fer in Test cricket, his third against Australia and his second in Australia.

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

    Incredible first day, breathless. Every single ball you're on the edge of your seat, you felt like something was going to happen. Amazing first day, well played England.

  6. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    England have got the perfect attack for this pitch. They've been relentless.

  7. Close - Aus 123-9

    Lyon 3, Doggett 0

    Jofra Archer to take the final over of the day. Can he finish off the Australian innings before the close?

    ...no, he can't.

    Nathan Lyon faces five dot balls before taking two through mid-wicket.

    A remarkable day of Test cricket comes to a close.

  8. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Flying 4000 miles tomorrow to see the third day... How worried should I be?

    Chris, currently in Hong Kong

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

    Ben Stokes has just got that ball to swing and got the ideal length for this Perth pitch. He's got the edges and England have caught well.

    What a day!

  10. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It is five for Ben Stokes and Australia are nine down, 51 behind. What a remarkable comeback this has been for England led by Ben Stokes.

  11. wicket

    WICKET

    Boland c Brook b Stokes 0 (Aus 121-9)

    It is five for Ben Stokes!

    Harry Brook took that cleanly and England's captain has a sixth Test five-fer.

    He has figures of 5-23 from six overs.

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

    The England fielders seem pretty confident. What a five-fer this would be for the England skipper.

  13. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    England are celebrating, they think they've got him.

  14. Umpire review

    And is that five for Ben Stokes?!

    Scott Boland edges to Harry Brook in the slips, with the ball taken just above the ground.

    The umpires are going to double-check it carried.

  15. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    This is the most wickets taken in a day of an Ashes Test since the Old Trafford Test of 1909 where both teams were all out in the same day.

  16. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I went for a run at 08:54 when Green and Head had scored a few runs. I come back and see Australia are now eight down. Do I need to schedule more runs during this series? I'm training for a marathon so this can be arranged.

    BH

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

    Just what the doctor ordered, Carey sort of uppercut it, punched the back of his back as soon as he did it because he knew he got nothing in it.

    That is the icing on the cake. Fourfer for the England captain.

  18. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Would you believe it. Straight it the hands of deep third. England get another wicket!

  19. wicket

    WICKET

    Carey c Carse b Stokes 26 (Aus 121-8)

    Alex, what are you doing?!

    The Australia wicketkeeper backs away and goes to lift Ben Stokes over the cordon with an upward bat.

    However, the shot goes straight out to Brydon Carse on the ropes at third, and Carey slaps his bat in frustration before the catch is even taken.

    A fourth wicket for Ben Stokes, all coming after tea.

  20. Aus 120-7

    Back comes Jofra Archer for an eighth over as England look to blow this tail away.

    Alex Carey takes an immediate single to bring Nathan Lyon on strike, with the spinner facing four dot balls before taking a single of his own.