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  1. Postpublished at 06:41 GMT 7 December 2025

    GabbaImage source, PA Media

    Australia's players have just jogged out back on the field, followed by Ben Stokes and Will Jacks. The England batters punch gloves before going to their respective ends.

    Jacks is on strike. Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over after the interval.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 06:37 GMT 7 December 2025

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    Rain's coming in an hour or so. Cue the Great Escape.

    Dan, Rain Lover

  3. How's stat?!published at 06:36 GMT 7 December 2025

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    England scored 59-0 in that first session in 24 overs at a scoring rate of 2.45 with only 22% attacking shots.

    Of the 135 times England have played as many overs in a session since Brendon McCullum took over as the head coach in June 2022, this session was their second slowest in terms of scoring rate and the second-lowest session in terms of percentage attacking shots played.

  4. Postpublished at 06:33 GMT 7 December 2025

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Gus Atkinson does have a Test hundred to his name, so he can stick around for a little bit when he comes out to bat.

  5. Postpublished at 06:29 GMT 7 December 2025

    I think even the most loyal Bazballistas would have to concede there was some merit in some of the dialogue, Patrick.

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    Get Involvedpublished at 06:24 GMT 7 December 2025

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    So we can do it ...Those has beens had a point after all!

    Patrick, Canada.

    Ever the optimist - think the lead is enough for the win.

    Paresh, Kingswinford

    Just woke up and England are still batting and the game isn’t lost (yet). What’s going on?

    Max, Stroud

  7. How's stat?!published at 06:21 GMT 7 December 2025

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Of the 27 times, Ben Stokes as played as many balls in a Test innings (112 balls) - only on two other occasions has there been fewer runs scored in the first 112 balls of these 27 innings. 31 v Australia at Leeds (4th innings), 2019 and 33 v NZ at Wellington, 2023.

  8. Postpublished at 06:17 GMT 7 December 2025

    The closest Australia have come to taking a wicket, in an otherwise sedate session, came when Scott Boland got one to climb into Ben Stokes but Cameron Green's leap was not quite springy enough.

  9. Postpublished at 06:14 GMT 7 December 2025

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I'm very impressed with how Will Jacks and Ben Stokes have applied themselves in the first session of the day. Under the lights yesterday, England lost six wickets and almost handed Australia this second Ashes test. When Stokes is at the crease, anything can happen and they have resisted today.

  10. Postpublished at 06:10 GMT 7 December 2025

    Thanks, Elizabeth. I knew somehow my beloved colleagues at BBC Sport towers would pin the blame England's travails on the live text commentator's curse.

    Anyway, a wicketless session for the first time in the series? My word...

  11. Postpublished at 06:06 GMT 7 December 2025

    Now then, the last time I handed over to Timothy Abraham (at the second break on day three), England were 45-0 after six overs... and then it all went wrong.

    England haven't lost a wicket on my watch on day four... no pressure, Tim!

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    Get Involvedpublished at 06:02 GMT 7 December 2025

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    Stokes saving his own embarrassment, but battling it out. The Ashes was on the line four days ago, not now.

    Dickie, York

  13. Eng 193-6 - lead by 16 runspublished at 59 overs

    Stokes 36 (112), Jacks 25 (66)

    How fun - some Labuschagne allsorts to take us to the break.

    Will Jacks adds three to his tally before Ben Stokes blocks out the final three deliveries of the session.

    England have made it to lunch without losing a wicket!

  14. What's happened so far today...published at 05:59 GMT 7 December 2025

    How do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with an Ashes update.

    Boiled or fried, I'm satisfied. As long as I get my Ashes update.

    Apologies for the butchering of Dean Martin but we have some encouraging news from an England perspective on day four of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

    England began the day on 134-6 - 43 runs behind and let's be honest starring down the barrel of an innings defeat - but have shown some fight at the Gabba, digging in and grinding it out.

    Ben Stokes and Will Jacks have batted extremely patiently, rotating the strike and punishing the bad ball. Very sensible cricket, overall.

    Australia's bowlers have beaten the outside edge a few times, and the odd ball has climbed off the pitch.

    The closest Australia have come to taking a wicket was a delivery from Scott Boland with steepling bounce which flew just over the leap of Cameron Green at gully.

    Stokes is unbeaten on 36 while Jacks is 22 not out as England progressed to 190-6 after 58 overs - a lead of 13 runs.

    Whatever happens from here, England have shown a bit of ticker and at least Australia will have to bat again.

  15. Eng 190-6published at 58 overs

    Lead by 13 runs

    Travis HeadImage source, Getty Images

    Travis Head, bowling in his sunglasses, concedes a single to Will Jacks.

  16. Postpublished at 05:56 GMT 7 December 2025

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    He's a fan favourite, Travis Head. Especially after that first Test match. One thing he does do is he rattles through his overs.

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    Get Involvedpublished at 05:55 GMT 7 December 2025

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    It's not much use batting sensibly now... The game's gone.

    Chris, Verwood

  18. Eng 189-6published at 57 overs

    Lead by 12 runs

    Into the final 10 minutes of the morning session.

    Three singles and a wide take England's lead into double figures.

    And now we'll have an over from Travis Head!

  19. How's stat?!published at 05:54 GMT 7 December 2025

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Will Jacks and Ben Stokes punch glovesImage source, Getty Images

    More attritional cricket from England with this 50-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Wil Jacks.

    Of the 164 times an English pair have registered a 50+ partnership in the Bazball era, this Stokes-Jacks partnership is the slowest of all terms of scoring rate at 2.26 runs per over.

    England's WinViz has shifted from 6% to 13% during this Stokes-Jacks partnership.

  20. Postpublished at 05:49 GMT 7 December 2025

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That squared Ben Stokes up a bit and if there was anyone who was going to catch that it would have been Cameron Green. It just went over his fingertips.