Summary

Send us your views

Live Reporting

by Elizabeth Botcherby & Timothy Abraham

  1. England 272-5 at drinks

    Jamie Smith with a stylish straight drive for four off Michael Neser a couple of ball before the drinks break.

  2. Most Test centuries

    • Sachin Tendulkar (IND) - 51
    • Jacques Kallis (SA/ICC) - 45
    • Ricky Ponting (AUS) & Joe Root (ENG) - 41
    • Kumar Sangakkara (SL) - 38
    • Rahul Dravid (IND/ICC) & Steve Smith (AUS) - 36

  3. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Joe Root of EnglandGetty Images

    Joe Root has done it again! He has shown that he can bat in Australia and score centuries.

    He takes the applause from the crowd here but it is a subdued celebration from him.

  4. 100 runs

    Century for Root

    A 41st Test century for Joseph Edward Root and a second on Australian soil.

    He brings it up with a punch for two off Michael Neser, which the diving Aussie bowler cannot stop.

    Root roars with joy. He then peels off his helmet, wipes the sweat away before kissing the England badge on his lid. England's all-time leading runscorer then raises his bat to acknowledge the SCG crowd.

  5. Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Cameron Green gets very good bounce and bowls it hard into the pitch. He will always get more bounce than other bowlers.

  6. Eng 263-5

    Cameron Green, who was rather underwhelming yesterday, is introduced by Steve Smith at the SCG.

    Jamie Smith drives on the up and there's shouts of 'catch' from the Australian fielders but it drops safe in the gully region.

    Joe Root nudges a single into the off side. He's on 99.

  7. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Waiting for a delayed plane in JFK: my son asks, is it worse to get a duck or to get out on 99?

    Phil (and his son) in New York

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

    This partnership for England now is pretty key.

    It has been a slightly strange start from Jamie Smith - this is the danger zone at 17 not out.

  9. Eng 261-5

    The SCG crowd gasp while Joe Root chuckles.

    A bit of movement from Michael Neser and Root opens up the face with soft hands but ends up edging it short of slip.

    Next ball he edges one closer to his body but it dribbles through to Alex Carey.

  10. Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Joe Root of EnglandGetty Images

    Some good fortune there for Joe Root. That flew but no-one was getting near it.

    Joe has played well.

  11. Eng 261-5

    Hearts in mouths.

    Michael Neser back of a length and Joe Root unconvincingly clips it over the cordon for four via a top edge.

    Root is now 98 not out.

  12. Eng 257-5

    Singles galore in the remainder of the over before Joe Root pulls it straight for three. He's moved on to 94 now.

    Six runs for a second century in Australia.

  13. Eng 251-5

    Trademark Jamie Smith.

    He stands tall to Mitchell Starc, picks up the length, and thumps it over long-on for four.

  14. Eng 246-5

    Jamie Smith has got his eye in.

    Scott Boland strays on to Smith's pad ever so slightly and the England batter uses his reach to powerfully whip it to the fence.

    Boland asks a question with his final ball of the over, though, as he beats the outside edge of Smith's bat.

  15. Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Nothing prodigious in terms of movement off the pitch so far today compared to yesterday. Australians have pulled their lengths back today though, with an average length of 8.1m compared to 7.0m on day one.

    Australian pacers - average length this innings:

    • Day One, Session One - 6.76m
    • Day One, Session Two - 7.26m
    • Day Two, Session One - 8.17m

  16. Eng 241-5

    Not quite as pretty a few balls later when Jamie Smith attempts to hook Mitchell Starc for a second time and is hurried a little. He's clocked on the helmet grille but after a quick concussion check all is well.

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

    Jamie Smith can do that - he has picked it up really nicely. He can sometimes look slightly twitchy out there but that is a lovely shot for six.

  18. 6 runs

    Eng 241-5

    Effortless from Jamie Smith as he punishes a short-ball on his hip from Mitchell Starc by nonchalantly flicking it behind square for six.

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

    Scott Boland is finding the right spots and is getting that ball to climb off a length. Joe Root is smiling and laughing - there is still a long way to go in this Test match.

  20. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Is Starc vs Stokes the new Broad vs Warner?

    Alex in Wales

    Does anyone else get frustrated with all the praise for Ben Stokes' batting when it doesn't accord with reality? He's averaging less than 20 now in this series and all his runs only come when England are well behind the game.

    James P, East Sussex

    Just don’t get Snicko…The frames skip the bit when the ball actually passes the bat! Get Ultra Edge in.

    Jason at the SCG