Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

It feels like Australia are finishing the day ahead. England will be grateful to have got the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne at the end before it got away from them.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

Suddenly the groundsmen are running on! The umpires didn't even do anything.

Very, very light rain. But that pretty much sums up the day.

Oh my, it's all happening. It's raining!

Day two has been brought to a halt midway through the 35th over.

Australia will resume on 166-2, trailing by 218 runs. Ben Stokes will have five balls left in his ninth over.

Full recap and reaction coming up!

We're coming to the end of day two, but here's what have you missed if you are just joining us.

England began the day on 211-3 but lost Harry Brook relatively early on to a bit of a nothing waft and Ben Stokes felt for a duck not long after.

Joe Root treated England fans to another batting masterclass, though, as he thwarted Australia's attack en route to a second Ashes century in these parts.

Root shared a partnership of 94 with Jamie Smith, who never looked comfortable before he was out in a quite ridiculous manner for 46.

Just before tea, and the new ball due not longer after the interval, Smith slapped a bouncer from Marnus Labuschagne (yes, really...) into the hands of Scott Boland at deep cover.

Root was eventually out for 160 and England's tail did not put up much resistance as they were bowled out for 384. Michael Neser finished the pick of the Australian attack with 4-60.

England lacked a bit of control with the ball as Australia's batters found life easy going. Stokes did manage to get England a couple of wickets.

Jake Weatherald was dropped twice before he was trapped lbw by Stokes for 21 while Marnus Labuschagne edged the England skipper to slip on 48.

Travis Head has batted fluently for Australia and he has another Test century in his sights. Head is unbeaten on 91 off 87 balls. Nightwatcher Neser is 1 not out of 15.

Australia are on 166-2 at stumps - 218 runs behind.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

That has really hurt Michael Neser. No-one from the England side has bothered to ask if he is OK.

A nasty one.

Oooh that's a nasty one. Ben Stokes has struck Michael Neser on his right elbow. Neser immediately drops his bat and starts rubbing his funny bone.

The physio is out.

In the meantime, Tim has been beavering away behind the scenes to give you a tidy summary of the action.

You know the drill. Travis Head takes a single. Michael Neser shuts up shop.

WAIT. Neser has jogged through for a single off the last ball of the over. He'll be on strike for the final over of day two. Called my bluff there, Mr Neser.

Srinivas Vijaykumar
CricViz analyst

Image source, CricViz

Marnus Labuschagne had scored 22 runs off 12 drives in this innings just before that dismissal. The extra away swing in that wicket delivery from Stokes deceived Labuschagne into playing the drive at an uppish and wide delivery - just short of the ideal drivable length. Nice little set-up from the England captain there.

Travis Head takes a single early in the over - he's into the 90s.

Michael Neser defends or leaves.

We're into the final 10 minutes of day two. Australia trail by 220 runs.

You'd be pretty happy to have Michael Neser as your nightwatchman.

A first-class average of 28, 23 50+ knocks including five centuries, and has had a hand in a couple of fifty stands in the lower order during this series.

Josh Tongue targets him with a bit of short stuff after Travis Head takes a single off the first ball but Neser - ducking, leaving, defending - is unruffled.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Wide, full and had some shape on it. Good bowling from Ben Stokes.

He was the only one who looked like getting a wicket.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Marnus Labuschagne was looking to hit that through the off-side but Ben Stokes has done it again!

He cannot believe what he has done.

A century partnership off 104 balls. Runs are flowing but as good as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne have been, England's bowling has left a lot to be desired.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

You feel the game is only going one way at the moment.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It worries me with Ben Stokes bowling. When England cannot get the breakthrough, they look to him to do it.

He is fit and strong but it would not surprise me if he bowls himself into the ground.

Image source, Getty Images

Oooh that's an ugly flash at a wide delivery from Travis Head. No need to attempt a shot like that when you're cruising.

Normal service quickly resumes, Head creaming the penultimate ball of the over for four to bring up Australia's 150 and glancing behind for four more to move into the 80s.

Words are exchanged at the end of the over.

Australia are now just favourites on WinViz...

Image source, CricViz

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Australia just feel in control. We have been crying out for a proper day of Test cricket like this, but just not with Australia on top!