The Ashes 2023 LIVE: Cricket score as England make breakthrough against Australia in final Test

Australia slammed on the brakes on the second morning of the final Ashes Test, shutting England’s bowlers out before a stunning catch from Joe Root lifted spirits at the Oval.

The home side were bowled out for a thrill-a-minute 283 on day one, scoring at a frantic pace but burning out in less than 55 overs, with the tourists grinding their way to 115-2 in reply.

Australia, 2-1 up and with the urn already retained, were more than happy to block their way through the first session and shored their position up with some low-risk cricket which takes them one step closer to a first series win on these shores since 2001. Resuming on 61-1, they scraped together just 54 runs in 26 overs. Usman Khawaja was still in place at lunch, moving to 47 not out off 152 deliveries, but Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for nine after chewing through 82 balls.

England had been probing away without success until the pace of Mark Wood finally drew a mistake, Labuschagne edging behind for what should have been a regulation take for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. But he remained static, leaving Root to fling himself into action at first slip and snap up a brilliant one-handed take to his left.

Follow the score and all the latest updates from the Oval below.

Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia, fifth Test

• END OF INNINGS AND STUMPS: Australia 295 all out (lead by 12)

• OUT! Todd Murphy lbw b Woakes 34 (39b 2x4 3x6), Australia 288/9 (101.2)

• OUT! Steve Smith c †Bairstow b Woakes 7, Australia 239/8 (90)

• TEA: Australia 186/7 (trail by 97)

• OUT! Alex Carey c Stokes b Root 10, Australia 170/6 (67.5)

• OUT! Mitchell Marsh b Anderson 16, Australia 151/5 (60.4)

• OUT! Travis Head c †Bairstow b Broad 4, Australia 127/4 (53.4)

• OUT! Usman Khawaja lbw b Broad 47, Australia 115/3 (51.5)

• LUNCH: Australia 115/2 (trail by 168)

• OUT! Marnus Labuschagne c Root b Wood 9, Australia 91/2 (42.5)

• Australia resumed on 61/1 chasing England’s first innings total of 283 in final Ashes Test

• England issue update on Moeen Ali injury

Australia’s anti-Bazball reaches its peak to frustrate England

18:53 , Sonia Twigg at The Oval

Last summer Bazball’s England branded themselves “rockstars” and “entertainers” but on the morning of day two at the Oval, in contrast to their opponents, Australia looked more like a classical orchestra.

On the first day, in overcast conditions, England were all out for 283 in less than 55 overs, long before anyone had thought about the new ball. But when it came Australia’s turn to bat, the difference in styles was never more evident.

Of course, the aim is to win not entertain, and Steve Smith did what he has done so many times before, and steadied Australia’s innings with 71. But it was a late partnership of 49 between Pat Cummins and Todd Murphy that put England really under pressure for the first time in the evening session, before they were all out at stumps with a lead of 12.

Nine off 82: How Australia’s anti-Bazball reaches its peak to frustrate England

And Anderson is asked directly about the retirement chatter

18:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I’ve tried not to listen to it. For me, that question’s been there for the last six years - or even longer than that. For the last three or four years, I feel like I’ve bowled as well as I ever have. My skills are as good as they ever have been. I don’t feel like I’m bowling badly, and I think I can still offer a lot for this team. The selection side is a completely different issue - if Stokesy and Baz say I haven’t got the wickets they’d have liked, I’d understand that. But in terms of retirement, I’ve no interest in going any time soon. I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give.”

James Anderson speaks to Sky Sports

18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I think it’s a good day, if we look back at it. Maybe a little bit disappointed that they got past us given the position we were in. I thought we stuck at it really well - credit to Pat and Murphy, I thought they batted really well to get that partnership together. But on the whole, I think it was a really good day for us.

“I do think we bowled really well in that first session. I was surprised they didn’t try something to put us off our lengths, but we knew that if we kept doing that, there was enough in the wicket to get some lateral movement.

“I was pleased with the way I bowled all day, I felt in good rhythm. I was getting it to carry through, which is unusual! I tried to bowl a lot of wobble seam yesterday and today I just tried to hit the pitch, keep it simple and hit a good area. I felt like I was running in quicker today, but maybe I wasn’t trying as hard. Today, I just thought I’d settle in and hone in on an area and do a job for the team all day.”

Stumps: Australia 295 all out (lead by 12)

18:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pretty much parity, then, after the first hit - we’ve got a one innings shootout at the Oval to finish the series. Australia will be delighted to take even a slender lead through, particularly with Moeen Ali hobbled. 295 is plenty better than it looked like the tourists would manage when Pat Cummins came out 98 behind, too.

Steve Smith on the run out that wasn’t

18:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Initially I saw it and I saw the bail go up. It looked like there was a knock to begin with - I don’t know, it was close! I got given not out in the end. You just get back in the moment, play the game, and maybe have a bit of freedom thinking ‘I could have been out, let’s go a bit harder’.”

Stumps: Australia 295 all out (lead by 12)

18:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well what looked like conclusively England’s day ends with the game back in the balance, this knife-edge series continuing thanks to Australia’s wagging tail.

“You look at the two scorecards, they are pretty similar, aren’t they?” assesses Steve Smith on Sky Sports. “It would have been nice to have got a bigger lead, the wicket was pretty good. There was a bit of swing about but the wicket played pretty good. A lot of us got in and got starts.

“I thought at that stage it was time to start a bit of a counter-punch. It might have been a bit early to hit that trigger but if I hadn’t have done it then, Murph might not have come out and hit a quick 30.

“There was no set plan, it was just about the batters going out and playing what was in front of them. They bowled really well this morning, credit where it is due. It swung a lot, the ball looked quite shiny on one side for them and they are obviously good swing bowlers. The new ball probably didn’t do quite as much. We are a little disappointed that we weren’t able to capitalise and get a bigger lead.”

END OF INNINGS AND STUMPS: Australia 295 all out (lead by 12)

18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

OUT! Pat Cummins c Stokes b Root 36 (86b 4x4 0x6), Australia 295 all out

18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A superb bit of work on the boundary from Ben Stokes!

Pat Cummins levers Joe Root to long-on, connecting meatily. To any other fielder, it’s probably six, but Stokes has both the spring to retrieve it off the top shelf and the nimble limbs to toss it up for himself having been over-balancing over the boundary. He’s safely back in the field of play by the time it settles in his paws for a second time. Australia will take a narrow lead of 12 into tomorrow.

Australia 295/9 (103), Pat Cummins 36, Josh Hazlewood 6, James Anderson 1-67 (26) (lead by 12)

18:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Josh Hazlewood cuts a couple through cover as James Anderson offers a bit of width, extending Australia’s lead to 12.

Two more, probably, before the close. Joe Root will bowl one of them.

Australia 292/9 (102.1), Pat Cummins 35, Josh Hazlewood 4, James Anderson 1-64 (25.1) (lead by 9)

18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England take an age to set the field before James Anderson’s over, knowing that if they can let a couple more minutes elapse they’ll remove the possibility of having to bat tonight. The clock ticks beyond 20 past as Anderson runs in, the bowler almost out-foxing Pat Cummins with another from his slower ball grab bag, but a leading edge saving the Australia skipper.

Australia 292/9 (102), Pat Cummins 35, Josh Hazlewood 4, Chris Woakes 3-61 (25) (lead by 9)

18:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Punched for four! Josh Hazlewood would have enjoyed an extended spell sat in his pads, and now gets a chance to make his own entertainment, rocking back and crunching Chris Woakes through the offside.

OUT! Todd Murphy lbw b Woakes 34 (39b 2x4 3x6), Australia 288/9 (101.2)

18:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A nip-backer pins Todd Murphy in front! Murphy reviews, hoping the fun will continue...but it’s just clipping leg stump!

A touch unlucky for Murphy, Kumar Dharmasena requiring plenty of consideration time before raising the finger. But a sliver of the stump is all Woakes needs on ball tracking having got the on-field call - England finally break the partnership and have hope of finishing this innings this evening.

A fine knock from Murphy, though, happy on the hook and technically correct otherwise to drag his side into the lead.

Australia 288/8 (101), Pat Cummins 35, Todd Murphy 34, James Anderson 1-64 (25) (lead by 5)

18:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Anderson shows his white-ball skills, ruled obsolete by England long ago: an arcing knuckleball leaves Pat Cummins groping outside off stump. The old dog has a few new tricks. A maiden

Australia 288/8 (100), Pat Cummins 35, Todd Murphy 34, Chris Woakes 2-57 (24) (lead by 5)

18:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another falls short of Zak Crawley! Todd Murphy pokes outside off stump and second slip looks to be in business, but it dies on the catcher and squirms through his hand on the bounce. A couple of runs swell the partnership to 49.

Australia 284/8 (99), Pat Cummins 35, Todd Murphy 30, James Anderson 1-64 (24) (lead by 1)

18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins edges to Zak Crawley in the gully, but it gets there on the hop with the visiting captain’s hands held under his eyes rather than pushing out in front. Sharp movement from Crawley, vastly improved as a slipper after an extended run as part of England’s cordon.

Scores level! A nudge off the hip to fine leg scampers to the fence. And there’s the lead! An inside edge takes Australia in front.

Australia 278/8 (98), Pat Cummins 34, Todd Murphy 25, Chris Woakes 2-53 (23) (trail by 5)

17:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad has just left the field, leaving Ben Stokes with little option but to keep Chris Woakes chugging away into a sixth over in his spell. Just one from it.

Australia 277/8 (97), Pat Cummins 33, Todd Murphy 25, James Anderson 1-58 (23) (trail by 6)

17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Testing his ticker didn’t work out as England hoped, so James Anderson tries Todd Murphy’s technique instead, immediately drawing an outside edge, which is thick, soft, and safe.

Australia 274/8 (96), Pat Cummins 31, Todd Murphy 24, Chris Woakes 2-52 (22) (trail by 9)

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A push into the offside from Pat Cummins takes his side’s deficit down into single figures, the Australia skipper having wandered out at 185/7. England losing control a bit late in the day.

James Anderson replaces Mark Wood, who had gone for 25 in his four-over spell.

Australia 273/8 (95), Pat Cummins 30, Todd Murphy 24, Mark Wood 2-62 (22) (trail by 10)

17:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The largest of the lot! Todd Murphy wears a Cheshire cat smile as he swipes Mark Wood into the second tier. It’s not a long hit down that way but that’s a sizeable blow.

Australia 266/8 (94.2), Pat Cummins 30, Todd Murphy 18, Mark Wood 2-55 (21.2) (trail by 17)

17:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Six more! Ben Stokes has moved himself down to long leg but Todd Murphy’s connection is perfect again, his flay flying flat over the England captain as he leaps.

Australia 260/8 (94), Pat Cummins 30, Todd Murphy 12, Chris Woakes 2-51 (21) (trail by 23)

17:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins is deceived by a Chris Woakes slower ball, an agricultural swipe ending up looping over the cordon and trickling into the boundary.

Carved Sanath Jayasuriya style! The same region proves profitable for Todd Murphy, but there’s nothing streaky about his shot, scything Chris Woakes backward of point all along the carpet.

Australia 250/8 (93), Pat Cummins 25, Todd Murphy 7, Mark Wood 2-40 (21) (trail by 33)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia nibble away nine more of England’s advantage in the over.

Australia 248/8 (92.2), Pat Cummins 24, Todd Murphy 6, Mark Wood 2-38 (20.2) (trail by 35)

17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Helped on its way for six! That’s a lovely way to get off the mark, Swiss timing from the spinner in his specs, watching the shorter ball on to the middle of his Kookaburra and then into the fifth row beyond fine leg.

Australia 241/8 (92), Pat Cummins 24, Todd Murphy 0, Chris Woakes 2-41 (20) (trail by 42)

17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Woakes offers the left-handed Murphy a long half-volley, the off-spinner’s form and flourish gorgeous - the only issue being the flash of his bat is an inch inside the line of the ball.

Australia 240/8 (91), Pat Cummins 23, Todd Murphy 0, Mark Wood 2-41 (20) (trail by 43)

17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How many more can Australia eke out now? Todd Murphy already has a handy Test best of 41 on his palmares, that innings achieved on a flat track in Ahmedabad, but proof of his orderly technique. Another 20 or 30 and Australia will have dragged themselves out of danger, and potentially with time for a burst against a remodelled England top order this evening.

OUT! Steve Smith c †Bairstow b Woakes 71 (123b 6x4 0x6), Australia 239/8 (90)

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another mighty mow but this time it lands in the hands!

Curiouser and curiouser from Steve Smith, again aiming something large to leg but top edging. For a moment it appears like it might fall safe at a fine third man, but Jonny Bairstow makes good ground running back towards the members’ pavilion to watch it plummet into his gloves. An odd flicking of the switch from Smith in that over - England’s drinks will taste a little sweeter having broken a bothersome union.

Australia 239/7 (89.5), Pat Cummins 22, Steve Smith 71, Chris Woakes 1-40 (18.5) (trail by 44)

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Moeen Ali won’t be able to bat until 120 minutes of England’s second innings have elapsed or five wickets have fallen, likely leaving England in search of another new number three. Chris Woakes did the job against the white ball during the 2019 World Cup - might he be the break glass in case of emergency option again?

Where’s that come from? A daring dart down the pitch from Steve Smith and then an almighty heave towards the city, his contact ugly but the slice carrying clear of a retreating Stuart Broad at mid-off.

Australia 235/7 (89), Pat Cummins 21, Steve Smith 68, Mark Wood 2-40 (19) (trail by 48)

17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there is the 50 partnership, brought up with a hacked heave to long leg by Steve Smith for a single. A touch of gloves between Pat Cummins and his deputy, knowing there’s more whittling away at the lead to be done.

Cummins adjusts his chestguard, bracing for a bumper as England push a couple of men back. A couple of raised riot shields prove an effective method of defence.

Australia 232/7 (88), Pat Cummins 21, Steve Smith 65, Chris Woakes 1-36 (18) (trail by 51)

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A pretty ropey bit of cricket, that, Chris Woakes’s outswing about five yards too full and Pat Cummins’s cover drive ending up at the fine leg fence off a streaky inside edge. A far better shot gets Cummins none, Woakes darting out a left hand to block a firmly struck straight drive.

Mark Wood has got the Australia captain out thrice in nine balls in the series - here he is to try and break the partnership with the crowd just a little flat.

Australia 228/7 (87), Pat Cummins 17, Steve Smith 65, Stuart Broad 2-49 (20) (trail by 55)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith turns to the square leg umpire, perhaps correct in concluding that a Stuart Broad bouncer had leapt over his head and should therefore be signalled. There’s nothing forthcoming from Kumar Dharmasena. Three from the over, and a change at the other end - Chris Woakes in for his first use of the second new ball.

Australia 225/7 (86), Pat Cummins 15, Steve Smith 64, James Anderson 1-55 (22) (trail by 58)

16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins is starting to look content at the crease, taking a sharp single to Ben Stokes’s left at mid-off to steal the strike at the end of James Anderson’s over. This partnership is up to 40, with the late afternoon sun shining.

Australia 223/7 (85), Pat Cummins 14, Steve Smith 63, Stuart Broad 2-46 (19) (trail by 60)

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Edged for four by a dodging Pat Cummins! Plenty happening with this new Dukes, the Australia captain getting himself in a real predicament as he tries to sway and drop to his knees as Stuart Broad bangs one in. The ball follows him, taking a flick off a dropping bat as Cummins tries to evade - fine of Jonny Bairstow and away to the boundary!

Australia 218/7 (84), Pat Cummins 10, Steve Smith 62, James Anderson 1-53 (21) (trail by 65)

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A stylish swivel pull! This new ball is coming on to the bat nicely for Steve Smith, using the extra zip to pirouette and help it to long leg for four. A thrash through the covers for three takes another chunk out of England’s lead and keeps Smith on strike.

NOT OUT! Australia 211/7 (83), Pat Cummins 10, Steve Smith 55, Stuart Broad 2-41 (18) (trail by 72)

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Missing leg stump! No edge from Pat Cummins, the two sounds a ricochet off both pads, but it’s doing too much on the angle with Broad again finding a bit of hoop. Joel Wilson took his time, Steve Bucknor style, but Cummins did not - smart reviewing from the Australia captain.

Australia 211/7 (83), Pat Cummins 10, Steve Smith 55, Stuart Broad 2-41 (18) (trail by 72)

16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andrew McDonald, Australia’s coach, picks through the box of balls, consulting his unused all-rounders Michael Neser and Cameron Green as he assesses which one the seamers he’s picked might like to begin with when they come to bowl again.

A catching mid-on is installed adjacent to the pitch by Ben Stokes, Steve Smith having played aerially there in Stuart Broad’s last over. Smith won’t be drawn this time, though, and recognises that mid-off is a little deep, pushing and running to leave Pat Cummins one ball to face.

A long wait but up goes the finger - a bob each way for England as they launch into an appeal after Joe Root gobbles it up at first slip. The LBW was close, too - Pat Cummins reviews...

Australia 210/7 (82), Pat Cummins 10, Steve Smith 54, James Anderson 1-46 (20) (trail by 73)

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Anderson shares the second new ball. Pat Cummins plays out a maiden.

Australia 210/7 (81), Pat Cummins 10, Steve Smith 54, Stuart Broad 2-40 (17) (trail by 73)

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a way to bring up 50! That’s magisterial from Steve Smith, throwing his full body weight through a most marvellous on-drive on the up, a mellifluous meeting of the bat’s middle with this hard new ball.

Smith goes again, his second punch through mid-on played in a more reserved manner but equally effective, a sliding James Anderson in contact with the boundary rope as he hooks the ball back into his right hand. Australia are on the move. Smith up to 600 runs at the Oval at an average of 100.

Australia 201/7 (80), Pat Cummins 9, Steve Smith 46, Joe Root 1-20 (9) (trail by 82)

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith is happy waiting a boundary away from a half century, blocking out a 26th maiden of the innings.

England take the new ball. Stuart Broad to have first crack against Pat Cummins.

Australia 201/7 (79), Pat Cummins 9, Steve Smith 46, Harry Brook 0-7 (3) (trail by 82)

16:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Brook gets a third over, and surely a last with the new ball thankfully around the corner with this Test taking a turn towards the bizarre. Steve Smith’s mudstained jumper is picked at by umpire Joel Wilson, correcting an upturned label at the batter’s request.

Joe Root will sneak in an over before the fresh Dukes is brought out.

Australia 198/7 (78), Pat Cummins 8, Steve Smith 45, Chris Woakes 1-32 (17) (trail by 85)

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Blimey. George Ealham trudges off at the end of the over having nearly written himself into Ashes folklore. It was outstanding work off the midwicket boundary from the young substitute.

NOT OUT! Australia 195/7 (77.3), Pat Cummins 6, Steve Smith 44, Chris Woakes 1-29 (16.3) (trail by 88)

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Smith survives the substitute’s shy! He was off, expecting the third umpire to confirm his demise having rather ran himself out, but an extended investigation leads Menon to conclude that Smith was home by the time Bairstow swept the second bail off having knocked the first from the groove before George Ealham’s throw had arrived.

Mighty tight, but Smith remains!

Out?

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A long old check, Nitin Menon wanting to make totally certain that Jonny Bairstow hasn’t dislodged the bail with his arm before the ball is in his gloves.

OUT?

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is that a Gary Pratt moment? A brilliant bit of fielding from George Ealham and this might be it for Steve Smith...

Australia 193/7 (77), Pat Cummins 6, Steve Smith 41, Harry Brook 0-5 (2) (trail by 90)

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three sub fielders for England, with Mark Wood and James Anderson joining Moeen Ali in the dressing room during this first evening session skirmishes. You’d imagine they’ll soon be back out there.

“Yes, Harold!” Jonny Bairstow yelps as Harry Brook beats Pat Cummins’s bat outside off, but a gentle inswinger strays down the legside to allow the Australia captain to help himself to four free runs. Anderson returns to the outfield at the end of the over.

Australia 188/7 (76), Pat Cummins 2, Steve Smith 41, Chris Woakes 1-27 (16) (trail by 95)

16:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This unloved old Dukes continues to do the business for England, the bit of leather soldiering on despite Ben Stokes’s repeated attempts to get it removed, weaving by Pat Cummins’s bat with Chris Woakes back in a groove straight way. It’s been a trifle odd that England have been so unhappy with that ball given how it has danced throughout this innings.

Still, England will soon have use of a fresh one. A single apiece for Cummins and Steve Smith in Woakes’s over...and Harry Brook, surprisingly, is going to continue at the other end.

Australia 186/7 (75), Pat Cummins 1, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 1-25 (15) (trail by 97)

16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few gathering clouds beyond the Oval stands, though there isn’t any rain forecast this evening - the same can’t be said, though, about Saturday, Sunday or Monday, which will only further indluge England’s in-built desire to keep the game moving.

Chris Woakes to start after tea.

Australia 186/7 (trail by 97)

16:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A perfect second session for England, who look likely to take a sizeable first innings lead - but they won’t feel totally safe while Steve Smith still there and Pat Cummins more than capable with bat in hand. Can Australia scramble up to something around 230? That would just about keep them in it.

Yorkshire fined and handed points deductions over Azeem Rafiq racism scandal

15:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yorkshire have been hit with points deductions in two formats and fined £400,000 over the racism scandal linked to their former player Azeem Rafiq.

A Cricket Discipline Commission panel said £300,000 of the fine imposed had been suspended for a period of two years.

The club have also immediately been docked 48 points from their County Championship total, and a further four from their tally in the T20 Blast.

Yorkshire fined and handed points deductions over Rafiq racism scandal

Sonia Twigg at The Oval

15:50 , Sonia Twigg

Tea: After a dull morning it has been exactly the afternoon England would have been hoping for at lunch.

England’s plans have been well-executed and their bowling tight to force a collapse from Australia from 114 for two at lunch to 186 for seven.

Steve Smith has managed to hang around, despite playing and missing at a ball from James Anderson, but otherwise the momentum has firmly swung in favour of England, and they still hold a first innings lead of 97.

Stuart Broad struck twice in quick succession immediately after lunch which sparked England into life, Usman Khawaja was trapped lbw for 47, before Travis Head was caught behind for just four.

James Anderson, Mark Wood and Joe Root all took one wicket each in the afternoon session as England continued to press on, and there is still the new ball to come in just five overs.

TEA: Australia 186/7 (trail by 97)

15:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 186/7 (75), Pat Cummins 1, Steve Smith 40, Harry Brook 0-0 (1) (trail by 97)

15:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith won’t be drawn into something similarly silly. Tea.

Australia 186/7 (74), Pat Cummins 1, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 1-25 (15) (trail by 97)

15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An eighth maiden for Chris Woakes, jagging one past Pat Cummins’s outside edge early in the over and then producing a fine inswinger that does a little too much to reward the LBW appeal.

Well well well - a first sighting of Harry Brook’s distinctive dibble since Edgbaston as Ben Stokes tries to burgle one before the break.

Australia 186/7 (73), Pat Cummins 1, Steve Smith 40, Mark Wood 2-37 (18) (trail by 97)

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins to the crease, then, with Australia in need of a captain’s knock and Steve Smith in need of a supporting hand. Chris Woakes replaces Joe Root for a quick go before tea.

OUT! Mitchell Starc c Duckett b Wood 7 (18b 0x4 0x6), Australia 185/7 (72.5)

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A flustered flap and Mitchell Starc is bounced out!

He’d rather got away with a similar shot in Mark Wood’s last over, but no such luck this time, down the gullet of the second catcher behind square on the legside, intelligently placed halfway to the long leg boundary. Starc swings despite that sore shoulder but gets only a top edge.

Australia 183/6 (72), Mitchell Starc 6, Steve Smith 39, Joe Root 1-20 (6) (trail by 100)

15:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England try to tempt Mitchell Starc into a bit of heave-ho, Joe Root giving it plenty of air outside off stump. Starc waits for the bad ball and carves it away through backward point, Dan Lawrence producing a nifty bit of fielding on the fence to deny the left-hander a boundary, tossing the ball up for himself before his momentum carries his stride the wrong side of the rope. Good work from the soon-to-be Surrey man, exploring the nooks and crannies of his new home.

Australia 180/6 (71), Mitchell Starc 3, Steve Smith 39, Mark Wood 1-34 (17) (trail by 103)

15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A short leg and a leg slip as Mitchell Starc faces up to Mark Wood, Starc prepared to take the hook on as Wood bounces him but the ball bouncing short of the fine leg fielder.

Australia 177/6 (70), Mitchell Starc 1, Steve Smith 38, Joe Root 1-17 (5) (trail by 106)

15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Relatively comfortable for both batters against Joe Root as streaks of blue begin to widen in clearing skies overhead.

Australia 173/6 (69), Mitchell Starc 0, Steve Smith 35, Mark Wood 1-31 (16) (trail by 110)

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mark Wood returns with England into Australia’s tail, Steve Smith clipping a couple through the legside before leaving only one ball for Mitchell Starc to negotiate, which the left-hander does with a solid block.

Australia 170/6 (68), Mitchell Starc 0, Steve Smith 32, Joe Root 1-13 (4) (trail by 113)

15:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia’s tail had to help Steve Smith out at the Oval four years ago, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon clawing their side up to 225 with Smith’s 80 the only score of significance in the first innings. Work to do for Australia’s lower order here, too - though Mitchell Starc played tidily for an unbeaten 36 at Old Trafford.

OUT! Alex Carey c Stokes b Root 10 (23b 1x4 1x6), Australia 170/6 (67.5)

15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root gets his revenge!

Another tempter floated up by England’s offie, and Alex Carey can’t resist another chase. But this is even wider, Carey losing balance a little as he gropes for it, and only succeeding in skewing it to Ben Stokes at a short, wide mid-off. The England skipper gobbles it up with an almost disbelieving smile.

Australia 170/5 (67.4), Alex Carey 10, Steve Smith 32, Joe Root 0-13 (3.5)) (trail by 113)

15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Catapulted over long-on! That’s an extraordinary shot from Alex Carey, swiping to the leg side even as Root tosses it up outside off stump, the left-hander right at the end of his reach but the connection plenty sweet enough.

Australia 164/5 (67), Alex Carey 4, Steve Smith 32, James Anderson 1-46 (19) (trail by 119)

15:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just past the edge! Away movement off the surface from James Anderson, drawing Steve Smith into a loose chase outside off, and only narrowly missing the bat as Anderson gets a bit of extra carry. This ageing ball still doing the trick for England.

Australia 162/5 (66), Alex Carey 4, Steve Smith 30, Joe Root 0-7 (3) (trail by 121)

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slip and a leg slip with Joe Root around the wicket to the right-handed Steve Smith, Root trying to bring the former fielder into play with that outswinging arm ball but pitching it a little bit short. Smith gives himself room and pushes into the covers for the only run of the over.

Australia 161/5 (65), Alex Carey 4, Steve Smith 29, James Anderson 1-44 (18) (trail by 122)

14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That really was a little bit strange. It looked like there was a slight deflection off the face of Alex Carey’s bat, but the grumbling sound wave came before the perceived point of contact. Curious.

The decision that there was no little flick of willow leaves Carey trapped on nought, but he finally gets his 16th ball away, another of those crisp crashes for the covers piercing the offside field.

NOT OUT! Australia 156/5 (64), Alex Carey 0, Steve Smith 28, Joe Root 0-6 (2) (trail by 127)

14:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nope, a big stride has saved Alex Carey, the impact a little way outside off. There was a bit of a murmur on Ultraedge, too, though Nitin Menon had been satisfied there was a gap between ball and bat at the time of the disturbance.

Regardless, England lose a second review.

Australia 154/5 (63.4), Alex Carey 0, Steve Smith 27, Joe Root 0-5 (1.4) (trail by 129)

14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England return to their stand-in off-spinner after the break, Joe Root replacing Mark Wood, who had just replaced him. Alex Carey likes a sweep, and gets down to lap around the corner...struck on the pad and England fancy this. Kumar Dharmasena shook his head but this might be close...

Australia 153/5 (63), Alex Carey 0, Steve Smith 26, James Anderson 1-39 (17) (trail by 130)

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Carey again fails to beat that fielder as he throws a bat at James Anderson’s last ball outside off stump. Time for a drink, with England on top in the hour since lunch.

Australia 152/5 (62), Alex Carey 0, Steve Smith 25, Mark Wood 1-28 (15) (trail by 131)

14:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Carey does rather well to dig out a searing Mark Wood yorker from around the wicket, the bat jammed down in time as Wood finds shape in to the left-hander. A drive on the up is sweetly timed by the Australia keeper, but straight at the fielder at extra cover.

Australia 151/5 (61), Alex Carey 0, Steve Smith 24, James Anderson 1-38 (16) (trail by 132)

14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boos for Alex Carey as he makes out, those south of the river not having forgotten his perceived misdeeds north of the Thames earlier in the series. Joe Root gets only one over; Mark Wood has had Carey hopping since Headingley and Ben Stokes smells blood.

OUT! Mitchell Marsh b Anderson 16 (28b 1x4 1x6), Australia 151/5 (60.4)

14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A thin inside edge onto his stumps!

James Anderson punches the air with both fists clenched - he’s had to work hard for that. It’s excellent seam bowling, hitting a length just outside off with the stitching upright. A little bit of nip back as Mitchell Marsh dangles his bat and then a pleasing thud as the all-rounder is castled.

Australia 150/4 (60), Mitchell Marsh 16, Steve Smith 24, Joe Root 0-4 (1) (trail by 134)

14:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Root goes into his bag of tricks, retrieving an arm ball which Mitch Marsh drives crisply to a deepish mid-off for a single. The next ball is rather ropey, tossed up and floating miles down the legside, with Root a little fortunate that Steve Smith’s great heave fails to properly connect. Two off the toe to bring up the 150. James Anderson returns at the other end.

Australia 146/4 (59), Mitchell Marsh 15, Steve Smith 21, Chris Woakes 1-25 (14) (trail by 137)

14:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hold the pose! That’s a thing of beauty from Mitchell Marsh, a crunching straight drive that hurtles past Chris Woakes in a flash.

England turn to spin with Marsh beginning to find his range. Joe Root into the attack for his first bowl of the innings, with the injured Moeen Ali watching on, feet up in the England dressing room as he nurses that groin issue.

Australia 139/4 (58), Mitchell Marsh 9, Steve Smith 20, Stuart Broad 2-31 (16) (trail by 144)

14:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitchell Marsh wanders out of his crease, the Australia all-rounder recognising this might be a time for counter-punching but also wisely reducing the threat of LBW with Stuart Broad searching for an inswinger. I reckon this series has been the best Marsh has ever looked in Test cricket, his technique tighter than usual, particularly against the moving ball. The rain dominated the discussion after the Old Trafford test but the manner in which Marsh supported Marnus Labuschagne to in that short period of play on the fourth day meant England never got their tails up.

Australia 137/4 (57), Mitchell Marsh 8, Steve Smith 19, Chris Woakes 1-18 (13) (trail by 146)

14:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A nod of acceptance from Steve Smith as Chris Woakes whispers in his bat’s ear with consecutive balls, first a conventional outswinger and then one swerving back in that stands up on the seam. A 23rd maiden of the innings.

Australia 137/4 (56), Mitchell Marsh 8, Steve Smith 19, Stuart Broad 2-29 (15) (trail by 146)

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad’s arms are up in appeal again, an earlier turn towards Kumar Dharmasena this time with England anxious about the height. Ben Stokes considers a review but eventually declined. Clipping the top of leg stump! It would have stayed not out.

My word - Broad is postively mangled as Marsh advances, a mighty, mighty blow back over the bowler’s head.

Elsewhere, there is news in from the ECB that the CDC has announced their sanctions against Yorkshire CCC: a £400,000 fine, with three-quarters of it suspended for two years, plus points penalties in this year’s County Championship and T20 Blast. We’ll have full details for you in a little bit.

Australia 130/4 (55), Mitchell Marsh 2, Steve Smith 18, Chris Woakes 1-18 (12) (trail by 153)

14:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This sort of post-lunch slump would have been Australia’s concern having made trudged through the morning session, two wickets added to the score to make it look meagre with the tourists not yet even halfway there. Mitchell Marsh opens his account with a clip off his pads to long leg, jogging back for a second.

Australia 127/4 (54), Mitchell Marsh 0, Steve Smith 17, Stuart Broad 2-22 (14) (trail by 156)

14:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Oval crowd are into this now, stirred from their slumber by a classic Broad spell. The England seamer is now the leading wicket-taker in the series, back ahead of Mitchell Starc with Travis Head his 20th victim.

OUT! Travis Head c †Bairstow b Broad 4 (5b 1x4 0x6), Australia 127/4 (53.4)

13:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A feather of an edge and Travis Head cries “oh no”!

Two in two overs for Stuart Broad, those legs pumping as Jonny Bairstow swallows the nick. Broad finds a good area, angling in towards the top of off and finding just enough jag away to peck an upright bat. England are busting Australia open.

Australia 127/3 (53.3), Travis Head 4, Steve Smith 17, Stuart Broad 1-22 (13.3) (trail by 156)

13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England have gone at Travis’s head pretty much instantly in every innings since Lord’s, but the Dukes is dancing and three slips feel very much in the game. Head isn’t one for poking and prodding, though, a flick of the wrists as he drives Stuart Broad through mid-on for his first boundary.

Australia 123/3 (53), Travis Head 0, Steve Smith 17, Chris Woakes 1-15 (11) (trail by 160)

13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Woakes will be Broad’s initial partner this afternoon, starting too close to Steve Smith’s toes and finding himself clipped in familiar fashion through midwicket for four. There’s a bit of hoop there for England, though - four more byes arc out of Jonny Bairstow’s reach down the legside.

Australia 115/3 (52), Travis Head 0, Steve Smith 13, Stuart Broad 1-18 (13) (trail by 168)

13:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s now 150 Ashes wickets for Stuart Broad, two clear of Ian Botham as England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker against Australia.

OUT! Usman Khawaja lbw b Broad 47 (157b 7x4 0x6), Australia 115/3 (51.5)

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Full and straight and that looks stone dead. Up goes the finger - Usman Khawaja takes his time but eventually reviews...

Slamming into the top of leg stump! A wicket in the first over after lunch, Khawaja falling short of 50. He’d already been beaten once on his inside edge in Stuart Broad’s over, hanging back in his crease as the bowler probes his pads again. Broad was off celebrappealing the moment Khawaja was struck, and three reds on ball tracking confirm the batter’s fate. All that toil and time and Khawaja has, rather, missed a straght one.

Australia 115/2 (51.1), Usman Khawaja 47, Steve Smith 13, Stuart Broad 0-18 (12.1) (trail by 168)

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A switch of ends for Stuart Broad, starting at the Vauxhall End after lunch. Usman Khawaja blocks his first ball, a floaty one on off stump with a bit of movement away from the left hander.

Australia 115/2 (51), Usman Khawaja 47, Steve Smith 13 (trail by 168)

13:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s quartet didn’t look particularly fatigued in that session, but Australia will hope that a few looser balls come as the day wears, allowing their freer scoring middle order to accelerate.

Steve Smith nearly has a mishap coming down the Oval steps, stumbling after catching his heel and just about keeping his feet. Smith laughs it off with a steward.

Australia 115/2 (trail by 168)

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

On to the afternoon, then, to see if Australia’s batters continue to pootle or try to put a bit of pressure back on the England bowlers. England were already past 250 at this stage in their innings - more than one way to skin a cat, and all that.

LUNCH: Australia 115/2 (trail by 168)

13:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A battle of attrition at the Oval, Australia digging in to add 54 in 26 overs since Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne strode out at 11am. Labuschagne is the lone wicket to fall, brilliantly snared by Joe Root at first slip, but Australia seemed perfectly happy plodding along, putting overs in the legs of an England attack shorn of a lead spinner for at least the rest of the day.

Want another look at that Root grab? Course you do.

Sonia Twigg at the Oval

13:10 , Sonia Twigg

Lunch: It might sound strange, but Steve Smith’s introduction has pushed on the Australian score here to 114 for two.

He goes into lunch 13 from 20 after Marnus Labuschagne well and truly dug in.

The Australian number three had scored nine runs from 82 deliveries before Joe Root’s stunning catch in the slips brought an end to his lengthy innings.

Smith showed an intent to score that had been lacking from Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne, including hitting James Anderson for two successive fours.

Mark Wood brought the England breakthrough and looked threatening, forcing the batters to duck and weave, and there are encouraging signs that the ball does look to be moving.

Khawaja has played an ugly innings, but he remains unbeaten, on 47 from 152.

LUNCH: Australia 115/2 (trail by 168)

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 115/2 (51), Usman Khawaja 47, Steve Smith 13, Mark Wood 1-27 (14) (trail by 168)

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England can’t keep Steve Smith on strike for Wood’s last, the batter working to deep square leg for a single. Ben Stokes adjusts the position of his leg slip catcher, Harry Brook taking a step across to open up a wider gap between him and Jonny Bairstow; Usman Khawaja duly finds that space with a tickle off the hip for four. That’ll be lunch on day two.

Australia 109/2 (50), Usman Khawaja 43, Steve Smith 12, James Anderson 0-37 (15) (trail by 174)

12:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow takes superbly down the legside as James Anderson gets one to go late, the wicketkeeper getting his big right mitt in the way after Usman Khawaja is beaten. His footwork still doesn’t look quite right, though - that Joe Root stunner was surely Bairstow’s catch, not that it’ll matter much in the final accounting.

A bit more through the air in that over for Anderson, getting it swinging both ways. He finishes his work for the session with a maiden before handing over Mark Wood to take proceedings through to the interval.

Australia 109/2 (49), Usman Khawaja 43, Steve Smith 12, Mark Wood 1-22 (13) (trail by 174)

12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’ll be four for Usman Khawaja, too, holding the line with soft hands as Mark Wood arcs one back towards the left-hander, an angled bat directing wide of third slip to send the ball scuttling down to the boundary.

Australia 104/2 (48), Usman Khawaja 38, Steve Smith 12, James Anderson 0-37 (14) (trail by 179)

12:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Do my eyes deceive me? Back-to-back boundaries!

Sweet relief for Australia as Steve Smith tucks in to a couple of fuller balls from James Anderson, the two drives crisp and clean. One to either side of the bowler - Australia are beyond 100.

Australia 96/2 (47), Usman Khawaja 38, Steve Smith 4, Mark Wood 1-17 (12) (trail by 187)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A single apiece as the two Australians meet Mark Wood’s bolts with dead bats. Usman Khawaja’s strike rate hs dipped below 30. 15 minutes or so until lunch.

Australia 94/2 (46), Usman Khawaja 37, Steve Smith 3, James Anderson 0-29 (13) (trail by 189)

12:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A misfield from George Ealham - son of Mark - at backward point grants Steve Smith a couple off the outside half of his bat, England’s substitute back on his feet swiftly to scramble after it.

A bit of extra bounce at the end of the over for James Anderson, beating Smith’s attempted cut.

Australia 92/2 (45), Usman Khawaja 37, Steve Smith 1, Mark Wood 1-15 (11) (trail by 191)

12:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith has typically started quickly in this series before throttling back once comfortable. He’s off the mark with a pat into the legside.

Australia 91/2 (44), Usman Khawaja 37, Steve Smith 0, James Anderson 0-27 (12) (trail by 192)

12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The wicket won’t alter Australia’s approach. Usman Khawaja plays out a maiden from a returning James Anderson.

Australia 91/2 (43), Usman Khawaja 37, Steve Smith 0, Mark Wood 1-14 (10) (trail by 192)

12:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marnus Labuschagne wasn’t at all happy as he wandered off, muttering something to umpire Joel Wilson as he went by. I’m not quite sure what had flustered him - there was no doubt about this spectacular bit of work in the cordon.

OUT! Marnus Labuschagne c Root b Wood 9 (82b 0x4 0x6), Australia 91/2 (42.5)

12:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A screamer by Joe Root at first slip! Mark Wood ends Marnus Labuschagne’s vigil.

This is as tough as they come for a first slipper, Labuschagne squared up by movement away and a healthy flick of the edge carrying at about hip height. Jonny Bairstow watches it go when other keepers might have gobbled it up, leaving Root to lunge to his weaker left side. It just about sticks in an outstretched paw - how England, and this morning session, needed that!

Australia 91/1 (42), Usman Khawaja 37, Marnus Labuschagne 9, Chris Woakes 1-11 (10) (trail by 192)

12:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Byes is now Australia’s top scorer today, four more conceded to Jonny Bairstow’s right as a Chris Woakes ball that starts on leg stump swings out of the keeper’s reach.

Mark Wood’s back to see if he can jolt this session into life.

Australia 86/1 (41), Usman Khawaja 37, Marnus Labuschagne 8, Stuart Broad 0-18 (12) (trail by 197)

12:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Shot. Too full from Stuart Broad and with enough width to allow Usman Khawaja to release the hands, placing the drive straight of the extra cover fielder. Ben Stokes taps it back a foot from the boundary as Khawaja comes back for three. Broad again tries to rid himself of the bothersome bit of leather, but the umpires seem to be giving shorter and shorter shrift to England’s requests for a chance. Joel Wilson sends Broad away.

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