England vs Australia LIVE: Cricket scorecard and Ashes updates after thrilling day two at Edgbaston

Stuart Broad was in the thick of things as England cricket and Australia cricket vied for control on day two of the first Ashes Test, conjuring a big double breakthrough before reprieving centurion Usman Khawaja with a careless no-ball.

Broad raised the roof at Edgbaston in the morning when he dismissed old rival David Warner and the world’s No 1 batter Marnus Labuschagne with consecutive deliveries, but Khawaja batted from start to finish as Australia finished 82 behind on 311-5.

Khawaja’s supreme 126 not out dragged the tourists back from a parlous 67-3 but Broad will be kicking himself after bowling him late in the day only to be called for overstepping. England had already squandered a couple of chances at the other end, wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow fumbling a stumping against Cameron Green and dropping a regulation catch off Alex Carey.

While Ben Stokes has stayed true to his attacking principles – with bat, ball and by springing a surprise declaration at 393-8 on Friday afternoon – Australia have dug their heels in with a more conservative, traditional brand of Test cricket.

Follow the score and latest updates from Edgbaston below:

England vs Australia: First Ashes Test, day two updates

• Australia fight back on day two of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston

• Usman Khawaja makes brilliant century as Australia reach Australia 311-5, trailing England by 82

• DAY 2 REPORT: Has Bazball met its match? Traditional Australia and new-school England locked in Ashes tussle

• STUMPS: Australia 311-5 (94), trailing by 82 (Usman Khawaja 126*, Alex Carey 52*)

• 50 UP! Alex Carey 50* (69b 7x4 1x6), Australia 309-5 (92)

• NOT OUT! Stuart Broad clean bowls Usman Khawaja on 112 but it’s called back for a no-ball - Australia 264-5 (80.1)

• 100 UP! Usman Khawaja 102* (199b 12x4 2x6), Australia 229-5 (68.4) - Khawaja brings up classy ton with roar of delight

• OUT! Cameron Green b Ali 38 (68b 4x4 1x6), Australia 220-5 (67.1)

• OUT! Travis Head c Crawley b Ali 50 (63b 8x4 1x6), Australia 148-4 (45.2) - Moeen breaks the recovery partnership

• 50 UP! Usman Khawaja 50* (106b 6x4 1x6), Australia 89-3 (35.2)

• OUT! Steve Smith lbw b Stokes 16 (59b 0x4 0x6), Australia 67/3 (27) - England’s captain gets the prized wicket of Smith

• OUT! Marnus Labuschagne c †Bairstow b Broad 0 (1b 0x4 0x6), Australia 29-2 (10.2) - Two wickets in two balls for Broad

• OUT! David Warner b Broad 9 (27b 2x4 0x6), Australia 29-1 (10.1) - Broad continues dominance over Warner

Stuart Broad reflects on eventful day at Edgbaston

20:04 , Luke Baker

Stuart Broad has given his thoughts on the day’s plays after he went through a full range of emotions from the joy of the two early wickets to the despair of being called for a no-ball having dismissed Khawaja

Ashes hero Usman Khawaja does press conference with daughter on his lap

19:33 , Luke Baker

Hitting a century in an Ashes match already put him among a select group of players but Usman Khawaja broke new ground when he showed up to the post-day press conference with his small daughter on his lap.

His opening words were: “She didn’t want to be away from me so…” and that set the tone for a unique media opportunity.

A warning was issued at the start that he did not know how long he would have, given his daughter was with him.

And there was a moment where he had to stop the press conference, put on his ‘dad hat’, and caution his daughter against swiping through the camera on one of the many phones in front of him recording the audio, telling her “you can play on Daddy’s phone later”.

Ashes hero Usman Khawaja does press conference with daughter on his lap

Has Bazball met its match? Traditional Australia and new-school England locked in Ashes tussle

19:05 , Luke Baker

A truly great Ashes series is one that ebbs and flows, with both sides having their moments, having their periods of success and ultimately playing out Tests that are closely-fought right until the end.

Australia had declared in the build-up that they would see how ‘Bazball’ would fare against their bowling attack, in particular their prolific seam attack.

But England laid a marker down on the first day, powering to 393-8 before a shock declaration, at a scoring rate of more than five an over. It was a day that entertained, the sun was shining, and the Ashes had started with a bang.

When it came to Australia’s turn to bat, it was an entirely different affair. They kept wickets in hand, but their 311-5 by the end of the second day, 82 runs behind England’s first innings total, lacked the same thrill and flair.

Australians will argue that their approach is ‘just as effective’, but having batted for less time, England had almost 100 more runs on the board.

Read Sonia Twigg’s full report from another enthralling day at Edgbaston:

Has Bazball met its match? Australia and England locked in Ashes tussle

Stuart Broad reflects on England’s day to Sky Sports

18:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“A pretty good day, actually. It’s quite a slow, turgid pitch, so to still be 82 runs ahead of Australia with Pat Cummins and the tail next, we’re pretty happy. There wasn’t a lot in that pitch today. It felt like a lot of energy got sapped out of balls on a length so to pick up some of their key batters, we’re pretty happy.

[on another successful encounter with David Warner...] “It was a great battle. He played some really nice shots. It’s the sort of pitch where, as a bowler, you’ll take a drag on. It feels like the sort of pitch where a chop on is a genuine dismissal.

[...and on the follow-up to get Labuschagne first ball.] “It was the perfect ball that I’ve been looking to bowl to Marnus, designed to do exactly that, really. Getting a bit wider on the crease, looking to throw it a bit fuller and get it moving away early. For it to work first ball is pretty nice. Trying to beat Marnus and Smith on the inside edge on slower pitches is really tough, so I’m trying to bring the outside edge in a little more. It’s not a ball I’m going to look to use loads and lose, only to certain batters in certain conditions.”

STUMPS: Australia 311-5 (94), trailing by 82 (Usman Khawaja 126*, Alex Carey 52*)

18:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja’s celebration after bringing up his ton really was a lovely moment, tossing the bat away after a cathartic innings to banish some bad memories of previous visits to these parts. He judges his innings beautifully.

STUMPS: Australia 311-5 (94), trailing by 82 (Usman Khawaja 126*, Alex Carey 52*)

18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another gripping day of Ashes cricket, with Australia not dragging in to any BazBall frivolity. As they vowed ahead of the series, they’ve played their own brand of cricket with a measured day of classical Test match batting, headlined by an outstanding unbeaten hundred from Usman Khawaja, the opener’s first in England.

But England bowled well, giving away precious little and making the most of slate skies early on. It remains a good, if slow, batting deck - two very different approaches across these first two days, but you feel like the two sides might just end up about level at the halfway stage.

There are some storms forecast tomorrow afternoon, so we’ll see if that at all alters Australia’s approach first up. Tonight, though, Khawaja and Alex Carey can sleep contentedly having whittled down the deficit.

CLOSE OF PLAY: Australia 311-5 (94), Alex Carey 52, Usman Khawaja 126, Moeen Ali 2-124 (29)

18:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That Carey nick has induced a second slip, but that opens room on the onside, which Carey finds neatly with a deft crouching paddle.

Last ball of the day...blocked uneventfully to mid-off as Australia’s last recognised batting pair see their side safely through to stumps, 82 behind.

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

18:26 , Sonia Twigg

Close of play: It might have been England’s morning, but it’s been Australia’s afternoon.

Led by Khawaja’s hard worked unbeaten 126, Australia have worked their way into a good position at the close of play, having been 78 for three at lunch, with England having taken the key wickets of Smith and Labuschagne.

There were times when the state of the beach balls in the Hollies Stand was receiving louder cheers than the on-field action, which all but sums up the state of England’s afternoon.

While they will be left to ponder missed chances, a stumping and a wicket ruled out for Broad’s front-foot no ball, ultimately they didn’t create enough chances to put themselves in a dominant position, and Australia were able to reach stumps 311 for five.

England’s commitment in the field never lacked, and no one can say they did not try everything, Brook was brought on to bowl twice, and they used seven bowlers throughout the day, but it was a flat pitch and Australia dug in.

The game remains in the balance going into the third day, but from an England perspective, it feels like one or two wickets were missing from the evening session, just to tip the scales in favour of the home side.

Australia 309-5 (93), Alex Carey 50, Usman Khawaja 126, Ollie Robinson 0-49 (17)

18:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That was, just about, a chance for Joe Root, though it went sharply over the top of Bairstow’s knee and would have required some limber fingers to scoop up off the floor. In the end, I’m not sure he got even a tip to it.

With the close drawing ever nearer, the watchful Khawaja takes no chances against Robinson, who nags away. Six dots.

50 for Alex Carey! Australia 309-5 (92), Alex Carey 50, Usman Khawaja 126, Moeen Ali 2-122 (28)

18:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Streaky, but Alex Carey will take it! He’s eager to get to the milestone and goes at a tossed up Moeen ball with hard hands, a healthy edge evading Jonny Bairstow’s left thigh and just out of reach of a lunging Joe Root at first slip.

Into the advertising triangles it trickles - Carey’s seventh four to go along with a single maximum in a very useful contribution.

Australia 305-5 (91), Alex Carey 46, Usman Khawaja 126, Ollie Robinson 0-49 (16)

18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Robinson is finding a bit of movement back in to Usman Khawaja, working hard on one side of the ball and trying to draw out some evening loquacity. Khawaja really has played well today, that Stuart Broad no-ball the only time he’s really looked short of security in defence.

Australia 303-5 (90), Alex Carey 45, Usman Khawaja 126, Moeen Ali 2-118 (27)

18:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The second is short, too, enabling Carey to rotate strike, but four better off-breaks are rolled out to keep Usman Khawaja tied down.

Australia 303-5 (89.1), Alex Carey 44, Usman Khawaja 126, Moeen Ali 2-117 (26.1)

18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Stokes had already asked Moeen Ali to ready his tweaking fingers, sticking with his off-spinner despite that hint of swing.

Not for the first time today, though, Moeen starts with a drag down, which is heaved over midwicket for four by Carey to bring up Australia’s 300.

Australia 299-5 (89), Alex Carey 40, Usman Khawaja 126, Ollie Robinson 0-48 (15)

18:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Shot”, Gillespie cries as his South Australia and Adelaide Strikers keeper crunches a crisp cover drive to the boundary, following the away movement out of the hand perfectly. It’s been a lovely little hand from Alex Carey so far, building on some promising signs at the Oval against India last week.

But the ball is definitely starting to move, Robinson getting one to come back in to Carey to trouble his thigh pad.

Australia 294-5 (88), Alex Carey 36, Usman Khawaja 126, James Anderson 0-30 (15)

18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A clipped couple off the hip are the only runs from James Anderson’s 15th over as Australia whittle away at England’s lead which is now below 100.

Ben Stokes does indeed think it might be time for Ollie Robinson - here is the Sussex man, with his former coach and Australia great Jason Gillespie shown watching on among the travelling fans.

Australia 292-5 (87), Alex Carey 36, Usman Khawaja 124, Stuart Broad 2-49 (16)

18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Khawaja is happy to climb into a shorter ball from Stuart Broad that threatens only the bottom of his ribs, swishing it merrily through midwicket for four. A second boundary of the over comes off Khawaja’s pads as Broad bowls too straight, and you wonder if Ben Stokes might soon consider giving Ollie Robinson a go in his place.

Australia 282-5 (86), Alex Carey 35, Usman Khawaja 119, James Anderson 0-28 (14)

17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja soaks up six more dots from James Anderson, content to drift along into the evening. If these two can stay together to the close, you’d suggest Australia will be happy enough with their day, but if England can get one now they’ll have a good chance to get after a slightly vulnerable visiting tail.

Australia 282-5 (85), Alex Carey 35, Usman Khawaja 119, Stuart Broad 2-43 (15)

17:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja gets across his stumps and misses a flick, prompting a half-appeal from England. Sliding down leg pretty conclusively on the replay, which explains why a review was barely considered.

Sumptuous! A luxurious on-drive for four from Alex Carey to close the over.

Australia 277-5 (84), Alex Carey 31, Usman Khawaja 119, James Anderson 0-28 (13)

17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja produces a cover drive of understated charm, pushing James Anderson to the boundary without undue fuss or flourish, simply leaning on a full delivery that leaves him slightly and letting the freshness of the firm new ball do the rest.

Australia 272-5 (83), Alex Carey 31, Usman Khawaja 114, Stuart Broad 2-39 (14)

17:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A smidgen of inward movement for Stuart Broad, enough to trouble Alex Carey a touch as the ball squirts out into the leg-side. A single apiece for the wicketkeeper-batter and Usman Khawaja.

Australia 270-5 (82), Alex Carey 30, Usman Khawaja 113, James Anderson 0-23 (12)

17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No errors from either bowler or batter. Anderson’s back in familiar fashion.

Australia 270-5 (81.1), Alex Carey 30, Usman Khawaja 113, James Anderson 0-23 (11.1)

17:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s Broad and Anderson back together with the new ball after Ben Stokes’s dalliance with Ollie Robinson first up last night. Anderson starts over the wicket, hoping to get the ball ducking away from the two southpaws. Khawaja’s defence, loose in that would-be dismissal but secure all day, appears to have been tightened up again.

Australia 270-5 (81), Alex Carey 30, Usman Khawaja 113, Stuart Broad 2-37 (13)

17:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad shakes his head, a look of disappointment directed vaguely towards the umpire, but ultimately inwardly - it was a lovely ball, nipping back to beat a slightly fatigued poke outside off from Khawaja.

That won’t improve his mood - too full, and Alex Carey produces a charming cover drive for four.

OUT!...or not! Khawaja survives! Australia 265-5 (80.1), Alex Carey 26, Usman Khawaja 112, Stuart Broad 2-322 (12.1)

17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The new ball does the trick! Around the wicket, in on the angle, and Usman Khawaja is cleaned up!

Or is he? It’s a no ball! Broad has just over-stepped and Australia’s centurion gets a life!

New ball available: Australia 264-5 (80), Alex Carey 26, Usman Khawaja 112, Joe Root 0-15 (7)

17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another maiden from Joe Root - he and Harry Brook have now bowled more today than the entire Australian attack managed on Day One.

The new ball is available, and it’s back to England’s proper bowlers - Stuart Broad to have first use with Australia 129 behind.

Australia 264-5 (79.2), Alex Carey 26, Usman Khawaja 112, Joe Root 0-15 (6.2)

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Shelled! A second missed chance of the day from Jonny Bairstow, and it’s another regulation opportunity, I’m afraid. Turn out of the rough outside off stump, a feather through from the outside edge of Alex Carey’s bat - but out it clangs of Bairstow’s grasping mitts.

Australia 264-5 (79), Alex Carey 26, Usman Khawaja 112, Harry Brook 0-4 (3)

17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Of course, this isn’t the worst tactic from England - neither Australia batter will want to get out to Harry Brook with the new ball imminent, meaning he can happily plod in without fear of anything extravagant.

And at his speed, that’s criminal - Brook bowls a slower ball to close what you suspect will be his last over of the day, but oversteps and has to negotiate an odyssey/ten paces back to the top of his mark to re-deliver. Four from it, and time for drinks with the new ball an over away.

Australia 260-5 (78), Alex Carey 24, Usman Khawaja 111, Joe Root 0-15 (6)

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A pair of part-timers, with Joe Root’s right arm liquorice allsorts also called upon as England try to hurry to the new ball. Alex Carey reaches to sweep a wide ball from a long way outside off for a single.

Risky! Carey isn’t content to just let Root harmlessly toss them up outside off, throwing the kitchen sink into a cover drive. It’s a good job he went hard at it - it drifts a few metres out of reach of a retreating extra cover.

Australia 255-5 (77), Alex Carey 20, Usman Khawaja 110, Harry Brook 0-1 (2)

17:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Beautiful, Harry, you’ve got it going both ways,” is the excitable cry of Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps as Harry Brook shows off his ability to get even this over-the-hill Dukes talking. A maiden.

Australia 255-5 (76), Alex Carey 20, Usman Khawaja 110, Moeen Ali 2-113 (26)

17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey is a lovely batter to watch, never seemingly particularly hurried but always seeking scoring options. He gets down early to lap sweep Moeen Ali for four, and then plants him over mid-off for six, holding his shape perfectly as the bowler chomps away on a bit of gum.

Here we go - Harry Brook’s back. Four overs to the new ball and England’s filthy fifth seamer is on for a second spell.

Australia 245-5 (75), Alex Carey 10, Usman Khawaja 110, Ollie Robinson 0-44 (14)

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson once more finds some nibble away from over the wicket to the left hander, Usman Khawaja on the back foot and getting a couple through the gully. Zak Crawley’s livelier legs beat James Anderson as the two race after the ball, which comes to a halt short of the third man boundary.

Australia 243-5 (74), Alex Carey 10, Usman Khawaja 108, Moeen Ali 2-103 (25)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Biff! Alex Carey frees the arms, meating an over-pitched off-break with disdain and lasering it between the bowler and Harry Brook at short mid-off. There’s not much of a gap there but neither man had a hope.

Jonny Bairstow fancies that there’s an edge as he gathers neatly to his left as Ali gets one to spit out of the surface, but the rest of the England fielders are uninterested. Moeen shakes his head and Ben Stokes affirms in kind - no review...and no bat, though it wasn’t far away at all from Carey’s cutting blade.

Australia 238-5 (73), Alex Carey 6, Usman Khawaja 107, Ollie Robinson 0-42 (13)

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson draws a genuine edge from Alex Carey, one of very few today, reflecting the nature of this surface. It skews through the vacant gully and forces James Anderson to put in the hard yards. Dragged back with room to spare - a good, even stride from Anderson, still such a graceful athlete in his fifth decade.

Australia 231-5 (72), Alex Carey 3, Usman Khawaja 103, Moeen Ali 2-98 (23)

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Strictly speaking there is a new (old) ball now, with England again requesting a change as a second Dukes of the innings is knocked out of shape. Five dots and a single from Moeen Ali’s 23rd over.

Australia 230-5 (71), Alex Carey 3, Usman Khawaja 102, Ollie Robinson 0-35 (12)

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson is on for another trundle, which suggests he’s off new ball duties with ten overs until a fresh one is available.

Alex Carey, another ex-Sussex teammate of Robinson’s in an Australian middle order full of them, thrashes a ball into the covers, but Ollie Pope gets in the way. Six dots.

Australia 230-5 (70), Alex Carey 3, Usman Khawaja 102, Moeen Ali 2-97 (23)

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You could see exactly what that hundred meant to Usman Khawaja, off cavorting as soon as he found the gap in the gully. He’s had so many battles in England in the past, in and out of the side on a series of tough tours where he has been tortured by the moving ball. But he’s been so, so organised today, striking every time England have dropped short and judging his strokeplay against England’s spinners very nicely.

100 for Usman Khawaja! Australia 229-5 (69), Alex Carey 2, Usman Khawaja 102, Ben Stokes 1-33 (7)

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beautifully driven by Usman Khawaja - does it have enough puff to get to the fence?...Not quite, and the opener slips as he turns in search of a third run.

But there is the hundred with a dab to third man! Khawaja’s 15th total and first in England and celebrated with a great roar of delight! He’s played quite superbly today, ever at ease on these slow surface. It’s a ton that is testament to all of his hard work and perseverance - his Test renaissance continues!

Australia 221-5 (68), Alex Carey 1, Usman Khawaja 96, Moeen Ali 2-96 (22)

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey to the crease with England immediately pushing point out to the deep to guard against his favoured reverse sweep. Carey gets off the mark with a single, granting Ben Stokes a chance to play on Usman Khawaja’s mind by bringing the field in. The opener doesn’t fancy taking Moeen on, blocking a ball on off-stump back to the bowler.

OUT! Cameron Green b Ali 38 (68b 4x4 1x6) SR: 55.88, Australia 220-5 (67.1)

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A beauty! Sharp turn for Moeen Ali and crashing into the top of middle stump!

That’s vintage Moeen. He gets plenty of fizz on this ball, drawing Cameron Green into an airy drive with drift away, but driving through his action to get the bite out of this dry surface. It rips back past the inside edge and bothers the bails, a crackerjack off-spinner’s dismissal - Green has to go for a well compiled 38 as Australia again lose a wicket just as they were starting to put England on the back foot.

Australia 220-4 (67), Cameron Green 37, Usman Khawaja 96, Ben Stokes 1-25 (6)

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stokes asks if Khawaja fancies a flash at a wide half-volley to get there; Khawaja withdraws his arms to decline.

Australia 220-4 (66.4), Cameron Green 37, Usman Khawaja 96, Ben Stokes 1-25 (5.4)

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For the first time all day, there is just a sense that England have gone a little bit flat, their captain trying to find rhythm with the ball and the Edgbaston crowd still in need of waking from their late afternoon siesta.

Superb from Usman Khawaja - another of those trademark short-arm jabs and he’s within a single blow of a ton.

Australia 215-4 (66), Cameron Green 37, Usman Khawaja 92, Moeen Ali 1-95 (21)

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Moeen Ali puts the clamps on, not allowing Usman Khawaja any easy opportunities to progress towards his ton.

Australia 215-4 (65), Cameron Green 37, Usman Khawaja 92, Ben Stokes 1-20 (5)

16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Loose again from Ben Stokes, gifting Usman Khawaja a full toss outside off stump which is eased for three, and Cameron Green then swipes the England skipper away for four to long leg. Add another to the sundries column as Stokes again pushes that right heel too far again as he lands.

Six! Australia 207-4 (64), Cameron Green 33, Usman Khawaja 89, Moeen Ali 1-95 (20)

16:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Positive from Cameron Green, intent on not letting himself get stuck against Moeen’s tweakers. He shows the full face with an elegant flourish to deposit the off-spinner over long-off, before shuffling sharply on to the back foot to punch a couple more into a vacant space on the off side.

Australia 198-4 (63), Cameron Green 25, Usman Khawaja 88, Ben Stokes 1-12 (4)

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A hint of reverse swing? Ben Stokes’s lean away as he delivers can exaggerate the movement somewhat, and it appears that there’s nothing particularly devilish through the air as Cameron Green jams his bat down by his toes.

A second no ball of the over from Stokes, who is then tickled around the corner for four. Not the tidiest first couple of overs from England after the break, with the 50 partnership up.

Australia 192-4 (62), Cameron Green 21, Usman Khawaja 88, Moeen Ali 1-86 (19)

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s better thereafter from England’s lead spinner.

Ben Stokes takes over at the other end...and immediately over-steps.

Australia 192-4 (61.1), Cameron Green 21, Usman Khawaja 88, Moeen Ali 1-86 (18.1)

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, one more session on the second day - 19 overs before the new ball is available, a period which these two batters will be desperate to get through. Australia’s tail is longer than usual with no Mitchell Starc, particularly given how Pat Cummins’s batting seems to have regressed.

Moeen Ali will begin, and with a new angle - he’ll start over the wicket to the left-handed Khawaja with a slip and a silly point...

Inauspicious. Dragged down and positively tonked for four.

TEA: Australia 188-4 (61), trailing by 205 (Cameron Green 21, Usman Khawaja 84)

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia’s session, just about, adding 110 to their total for the loss of only Travis Head. Australia’s counter-attacker played very well but fell moments after going to 50, Ben Stokes’s faith in Moeen Ali paying dividends as the left-hander swiped to Zak Crawley at midwicket, but Usman Khawaja has ploughed on untroubled and found sturdy support from Cameron Green, who is perhaps just starting to find his hitting range.

Of course, Green should really have been gone second ball - but now he and Khawaja will eye the chance to score more freely as England tire this evening.

TEA: Australia 188-4 (61), Cameron Green 21, Usman Khawaja 84, Joe Root 0-10 (5)

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The second boundary of the over ends in a similar spot but is played from the crease, Green’s great stride and long arms smothering the turn and driving handsomely straight of extra cover.

That’ll do us for the session - time for a brew.

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

15:47 , Sonia Twigg

Tea: After the morning thriller it was a more subdued afternoon session, as Australia – Khawaja – settled in and started putting on the runs comfortably, and they reached the break on 188 for four.

There was one wicket to fall, when England pursued with their approach, despite the batters going after Ali slightly, including two boundaries in successive balls – a four and a six – from Travis Head.

Khawaja, who had never scored more than 54 runs in England before, finished the session closing on a century, and has batted well throughout the day and dealt with everything that has been thrown at him to go into the break unbeaten on 84.

But Ali had his man, when Head, who had just brought up his half century, was going for yet another big hit, but just batted it to Crawley at midwicket and had to leave the field, for 50 from 63.

England should have had another one almost immediately afterwards, but Bairstow missed a stumping when Green came down the wicket trying to get off the mark straight away.

In the stands, the beach balls seemed to grow in size throughout the afternoon, and there was also an inflatable killer whale and ice cream making their way around the Hollies Stand which was slightly more subdued than on Friday.

Australia 184-4 (60.1), Cameron Green 17, Usman Khawaja 84, Joe Root 0-6 (4.1)

15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Green gets one away! The last over before tea and Green gives himself room as he takes two large skips down the pitch, swiping Root over mid-off for four.

Australia 180-4 (60), Cameron Green 13, Usman Khawaja 84, Stuart Broad 2-31 (12)

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The game is in something of a holding pattern as Australia crawl towards tea. A combination of a softening ball and a slowish outfield after the morning rain cap the scoring potential of a pretty Usman Khawaja drive at two. The Australia opener ducks beneath a purposeless short ball to end the over.

Australia 178-4 (59), Cameron Green 13, Usman Khawaja 82, Joe Root 0-2 (4)

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The mid-off and mid-on fielders are up close, prompting an exploratory exit from the crease from Cameron Green, but he almost yorks himself as Joe Root just gives it a bit of extra air.

He’s in his shell a little here, though there is not necessarily a need to really force things. Root’s over passes without score.

Australia 178-4 (58.2), Cameron Green 13, Usman Khawaja 82, Joe Root 0-2 (3.2)

15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A switch of ends for Joe Root, having a go at the Pavilion End in relief of James Anderson. A slip and a short leg to Cameron Green, who lunges forward to block twice into the offside.

Australia 178-4 (58), Cameron Green 13, Usman Khawaja 82, Stuart Broad 2-29 (11)

15:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anderson’s seniority earns him a plum spot adjacent to his captain, catching on the opposite side of the wicket to Ben Stokes as England stick with those short mid-off/mid-on fielders as Cameron Green faces Broad. Ollie Pope’s hands, perhaps still greasy from a long stint under the lid, let slip a single as Green guides to the gully on the bounce. Pope’s punishment is to jog off and fetch his helmet again - it’s a tough life when you’ve proven your catching skill in close, even when you are England’s vice-captain.

Khawaja plays another of those crisp swivel pulls. His ninth four of the innings takes him into the 80s.

Australia 172-4 (57), Cameron Green 12, Usman Khawaja 78, James Anderson 0-23 (11)

15:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A knuckle ball from James Anderson, angling for an IPL gig next year. Usman Khawaja watches it closely on to the middle of his bat.

Stuart Broad is getting warm as Anderson keeps things tight. Back-to-back maidens for one of England’s big two - and here is the other, as Broad replaces Joe Root at the other end.

Australia 172-4 (56), Cameron Green 12, Usman Khawaja 78, Joe Root 0-2 (3)

15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root is giving it plenty of air, offering Usman Khawaja a drive if he wants to chance it with two catchers and a deeper Ben Stokes forming a two-layer protective barrier in the covers. Khawaja drives the last ball of the over to Stokes and hurries up the other end to keep the strike.

Australia 171-4 (55), Cameron Green 12, Usman Khawaja 77, James Anderson 0-23 (10)

15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Green engages the short mid-off and short mid-on in turn, striking both of his drives sweetly but unable to beat Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley. Join ‘em up - it’s a maiden. Anderson has gone for five runs in four overs in this rather miserly little spell.

Australia 171-4 (54), Cameron Green 12, Usman Khawaja 77, Joe Root 0-1 (2)

15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Moeen Ali gets a much deserved break after 18 unchanged, with England’s other off-spinner back for his second over of the day. Joe Root starts around the wicket with a catcher in tight at mid-on and a leg slip, too, plus protection at long leg, which is required as Cameron Green lunges forward and retrieves the broom.

Dropped? Sort of! A toughie for Jonny Bairstow, both he and Usman Khawaja beaten by the lack of pace out of the footmarks and the keeper hasn’t a hope of gathering a thick under-edge despite the close-in fielders’ gasps. Green’s sweep is the only score on Root’s return.

Australia 170-4 (53), Cameron Green 11, Usman Khawaja 77, James Anderson 0-23 (9)

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slip, a gully, a short mid-off, a short mid-on, a catching midwicket, a catching cover - England on the attack against Cameron Green, but not yet able to draw another error after being given this reprieve second ball.

Australia 169-4 (52), Cameron Green 10, Usman Khawaja 77, Moeen Ali 1-82 (18)

15:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Perhaps all that thinking just means Ben Stokes takes his eye off the ball for a moment, the England captain allowing a single that probably shouldn’t have been there as Cameron Green again requests Usman Khawaja gets his skates on. Khawaja has a quiet word with the much taller, quicker and (maybe most pertinently) younger man at the end of the over, perhaps to remind him the opener’s legs aren’t quite as spry as they once were.

Australia 167-4 (51), Cameron Green 9, Usman Khawaja 76, James Anderson 0-22 (8)

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two good bits of running from Cameron Green, shouting Usman Khawaja through for a quick single after punching to a deeper mid-on, and then turning quickly to create a second after the shy at the stumps ricochets into the covers.

Stokes is cycling through a few of his ideas for fields to pose different problems for the batters - Green seems unperturbed by the two men in tight to the wicket on either side, with neither short mid-off nor short mid-on required to move as Anderson closes with three dots.

Australia 165-4 (50), Cameron Green 7, Usman Khawaja 76, Moeen Ali 1-80 (17)

15:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Too short from Moeen Ali and Usman Khawaja, who has been quick to jump on anything slightly back of a length today, pulls forcefully to bother the advertising triangles guarding the boundary rope. There’s a brief scare for England as Ben Stokes is slow to his feet after fielding at mid-on, but a stretch of the hamstring and the England captain is back moving freely. Or at least as freely as he usually moves.

Australia 156-4 (49), Cameron Green 3, Usman Khawaja 71, James Anderson 0-20 (7)

15:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This sort of surface might require a few of the skills Anderson has shown on the south Asian subcontinent, where he has an excellent record over the last little while, rather silencing the critics who claim the third top wicket-taker in Test history is only effective when the ball is swinging. He goes around the wicket to Usman Khawaja, with his captain in place at short mid-off, hoping to draw the batter into a lofted drive as Anderson runs his fingers down the outside of the ball. Usman Khawaja flicks into a gap for two to close an otherwise scoreless over.

Here’s how Travis Head came a cropper, beaten in the flight slightly by Moeen and skewing to midwicket:

Australia 154-4 (48), Cameron Green 3, Usman Khawaja 69, Moeen Ali 1-71 (16)

14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two slips for Moeen Ali to try and find as he starts his next over, preferably after taking a chunk of Usman Khawaja’s outside edge. No dice - worked to leg for a single.

Cameron Green gets off the mark in Ashes cricket in England with a scythe to third man for three, before Khawaja nicks the strike with another nudge at the end of the over.

James Anderson is back for another go - only six overs so far for England’s attack leader.

Australia 149-4 (47), Cameron Green 0, Usman Khawaja 67, Ollie Robinson 0-35 (11)

14:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That was bold, very bold, from Cameron Green, and slightly out of character for a batter who tends to err towards a more defensive approach against the red ball. He is coming off a good IPL - after some early teething problems during the first few games of a mega-money contract at Mumbai Indians, Green became just about the best number three in the competition, with his rapid development a sign of his huge potential.

This will be a very different test, though. Ben Stokes wants to go at him, inserting both a short leg and a leg slip and asking Ollie Robinson seek Green’s pads. Two solid blocks to close the over.

Australia 148-4 (46), Cameron Green 0, Usman Khawaja 66, Moeen Ali 1-66 (15)

14:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out to the middle comes Cameron Green, covering the ground in about three strides. He really is enormous, and improving all the time as a Test batter.

But he should be gone second ball! A basic missed stumping by Jonny Bairstow! Green ventures from his crease but Moeen’s turn beats the inside edge of his drive, but Bairstow can’t bring his gloves across in time to gather cleanly with the Australia all-rounder totally kippered. A chance missed for England - Moeen Ali has his first wicket back in the side but it really should have been two.

OUT! Travis Head c Crawley b Ali 50 (63b 8x4 1x6) SR: 79.36, Australia 148-4 (45.3)

14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And that’s why he’s been kept on - Moeen Ali gets Travis Head!

Again the batter leaves his crease and the ball seems to be there to be hit. But some late drift perhaps just takes it straighter than Head would like, and the left-hander only succeeds in dragging it to midwicket, where Zak Crawley snares sharply to his left.

50 and out for Head. Stokes’s faith in his spinner pays off.

Australia 148/3 (45), Travis Head 50, Usman Khawaja 66, Ollie Robinson 0-34 (10)

14:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The sun is out, the ball has stopped moving and this pitch looks flat again - for the first time today, real thinking for Ben Stokes to do. He’ll stick with Moeen Ali for now, continuing to show faith in his spinner after watching Jack Leach flourish with his backing over the last 12 months.

50 for Travis Head! Australia 148/3 (44.3), Travis Head 50, Usman Khawaja 66, Ollie Robinson 0-34 (9.3)

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head follows Usman Khawaja to 50, going four, two, three to start Ollie Robinson’s over to race through the 40s and raise his bat. 60 balls, eight fours, one six - just what Australia needed.

Australia 139/3 (44), Travis Head 41, Usman Khawaja 66, Moeen Ali 0-66 (14)

14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This has been excellent from these two after the interval, prepared to take a risk or two against Moeen and not allow him to just wile away on a length. Usman Khawaja goes four, six, first lofting nicely in an inside-out fashion and then letting his piece of willow come through the back of the ball more directly as he hits his second maximum.

That might be that for Moeen, who has bowled 14 overs unchanged but is beginning to get a bit of tap.

Australia 129/3 (43), Travis Head 41, Usman Khawaja 56, Ollie Robinson 0-25 (9)

14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is now Usman Khawaja’s best Test score in England - a mark of his past troubles on these shores, but also his development into a consistent, high-class opening batter.

His partner is beginning to enjoy himself - a crunched pull brings him four and he’d have had the same again but for Ollie Pope’s shin pad, a creamed cover drive denied the runs it deserves by the silly mid-off fielder’s lower limb. Head checks Pope is all ok - no need for white smoke as the England vice-captain shakes off the pain.

Six! Australia 124/3 (42), Travis Head 37, Usman Khawaja 55, Moeen Ali 0-56 (13)

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja and Jonny Bairstow share a chuckle as the wicket-keeper spies the Australia batter eyeing up a heave at a floated tempted from Moeen, Khawaja eventually thinking better of it and dead-batting the full ball down. I fancy Bairstow’s eyes briefly lit up, too.

Moeen cleverly changes his length as Khawaja charges but the batter adjusts equally well to shuffle outside off and cover the line.

Large! Travis Head is on the offensive as Moeen gives it some air, skipping down and bothering the beverages of the fans in the fourth row beyond the long-off boundary.

Australia 117/3 (41), Travis Head 31, Usman Khawaja 54, Ollie Robinson 0-20 (8)

14:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A wave of a lonely Australian flag is about all the fanfare received as an Usman Khawaja jab through midwicket brings up the 50 partnership. The ship has been steadied though, with these two now looking for a period of smoother sailing.

Hang on - Travis Head fends at an Ollie Robinson short ball and England fancy there might be glove involved, challenging Marais Erasmus’s not out decision. It appeared to be right off the arm guard to me, but Ben Stokes sends it upstairs for a look...

Not out! Yep, flush off the protective material on Travis Head’s right forearm. Not England’s best review, but it wasn’t the most convincing shot.

Australia 114/3 (40), Travis Head 30, Usman Khawaja 52, Moeen Ali 0-49 (12)

14:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Head and Khawaja are just starting to put a bit of pressure back on Moeen Ali, who had been twirling away quite comfortably before lunch. Another of those aesthetically pleasing lofted straight drives earns the former four as the partnership ticks up to 47.

Australia 108/3 (39), Travis Head 24, Usman Khawaja 52, Ollie Robinson 0-17 (7)

14:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson is never short of accuracy, and is now such a smart bowler, but he’s probably been the least threatening of England’s seam quartet today, with this pitch perhaps not suiting his preferred MO of nip off the seam. He’s asked to pick up where Broad left off, banging away back of a length and shorter, and Travis Head is through his stroke much too soon with Robinson’s lack of gas evident.

Australia 106/3 (38), Travis Head 23, Usman Khawaja 51, Moeen Ali 0-43 (11)

14:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Pope is in tight at silly mid-off as Moeen begins his next, buzzing away like an insect on the end of Travis Head’s nose. Head lets his bat do the talking, first launching Moeen back over his head with elan as Australia bring up their 100, and then rocking back to punch four through cover to make it eight from the over.

Time for a change - Stuart Broad is given a breather, with Ollie Robinson recalled.

Australia 98/3 (37), Travis Head 15, Usman Khawaja 51, Stuart Broad 2-23 (10)

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are going to try and go after Travis’s Head, Stuart Broad again putting plenty of energy into his bouncer barrage. He has to, of course, with the pitch still docile. Ben Stokes is probably England’s best bouncer bowler in this side but I’m not sure his knee could quite take the sort of battering that would be required to deliver an extended spell of short stuff.

The Broad of 15 years ago might have been just the man for a challenge but his doorman days are long behind him, and he oversteps trying to force a bouncer through. Head has plenty of time to set himself and tug it to fine leg for one.

Australia 95/3 (36), Travis Head 14, Usman Khawaja 50, Moeen Ali 0-35 (10)

14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After 15 balls trapped on eight, Travis Head takes the proactive route, twice departing his crease in Moeen’s over. He slightly cramps himself but has the quick hands to still whip up over mid-on for a one-bounce four, and two more are taken between the two boundary riders out in the leg side.

50 for Usman Khawaja! Australia 89/3 (35.2), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 50, Moeen Ali 0-29 (9.2)

14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there’s the half century for Australia’s opener, with six fours and that maximum in Moeen Ali’s last over. He’s averaging more than 66 since coming back into the side during the last Ashes, and this has been the best he’s looked in England that I can recall, despite some uncertain footwork early on.

He’ll know he needs to kick on, but Khawaja looks so comfortable in this side now, which is really heartening after some pretty rough treatment earlier in his career.

Australia 88/3 (35), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 49, Stuart Broad 2-20 (9)

14:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Usman Khawaja is unhurried as he waits within sight of 50, content to play conservatively as Stuart Broad probes. A shorter one does fluster him, but Khawaja’s wave lands some distance short of the fine leg fielder.

Australia 86/3 (34), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 48, Moeen Ali 0-28 (9)

13:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head is content to negotiate Moeen from the crease. Seven from the over.

Six! Australia 85/3 (33.1), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 47, Moeen Ali 0-27 (8.1)

13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Delightful! A do-si-do down from Usman Khawaja as Moeen Ali starts his next set, and the off-spinner is drop-kicked into the sightscreen with an effortless flourish.

Australia 79/3 (33), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 41, Stuart Broad 2-18 (8)

13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first genuinely defensive fielding placement from Ben Stokes, installing a deep point. He’s almost immediately in action, too, as Usman Khawaja strolls up the other end after a cut to the fielder on the fence for a single.

A leg gully and short leg for Travis Head, with two men out. He did look vulnerable against the short ball against India in the World Test Championship final - only after getting a ton, of course.

There’s no Mark Wood to really test his ticker, but Stuart Broad gamely does his best to play the enforcer, starting with two short balls. The second of them is at hip height but flapped at by Head, with England briefly thinking about a review after a murmur of a noise with ball close to bat. Ben Stokes says no to Broad’s pleading - wisely, no bat involved.

Australia 78/3 (32), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40, Moeen Ali 0-21 (8)

13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A gentle start from Moeen, back of a length and patted in an unthreatening manner to midwicket by Travis Head. Moeen’s control has been really, really good today, which will please England given he’s very much still in the refamiliarisation stage of his red ball return.

He joins the dots to complete an opening maiden, with Stuart Broad to begin from the other end.

Australia 78/3 (31), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja are ready on the boundary in their sleeveless cable knit jumpers, England inviting the batters to make the first strides towards the middle as Ben Stokes gathers his team in a huddle. You’d think that Moeen will be used first up, with Head statistically vulnerable against off-spin, particularly early in his innings.

Yep, England’s offie has his cap off and will commence proceedings after the interval.

LUNCH REPORT: Australia 78/3 (31), trailing by 315 runs (Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40)

13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad took two huge wickets in as many balls and Ben Stokes defied injury concerns to land a crucial blow as England seized control on the second morning of the first Ashes Test.

Having sprung a surprise declaration at 393 for eight on the first evening, England were on the hunt for wickets at Edgbaston and enjoyed a stirring first session as Australia’s much-vaunted top order caved to 78 for three.

Broad, picked here ahead of Mark Wood for his experience and big-game mentality, cracked the game open in the first hour as he renewed his dominance over old rival David Warner and then snapped up the world’s number one batter Marnus Labuschagne with the very next ball.

Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes strike to put England in command of first Ashes Test

LUNCH: Australia 78/3 (31), trailing by 315 runs (Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40)

13:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A telling stat, courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo, that goes some way towards illustrating the difference in approach between the two sides both with the bat and in the field - England hit 54 singles in the morning session yesterday; Australia have hit just 13 so far today. Obviously the overheads have played a part, but you could well argue that Pat Cummins’s side have been too defensive in both innings so far.

Here’s what I meant, by the way, when I mentioned the similarities between Steve Smith’s dismissal today and those he suffered while at Sussex this summer. Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue both fall away slightly in their delivery stride, creating more of an angle back in towards a right-handed batter, and that angle has done Smith on the inside edge both times.

LUNCH! Australia 78/3 (31), trailing by 315 runs (Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40)

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Very much England’s session, exploiting some encouraging overheads to pounce on a slightly timid Australian order. Stuart Broad got David Warner again and then tempted Marnus Labuschagne to play one he shouldn’t have first ball to strike twice in two balls, before Ben Stokes snared Australia’s other middle order run machine as a scratchy Steve Smith missed a straight one. Usman Khawaja has looked composed and competent, and England will be wary of Travis Head’s ability to put the pressure back on the bowlers, but it’s been very, very good so far today from the hosts.

LUNCH! Australia 78/3 (31), trailing by 315 runs

13:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 78/3 (31), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40, Joe Root 0-0 (1)

13:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three close-in catchers for the final ball of the session, but Usman Khawaja blocks Joe Root’s inswing variation comfortably enough outside off stump.

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

13:07 , Sonia Twigg

Lunch: Stokes claimed the breakthrough, the one England wanted more than anything. Smith has departed for just 16.

‘Cheerio, cheerio’ sung the crowd, former captain Alastair Cook on commentary was in disbelief that the Australian has missed the ball, but he had to go.

Smith reviewed the decision, after the umpire took a while before lifting his finger, Australia reduced to 78 for three as the sun is literally and metaphorically shining down on England at Edgbaston.

Broad’s two wickets in two balls to dismiss his old rival Warner and then the ICC world number one ranked Test batter Labuschagne came in the first hour of play and it has undoubtedly been England’s morning.

Ahead of the series, there were a lot of discussions surrounding the state of Stokes, or more specifically, Stokes’ left knee, but he brought himself on to bowl towards the end of the first session, and after a first ball no-ball, claimed the key wicket.

His 3 overs went for 4, but it’s the wickets that matter, and Smith is the biggest Australian prize of all, after his torment of England back in 2019.

The Hollies Stand has been in good voice, and it’s had a lot to cheer about, but the beer is flowing and the beach balls have been flying.

The Brook experiment, with the batter coming on to bowl an over before the drinks break, was a short-lived one and lasted just one over, but it would have thrown a curveball to Smith who prepares meticulously, but might not have expected to be facing the medium-pacer so early in his innings, if at all.

Australia 78/3 (30), Travis Head 8, Usman Khawaja 40, Moeen Ali 0-21 (7)

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head drives gloriously, bisecting the cover fielder as Moeen overpitches.

What a response! Drift and significant turn, and twice Head is beaten outside off stump as Joe Root claps yearning hands at slip.

Those hands will soon be in use - off-spin from both ends to close the session with Root getting a chance for some tweaking before lunch.

Australia 74/3 (29), Travis Head 4, Usman Khawaja 40, Ben Stokes 1-6 (3)

13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Still a couple more overs to come before the end of a pleasing opening session for England, keeping Australia firmly in check and making solid use of good bowling conditions. The slightly eccentric employment of Harry Brook’s dibbly-dobblers aside, Ben Stokes has captained well, keeping Australia guessing with smart bowling changes and some quirky fields. A driven two from the meat of Khawaja’s bat are the only two runs from the England captain’s third over.

Australia 72/3 (28), Travis Head 4, Usman Khawaja 38, Moeen Ali 0-17 (6)

12:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith was out thrice in similar fashion to that dimissal during his short Sussex stint this summer, with Worcestershire and England’s Josh Tongue and Glamorgan’s James Harris among those to get him having stepped too far across in front of his stumps.

Head collects his first boundary as Moeen gifts him a ball outside leg stump that can be swept for four. A touch top edgey, but the fielder is up.

OUT! Steve Smith lbw b Stokes 16 (59b 0x4 0x6) SR: 27.11, Australia 67/3 (27)

12:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three reds - Edgbaston roars! Steve Smith has missed a straight one and Ben Stokes has reeled in the big fish!

Smith had never quite found his footwork today, and is all out of kilter as he tries to work to leg. The ball holds its line and strikes just above the knee roll as Smith goes back - on a zippier surface a ball of that length is sailing over, but on this featherbed that is slamming into the top of middle and off.

Travis Head to the crease with some counter-punching to do.

Australia 67/2 (27), Steve Smith 16, Usman Khawaja 37, Ben Stokes 0-4 (2)

12:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stokes is back amongst things at the top of his mark, and finds a bit of swing, movement into the left-handed Khawaja continuing from the surface and cramping the batter for room. A thud against the thigh pads with the batter up on his toes.

A fuller ball on the same line is nudged to long leg for one.

Big appeal...GIVEN! Marais Erasmus takes his time with height perhaps an issue, but up goes the finger. Smith immediately reviews...

Australia 65/2 (26), Steve Smith 16, Usman Khawaja 36, Moeen Ali 0-12 (5)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stokes trudges off, in fact, at the end of the over, perhaps to just check that strapping is all intact. That leaves Ollie Pope in acting charge, the Surrey batter under the lid at short leg as Moeen hurries through a maiden.

Australia 65/2 (25), Steve Smith 16, Usman Khawaja 36, Ben Stokes 0-2 (1)

12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Few outward signs of pain from England cricket’s favourite masochist, though there is a healthy chunk of strapping around that injured knee beneath his whites. That no ball and a single into the legside from his first over with Moeen, who has started rather neatly, to continue at the other end.

Australia 64/2 (24.2), Steve Smith 15, Usman Khawaja 36, Ben Stokes 0-1 (0.2)

12:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not the best start. tokes’s final stride is too long and out goes Marais Erasmus’s arm to signal the no ball. 81mph or so for Stokes - he’s not quite at full tilt but that’s brisk enough.

England aren’t happy with the state of the ball, and neither is umpire Erasmus, tutting as it fails to go through the rings. Out comes the fourth umpire with a selection box of more spherical alternatives.

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