Ashes 2025-26.

[andy]

Duckett playing beautifully....Boland hasn't got it right at all

[andy]

And ducketts gone....horrific review!

[andy]

Root gone! 39-3 huge trouble

[andy]

Pope goes lbw to green for 46 huge shame as pope looked in really good touch! 94-4

[bigfluffylemon]

And there it is. The familiar sinking feeling.

[alfie]

Action packed 23 overs. 105/4 makes it home team's session , thanks to an excellent spell from Starc with the new ball.

The real blow for England was Root getting undone by some fine Starc bowling . Wasn't exactly surprising that Crawley was caught out by the bounce playing his trademark off side drive though he might wish he'd had a look at a few more before trying it. Duckett got a good one too after a bright start ; and Pope will be annoyed that he missed a straight one when getting too far across to Green. Pope's innings was actually the most encouraging aspect for England as he looked much more assured early in his innings than we have come to expect. To be hoped he can build on that.

Brook has been skittish. Guess we will judge him on the result. Lot of work after lunch for him and the skipper.

Australia will be delighted with Starc - and Doggett who looked good in his first spell in Tests. Less so with Boland , who got clattered.

Time for a cup of tea and a walk about...

[backfootpunch]

And there it is. The familiar sinking feeling.

Its goundhog day all over again

Another bad session here and it will feel like the game is already over barring the aussie batsmen being as generous as englands

Really not sure how duckett and pope missed those balls. Root got a good one. Crawley doesnt need to be mentioned, he continues to steal a living.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Early wicket after lunch.

Feels like old times.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Smith survives a review. Some rare good news.

First thing I saw on waking up was Crawley's duck on the scoreboard. And another for Root. The two players under most pressure.

[andy]

Brook has the first 50 of the series, Smith has got going quickly too

[bigfluffylemon]

More gifts. Starc has bowled well, but this is poor. As usual.

You know Australia will rack up 450 and that will be that.

[bigfluffylemon]

Pat who?

[GarlicJam]

Well, that quickly got brainless by England.

[bigfluffylemon]

Great chance in the absence of two of Australia's premier bowlers, my @rse.

[GarlicJam]

With Khawaja unable to open, will it be Marnus?