Ashes 2025-26.

[backfootpunch]

3 overs for 24

Why is this bloke playing

Hes got absolutely no idea where its going

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't waste the new ball, have to take him off. But Tongue sprays it around too.

Gentle Ben could be on soon.

[backfootpunch]

Can't waste the new ball, have to take him off. But Tongue sprays it around too.

Gentle Ben could be on soon.

Carse must have some compromising evidence on stokes and mccullum

Or they all backed australia 5-0 pre series

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wouldn't get 500-1 for that though.

[backfootpunch]

Archer beats weatherald for pace

Key 30 mins here. 2 best players in.

[backfootpunch]

Crawley gets head with a fantastic catch

Im half claiming that after panning carse. It was an innocuous enough ball but at least he pitched it up

[Arthur Crabtree]

Archer apparently bowling with pace.

Carse gets another over...

[Arthur Crabtree]

And the wicket! Great start for England!

[backfootpunch]

Blimey

Khawaja dropped

Pitch was starting to look flat

Not a dolly but shouldve been taken.

Australia wouldve been in big trouble

[Arthur Crabtree]

Disappointing. Stats say Brook is usually a reliable catcher. Would have been a huge boost.

[GarlicJam]

Very good catch by Crawley. Not such a good attempt from Brook.

[GarlicJam]

who saw that coming?

[alfie]

Up and down day so far , eh ? Down for Brook to be cruel...but had he taken that , who knows where things would be now ?

Couple of false strokes by Marnus and Green after lunch rather handed the initiative back to England ; but it took that late wicket for Jacks (owing a bit to some Stokes tight overs , I think) to stop Khawaja and carey from taking this away.

Important hour - again - coming after tea. New ball way off so Archer/Tongue/Carse will need to do some damage or they will all suffer for it later in the evening. I do think England have bowled much better today : far from perfect , Carse particularly loose early on , and even the excellent Archer took a while to get his line and length in the right spot ; but considering this is a batsman's pitch I reckon they've been OK. Lot more balls attacking the stumps...if they'd bowled like this in Brisbane we might be looking at a very different situation in the series.

But that is history. What counts is what they do from here. (And how they bat but that is for tomorrow).

Congrats to Khawaja for showing his undoubted character after first getting a reprieve for his place courtesy of the smith illness , and then a let off on just five. Saved his career for now at least ...which might actually make for some awkward selection issues for Australia down the track... But certainly a big plus for his team today

[alfie]

Grr. Wretched server cut me off after carefully typed post

So : day went on as a mix - first one side gets an edge , then wicket or partnership reverses the advantage. 326/8 is a fair score from 83 but this looks a good pitch for batting - and it will be 39 degrees tomorrow. How long the last two wickets take in the morning could be very significant . A good day of Test Cricket.

Carey the star turn. Top knock ; and vital for the hosts after some careless dismissals. Also Khawaja of course ; and the Australian bowlers who backed up well to frustrate England late in the day.

Archer the pick of the bowlers - much more threatening today , and held his pace better. The others were mixed . Carse way too expensive though he bowled some good overs in between the pie stalls and took two important wickets. Jacks also far too many runs off him but there wasn't much there for a spinner and he did take two vital wickets. Bit of a low bar to clear , but all round I'd say they bowled much better than Brisbane.

A chance for England if they can nip out the last two quickly in the morning and then bat long . If...

I see my local council is cutting off the power in our street tomorrow morning so might have to head to the pub early

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like a fairly even day. And well done to Jacks for cutting off UK and Carey when well established. Longest England went without a wicket was 23 overs, so not really made to suffer.