And so we come to the end of the day - one that has belonged to England. 86.8% of you think that England are on top in this match. I think you might be right. Goodnight.
Player's view
Moeen Ali on his bowling: [England coach] "Trevor Bayliss is big on bowling all your varieties and I started to bowl the doosra. I haven't been bowling that well anyway so I thought 'why not?'"
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WooderZ: I fancy Watson to get a big score tomorrow and Australia to be all out trailing by about 50. Can't wait to see more!
Post update
Cardiff has emptied, just a few seagulls swoop over the blue seats. Don't forget that we'll be back from 09:00 tomorrow with all the build-up to the third day.
Player's view
England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Sky Sports: "We were happy yesterday and today with the start we had, and then taking five wickets. A couple of wickets tomorrow with the new ball and we're right in it.
"Cooky said for everyone to play the way they play, I felt I wanted to play my shots and entertain everyone. It's difficult to play shots straightaway, you have to get in but then you can enjoy your batting."
'Moeen Ali is the bearded David Gower'
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Listen to the Ashes Social on BBC Radio 5 live at 21:00 BST - hosted by Will Perry, with former England all-rounder Dermot Reeve, Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh and analyst Simon Hughes. They will discuss...
Moeen Ali's form with bat and ball
Chris Rogers and the nervous 90s
Captains Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke's performances so far
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Post update
Don't forget, there are only 10 overs tomorrow morning until the new ball is due. England will fancy their chances of getting into the Australian tail.
'It's a young man's game'
Chris Rogers, who will retire from Test cricket at the end of the series: "I'm old - I can feel it. Days in the field are hard work. Sometimes you think it's a bit of a young man's game."
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Dan Stutchbury: Think that was rather a good day for England. Well bowled lads.
"There is a lot of time left for England to win it. I'll be surprised if Australia get up to England's total. It can happen - someone can play brilliantly and Watson is a good player, but he has been known to struggle if you bowl straight around his pad. I think by the afternoon England will be batting, they will have a lead and we're only halfway through so England still have a chance of winning. They are in it, really in it."
Vote - who is on top?
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Who do you think is on top after day two of the first Ashes Test?
Vote on the top-right-hand side of the page or under the 'vote' tab on mobile devices.
The vote will close at 19:00 BST with results published shortly after. Terms and conditions.
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Srihari: The tail was what caused England problems in the last Ashes. If they can take a lead of 100, the game will be theirs to lose.
Player's view
Chris Rogers, who top-scored for Australia with 95: "It was an excellent day of Test cricket - both teams are going at each other really hard.
"I think England might have a slight advantage. We had some good partnerships but we didn't make it count."
On Australia batting last: "It is a worry. We're going to have to play a good game from here on in. It's going to be tough work and we have to get a lot closer to England."
"England got most things right and Australia got hardly anything right."
Player's view
Australia batsman Chris Rogers, who made 95 - a record-equalling seventh Test half-century in a row, on Sky Sports: "I woke up pretty nervous this morning. It's such a big series - and my last series. And I don't start series well so it's nice to start off OK.
"I'm planning to just really enjoy this. These are opportunities you won't get again, so you need to make the most of them."
Post update
Australia steadied through Adam Voges and Shane Watson, absorbing England's miserly bowling. Just when it looked like they might get to the close, Voges popped Ben Stokes to short cover to give England a fifth wicket and the upper hand.
"The best thing about England was that they understood the conditions better - don't keep banging it in; the short ball should be a surprise ball. The field placings by the captain, with a lot of men on the drive - which puts things in the batsman's mind and stifles you - England got it dead right. The Australians didn't bat with a lot of common sense. They came out trying to take Moeen on - that's alright to a point but he's no mug."
Post update
When Rogers edged Mark Wood behind, England began to tighten their grip. The seamers plugged away, while Moeen managed to winkle out Michael Clarke when the Aussie skipper drilled back a caught-and-bowled. The Worcestershire all-rounder had some day.
"Lovely day's cricket. Yesterday I think many of us thought England edged it, today it was definitely their day. Moeen played beautifully - on a rice pudding surface he creamed it through the covers. The scoreboard rattled along and you're always in the game, you've got something to bowl at."
Post update
David Warner flickered before edging James Anderson behind, while Steve Smith looked jumpy before somehow chipping Moeen Ali to short mid-on. At the other end, Chris Rogers stood firm for 95.
Post update
On an unresponsive pitch, Australia threatened to dig in - most of their batsmen got starts - but England stuck to their task. It's fair to say they have bowled better than Australia did yesterday, with far fewer loose balls.
Close-of-play scorecard
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Post update
Graeme Swann has called it - England's day. From 343-7 overnight they would have been desperate to get past 400 and, thanks to the early swashbuckling of Moeen Ali, they got there and then some.
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David McNaught: Scoreboard pressure and England bowling as a unit. Perfect recipe. Enjoying this (for now).
"Yesterday it was a bone of contention who'd had the better day. Today it's obvious - England have had a much better day. They scored freely got 430, they got rid of the Aussie dangermen, got that late wicket as well so they've had a great day. Man of the day Moeen Ali, a great crowd today too, Cardiff looking glorious."
Close of play
Aus 264-5
That will be that. Australia stride off on 264-5, some 166 behind. England will probably enjoy their dinner better. With the new ball due in the morning, they could well earn a first-innings lead.
Aus 262-5
Lyon gets an inside edge that Moeen Ali somehow lets go for four. Lyon, jittery, leaves. The clock ticks to half past. One ball left in the day.
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Stuart Mitchell: 100% England's day after that 5th wicket, c'mon get a 6th to ram home the advantage. Wrap it up tomorrow with the new ball.
Close!
Aus 258-5
Stokes to Lyon, every fielder catching. Edged! Just short of Joe Root in that silly slip position.
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Joanna B: Oops woke a few tired children when that Voges wicket went. School trip.
Aus 258-5 (Watson 29, Lyon 0)
Still Wood to Watson - how England would dearly love to get the Aussie all-rounder before the close. Short leg, man at short mid-wicket, Wood still angling it in, Watson still at odds with his front leg. Wood, exploding from his run like a sprinter out of the blocks summons one last effort. Watson leaves it be. Maybe only one over left in the day.
"He looked good though, Voges, I always thought he was a Test player whenever I played with or against him, he has the right attitude and temperament."
Aus 258-5 (trail by 172)
Ooohhhh, close, Lyon edging his first ball short of the slips. Joe Root, the fielder, responds by coming much closer. A silly slip, if you will. Stokes, sweat dripping off his red face, has awoken the crowd, who roar him to the crease. Lyon somehow negotiates the rest of the over. Still even? England's day? One more and it certainly will be.
Aus 258-5 (Stokes 10.2-4-29-1)
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Looking again, Graeme Swann is right. The ball definitely disturbed the surface, sticking in, getting to Voges slower than he might have expected. Australia have sent in Nathan Lyon as nightwatchman.
"This hit a foot hole as well, that puff of dust stopped the ball a bit. If it hadn't hit that puff of dust it probably would have gone for four because it was a half volley. England will be cock-a-hoop with that, it has woken the crowd up, it has woken us up."
WICKET
Voges c Anderson b Stokes 31 (Aus 258-5)
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Adam Voges, what have you done? After all that good work, Voges has fallen on his sword just before the close in the softest manner. Ben Stokes is rewarded for his patience, hanging the ball outside off stump, with Voges somehow belting it straight to James Anderson at short cover. England will feel like they deserve that. The pendulum swings in their direction.
"Fifty partnership off 85 balls - the fourth of the innings."
Aus 258-4 (Wood 15-2-59-1)
Funny old passage of play, with Watson missing a Wood bumper, Jos Buttler not gathering and a bye being taken. This match has been tough for the keepers. Are Australia just riding this spell of England pressure? If they get to the close only four down and 160 behind, who will be on top? About equal?
"Moeen Ali should be bowling, he should be going up to the captain and badgering him saying 'give me the ball'."
Aus 256-4 (Voges 30, Watson 28)
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We often talk of Ben Stokes being expensive, but this spell has been accurate and miserly. A bandage on his right arm, Stokes pounds the off-stump channel of Voges, who looks like a man playing with tomorrow in mind. Even when Stokes gets loose down the leg side, Voges can't tuck in. Ah, that's the loose shot England have been after. A wide ball, wafty from Voges, an edge to third man for four. Much hand on head from the England fielders. In this spell, Stokes' figures are 5-3-7-0.
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Tom H Bunn: Walking through a gloriously sunny Central London with TMS on my headphones. Perfect. What tube strikes?
Aus 251-4 (trail by 179)
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Still England strive, still Shane Watson battles with his own front leg. When Wood is marginally wider, Watson half edges, half angles the ball through third man for four. Cardiff is engaged, but not raucous. Perhaps the bars haven't done quite the same trade today. Lovely evening, mind. Beer garden weather.
"England are doing a good job, they are being reasonably disciplined and they have got reward - or Moeen Ali has - through batsman coming after him and getting themselves out. England know these surfaces. They bowl straighter and haven't been over-attacking."
Aus 247-4 (run-rate 3.85)
The scoreboard says 11 overs remain in the day, but I doubt we'll get them in before the 18:30 cut-off. Whatever happens, England will have the new ball available fairly early on tomorrow, which will represent another chance to attack, especially if Australia lose another wicket or two tonight. Still Stokes, still firing it down a tube. England bowling dry.
Do you know you gully from your cover?
Sat in the office and wondering what on earth a slip fielder is? Hopefully this little graphic will help. You can find out more on how to get involved with cricket via our Get Inspired page.
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Aus 247-4 (Voges 26, Watson 24)
Moeen Ali is finally withdrawn after that very good spell, replaced by Mark Wood as the shadows lengthen. Wood, having seen the plan to Watson, goes full and straight, a little too straight. Watson takes four through the leg side. Every so often, Wood jumps very wide on the crease, just to alter the angle. So far in his short Test career, I've not seen it bring a wicket.
"As soon as you get it up there wide they're after it and it's amazing they have not nicked more. It's a sucker ball and you know it is - or you should know it is."
Aus 242-4 (trail by 188)
You can see the plan from England here. Stokes is angling the ball into Watson, who in conscious of the catcher lurking at short mid-wicket. Then, when Stokes drags Watson wide, he plays and misses. It's been a very good bowling effort from England today, disciplined on a sluggish pitch. Still - and I say this entirely with the benefit of hindsight - you wonder if a second spinner would have created more chances.
"Sometimes you get that feeling that it's close, but it just didn't feel out; it didn't look out."
Aus 242-4
Big, big shout from England when Shane Watson plays in front of his pads and is rapped in front by Ben Stokes. Not out... England decide not to review, probably because of height. They were correct in their thinking.
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Josh: With a combined age of 140 - could this Aussie middle order be one of the oldest ever? Clarke, Voges, Watson, Haddin - 34, 35, 34, 37.
Aus 240-4 (13 overs remaining)
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Classic Test match attrition now as Moeen Ali tries to tempt a mistake out of the Aussie engine room. Adam Voges stands tall at the crease and when the ball stays low he almost gets an edge to the standing keeper.
"It's a surface I get the impression the Australians are not comfortable with - bowling or batting."
Aus 238-4 (Voges 22, Watson 19)
It's warm in Cardiff, but the headscarves being sported by two elderly ladies seem a little excessive. It's not that warm. Stokes, straight run-up, slips in to his opposite number Watson, probing the channel outside off stump with two slips in place. Watson is watchful, so England change he plan, posting a catcher on the leg side to allow Stokes to hunt the pads. Watson digs out a yorker to end a good over.
"If Australia don't get somewhere near England's total they have got a problem - unless rain comes to save them. At this stage I think England are slightly ahead."
Close!
Aus 238-4
Oooffff. Close for Shane Watson, who almost chips Moeen to Alastair Cook at short mid-wicket. Deciding that touch isn't the way to go, Watson goes from piano player to piano mover, twice belting Moeen over the leg side for a pair of boundaries. England won't mind that, Watson is less than convincing when facing the best beard in British sport.*
*Since WG Grace.
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Disney XI
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Neil Spalding: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lyon, The Mitch and the Broadrobe.
Aus 227-4 (58 overs)
Ben Stokes on after a very good spell from James Anderson. Stokes is greeted by a chorus of the Hokey-Cokey, which I presume is altered to serenade the Durham all-rounder. That's followed by a blast of Delilah - maybe some Stoke City fans there? How much of a treat would it be to see Tom Jones rock up at the cricket? Good from Stokes, scuttling one past Voges' edge. Not so good from Stokes, a short ball pulled for four.
"Moeen is not a bad bowler, he is just not a frontline bowler. He's a damn good batsman and he gets wickets for England."
Aus 223-4 (Voges 21, Watson 9)
Still Moeen, bowling after the umpires call for a substitute box of balls. In among this spell of England pressure, Ashes debutant Adam Voges has been unflappable, absorbing all England have thrown at him. A tickle fine brings four, with Moeen then serving up a horrible half-tracker to finish the over. Watson pounces on a pull for four. That might be the end of Moeen for a little while.
"Darren Lehmann will be absolutely spitting feathers losing two wickets to Moeen Ali on a wicket where it is not really doing anything."
Aus 212-4 (trail by 218)
Anderson to Watson. Often the letters lbw come into the equation. Watson hulks over his bat, a short mid-off confusing his thinking. Blond hair poking from below his helmet, Watson manages to get forward to Anderson's good length, solid in defence. Play can continue until 18:30 this evening.
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Sakriya: Moeen looks so simple, nothing fancy in his action, doesn't have the wrong'un, yet so effective and keeps getting wickets.
Chris Dewhirst: Go on Mo lad! What a day he's having. Hope the aussies fall apart now!
Jonny Best: Australia top 4 got more than double the England top 4. Imagine the position we would be in without the collapse.
Aus 212-4 (19 overs left in the day)
Moeen continues, wheeling away. You feel that this is a big time in this match, England on the cusp of taking control. Watson has come in looking to score, more bat than patience. Here he comes, a quick single to mid-on, just beating the throw of James Anderson, who misses anyway. The crowd are humming, invested in the action, aware of the importance of this passage of play. One, maybe two, more for England tonight and it could be kangaroo steak for dinner.
Leading man
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Aus 211-4 (Voges 14, Watson 4)
Brad Haddin is the next man in, sitting on the balcony chewing gum with some ferocity. James Anderson is well in the game here, bowling to two men that like to plant the front dog. Voges, trying to absorb the pressure, plays back yet another Anderson maiden.
"I like this from Cook he's not over attacking. he's realised that even though the spinner has taken two wickets it has not been because of the pitch they have been through errors. Keep bowling the dots, keep building the pressure that way."
Aus 211-4 (trail by 219)
Watson is already planting that big front pad, getting off the mark with a cover drive for four. I'm looking forward to James Anderson bowling at the Australia all-rounder. Looking again, Clarke got a bit too close to that delivery form Mooen, meaning he couldn't control the shot. It was neither along the ground or high enough to get over the bowler's head.
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Matthew Vernon: 77 with the bat, Smith and Clarke with the ball! And to think there was a debate on whether to pick him! MOEEEEEENNNN!!!!
James Prez: Thanks for that Glenn, classic commentators curse. (17:09)
Aus 207-4 (Moeen 9.1-1-38-2)
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Michael Vaughan is right, Moeen Ali is having an excellent day. He's followed up a half-century with the two big wickets in this Australia line-up - Steve Smith and Michael Clarke. I think the wicket prompted a drinks break, meaning Shane Watson has had a wait for his first ball.
"It's a good catch from Moeen Ali he's having a terrific day. It was well floated up and you felt Clarke was itching to come down and whack him in the river, he went to go aerial and couldn't get any loft on the ball. If England can finish the day with another couple they are right in the box seat."
WICKET
Clarke c&b Moeen 38 (Aus 207-4)
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Big wicket! The Australia captain has gone and England are moving towards a position of strength in this match. Michael Clarke looks to us his feet, but he can only drill the ball back to Moeen Ali, who takes a very sharp catch. England are being rewarded for bowling with great discipline and another strike or two could have them well on top.
"If Australia can get through the rest of the day without losing another wicket they could be sitting at 280-300."
Aus 207-3 (Anderson 14-4-36-1)
Anderson continues to hunt the pads of Adam Voges, much different bowling from the wide-of-off-stump stuff served up to Steve Smith earlier on. On this unresponsive pitch, Anderson has cut his pace, below 80mph, and is looking to nibble the ball this way and that. Moore good stuff from Jimmy. Straight, decent length. In this spell, Anderson has bowled four overs for three runs.
Disney XI
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Owen Guest: Jacques Kallis in Wonderland.
Christopher Cooper: Rooty and the Beast.
M.P.: Lady and the Tramprakash.
Aus 207-3 (51 overs)
We will see some off-spin, Moeen Ali to twirl his beard with the River Taff behind him. Aussie captain Clarke has a reputation as a wonderful player of spin and shows just how good he is by driving through the covers for four. Australia building steadily.
"Anderson over the last couple of years has bowled better on these kind of pitches, he has that ability to roll the fingers and bowl the leg cutter or the off cutter. When the ball has been hooping of late he hasn't bowled as well."
Aus 202-3 (trail by 228)
Anderson kicks his heels, which are illuminated by flashes of fluorescent orange at the back of his spikes. There's a man at very short mid-off for Clarke, the fielder almost standing on the edge of the pitch. Ah, that's nice from Anderson, moving the ball away to entice Clarke into a loose drive. Very good over, a maiden.
"Voges is getting himself in, it might take a little bit of time to get used to the pace but once you're in it gets a lot easier. He might be enjoying the pressure. When the team needs you and you go out there and perform there is no better feeling. To me that's why you play."
Aus 202-3 (Clarke 34, Voges 13)
Who's on top? If you're responding to 430, then 202-3 is quite a good place to be in. Voges, tall and slender, drives Stokes back down the ground for four then clips a couple to long leg. Moeen Ali is the fielder, interrupting his stretching regime. Perhaps we're about to see some spin. There's that uneven bounce again, Voges lucky not to chop on.
Disney XI
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Ryan Ketteringham: Wall-E Hammond.
Matthew Clemson: I feel obliged to nominate Root and Ballance for the Disney XI. As, of course, The Rescuers.
Dam Smith: Brad Alladin, Cruella de Villiers, Alan Donald Duck, Mufasa Hughes, Ashwal Prince Charming, Chris Rogers Rabbit, Imran Shere Khan, Mohammed Sharif of Nottingham, John Snow White, Ashok Bambi, And finally...Jiminy Cricket.
Aus 196-3 (trail by 234)
Adam Voges is having a bit of trouble planting his front foot, meaning he has to play around his front pad. James Anderson is encouraged to hunt the lbw, not unlike the way he tormented Shane Watson a couple of years ago. In the crowd, what looks like the Pink Panther does a lot of arm waving, encouraged by the strains of the trumpeter.
How's stat?!
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Aus 193-3 (Stokes 4-1-16-0)
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Ben Stokes, all flame hair and arm tattoos, into the attack under the clearest of blue skies, immediately inducing an edge from Clarke that runs along the ground for four. Is that a touch of uneven bounce? Looks like it, Clarke jerking his bottom hand off the handle. Could be a factor later in the game.
Scorecard update
Australia 185-3 (43 overs) - trail by 245
Batsmen: Voges 4* (12), Clarke 26* (33)
Fall of wickets: 52-1 (Warner 17), 129-2 (Smith 33), 180-3 (Rogers 95)
James Anderson is summoned to examine Adam Voges. The Burnley Express is serenaded by the Barmies in the traditional way, probing at right-hander Voges with two slips and a gully. Rule Britannia from the trumpet as Voges' battles to get his feet moving. Second successive maiden.
"Wood seems to be trying a lot of things, maybe trying too much at times, he looks like the type of lad who is going to run in all day."
Aus 185-3 (Clarke 26, Rogers 4)
The trumpeter is playing the theme to Robin Hood. I think the Barmy Army change the words in an ode to Mark Wood. The Durham seamer has Michael Clarke playing across one that thuds into the front pad. An appeal, but rightly turned down. A good spell for England. You feel that Australia are under the pump.
Disney XI
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Tommy: Alhaddin?
Harvey Austin: Nathan Lyon King.
Andrew Lott: Cruella de Villiers surely for the Disney XI.
Aus 185-3 (trail by 245)
England's focus turns to the Australia captain, with Michael Clarke still being tested by some Stuart Broad bumpers. The Rogers wicket has Cardiff buzzing in the sunshine, the action being played out to a soundtrack of trumpet and crowd hum. There's an umbrella up, but that is to shield a lady from the heat.
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Chris Gunn: Nervous 90's for Roger. The shot was never there.
Edmund Bridges: WOOD YOU BEAUTY.
Joe Redmond: Big wicket, couple more this session and it should swing in our favour.
Aus 184-3 (Wood 11-1-48-1)
Adam Voges is the new man. The 35-year-old is playing only his third Test but has huge county experience. His first ball in Ashes cricket is dabbed down to third man for four. Looking again at the Rogers wicket, the ball perhaps did not bounce as much as he could have expected. Wood celebrated with a huge double fist pump. One more and England will feel right on top.
"It was a great knock but this wasn't really there for a back foot drive, he didn't really commit to it, half went at it. Lovely thing to see for an Australian he walked straight off. It was a tiny tickle but off he went. This game has been played in the right spirit, the good old Kiwis showed the way."
WICKET
Rogers c Buttler b Wood 95 (Aus 180-3)
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Gone! A huge breakthrough for England. Chris Rogers was just starting to look fidgety in the 90s and he has edged Mark Wood to the waiting gloves of Jos Buttler. The ball was back of a length, Rogers was looking to cut, but it was just too close. He got a thin edge through to Buttler, giving Wood his first Ashes wicket. Tellingly, Michael Clarke shook his head as Rogers trudged off.
"Another fifty partnership, the seventh of the match."
Aus 173-2 (Rogers 95, Clarke 18)
I'm jealous, Chris. You've also got me thinking of cricket's Disney XI. Nothing off the top of my head. Rogers drives handsomely to get a couple through point and move into the 90s. When Broad goes medieval on him, testing the middle of the deck, Rogers gets into a bit of a tangle, eventually upper-cutting over the keeper for four.
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Aus 167-2 (Rogers 89, Clarke 18)
There was some chat about Chris Rogers losing his place for this series. That was after six consecutive Text half-centuries. Tough school. Now, he's closing in on a ton, this after scoring more runs in the last two Ashes series than any batsman on either side. Wood round the wicket, shadow cast behind him, Rogers driving through the vacant mid-on region for four. At the moment Rogers is like a barnacle on a ship. England need a crowbar to remove him.
"That attempted ball from Stuart Broad was ridiculously slow. It was like bowling a ball into a big pile of Blancmange."
Aus 160-2 (trail by 270)
Broad to Clarke. Short leg and two men on the hook. Don't need a degree in cricketology to figure out the England plan. Clarke hangs on the back foot, almost comes a cropper via an inside edge, then jabs down the ground for three. Totally different plan for Rogers - catchers in front of square, England looking for a loose drive. On this slow pitch, how long will it be before someone pipes up "should have played two spinners"?
Aus 156-2 (39 overs)
Wood still tearing in, getting the speedo up in the high 80s off only about 10 paces. Mostly very full to Clarke, a man of his fourth tour of England and still to taste a series victory. Aerial shots of the ground show the River Taff at one end, a football pitch at the other. Pretty sedate atmosphere after tea. Patrons still at the bar.
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Sam Pepper: Whilst we are on the topic of taking one in the male regions... there's a fella at my cricket club who bats without a box. To this day he is yet to get hit there! I am awaiting the day so I can laugh my head off!
Aus 155-2 (Rogers 81, Clarke 14)
Hugh McQueen has tweeted to ask why I'm referring to this time of day as "evening". Three sessions in a day of Test cricket, Hugh old chap. Morning, afternoon and evening. Very good from Broad, going past Rogers' outside edge.
Aus 155-2
Now then. Chris Rogers surprised by a Stuart Broad bumper, top-edging a hook. Moeen Ali, at fine leg, is interested, but it just slips by his fingertips for six - the first of Rogers' Test career. The straight boundaries at Cardiff are already quite short and the rope is in a little, too. On another ground, that would have been out.
McGrath Q&A
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Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Alan Mengham: Glenn, do you think one of the England boys rolled that ball in your direction before the 2nd test in 2005??
GM: Michael Vaughan says he did and he has the ball on his mantelpiece but I don't believe him. I blame our coach for putting out the balls to warm our shoulders up. I've seen a lot of English supporters tell me that is their favourite moment in their sporting history!
Aus 149-2 (trail by 281)
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Mark Wood after the break, the Durham pacer riding his imaginary horse off a pretty short run up. England's main job this evening is to get rid of the nuggety Chris Rogers, he of the disgusting old armguard. Wood comes round the wicket to leftie Rogers, but strays down the leg side. Michael Clarke, long-sleeve shirt blowing in the breeze, edges, but it drops short of third slip.
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Jimbo: Looks like we're going to have to channel the spirit of '05 and reverse swing them out. Step up Messrs Wood and Stokes.
Aus 145-2
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A beautiful evening in Cardiff, the sun out over a match that remains very nicely poised. At 145-2, Australia are 285 behind. If they can get through this session losing no more than one wicket, then they'll be very happy. If England strike twice or thrice, they'll be the daddies.
Post update
Thanks, Marc. You'd think that the tea-time chat between we live text commentators would be about cricket, wouldn't you? Think again.
I put it to Mr Higginson that couples often look like each other. You know, in the animal kingdom, you never see a giraffe mating with a lion, do you? He then showed me a picture of his other half. She'll be livid if I suggest she looks like Marc.
Anyway...
Post update
Coming in to bowl from the live text commentary end is Stephan Shemilt...
Enjoy the evening session, guys and girls.
McGrath Q&A
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Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Alastair Humphreys: Now that bowlers are getting slaughtered in T20 cricket, do you worry that all kids are going to want to be batsmen rather than bowlers?
GM: I hope not. If I had the choice again I would still be a bowler. T20 has increased batmen's skill level by inventing new shots, but I think bowlers' skill level has probably dropped. I think bowlers need to do more work on their three lengths - good length, bouncer and yorker, and especially the yorker.
WAG watch
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And this, from left to right, is Karina Haddin, wife of Brad Haddin, Dani Willis, partner of Steve Smith, and Lee Watson, wife of Shane Watson.
WAG watch
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I believe that to be Kyly Clarke, the wife of Australia captain Michael who is expecting the couple's first child early next year.
Tea scorecard
Australia 145-2 (36 overs) - trail by 285
Batsmen: Rogers 74* (110), Clarke 11* (8)
Fall of wickets: 52-1 (Warner 17), 129-2 (Smith 33)
Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Darren Walker: Hi Glenn hope you're well, which England batsman did you think was the best you bowled at technically and mentally?
GM: Mentally probably Michael Vaughan. He was very confident and did well against us. Technically, Vaughnie would be up there too, but there's no real stand-outs. Cricket is all about attitude and KP would also take you on and back himself.
Text 81111
Tom, London: The rate the Aussies can score at is the intimidating part of their game. We currently lack that pinpoint accuracy to restrict and frustrate. If we can just improve that this Ashes will be a close affair.
"You'd still rather be England with the runs on the board. Australia have batted well but it was a big wicket before tea. They will be saying can we get beyond 430 and make that third innings crucial, England will be looking to get three wickets in the last session - if they do that they are right in the contest."
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Richard Pickett: Following your text commentary with great interest and enthusiasm in a very rainy Manila, Philippines. My Filipino friends think the game of cricket comes from Mars! I shall have to go down to the local Ozzie pub. GO ENGLAND!
Tea
Aus 145-2
The combined age of these two batsmen is 71. It's fair to say they've seen it all before. Stuart Broad, bowling round the wicket to the left-handed Chris Rogers, has his tail up, clocking speeds in the high eighties as he zeroes in on another wicket before tea. England are attacking, packing the off side field and bringing the boundary riders up. No joy though - let's have some tea, fellas.
"Throughout the match, for both England and Australia, the mid-offs have been so wide, I think you need to block that clear view the batsmen have."
Aus 145-2 (Moeen 8-1-33-1)
Moeen has his detractors, but that was an awfully key wicket - Steve Smith looked unstoppable against India over the winter. Michael Clarke plays a straight bat to the offie, he's much more correct than his heir apparent to the Aussie captaincy. He waits for the bad ball and clatters it to the leg-side boundary.
McGrath Q&A
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Rich Hall: Hi Glenn. What mental prep did you go through before each delivery in terms of the thought process when you were in the zone?
GM: Generally at the start of an over I would have the next six to 12 deliveries in mind. I would lock in the delivery I wanted to bowl and then to relax as I ran in to bowl it I would sing a song to myself. No particular song, just whatever I had been listening to that morning.
Aus 139-2 (Broad 7-0-38-0)
Stuart Broad is brought into the attack to greet Michael Clarke - the player he has dismissed more than anyone else, nine times in 32 innings. The Aussie skipper nicks one through the slip cordon to get off the mark with a boundary before Chris Rogers adds another four straight down the ground. One for the snappers.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Cardiff
"Never has a rousing chorus of Waltzing Matilda been so rudely interrupted..."
"Clever bowling from Moeen Ali he saw Smith coming down the wicket and he tried to bowl it down the leg side - a simple catch and a huge breakthrough."
WICKET
Smith c Cook b Moeen 33 (Aus 129-2)
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Got him! The world's number one batsman is sent packing by England and their funky field settings. After being tied down with four dots in the over, Smith gets into an awful position, almost falling over as he chases a ball down leg, and he gets a leading edge to a diving Alastair Cook at short mid-on.
McGrath Q&A
BBC TMSCopyright: BBC TMS
Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Adrian King: What advice would you give when a bowler's spell is not going to plan and their rhythm cannot be found? And what actions did you take in these circumstances? Cheers.
GM: I worked out early in my career the difference between bowling well and bowling badly. When I bowled badly I was thinking about my action and how I was going to bowl the ball. When I bowled well all I was thinking about was where I wanted the ball to pitch and what the ball would do. If there was something I wanted to work on, I would do it in the nets.
Aus 127-1 (42 overs left in the day)
Steve Smith is giving his team-mates the odd flutter with some of the positions he's getting into. First he almost gets a leading edge trying to play the ball into the leg side and then he shuffles across his stumps to deflect a full delivery into the same region. Eccentric but effective.
"It's not a bad pitch. Ideally, if you felt you could beat Australia you would want more pace. Rogers is winning at the moment. They keep putting it out there and he keeps hitting it in the middle of the bat. Maybe it will work when he is about 150."
Aus 125-1 (trail by 305)
The sun is beating down on the Swalec now, almost reflecting off the glossy-looking 22-yard strip the two teams are battling on. Moeen is going round the wicket to Chris Rogers who exchanges singles with Steve Smith.
"Good day of cricket so far. England grabbed the momentum in that first hour with the way they batted but since then it has all been about Australia. This pair are looking so comfortable."
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"England have got to try and bowl some dots and force the error."
Aus 123-1
Signs of life in the pitch when Ben Stokes bends his back and Jos Buttler ends up taking it around his eyeline. Stokes, incidentally, averaged 33 with the ball in his debut series against Australia. This year, however, he is averaging 77 with the ball. Maiden over.
Pint-sized Ashes
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Do as Henry Blofeld says and have a listen to the Pint-Sized Ashes podcast, featuring Henry himself and TMS sparring partner Geoffrey Boycott.
Aus 123-1 (Smith 29 off 37)
Alastair Cook persists with Moeen Ali, who has clearly been targeted by the Australian batsmen. Chris Rogers takes two, but five dots follow.
"The ball is hitting the middle of the bat very regularly. Its a beautiful day for batting, no tricks in the wicket, it looks like help yourself time. I don't see many balls doing anything unusual, I think you have to make a mistake to get out."
Aus 121-1 (Rogers 66 off 89)
While two blokes sit fishing on a boat to the back of the stadium, Chris Rogers drives another three through the covers off Ben Stokes.
Aus 116-1
How many physios does it take to tend to an injured testicle? What does one do to help? Surely it's just a supportive role?
Live Reporting
Stephan Shemilt and Marc Higginson
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Post update
And so we come to the end of the day - one that has belonged to England. 86.8% of you think that England are on top in this match. I think you might be right. Goodnight.
Player's view
Moeen Ali on his bowling: [England coach] "Trevor Bayliss is big on bowling all your varieties and I started to bowl the doosra. I haven't been bowling that well anyway so I thought 'why not?'"
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WooderZ: I fancy Watson to get a big score tomorrow and Australia to be all out trailing by about 50. Can't wait to see more!
Post update
Cardiff has emptied, just a few seagulls swoop over the blue seats. Don't forget that we'll be back from 09:00 tomorrow with all the build-up to the third day.
Player's view
England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Sky Sports: "We were happy yesterday and today with the start we had, and then taking five wickets. A couple of wickets tomorrow with the new ball and we're right in it.
"Cooky said for everyone to play the way they play, I felt I wanted to play my shots and entertain everyone. It's difficult to play shots straightaway, you have to get in but then you can enjoy your batting."
'Moeen Ali is the bearded David Gower'
Listen to the Ashes Social on BBC Radio 5 live at 21:00 BST - hosted by Will Perry, with former England all-rounder Dermot Reeve, Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh and analyst Simon Hughes. They will discuss...
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Post update
Don't forget, there are only 10 overs tomorrow morning until the new ball is due. England will fancy their chances of getting into the Australian tail.
'It's a young man's game'
Chris Rogers, who will retire from Test cricket at the end of the series: "I'm old - I can feel it. Days in the field are hard work. Sometimes you think it's a bit of a young man's game."
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Dan Stutchbury: Think that was rather a good day for England. Well bowled lads.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"There is a lot of time left for England to win it. I'll be surprised if Australia get up to England's total. It can happen - someone can play brilliantly and Watson is a good player, but he has been known to struggle if you bowl straight around his pad. I think by the afternoon England will be batting, they will have a lead and we're only halfway through so England still have a chance of winning. They are in it, really in it."
Vote - who is on top?
Who do you think is on top after day two of the first Ashes Test?
Vote on the top-right-hand side of the page or under the 'vote' tab on mobile devices.
The vote will close at 19:00 BST with results published shortly after. Terms and conditions.
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Srihari: The tail was what caused England problems in the last Ashes. If they can take a lead of 100, the game will be theirs to lose.
Player's view
Chris Rogers, who top-scored for Australia with 95: "It was an excellent day of Test cricket - both teams are going at each other really hard.
"I think England might have a slight advantage. We had some good partnerships but we didn't make it count."
On Australia batting last: "It is a worry. We're going to have to play a good game from here on in. It's going to be tough work and we have to get a lot closer to England."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"England got most things right and Australia got hardly anything right."
Player's view
Australia batsman Chris Rogers, who made 95 - a record-equalling seventh Test half-century in a row, on Sky Sports: "I woke up pretty nervous this morning. It's such a big series - and my last series. And I don't start series well so it's nice to start off OK.
"I'm planning to just really enjoy this. These are opportunities you won't get again, so you need to make the most of them."
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Australia steadied through Adam Voges and Shane Watson, absorbing England's miserly bowling. Just when it looked like they might get to the close, Voges popped Ben Stokes to short cover to give England a fifth wicket and the upper hand.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"The best thing about England was that they understood the conditions better - don't keep banging it in; the short ball should be a surprise ball. The field placings by the captain, with a lot of men on the drive - which puts things in the batsman's mind and stifles you - England got it dead right. The Australians didn't bat with a lot of common sense. They came out trying to take Moeen on - that's alright to a point but he's no mug."
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When Rogers edged Mark Wood behind, England began to tighten their grip. The seamers plugged away, while Moeen managed to winkle out Michael Clarke when the Aussie skipper drilled back a caught-and-bowled. The Worcestershire all-rounder had some day.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Lovely day's cricket. Yesterday I think many of us thought England edged it, today it was definitely their day. Moeen played beautifully - on a rice pudding surface he creamed it through the covers. The scoreboard rattled along and you're always in the game, you've got something to bowl at."
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David Warner flickered before edging James Anderson behind, while Steve Smith looked jumpy before somehow chipping Moeen Ali to short mid-on. At the other end, Chris Rogers stood firm for 95.
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On an unresponsive pitch, Australia threatened to dig in - most of their batsmen got starts - but England stuck to their task. It's fair to say they have bowled better than Australia did yesterday, with far fewer loose balls.
Close-of-play scorecard
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Graeme Swann has called it - England's day. From 343-7 overnight they would have been desperate to get past 400 and, thanks to the early swashbuckling of Moeen Ali, they got there and then some.
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David McNaught: Scoreboard pressure and England bowling as a unit. Perfect recipe. Enjoying this (for now).
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Yesterday it was a bone of contention who'd had the better day. Today it's obvious - England have had a much better day. They scored freely got 430, they got rid of the Aussie dangermen, got that late wicket as well so they've had a great day. Man of the day Moeen Ali, a great crowd today too, Cardiff looking glorious."
Close of play
Aus 264-5
That will be that. Australia stride off on 264-5, some 166 behind. England will probably enjoy their dinner better. With the new ball due in the morning, they could well earn a first-innings lead.
Aus 262-5
Lyon gets an inside edge that Moeen Ali somehow lets go for four. Lyon, jittery, leaves. The clock ticks to half past. One ball left in the day.
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Stuart Mitchell: 100% England's day after that 5th wicket, c'mon get a 6th to ram home the advantage. Wrap it up tomorrow with the new ball.
Close!
Aus 258-5
Stokes to Lyon, every fielder catching. Edged! Just short of Joe Root in that silly slip position.
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Joanna B: Oops woke a few tired children when that Voges wicket went. School trip.
Aus 258-5 (Watson 29, Lyon 0)
Still Wood to Watson - how England would dearly love to get the Aussie all-rounder before the close. Short leg, man at short mid-wicket, Wood still angling it in, Watson still at odds with his front leg. Wood, exploding from his run like a sprinter out of the blocks summons one last effort. Watson leaves it be. Maybe only one over left in the day.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"He looked good though, Voges, I always thought he was a Test player whenever I played with or against him, he has the right attitude and temperament."
Aus 258-5 (trail by 172)
Ooohhhh, close, Lyon edging his first ball short of the slips. Joe Root, the fielder, responds by coming much closer. A silly slip, if you will. Stokes, sweat dripping off his red face, has awoken the crowd, who roar him to the crease. Lyon somehow negotiates the rest of the over. Still even? England's day? One more and it certainly will be.
Aus 258-5 (Stokes 10.2-4-29-1)
Looking again, Graeme Swann is right. The ball definitely disturbed the surface, sticking in, getting to Voges slower than he might have expected. Australia have sent in Nathan Lyon as nightwatchman.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"This hit a foot hole as well, that puff of dust stopped the ball a bit. If it hadn't hit that puff of dust it probably would have gone for four because it was a half volley. England will be cock-a-hoop with that, it has woken the crowd up, it has woken us up."
WICKET
Voges c Anderson b Stokes 31 (Aus 258-5)
Adam Voges, what have you done? After all that good work, Voges has fallen on his sword just before the close in the softest manner. Ben Stokes is rewarded for his patience, hanging the ball outside off stump, with Voges somehow belting it straight to James Anderson at short cover. England will feel like they deserve that. The pendulum swings in their direction.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Fifty partnership off 85 balls - the fourth of the innings."
Aus 258-4 (Wood 15-2-59-1)
Funny old passage of play, with Watson missing a Wood bumper, Jos Buttler not gathering and a bye being taken. This match has been tough for the keepers. Are Australia just riding this spell of England pressure? If they get to the close only four down and 160 behind, who will be on top? About equal?
Post update
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Moeen Ali should be bowling, he should be going up to the captain and badgering him saying 'give me the ball'."
Aus 256-4 (Voges 30, Watson 28)
We often talk of Ben Stokes being expensive, but this spell has been accurate and miserly. A bandage on his right arm, Stokes pounds the off-stump channel of Voges, who looks like a man playing with tomorrow in mind. Even when Stokes gets loose down the leg side, Voges can't tuck in. Ah, that's the loose shot England have been after. A wide ball, wafty from Voges, an edge to third man for four. Much hand on head from the England fielders. In this spell, Stokes' figures are 5-3-7-0.
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Tom H Bunn: Walking through a gloriously sunny Central London with TMS on my headphones. Perfect. What tube strikes?
Aus 251-4 (trail by 179)
Still England strive, still Shane Watson battles with his own front leg. When Wood is marginally wider, Watson half edges, half angles the ball through third man for four. Cardiff is engaged, but not raucous. Perhaps the bars haven't done quite the same trade today. Lovely evening, mind. Beer garden weather.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"England are doing a good job, they are being reasonably disciplined and they have got reward - or Moeen Ali has - through batsman coming after him and getting themselves out. England know these surfaces. They bowl straighter and haven't been over-attacking."
Aus 247-4 (run-rate 3.85)
The scoreboard says 11 overs remain in the day, but I doubt we'll get them in before the 18:30 cut-off. Whatever happens, England will have the new ball available fairly early on tomorrow, which will represent another chance to attack, especially if Australia lose another wicket or two tonight. Still Stokes, still firing it down a tube. England bowling dry.
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Aus 247-4 (Voges 26, Watson 24)
Moeen Ali is finally withdrawn after that very good spell, replaced by Mark Wood as the shadows lengthen. Wood, having seen the plan to Watson, goes full and straight, a little too straight. Watson takes four through the leg side. Every so often, Wood jumps very wide on the crease, just to alter the angle. So far in his short Test career, I've not seen it bring a wicket.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"As soon as you get it up there wide they're after it and it's amazing they have not nicked more. It's a sucker ball and you know it is - or you should know it is."
Aus 242-4 (trail by 188)
You can see the plan from England here. Stokes is angling the ball into Watson, who in conscious of the catcher lurking at short mid-wicket. Then, when Stokes drags Watson wide, he plays and misses. It's been a very good bowling effort from England today, disciplined on a sluggish pitch. Still - and I say this entirely with the benefit of hindsight - you wonder if a second spinner would have created more chances.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Sometimes you get that feeling that it's close, but it just didn't feel out; it didn't look out."
Aus 242-4
Big, big shout from England when Shane Watson plays in front of his pads and is rapped in front by Ben Stokes. Not out... England decide not to review, probably because of height. They were correct in their thinking.
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Josh: With a combined age of 140 - could this Aussie middle order be one of the oldest ever? Clarke, Voges, Watson, Haddin - 34, 35, 34, 37.
Aus 240-4 (13 overs remaining)
Classic Test match attrition now as Moeen Ali tries to tempt a mistake out of the Aussie engine room. Adam Voges stands tall at the crease and when the ball stays low he almost gets an edge to the standing keeper.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It's a surface I get the impression the Australians are not comfortable with - bowling or batting."
Aus 238-4 (Voges 22, Watson 19)
It's warm in Cardiff, but the headscarves being sported by two elderly ladies seem a little excessive. It's not that warm. Stokes, straight run-up, slips in to his opposite number Watson, probing the channel outside off stump with two slips in place. Watson is watchful, so England change he plan, posting a catcher on the leg side to allow Stokes to hunt the pads. Watson digs out a yorker to end a good over.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"If Australia don't get somewhere near England's total they have got a problem - unless rain comes to save them. At this stage I think England are slightly ahead."
Close!
Aus 238-4
Oooffff. Close for Shane Watson, who almost chips Moeen to Alastair Cook at short mid-wicket. Deciding that touch isn't the way to go, Watson goes from piano player to piano mover, twice belting Moeen over the leg side for a pair of boundaries. England won't mind that, Watson is less than convincing when facing the best beard in British sport.*
*Since WG Grace.
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Disney XI
Neil Spalding: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lyon, The Mitch and the Broadrobe.
Aus 227-4 (58 overs)
Ben Stokes on after a very good spell from James Anderson. Stokes is greeted by a chorus of the Hokey-Cokey, which I presume is altered to serenade the Durham all-rounder. That's followed by a blast of Delilah - maybe some Stoke City fans there? How much of a treat would it be to see Tom Jones rock up at the cricket? Good from Stokes, scuttling one past Voges' edge. Not so good from Stokes, a short ball pulled for four.
Post update
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Moeen is not a bad bowler, he is just not a frontline bowler. He's a damn good batsman and he gets wickets for England."
Aus 223-4 (Voges 21, Watson 9)
Still Moeen, bowling after the umpires call for a substitute box of balls. In among this spell of England pressure, Ashes debutant Adam Voges has been unflappable, absorbing all England have thrown at him. A tickle fine brings four, with Moeen then serving up a horrible half-tracker to finish the over. Watson pounces on a pull for four. That might be the end of Moeen for a little while.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Darren Lehmann will be absolutely spitting feathers losing two wickets to Moeen Ali on a wicket where it is not really doing anything."
Aus 212-4 (trail by 218)
Anderson to Watson. Often the letters lbw come into the equation. Watson hulks over his bat, a short mid-off confusing his thinking. Blond hair poking from below his helmet, Watson manages to get forward to Anderson's good length, solid in defence. Play can continue until 18:30 this evening.
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Sakriya: Moeen looks so simple, nothing fancy in his action, doesn't have the wrong'un, yet so effective and keeps getting wickets.
Chris Dewhirst: Go on Mo lad! What a day he's having. Hope the aussies fall apart now!
Jonny Best: Australia top 4 got more than double the England top 4. Imagine the position we would be in without the collapse.
Aus 212-4 (19 overs left in the day)
Moeen continues, wheeling away. You feel that this is a big time in this match, England on the cusp of taking control. Watson has come in looking to score, more bat than patience. Here he comes, a quick single to mid-on, just beating the throw of James Anderson, who misses anyway. The crowd are humming, invested in the action, aware of the importance of this passage of play. One, maybe two, more for England tonight and it could be kangaroo steak for dinner.
Leading man
Aus 211-4 (Voges 14, Watson 4)
Brad Haddin is the next man in, sitting on the balcony chewing gum with some ferocity. James Anderson is well in the game here, bowling to two men that like to plant the front dog. Voges, trying to absorb the pressure, plays back yet another Anderson maiden.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I like this from Cook he's not over attacking. he's realised that even though the spinner has taken two wickets it has not been because of the pitch they have been through errors. Keep bowling the dots, keep building the pressure that way."
Aus 211-4 (trail by 219)
Watson is already planting that big front pad, getting off the mark with a cover drive for four. I'm looking forward to James Anderson bowling at the Australia all-rounder. Looking again, Clarke got a bit too close to that delivery form Mooen, meaning he couldn't control the shot. It was neither along the ground or high enough to get over the bowler's head.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Matthew Vernon: 77 with the bat, Smith and Clarke with the ball! And to think there was a debate on whether to pick him! MOEEEEEENNNN!!!!
James Prez: Thanks for that Glenn, classic commentators curse. (17:09)
Aus 207-4 (Moeen 9.1-1-38-2)
Michael Vaughan is right, Moeen Ali is having an excellent day. He's followed up a half-century with the two big wickets in this Australia line-up - Steve Smith and Michael Clarke. I think the wicket prompted a drinks break, meaning Shane Watson has had a wait for his first ball.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's a good catch from Moeen Ali he's having a terrific day. It was well floated up and you felt Clarke was itching to come down and whack him in the river, he went to go aerial and couldn't get any loft on the ball. If England can finish the day with another couple they are right in the box seat."
WICKET
Clarke c&b Moeen 38 (Aus 207-4)
Big wicket! The Australia captain has gone and England are moving towards a position of strength in this match. Michael Clarke looks to us his feet, but he can only drill the ball back to Moeen Ali, who takes a very sharp catch. England are being rewarded for bowling with great discipline and another strike or two could have them well on top.
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Glenn McGrath
BBC Test Match Special
"If Australia can get through the rest of the day without losing another wicket they could be sitting at 280-300."
Aus 207-3 (Anderson 14-4-36-1)
Anderson continues to hunt the pads of Adam Voges, much different bowling from the wide-of-off-stump stuff served up to Steve Smith earlier on. On this unresponsive pitch, Anderson has cut his pace, below 80mph, and is looking to nibble the ball this way and that. Moore good stuff from Jimmy. Straight, decent length. In this spell, Anderson has bowled four overs for three runs.
Disney XI
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Owen Guest: Jacques Kallis in Wonderland.
Christopher Cooper: Rooty and the Beast.
M.P.: Lady and the Tramprakash.
Aus 207-3 (51 overs)
We will see some off-spin, Moeen Ali to twirl his beard with the River Taff behind him. Aussie captain Clarke has a reputation as a wonderful player of spin and shows just how good he is by driving through the covers for four. Australia building steadily.
Post update
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Anderson over the last couple of years has bowled better on these kind of pitches, he has that ability to roll the fingers and bowl the leg cutter or the off cutter. When the ball has been hooping of late he hasn't bowled as well."
Aus 202-3 (trail by 228)
Anderson kicks his heels, which are illuminated by flashes of fluorescent orange at the back of his spikes. There's a man at very short mid-off for Clarke, the fielder almost standing on the edge of the pitch. Ah, that's nice from Anderson, moving the ball away to entice Clarke into a loose drive. Very good over, a maiden.
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Glenn McGrath
BBC Test Match Special
"Voges is getting himself in, it might take a little bit of time to get used to the pace but once you're in it gets a lot easier. He might be enjoying the pressure. When the team needs you and you go out there and perform there is no better feeling. To me that's why you play."
Aus 202-3 (Clarke 34, Voges 13)
Who's on top? If you're responding to 430, then 202-3 is quite a good place to be in. Voges, tall and slender, drives Stokes back down the ground for four then clips a couple to long leg. Moeen Ali is the fielder, interrupting his stretching regime. Perhaps we're about to see some spin. There's that uneven bounce again, Voges lucky not to chop on.
Disney XI
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Ryan Ketteringham: Wall-E Hammond.
Matthew Clemson: I feel obliged to nominate Root and Ballance for the Disney XI. As, of course, The Rescuers.
Dam Smith: Brad Alladin, Cruella de Villiers, Alan Donald Duck, Mufasa Hughes, Ashwal Prince Charming, Chris Rogers Rabbit, Imran Shere Khan, Mohammed Sharif of Nottingham, John Snow White, Ashok Bambi, And finally...Jiminy Cricket.
Aus 196-3 (trail by 234)
Adam Voges is having a bit of trouble planting his front foot, meaning he has to play around his front pad. James Anderson is encouraged to hunt the lbw, not unlike the way he tormented Shane Watson a couple of years ago. In the crowd, what looks like the Pink Panther does a lot of arm waving, encouraged by the strains of the trumpeter.
How's stat?!
Aus 193-3 (Stokes 4-1-16-0)
Ben Stokes, all flame hair and arm tattoos, into the attack under the clearest of blue skies, immediately inducing an edge from Clarke that runs along the ground for four. Is that a touch of uneven bounce? Looks like it, Clarke jerking his bottom hand off the handle. Could be a factor later in the game.
Scorecard update
Australia 185-3 (43 overs) - trail by 245
Batsmen: Voges 4* (12), Clarke 26* (33)
Fall of wickets: 52-1 (Warner 17), 129-2 (Smith 33), 180-3 (Rogers 95)
Bowling figures: Anderson 11-1-33-1, Broad 12-1-55-0, Wood 12-2-48-1, Moeen 8-1-33-1, Stokes 3-1-8-0
England 430: Root 134, Moeen 77, Ballance 61, Stokes 52; Starc 5-114
Full scorecard
Aus 185-3 (28 overs left in the day)
James Anderson is summoned to examine Adam Voges. The Burnley Express is serenaded by the Barmies in the traditional way, probing at right-hander Voges with two slips and a gully. Rule Britannia from the trumpet as Voges' battles to get his feet moving. Second successive maiden.
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Glenn McGrath
BBC Test Match Special
"Wood seems to be trying a lot of things, maybe trying too much at times, he looks like the type of lad who is going to run in all day."
Aus 185-3 (Clarke 26, Rogers 4)
The trumpeter is playing the theme to Robin Hood. I think the Barmy Army change the words in an ode to Mark Wood. The Durham seamer has Michael Clarke playing across one that thuds into the front pad. An appeal, but rightly turned down. A good spell for England. You feel that Australia are under the pump.
Disney XI
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Tommy: Alhaddin?
Harvey Austin: Nathan Lyon King.
Andrew Lott: Cruella de Villiers surely for the Disney XI.
Aus 185-3 (trail by 245)
England's focus turns to the Australia captain, with Michael Clarke still being tested by some Stuart Broad bumpers. The Rogers wicket has Cardiff buzzing in the sunshine, the action being played out to a soundtrack of trumpet and crowd hum. There's an umbrella up, but that is to shield a lady from the heat.
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Chris Gunn: Nervous 90's for Roger. The shot was never there.
Edmund Bridges: WOOD YOU BEAUTY.
Joe Redmond: Big wicket, couple more this session and it should swing in our favour.
Aus 184-3 (Wood 11-1-48-1)
Adam Voges is the new man. The 35-year-old is playing only his third Test but has huge county experience. His first ball in Ashes cricket is dabbed down to third man for four. Looking again at the Rogers wicket, the ball perhaps did not bounce as much as he could have expected. Wood celebrated with a huge double fist pump. One more and England will feel right on top.
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"It was a great knock but this wasn't really there for a back foot drive, he didn't really commit to it, half went at it. Lovely thing to see for an Australian he walked straight off. It was a tiny tickle but off he went. This game has been played in the right spirit, the good old Kiwis showed the way."
WICKET
Rogers c Buttler b Wood 95 (Aus 180-3)
Gone! A huge breakthrough for England. Chris Rogers was just starting to look fidgety in the 90s and he has edged Mark Wood to the waiting gloves of Jos Buttler. The ball was back of a length, Rogers was looking to cut, but it was just too close. He got a thin edge through to Buttler, giving Wood his first Ashes wicket. Tellingly, Michael Clarke shook his head as Rogers trudged off.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Another fifty partnership, the seventh of the match."
Aus 173-2 (Rogers 95, Clarke 18)
I'm jealous, Chris. You've also got me thinking of cricket's Disney XI. Nothing off the top of my head. Rogers drives handsomely to get a couple through point and move into the 90s. When Broad goes medieval on him, testing the middle of the deck, Rogers gets into a bit of a tangle, eventually upper-cutting over the keeper for four.
Get Involved
#bbccricket
Aus 167-2 (Rogers 89, Clarke 18)
There was some chat about Chris Rogers losing his place for this series. That was after six consecutive Text half-centuries. Tough school. Now, he's closing in on a ton, this after scoring more runs in the last two Ashes series than any batsman on either side. Wood round the wicket, shadow cast behind him, Rogers driving through the vacant mid-on region for four. At the moment Rogers is like a barnacle on a ship. England need a crowbar to remove him.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"That attempted ball from Stuart Broad was ridiculously slow. It was like bowling a ball into a big pile of Blancmange."
Aus 160-2 (trail by 270)
Broad to Clarke. Short leg and two men on the hook. Don't need a degree in cricketology to figure out the England plan. Clarke hangs on the back foot, almost comes a cropper via an inside edge, then jabs down the ground for three. Totally different plan for Rogers - catchers in front of square, England looking for a loose drive. On this slow pitch, how long will it be before someone pipes up "should have played two spinners"?
Aus 156-2 (39 overs)
Wood still tearing in, getting the speedo up in the high 80s off only about 10 paces. Mostly very full to Clarke, a man of his fourth tour of England and still to taste a series victory. Aerial shots of the ground show the River Taff at one end, a football pitch at the other. Pretty sedate atmosphere after tea. Patrons still at the bar.
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Sam Pepper: Whilst we are on the topic of taking one in the male regions... there's a fella at my cricket club who bats without a box. To this day he is yet to get hit there! I am awaiting the day so I can laugh my head off!
Aus 155-2 (Rogers 81, Clarke 14)
Hugh McQueen has tweeted to ask why I'm referring to this time of day as "evening". Three sessions in a day of Test cricket, Hugh old chap. Morning, afternoon and evening. Very good from Broad, going past Rogers' outside edge.
Aus 155-2
Now then. Chris Rogers surprised by a Stuart Broad bumper, top-edging a hook. Moeen Ali, at fine leg, is interested, but it just slips by his fingertips for six - the first of Rogers' Test career. The straight boundaries at Cardiff are already quite short and the rope is in a little, too. On another ground, that would have been out.
McGrath Q&A
Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Alan Mengham: Glenn, do you think one of the England boys rolled that ball in your direction before the 2nd test in 2005??
GM: Michael Vaughan says he did and he has the ball on his mantelpiece but I don't believe him. I blame our coach for putting out the balls to warm our shoulders up. I've seen a lot of English supporters tell me that is their favourite moment in their sporting history!
Aus 149-2 (trail by 281)
Mark Wood after the break, the Durham pacer riding his imaginary horse off a pretty short run up. England's main job this evening is to get rid of the nuggety Chris Rogers, he of the disgusting old armguard. Wood comes round the wicket to leftie Rogers, but strays down the leg side. Michael Clarke, long-sleeve shirt blowing in the breeze, edges, but it drops short of third slip.
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Jimbo: Looks like we're going to have to channel the spirit of '05 and reverse swing them out. Step up Messrs Wood and Stokes.
Aus 145-2
A beautiful evening in Cardiff, the sun out over a match that remains very nicely poised. At 145-2, Australia are 285 behind. If they can get through this session losing no more than one wicket, then they'll be very happy. If England strike twice or thrice, they'll be the daddies.
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Thanks, Marc. You'd think that the tea-time chat between we live text commentators would be about cricket, wouldn't you? Think again.
I put it to Mr Higginson that couples often look like each other. You know, in the animal kingdom, you never see a giraffe mating with a lion, do you? He then showed me a picture of his other half. She'll be livid if I suggest she looks like Marc.
Anyway...
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Coming in to bowl from the live text commentary end is Stephan Shemilt...
Enjoy the evening session, guys and girls.
McGrath Q&A
Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Alastair Humphreys: Now that bowlers are getting slaughtered in T20 cricket, do you worry that all kids are going to want to be batsmen rather than bowlers?
GM: I hope not. If I had the choice again I would still be a bowler. T20 has increased batmen's skill level by inventing new shots, but I think bowlers' skill level has probably dropped. I think bowlers need to do more work on their three lengths - good length, bouncer and yorker, and especially the yorker.
WAG watch
And this, from left to right, is Karina Haddin, wife of Brad Haddin, Dani Willis, partner of Steve Smith, and Lee Watson, wife of Shane Watson.
WAG watch
I believe that to be Kyly Clarke, the wife of Australia captain Michael who is expecting the couple's first child early next year.
Tea scorecard
Australia 145-2 (36 overs) - trail by 285
Batsmen: Rogers 74* (110), Clarke 11* (8)
Fall of wickets: 52-1 (Warner 17), 129-2 (Smith 33)
Bowling figures: Anderson 10-1-33-1, Broad 8-1-38-0, Wood 7-1-25-0, Moeen 8-1-33-1, Stokes 3-1-8-0
England 430: Root 134, Moeen 77, Ballance 61, Stokes 52; Starc 5-114
Full scorecard
McGrath Q&A
Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Darren Walker: Hi Glenn hope you're well, which England batsman did you think was the best you bowled at technically and mentally?
GM: Mentally probably Michael Vaughan. He was very confident and did well against us. Technically, Vaughnie would be up there too, but there's no real stand-outs. Cricket is all about attitude and KP would also take you on and back himself.
Text 81111
Tom, London: The rate the Aussies can score at is the intimidating part of their game. We currently lack that pinpoint accuracy to restrict and frustrate. If we can just improve that this Ashes will be a close affair.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"You'd still rather be England with the runs on the board. Australia have batted well but it was a big wicket before tea. They will be saying can we get beyond 430 and make that third innings crucial, England will be looking to get three wickets in the last session - if they do that they are right in the contest."
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Richard Pickett: Following your text commentary with great interest and enthusiasm in a very rainy Manila, Philippines. My Filipino friends think the game of cricket comes from Mars! I shall have to go down to the local Ozzie pub. GO ENGLAND!
Tea
Aus 145-2
The combined age of these two batsmen is 71. It's fair to say they've seen it all before. Stuart Broad, bowling round the wicket to the left-handed Chris Rogers, has his tail up, clocking speeds in the high eighties as he zeroes in on another wicket before tea. England are attacking, packing the off side field and bringing the boundary riders up. No joy though - let's have some tea, fellas.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Even when the new batsman comes out I don't think you have to overly attack with the spinner."
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Al Watson: If that is the only wicket Moeen takes this Test, he was still well worth the selection.
David: Out to a long hop! Sometimes the best players in the world get out to the most shambolic bowling on the circuit.
Richard McElvanney: That must be the worst shot a world no1 batsman has ever played
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Throughout the match, for both England and Australia, the mid-offs have been so wide, I think you need to block that clear view the batsmen have."
Aus 145-2 (Moeen 8-1-33-1)
Moeen has his detractors, but that was an awfully key wicket - Steve Smith looked unstoppable against India over the winter. Michael Clarke plays a straight bat to the offie, he's much more correct than his heir apparent to the Aussie captaincy. He waits for the bad ball and clatters it to the leg-side boundary.
McGrath Q&A
Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Rich Hall: Hi Glenn. What mental prep did you go through before each delivery in terms of the thought process when you were in the zone?
GM: Generally at the start of an over I would have the next six to 12 deliveries in mind. I would lock in the delivery I wanted to bowl and then to relax as I ran in to bowl it I would sing a song to myself. No particular song, just whatever I had been listening to that morning.
Aus 139-2 (Broad 7-0-38-0)
Stuart Broad is brought into the attack to greet Michael Clarke - the player he has dismissed more than anyone else, nine times in 32 innings. The Aussie skipper nicks one through the slip cordon to get off the mark with a boundary before Chris Rogers adds another four straight down the ground. One for the snappers.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Cardiff
"Never has a rousing chorus of Waltzing Matilda been so rudely interrupted..."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Clever bowling from Moeen Ali he saw Smith coming down the wicket and he tried to bowl it down the leg side - a simple catch and a huge breakthrough."
WICKET
Smith c Cook b Moeen 33 (Aus 129-2)
Got him! The world's number one batsman is sent packing by England and their funky field settings. After being tied down with four dots in the over, Smith gets into an awful position, almost falling over as he chases a ball down leg, and he gets a leading edge to a diving Alastair Cook at short mid-on.
McGrath Q&A
Former Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has been answering your questions on the BBC TMS Facebook page...
Adrian King: What advice would you give when a bowler's spell is not going to plan and their rhythm cannot be found? And what actions did you take in these circumstances? Cheers.
GM: I worked out early in my career the difference between bowling well and bowling badly. When I bowled badly I was thinking about my action and how I was going to bowl the ball. When I bowled well all I was thinking about was where I wanted the ball to pitch and what the ball would do. If there was something I wanted to work on, I would do it in the nets.
Aus 127-1 (42 overs left in the day)
Steve Smith is giving his team-mates the odd flutter with some of the positions he's getting into. First he almost gets a leading edge trying to play the ball into the leg side and then he shuffles across his stumps to deflect a full delivery into the same region. Eccentric but effective.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"England knew straight away - there were no celebrations. But it was right for the umpires to check, you don't want a howler."
Not out
Aus 125-1
Nope... nothing doing. The ball went off the bottom of the bat and into the truf before reaching the cordon.
Third umpire
Now what's happened here? Ben Stokes believes he's induced Steve Smith into an edge to slip.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It's not a bad pitch. Ideally, if you felt you could beat Australia you would want more pace. Rogers is winning at the moment. They keep putting it out there and he keeps hitting it in the middle of the bat. Maybe it will work when he is about 150."
Aus 125-1 (trail by 305)
The sun is beating down on the Swalec now, almost reflecting off the glossy-looking 22-yard strip the two teams are battling on. Moeen is going round the wicket to Chris Rogers who exchanges singles with Steve Smith.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Good day of cricket so far. England grabbed the momentum in that first hour with the way they batted but since then it has all been about Australia. This pair are looking so comfortable."
Listen to Test Match Special abroad
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"England have got to try and bowl some dots and force the error."
Aus 123-1
Signs of life in the pitch when Ben Stokes bends his back and Jos Buttler ends up taking it around his eyeline. Stokes, incidentally, averaged 33 with the ball in his debut series against Australia. This year, however, he is averaging 77 with the ball. Maiden over.
Pint-sized Ashes
Do as Henry Blofeld says and have a listen to the Pint-Sized Ashes podcast, featuring Henry himself and TMS sparring partner Geoffrey Boycott.
Aus 123-1 (Smith 29 off 37)
Alastair Cook persists with Moeen Ali, who has clearly been targeted by the Australian batsmen. Chris Rogers takes two, but five dots follow.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"The ball is hitting the middle of the bat very regularly. Its a beautiful day for batting, no tricks in the wicket, it looks like help yourself time. I don't see many balls doing anything unusual, I think you have to make a mistake to get out."
Aus 121-1 (Rogers 66 off 89)
While two blokes sit fishing on a boat to the back of the stadium, Chris Rogers drives another three through the covers off Ben Stokes.
Aus 116-1
How many physios does it take to tend to an injured testicle? What does one do to help? Surely it's just a supportive role?
Aus 115-1
Here comes Ben Stokes for a set of six.