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Live Reporting

Stephan Shemilt, James Gheerbrant and Phil Dawkes

All times stated are UK

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  1. Post update

    And that's just about it, the end of a day where England moved to the brink of regaining the Ashes and of a fourth successive home series win over Australia.

    Sleep well, little urn. Tomorrow, you will be won.

    The Ashes urn
  2. Post update

    Geoffrey Boycott

    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "I'm the first person to put my hand up and say I'm amazed at how the series has turned out. We were awful in Australia. I think the biggest change has been Bayliss saying after the defeat at Lord's, 'We want English pitches to get our fast bowlers Broad and Anderson in the game.'"

  3. Jimmy joins Not Just Cricket

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Not Just Cricket

    Jimmy Anderson, missing this Test because of injury, will join his old mate Graeme Swann on Radio 5 live on Saturday morning for the latest edition of Not Just Cricket.

    It will be live from 09:00-11:00 from Trent Bridge with Greg James hosting. Prepare yourself for some tomfoolery.

  4. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Craig Farr: I will see some cricket at Trent Bridge tomorrow. Thank you, bad light. Thank you.

    Roger: Stumps. Looks like I'll be burning the midnight oil again tonight!

    Andy Perry: Ok, so now we believe! Fabulous work by England. One of the most relaxed Ashes tests I can recall.

  5. Player reaction

    Mitchell Starc on Sky Sports: "It's been a tough couple of days of cricket but we are still alive. We'll come out again tomorrow and fight as hard as we can - that's the Australian way.

    "Taking six wickets was special with this being an Ashes series, but I'd rather we were heading into day three in a better position."

  6. Post update

    Geoffrey Boycott

    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "Michael Clarke's brain is scrambled. England have planned well to him and what once was there is not there any more. The short ball unsettles him - he's on the back foot constantly, looking for it."

  7. Day two scorecard

    Australia 241-7 and 60 all out - trail by 90 runs

    Not out batsmen: Voges 48, Starc 0

    Fall of wickets: 113-1 (Rogers 52), 130-2 (Warner 64), 136-3 (Marsh 2), 136-4 (Smith 5), 174-5 (Clarke 13), 224-6 (Nevill 17), 236-7 (Johnson 5)

    Bowling figures: Broad 16-5-36-1, Wood 12.2-0-63-1, Finn 12-4-42-0, Stokes 16-4-35-5, Moeen 6-0-34-0

    England first innings: 391-9 dec (Root 130, Bairstow 74, Moeen 38, Starc 6-111)

    Full scorecard

  8. Post update

    From there it was all about if Australia could take it to three days, which they just about managed thanks to the resistance of Adam Voges and the late introduction of some bad light. When we return tomorrow, England will be three balls from the little urn.

  9. Post update

    Geoffrey Boycott

    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    Ben Stokes and Marlon Samuels

    "Probably the best thing that's happened to Stokes was that business when Marlon Samuels took the mickey out of him in the West Indies. Since then he's shut up and just let his raw talent take over. If he's got anything up top, which I think he has, he will be a great cricketer."

  10. Post update

    And then the Aussie resistance, a century stand between Rogers and Warner, helped by a couple of dropped catches and a wicket from a no-ball - there would be another of those later too. But, get one of the Aussie top order and you're likely to get four of them. 113-0 became 136-4 thanks to Stokes the swinger.

  11. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    LimertillyWeatherwax: honestly glad that cricket will get into day three. a two day test just seems not very crickety.

    Dave: All over by 11.30 tomorrow. Bring on little Urn.

    Tirzah T: Massive congratulations to the Australians for taking this into the third day... Ben Stokes salutes you.

  12. Post update

    Geoffrey Boycott

    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "Excellent day for England, they've had two fabulous days. Moeen Ali played splendidly, and England are blessed with tail-enders who can bat - Mark Wood was amazing, he played some crisp, clean shots. Stuart Broad bowled superbly after lunch, but didn't get anything to show for it. Stokes was the man - he got three wickets in the afternoon with beautiful swing balls and he fully deserved his five-wicket haul."

    Stokes
  13. Post update

    It seems a long time ago that Alastair Cook sprung that surprise declaration, doesn't it? That was after fast-forward morning which saw England move from 274-4 to 391-9. Mitchell Starc was devastating, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad entertained. Australia survived a tricky 10 minutes before lunch.

  14. Post update

    Michael Vaughan

    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "I think cricket has become cool again this summer, in the way England have played and the way they've been as people. Even after the loss at Lord's, they didn't let that affect them and they kept playing their football and being open with the media. It will stand them in good stead."

  15. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Nick Bruzon: Great work from Australia in taking the Test match to a third day. Just.

    Damien Cahill: What is the point of having floodlights if they are going to go off for bad light?

    Russ ⚒ Webb: I'll support Australia now for 90 more runs. Just for entertainment purposes.

  16. Post update

    Ben Stokes

    Yep, today has belonged to Ben Stokes, the Durham all-rounder has swung the ball and the Ashes a little nearer to England's grasp. Good pace, slippery lengths, inspiration for an attack that looked to be flagging late on.

  17. Post update

    Andrew Samson

    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    "Ben Stokes is just the third English all-rounder to get two centuries and two five-fors in his first 15 Tests, after Len Braund and Ian Botham."

  18. Post update

    Michael Vaughan

    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "The consistency levels which England have shown here and at Edgbaston, the channels and the lengths they have bowled, have been really exciting. And I like that it's a different bowler every time who stands up for England. Australia haven't been good enough to see off England when the ball is moving, but it was high-class bowling from a brilliant young cricketer."

  19. Close-of-play scorecard

    Scorecard
  20. Post update

    How do you feel about that? Disappointed the job won't be done tonight, or pleased at the prospect of a day-long celebration tomorrow? Michael Clarke should probably sleep with the Ashes urn under his pillow. It could well be the last time he's anywhere near it.

  21. Post update

    Ed Smith

    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    Steven Finn and Ben Stokes

    "It's been another gripping, absorbing day. The job's not quite done but these two days have been giant steps. Ben Stokes was the hero: he swung the ball and bowled with pace and venom."

  22. Close of play

    Aus 241-7

    Bad light means Australia's grip on the Ashes will last for one more day. Ben Stokes leads England off to the acclaim of the whole of Nottingham. England will return tomorrow to reclaim sport's smallest trophy.

  23. Bad light stops play

    Aus 241-7

    This was always the danger. It's been dark at Trent Bridge for a while, the floodlights have long been on. The umpires get together and decide that is enough. The Ashes win will have to wait.

  24. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Edward James: That was plumb!! What a spell from Stokes.

    Ian Bradley: Centuries, 5 wicket hauls, stunning catches, Ben Stokes will be around for a very long time.

    John Lenihan: Stoke five-for AND the champagne moment with THAT catch. And he still won't get Man of the Match.

  25. Aus 236-7 (Eng need 3 wickets)

    How's this going to play out? Five minutes left of normal time. Mark Wood has the ball. There might only be two overs left. There might be another eight after that.

  26. Latest scorecard

    Australia 236-7 and 60 all out - trail by 95 runs

    Not out batsmen: Voges 47, Starc 0

    Fall of wickets: 113-1 (Rogers 52), 130-2 (Warner 64), 136-3 (Marsh 2), 136-4 (Smith 5), 174-5 (Clarke 13), 224-6 (Nevill 17), 236-7 (Johnson 5)

    Bowling figures: Broad 16-5-36-1, Wood 12-0-62-1, Finn 12-4-42-0, Stokes 16-4-35-5, Moeen 6-0-34-0

    England first innings: 391-9 dec (Root 130, Bairstow 74, Moeen 38, Starc 6-111)

    Full scorecard

  27. Five wickets for Ben Stokes (5-35)

    Late shape is right. Round the wicket, angled towards leg stump, but pitching on a full length around off stump. Johnson, turning the bat, effectively got a leading edge to slip. Cook gathers his men together, maybe asking if they want the extra time, asking if they can give that extra push. Mitchell Starc is the new man. Ben Stokes, by the way, is the fourth different England bowler in as many innings to take a five-wicket haul.

  28. Post update

    Michael Vaughan

    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England players celebrate

    "It could be over now tonight. It's another crackerjack of a delivery, with late shape, Mitchell Johnson's feet move to the leg side to get the bat to the ball. What a day Ben Stokes is having."

  29. WICKET

    Johnson c Cook b Stokes 5 (Aus 236-7)

    Jos Buttler and Alastair Cook celebrate

    Gone! A beauty of an away-swinger from Ben Stokes has Mitchell Johnson edging to Alastair Cook at first slip. England move closer to winning the Ashes and Stokes has his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Is that two-day finish still on?

  30. Aus 235-6 (trail by 96)

    How is Stuart Broad managing to miss both the outside edge and the off stump here? Johnson the batsman, the ball angling in, then nipping away, somehow getting no wood of any kind on the way through to Buttler. Is there a hole in the stumps? Johnson clubs one back down the ground for four, but immediately drops his eyes to the ground and does some gardening, almost embarrassed.

  31. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Si Lomas: Come on Stokes get yourself a deserved 'Michelle' (Pfeiffer), good to see him finally reaping rewards after some luckless spells.

    Andy Donley: Imagine how good a cricketer Ben Stokes will be when he becomes more consistent. Frightening.

  32. Aus 231-6 (trail by 100)

    Some excellent fancy dress inside Trent Bridge and there will be even more if we make it to tomorrow. A sailor, Jack Sparrow and a parrot. Johnson cops the "Mitch-ell, Mitch-ell" chants as Stokes apologises to Voges for a full toss. It's pretty dark out there.

  33. Post update

    Stokes
  34. Aus 229-6 (Eng need 4 wickets)

    In what circumstances would England take the extra half hour? If the Aussies are seven down? Eight? There are eight overs left after this Broad set, but they have to be bowled by 18:30. England need one or two more wickets in the next 20 minutes or so. Johnson takes the taunts of the newly awoken Trent Bridge crowd, not much fun when Stuart Broad is beating your outside edge. With how weary Broad looks, I'd be surprised if England take the extra time.

  35. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Marc Gridley: Even Shane Watson wouldn't have reviewed that!

  36. Aus 228-6 (Stokes 14-4-32-4)

    Replays don't do Peter Nevill any favours, he's kicked one off middle. In fairness, the ball came back off the pitch. By the time he realised, it was too late. Stuart Broad attempts to gee the crowd as Stokes continues to hoop the ball to new man Mitchell Johnson. England racing to take wickets before the light closes in.

  37. Post update

    Michael Vaughan

    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "It's a different bowler that keeps doing the damage for England. I like the way Stokes plays his cricket - there's going to be times when he makes mistakes, but it's really special for an England team to have that type of player who will just light up a ground."

  38. WICKET

    Nevill lbw Stokes 17 (Aus 224-6)

    Ben Stokes

    That is one of the most bizarre lbws that you will ever see. Peter Nevill has shouldered arms to one that would have hit the top of middle and leg. Ben Stokes the bowler, shaping the ball back in. Nevill perhaps left it on length, but has ended up looking pretty silly. That's the breakthrough England have worked so hard for. Two-day finish back on. Ben Stokes has four-fer and Trent Bridge is awake again.

  39. Umpire review

    Aus 224-6

    Ben Stokes appeals

    Peter Nevill, what have you done? Nevill has left one that looks to be cannoning into the stumps. He has to review it, just to justify his non-stroke...

  40. Post update

    Henry Blofeld

    BBC Test Match Special

    "It's been an obdurate, adhesive partnership - it's not exactly adding entertainment, but the Australians are fighting on."

  41. Aus 224-5 (50 partnership)

    Friday night. What are your plans for the weekend? Are you just getting ready to go out? Will you be talking about the Ashes in the pub or restaurant? England are unlikely to be able to celebrate in Nottingham tonight, that will have to wait for tomorrow. Broad tails the ball in to Voges, who dabs past the slips for a triple. It feels like we're going through the motions before the real battle resumes on the morrow.

  42. Post update

    Jim Maxwell

    BBC Test Match Special

    "I would think there's a fair chance that Mitchell Marsh will replace his brother Shaun for the Oval Test. I'm not sure where else Australia can go, unless they pick Pat Cummins. After that, it will be the revolving door."

  43. Aus 220-5 (Eng need 5 wickets)

    Am I right in thinking that Ian Bell is set for his fifth Ashes series win? Have any England players won more? What about Alastair Cook - there can't be many England captains that have won, lost then won Ashes series. Stokes slips in as a baby with similar red hair bites a cuddly lion in the crowd. Peter Nevill only playing when it is absolutely necessary. A loose ball is clipped fine for four. 11 overs left. Ticket-holders tomorrow will be seeing some cricket.

  44. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Rory Allen: Let's be honest, the standard of cricket (generally) has been awful in this series. Can't recall a worse Ashes winning side.

    Jez Harvey: We're literally complain that England might not win the Test in two days and secure the Ashes at least 3-1! Ridiculous!

  45. Aus 214-5 (Voges 42, Nevill 10)

    Adam Voges

    In some ways, I'm quite pleased for Adam Voges. After waiting so long for his chance, he's finally making a contribution for Australia in an Ashes series. Some thought he would be dropped for this Test, but was retained perhaps for his knowledge of Trent Bridge. He's shown reasonable judgement and scored almost exclusively square of the wicket. His mate Stuart Broad probes the channel, but Voges is not drawn into playing.

  46. Post update

    Vic Marks

    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    "There is some significance to these innings. There is a Test match to be played at the Oval, and places to be played for. Adam Voges might stay in, because I'm not sure Shaun Marsh has done very much."

  47. Aus 214-5

    Indeed it is Stuart Broad. The Trent Bridge crowd is immediately lifted.

  48. Post update

  49. Aus 214-5 (trail by 117)

    The floodlights reflect off the shades atop Alastair Cook's cap as Stuart Broad gets loose. Thirteen overs left in the day, England summoning one final effort. Ben Stokes bangs the ball into the turf but gets little out of it. Nevill, jumping, jack-knifing, gets himself out of the way and continues to resist.

  50. Latest scorecard

    Australia 214-5 and 60 all out - trail by 117 runs

    Not out batsmen: Voges 42, Nevill 10

    Fall of wickets: 113-1 (Rogers 52), 130-2 (Warner 64), 136-3 (Marsh 2), 136-4 (Smith 5), 174-5 (Clarke 13)

    Bowling figures: Broad 12-3-28-1, Wood 12-0-62-1, Finn 12-4-42-0, Stokes 11-2-26-3, Moeen 6-0-34-0

    England first innings: 391-9 dec (Root 130, Bairstow 74, Moeen 38, Starc 6-111)

    Full scorecard

  51. Aus 214-5

    Ben Stokes

    Ben Stokes hobbled off the field about 40 minutes ago, but he's now summoned into the attack. His spell of 3-4 before tea was quite brilliant. Can he bring some inspiration once more?

  52. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Adam Voges and Steven Finn

    Chris Heath: A good performance marred by sloppy play! That's five potential wickets missed! Come on lads sharpen up!!

    Steve Unger: England seem to think they've won this game already and have their minds in the bar and not on the game. Getting a bit sloppy.

    chloe-ann: I don't think the Ashes will be won today with the way England are playing. They need to play like they did yesterday.