Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have survived the first three overs of the second new ball to take Australia to stumps at 8-326.
Considering Australia won the toss, the hot conditions and a pitch that is not offering much to the bowlers, England have won the day.
If they can wrap up the tail in the morning and keep Australia to around the 350 mark, they will have the chance to ram home their advantage. The forecast is for a high of 39 degrees on Thursday, which will make it very much a batter’s day.
Alex Carey raises his bat to the heavens. Credit: AP
Australia’s batters have offered England’s bowlers more than this pitch has. By my reckoning, five of Australia’s top seven departed in soft fashion. I’m giving Alex Carey an out as he did have 106 on the board when he holed out.
CricViz disagrees with me, but England are much better than a 28 per cent chance of winning this game.
The highlight of the day came from Carey, who hit his third Test ton and first in an Ashes series – raising his bat to the sky in tribute to his late father Gordon, the biggest figure in his cricket career.
Carey’s knock came when Australia were in trouble. Without him, Australia would be in deep trouble.
Jofra Archer is the pick of the bowlers. After the much talked about finish at the Gabba, Archer bowled like a man with a point to prove, returning figures of 3-29 from 16 overs. Against the rest of the attack, Australia are 5-297 from 67 overs.