4.12pm: Jiminy Cricket, what a session that was! As ever, Steven Smith was at the centre of the action: imperious with the bat until roughed up by Jofra Archer, who stoked up the Babylonian fires during an electric spell. Smith was first struck on the arm, bringing up a duck egg-like bruise; then he was felled amid worrying scenes, taking a blow on the neck from another Archer bumper. Fortunately he was able to walk off, only to then return at the fall of the next wicket and get to within a couple of blows of a remarkable century. At the end of it all, England have an eight-run lead on first innings and the next session will be key in attempts to force a result. You can bet Australia will be fired up to back up Smith's bravery with the ball. Do England have a wobble in them? Find out with Gnasher shortly
PJ Cummins c †Bairstow b Broad 20 (137m 80b 3x4 0x6) SR: 25.00
"Extra half an hour as well unless the last wicket falls." Yep, that's right, charlie_moslin. I hope no one's needing the loo...
END OF OVER:94 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 250/9
- Josh Hazlewood3 (4b)
- Pat Cummins20 (77b)
- Jack Leach11-3-19-1
- Stuart Broad27-7-65-3
Fair point, from Ed Simnett: "@Justin re concussion. Sorry- but that's a dangerous attitude. People who are concussed are not capable of making this sort of judgement in a rational way."
Josh Hazlewood is last man out. Slip, leg slip and short leg in
NM Lyon lbw b Leach 6 (28m 17b 0x4 0x6) SR: 35.29
Jack Leach back from the Nursery End
"Have they forgotten tea? What are the session timings?" This is a longer session, Santhosh Rupert, making up for lost time. Tea will be in 10 mins
END OF OVER:93 | 3 Runs | AUS: 246/8
- Pat Cummins20 (76b)
- Nathan Lyon6 (16b)
- Stuart Broad27-7-65-3
- Chris Woakes19-6-61-3
"If we get to the English score we should declare and have a crack at the English batting line-up. Cummins is quick enough, seems Archer is getting a little something out of the pitch...let's make it interesting." There's still a match to be won here, Ken B. Amid all the drama of the last hour or two, this Test is on a knife edge
Here's Justin: "@ Peter Lloyd of course he was concussed but he's also an adult who decided to come out and face the (unwarranted) boos and short bowling. Why do we have to whittle everything down to protocols and procedures. He just added another chapter to his growing legend status. Good on him." One thing's for sure: we'll be talking about this session of play a long time from now
END OF OVER:92 | 5 Runs | AUS: 243/8
- Pat Cummins20 (72b)
- Nathan Lyon3 (14b)
- Chris Woakes19-6-61-3
- Stuart Broad26-7-62-3
"Starting to see why Cummins is the highest-paid Australian cricketer," muses Mendy. "Crazy to think he's only 26." Bowls 90mph, scores Test fifties. He's quite a handy fellow to have around
