END OF OVER:61 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 230/9
- Cameron Green33 (43b)
- Dawid Malan6-0-33-2
- Joe Root6-1-27-2
6.29pm Mitchell Starc is warming up with the ball.
6.22pm Australia set England 468 runs to win. It was a funny innings from Australia. Untidy at times and England proved this morning there is still plenty in this surface if you get your lengths and lines right. Travis Head showed what intent can do with his half-century. Marnus Labuschagne continues to find a way to makes runs. The only concern for Australia was Mitchell Starc tweaking his back trying to swing for the fence. He will be important with the ball.Krish : "Root and Malan's lethal partnership continues.. " England playing double-wicket cricket.
JA Richardson c †Buttler b Malan 8 (5m 4b 0x4 1x6) SR: 200.00
END OF OVER:60 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 219/8
- Cameron Green29 (40b)
- Jhye Richardson1 (1b)
- Joe Root6-1-27-2
- Dawid Malan5-0-22-1
Mark: "England may as well give everyone a bowl" Hameed and Pope up next?
By the way, Root now has more Test scalps this year than Stuart Broad
MA Starc c Pope b Root 19 (23m 20b 0x4 1x6) SR: 95.00
Thanks Andrew. Mitchell Starc is in some discomfort. The physio is actually working on his back during this drinks break. But he's going to continue.
END OF OVER:59 | 7 Runs | AUS: 214/7
- Mitchell Starc17 (17b)
- Cameron Green27 (38b)
- Dawid Malan5-0-22-1
- Joe Root5-1-22-1
vps: "What's with negative tactics from England?? Shouldn't they have tried to limit Aus instead of bowling Malan and Root??" Have you seen the match situation? The only good thing for England will be their match fees... and this over-rate will help them keep that. Meanwhile, here's Alex to take you into the inevitable declaration.
AH: "Why cannot England try Livingstone as a spinner? They used to do well when they had many allrounders in the team. " Very good question. He'd be worth a pop come Sydney, I'm sure
Mustafa Moudi: "Root and Malan, are saving England not only with the Bat but now also with the Ball. Seems like the other 9 in the side are just to complete the count of 11 in the team !!"
END OF OVER:58 | 11 Runs | AUS: 207/7
- Mitchell Starc14 (13b)
- Cameron Green23 (36b)
- Joe Root5-1-22-1
- Dawid Malan4-0-15-1
Out comes the physio to give Starc the once-over. It appears to be the opposite side of his back to the side that takes the strain while he's bowling, which is promising