6.35pm So, on that note, we are done for another day. Three days left of this series, nominally, but I'd be shocked if we didn't have a pretty clear sense of an end-game by this time tomorrow. What awaits in England's second innings? I'll hazard a guess at fireworks. From Miller, Alex, and Venkat. Goodnight!
Steve Smith is talking to Sky: "Would have been nice to have got a bigger lead, wicket played quite nice, a lot of us got starts. A couple of partnerships helped, we started a counterpunch, not a bad end to the day, but overall disappointed we didn't get a bigger lead."
"No set plan, they bowled really well this morning, credit where it's due. We took it deep and got more opportunities at the back end. It swung a lot, quite shiny and good swing bowlers. Not a great deal of seam. We want to keep the scoreboard ticking but guys are allowed to bowl well, it's Test cricket, got to respect it."
6.27pm And so, after all of that... Australia lead by 12, and we have another one-innings shoot-out looming. Australia batted for 103.1 overs for their 295, compared to 54.4 for England's 283, and ultimately each approach was vindicated by the other. England played fast and loose, and capitalised on several dropped catches. Australia dug in with immense attrition for long passages, but on a tricky surface, they still looked at one stage as though they would concede a 50-plus deficit. But Steve Smith and Pat Cummins hit back with intent, before an astonishing knock from Todd Murphy. Where's this one headed? We'll know more tomorrow, but England's bowlers will be relieved to have wrapped that up tonight.
PJ Cummins c Stokes b Root 36 (148m 86b 4x4 0x6) SR: 41.86
Potentially the last over of the day... possibly two more... in fact, almost certainly, as Joe Root is back for a twirl. Out comes the helmet, gully, leg gully
END OF OVER:103 | 3 Runs | AUS: 295/9
- Josh Hazlewood6 (7b)
- Pat Cummins36 (85b)
- James Anderson26-9-67-1
- Chris Woakes25-8-61-3
Dezz: "All this talk about tired legs - 102 overs is hardly a marathon is it?!" They are when you're two days shy of 41
Three slips in place
One slip, and the rest on the fence
So... that is likely to be that as far as England batting tonight. How far can this lead be extended? Anderson has the ball again. One slip for Cummins
END OF OVER:102 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 292/9
- Josh Hazlewood4 (4b)
- Pat Cummins35 (82b)
- Chris Woakes25-8-61-3
- James Anderson25-9-64-1
Man back leg-side
Another vital display from Woakes, who has been picking off key wickets in every innings since his return. Here's Hazlewood
So, by my clock, there'll be time for one over tonight if another wicket falls in this over
T Murphy lbw b Woakes 34 (54m 39b 2x4 3x6) SR: 87.17
END OF OVER:101 | (maiden) | AUS: 288/8
- Pat Cummins35 (82b)
- Todd Murphy34 (37b)
- James Anderson25-9-64-1
- Chris Woakes24-8-57-2
Root is getting loose
Sadib: "Why a moral victory? Is BazBall immoral now?" Wasn't it always? A bit like Bosanquet's googly
So 100 overs done, and Australia lead by 5... England's innings lasted 54.4!
END OF OVER:100 | 4 Runs | AUS: 288/8
- Todd Murphy34 (37b)
- Pat Cummins35 (76b)
- Chris Woakes24-8-57-2
- James Anderson24-8-64-1
shaz: "Amazed by Aussies fighting spirit!!! Ashes living up to the expectations. Good hand Pat, Way to go."
Evan: "That'sâŠ(dare we say it?)âŠa moral victory for Australia, and one that seemed unlikely an hour ago." I think it genuinely has to count as such, yes...