Third Ashes Test. Headingly.

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They've taken tea early.

cricinfo claims that Root was offered the choice of bowling spin when it became too dark but declined.

And now it's reported to be raining again.

If the rest of the day's play is lost, I reckon that's good for Oz.

Warner has survived 50 balls. That's a start, at least.

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They're back...

And an expensive over from Woakes: 16 runs (including 5 wides).

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Stokes from the other end.

Stokes is bowling as fast as Archer was... at least for that one ball.

Marnus ends the over with a boundary.

The runs are flowing in this little period: 25 runs in 13 legal deliveries.

Oz 2/75.

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But Woakes follows with a maiden.

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A spectator in a red dress holds up play.

Marnus leaves a ball that hits him.

Ponting thinks he should have just worked it away for a couple of runs.

Holding: "That was a bit strange."

Ponting thinks he may have been expecting the outswinger (it wasn't).

...

Stokes bowls a full toss. It was an attempted inswinging yorker.

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They take a quick run and get 4 overthrows!

It hit Warner's bat. He held his hand up in apology.

The runs continue to flow. CRR 3.8.

The partnership is 62 runs at RR 4.32.

Oz 2/87 (23).

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Labu gets a thick edge with soft hands off Stokes. It runs away for 4.

Holding says he was telling Gower that England are conservative. They try to "squeeze" the opposition. Ponting says they can do that when the ball's old.

Stokes bowls an inswinger that surprises Warner. No real appeal though.

Ponting wants another catcher.

Ponting: "The ball is still beating the outside edge quite regularly."

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Holding wants Woakes to bowl fuller to Labu, enticing the drive.

Warner now on strike.

Ponting on Woakes: "Probably bowls better to right-handers than to left-handers."

Holding: "It's fine to leave that extra cover vacant. ... I don't see the need for three fieldsmen between backward point and mid-off."


Appeal for LBW. Not out. They don't review.

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Stokes tries the short ball, but Marnus flicks it over deep backward square for 4.

Then another Smith-like leave, with the bat swishing in front of him.


Ponting: "There's just enough both ways for Ben Stokes."

Holding: "The ball is still doing enough. They just haven't been able to put it all together."

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More overthrows.

Holding: "Gone through again. Another five runs."

Athers: "Inside edge .. which means these five go down as runs for David Warner."

The Oz century comes up.

And they run an aggressive 2.

Warne: "Great running."

Athers: "Woakes wasn't happy." Woakes glared at Archer.

Athers on Marnus: "Showing terrific character."

Warne: "This partnership is looking very threatening." Yep.

Warne: "Always remember to add two wickets for 20 runs..."

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Warne: "I found the breaks were harder for the bowlers. ... It's very hard when you go on and off all the time."

And Warner square cuts Stokes for 4. He's looking much better now. He needs to go on with it.

Warne: "I found I lost my rhythm..."

And Warner gets to 50!

And Stokes ends the over with a full toss, and Warner helps himself to the third 4 of the over. Bad bowling.

Oz 2/120 (28 ).

[K]

Waokes and Stokes have lost control of the scoring.

Warne: "This is where you need some calmness from the captain. ... Get one wicket and another will follow."
He says he wants to see better body language from Root.

Athers: "You just need to keep things very simple. ... The pitch will do it for you. You don't need to be too clever."

The conditions are still giving the bowlers something, but they are leaking runs.

And Woakes strays down leg and Labu caresses it for 4. CRR 4.32.

Warne: "Lost their patience, England. ... This session, 10.5 overs, 70 runs."

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So Root turns back to Archer.

And Broad from the other end.

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Broad appeals for caught behind against Warner. Given out. Warner reviews immediately.

Ultra Edge shows flat line. Decision reversed. Not out!! Warner survives.

They heard something, but it wasn't a bat edge. The Ultra Edge was dead flat all the way.

Warner knew.


Drinks now.

[K]

But Archer gets Warner caught behind for 61 (94).

Oz 3/136. Head in.
Archer's second wicket.

A much needed wicket for England, breaking a 111-run partnership. Root tries to fire up the troops.

Boos as Warner leaves.

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First ball to Head is short, wide, and called no ball.

Next ball, Head is beaten. No footwork there either.

And again. Head is getting squared up.

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And Broad bowls Head for a duck.

Oz 4/138. Wade in.

The soft underbelly is being exposed. So much resting on Marnus again.

Healy: "... helped by a lack of footwork."