Australian pacers hit back to regain lost ground

In another session of tug-of-war, England threatened to pull away far but Australiagrabbed back hard to restore some parity. Jonny Bairstow's ton was the highlight for England but that joy didn't last long as Australia struck back picking the last six wickets for just 35 runs.

Dawid Malan and Bairstow resumed their unbeaten stand with purpose and a plan on the second day. The first five overs of the day yielded just a single run but the next seven went for 50 as Bairstow raced to his first ton against Australia. The emotional moment for England's wicketkeeper also saw him celebrate by mocking that now infamous 'headbutt' to his helmet. And at that stage, England were looking good for a total of 450 or more.

However, Malan's dismissal, which ended a record 237-run stand, triggered a collapse that could yet turn out to be match-defining. Trying to take on Nathan Lyon, Malan ended up getting a leading edge to be caught on 140 and was soon followed by Moeen Ali who fended a sharp, short ball to second slip. The short-balls were once again Australia's main weapon of choice and it accounted for both Chris Woakes and Craig Overton a little while later. But Starc managed to get the danger man Bairstow bowled with a full ball nipping in.

From 368/4, England stumbled to 393/9 and in danger of getting bowled out for a score less than par on this pitch. The last-wicket pair managed to take England past 400, giving them some sort of a psychological advantage.

Brief Scores: England 403 (Dawid Malan 140, Jonny Bairstow 119, Mark Stoneman 56; Mitchell Starc 4/91, Josh Hazlewood 3/92) vs Australia