Ashes LIVE: Latest score as England make breakthrough against Australia at the Oval

How many more can Australia eke out now? Todd Murphy already has a handy Test best of 41 on his palmares, that innings achieved on a flat track in Ahmedabad, but proof of his orderly technique. Another 20 or 30 and Australia will have dragged themselves out of danger, and potentially with time for a burst against a remodelled England top order this evening.

Another mighty mow but this time it lands in the hands!

Curiouser and curiouser from Steve Smith, again aiming something large to leg but top edging. For a moment it appears like it might fall safe at a fine third man, but Jonny Bairstow makes good ground running back towards the members’ pavilion to watch it plummet into his gloves. An odd flicking of the switch from Smith in that over – England’s drinks will taste a little sweeter having broken a bothersome union.

Moeen Ali won’t be able to bat until 120 minutes of England’s second innings have elapsed or five wickets have fallen, likely leaving England in search of another new number three. Chris Woakes did the job against the white ball during the 2019 World Cup – might he be the break glass in case of emergency option again?

Where’s that come from? A daring dart down the pitch from Steve Smith and then an almighty heave towards the city, his contact ugly but the slice carrying clear of a retreating Stuart Broad at mid-off.

And there is the 50 partnership, brought up with a hacked heave to long leg by Steve Smith for a single. A touch of gloves between Pat Cummins and his deputy, knowing there’s more whittling away at the lead to be done.

Cummins adjusts his chestguard, bracing for a bumper as England push a couple of men back. A couple of raised riot shields prove an effective method of defence.

A pretty ropey bit of cricket, that, Chris Woakes’s outswing about five yards too full and Pat Cummins’s cover drive ending up at the fine leg fence off a streaky inside edge. A far better shot gets Cummins none, Woakes darting out a left hand to block a firmly struck straight drive.

Mark Wood has got the Australia captain out thrice in nine balls in the series – here he is to try and break the partnership with the crowd just a little flat.

Steve Smith turns to the square leg umpire, perhaps correct in concluding that a Stuart Broad bouncer had leapt over his head and should therefore be signalled. There’s nothing forthcoming from Kumar Dharmasena. Three from the over, and a change at the other end – Chris Woakes in for his first use of the second new ball.

Pat Cummins is starting to look content at the crease, taking a sharp single to Ben Stokes’s left at mid-off to steal the strike at the end of James Anderson’s over. This partnership is up to 40, with the late afternoon sun shining.

Edged for four by a dodging Pat Cummins! Plenty happening with this new Dukes, the Australia captain getting himself in a real predicament as he tries to sway and drop to his knees as Stuart Broad bangs one in. The ball follows him, taking a flick off a dropping bat as Cummins tries to evade – fine of Jonny Bairstow and away to the boundary!

A stylish swivel pull! This new ball is coming on to the bat nicely for Steve Smith, using the extra zip to pirouette and help it to long leg for four. A thrash through the covers for three takes another chunk out of England’s lead and keeps Smith on strike.

Missing leg stump! No edge from Pat Cummins, the two sounds a ricochet off both pads, but it’s doing too much on the angle with Broad again finding a bit of hoop. Joel Wilson took his time, Steve Bucknor style, but Cummins did not – smart reviewing from the Australia captain.