Live Cricket Score - England vs Australia, The Ashes, 3rd Test, Day 2

Stumps - Australia lead by 142

An eventful day of Test cricket comes to an end. This game is moving so fast that you shouldn't be surprised if it ends tomorrow. England lost Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow early today and were put under the pump before Ben Stokes stepped up once again to ensure Australia didn't fetch a huge first innings lead. And while the visitors appeared to take full control of the game on the back of that second-wicket partnership, England staged a very good comeback in that final session by picking up three key wickets. Like it was the case on the first day, the onus is on Head and Marsh again to revive Australia. They lead by 142. If Australia can drag this past 300 tomorrow, they will fancy their chances of going 3-0 up.

The comeback is on

Wow, England really are fighting back and given this is happening before close of play, it will give them a huge lift. Khawaja was the key wicket here given his reputation for batting time. But Woakes has produced an excellent delivery that left the batter a touch after pitching to take his outside edge. Bairstow takes the low catch and England are ecstatic. The lead is now 116. Mitchell Marsh comes in though. He came in at a similar situation in the first innings as well with Travis Head at the other end.

Smith has gifted his wicket

England handed a massive lifeline in this Test. This is a huge moment as Smith endures another failure in his landmark Test match and he cannot believe what he has done. Moeen tosses it up nicely and Smith just casually clips it straight to the man at midwicket. That is Moeen's 200th Test match wicket. He wouldn't have imagined getting to that milestone until a month ago. Australia lose their third and their lead is currently 98.

Relief for Bairstow

For the third time this Test match, a drop catch from Bairstow has resulted in a wicket falling immediately anyway. He dropped a tough chance to dismiss Labuschagne but the Australian batter attempts the slog sweep and finds the fielder in the deep anyway. The crowd erupts. It's been a dull session for them until now for an hour almost but England get their wicket. Australia lead by 94.

Tea - Australia lead by 55

Khawaja and Labuschagne have done well to withstand this tricky spell of bowling before the Tea break. Australia have made just 29 runs in these 12 overs and have extended that lead to 55. A huge final session coming up from an England perspective.

Warner goes early

No prizes for guesses. It is indeed Stuart Broad who gets rid of David Warner again. He comes around the wicket, finds the outside edge and the slip fielder does the rest. This is incredible stuff. Even Warner has a smile on his face as he walks back. This is the 17th time he has fallen to Broad. The crowd goes berserk as well.

Australia fetch 26-run lead

Headingley applauds Stokes as the England captain finally departs after a stellar contribution. What a knock!! He is getting accustomed to these rescue acts now. He added vital runs right at the end to eat into the deficit before mistiming one to get caught. Australia have a small lead of 26 now. Smith takes five catches in his 100th Test. Can he contribute with the bat now?

Stokes goes berserk

He is doing it again and he is definitely hurting Australia. Despite struggling with his lower back and his right leg, a gutsy Stokes gets to fifty after Broad's dismissal and has thumped a few sixes. The deficit is below 40 now.

Luck favours Stokes again

Stokes skied one off Todd Murphy and immediately was disappointed and was about to walk back, only for Starc to mess it up and drop the opportunity. And the very next ball, he hits one straight back at Todd Murphy and he drops the chance as well. Two lives in two balls for Stokes. He is batting on 45 but he isn't in the best shape because of the troublesome back. Can he put up a brave fight here?

A little cameo

Mark Wood came out and smashed the first ball after lunch for a six. He followed it up with two more sixes and a four and then skied one to get out. He made 24 off 8. Job well done I suppose. The deficit is below 100 now. Broad joins Stokes. Cummins gets a five-fer as well.

Lunch - England 142/7

One team is clearly on top at this stage. Australia have been ruthless this morning. Starc and Cummins have struck twice each and as a result, England are seven down already. They are still trailing by 121 runs and that's not a good sign. Stokes rescued them last time but he was spotted struggling with an injury himself so not sure if he can replicate what he did at Lord's after the lunch break.

The procession continues

Woakes has a history against short-pitched deliveries. While he did deposit one for six, he eventually succumbs to one from Starc. There is a faint edge and Carey takes an easy catch. Not sure why he reviewed that one. England are seven down.

Moeen departs

Cummins strikes again. A nice little partnership was brewing but the Australian skipper says 'enough is enough'. To be fair, this was not really a threatening delivery. It was on a shortish length and Moeen wants to whack it but only gets a top edge and gets caught. England in deep trouble now. They are 131/6. Woakes joins Stokes and this is the last recognised pair.

Unbelievable

He has gifted his wicket and Headingley is stunned into silence. Pathetic batting from England. They are giving Australia early wickets here. Mitchell Starc enters the attack and bowls one wide of off stump and the batter edges it to second slip while chasing it. England are 87/5. Australia in total control.

Early strike

What a start for Australia!! Cummins strikes second ball of the day as he gets the huge wicket of Joe Root. England's best batter is gone and they are in deep trouble now. He tried to guide a delivery behind and ended up edging it to first slip. Ben Stokes needs a big innings once again.

Build up

We had an absorbing opening day at Headingley to kickstart the third Test which is very crucial from an English perspective. The hosts came out all guns blazing with the ball after including Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to their pace attack. Having removed the top four cheaply, they had to contend with a rampaging Mitchell Marsh who came up with a stunning knock on his return to Test cricket after almost four years. He added 155 for the fifth wicket alongside Travis Head but either side of that partnership, England dominated.

The moment Marsh was dismissed for 118, England hit back once again with Wood finishing with a five-fer. Australia lost their last six wickets for just 23 runs to get bowled out for 263 but Pat Cummins gave them two early breakthroughs to ensure his side didn't go down without a fight. Marsh was handy with the ball as well getting the wicket of Zak Crawley as England stuttered in reply. By stumps, they were 68/3, still 195 short of Australia's total. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are out there so that's good news. Ben Stokes is yet to come and England also have the likes of Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes to chip in with the bat. If these guys can deliver, England will target a handy first innings lead. If they don't, then this Test match is wide open.