Live Commentary: The Ashes: First Test, day four - as it happened

Hello everyone. I said after day two that it would take a big performance from Australia to record a victory in the first Test match. At the start of day four the hosts need just eight more wickets for a 1-0 lead.

England have been poor, very poor. However, it would not be fair to take anything away from Australia for their performance over the last couple of days. David Warner claimed that the tourists are playing with "scared eyes", what will those eyes tell us later this evening?

Can Australia complete the victory on day four? Michael Clarke will want his team to be on top form from the first delivery but it's still not the minefield that some of the players have made it out to be in the first three days.

England supporters may have been praying for rain at the end of day three. The storms did arrive in Brisbane, but they disappeared and it all looks clear at the Gabba on the fourth morning.

1,098 balls. England need to survive 1,098 deliveries from the hosts. They've already lost two wickets, what's the best England can hope for? Andy Flower will be desperate for some members of the top order to find some form.

England will begin the session on 24-2, a massive 537 runs behind their fiercest rivals. It's been a very difficult few days for the tourists. Alastair Cook will begin on 11, Kevin Pietersen on 9.

"England are on the back foot," Warner told reporters yesterday. "It does look like they've got scared eyes at the moment. The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak." England shouldn't need any other motivation.

Runs should be England's target. In truth, they are not going to save anything from this Test match unless a huge storm arrives over the next couple of days. If Cook, Pietersen, or another batsman can go big then it could make a difference later in the series.

Australia won't want to play any cricket tomorrow. Can you imagine the confidence they'll gain by beating England inside four days? A couple of wickets early in the first session could spell the end for the tourists.

If you want to give us your views on this thrilling Test match, feel free to tweet us @SportsMole - can Australia get even better? Where doe England go from here?

If you missed the drama late on day three, Michael Carberry was unlucky to be dismissed without troubling the scores but Jonathan Trott continued his dismal run against the short ball to gift his wicket to the Australians. England will be very concerned with how their number three has started this series.

Clarke leads his team out to a good reception from the Australian supporters, with Cook and Pietersen following just moments later. The England batting duo will be desperate to restore some pride wit a strong display on a very hot day in Brisbane. England start on 24-2. Peter Siddle will bowl the first over. Cook 11 Pietersen 3*

Clarke is made to regret the decision not to have a short-leg when an inside edge drops safely, much to the relief of Pietersen. It's a very testing over from Siddle as another thick inside edge earns Pietersen a single. Just one run scored off the first six balls of the day. Cook 11 Pietersen 4*

No surprise from Clarke as Harris is given the duty of bowling the second over. Pietersen was caught by Bailey at mid-wicket in the first innings but he has no issue with striking a firm shot to the same area early in the over. A fuller delivery invites the drive and Pietersen reaches the rope with four down the ground. England make a steady start to the day.

It's day four in Brisbane, but it's still a very good pitch. It will be interesting to see how Lyon goes when he is introduced to the attack. Cook flicks the ball off his hip through square-leg. Beauty from Siddle later in the over as he gets one to nip pats Pietersen's outside edge. Excellent bowling from the seamer.

Cook sits deep in his crease to push a single into the off-side. Pietersen is flamboyant as ever when he whips three runs through mid-wicket off a fuller delivery. Harris is accurate, but Cook is solid on the back foot.

There's an almost a mix-up early in the over but Pietersen decides against attempting a risky single. Siddle delivers a ripper to beat the outside edge for the second time today. Smiles all round when Pietersen backs away and Siddle decides it's too late to hold the delivery back. Aleem Dar signals a dead ball, despite Pietersen finding the middle of the bat with a defensive stroke. A risky shot across the line earns Pietersen a couple on the leg-side. Two off the over. Cook 13* Pietersen 13

Cook has looked in very good form early on day four as he adds three to his tally with a clip off the pads. The concern for England will be that one wicket could bring a flurry of dismissals in the first session. Accurate from Harris, who hasn't really threatened yet.

Cook takes advantage of some width to guide two runs past Lyon at point. Siddle catches a thick outside edge but the ball drops well short of Warner in the gully. There is plenty of questions being asked of Cook just outside off-stump but the England skipper has handled the challenge well so far. Cook 18 Pietersen 13*

Good move from Clarke to turn to Lyon early in the first session. Will there be some turn for the spinner?

Shot! Confident start from Pietersen as he drills Australia's spinner through the covers for four. Lyon, approaching from around the wicket, gets his line wrong to gift the batsman a couple through fine-leg. Pietersen continues to bat with attacking intent as he flicks another two runs off the pads. A nudge into the leg-side hands the strike to Cook, who blocks out the rest of the over.

Pietersen picks up a single early in the over as Siddle continues his spell. Cook loves the ball on his hip and he shows his strength with a couple through square-leg. Siddle goes much fuller with the next delivery but an inside edge earns the England skipper another run. Pietersen is surprised by a short delivery which keeps low from Siddle, who will be encouraged by the uneven bounce. Cook 21* Pietersen 23

Cook cuts the ball very fine to pick up two runs off Lyon. The left-handed opener defends the next four balls, before ending the over by cutting confidently past point for a couple more runs. Good signs for England early on.

Big cheers from the home supporters as Mitchell Johnson is invited to begin his first spell of the day. Pietersen, in trademark fashion, opens the face of the bat to rush a single on the off-side. Johnson is very full to Cook, who pushes two past wide mid-on. Cook takes advantage of a straight delivery to earn two more through square-leg. England need 498 more runs to win. Yes, that much.

Lyon continues from around the wicket as Pietersen gets off strike with a flick through fine-leg. Plenty of runs to be scored in this pitch, I reckon. Early signs of uneven bounce are likely to be the main concern for England. A Cook single makes it two from the over.

Two runs on offer for Cook when he flicks a ful delivery off the toes. To be honest, England's batting duo have barely been troubled in the early stages of the day. Clarke is itching at second slip but he knows there is plenty of time left at the Gabba. Good over from Johnson. Cook 32 Pietersen 25*

Pietersen takes a big lunge forward to push Lyon down the ground for one. Cook is invited to drive outside off-stump and he's fortunate to see the ball slice away to safety. Width offered to the England skipper throughout the over but he fails to take advantage until the final ball, when he picks up three with a cut. Time for a drinks break.

Whisper it, but it's still a good pitch in Brisbane. No concerns for Australia yet though. Lyon is likely to bowl a lot of overs today.

Cook guides a wide one from Johnson into the off-side for a single.

Drinks always seems to bring wickets. Pietersen can't resist taking on the short delivery but his miscued effort gives substitute fielder Chris Sabburg an easy catch in the deep on the leg-side.Important breakthrough for the hosts.

Ian Bell is the new batsman for England. The hero from the summer leaves a couple of deliveries before reacting well to dodge a fierce bouncer from Johnson. Excellent over.

Lyon will be desperate to keep things tight from one end as Clarke looks to rotate the quicker bowlers. Cook is forced to stab his bat down at the last moment to keep out a quicker one from the spinner. Close! Cook is treated to a juicy full-toss but he fails to make contact with the bat and is fortunate to survive as the ball deflects to safety.

Bell gets off the mark with a push through the covers for one. Johnson comes around the wicket to target Cook with some shorter bowling but the opener isn't threatened by the new angle immediately. A sharp bouncer does require a duck. Good battle going on now.

Bell probably has the right to call himself one of England's finest players of spin but he didn't cover himself in glory when facing Lyon in the first innings. No mistakes yet from the new batsman. Maiden over.

Siddle returns to the attack to replace Johnson. Close! Cook misses out down the leg-side and he's very close to seeing the ball hit the stumps after clipping the thigh pad. Good cricket from the England skipper to hurry a quick run to wide mid-on. Decent return for Siddle. Cook 37* Bell 1

Lyon has no problem with attempting to invite the drive but Cook's response isn't firm enough to give him any runs through cover. A late cut hands England's skipper a couple to third-man. Smart bowling from the spinner.

You very rarely get a loose ball from Siddle. His accuracy seems to be one thing you can bank on when watching Australia play. Bell takes a step forward to push a single past the bowler. Just one run from a very good Siddle over.

Well, I can't say expected this move from Clarke. It's Steve Smith who comes into the attack to bowl his brand of leg-spin. Bell knows as well as anyone that you will get some terrible balls from Smith, who throws up a full-toss to concede just a single on the leg-side. Smith is too full for most of the over but England struggle to take advantage. Cook 39 Bell 3*

Siddle continues to look for his first wicket of the innings with some tight bowling early in the over. Not much freedom on offer for the England duo, who collect just two from six balls. Cook 39 Bell 3*

Smith is giving the ball as much chance to spin as possible and he's also finding some good bounce early in his second over. Shot! Too full from the spinner and Bell takes one step forward to drive four runs through extra cover. "Nice bowling, young sir," Haddin shouts as Smith improves towards the end of the over.

For the first time in the match Shane Watson is going to have a bowl. The all-rounder has been struggling with a hamstring problem but he does provide a good option for Clarke.

Watson could prove to be a very important bowler for the hosts in this series. He often seems reluctant with the ball in his hand but his accuracy is a good weapon. Good start for him. It's a maiden. Cook 39 Bell 7*

Four runs for Bell as he skips down the pitch to push a full-toss straight down the ground early in Smith's over. A shorter delivery is cut to deep cover for a single. Cook quickly hads the striker back to Bell, who drills four more past mid-on. Not much threat from the leg-spinner. I think this spell might be over soon. Cook 40* Bell 16

Australia will be happy to see Cook driving a ball straight to Rogers at short cover. England's skipper is eager to remain on the back foot to keep out Watson, who completes a second maiden over. Just under five minutes left in the session. Australia need seven more wickets for the win.

Lyon returns to bowl the final over of the session. A couple of runs are earned by Bell with a clip off the hip. Clarke responds by placing Warner at leg-gully and the fielder isn't far away from taking a difficult catch when Bell targets fine-leg again. Four off the over. Cook 40* Bell 20

LUNCH: It's still very hard work for the bowlers out there. Decent morning from England, who lose just one wicket in the session. They are now 463 runs behind. Clarke still has plenty of time to find those seven wickets.

We'll take a break during the lunch interval. Make sure you return in around 30 minutes as Ausralia continue their search for victims.

Welcome back everyone. Would England claiming a draw from this match be the greatest escape we've seen in Test cricket? Apart from Pietersen's dismissal, the tourists have looked pretty comfortable today. Cook and Bell look like they fancy their respective chances of recording a big score on a pitch which still looks in good shape.

The Australians won't be worrying just yet, though. There's still five sessions remaining in this match and that gives them plenty of time to find seven more wickets.

Australia might feel that the next breakthrough could be the crucial one. Joe Root is under big pressure on his first tour of Australia, while Matt Prior looks worryingly out of form.

The players are back out on the field now. Remember, the target is a massive 561. Johnson will bowl the first over of the session. Cook 40* Bell 20

Lyon is forced to act at fine-leg to prevent Cook from claiming more than two off the first ball in the over. A shorter delivery is pulled through square-leg for a single. Bell easily avoids a quick bouncer, before guiding the final ball over gully for two.

It's Harris who starts proceedings from the other end. The pitch seems to be slowing as Cook easily pulls a short ball away for one run. Bell follows his skipper by pulling a single of his own to fine-leg. Good start for Harris.

Johnson is both full and wide, which allows Bell to drive a single through extra cover. Cook works a run into the gap at square-leg. Johnson is firing the ball down at a good pace in just his second over since the lunch interval. No errors in Bell's game yet. Cook 45* Bell 24

Cook drives the ball firmly to Rogers, who is close in at mid-off. Rogers is in the game again just moments later as he chases down another drive from Cook to restrict the touring skipper to three runs. Tidy bowling from Harris, but it's not coming easy for the hosts today.

HALF-CENTURY! Cook is in an awful position today but he's delivering once again at the top of the order. England's captain passes 50 with a clever shot through third-man for four. Shot! It gets better from Cook as he guides a short ball over the slips for four more. Johnson is persisting with the short bowling but he's not carrying the same threat he did on day two, with this pitch looking a lot slower now. A single hands the strike to Bell, who drills two runs through point. 11 off the over. Cook 57* Bell 26

Beauty from Harris to beat Cook's outside edge from around the wicket. Australia have started the session aggressively in the field, with plenty of words being said by the fielders. Cook doesn't seem to be too bothered by the added attention. Maiden over.

Superb bouncer from Johnson but Bell reacts quickly enough to pull his gloves away from the danger zone. Rogers gets a hand on the ball at point to restrict Bell to a single when he drives to bring up the half-century partnership. Johnson is punished with a wide when his next bouncer is ruled to be too high. You won't win any prizes for guessing that Warner is the man with the most to say on the field. It's amazing what runs can do for a batsman. Cook 57 Bell 27*

Nice timing on show from Bell to collect two with a push down the ground. Harris responds with a bouncer but a pull through mid-wicket provides a couple more for Bell. Batting is looking easy at the moment.

Siddle returns to the attack and he immediately finds a thick edge, which earns Cook a couple. Outside off-stump is the best you can do when bowling to Cook. Siddle does just that throughout the over.

Shouts of catch from the slips when Bell drives well short of Lyon, who is in close at point. It's obvious how eager Clarke is to break this partnership as he looks on. Harris can't resist having a few words when he beats the outside edge with a delivery that hits one of the cracks. Bell shuffles across the crease to steal the strike with a single to mid-wicket.

Australia's impressive intensity since lunch has earned them another wicket. Bell is too late with his decision to leave a good delivery from Siddle and Haddin is able to take an easy catch off the outside edge. Big breakthrough for the hosts. Joe Root in next.

The volume has increased after that wicket and Root is another player under pressure following his failure in the first innings. Lovely line from Siddle to start outside off-stump before targeting the stumps. Root starts with five blocks. Australia need six more wickets to win.

Johnson's break doesn't last for long as Clarke once again turns to the left-arm seamer. Cook frustrates the home supporters when he steps away due to some movement behind the bowler's arm. It's the people in the posh seats causing the problems. Johnson approaches the line from around the wicket but he switches his length well throughout the over. Rogers dives to his right at cover to keep Cook on strike and there's an even better effort from Haddin, who is alert enough to stop four byes. Maiden over. Cook 59 Root 0*

There's some nice late movement from Siddle to give the home crowd something to gasp about. Root is clear that he doesn't want a run when he picks out Warner at gully. Shot! Root's balance at the crease is perfect as he drives straight down the ground. Not a bad way to get off the mark. Good bowling, better batting. Time for a drink in Brisbane.

Lyon is thrown the ball to begin a new spell after the break. Chance! The spinner should have a wicket with just the second ball of the over but Clarke can't react quickly enough at first slip to catch a top edge from Cook. England take advantage to add two runs. Ouch! I'm sure a few of the England players struggle to hide their smiles when Cook hammers the ball at Warner's leg from just a few feet away. Three from Lyon's over. Cook 64* Root 4

Channel 9 in Australia has just issued a thunderstorm warning. It's certainly got darker in the last few minutes, but there's no rain just yet. I'm not sure if the storm will be long enough to save England, though. Meanwhile, Siddle completes a maiden over back on the field.

Root sits deep in his crease to clip Lyon away for a single. Some good fielding on the off-side from Rogers restricts Cook to just a single when the England skipper chooses to cut. Lyon varies his pace nicely in the over but Root is still able to add another run to fine-leg.

RAIN STOPS PLAY: The storm is here! Cheers from the England supporters as the umpires take the players off the field with plenty of dark clouds surrounding the ground. Johnson is only able to deliver two ball in his new over. It looks like this could be a heavy storm but we'll have to see.

Local media have also issued a hail warning, so it's very difficult to predict how long this delay will last. Australia will be desperate to return to the field as soon as possible.

The ground staff seem to be pretty concerned as they cover the whole square inside the Gabba. It's very, very dark in Brisbane. After what happened in the summer, Australia won't want to see much more of this today.

Where are we in this game? Australia still need six wickets to win, while England are a massive 419 runs behind. Cook has played superbly for 65* but his partnership with Root (6*) is in its infancy.

I've never seen hail like this before. You have to feel for the stewards out in the middle as they take the punishment from the Brisbane weather.

Come on, admit it England fans. Have you been perfecting the rain dance at home today? You haven't got it quite right, because it's the hail causing all the problems at the moment.

Remember hiding in the corner of the room during thunderstorms when you were little? No? Was that just me? Well, it has been that kind of storm. Luckily for the Australians, it's just started to brighten up at the Gabba.

TEA: It's summer again in Brisbane! England won't be getting out of jail that easily. However, the umpires have decided to put the kettle on early.

No confirmation of a restart time yet from the umpires but the Brisbane Cricket Ground is famous for its excellent drainage system. There's still a lot of cricket to be played on day four.

The umpires are out in the middle inspecting the conditions, which have changed very quickly at the Gabba. It's looks decent out there already but I'm sure they'll allow the drainage system to do a bit more work.

I think Clarke will be targeting two or three more wickets in the final session of the day. If Australia can expose Stuart Broad, they'll be confident about wrapping up the game early tomorrow.

UPDATE: The umpires confirm that a full pitch inspection will take place in 20 minutes.

If I had to guess, I'd predict a restart time of 5:20am but cricket has proved me wrong plenty of times. Can England keep the battle going in the final session?

England are still 419 runs behind. I'm guessing that not many of you are backing a victory for the tourists. There's still four sessions of cricket left to be played in Brisbane. It would take a sensational effort from Cook's side to save this game.

What storm? It's a stunning scene in Brisbane now as the sun beats down once again. Gorgeous weather. The head of the ground staff has just suggested that play could resume in 30 minutes.

It could be a very important session for Joe Root. The game might have slipped away from England but if Root can score some runs, the tourists will be much stronger for the second Test. England haven't fired with the bat in a while and they need more than one player to find some form.

The inspection is underway at the Gabba and the main worry seems to be the moisture on the ground where the bowlers approach the crease. No word of a restart time yet.

UPDATE: The umpires aren't happy with the conditions yet, so they'll have another look at 5:15am. It looks like the hail did more damage than first predicted.

If England can end the day just four wickets down, would England supporters dare to think about a draw? It really would be a stunning achievement following the dominant display from Australia.

It's been over an hour since a ball was bowled in Brisbane. The umpires are heading out to the middle. I imagine both sets of supporters are crossing their fingers, but for very different reasons.

UPDATE: Play is going to restart in 15 minutes, which means that Australia have another 2 hours and 15 minutes to find some more wickets.

Cook (65*) and Root (4*) will return with a massive task ahead of them but their confidence will quickly grow if they can build a partnership in the final session of the day.

Apologies. I've just been informed that there can be play until 6pm local time (8.30am UK), so there certainly is a lot more cricket to be played. Bad light could see us finish slightly earlier. The players are almost ready to return.

45.4 overs are left to be bowled today. Johnson will get the action back underway by completing his over, with Root on strike at the moment. Play!

When Root smiles, it's difficult not to smile with him. The baby-faced assassin responds to Johnson's bouncer with a cheeky grin. It's not great bowling from Johnson on his return to the field. Root survives with ease. Cook 65* Root 6

Big wicket! Cook's impressive knock comes to an end when Lyon surprises the England captain with some bounce to catch the edge just as the cut shot was being executed. Great delivery from Lyon, top take from Haddin. Australia need five more wickets. Matt Prior, on a king pair, is the new batsman.

Prior avoids a pair by earning four through third-man, but he didn't have much control of that shot. Lyon seems to be getting some extra bounce. Excellent over.

Will Australia fancy their chances of winning tonight? Root's role is even more important now as he begins life with a new batting partner. There's some definite uneven bounce wide of off-stump when Johnson varies his length early in a new over. A 91mph bouncer breezes through to Haddin to prompt Johnson to direct a few more words at Root, who shows off that smile again. Maiden over. Root 6 Prior 4*

Prior flirts with a ball down the leg-side, despite the added threat of a leg-gully lurking. It's probably the most nervous I've seen Prior at the crease as he squares himself up to survive another ball.

Madness from Prior. England's player of the year cannot resist playing at another leg-side delivery and he pays the ultimate price as Warner takes a decent catch at leg-gully. Why has he played a shot? Australia edging closer to victory.

Shot! Broad decides there's no point in wasting time as he ignores the jeers to loft his second ball down the ground for four runs. Good over from Lyon.

The hosts gift Root a single as the whole of Australia set their sights on Broad. Johnson comes around the wicket to make his intentions even more obvious.

The short bowling has an immediate impact as Broad gloves the ball through to Haddin to give Johnson his third wicket of the innings. What a spell from the hosts since play restarted. Three more wickets needed for the win.

Australia are on the brink of a big, big win now! Swann's stay lasts for just two deliveries as he sends an outside edge into the safe hands of Smith at second slip. Johnson is on fire. Tremlett in next, with two balls left in the over.

Tremlett survives the rest of the over. Johnson is then given a standing ovation by the home supporters. What a match it's been for him.

Root shows Prior how it should be done as he allows a leg-side delivery to run away without a shot being offered. Lyon is full of confidence as he breezes through a maiden over. Tremlett will be on strike again.

Johnson starts with another fierce bouncer and Watson takes a catch off what looks to be the arm guard. REVIEW! Clarke decides to use up a review despite the lack of confidence around the bat. A quick replay confirms that the ball struck the arm. Good decision from Kumar Dharmasena. Tremlett continues to be tested and he takes a big risk with a prod past the fielder at short-leg. A nudge through point ensures that Tremlett will keep the strike.

Apparently there's some more rain on the way, so Australia need to get a move on if they are to wrap things up today. Lyon breezes through another over but he's greeted by some solid defence from Tremlett.

Root continues to stay on the back foot as he looks to keep out some more hostile bowling from Johnson, who will be desperate for a five-wicket haul. Johnson has had enough of the smiles from Root, so he follows a sharp bouncer with a grin of his own. A push through the covers brings a couple of runs. The ground staff are coming together on the boundary. It's getting dark again. Root 9 Tremlett 1*

Tremlett gets enough bat on the ball to survive what would have been a very strong lbw appeal. Good technique on show from Tremlett as he blocks out another maiden. The rain has started to fall.

Johnson's brilliant spell comes to an end as Harris returns to the attack. Root is trying to waste as much time as possible with the dark clouds closing in. Clarke is getting very edgy at slip now. Root picks up two runs with a flcik off the hip, before ending the over by driving four straight down the ground.

Smith is back into the attack as a replacement for the impressive Lyon. The leg-spinner is far too short early in the over but he does find a better length to Tremlett, who continues to defend well. No mistakes yet from England's number 10. Maiden over.

The rain is getting heavier at the Gabba, but the players remain on for now.

RAIN STOPS PLAY: The umpires decide the rain is too heavy now and they take the players off the field. It's frustrating for Australia. They're just two wickets away from a 1-0 lead.

That was superb from Australia. Johnson looked at his superb best in that aggressive spell. The hosts could be forced to wait for another day, but a victory looks inevitable now.

England have been completely outplayed. It's just that simple. Where do the tourists go from here? Most of the top order look worryingly short of form.

This shower certainly doesn't seem as bad as the thunderstorm we saw in Brisbane earlier on. The square is covered at the moment, but there's still plenty of time left in the day.

Cricket Australia have announced that if a fifth day is needed in Brisbane, then admission will be free. That's a nice touch.

Australia will be eager to finish the job as soon as possible, but the weather could have the final say today.

I've got some good news, if you're Australian. The rain clouds have moved on slightly and the sun has reappeared. There's still some light drizzle falling but the signs are good for Clarke's team.

The covers are being removed again now. That should be the last of the rain we see today at the Gabba. The umpires haven't confirmed when a full inspection will take place yet.

In fairness to the umpires, they seem eager to get the game back underway as they order the ground staff around in the middle. Maybe they've got a tee-time booked for tomorrow.

It's looking good for Australia now. That seemingly inevitable victory might not be too far away.

UPDATE: The umpires have confirmed that play will restart in 15 minutes. Australia should have over an hour to find those two wickets.

David Warner is wasting some time by offering the spectators and stewards some sweets. Where were Joe Root's treats that night in Birmingham?

Johnson has had the chance to take another break, so Clarke might throw him the ball again when the players return. Root (15*) and Tremlett (1*) will be at the crease for England.

The players are back out on the field and the umpires are happy for play to start again. It will be Harris who finishes off his over. Root on strike. Play!

Lovely shot from Root, who drives the ball past Harris for four runs. Harris finds the outside edge but there's no chance for the slips and Root sneaks a quick single. Lyon will take the ball from the other end.

Root is happy to take the single on offer and hand the strike to Tremlett, who is happy to stay on the back foot to keep out Lyon. I just wonder whether Clarke is tempted to bring back Johnson.

Clarke gives in to temptation and throws the ball to Johnson. The left-arm seamer comes around the wickets to target Root's stumps with a few full deliveries. A shorter ball is easily avoided by the batsman. It's a maiden, but not a very threatening one from Johnson.

Silly mid-off, short-leg, leg-gully, leg-slip, gully and three slips. All of those spaces are filled by Australians at the start of a new over from Harris. Tremlett nudges the ball through square-leg for two. Harris comes back with a good short delivery which misses the glove by a couple of inches. England are surviving, just. Root 21* Tremlett 3

Root clips the ball to fine-leg but decides against exposing Tremlett early in the over. Johnson is having a word with his rival after every ball but Root continues to smile away. It's another maiden.

Shot! Tremlett takes advantage of the fielders close to the bat by guiding Harris over point for four runs. Close! Australia aren't far away from their ninth wicket when Tremlett edges the ball just short of Haddin.

The short ball works again for Australia when Tremlett fends a bouncer to Bailey, who takes a decent catch at short-leg. Anderson is the only batsman left for England and he walks out to join Root, before blocking the final ball of the over.

Lyon is back into the attack to bowl the 78th over of the innings. Root is surprised by one that keeps low but he gets bat on ball to survive. A cut and a miss brings a groan from Haddin behind the stumps. Drama! It should all be over when Root attempts a risky single but Lyon disturbs the stumps before taking the ball at the non-striker's end. This game will go on for a bit longer.

Harris starts the over with a gorgeous line to beat the outside edge. He's probably a touch too wide for the rest of the over as Root watches a maiden pass him by. Anderson will be on strike for the next over. Johnson will return. Root 22 Anderson 0*

Well, there's still time for a few words at the Gabba. Anderson is furious with something Bailey has said and then Clarke gets involved too. The Australian captain uses some very colourful language to warn Anderson about the bouncers Johnson can bowl. Anderson struggles to deal with the second delivery, which misses the glove by an inch. I must say, Bailey does have a lot to say for himself on debut. Great attitude from Anderson to survive the over and he picks up two off the final ball.

It's not the nicest of endings out there as Clarke and Anderson meet in the middle of the pitch to exchange some more words. That could be revisited later in the series.

Clarke takes the second new ball from the umpires to give his bowlers an added threat. Root finds the gap in the slips but decides against taking a run. Shot! Root is probably looking for a single late in the over but it's four runs that are added to the total thanks to a clip through square-leg. Anderson will face Johnson again.

AUSTRALIA WIN THE FIRST ASHES TEST BY 381 RUNS: Johnson is the man to take the final wicket to complete his five-for when Anderson spoons the ball straight into the air. What a display from the hosts!

England started this game the better of the two teams but Australia have produced a fantastic fightback to secure a big win in Brisbane. They now lead the series 1-0.

It's been a gripping start to this Ashes series. Australia don't look like the side that had lost seven of their previous nine Test matches. We're in for a very special series this winter.

Adelaide is the next stop for these two teams when the second Ashes Test begins on December 5. How do England recover from this humiliating defeat? Can it get even better for the hosts?

Make sure stay on the site as we bring you reaction from both camps. Australia win by 381 runs. What a performance, what a Test match. Thanks for joining me over the past four days. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage and urge you to visit us again for the second Test. Goodbye.