Australia moved ever closer to victory in the second Ashes Test on the third day at Lord's today, finishing on 108 without loss to take a lead of 362 runs into day four.
Ben Stokes (87) and Alastair Cook (96) continued their resistance in the morning session to help England recover from a disastrous Friday, but both fell short of centuries as Australia bowled the hosts out for 312.
In response, David Warner and Chris Rogers built a 108-run opening partnership in the evening session after Michael Clarke opted not to enforce the follow-on.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for another day of Ashes action. England find themselves on the back foot going into the Saturday at Lord's but they were handed a glimmer of hope towards the end of yesterday's innings and will be hoping to build on that today.
It has very much been Australia's Test so far following their defeat in Cardiff in the Ashes opener, with the tourists absolutely dominating on the first day. They racked up the runs and lost just one wicket on Thursday to leave themselves in command, and England face a stiff ask in hauling the initiative back.
There was an improvement from England yesterday, but the main damage had already been done by the Aussies. England did manage to get seven wickets before Australia declared on 566, but the hosts' batting display on a nice pitch left a lot to be desired.
England find themselves beginning today on 85-4, which while being a poor score is certainly better than it looked like being at one point. The hosts were 30-4 at one stage yesterday, but a patient innings from Cook and some good play from Stokes saw England steady things a little.
One of the big questions today is how long that partnership can last for. Cook has played a slow, patient innings so far, and it remains to be seen how long he can keep that up for. He has made 21 of 85 balls so far, and that sort of approach may be the best route for England to go down. With rain forecast for tomorrow, a draw is perhaps England's best hope.
England have a way to go to even force a draw, however. they still trail the Aussies by 481 runs, and they need 282 to simply avoid the follow-on. They would consider today a relative success if they achieve that, but you feel that Cook and Stokes will need to continue their partnership for as long as possible for that to happen.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the hosts going into this match is Mitchell Johnson, who recovered from an under-par opening Test to rediscover some of his form from 18 months ago. His bowling was quick and accurate yesterday as he picked up two wickets, and he looks like he is in the mood to be the scourge of England once again.
Starc and Hazlewood both bowled well too for the Aussies, claiming one wicket apiece. The Australian bowlers took the pitch out of the equation as England failed to do, meaning that the hosts were unable to make the best of a good batting wicket.
Perhaps the highlight (from an Australian point of view) of the Test so far was the innings of Steve Smith, who showed exactly why he is rated so highly with a magnificent knock of 215. He was the first Aussie to hit a double centurion abroad since Jason Gillespie, and the first at Lord's by an Aussie since 1938.
England's assistant coach Paul Farbrace has just told Sky Sports News that it is simply a case of batting for as long as possible now. There is a day of patience and hard work ahead of the England batsmen, and in all likelihood it may the case that they are put in for two consecutive innings.
From an Australian point of view, today would be another successful day if they can bowl England all out for fewer than the 282 runs the hosts need to avoid the follow-on. If the visitors can get the England openers back out there before close of play today then it is hard to see how the hosts can save this Test.
Australia are already out there on the pitch waiting to get going here. They will certainly be relishing this day more than England will. Michael Clarke will just want more of the same from his bowlers - aggressive, fast and accurate.
If England were hoping of some help from the weather then they won't get it today. It is lovely at Lord's and the conditions are nigh-on perfect. Not much chance of rain delays today, although that might change over the next two days.
Not a bad start to the innings from Hazlewood! He sends the first ball right past the edge to give Stokes an early warning, and a few balls later catches that outside edge. The ball skews off in the air but lands safely and runs all the way to the boundary for a four. He turns the next one off his hip for two more, leaving him six short of his half-century.
Here comes Johnson to take on Cook! The Aussie bowler would strike fear into any English batsman in this form, but Cook remains composed as he was during his valuable innings yesterday evening. He grabs a couple of runs on the off-side before flicking away another single. Stokes's style is more attacking, of course, and he sends one up and over the slips for four before getting away with one on the last ball of the over.
Cook doesn't look like he will be ruffled easily this morning. He leaves a few wide ones from Hazlewood before finally being tempted into a nibble on the last ball of the over. It goes past the edge, however, which caps off a maiden.
Stokes successfully negotiates a few Johnson deliveries before getting one away down the leg side. He races to get back for two, which is a good sign that he is eager to take on Johnson. He tries going after a wider one on the next ball and misses, but he certainly seems to be up for the fight here. England bring up the 100, while Stokes is two away from a 50 himself.
Hazlewood doesn't bowl too many bad balls, but he is punished here. Cook is an expert at choosing the right deliveries to go for, and a shorter ball is just asking to be pulled away to the boundary for four. Later in the over the England skipper goes for a cut shot and almost drags it onto his own stumps, but he is safe and able to see out the rest of the over.
Johnson drills one into the legs of Stokes, which draws half of an appeal from the tourists but it was always going too high. The very next ball fizzes through, but Stokes punches the third through the covers for four to bring up his half-century off just 67 balls. That is three scores of at least 50 at Lord's this summer.
This has been a steady, encouraging start to the day from Cook and Stokes. The skipper flicks the opening ball of the over away for two to move him into the 30s, and then opens the face to nudge one away for four. His scoring rate is getting a little faster now, and the Aussie bowlers are beginning to alter their approach - a sign of Cook beginning to frustrate them.
Johnson begins the over with consecutive yorkers, and then catches the pad of Stokes. His appeal is halfhearted at best, with the ball going down leg side. A shorter delivery finally provides the first runs of the over as Stokes pulls it away for four.
Time for a bit of spin! Hazlewood is taking out of the attack in favour of Lyon, who finished yesterday with figures of 0-14. If they're looking to tempt Cook into being a little more adventurous then it hasn't worked - the skipper blocks the first five balls of the over before pushing one away for a single.
It turns out that Johnson is the man who has been taken out of the attack, with Hazlewood switching ends. He bowls some good length balls before being flicked away by Cook for a single that brings Stokes back on strike,but the latter can't add to his total in the remainder of the over. Stokes 56, Cook 36.
A chance goes begging for Australia as Lyon catches Cook's inside edge. The ball deflects onto the pad and loops up, but no-one is there to make the catch. Cook changes his approach in response, coming down the wicket to drive Lyon for four over the bowler's head.
Stokes begins the over with a four off Hazlewood to move into the 60s, and he may be starting to think of triple figures soon. His dreams of a century threaten to be cut short just a few balls later, however, as Australia review an lbw appeal after the umpire had rejected the initial claim from Hazlewood. The ball was pitching outside, though, so the on-pitch decision is upheld. Stokes ends the over with a single, which brings up a vital 100 partnership.
Interesting from Stokes as he looks to cut a wider ball from Lyon away. He could nick a run despite not catching it perfectly, but they turn it down. A few balls later he sends one away for three to leave England 433 behind.
Mitchell Starc is brought into the attack for Australia, and he starts off with a maiden bowling to Stokes. The final ball of the over catches an inside edge but skews off to safety, although not far enough for England to sneak a run.
Cook grabs a single to bring Stokes on strike against Lyon, and he looks like he might want to attack the spinner again, just as he did last night. He pulls one away for a couple of runs before adding another single to take us into drinks.
Starc gets us back underway after drinks and his first delivery of the over stays low and just beats the bat. Stokes responds with a couple, before being limited to a single by some good fielding when the ball may have otherwise gone all the way for four. That brings Cook onto strike, and he will begin the next over too having nicked a single off the final ball.
Just a single from the over for Cook as he continues to keep his patience against Lyon. Not even Stokes attacks the spinner this time, as England continue to edge ever closer to avoiding the follow-on.
Cook gets away with one here, edging the ball towards the slips. It doesn't carry, though, and the fielders are unable to stop it from squirming away towards the boundary. England are limited to just the two, and Cook adds another couple later in the over to move within three of a patient and well-crafted half-century.
England bring up the 150, but more importantly it is also a half-century for Cook. He brings it up with a quick three - the 142nd ball he has faced in this innings. It hasn't been the most exciting half-century you will ever see, but it has been a crucial one from the skipper. He and Stokes have certainly steadied the innings following England's nightmare start last night.
Starc drills a short ball in which Stokes looks to pull away, but he doesn't catch it right and only gets a single. That's something of a missed opportunity for the batsman. Just two off the over.
Steve Smith was majestic with the bat over the first two days, and now he's been thrown the ball to do more damage to England. He throws a poor full toss with his second delivery but only gets hit for one, and Cook gets another single to bring Stokes back on strike. Smith sends a short one down on the final ball of the over, and he is punished by Stokes, who drills it away for four.
Stokes and Cook continue to plod along nicely in this morning session, keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a single apiece in this over. Australia have had very little joy with the ball today, with that failed review the only hint of troubling the batsmen so far.
Smith is given another over, and again he loops up a full toss which is flicked away for three. An attempted googly stays low and just about reaches Cook after one bounce, which draws a laugh from the England captain after he cut it away.
Michael Clarke continues to look for a way to get these two out, and this time he turns to Marsh in an effort to shake things up a bit. It almost works too as Stokes swings at a wide one and gets a genuine edge towards the slips. It goes between two fielders, though, and Stokes escapes with a four when third slip would have eaten that up. Another boundary completes the over to leave Stokes on 87.
Two overs is quite enough for Steve Smith, so Mitchell Johnson is brought back into the attack as the bowling merry-go-round continues for the Aussies. Maybe Smith might be called back after Johnson sends an errant delivery way down the leg side, leaving Nevill no chance as it races away for four.
WICKET! STOKES (87) B MARSH
HUGE wicket for Australia just before lunch. Stokes's superb knock comes to an end just 13 short of a century as a Marsh delivery stays low and the batsman drags the ball onto his own stumps. That has just soured what has been a very good session for England.
In comes Buttler to see out the remainder of the over and he gets off the mark by flicking a four away on the last ball. The most important thing for England now is to reach lunch without the loss of any more wickets. They are 188 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
Ouch! That is a really painful one for Cook as he catches a Johnson bouncer right on the point of his elbow. On comes the physio to attend to the skipper, who will be thankful that he has lunch just around the corner. I doubt Mitchell Johnson will make it pleasant for him until then, though. Sure enough, Johnson bangs the very next ball in short, but Cook plays it well and is able to see out the over.
LUNCH: Cook seems to be alright now as he races for a single to get on strike, although he is quickly back off after scurrying for one of his own. That takes us through to lunch, with England trailing by 385.
England reach lunch on 181-5 needing another 186 runs to avoid the follow-on. It was a very good session for the most part from an English point of view, but that wicket of Stokes just before lunch is a big blow for the hosts. Stokes went for 87 and had built a very good partnership with Cook, so to have broken that before lunch is exactly what Michael Clarke would have wanted.
Of course, despite this being a decent session for England, a lot of damage has already been done by Australia. The hosts are still a long way behind and some distance from even avoiding the follow-on, so they need another good partnership or two before the Aussies get to the tail.
Right, we'll take a break during lunch, but be sure to rejoin us in around half an hour when we will bring you all of the action from the afternoon session at Lord's.
Welcome back! We're just minutes away from the start of the afternoon session at Lord's, with England facing a battle to avoid the follow-on. It is simply about building long-lasting partnerships for the rest of today, and if the likes of Cook, Buttler and Ali can stay at the crease for a while then a draw could be on the cards.
For Australia, they will want to finish off this England innings by the end of the day, but they haven't had too much joy with the ball so far today. The wicket of Stokes shortly before lunch was a key moment for the tourists after a largely frustrating morning session,
This is still Australia's match, though, with England needing 186 runs to avoid the follow-on. Cook and Buttler will start this session at the crease, with the former having passed his half-century courtesy of a very patient innings. Buttler also managed to get off the mark before lunch, but he is still very much in the early stages of his innings.
Here we go, then. The afternoon session will begin with Johnson bowling to Cook, who resumes on 56.
The second ball of the session brings a half-hearted appeal from those behind the stumps, but it was never one for the umpire to take seriously. Johnson continues to test Cook with a couple of short balls after catching him on the elbow just before lunch, but the England skipper deals with them well. Maiden to start.
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Michael Clarke opts for Mitchell Starc at the other end, but he gets hit through the covers for four to get England off the mark in this session. Overall not a bad over from Starc, though.
England almost throw the wicket of Buttler away as Johnson pounces on his own delivery quickly to almost claim a run-out. Buttler recovers and would have probably just about been in had Johnson hit the stumps. The next one is pulled away for a single by Cook, but Buttler then hangs his bat out and is relieved to see a delivery narrowly avoid the edge.
Australia think they have the wicket of Buttler, but the umpires go to the video ref and he deems it to be NOT OUT! Nevill did a magnificent job of seemingly catching an edge down low to his right, and it is still a fine piece of wicket-keeping even though the replays show that it just touched the ground. Let-off for England.
That was a very close call with regards to the catch, but it looks like the third umpire got the decision right. Anyway, Starc begins the next over with five dot balls before being cut away for four by Cook to finish. The skipper moves into the 60s.
Similar story in the next over as Johnson keeps things tight until the final ball, when Buttler sends him through the covers. Hazlewood can't cut it out and Rogers isn't quick enough to prevent it going all the way to the boundary as Buttler moves into double figures.
Cook sends a Starc delivery right back where it came from, driving him down the ground for a couple of runs. Nevill does well to stop a skidding low ball later in the over, while the final delivery sees Cook claim a single leg bye.
DROP! Big chance for Australia to get rid of Cook as he pulls a bouncer straight to Smith, who can't hold on. It arrived at him very quickly and it would have been a decent take, but he will be annoyed to have not caught that there. Cook sends the next ball away for four to increase Johnson's frustration and take England past the 200 mark. A single then completes the over.
Lovely shot from Cook as he sends one through mid-on for four, taking him into the 70s. He then hits another fine one to the boundary, sending a textbook cover drive for another four. The skipper is edging ever closer to what would be an impressive century.
WICKET! BUTTLER (13) C NEVILL B LYON
Clarke brings Lyon back into the attack, and the spinner immediately makes the breakthrough. His delivery gets the slightest of edges from Buttler which takes it through to Nevill, although the umpires don't seem too sure at first. Buttler is not hanging about, though. He knows he nicked it and, to his credit, he was walking before the finger went up. It was the faintest of edges, though.
Ali comes in and is almost quickly back to the pavilion, sending one in the air towards Hazlewood. However, the Australian is rooted to the spot and the ball doesn't carry, although some more active fielding there could have seen him make that catch. Ali then gets off the mark with a single.
Ali looks to have settled fairly quickly at the crease, and he is already showing signs of being aggressive as usual. He finds the boundary with a lovely drive off the bowling of Starc, but then is a little fortunate to get away with another one in the air. He clips the ball off his hip, but it is wide of Rogers and runs all the way for four more.
I've just seen a replay of the umpire's reaction to that Buttler dismissal, and he was shaking his head giving not out before he saw the batsman walking away! Good sportsmanship from Buttler, and the Aussies will no doubt be making sure that Broad is aware of that. Just one off the last over.
A change in the bowling for Australia as Hazlewood comes back into the attack, and Cook hooks a short one to the boundary for four, despite mistiming his shot a little. Hazlewood then sends one far too wide that neither Nevill or first slip can stop, and that goes for four byes.
Good, attacking play again from Ali as he sweeps a Lyon delivery out to deep square leg for four. That is all that comes from the over, but Ali certainly doesn't seem to be tempering his own style to suit England's needs here.
Cook continues to creep towards triple figures with two flicked off to the leg side, leaving him on 83 from 210 deliveries. His patience almost cracks towards the end of the over, however, as he nibbles at one that he would usually leave well alone. He gets away with it, though, which takes us through to drinks.
Ali begins the over with a single to bring Cook on strike, and the skipper hits his favoured cut to the boundary to add four more to the total. That is bread and butter for a player like Cook, and he hooks the next one away for a single too. Ali adds one more off the final ball, leaving England 126 runs short of the follow-on.
Six more from the over, although four of those come via byes. Ali just tickled it down the leg side and the ball beat the keeper before running all the way to the boundary.
Good running from England as Ali nudges one away into the off-side for a quick single to make it two for the over. Ali is now on 18, while Cook is on 89 and looking comfortable.
Maiden over from Marsh to keep England 317 behind. At the other end, Nathan Lyon has been restored to the attack with just five overs until the new ball.
Cook brings up the 250 with a single on the leg-side, and that also takes him into the nervous 90s, which draws a ripple of applause from the Lord's crowd, and that applause turns into cheers when Ali casually hits Lyon for SIX straight down the ground. Brilliant shot.
A straight push down the ground gives Cook two more, although the running on that occasion was a little reserved. There was probably another one there had they really gone for it, but there is no need to run on the final ball of the over as Cook sends it away to the boundary to move to 96.
Ali mistimes one big hit but is fortunate that it doesn't carry to mid-off. He is caught on the pads a couple of balls later and the umpire says no, but Australia will review this one...
NOT OUT! Hawkeye says that the ball was pitching in line and just clipping the stumps, but it is the umpire's call so the on-field decision stands. Let-off for Ali, and he makes the most of it by hitting the next ball for four.
WICKET! COOK (96) B MARSH
Big blow for England as Cook departs just four runs shy of his century. It is a very similar dismissal to that of Stokes, down to the same bowler getting the scalp. Cook catches it with an inside edge and drags on to his own stumps before sinking to his knees in disappointment. A fine innings comes to an end, and it could be the beginning of the end for England.
Broad plays and misses at one that goes through to the keeper, but the noise was bat on pad rather than bat on ball. A couple of deliveries later he completely misjudges a shorter ball, before seeing one more skip past the edge. Not exactly a confident start from every Australian's favourite Englishman.
Ali hasn't come down the wicket much so far, but he really attacks Lyon here. The ball flashes past Lyon in the air and it will go down as a missed chance, although it would have been a superb piece of fielding had he caught it. The ball runs for four before Ali gets a single to put Broad on strike, but he can't get off the mark.
It's time for the new ball, which means Starc and presumably Johnson will return to the attack now. A single from Ali means that Starc will have a chance to go at Broad, who really is not looking comfortable out there at the moment. His timing and judgement are well off, and he is missing the ball by quite a distance.
Johnson sends a short ball in towards Ali on the opening ball of the over, but the batsman deals with it well to pull the ball away for a single. Unsurprisingly another bouncer follows to Broad, and he then finally gets bat on ball with a defensive shot. His first runs arrive on the final ball of the over, and a mistake in the field sees him pick up two.
TEA: Ali fends a short ball off for a good three runs, meaning that once again Broad is in the bowler's sights. He seems to be easing into it a little now, though, picking up two more of his own. Four more byes arrive as Nevill can't reach a bouncer that flies over his head, and Broad picks up a single to cap off an expensive over. That's tea.
England are still going at tea, then, which will please the hosts. They have batted pretty well today and, while Stokes and Cook both fell short of their centuries, they have played a pivotal role in keeping England in this one. They are still 82 away from avoiding the follow-on.
The initiative in the match as a whole is still certainly with Australia, but England have done well to salvage something after the first two days. They still have a long, long way to go, but their position is a lot stronger now than it was yesterday evening.
Mitchell Marsh is the man who has done the most damage from a bowling point of view today, taking two key wickets both via drag-ons. Stokes went for 87 just before lunch following an important partnership with Cook, while the skipper himself was also dismissed by Marsh.
The wicket of Buttler is the other one to have fallen so far today, although he may not have gone had he not been so honest. Buttler was on his way back to the pavilion before the umpire gave him out, although in all likelihood Australia would have succeeded on appeal.
There have been one or two other notable incidents throughout the day, including a catch from Nevill that was ruled not out on review. The wicketkeeper did brilliantly to get to the ball, but there was contact with the ground despite him having it under control in his hand. It was a very close call, but it went the way of the hosts.
At the crease for England now are Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad, the former of whom has enjoyed a good spell with the bat so far. He is playing some nice shots and looks comfortable, which is certainly more than what can be said for his partner out there. Broad made an unconvincing start to his innings, but is finally off the mark now.
Hazlewood will begin the evening session bowling to Broad. England trail by 281...
Three from the opening over of the session, and encouragingly for England Broad looks to be timing the ball a lot better now. He wants to come back for two on the final ball, but Ali just wants the one.
Close to a breakthrough for the tourists as Broad gets the ball just over Warner at point. There was nothing the fielder could have done about that, although they do prevent it from going for four as Broad settles for two. A half-appeal follows later in the over, but the ball was going down leg and the umpire shakes his head.
This is more like it from Broad! He clubs one away for a quick couple, before ending up in a heap on the floor having pulled another for a single.
WICKET! ALI (39) LBW B HAZLEWOOD
Hazlewood gets the big wicket of Ali, leaving England's tail fully exposed now. It looks out in normal time, but Ali chooses to appeal. He doesn't look entirely convinced himself, and the review shows that it was as plum an lbw as you will ever see. Halfway up middle stump, in line.
In comes Wood, and he successfully sees out the over. England now need 73 to avoid the follow-on - can Broad, Wood and Anderson make it?
Broad notches up three more runs to add to his tally, which now stands at 16. Wood gets off the mark himself on the final ball of the over, sending one over the top that the fielder just can't prevent going for four. That also sees England bring up their 300.
Attacking play from Broad as he dispatches one to the boundary after Hazlewood had sent it down a little wide. He misses another attempted slog later in the over, however, and I suspect that it may not be too long before his gung-ho approach sees his knock come to an end. These are important runs to add to the total, though.
WICKET! WOOD (4) B HAZLEWOOD
It's Wood who goes first as he also tries swinging at a Hazlewood delivery. The ball knocks over his off stump, and Wood is on his way back to the pavilion having made just four runs. Only Jimmy Anderson to come for the hosts now, with 61 needed to avoid the follow-on.
Maiden over from Johnson, despite Broad looking to attack pretty much every single delivery. He can't connect with any of them, though, and England remain on 306-9.
Jimmy Anderson gets himself off the mark with a four, punching the ball down the ground to draw big cheers from the Lord's faithful. He then nudges another away for a couple more to claim six off the over.
WICKET! BROAD (21) C MARSH B JOHNSON
England are bowled all out for 312, leaving Australia with a commanding first-innings lead. Clarke has the choice whether to enforce the follow-on, but he decides against it, sending his openers in to get ready. The Aussies will have another bat as they look to further extend their 254-run advantage.
Broad was the last man to go, edging a Johnson delivery to the slips, where the sub Marsh took it very well. It looked for a split second like it might just fly between the two slips, but Marsh made a good grab. A job well done by Australia since lunch in particular today.
There is still plenty of time to go in this Test, with Australia having the final couple of hours this evening and then two more days to close out the victory. That is why Clarke has decided against enforcing the follow-on, giving his bowlers time to rest before they look to rip into the England lineup again.
England are out and ready for their stint back in the field. It will be interesting to see how the Aussie batsmen approach this session. I'd expect them to be fairly attacking with such a big lead already.
It will, of course, be Warner and Rogers to get us underway for Australia's second innings. Jimmy Anderson, meanwhile will open up the bowling...
Australia get off the mark with Rogers getting a couple off his hip. That will bring Warner onto strike against Broad, and I think we can expect some shots to be played here...
Maiden over from Broad to start his session off, with Warner making a slower start than expected.
Lovely shot down the ground for four from Rogers, but Anderson responds with a fine delivery that just beats the edge on the very next ball. Anderson very nearly gets an early wicket as Warner edges it to slips, but Lyth goes for it with his hands the wrong way and drops a big chance.
Broad finally gives up his first runs of his spell as Rogers flicks him away for three, with Ali racing after it to prevent a boundary. That is followed by another two from Warner, who will be keen to take full advantage of his let-off in the last over.
A short one from Anderson ties Rogers up in knots as he ducks to get out of the way of it and just about manages to avoid being hit. He is gifted an extra run later in the over courtesy of a misfield from Ali, before dismissing another short ball for four at fine leg.
Good over from Broad as he troubles Warner with a few deliveries and claims a maiden in the process. It has been a relatively solid start from both the bowlers and the batsmen here.
Positive running from Australia as Rogers scampers for a quick single off the opening ball of the over. There is no need to run later in the over, however, as Warner produces a lovely cover drive for four. Anderson responds with a good ball to finish the over, but it just flies past the edge.
Rogers is looking in pretty good shape again in this second innings, which doesn't bode too well for England considering the damage he did in the first. He flicks one off his hip for a single and, having been put back on strike, punches one down the ground for three more.
It's time for a bit of spin for England. Ali comes into the attack, but Warner is a little cautious of going after him initially. Eventually he does dance down the wicket, however, finding the gap to finish the over with a four.
There is a change at the other end too, with Wood being brought in. He kicks his stint off with a maiden, bowling decent length to keep England's deficit at 291.
Warner has been disciplined up against Ali so far, and he waits for the right ball to drive it through extra cover for four. Those are the only runs from the over, though, leaving Rogers on 21 and Warner on 19.
Four more runs from Warner through extra cover extend Australia's lead to 300, and they bring up the 50 with four more off the final ball of the over. They're going along at a good pace here as we go into drinks.
Wood races across to prevent another boundary from Rogers, who runs for three instead off Ali. Again the Aussies are unable to really get at Ali, though, with no further runs coming from the over.
A maiden over from Wood ends with half an appeal, but the ball hit the bat first so the umpire was never likely to seriously entertain that thought.
Warner turns one away down the leg side and trots back in for two before getting a warning from the umpire for running on the pitch. He finishes the over with a single, putting him back on strike to face Wood.
Warner adds another single to his tally to move onto 31, and Rogers joins him in the 30s with a four down to third man followed by a single of his own. So far, so good for the Aussies, who are looking very comfortable at the crease right now.
Just one off the over for Rogers, and that may be the last time we see Ali with the ball tonight. Australia's lead stands at 317 now.
Ben Stokes comes into the attack for England and he is immediately whisked away to the boundary for four. The next one goes in a similar place but is limited to two runs this time. He isn't looking entirely comfortable at the moment, limping and wincing on his way back, so his spell may not be too long here.
Ali finally gets something out of the pitch, beating the bat of Warner with a good bit of spin. He cuts one away for three a few balls later, but in general he has been relatively reserved against Ali so far.
Stokes does come back for more after all, despite not moving too freely. Warner picks up two before sending the ball into the ground and up in the air. He has to watch it carefully so that it doesn't sneak onto his own stumps, but a second defensive shot makes things safe.
Two off the over from Rogers as he moves onto 38 from 62 balls. Both he and Warner are going along very nicely here, and this is a useful opening partnership.
A misfield hands Warner a couple of runs, and he adds two more with a drive through the covers. Two more fours make for an expensive over from Stokes as Warner moves onto 49 off just 70 deliveries.
50! Wood bangs a short one in to Rogers, who pulls it away for a single that is fielded by Ali. Ali is called upon again, but this time a poor throw allows Warner to steal an extra run. That takes him past 50 and puts this opening partnership into the 90s.
Some more sloppy fielding gifts Australia extra runs off the bowling of Joe Root, who has been given a stint towards the close of play on day three. He sends a wide delivery to Rogers, who takes full advantage to cut it away for another boundary that takes him into the 40s.
Wood continues in the attack, but his pace has been down so far in this session. Warner drives one down the ground for four that brings the 100 up for Australia, and the 100 partnership as well. Wood responds on the very next ball with a delivery that draws a muted appeal, but the umpire says no.
Right on cue, a woman in the crowd was shown on the big screen and then missed her seat when trying to sit down. It is shown again in slow motion on the big screen, which draw huge cheers from the crowd, and the woman laps up the moment of fame. Back in the middle, Warner tickles one away for four before defending the final ball of the day.
STUMPS: Australia lead by 362 runs
Day three of the second Ashes Test comes to an end at Lord's and it has been Australia's day yet again. England started well, with Stokes and Cook both making substantial scores only to fall just short of triple figures. In the end, Australia bowled the hosts out for 312, and will resume tomorrow at 108 without loss.
England deserve credit for the way they battled to 312 having found themselves 30-4 at one point yesterday evening, and the knocks of Stokes and Cook were particularly impressive. It is still very much Australia's game, though, and they are in complete control. England can only hope for the draw now, so they will want the rain to come tomorrow morning.
That brings an end to our coverage of this Saturday at Lord's. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for another day of Ashes action as Australia edge ever closer to victory in the second Test. Be sure to check back in with us tomorrow for day four!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
