Live Commentary: The Ashes - Fifth Test, day two - as it happened

Hello everyone. Day two of the fifth Ashes Test is just 30 minutes away and hopes of an Australian whitewash are still very much alive. England once again had their chances in the first innings but Steven Smith and Brad Haddin performed a brilliant escape act.

After posting a very competitive 326, thanks to Smith's 115 and yet another half-century from Haddin, it got even better for the hosts when Mitchell Johnson sent Michael Carberry packing for a duck in the closing stages of the day. Alastair Cook (7*) and nightwatchman James Anderson (1*) will return with their side 318 runs behind.

In every match of this series Australia have been in some sort of trouble in their first innings but England have never been able to take full advantage, with Haddin scoring runs at the most difficult of times throughout the series. However, it was Smith who reached three figures yesterday as his reputation with the bat continues to grow.

At 97-5 it seemed like England would finally be able to end this terrible series on a high but we head into the second day with Australia the favourites to win the fifth Test match. It's a good day for batting. However, that hasn't stopped the tourists missing out during this tour already.

Johnson was at his brilliant best in a three-over spell yesterday. The leading wicket taker in the series was moving the ball both ways at over 90mph and Carberry had no answer before being superbly caught at leg-slip by Nathan Lyon. If Johnson bowls like that again today, it's going to be very difficult for England.

Anderson might not be looking forward to facing the Australian seamers today but Cook will be desperate for the nightwatchman to hang around for as long as possible. England must get close to the 326 posted by Australia, or they'll be heading for another heavy defeat.

This pitch will still offer plenty of help to the fast bowlers early on today, with the ball being only six overs old. It's the kind of track where you never quite feel fully in but England can't go looking for excuses on day two.

One of the remarkable statistics to surface in this series is that England's final five wickets in the first four Tests have been worth 218 runs, while Australia's lower order had added 842 ahead of this match. After yesterday's play, that total was increased to 1,071.

It's not the time for England to be checking facts and figures, they've got one job today and that is to bat well. Cook, in particular, really cannot afford to fail at the top of the order. Clarke will be positive and give his bowlers every chance to take wickets in the first session.

The players are heading out to the middle now with play just five minutes away. Clarke won't have to say too much to his team. I'm not sure when the last time I saw a team play with as much confidence as this Australian side. What does Anderson do today? Can he attack and add a few valuable runs?

It's the biggest cliche in Test cricket but the first session is definitely going to be crucial today. If Australia can pick up a couple of early wickets, they'll fancy their chances of dismissing the tourists cheaply.

Cook marches out to the middle, with Anderson following closely behind. England start the day 318 runs behind Australia. Ryan Harris will bowl the first over on day two. Play!

Disaster for England! Harris strikes with the second ball of the day when Cook leaves one that nips back to trap him lbw. No review needed on this occasion. It's a huge wicket for the hosts. England in big trouble.

Drop! Oh my word. What a start to the day in Sydney. Harris should have two wickets in two balls when he catches Ian Bell's outside edge but Shane Watson puts down a routine chance at first slip. That's a big opportunity missed. Close! Bell is threatened twice more as Harris sends one past the edge before England's number three chips one just short of mid-on. The day starts with an incredible wicket maiden.

Johnson's arrival is greeted with a big roar from the SCG crowd and he immediately makes life uncomfortable for Anderson, who chips the ball a few feet short of Rogers at cover. Lyon is at leg-slip once again and he's in the game early on to stop a flick off the pads. Johnson responds with a fierce bouncer but Anderson gets a glove on the ball to pick up a single. Bell leaves the final two deliveries of the over. Australia are all over England. Anderson 2* Bell 0

There's a delay before the start of the over, with Anderson feeling the pain in his hand but it wasn't the bouncer that did the damage from Johnson. The nightwatchman appeared to be struck on the thumb when he attempted to get forward. He'll be fine to continue. Anderson is twitchy early in the over and Bell is forced to send his partner back after rejecting a call for an optimistic single. Close! The inevitable short ball hits high up on the bat but Anderson manages to avoid being caught by George Bailey at short-leg. Anderson sneaks a single off the final ball to steal the strike.

Johnson starts a new over with another sharp bouncer but Anderson picks up four runs in fortunate fashion with a top edge over Haddin's head. The slips are left frustrated when the batsman flashes at a couple of wider deliveries.

Anderson's 24-ball stay as nightwatchman comes to an end when Johnson catches the outside edge, with Clarke taking a good low catch to his right at second slip. England still trail by 312 runs.

There's a hint of movement back in towards Pietersen, who starts his innings with a couple of defensive strokes. The SCG is rocking at the moment. England need a big partnership from these two.

REVIEW! Harris nips the ball back to hit Bell on the front pad but Aleem Dar is quick to shake his head. Clarke, Haddin and Harris come together and the Australian skipper uses the first of his reviews. Dar is proved right when Hawkeye shows the ball would have missed leg-stump. A thick outside edge is well stopped by Warner at gully as Harris keeps the pressure on with a maiden over. This is fantastic from the two seamers. Bell 0 Pietersen 0*

Pietersen briefly considers hooking early in a new over before wisely pulling his bat away from the ball. He gets off the mark a few moments later with a couple of runs through fine-leg. Close! Oh, Kevin. The critics would have been out in force again had Pietersen got an outside edge on a wild drive outside off-stump. A risky single increases the tension out in the middle a little bit more. Three from the over. England trail by 309.

Harris looks dangerous with every ball he bowls as a thick outside edge drops about a yard short of Lyon at point.

Just when you think it can't get any worse for the tourists, Harris claims the big wicket of Pietersen to reduce England to 17-4. It's another loose shot outside off-stump and Watson makes no mistake on this occasion with the catch at first slip.

How are your nerves Gary Ballance? The Yorkshire batsman walks to the crease for the first time in Test cricket with his side under huge pressure. An optimistic appeal is quickly abandoned by the hosts as Harris immediately finds a great length to the left-handed debutant. Ballance survive his first four balls. England need a special knock from him.

Johnson is too wide early in his over but he does manage to test Bell's defence with a couple of shorter deliveries aimed at the ribs. Clarke may turn to Siddle to replace Johnson. Maiden over. Bell 0 Ballance 0*

Ballance collects his first runs in Test cricket with a drive through the covers for three runs. Bell gets off the mark a few moments later with a couple thanks to a nudge into the leg-side. Harris bowls a superb line and length for the rest of the over, with Bell always just a couple of inches away from getting a genuine edge on the ball. You won't see many better spells than this one from Harris.

It is Siddle who comes into the attack to replace Johnson. Ballance misses out on a possible boundary when he cuts a loose delivery to the fielder at point. Siddle gets one to just hold its line outside off-stump to encourage Ballance into a false shot on the front foot. It's a maiden from Siddle. Bell 2* Ballance 3

Changes at both ends from the hosts as Harris makes way for Watson. The all-rounder immediately settles on an excellent length just outside off-stump, with Bell fighting the urge to play at the deliveries that shape away a touch. Great start from Watson. Maiden.

Siddle nips one back to strike Ballance's back thigh pad but any suggestion of bat being involved is quickly dismissed by Marais Erasmus. A single hands the strike to Bell, who can consider himself lucky to be out there after Watson dropped him first ball.

England fans, look away. Siddle catches the edge with a beauty and there's no luck for Bell this time as Haddin takes a routine chance behind the stumps. A 5-0 whitewash now seems inevitable and we're not even in the second innings. England still trail by 303.

Ben Stokes produced something magnificent with the bat at the WACA but he's got to do something special to help his side post any type of respectable total in this innings. The all-rounder leaves the first two balls he faces. England are still 22 runs short of their lowest ever total in Test cricket. It's the nightmare that never ends.

Ballance breathes a sigh of relief when a thick inside edge drops short of the waiting Bailey, who still has the helmet on at short-leg. A flick off the pads brings two runs through square-leg. The Yorkshire ace, compared to his teammates, looks pretty solid out there. Ballance 6 Stokes 0*

Close! Siddle is convinced that he's caught the edge but Haddin isn't interested after taking the catch. A replay proves that any noise came from the bat clipping the pad. Stokes is more than happy to block out a maiden over. We've had 20 overs of the innings. Five wickets have fallen for just 25 runs. You think it can't get any better for Australia but then they produce a display like this one.

Ballance takes the run on offer when he nudges Watson into the leg-side. Stokes finds the middle of the bat with a flick through mid-wicket for a couple. Watson is disappointed with himself when he waste a couple of deliveries by straying slightly wider. Ballance 7* Stokes 2

Ballance is caught in two minds outside off-stump and he'll be relieved to see a deflection run along the floor to Clarke in the slips. Siddle completes another maiden and he's now conceded just one run from his four overs. Excellent bowling. The deficit is 298.

Clarke obviously feels like Australia have gone too long without taking a wicket and he responds by throwing the ball to Harris. Shot! Stokes takes advantage of rare poor delivery from the seamer to drive down the ground for four runs. The all-rounder leaves the ball well outside off-stump before stealing the strike at the end of the over with a quick single Ballance 7 Stokes 7*

Close! Stokes breathes a huge sigh of relief early in a new over. Siddle finds the inside edge but Haddin isn't convinced that the ball has carried, so the umpires send the decision upstairs. The wicketkeeper's first instinct was correct, with replays suggesting the ball just hit the ground before settling in the gloves. Stokes becomes the first batsman to reach double figures in the innings with three runs through square-leg. Ballance 7 Stokes 10*

Superb from Rogers to keep Stokes on strike with a brilliant piece of fielding to stop a firm cover drive. Close! Harris is not far away from a third wicket when Stokes drags the ball just past his stumps with a miscued shot. Ballance joins his partner in reaching double figures with a fine shot through the covers for four.

Ballance and Stokes are fighting back but they face another tough battle now as Johnson returns to the attack. The seamer goes full to Stokes, who nudges a single into the leg-side. Haddin takes a stunning diving catch down the leg-side but Ballance fought the urge to flick the ball away, with Lyon also a threat at leg-slip. It's not Johnson's best over and Ballance punishes a bit of width at the end of the over by cutting though the off-side for four. Stokes 12* Ballance 15

Stokes splits the fielders on the leg-side to pick up a couple of runs before a similar shot brings three more to deep mid-wicket as England finally pass 50 at the SCG. Ballance adds two more to the total with a well timed drive past Rogers at cover. It's looking a little bit easier for these two but there's still a lot of work to do. England trail by 273.

Good move from Clarke. The seamers aren't getting the ball to move as much as earlier in the session, so the Australian skipper brings Lyon into the attack. Stokes is eager to bring out the sweep shot early in the over but he fails to hit the spinner through the leg-side. Shot! Lyon loses his length slightly and Stokes takes advantage to cut four runs to the rope. There's a worrying moment for the batsmen when a leading edge sends the ball into the air but there's no fielder on the off-side to take the catch. Five off the over.

Johnson changes ends to replace Harris. The seamer is targeting the stumps when bowling to Stokes, who nudges a run to mid-wicket. Wow! Ballance completely misreads the short ball from Johnson and his helmet is punished for the mistake. There's a big delay when the wrong helmet is brought out but Ballance might be happy for the break. Johnson returns five minutes later to commit a front foot no-ball. Ballance dodges the next bouncer with ease. There's probably time for just one more over. Stokes 23* Ballance 17

LUNCH: An amazing first session on day two comes to an end when Lyon completes a maiden to Stokes, who rushes in alongside Ballance for a bite to eat. It's been a superb display from Australia. England trail the hosts by 265. Stokes 23* Ballance 17*

England lost four wickets in the first hour of the day to put themselves in a terrible position at the SCG. Ballance and Stokes have led the recovery but it's Australia who are in complete control of the match.

Join me in around 35 minutes to find out if Ballance and Stokes can continue to keep out the Australian bowlers.

Welcome back everyone. If you're just catching up on the events in the first session, you might still be catching your breath. Australia were in scintillating form at the start of the day to reduce England to 23-5. Ballance and Stokes have provided some resistance but there's only one team with the control at the moment in Sydney.

England's young batsmen return to the field with their team on 61-5, 265 runs behind the hosts. It's been a promising start to the partnership but the tourists need these two to stay together for a lot longer to stand any chance of claiming anything from this match.

Clarke's bowlers didn't do as much with the ball in the second hour of the day but the head out to the middle fresher following a 40 minute break. The Australian supporters are ready for more fireworks. Johnson is the man who can deliver them and he begins the session with the ball in hand. Ballance on strike. Play!

When Ballance is on form, it's very difficult to pick holes in his technique but he'll be disappointed with a loose shot outside off-stump early in the over. A thick inside edge brings a single behind square on the leg-side. Just one run from the over. Ballance 18* Stokes 23

Lyon produces a beauty early in his third over of the day to turn send one past Ballance's outside edge.

I mentioned that the earlier delivery was a beauty but Lyon delivers an even better one to remove Ballance with a ball that turns and bounces to catch the outside edge. Haddin does the rest behind the stumps and Ballance departs for 18 in his first Test innings.

This is a very special Australian attack. Lyon is starting to find some turn and Bairstow is relieved to have safely negotiated his first delivery. England trail by 264.

England need 127 to avoid the follow-on. At this stage there might not be too many people backing them to get to that total. Ouch! Stokes is struck on the toe by a yorker from Johnson, who follows the full delivery by conceding five wides with a wayward bouncer. Stokes keeps out the straight ones to survive another over.

Lyon is removed from the attack just a few minutes after taking a wicket but the spinner might change ends. Bairstow gets off the mark by clipping the returning Siddle into the leg-side for a couple of runs. The seamer is slightly too full again, which allows Bairstow to earn another run through fine-leg. Stokes pulls two more into the leg-side to make it five from the over.

Bairstow didn't look comfortable when facing Johnson in Melbourne, with the young wicketkeeper often showing too much of his stumps to the seamer. A sharp bouncer is followed by one that tempts Bairstow into a flirt outside off-stump. Close! Bairstow plays another loose stroke to leave the slips with their hands on heads when the ball nips past the outside edge. Maiden from Johnson.

Siddle's spell lasts for just one over as Lyon returns to the attack. It's another lovely over from the spinner, who concedes just one run to Stokes. It's starting to spin out there. England trail by 253.

Rogers does the chasing to restrict Stokes to three runs following a cut into the off-side. Bairstow goes after the ball when Johnson strays wider and a top edge earns him four to the third-man boundary. Johnson has had a few problems with his front foot today and Aleem Dar is alert to punish the bowler for another no-ball. It's an expensive over in the end, with eight being added to the total.

Stokes is still there but his impressive knock almost comes to an end when Lyon finds some extra bounce to beat the outside edge. A nudge into the leg-side allows the Durham all-rounder to get off strike. Close! Bairstow flicks the ball just wide of Warner, who is in place at leg-slip, and earns two. Another single hands the strike back to Stokes and he ends the over by sweeping for one. Stokes 31* Bairstow 10

Siddle is back on to replace Johnson. Stokes displays good timing midway through the over to drive a couple of runs through the covers. Siddle is happy to keep on inviting the drive with a full length as the slips wait impatiently for another chance. Just a couple from the over.

Bairstow skips down the pitch to guide a full-toss into the off-side for a single. Stokes once again brings out the sweep shot but Siddle is in place behind square to keep the left-handed batsman on strike. A bit of extra bounce excites Haddin. No shot offered by Stokes, though and he steals the strike with a single at the end of the over. Stokes 34* Bairstow 11

Close! Stokes breathes a big sigh of relief when a thick edge sails through a gap to earn him four runs through third-man. A nudge down the ground brings a single. Bairstow targets the cover boundary with a couple of back foot drives but he picks out the fielder on two occasions.

REVIEW! Huge appeal from Haddin and Lyon for lbw. Marais Erasmus isn't interested but he suggests there was no bat involved when Stokes sneaks a leg-bye. Clarke decides it's worth using his final reviews. Does it hit Stokes in line? No, Hawkeye agrees with Erasmus and Stokes survives. Bairstow is surprised by some extra bounce as Lyon continues to put the ball in good areas. The spinner gets a hand on a powerful shot. It's not really a chance and Bairstow picks up a run. Great over from Lyon. Stokes 39 Bairstow 12*

Bairstow takes on the short ball and despite his pull shot not looking too convincing, he's still able to pick up a couple of runs. Warner does well at point to block a firm cut shot from the same batsman. England's young batsmen are battling impressively at the moment. Two off the over.

Big cheers from the England supporters as Stokes finally takes England to three figures with a single on the leg-side. Bairstow advances forward to take Lyon for another run. Stokes seems to be getting a little bit of chat from Haddin, who is enjoying every moment of this series. Just a couple from the over. England need 26 more to avoid the follow-on.

Smith has been moved to a short cover position to block the scoring options of Bairstow, who has been keen to drive whenever possible. It's a maiden from Siddle. 45 overs gone. It's time for a drinks break in Sydney.

Bairstow hasn't always looked comfortable with the bat but he's out there still and that's all that matters to the tourists. Stokes is impressing once again and he's on his way to a deserved half-century. Australia need to remain patient. Lyon to continue with the ball.

Stokes starts the over with a single on the leg-side. Bairstow drops to one knee to attempt the sweep shot but he fails to make contact with the fuller delivery. An ugly heave hands him a run through mid-wicket and prompts a few words from the bowler. Stokes 41 Bairstow 16*

Bairstow gets on top of the bounce to cut a single through point midway through Siddle's over. Stokes drives at a fuller delivery and he earns two with a thick inside edge. The ball is definitely doing less for the seamers now, which makes Lyon's role even more important. Stokes 43 Bairstow 17*

Bairstow sits deep in his crease to nudge a single through square-leg. Shot! Brilliant swing of the bat from Stokes, who sweeps powerfully to the mid-wicket boundary for four runs. The deficit is now 215. Stokes 47 Lyon 18*

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a catch taken at that short mid-on position before, but it's happened in Sydney. Bairstow has no control over his shot and the ball lands in the safe hands of George Bailey. It's a really poor way to get out. Scott Borthwick in next.

Borthwick is off the mark in Test cricket with a quick single to cover.

Siddle strikes again! Stokes misses out on his half-century when he leaves one that goes straight on to hit the stumps. It's a big misjudgment from the batsman. Two wickets in the over for Siddle.

Close! Borthwick prods the ball just wide of Smith at silly mid-off. Lyon then finds some turn to beat the outside edge when the Durham youngster lunges forward in defence. Broad remains at the non-striker's end throughout a maiden over.

A well-directed bouncer from Siddle makes life uncomfortable for Broad early in the over. A flick off the hip sends the ball into the air but Broad is able to pick up his first run to deep square-leg. Borthwick is beaten on the outside edge by one that just holds its line. Just a single from the over.

Six! Broad never looks that comfortable defending against the spin, so he decides to launch a counter attack to earn six over long-on. Another big shot follows and despite this one not being as well-timed, he still manages to earn four runs to the mid-wicket boundary. A top edge through third-man brings him two more. England need a couple of runs to avoid the follow-on.

Harris returns to the attack as Clarke looks to wrap up the innings quickly. Borthwick does well to keep out a sharp bouncer before getting forward to defend a few fuller deliveries from the seamer.

Harris makes an impact on his return to remove Borthwick, who edges the ball to Smith at third-slip. Australia have their ninth wicket. England still need two runs to avoid the follow-on. Boyd Rankin walks out to the middle. He'll be at the non-striker's end for the start of Lyon's new over.

Broad is on the attack again but he misses out with an attempted slog-sweep. A push through extra cover brings a single and hands the strike to Rankin. There's something not right about seeing a 6ft 8in fast bowler facing a spinner. Clarke no longer has a decision to make when Rankin pushes four runs down the ground to make sure England avoid the follow-on. Australia will bat again. England trail by 196.

Shot! Harris loses his length early in the over and Broad rocks back to pull four runs over mid-wicket. The bowler responds with a good bouncer to force Broad onto the back foot. Another pull shot, this time for one, makes it five from the over.

Wild shot from Broad at the start of a new over but he manages to get his foot back before Haddin can whip the bails off. Shot! Much better timing from Broad, who earns four with a superb sweep through square-leg. A clip into the leg-side brings two more before a cut to deep cover hands Broad another run. Rankin keeps the strike thanks to a thick edge through third-man for a single. Broad 26 Rankin 5*

Rankin chips the ball down the ground for a couple of runs midway through the over from Harris. A slightly straighter delivery allows England's number 11 to nudge a single into the leg-side. The deficit is 180.

Lyon delivers a beauty to spin one past Rankin's outside edge. Shot! Rankin decides there's no point in wasting too many deliveries as he launches Lyon over mid-wicket for four runs. Rankin hands the strike to his partner with a single. Harris is on the chase at long-off in an attempt to catch a lofted shot from Broad but the batsman earns four down the ground. Johnson looks set to return to the attack.

Rankin keeps out the full delivery from Johnson before ducking underneath a couple of 90mph bouncers.

It's all over! Rankin fails to keep out another full delivery and he's bowled via a deflection off his pad. Johnson ends the innings with three wickets. Australia are leading by 171 runs.

TEA: It's another disappointing display with the bat but it could have been even worse. The tourists were 23-5 at one stage in the first session before Stokes (47) led a fightback. It wasn't enough from the all-rounder and Australia are now in a great position to set up the whitewash. The players have been sent in by the umpires for the tea break.

There's still so much time left in this match for Australia to earn another victory. The hosts have one session left in the day to pile on the runs. David Warner will be looking forward to his knock, with the first innings lead meaning he has licence to attack.

England's task is certainly a difficult one. Cook will know that his side have to dismiss the hosts cheaply to stand any chance of claiming the unlikeliest of victories at the SCG. It will take something special from the bowlers in the final session of the day.

Australia have the batsmen to make it difficult for the tourists in the second innings. Darren Lehmann will be urging his players to attack and the likes of Warner, Watson and Clarke will all enjoy the situation.

At the start of every day in this series, you're left thinking that it can't get any worse for England. Australia somehow found a way to be even more dominant today and they'll be in no mood to take their foot off the gas now.

Cook has his players in a circle on the field as he looks to encourage the team ahead of the final session on day two. England trail by 171 runs. Anderson will bowl the first over. Rogers on strike. Play!

Anderson is slightly too short in his first over to Rogers, who takes advantage of a wider ball from the bowler to cut four runs past a helpless Michael Carberry at backward point. Just the boundary from the over.

Broad takes the new ball from the other end. Bairstow briefly appeals for a catch down the leg-side but Broad's reaction confirms that the ball clipped the thigh pad. Shot! Too short from Broad and Warner cashes in to pull four runs to the boundary. Warner then collects four more when an inside edge evades Bairstow behind the stumps. Australia enjoyed success bowling a full length but both Broad and Anderson haven't got it right yet. They must strike with the new ball.

Anderson struggled with his length in the first innings and that problem is surfacing once again. Rogers flicks a single off his hip midway through the over. Shot! Warner's inevitable positive start continues when he pushes four runs past mid-on. Superb batting. Rogers 5* Warner 12

Much better from Broad, who asks a few questions with a fuller length. Rogers is inches away from edging one towards the slips when he gets his feet trapped on the crease. A clip through square-leg brings the opener a couple of runs. Broad offers some width to Rogers but a cut shot is hit straight to Stokes at backward point. Rogers ends the over by standing tall and pulling four through mid-wicket. Australia have scored 23 runs in the first four overs. Great start for the hosts.

Warner is almost in trouble when he comes close to edging a pull shot through to Bairstow. Anderson is too straight for most of the over and Warner takes the opportunity to collect three to deep square-leg. England need a wicket. Australia lead by 197. Rogers 11 Warner 15*

Warner enjoys a stroke of luck when an inside edge sends the ball onto the pads, rather than the stumps. A drive to cover earns the batsman a single but Cook will be much happier with that length from Broad. Good over from the seamer, with just one run being scored.

Rogers takes a break prior to a new over to receive some treatment on a sore finger. Close! Warner breathes a big sigh of relief when a miscued cut shot drops just short of Borthwick at cover. Anderson comes around the wicket to target the stumps.

The change of angle does the trick. Warner misses a straight one and it's an easy decision for Aleem Dar to raise the finger. Anderson finally finds the right length and he gets his reward.

Another attacking player comes to the crease as Watson takes his guard at the danger end. England need to keep the pressure on and pick up a few more wickets before the close of play. Watson survives the remainder of the seventh over.

Rankin comes into the attack for the first time and starts his spell disappointingly by gifting Rogers four runs through fine-leg. The Warwickshire seamer struggles to find the right line throughout his over, with Rogers picking up another run on the leg-side. Rankin must improve.

Anderson launches another appeal for lbw from around the wicket but umpire Dar shakes his head on this occasion, with replays proving there was some bat involved. A fuller delivery is clipped through mid-wicket for three by the opener. Shot! Watson is off the mark in style when he plays the latest of cuts to reach the rope.

Rogers gets on top of the bounce to work a single into the leg-side. Watson pushes the ball to point off the back foot to rotate the strike again. Rankin's radar still isn't quite right and Rogers is able to watch another harmless delivery pass him on the leg-side before stealing the strike with a quick single. Rogers 17* Watson 5

Anderson almost sneaks one onto the pads again but the left-handed Rogers gets bat on ball to earn a single through fine-leg. Shot! Watson knows his pads will be targeted but he responds in perfect style with four runs on the leg-side.

Anderson strikes again! Watson lunges forward but can only get an outside edge on a good delivery. Bairstow puts his previous errors behind him by diving across Cook to take an excellent catch. Australia lead by 218. Clarke in next.

Close! Clarke is able to leave his first two balls but he ends the over with a surprised groan when Anderson nips one past the outside edge of the bat. England can't let the Australian skipper settle. Rogers 18* Clarke 0

Rogers steers the ball through the covers for a couple of runs before a late cut brings a single to third-man. Clarke gets off the mark by opening the face of the bat and pushing Rankin into the off-side for one. The lead is 222.

Anderson is bowling the perfect line to Clarke, who is resisting the urge to push too firmly at the deliveries directed at his off-stump. It's a maiden from Anderson. He could be off after completing his seventh over of an opening spell.

Cook will be getting increasingly concerned with Rankin's inability to settle on the right line to Rogers. The seamer is worried, too, and he's punished for going too full midway through the over when Rogers drives past mid-off for four. Another poor delivery is sent to the rope for four leg-byes when Rankin strays onto the pads again.

Shot! Anderson continues his spell and his latest over begins with Clarke executing the perfect straight drive for four runs. Carberry blocks a cut shot at point but the home captain still manages to earn a single. Bell does superbly well to prevent the ball from reaching the rope at third-man. However, Bairstow loses a bit of focus when he claims the throw and attempts to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. No one is in place to back up and the ball races away to the rope. All of that results in seven runs being awarded to Rogers. Clarke sees the funny side. I don't think Cook or Anderson will.

Broad returns to the attack to replace Rankin. Rogers pushes the ball into the off-side for a single.

Important wicket for the tourists. Clarke is tempted to play outside off-stump and he makes the mistake of delivering a thin edge through to Bairstow behind the stumps. Broad celebrates his first wicket of the innings. Smith in next. Australia lead by 243.

Cook follows the wicket by bringing on Stokes for his first bowl. The all-rounder has been a good performer in the match, following 6-99 in the first innings with 47 runs earlier today. Rogers uses a bit of width to cut three runs to deep cover. Shot! Smith pulls his first ball to the rope for four runs. A nudge off the hip brings two more through square-leg. Nine runs from the over. Rogers 36* Smith 6

Shot! Perfect example of the cover drive from Rogers on show at the SCG as the ball races to the rope once again. Broad keeps it tight with the rest of the over and tests the opener with a good yorker. Rogers 40 Smith 6*

Smith shuffles across his crease to nudge Stokes through square-leg for one. Rogers (40* from 62) is once again scoring at a good rate in the absence of Warner but he's happy to defend for the rest of the over. There's just under an hour left of play remaining today.

More worrying moments towards the end of Broad's over. The bowler pulls out of his final delivery when he seems to turn his ankle before beginning his action. Thankfully, it doesn't look too serious. A few members of the ground staff rush on and it takes around five minutes for the concerned area to be repaired. Broad eventually completes a a maiden. Australia's lead is 257.

Stokes has been guilty of being slightly too short in this spell and Rogers is able to take advantage of another poor delivery to cut four through third-man. A straighter ball is tucked into the leg-side.

Smith scored a superb century in the first innings but he fails with the bat on this occasion when Stokes finally hits the right length to hit the outside edge. Cook takes a smart low catch at first slip to claim England's fourth wicket. Bailey in next.

Bailey will be feeling the pressure in this innings. He's the only Australian who hasn't made a big contribution in the series and he needs a score to secure his spot for the tour of South Africa. A push past point allows him to get off the mark with two runs.

50! Rogers drills a half-volley to the rope before picking up a single on the leg-side to bring up his sixth half-century in Test cricket. It's another good innings from a batsman who is starting to find his feet at the highest level. England appeal for caught behind when Bailey flirts with one down the leg-side but any noise came from the ball hitting the thigh pad. Broad gifts a run to Bailey with a needless throw at the stumps when Rogers was safely in his ground at the non-striker's end. Rogers 50 Bailey 3*

Bailey can't help but smile when Stokes gets one to explode off the pitch and hit him in the glove, with the ball dropping well short of the slips. Shot! Stokes follows three good deliveries by going too full and Bailey cashes in to earn four down the ground. 30 minutes left in the day.

Still no sign of Borthwick with the ball in this innings as Cook turns to Rankin again. Rogers is happy to get off strike early in the over. Bailey miscues a pull shot but the ball lands safely on the leg-side to hand him a couple of runs. Rankin continues to struggle with his length and Bailey pulls again for a single. Another short ball is worked behind square on the leg-side by Rogers for one. To be honest, I'm not sure what the plan is to Bailey. Rankin sends down another half-tracker and Bailey pulls four through mid-wicket. It's nine from a very poor over.

Shot! Rogers is playing superbly again at the top of the order and he reaches the rope with a clip through mid-wicket for four. Stokes strays onto the hip to concede two through square-leg. Another excellent cut shot follows later in the over as the opener records another boundary. A full-toss gifts four more to Rogers, who pushes the ball back past a frustrated Stoke. One more run makes it 15 off the over. The lead is 298. Rogers 67* Bailey 14

Rogers nudges a single through square-leg before Bailey pulls again for one run to mid-wicket. The home supporters applaud the shot that takes the lead to 300. Bell fumbles the ball at second slip to hand Rogers another run. Rankin's latest over ends up costing four runs. Borthwick looks set to begin his first spell of the innings.

Bailey sits deep in his crease to nudge a single into the leg-side before Rogers adds another by clipping a fuller ball off his toes. A full-toss from Borthwick hands another run to Bailey. The singles continue to come easily, with Rogers adding another to deep square-leg. Four from the over. Rogers 71* Bailey 18

It's no surprise to see Cook take Rankin out of the attack following another disappointing spell. Anderson comes back on and immediately adopts a straight line from around the wicket. A leg-bye at the end of the over means Rogers will keep the strike.

Borthwick comes around the wicket to bowl at Rogers, who beats Ballance at short-leg to pick up a single. Bailey skips down the pitch to push another run to long-on. A shorter delivery allows Rogers to pull behind square for a single to Carberry on the boundary. Bailey adds one more to make it four singles from the over. There's time for one more over today.

CLOSE OF PLAY: It's all over for another day at the SCG. Bailey is more than happy to see out a maiden over from Anderson before walking off the field alongside Rogers. This game is moving along very quickly. Australia end day two 311 runs ahead. Rogers 73* Bailey 20*

It might not be great viewing for England supporters but I don't think anyone will deny that we've been treated to some brilliant entertainment at the SCG. Twenty-four wickets have fallen in just four days and it's Australia who, once again, end the day the happier of the two teams.

Unfortunately for England the changes don't seem to have worked and Australia seem to be heading towards a 5-0 whitewash. The record fourth innings run-chase on this ground is just 288, which tells you just how difficult the task is for England.

Make sure you return at 11pm (UK time) as I take you through all the action on day three. Thanks for joining me today. Goodbye.