Live Commentary: The Ashes - First Test, Day Three - as it happened

Good morning everyone! We're just two days in, but we've seen some excellent cricket in the first Test of this Ashes series. England are in front in Cardiff after restricting Australia to 264-5 last night, and the first session is going to be crucial this morning. Australia start the day 166 runs behind.

Australia will probably be slightly frustrated that they are not in a better position this morning. So many players made starts, but only Chris Rogers managed to pass 50 before falling to Mark Wood for 95. Shane Watson is under pressure with Mitchell Marsh bidding to replace him, so he'll be desperate to make an impact. Watson will resume on 29* alongside nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (6*).

England, and particularly Alastair Cook, deserve credit for yesterday's display. On a pitch which still has a lot of runs to offer they remained patient but attacked at the right times, and Cook was rewarded for some excellent captaincy throughout the day. They'll be keen to pick up a couple of wickets to expose an Australian tail which can score runs quickly. With Brad Haddin to come in next, the tests continue to arrive.

Australia will be fully aware that the second new ball is just 10 overs away. It could be important for them to avoid losing a wicket before that arrives, and if Lyon can stick around for a while, it will allow Haddin to play his natural attacking game. Will Moeen Ali be thrown the ball immediately after taking 2-67 yesterday?

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The tourists start the day 166 runs behind. On a pitch like the one in Cardiff a first-innings lead can be vital, and England may be thinking about an advantage of above 50 if they can strike early and pile on the pressure with the new ball. It will be interesting to see how Watson approaches his knock this morning. A counter-attacking approach, especially against Ali, could be key.

Speaking on Sky Sports just a few moments ago, Australia's coach Darren Lehmann said: "We let it slip a bit yesterday. England have bowled very well and caught very well, which is the name of the game. All our batsmen got in."

It's a fair point from England's former wicketkeeper.

Hilarious all the talk about England 'doctoring' the wkt. As if Cardiff has ever been quick & bouncy!? #Ashes — Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) July 10, 2015

Here we go then. The weather is pretty much perfect in Cardiff as the players walk out for the third day of this vital first Ashes Test match. Can either team put themselves in position for victory?

Mark Wood will bowl the first over of the day. Watson (29*) is on strike with Lyon (6*) at the other end. Two slips with a couple of men in the deep on the leg-side. Play!

Watson gets the scoring underway this morning as he nudges a single into the leg-side. Lyon then prods the ball just short of Adam Lyth, who has the helmet on at short-leg. There's a third slip and a short extra cover in place for the nightwatchman but he's solid in defence.

I though Cook might consider throwing the ball to Ali immediately this morning, but it's Broad who starts proceedings from the other end. Everyone in the world appears to know where to bowl Watson, who survives an optimistic lbw appeal after planting his front foot early.

England strike in the second over of the day! The plan to Watson is no surprise as Broad goes straight again and persuades Marais Erasmus to raise his finger on this occasion. Watson reviews the lbw decision, but the technology suggests that the ball would have just clipped leg-stump. Important wicket for England.

Haddin, who was such an important player in the last Ashes series, comes out to the crease with the pressure on to add more runs this morning. Joe Root is back in that very short third slip position with the helmet on after Cook used him there yesterday. There is a nervy moment when the ball hits the thigh pad before rolling past leg-stump, but Haddin survives a good over from Broad.

Wood is down on the ground after delivering a sharp bouncer outside off-stump, but he's back on his feet to hit a better area and force Lyon into a duck. Good bowling from the Durham seamer. Lyon is solid in defence, though.

Broad has immediately settled on a great line to Haddin. It's almost a fifth stump line outside off, and that really is where you need to keep Haddin if you are to prevent him from scoring quickly. Patience is key against the veteran. One nips back to cause some problems, but Haddin made contact with the bat. Maiden.

Wood pleads with Kumar Dharmasena to give the lbw when he hits Lyon's back leg, but it looks a touch too high and Cook agrees from first slip. Lyon struggles to pick up a bouncer later in the over and his bicep takes the punishment.

Excellent bowling from Wood. He has refused to give Lyon an inch this morning and he gets his reward as a full delivery traps the nightwatchman lbw. Easy decision for the umpire. England have made a fantastic start today.

Mitchell Johnson is the new batsman but he's at the other end at the beginning of a new over. Australia could do with a decent knock from a player who can cause problems with his attacking approach. Broad is digging into his bag of variations with a clever off-cutter which causes Haddin to slightly miscue a drive. It's another maiden. Australia have added just one run this morning.

A former Australian batsman sums up the start of day three.

Trouble...🙈 #Ashes2015

— Marcus North (@Marcus_North) July 10, 2015

Johnson gets off the mark by nudging his fourth ball through square-leg for a couple of runs, before finding the middle of the bat to drive straight down the ground for four more. Australia will need plenty more. They currently trail by 159.

England make their first change of the morning as Stokes replaces Wood with the new ball just three overs away. Haddin, feeling the pressure of 15 balls without scoring, almost chops the ball onto his stumps with a mistimed pull shot. He makes it successive boundaries by driving just past Root at short mid-off. A third boundary arrives when a sliced drive beats the man at backward point. This could be a dangerous partnership. Haddin 12 Johnson 6*

Good move from Cook as he throws the ball to Ali, who might only get one over. There's no one out on the fence, so Johnson may be tempted to slog-sweep the spinner. Ali changes his pace well to bring Johnson forward on a couple of occasions. The left-handed finally accepts the invitation to attack by lofting the ball down the ground for four runs.

Stokes continues to leak runs early in his spell as Haddin gets a thick outside edge on one that keeps low to earn four runs to the third-man boundary. A big swing outside off-stump follows later in the over to bring gasps from the men in the slips. England appeal optimistically for lbw when Haddin hurries a leg-bye, and Cook decides to use a review before they get refreshed in a moment. The technology suggests that the ball would have missed leg-stump. Anderson, Stokes and Haddin all have a few words before the umpire sends them away. Not sure what all that was about. I'm sure it was very friendly. Maybe.

England immediately take the new ball and Anderson is into the attack. His first delivery nips back sharply to strike Haddin on the thigh-pad, before the next ball keeps low and swings to cause the batsman and Jos Buttler problems. Buttler is then left helpless when a big in-swinger sends the ball down the leg-side to hand Australia four byes. Anderson produces a beauty to leave Haddin with a ball which swings the other way. Another in-swinger is nudged into the leg-side for a couple of runs. Anderson vs. Haddin promises to be an intriguing battle as the bowler invites a nod of approval from his rival with another ball which beats the outside edge.

It's not a great start with the new ball from Broad as Johnson gets off strike by flicking a single to fine-leg. Much better to Haddin, who is beaten outside off-stump with a ball which finds some extra bounce through to Buttler. Just a single added by the tourists.

Anderson shows Johnson his variations by moving the ball both ways at the start of the over, before the batsman moves Australia to 300 with a single to mid-wicket. Haddin still doesn't appear to be sure about which way Anderson will swing the ball, but he plays late enough to earn four runs through third-man.

Big, big wicket. Anderson has been brilliant with the new ball and he removes the dangerous Haddin with one that nips away to take the outside edge. Buttler claims a fine low catch to hand Anderson his second wicket of the innings. Australia remain 126 runs behind.

Mitchell Starc comes in to survive the final ball of Anderson's over. England are in a great position but Cook will be desperate to take these final two wickets as quickly as possible. Johnson and Starc are likely to attack immediately.

Broad gets his second wicket of the morning! Johnson adds a couple through mid-wicket before finding the middle with the next shot. It probably felt brilliant coming off the bat but the ball goes straight to Ballance, who takes an easy catch just in front of square-leg.

Hazlewood can be pretty handy with the bat, but there's not much foot movement as a thick edge hands him a couple of runs off his first ball. Broad beats the bat later in the over when he pushes the ball across the left-handed number 11. Great bowling once again.

What a way to finish the innings. Anderson comes round the wicket to catch Starc's outside edge and Root dives to his left to take a fantastic catch at third slip. It's been the perfect performance from England this morning. They will begin their second innings leading by 122.

That is that! Unbelievable effort from the bowlers!Massive and hopefully a match winning lead!Perfect start for the boys this morning #ashes

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) July 10, 2015

Australia lost five wickets for just 43 this morning. It was exactly what the doctor ordered for Alastair Cook, who will be hopeful that he and Adam Lyth can reach the lunch interval unbeaten. They're on their way out to the middle now.

Fall of wickets: 52-1 (Warner 17), 129-2 (Smith 33), 180-3 (Rogers 95), 207-4 (Clarke 38), 258-5 (Voges 31), 265-6 (Watson 30), 265-7 (Lyon 6), 304-8 (Haddin 22), 306-9 (Johnson 14), 308-10 (Starc 0)

Bowling figures: Anderson 18.5-6-43-3, Broad 17-4-60-2, Wood 20-5-66-2, Moeen 15-1-71-2, Stokes 14-5-51-1

Johnson will take the first over. Worryingly for Australia, Starc is not on the field after hurting his ankle bowling in the first innings.

Lyth is immediately off strike when a sliced shot is fumbled at point to make a single possible. Starc is sitting close to the boundary, so the signs are that he will be on very soon. Cook is happy to leave the ball alone when Johnson drifts too far outside off-stump. The England skipper then opens the face of the bat to pick up three runs through third-man.

Hazlewood takes the new ball from the Cathedral Road end as Starc returns to the field. The seamer gets one to drift back before pushing one across Cook, whose defence close to off-stump is unrecognisable to the one he displayed during his troubles last year. A fumble from Haddin down the leg-side is not enough to offer a bye to the hosts as low bounce continues to cause trouble for the wicketkeeper. Cook finishes the over with a single to keep the strike.

Johnson is slightly short and a touch wide, which allows Cook to punch the ball through the covers for a couple of runs. Shot! Poor from Johnson as he sends one halfway down to invite a superb pull shot which earns Cook four runs over mid-wicket. Another couple of runs follow when he clips the ball of his pads.

Good bowling from Hazlewood, who was probably the best Australian seamer in the first innings, despite Starc managing to finish with five wickets. He settles on a great line and length to Lyth, who is struck on the glove and watches another ball nip past his outside edge. The Yorkshire opener survives and sneaks a run of the final delivery.

Wow. Lyth chases a wider one but doesn't make good contact with a loose shot. However, Rogers doesn't seem to see the ball on the off-side as the ball loops over him and lands safely between him and Lyon. Lyth can't help but have a giggle after picking up the single. Cook 12 Lyth 3*

The ball is very new and there's only around 15 minutes remaining in the session, but I wouldn't be surprised if Michael Clarke handed an over to Lyon before the interval to give England's openers a different test heading into the break. Hazlewood continues to find a good length but Lyth looks pretty comfortable. Maiden.

Doubts continue to surround the fitness of Starc, and the Australians won't be feeling too optimistic after seeing the left-arm seamer limp away following his first delivery. Clarke doesn't look happy at second slip. It's a long series, so this is definitely a concern for the tourists. His pace is still good, though, as he continues to battle. Haddin spills one that keeps low to gift England a couple of byes.

Australia make the breakthrough. Cook has looked very comfortable but he chases a wider one and picks out Lyon, who takes a fine low catch at point. Starc gets his sixth wicket of the match, despite continuing to look far from 100%.

Runs for Lyth, but it's a false shot as an edge sends the ball just beyond Clarke at second slip and to the boundary at third-man. An optimistic lbw appeal follows as Lyth makes it through another very good over from Hazlewood.

LUNCH: Welcome, Gary Ballance. Starc greets the new batsman with a ripper as the ball comes in before swinging away from the left-hander, who battled his way to 61 in the first innings. Ballance gets bat on a couple before being beaten by another superb delivery as Starc takes one past the edge again. Another excellent session comes to an end with a maiden from Starc. Lyth 7* Ballance 0*

Apart from the loss of Cook, it really has been an excellent morning for England. They'll be hopeful of piling on the runs throughout the day after taking five quick wickets early in the day to take control. The hosts currently lead by 143.

We'll join the players by taking a break during the lunch interval, but make sure you return in around 30 minutes for the afternoon session.

Welcome back everyone. It's been an excellent Test match so far, but there's a lot more drama to come at Cardiff as England look to build on a strong position. Australia need a really good afternoon session. A big partnership could take the match away from the tourists very quickly. Starc, who is battling on with an ankle problem, might be the key man.

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Ps Lyon needs to take 5 wickets today for Australia to be batting tonight, England need to smash him out of the attack & go after him !!! — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) July 10, 2015

Ballance and Lyth return with England currently leading by 143 runs. Australia need early wickets in this session. Hazlewood has the ball in his hand.

REVIEW! Australia think they have Lyth lbw when Hazlewood nips one back. Kumar Dharmasena shakes his head, but Clarke uses a review. The technology sides with the umpire on where the ball had pitched and on the stumps, despite it suggesting that leg-stump would have been struck hard. An inside edge hands Lyth a single.

What a start to the session for Australia. Hazlewood completes a fantastic over by finding some extra bounce to catch the edge of Ballance's bat. It's an easy catch for Haddin and a seven-ball duck for Ballance. The pressure is on England now.

Ian Bell is the new batsman and he'll be desperate to end his poor run today. Starc has Lyth in his sights for now as he nips one past the inside edge. A big appeal follows but the noise came from the pad. Starc sends the opener a long stare after completing a maiden.

Hazlewood gives the ball every chance to swing with his length to Bell, who helps himself by playing as late as possible. Three slips and a gully are in place, but that doesn't stop Bell opening the face of the bat to steer fours runs through third-man. The new man adds another run with a single off the inside edge.

Starc is a tough too full early in the over and Bell lunges forward quickly to drive through the covers for four runs. He doesn't look quite as comfortable against a straighter one, but the timing is there once again when he hammers a wider ball to the rope for four more.

There's calls for a catch when the ball drifts down the leg-side, but it's off Lyth's hip and England pick up four leg-byes. The opener then drives to the cover boundary when Hazlewood over adjusts to send down a wider one. Runs are flowing as Lyth clips three through mid-wicket before Bell unleashes another drive to reach the rope once again. 15 off the over.

England obviously feel it's time for a counter-attack. Starc is slightly too short and Lyth somehow manages to pull past mid-on for four runs, before steering the ball to the third-man boundary with a superb shot. It's woken up the crowd, too, as the England fans jeer when another boundary is stopped at fine-leg. Three more runs are picked up when Lyth pulls over mid-wicket. Excellent response from England. The lead is 185.

It's no surprise to see Clarke make a change now as Lyon comes into the attack to replace Hazlewood. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Watson from the other end in a few moments. Lyon finds a good length early in the over before dropping one short to allow Lyth to cut for a couple. Six! The spinner can't stop the onslaught as Lyth drops to one knee to slog-sweep for six. England have scored 44 runs in the last 24 balls. Lyth 36 (49) Bell 17* (14)

Clarke often goes to Watson when he wants to stop the flow of runs, but it's Johnson who returns to the attack to replace Starc. Bell watches one nip past his outside edge when Johnson hits the perfect spot to the right-hander. Another beauty follows as a hint of movement causes problems once again. Maiden over.

Lyth cuts at a ball which is too straight for the shot, but luckily for him, he doesn't get an edge through to Haddin. There's a huge lbw appeal from Lyon later in the over when he turns the ball past the bat. It's a good decision from the umpire too. It turned too much. That should be good news for Moeen Ali.

Johnson thinks a wicket is in the bag when Bell plays an unconvincing pull, but the ball drops short of Hazlewood at fine-leg as the England duo bring up their 50 partnership. Lyth does well to get outside the line to silence the bowler when he strikes the pad. A single past mid-on allows Lyth to keep the strike.

The ball is still pretty new, and Lyon is getting it to do a bit to Lyon, who survives another lbw appeal when he takes a big step forward. Good bowling.

Superb from Lyon, but even better from Clarke! A bit of turn helps the ball find the outside edge and Clarke forgets about his dodgy hamstring and back to leap to his left and take a stunning one-handed catch. It looked like he held on with two fingers. Brilliant from Australia's skipper. Lyon has responded brilliantly to being sent over the rope by Lyth.

Who do England want out in the middle when the pressure is on? Joe Root, of course. The centurion from the first innings comes out to the crease to keep out his first two balls as the Cardiff crowd recover from a fantastic piece of cricket from Clarke.

Haddin is helpless as Johnson's bounce sails over the head of Bell and races away for extras as the umpire signals a wide. There's a man at short cover for Bell, who confidently sends the ball over the fielder to collect four runs. Johnson continues to search for his first wicket of the match.

As anyone who has ever watched Bell bat will tell you, the Warwickshire man likes to use his feet against the spin. A defensive stroke is far from convincing and neither is a shot across the line which sends the ball just beyond a diving Rogers at mid-wicket before earning Bell four. The timing is much better when Bell drops to one knee to slog-sweep for four. England clearly do not want Lyon to settle. The lead is 213.

Australia need to get Root quickly. He's the kind of player who will relax very quickly if he feels bat on ball a few times. Johnson is inches away from catching the outside edge when he finds some extra bounce and the frustration is clear when Root then gets off the mark with four through square-leg. Root is beaten again twice as he comes inches away from getting a glove on a bouncer at the end of the over.

Bell almost gets into trouble when he backs away from Lyon, who is now round the wicket to the right-handed. A hint of movement causes problems but Bell gets enough bat on ball. Just one run added off the final delivery. Root 4 Bell 32*

I mentioned earlier that Bell was in desperate need of some runs today and he's looked in good touch, especially with his off-side drives. A single is picked up with a firm push to point but there's no room to attack for Root. This has been a much better spell from Johnson.

Coming round the wicket to right-handers certainly suits Lyon better. He caused a lot of problems from that angle in the 2013/14 series and he camps in a great spot to prevent Bell from using his feet. Maiden.

The returning Hazlewood is a touch too short and Root is happy to bring out his favourite shot as he punches four through the covers off the back foot. He recovers well, taking one past the outside edge, but Root is growing into this innings.

Lovely length from Lyon as he comes close to finding an inside edge which would bring Steve Smith into play at short-leg. As Shane Warne alluded to on Twitter, you sense the spinner will have to produce a bit of magic in this innings.

Bell shows the full face of the bat with a lovely drive through cover for three runs, before Root opens the face of the bat to steer the ball past the only slip. The latter adds another run when he shuffles across his crease to open up the leg-side. One more for Bell makes it nine off the over. England lead by 233.

Root hasn't seen much of Lyon yet but he gets the chance when Bell picks up a single at the start of the over. Clarke brings in a leg-slip before Root advances to earn three through mid-wicket. Haddin then fails to claim the ball down the leg-side and another four byes are added to the total. Australia really need another wicket before tea, which is around 25 minutes away.

Watson gets a bowl for the first time in the innings as Hazlewood comes out of the attack. Clarke usually relies on his all-rounder to slow down the scoring, but both are left frustrated when Bell brings up the 50 partnership with a thick outside edge. The disappointment is even clearer when Root top edges the ball over Clarke at slip to reach the third-man rope again. Bell 39* (62) Root 25 (29)

Hazlewood isn't out of the attack long as he switches ends to replace Lyon. It's a good return for the seamer, who finds a great line close to off-stump. Bell spoils a potential maiden with a couple of runs through third-man.

Watson could do himself a favour by chipping in with the ball. There's a very good chance the next match could see him replaced by Mitchell Marsh, who scored two centuries in the warm-up games. He concedes just two off his latest over.

Starc does his best to stop the boundary when Bell pulls powerfully, but he falls on the ball before sliding into the rope. A quick replay proves it was four. England are scoring at a decent rate, so they really don't need to do anything crazy to remain in control. There's so much time left in the match. Bell targets the off-side again with a fine drive past point. That boundary takes him closer to his half-century. Root 27* Bell 49

Starc is back into the attack for a short burst before the tea interval. It's a decent, but unthreatening, start to the over as Root calmly watches the ball outside off-stump. The attempted in-swinger arrives but it's too full and Root clips the ball through mid-wicket for four. Excellent batting.

50! This is very good news for Bell as he opens the blade slightly to send the ball over backward point for a boundary which brings up his half-century. If he gets back to his best at number four, England's batting lineup is even stronger. Johnson concedes four off the final over of the session.

TEA: Despite losing two wickets in the session, England managed to score at 4.74 runs an over in the afternoon session and they now lead by 271 runs with Bell (53*) and Root (31*) looking very calm out in the middle. Australia need to produce a response in the final session of the day, and in truth, it will take something special to keep alive their hopes of winning the first Test. England hold all the cards.

Only Rain can save the Aussies now in this Test Match... #Justsaying #Ashes2015

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 10, 2015

With so much time remaining, England really do not need to change their approach. Root looks in the mood to record another big score, while Bell appears to be closing in on his best form again. Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali are all to come. Australia probably need at least three or four wickets in the final session.

It's not been a great start to the series for Mitchell Johnson, whose struggles have continued today. He is still looking for his first wicket in the match.

BOWLING FIGURES:
Johnson 9.0 1 34 0
Hazlewood 11.0 1 46 1
Starc 6.0 3 25 1
Lyon 8.0 4 23 1
Watson 2.0 0 10 0

Bell and Root are back out in the middle as England prepare to add to their 271-run advantage. Starc will bowl the first over of the session.

Starc concedes a wide and three runs through cover from Root before finishing the over by beating Bell's outside edge. He continues to limp around the field at Cardiff. Will he be a doubt for the second Test?

Johnson starts with a freebie as Root stands tall to flick four runs off his hip. There's some extra bounce outside off-stump but Root does well to leave the ball alone, before finding another run on the leg-side. Bell 53 Root 39*

Root splits the fielders on the off-side once again to earn two runs to deep cover. He spots the bouncer to pull firmly to the fielder at square-leg before keeping out a full swinging delivery from Starc. There hasn't been much movement in the last couple of hours, but that's good bowling from Starc.

Bell is surprised by a couple of balls that come back sharply from Johnson, but he manages to get bat on ball to find a single early in the over. Root edges closer to a half-century of his own with three runs down to third-man, before Bell swings wildly to get an inside edge on the ball and pick up two when Haddin fumbles again. Shot! It doesn't get much better than this. Bell throws the kitchen sink at the ball to drive over the fielder at short-cover for four more.

The relief is clear as Johnson punches the air in celebration. Bell looks like he might be expecting the short ball as he gets his feet stuck on the crease, but Johnson stays full to hit the stumps. It's not the best way to get out but Bell returns to form with a fine 60.

Ben Stokes is the new batsman, but he's at the opposite end as Root faces up to a new over from Starc. Root is left cursing some low bounce again when he misses with the cut shot. Good, patient bowling from Starc outside off-stump. Maiden. The lead is 292.

Seam movement and extra bounce from Johnson, who causes problems for Stokes at the start of the over. England's all-rounder gets off the mark with a single through mid-wicket. The Bell wicket has certainly changed something. Johnson already looks more threatening as he hits Root's pad with one that nips back slightly. It would have missed leg-stump, though. Three off the over.

Excellent over of batting and bowling. Starc twice goes past the outside edge either side of a brilliant drive down the ground for four from Stokes. The seamer responds again with one that comes back to hit Stokes on the back pad and knocks him over. There was some optimistic appeals from the slips. Well, Australia won't be happy to see this later. The technology proves that Stokes would have been out had the decision gone upstairs. Another huge appeal follows when Starc goes fuller. Marais Erasmus is probably right on this occasion as he suggests the ball would have missed leg-stump. Starc bowling close to 94mph at the end of the over. Good cricket.

50! Will this run of form ever end? The Cardiff crowd applaud again as Root stands tall to go to his half-century with a punch through the covers for four. Another boundary arrives when he punishes a half-volley from Johnson. A special player continues to deliver the goods. Root 54 (71) Stokes 5* (9)

Plenty of firm strokes from Stokes, but runs don't arrive until the final ball of the over when Hazlewood slides across from mid-off to nudge it past the chasing Rogers. Stokes takes advantage to pick up two off Starc.

12 - Joe Root has now reached 50 in 12 of his last 18 Test Match innings. Nick. — OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 10, 2015

The returning Lyon settles on a very good line to Root, but he's probably a touch too short until an overpitched delivery allows the Yorkshire academy product to skip forward and push two through the covers. Mid-on is slightly deeper, which allows Root to add another single off the final ball. Australia need to build pressure, and more importantly, they must remove Root. The lead is 312.

Clarke is fully aware of the need to build pressure as he brings back Watson, who did such a good job of keeping one end tight in the 2013/14 series. He concedes just one run on his return to the attack, with Root flicking a single to fine-leg.

Lyon thinks he's close to a chance when Root nudges the ball just beyond Smith at short-leg. Stokes encourages some interesting reactions from the Australian fielders when he misses with a reverse-sweep. The Durham all-rounder adds a single to keep the strike as England continue to look comfortable.

Too easy for Stokes as he frees his arms to punish Watson when the seamer drifts too wide outside off-stump. Watson adjusts his line, but Stokes is more than happy to leave the ball before keeping out the final ball of the over. It all feels a little bit too easy for England.

Root comes down the pitch to find a single and Stokes rotates the strike again with a sweep behind square. The former gets a big stride forward to silence an lbw appeal when Lyon gets some turn. It's not a huge turner, but there's something in this pitch for the spinner.

Too short and too wide from Watson, and Stokes replies by hammering the ball to the cover boundary again. Four more runs are added when England's number six capitalises on a leg-stump half-volley to clip the ball through mid-wicket. The lead is now up to 329 as England continue to score quickly.

Australia just needed to bowl straighter and it's no surprise to see the returning Hazlewood find the target immediately as he forces Root back and strikes the top of the stumps after a deflection off the pad. Root is furious with himself, but it's another fine innings to add to the collection. Jos Buttler in next.

Buttler comes in to see out the remaining five balls after Hazlewood's breakthrough. Australia will be fully aware just how destructive these two can be if they are given the freedom to attack. It could be an exciting finish to the day.

Lyon swaps ends to return to the attack, but he's left annoyed when Stokes drops to one knee to reverse-sweep for four runs. Australia's spinner struggles with his length throughout the over as Stokes plays the traditional sweep to earn a single.

It's another decent over from Hazlewood, who has just been brave enough to bowl a touch straighter throughout the match. England pick up four runs. He now has figures of 2-49 from his 13 overs. England lead by 337 runs.

Buttler, sensing that the current situation allows him to attack early, skips down the pitch to Lyon but he can't get close enough to connect with a loft against the spinner. Stokes brings out the reverse-sweep again, but Clarke shuffles across from slip to stop the ball. Haddin believes the ball came off the boot, rather than the ground, and the umpires decide to send the decision upstairs. It didn't look the case to me, and a quick replay proves the ball did hit the floor.

Buttler collects a single early in the over as Starc returns to the attack, and Stokes uses the strike to power the ball past mid-on for four runs. Much like the first innings, the timing is perfect from the all-rounder. Buttler 5* Stokes 30

It's the turn of Buttler to use the sweep as he earns a single behind square on the leg-side, but Stokes takes it up a notch with a powerful stroke through mid-wicket for four. There's a fielder at deep square-leg. Does that matter to Stokes? Nope. Four more off another sweep. Nine from the Lyon over.

Starc isn't sure how to respond when Stokes shapes to pull before changing his mind to guide the ball through third-man for four runs. Australia will not want these two at the crease when play is over for the day. Hopes of an Australian victory are fading, but Stokes and Buttler could cause even more damage.

Stokes and Buttler will not be there at the end of the day. The latter attempts a reverse-sweep, but he can only glove the ball straight up and Haddin comes forward to take a simple catch. England lead by 358.

Oh dear. Lyon really should have two wickets in the space of three balls, but an edge from Moeen Ali strikes Haddin's glove firmly before the ball deflects over Clarke at first slip. Four runs to the new man.

Is the fightback Australia have been desperate to produce? Stokes is the latest man to go after a loose drive ends with the ball hitting the stumps off the inside edge. Credit to Starc, who moved the ball just enough to cause a problem.

Good start to Broad from Starc, who almost sneaks a straight one past the inside edge. My guess is that England will continue to attack. With a lead so large, there's no need to sit around waiting for a good ball. An attack outside off-stump hands Broad four runs through backward point. Starc has 2-51 off 14. England lead by 366.

Ali is happy to take the single and give the strike to Broad, who might fancy slog-sweeping Lyon if he gets the chance.

This Test match has taken a turn very quickly. Broad doesn't unleash the slog-sweep but a big shot down the ground goes wrong as Hazlewood charges in from long-off to take an excellent catch diving forward. Have England got enough runs? Lyon is playing an important role now. Australia will be desperate to take two quick wickets.

Starc goes very full to Mark Wood, who keeps out his first delivery before nervously flirting with a short ball down the leg-side. Another bouncer follows, but Wood manages to get on top of the ball to earn a single. Ali is unlucky when he drives powerfully to David Warner at cover and slightly lucky when an inside edge sends the ball into his pad, rather than the stumps. One off the over.

There is still so much time remaining in the game. England will feel confident at the moment, but with two days left, they'll want to add a few more runs. Ali does just that by sweeping Lyon through mid-wicket. Seven off the spinner's over.

Wood delights the England fans in Cardiff by picking up four runs with a thick edge through third-man, before standing tall on one leg to pull Starc for four more. Two boundaries take the lead up TO 383.

Good work from Lyon as he keeps it tight against Ali, who has the potential to be very dangerous against the spinner. Wood drives into the air to force Watson into a long chase, but the England duo are quick enough to run four. Less than 25 minutes remaining in the day.

You won't see too many blocks from Ali when he's batting at eight with England leading by so many runs. He almost gets in trouble when an edge drops well short of Haddin, before he misses with another loose drive when the returning Johnson finds some extra bounce. Maiden over. Ali 12 Wood 14*

Lovely bowling from Lyon, who responds to Ali's movement by changing his pace early in the over. He can't do anything to halt Wood, who looks nothing like a number 10 when he skips down the pitch to launch six straight over the rope. The ball appeared to go out of the ground, but it looks like someone decided to throw it back! They must not be a cricket fan. Wood attacks again, this time with a reverse-sweep which runs away for four more. Excellent batting.

Johnson starts a new over with some short bowling. Ali gets off strike before Wood manages to earn four by helping the ball to the fine-leg boundary. Is that Brian Lara out there? One leg up in the air, Wood pulls over mid-wicket to add three more. Ali makes it nine off the over with a single. Johnson has a few words with the England all-rounder, but what can he really say at this stage?

Ali might be the calmest man in the world. A huge lbw appeal is launched when Lyon finds some turn and Clarke decides to use a review when umpire Erasmus shakes his head. The replay proves that there was bat involved. Just one off the over.

Ali hasn't been able to time the ball as well as he had done in the first innings, and he becomes the ninth England batsman to depart when Johnson catches the edge to give Haddin an easy catch.

Anderson is the new man and there's cheers from the stands as he keeps out the first two balls before finding a single to fine-leg with Johnson targeting the ribs from round the wicket. Wood can't help but laugh when he ends up on the ground after keeping out an excellent yorker. We've got time for one more over.

It's all over for the day in Cardiff. Anderson fancies his chances against Lyon as he drops to one knee to attempt a sweep, but he is bowled by Lyon, who finishes with 4-75. Australia have fought back well in the final session, but England are in charge. Wood scores an unbeaten 32 not out from 18 balls. Australia will need 412 runs to win the first Test. Do they have a chance?

That's all from our live coverage today. Thanks for joining me on another entertaining day of Ashes cricket. England will begin their pursuit of a vital win tomorrow as they look for 10 wickets with two days remaining. Australia need 412. It's going to be an exciting final innings. Goodbye everyone.