- The first Ashes Test between Australia and England is in full swing at the Gabba
- England, who are defending the urn, scored 302 in their first innings
- Steve Smith hit a superb century to surpass the tourists’ total in Brisbane
- The hosts then removed Alastair Cook and James Vince late on day three
- Last wicket 17-2: James Vince c Steve Smith b Josh Hazlewood 2
The wait is over. The Ashes are here.
Over the next two months, England will defend the urn they won from their oldest and fiercest rivals on home soil in 2015, starting in the first Test at the Gabba.
Australia are desperate for revenge and will be hoping for a repeat of the 5-0 whitewash the last time the two sides did battle Down Under four years ago. And there is no more feared ground for away teams than the infamous ‘Gabbatoir’ where the men in Baggy Green routinely slaughter their opponents – England have not won here since 1986.
Root won the toss on day one and England batted first, scoring a slightly-below-par 302 after their lower order collapsed on Friday morning. James Vince top-scored with 83, while fellow Ashes debutants Mark Stoneman and Dawid Malan hit half-centuries.
Australia captain Steve Smith came to his side’s rescue after they lost four early wickets and notched a ton to steer the hosts past England on the third day.
Australia then dismissed Alastair Cook and Vince before the close, leaving England on 33-2 at the resumption of play.
Play resumes at midnight UK time.
Join GLEN WILLIAMS for live coverage of the third day from Brisbane with updates from PAUL NEWMAN, MARTIN SAMUEL and OLIVER HOLT, and session reports from LAWRENCE BOOTH.
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