Righto, they’re out in the middle and the weather is behaving for now. A golden opportunity here for Steve Smith and Cameron Green to shore up their new positions in the batting line-up.
Smith will take guard to Kemar Roach, who begins his seventh over. No Shamar Joseph on the field for now after Mitchell Starc looked to have smashed his big toe into a thousand little pieces last night.
First ball: Angled in from Roach to start and back of a length. Smith turns to leg for a single.
Second ball: The angle cranks up to Green and Roach’s second ball drifts harmlessly down leg.
Third ball: Straighter and a better proposition. Into Green’s body and he’s having to defend awkwardly.
Fourth ball: Full ball on off stump. Straight bat and drops straight in front.
Fifth ball: Angles in again and it’s on leg, Green takes a leg bye into the on side. Roach still getting his line right to start today.
Sixth ball: Back of a length and Smith is tucking down to mid-on again. Three easy singles for Australia in that over.
And a big thanks/free coffee for Tom Decent masquerading as your correspondent for the last 40 minutes as I waged war on the Pacific Highway, not the Ocean as Tom alluded.
Word to the wise, if you’re thinking of getting on the roads, don’t. If you’re on them, get off. Let’s face it, wherever you are is probably nicer than your house anyway.
Australia: 2-63 (Smith 35*, Green 9*) need 153 runs for victory.
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