The Ashes day two LIVE: Australia strike back with three quick wickets after England had

Ricky Ponting’s analysis of the first session:

‘They are in a strong position no doubt about it. They did what they needed to do with the ball this morning and then the start of innings has been exactly what they would’ve wanted. Scoreboard has ticked over nicely. They go into the lunch break just 1 wicket down. And as we’ve seen in the past, this wicket does get better as the day goes on.’

Daily Mail cricket correspondent Lawrence Booth:

‘A lively end to another otherwise quiet session (weird, I know). Ben Duckett charged at Scott Boland and took a painful blow to his left forearm. On came the physio, using up four or five minutes. Next ball, pinned to the crease, Duckett was given lbw by umpire Holdstock, only for DRS to suggest the delivery had pitched a fraction outside leg stump. At the end of it all, England are 59 for one at lunch, a lead of 99. There was enough playing and missing in that session to encourage Australia, but they’ll need quick breakthroughs after the interval to stay in touch.’