Across three sessions their batters ground England's bowlers into the dust, answering any questions about their motivation since securing the Ashes and throwing up a few more about their beaten opponents. Faces flush from the ordeal, Ben Stokes and his team trudged off at stumps seeing pink elephants. Steve Smith's 37th Test century, 129 not out from 205 balls, had followed the second half of Travis Head's sizzling 163 from 166, and with it Australia had reached 518 for seven from 124 overs.
9th over: Australia 79-0 (Head 50, Marsh 25) Head backs away to give himself room and carves Maharaj over cover for four. He goes to a quick fifty with a single clipped to leg. He's had a quiet time of it recently and will want plenty more. Share 8th over: Australia 72-0 (Head 45, Marsh 24) Spin from both ends as Markram replaces the beleaguered Mulder. A tidy first over, just two singles off it.