How Smith dug Australia out of trouble - relive Ashes day two

We know not all of you can stay up through the night so make sure you tune in to the TMS highlights at your desk today. I'm sure the boss won't mind.

They're repeated throughout the day on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and you can listen here.

The TMS podcast is also available to download here featuring Agnew, Vaughan, Starc and Anderson.

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I know I have mentioned this already but you really should have a read of our man in Brisbane Stephan Shemilt's match report.

It sums up another thrilling day perfectly.

Have a read here.

Not many of you seem to backing England.

Always the pessimists, ey?

Dave: Smith/Marsh partnership has tilted balance in Australia’s favour. Get Smith out early and the dynamic duo of Anderson & Broad can charge through the middle/lower order.

Alistair Hatch: Seems like Ashes day two is evenly poised. Eng would have liked 50+ runs (highlighting why Stokes is missed so badly) and we have to make sure Smith doesn’t settle in the morning. Aus will be happy, but aware they have work tomorrow

Even a small first innings lead for either side should be significant.

Here's another picture of that marriage proposal (see 9:04) over in the pool deck earlier.

Those budgie smugglers...

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• This is the third time England have reached 300 batting first at the Gabba; they won on both previous occasions, in 1936-37 and 1986-87
• England have only lost once at the Gabba when scoring at least 300 in their first innings, when they made 325 in 2002-03
• All three of Jake Ball's Test wickets have been top-three batsmen: Azhar Ali, Cheteshwar Pujara and David Warner
• Australia have only won one Ashes Test at the Gabba when conceding a first-innings lead batting second (1990-91)

Stat two and four make good reading for England if they can take wickets in the morning/tonight.

SMS Message: Impossible to say who's ahead. If England were in Australia's position I wouldn't be confident at all and I'd predict a batting collapse in the morning as we succumb to 250 all out. However, since Australia are batting I'd say they'll get to 350 by close tomorrow. from Phil in Chippenham.

Impossible to say who's ahead. If England were in Australia's position I wouldn't be confident at all and I'd predict a batting collapse in the morning as we succumb to 250 all out. However, since Australia are batting I'd say they'll get to 350 by close tomorrow.

England have got to work out a plan for Jonny Bairstow at number seven. He'll have to work out how he handles the tail because 9,10 and 11 could get blown away quite quickly.

Ray Gritt: I know Vince, Stoneman and Malan all impressed, but is Bairstow wasted at number 7?

That is a very good question from Ray. He made just nine today. Michael Vaughan had some interesting thoughts on Jonny B earlier...

Steve Smith's record across the world is outstanding. A lot of guys base their game around playing at home and he has done that in Australia.

He has found a way of playing the ball that bounces and has got an awkward trigger movement that puts you off your line as a bowler. It can be difficult to adjust and he makes himself awkward and is very good at manipulating the ball.

He is going to be such key wicket and this first innings.

Jukebox Jack: Re Steve Smith- I think the match literally may hinge on his wicket. Get him for less than a tonne, England are in front. Let him make a century with some quick runs tomorrow, England are in trouble. However I agree with Tuffers, Australia rely far so much on Smith!

On the commute? Need to re-cap the day? You're in luck.

Here's the TMS Podcast featuring Jonathan Agnew and Michael Vaughan looking back at the day and we also James Anderson and Australia’s Mitchell Starc following the days action.

Listen here.

Having a gentle morning wake up? Here's what you missed through the day down under.

• England made a solid start reaching 246-4. Dawid Malan hit third half-century of the England innings.
• England collapsed losing six wickets for 56 runs and were bowled out for 302.
• England’s bowlers reduced the Aussies to 76-4.
• Australian captain Steve Smith (64 not out) led an impressive recovery for the hosts. He shared an unbeaten partnership on 89 with Shaun Marsh (44 not out) to help Australia close on 165-4, 137 runs behind.

The full scorecard is available here.

Australia were good at maintaining their intensity when a new batsmen came in.

The lower order boosted England over 300 and especially when the four Australian wickets fell it looked like a very good score.

Daniel Feleppa: England ahead only just but early wickets will put them in command hope it doesn't happen

Rebel With A Cause: 50/50. If England break the current partnership then the remaining tail will crumble.

Nick Bennett: Aussies just edged it. Key is Smith! Get him early tomorrow and we'll be back in it. If not, could be a tough day for England.

For the first time in the match, the Gabba lived up to its 'Gabbatoir' nickname as the sight of an England collapse in front of baying fans evoked memories of the 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.

Still, the Barmy Army were lively throughout, trading songs with hundreds of Australia supporters dressed as the late commentator Richie Benaud on a scorching afternoon.

Read more from Stephan Shemilt at the Gabba here.

Seán: Those last 50 runs before the close put Aus just ahead for me. Couple of quick wickets tomorrow morning though and it'll swing well the other way.

Evonne O: Smith as player of the day as showing his class as the best batman on the planet right now. He is why Australia has the slight edge at the end of day two.

We're asking you who you think is ahead and who your player of the day is. Keep your thoughts coming.

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The strategy side of what Joe Root delivered today was really interesting, in terms of the specific plans he had for different players.