Day two of the fourth Ashes Test ended with England scoring 384-4 in 72 overs on Thursday at Old Trafford, Manchester.
The home side lead by 67 runs.
English opener Zak Crawley smashed Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground — taking BazBall to the whole new next level — as the right-handed batter scored 189 off 182 with 24 boundaries.
Harry Brook (14) and Ben Stokes (24) will resume batting for the hosts on day three.
England’s start to their inning wasn’t so great as Mitchell Starc, using his sheer pace, removed Ben Duckett for just one run.
But that could do no harm to the Brits, as Moeen Ali and Crawley had a 121-run stand.
Moeen too fell prey to Starc then came Joe Root to bat. Nothing could stop the two batters from following BazBall brand and forming a 206-run partnership, pushing the Aussies all the way back.
Root — who recently completed 11,000 Test runs — scored 84 off just 95 deliveries and then lost his wicket to Josh Hazlewood’s ripper.
Earlier on day two, Australia resumed their batting at 299-8 but were all out in the next seven overs on 317 runs.
Meanwhile, on day one, England had a bright start as the Ashes’ top-scorer Usman Khawaja was sent packing by Stuart Broad — who is the top wicket-taker — for just three runs.
David Warner managed to stay on the crease for some time after losing his opening partner but he was soon removed by Chris Woakes for 32.
The hosts’ biggest breakthrough came just after lunch with Smith’s removal by Mark Wood’s 92mph delivery as the Aussie had no idea how to tackle the Englishman’s pace.
Despite a much-needed wicket, the English bowlers couldn’t do much against the strong defense of Travis Head and Labuschagne as the two batters had a 63-run stand. However, England turned to spin bowling and it worked. Moeen Ali removed the latter right after he completed the half-century.
Soon after Labuschagne's wicket, Head was removed by Broad, who in the process also completed 600 wickets in Test Cricket.
The Aussies once again seemed to be in a comfortable position with Cameroon Green and Marsh forming a 65-run partnership but both batters were removed by Woakes in a single over.
The wicket of Marsh became the highlight of the day, not just because it was important, but because of the English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow’s brilliant low-diving catch putting the visitors on the back foot once again.
Lineups
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood.
Schedule of remaining Ashes matches
Fourth Test (Emirates Old Trafford) - Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, July 23
Fifth Test (The Kia Oval) - Thursday, July 27 - Monday, July 31