Smith and Starc combine to put Australia in command
Australia appear to have the edge in the final Ashes Test thanks to a strong stand from Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.
A fine partnership between Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc helped put Australia in a strong position at tea on the second day of the final Ashes Test.
Moeen Ali had struck with two wickets late in the morning session to reduce the tourists, who had begun the day on 287-3, to 376-7 at lunch.
However, captain-elect Smith and Starc shared a counter-attacking stand of 91 to swing the pendulum back in their side's favour and lift Australia to 481 all out.
England were left with eight overs to face before tea and Australia were provided with further momentum when Nathan Lyon bowled Alastair Cook for 22 to leave the hosts 30-1.
It was the aggressive Starc who caught the eye in an impressive eighth-wicket stand, striking nine fours and one six on his way to a sixth Test half-century.
Starc had earlier been dropped by Mark Wood but the England seamer finally ended the partnership when he dismissed Smith - who had earlier capitalised on being caught behind off a no-ball to record his 11th Test hundred - for 143.
Smith played on trying to bludgeon Wood through the off side and Starc soon followed him back to the pavilion when he was trapped lbw by Ben Stokes after reaching 58.
The final wicket was not long in coming as Adam Lyth took a fine diving catch off Steven Finn to dismiss Peter Siddle (1).
England openers Lyth and Cook looked in fluent form in reply, but an excellent delivery from Lyon accounted for Cook on the stroke of tea, England's skipper bowled by one that turned appreciably to beat the bat.