The Ashes LIVE: Scorecard latest as Buttler rallies to 50 after Marsh and Cummins fire

England headed into tea at 169/3, displaying one of their strongest batting performances of the series so far.

Pat Cummins must have had a tuna sandwich or two at tea, coming out of the blocks at 4pm to clean bowl Root with a delivery which stayed slightly low. Bairstow followed soon after, trapped LBW by Mitch Marsh.

Hazlewood got in on the act in the evening session with the dismissal of Archer, which followed Sam Curran’s short-lived 15 and Chris Woakes’ 2.

As England faced yet another batting collapse, Buttler went on the offensive and smacked around Josh Hazelwood’s deliveries like he was hitting a white ball.

His half-century came late in the day after 6pm as a swathe of sixes propelled him to the landmark.

For captain Joe Root, who has had his leadership abilities questioned this series, it’s about preparation for the Ashes Down Under in 2021-22.

“We have to use the next two-and-a-half years to focus on putting in a winning tour down under,” Root said.

“That’s a real incentive for everyone, to be part of something special there.

“I know the direction I want to take this team and it’s about starting that now, not after this series.

“It’s about trying to make sure we use this match as a stepping stone, win this game, have a really strong winter and move forward as a group.”

Australia have retained the Urn but are keen to win an Ashes series in England outright for the first time since 2001.

“We’re very hungry,” captain Tim Paine said.

“We have spoken a lot about it. We came here to win the Ashes, not just retain them.

“Last week’s result at Old Trafford was brilliant and we played very well, but all the guys are aware that this Test is bigger than that one.

“We want this Test as much as any other Test we’ve played in this series.”