Summary

  • Fourth Test, day one, Melbourne - England win toss & bowl

  • Australia close on 4-0 - leading by 46 runs in their second innings after 20 wickets fall on frenetic day

  • England crumble to 110 all out: Brook 41 (34); Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30

  • Duckett, Bethell, Crawley and Root fall in first eight overs of England innings

  • Australia dismissed for 152 with Tongue taking a tremendous 5-45

  • Hosts hold unassailable 3-0 series lead

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Live Reporting

by Sam Drury & Mike Peter

  1. How stat?!

    Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    England's lowest Test totals under Brendon McCullum:

    • 110 v Australia, Melbourne, 2025
    • 112 v Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2024
    • 122 v India, Rajkot, 2024

  2. Quite remarkably, on the TV right now, Graeme Swann and Sir Alastair Cook are saying that the groundsman told them that he expects the pitch to be harder to bat on tomorrow.

    Blimey, it could be done by lunch...

  3. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    One of the biggest cheers of the day as Scott Boland scores his first runs as Australia's opening batsman.

  4. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    What a way to finish the day. I don't remember a crazier day than that in quite a while.

    Amazing stuff. The fans have been entertained here, that's for sure.

  5. Close of play - Aus 4-0

    Lead by 46

    The MCG erupts!

    Scott Boland skews the last ball of the day off the outside edge, along the ground for four.

    The previous ball also came off the edge and went very quickly towards Jacob Bethell in the gully.

    Did it carry? The replays aren't conclusive but it was very close.

    The end of a frankly ridiculous first day. If you have tickets for day four, I'd put in for your refund now. Maybe even if you have tickets for day three.

  6. Aus 0-0

    Lead by 42

    Scott Boland props forward to defend the fourth ball and there are huge cheers from Australia fans at the MCG.

    Two balls to go.

  7. How stat?!

    Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    48% of deliveries have seamed more than 0.75 degrees today. In the last 10 years of Tests in Australia, only four Tests have seen a larger amount of 'high seaming' deliveries on day one.

  8. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England will want to get rid of Scott Boland.

  9. Aus 0-0

    Lead by 42

    First ball from Gus Atkinson rears up, Scott Boland fends it off... in the air but it lands safely on the leg side!

  10. Right then, here we go. The start of Australia's second innings - and yes, it is still day one.

    And even more remarkable... Scott Boland is opening the batting for the home side.

    He got a first-baller in the first innings and is on a king pair as he prepares to face Gus Atkinson...

  11. Honestly, Anthony, there have been times when England's batters have deserved all the criticism they've got.

    I'm not sure this is one of those times for the most part.

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    I’ve been watching England play Test cricket since 1970. I can’t remember a more shambolic, self-destructive team than this.

    Anthony, Kent

  13. 'The ball is definitely nipping around'

    Michael Neser of Australia celebrates the wicket of Brydon CarseGetty Images

    Australian bowler Michael Neser, speaking to TNT Sports on if Scott Boland will open the batting: "I don't know yet. I know he is allowed to, but we will wait and see."

    On the wicket: "We saw when we batted it was tough. The ball is definitely nipping around, you still have to put it in the right area."

    To play in the Boxing Day Test: "A dream come true. I watched this as a kid and to be out here gives me goosebumps.

    "It is a tricky one, at the same time you have to put pressure on their bowlers. It is not easy as the ball is nipping around."

  14. Day one is not done just yet. We could yet see a 21st wicket in the day because Australia are going to have bat one over before the close.

    England trail by 42 after the first innings. This game is moving at a ridiculous pace.

    That deficit seems a lot in such a low-scoring game but given how bonkers it has been, I wouldn't write England off yet.

  15. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue tried to cobble together a partnership to try to get close to Australia.

    A 42-run lead on this pitch seems like it could be quite a lot.

  16. wicket

    WICKET

    Atkinson b Green 28 (Eng 110 all out)

    Bowled 'im and that's 20 wickets in the day.

    After four bouncers, Cameron Green goes full to Gus Atkinson and cleans him up.

    The England man was backing away, trying to open up the off side as he anticipated another bumper.

  17. Eng 110-9

    Trail by 42

    Mitchell Starc is back as Australia try to get this innings done.

    Not this time.

    Gus Atkinson muscles the ball down the ground and is able to get back for two, then takes one from the penultimate ball again to keep strike.

  18. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England's Brydon Carse leaves the field after being dismissedGetty Images

    I don't mean to chuckle, but what else can you do? England have just succumbed. If you don't laugh, you'll cry.

  19. Eng 107-9

    Trail by 45

    Gus Atkinson is trying to farm the strike now.

    He's batted as well as anyone bar Harry Brook today so why not?

    A single fifth ball takes him to 25 from as many balls and Josh Tongue keeps out the last so Atkinson will be back on strike.

  20. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    A tough catch for Scott Boland to take. That could have stuck, but it was with his left hand.