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. wicket

    WICKET

    Root c Carey b Neser 0 (Eng 16-4)

    It's a clean catch!

    England are in all sorts of trouble as Joe Root goes for a 15-ball duck.

    Out comes Ben Stokes, he'll start at the non-striker's end.

  2. Umpire review

    Another one?

    Joe Root edges Michael Neser behind, the only question is about the catch after Alex Carey takes it diving forward.

    The umpires will take a look, but this doesn't look great for Root.

  3. How's stat?!

    Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    Harry Brook's scores in Tests when he has come out to bat with England three down for less than 30 runs:

    • 186 off 176 balls v New Zealand, Wellington, 2023
    • 26 off 40 balls v Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2024
    • 123 off 115 balls v New Zealand, Wellington, 2024
    • 158 off 234 balls v India, Birmingham, 2025

  4. Get Involved

    Click on 'Get involved' at the top of this page

    Harry Brook of England plays a shotGetty Images

    Harry Brook is taking the term 'Boxing Day Test' literally with his ridiculous 'counter punching'. He seems to be totally unaware of the match situation.

    Ruth, Bradford

  5. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Melbourne

    I'm going to say something controversial. I've got no problem with the shot Brook played first ball.

  6. Eng 15-3

    Harry Brook sends Mitchell Starc's opening delivery out to point for a single, and Joe Root faces the remainder of the over without scoring.

    He's still on zero after 11 deliveries.

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

    It does make you wonder. What have they talked about? Are they still saying run towards the danger?

  8. Eng 14-3

    Edged... for four!

    Harry Brook comes down the track again, not quite as aggressively this time, and nicks Michael Neser past gully.

    He then survives a muted lbw shout and runs a leg bye, allowing him to watch Neser send a delivery past Joe Root's edge.

  9. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    Steve Smith of Australia takes a catch to dismiss Zac CrawleyGetty Images

    This is England's joint second-worst start to a Test innings this millennium.

  10. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Melbourne

    I've just dug out something Harry Brook said before the third Test in Adelaide: "Most of the time when I've been overly aggressive is when we've lost early wickets and I've tried to counter-punch and put them back under pressure."

  11. Eng 9-3

    Harry Brook takes a single down to third to get off the mark.

    Breathe.

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

    I don't know what to say.

    We have got to try and get to double figures...

    That was a yahoo from Harry Brook. Harry Brook running down the pitch to Mitchell Starc. I am losing it.

  13. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Melbourne

    A display show England have lost three early wicketsGetty Images

    England are 8-3 in the fifth over and Australia have a long-off.

  14. Eng 8-3

    Good lord, Harry Brook.

    The England vice-captain arrives at the crease and immediately dances down the track and tries to heave Mitchell Starc over the covers for six.

    No connection and no edge - the shot for the occasion? Perhaps not.

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

    A good ball, in a good area.

    A forward defensive push and Zak Crawley gets a healthy edge to Steve Smith and he doesn't drop them at second slip.

    Smart clever bowling.

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

    The wheels are coming off.

  17. wicket

    WICKET

    Crawley c Smith b Starc 5 (Eng 8-3)

    Zak Crawley of England leaves the field after being dismissed by Mitchell StarcGetty Images

    Absolute chaos!

    Three English wickets have tumbled inside 26 balls with Zak Crawley the latest to go.

    He edges Mitchell Starc to Steve Smith at second clip, and all England's hard work today is in danger of being undone.

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

    Wow.

    England have just got to hang on. Joe Root has missed that by about three inches.

  19. Eng 8-2

    Joe Root pulls out as Michael Neser charges in, a big grin on the face of the England number four.

    Neser has his revenge, drawing a big swoosh from Root with a peach of a delivery.

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

    Out comes Joe Root, again. England have got to hang on here - this is dangerous.

    They are on the brink here. Some of the old nightmares are coming back to haunt them.