- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,209,095
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Brook counterpunched but was, somewhat inevitably, dismissed by Boland, the local hero - Getty Images/Quinn Rooney
When even Stuart Broad complains the pitch has helped bowlers too much then you know it has been a tough day for batting.
“Test-match bowlers do not need this amount of movement to be threatening,” the former England player said on Australian radio with a hint of regret in his voice that he had a microphone in his hand and not a ball.
Broad was one of the turkeys who laboured through the Boxing Day Test of 2017-18 when only 24 wickets were taken in five days of dull cricket, so you can understand his envy.
This time 20 fell on day one in front of a record MCG crowd that climbed to 94,199 on a chilly day in Melbourne. This great cathedral of cricket, however, was turned into a circus tent.
There were some who should have gone out to bat riding a bike with square wheels, because there were a few clown acts on show as batsmen, unable to cope with sideways movement, had their techniques exposed by bowlers making the most of conditions.
Such was the bowler-friendly nature of the pitch that wickets fell as quickly as some of the England players sank $10 schooners on their mid-series break.
The tourists thought they were in the driving seat when Josh Tongue led them off the field, holding up the match ball for his five for 45 – the first five-wicket haul by an Englishman at the MCG since 1998 – Australia having been bowled out for 152.
You must be registered for see images attach
It all looked so rosy for England when Josh Tongue led the tourists off the field having bowled Australia out for 152 - Getty Images/Santanu Banik
But five minutes before the close, Tongue was back out there with his bowling boots on, England in the field again after they were dismissed for 110 in 29.5 overs, their shortest innings in Ashes cricket since 1904.
An utterly bizarre day finished in comical fashion: Australia’s no 11 and local hero Scott Boland sent out as nightwatchman to open their second innings and survive one over. The loudest roar of the day came when he edged the final ball from Gus Atkinson through the slips for four, just to rub it in a bit more for the broken Bazballers.
Harry Brook made the highest score of the day of 41, and only one batsman, Usman Khawaja, managed to last 50 balls. Six top five batsmen from Australia and England recorded single-figure scores, and only two made more than 12. England’s total included a run-a-ball 50 stand between Brook and Stokes, the only partnership to reach double figures until last pair Atkinson and Tongue thrashed 19.
You must be registered for see images attach
Having seen the Australians struggle England found life even tougher on a pitch that offered the bowlers plenty - Getty Images/Gareth Copley
There was only one fifty stand in the Australia first innings: 52 between Cameron Green and Michael Neser, but even that was a false dawn. When Green was run out by Brydon Carse it sparked an Australian collapse of four wickets for nine runs in 20 balls, Tongue taking two in two to start the second innings on a hat-trick.
The drop-in pitch had 10mm of grass at the start of play, two more than the one in Perth which brought 19 wickets on the first day of the series. Overcast skies made life a little harder, too, with the floodlights switched on before lunch. It did brighten up in the afternoon but there was a nip in the air all day to match the considerable nip off the pitch.
The bounce was true, it was not dangerous, just tricky, and neither team has a batting line up capable of surviving for long in those conditions if the bowlers find the right length.
Certainly not those England batsmen out of nick and drained of confidence. They were the ones who fell prodding, uncertain of how to play the situation. The ones who had the most success were Brook and Atkinson, who were willing to give it a go and commit to a counter-attack.
Most of the rest were out poking around to seaming balls, England’s top four mustering just eight runs between them.
08:20am
That’s all from me today
Another bonkers day in a series that keeps on out-doing itself in terms of clownish/outrageous/continued-pressing-down-on-the-fast-forward-button play.
I am off for a lie down, and that’s not down to a lack of sleep.
We’ll be back with you from 10 this evening when it will doubtless be prudent not to rule anything out in terms of what will unfold.
07:49am
More on the pitch
Here’s what Graeme Swann and Alastair Cook had to say. In short, as I revealed earlier, the pitch may become tougher to bat on. Gulp...
07:46am
Mr 5-0 had this to say about the pitch
Speaking on Test Match Special Glenn McGrath said: “This pitch has far too much grass on it. I was saying 7mm, but it is 10mm. That pitch has too much life in it for Test cricket.”
07:41am
For those just awake
England dominated the first two sessions, bowling brilliantly as a unit as Australia were all out for 152.
Then this happened...here’s Will Macpherson’s take on the mad hour that set the tone for the tourists’ first innings as they were bowled out for 110.
The crazy hour that cost England dear at the Boxing Day Test
You must be registered for see images attach
Zak Crawley departed for five on a mad day’s play in Melbourne - Getty Images/Santanu Banik
07:27am
No rest for the wicked
Anyone who anticipates batting will become easier may need/not want/be shocked (delete as applicable) to hear what Graeme Swann and Alastair Cook have just said on TNT Sports. Apparently, the groundsman told them that he expects the pitch to be tougher to bat on tomorrow. He expects the pitch to quicken, and the ball to nip around just as as much as today.
Yep, you read that right, the pitch could well be tougher to bat on and if it is then this could be over by tea tomorrow.
07:23am
That was the lowest England total in Bazball era
- 110 v Australia, Melbourne, 2025
- 112 v Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2024
- 122 v India, Rajkot, 2024
07:22am
Josh Tongue speaks to TNT Sports - ‘Amazing day of Test cricket’
On a crazy day at the MCG...
On his five-fer...
On the pitch...
On the mood in the England camp...
07:13am
We thought Perth was mad
When 19 wickets fell, but the MCG has said to the Optus Stadium: ‘hold my beer’.
Twenty wickets fell today and there’s a feeling that the ball did a bit too much. That’s what Alastair Cook is saying on TNT commentary.
According to CricViz 48 per cent of deliveries have seamed more than 0.75 degrees today. In the past 10 years of Tests in Australia, only four matches have seen a larger amount of ‘high-seaming’ deliveries on day one.
07:07am
Bonkers day at ‘The G’
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
07:06am
OVER 1: AUS 4/0 (Boland 4 Head 0)
And it’s a new opening partnership for the hosts as Scott Boland comes out alongside Travis Head! He’s still got his bowling boots on! And, low and behold, he’ll take the first ball.
England have five slips in place as Atkinson (not Tongue as Will Macpherson wanted) comes in. Boland fends a short one first up that goes up in the air on the leg side but is, just about, safe. Next up, Atkinson pushes one up there and it wraps the Australian on the pads, but was going down leg to such an extent that the England bowler does not even bother to a mock appeal. The third ball is left outside off, the fourth is defended with a forward defensive that wouldn’t look out of place in the MCC textbook. The fifth takes the edge but it doesn’t carry to fifth slip, and the sixth (final ball of the day) is squirted for four down to the vacant third man boundary.
And that is that on an extraordinary day of Test cricket. For those who’ve been up all night, you have several reasons now to go take a lie down. And for those who’ve just got up, you may also need to take a lie down...
06:58am
End the day on a much-needed high?
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
You must be registered for see images attach
Can Tongue get a hat-trick? - Getty Images/Santanu Banik
06:51am
Seems weird to write this
But England have won two of the three sessions today. It’s just that the one they’ve lost has cost them more (so far, at least) than the two the hosts lost.
Australia will, I think, now have one over to negotiate before stumps.
06:50am
ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 110
Atkinson b Green 28
Atkinson has a Test ton at Lord’s, we know he can bat a bit, how many runs can he get here to give England some hope heading into the second half of this match (yep, even in this series, writing heading into the second half of this match on day one seems bizarre...)? Green enters the attack and Atkinson makes room for himself to pull the ball, it finds finds fine leg and he doesn’t take the run. He might regret that as two balls later he’s clean-bowled and that is that...
You must be registered for see images attach
Atkinson is bowled and England are all out for 110 - Reuters/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
06:45am
OVER 29: ENG 110/9 (Atkinson 28 Tongue 1)
Starc returns to the attack. Atkinson drives down the ground for two before another freeing of the arms gives him a single and, providing Tongue can survive the last ball, he’ll be on strike the next over. And, Tongue, indeed, survives. The deficit is 42.
06:40am
OVER 28: ENG 107/9 (Atkinson 25 Tongue 1)
Neser needs one wicket for a five-fer, England need as many runs as possible. Four dot balls are followed by a drive for one through the covers from Atkinson and the deficit is 45.
06:37am
OVER 27: ENG 106/9 (Atkinson 24 Tongue 1)
Play can go on for another 24 minutes - will Australia bat again today? They very nearly have to pad up again as Tongue offers up a difficult chance to Boland of a caught and bowled. It was tough but that’s the one (teeeny tiny) mistake the Australian bowler has made today, his out-stretched left mitt not grabbing the returning ball.
06:34am
Important runs
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
06:33am
OVER 26: ENG 106/9 (Atkinson 24 Tongue 1)
Neser finds the outside edge of Atkinson’s bat but it’s from a ramp and neither batsman nor keeper, who is standing up, is really aware of where the balls has gone. It actually goes down to third man for no runs. A couple of deliveries later and England, sweet lord, make it to three figures (HURRAH!) thanks to a flat-batted, baseball style shot for four down the ground. Another boundary follows and these are important runs, the tourists trail by 46 now.
06:27am
OVER 25: ENG 97/9 (Atkinson 16 Tongue 0)
England need all the runs they can get and in that endeavour Atkinson’s heave-ho for six over fine leg is to be welcomed with open arms (if you’re an England fan). He tries two more swipes, but this time doesn’t make contact.
Boland is the best bowler in the world in these conditions, and he’s proved it today.
06:24am
OVER 24: ENG 91/9 (Atkinson 10 Tongue 0)
Tongue is the new, and last, man in. Can England at least make three figures?
06:22am
WICKET!
Carse c Boland b Neser 4
It’s a good surprise bouncer (with the keeper standing up), Carse has a go but doesn’t get hold of it and only succeeds in picking out Boland in the deep.
FOW - 91/9
06:18am
OVER 23: ENG 90/8 (Atkinson 9 Carse 4)
Carse does his best Brook impression charging Boland first ball, giving it the kitchen sink and basically any other appliance you can think of. He misses as the ball finds its way to Carey behind the stumps.
Not only is Boland getting more movement than his fellow bowlers, he’s also getting more bounce. The ball is nipping miles, he’s wobble-seaming it and it’s hard out there. Alistair Cook on TNT commentary says ‘I am not sure how you bat out there against Boland as a right-hander’.
You must be registered for see images attach
Boland has been at his brilliant best today - Shutterstock /James Ross
06:14am
OVER 22: ENG 88/8 (Atkinson 8 Carse 3)
Carse is the new man in. Task: the get England up to three-figures.
Carey is up to the stumps but the new man gets a two and squirts the next ball for a single down to third man. There is a good chance England will be bowling again today...
06:09am
WICKET!
Stokes c Smith b Naser 16
Oh dear, it’s the captain and it’s not a shot to look back on with any fondness. It’s a waft outside off and the ball takes the edge flying to Smith at second slip.
FOW - 83/8
06:08am
OVER 21: ENG 83/7 (Stokes 16 Atkinson 6)
That’s three wickets Boland’s taken with the nip-backer and England have no answer to his line and length. Atkinson is the new man in with England trailing by 75. He’s off the mark with one off his legs for four, nice touch with no man deep on square, at 77 for seven Australia don’t really need one. A two follows and who knows how key these runs could be, the plan has to be get to 100 and eke out as many runs as possible to get as close to 152 as they can.
06:03am
WICKET!
Jacks c Carey b Boland 5
Another peach of a ball from Boland who, it’s fair to say, loves bowling at the MCG. This delivery is back of a length, gets a fair bit of bounce, nips back and Jacks can only feather an inside edge to Carey.
FOW - 77/7
06:00am
OVER 20: ENG 77/6 (Stokes 16 Jacks 5)
Three for Jacks off the first gets Stokes on strike, a penny for his thoughts...more chaos surrounds him and once again the idea that England cricket captain is one of the toughest jobs in the UK doesn’t seem so ridiculous...
Richardson is, like his fellow bowlers, getting the ball to nip here there and everywhere.
05:54am
OVER 19: ENG 69/6 (Stokes 15 Jacks 1)
This is a pitch that is heavily favouring the bowlers, but Boland is bowling beautifully putting the ball in the right areas and letting the track do the rest. Jacks is beaten all ends up first ball, thrashing at one that somehow misses the stumps. Another wild stroke misses the fielders and the new batsman is off the mark.
Here’s a stat: the 16 wickets that have fallen today is the most in a day’s play here for 27 years...did I say the pitch is too bowler friendly?
05:50am
Wicket!
Smith b Boland 2
Boland is at it again he’s a master in these conditions and he gets another to nip back, beats Smith’s forward prod to cannon into the stumps.
FOW - 68/6
05:48am
Jacks to play an important role?
05:47am
OVER 18: ENG 68/5 (Stokes 15 Smith 2)
Richardson continues, he’s got nought for two off two so far and continues with his parsimonious offering here with a maiden. This bowling attack is nothing if not disciplined.
05:43am
OVER 17: ENG 68/5 (Stokes 15 Smith 2)
A Stokes three - a drive on the up through the covers - takes the partnership to 50 off 50. At 16 for four people were diving into the record books to see what England’s lowest total against Australia was (think it’s 45). This pair has, at least, removed all thoughts of total ignominy.
No sooner do I write that than Brook is out lbw...it was an excellent ball, nipping back a fair way.
Smith is the new man in and off the mark first up.
Harry Brook is OUT for 41
England are 66-5.
Watch #TheAshes LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/QYDBR4Yu5c
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 26, 2025
05:42am
WICKET!
Brook lbw b Boland 41
And the counter-attack is over as Boland gets his man with a wicket-to-wicket ball that traps Brook on the crease. The ball would have cannoned into leg stump.
FOW - 66/5
05:37am
OVER 16: ENG 62/4 (Brook 40 Stokes 12)
Brook: Genius counter-attack or foolhardy bit of fun? The longer he stays in and nudges England toward the Australian total the more it looks like the former rather than the latter. A single from the Yorkshireman takes this partnership to 46 off 45, it’s been much-needed and at least has given the hosts some pause for thought on a pitch that is very much in their favour.
You must be registered for see images attach
Harry Brook has 40 off 30 on an eventful day at the MCG - Getty Images/Daniel Pockett
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
05:32am
OVER 15: ENG 61/4 (Brook 39 Stokes 12)
Boland has found his range and he beats Stokes with another that angles in before nipping away, tough conditions to bat in. He then gets off strike with a single before Brook plays a delightful drive that Head does well to stop going for four.
05:28am
OVER 14: ENG 56/4 (Brook 35 Stokes 11)
Richardson comes on for his first over in Test cricket for four years. He’s spent the best part of a year out injured but he’s back and he finds that good, full length straight away. Fourth ball Stokes wafts outside off and there’s a collective ‘Oooooooo’ from the crowd who’ve had plenty to ‘Ooooooooooooo’ at today already...one from the over.
Here’s a flavour of Brook’s innings so far...
05:24am
OVER 13: ENG 55/4 (Brook 34 Stokes 11)
Brook for all his faults (that first ball...) is at least making the Australian attack think, and putting them on the back foot (at least when he’s facing). A single gets Stokes on strike and the captain pushes for two through the covers.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
05:20am
OVER 12: ENG 52/4 (Brook 33 Stokes 9)
It’s fair to say two things (i) The pitch is doing a bit, and (ii) This Test is currently on fast forward...
This Neser over sees Brook take the game to the bowler, rocking back and thrashing it over wide long-on for six. Fair play that was a great shot, all hand-eye coordination. A single off the next delivery takes him to 33 off 23...if he gets out it won’t be because he’s a sitting duck, which is what the other batsmen have, in effect, been on this minefield of a track. Stokes pushes for two through the covers before Neser overpitches and the skipper drives imperiously for four down the ground.
And, believe it or not, England have gone past 50, phew...
05:15am
No Australian weak links in this attack
05:13am
OVER 11: ENG 39/4 (Brook 26 Stokes 3)
Thanks Rob, and eventful start to Boxing Day!
And as if that wasn’t bad enough on comes Scott Boland who took plenty for not a lot (six for seven...) four years ago on this ground. Brook nudges a single to get off strike and it’s the skipper to face the man who will have seen what the pitch is doing and, most likely, have been licking his lips. Stokes lets the first to pass through to Carey before the outside edge is well and truly beaten. That was a peach of a delivery and again emphases that this pitch is a Christmas present for the Australian attack - had Stokes managed to nick that one he would have been in the form of his life.
05:08am
OVER 10: ENG 38/4 (Brook 25 Stokes 3)
Carey comes up to the stumps to keep Brook in his crease against Neser. It almost brings an added bonus when Brook survives an umpire review for a potential stumping. Brook did lift his back foot but managed to ground it just in time.
That’s all from me for today - Greg Wilcox will be your guide until the close.
04:59am
OVER 9: ENG 30/4 (Brook 20 Stokes 0)
A quite astonishing shot from Brook, who charges Starc’s first ball and lasers it over extra cover for six. He has clearly decided to get as many as he can before the pitch gets him. You can understand why because the ball is doing all sorts; Stokes is beaten by a grotesque delivery from Starc, almost a 90mph off-break.
A wildly eventful over ends with Brook hoicking a ramp over everyone’s head for four! He has 20 from 13 balls, England are 30/4 and I think we’re watching a Test match.
04:58am
OVER 8: ENG 16/4 (Brook 6 Stokes 0)
That was the last ball of the over.
04:57amWickets
Wicket!
Root c Carey b Neser 0 The traditional approach didn’t do England much good. Joe Root has gone for a 14-ball duck after a forensic working-over by Michael Neser. Root was beaten by a jaffa before edging the next delivery through to Alex Carey. England are in all sorts. FOW: 16/4
04:54am
OVER 7: ENG 16/3 (Root 0 Brook 6)
A more traditional approach to crisis management from Joe Root, who leaves as many deliveries as possible in that Starc over.
04:48am
OVER 6: ENG 14/3 (Root 0 Brook 5)
Brook walks down the track to Neser, tries a whip to leg and edges the ball wide of gully for four. Brook is often at his most aggressive on bowler-friendly pitches - remember that outrageous hundred at Wellington a year ago - and it looks like that’s the plan today.
04:44am
England look ripe for the slaughter
“Goes hard from ball one,” reads the Fox Australia caption on Harry Brook’s batting technique. The England vice-captain does not disappoint, thrashing so hard at the opening delivery that Mitchell Starc can hardly help himself from laughing. After an outstanding display with the ball, England again look ripe for slaughter here.
04:42am
OVER 5: ENG 9/3 (Root 0 Brook 1)
Harry Brook charges his first ball, tries to slap it over extra cover for six and misses completely. Harold!
04:41am
Bethell a sacrificial offering
I feel for Bethell there. An absolute baptism to walk out on Ashes debut at no 3 in front of 93,000 and Australia on a roll. He was just a sacrificial offering for the MCG coliseum. Root should bat three and let Bethell, who has not faced a ball in competitive cricket for three weeks, come in later when there are runs on the board (although that may be wishful thinking.)
04:39amWickets
Wicket!
Crawley c Smith b Starc 5 Never judge a pitch until both teams have batted on it. England are three down and in disarray, with Zak Crawley the latest man to fall. He pushed at a pretty good delivery from Starc and was expertly caught in the slips by Steve Smith. FOW: 8/3
04:36am
OVER 4: ENG 8/2 (Crawley 5 Root 0)
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Bethell was given out LBW or caught behind. We think it was the latter.
Joe Root almost joins him back in the pavilion - he drives loosely at his first ball and is beaten all ends up.
You must be registered for see images attach
Michael Neser appeals successfully for the wicket of Jacob Bethell. - JAMES ROSS/Shutterstock
04:35amWickets
Wicket!
Bethell c Carey b Neser 1 The cauldron was too hot for Jacob Bethell, who has fallen fifth ball for 1. Neser turned him round with a gorgeous delivery that hit the back pad, possibly after brushing the outside edge, and was caught by Alex Carey. FOW: 8/2
04:30am
An ugly way for Duckett to go
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
This will have been a difficult week for Ben Duckett, no doubt, having been caught at the heart of the Noosa issues. That was an ugly way to go; one of his shots, but through it too soon. Jacob Bethell: what a baptism in Ashes cricket.
You must be registered for see images attach
Ben Duckett walks off the field after being dismissed for 2. - Robbie Stephenson/PA
04:29am
OVER 3: ENG 8/1 (Crawley 5 Bethell 1)
Jacob Bethell, 22, walks into an Ashes cauldron for the first time. He gets off the mark by working his first ball off the pads for a single.
04:27amWickets
Wicket!
Duckett c Neser b Starc 2 Ben Duckett’s horror tour continues with the tamest of dismissals. He pushed at a nothing delivery from Starc, on leg stump. and looped it gently to mid-on. Duckett has made 99 runs at 14.14 in this series. FOW: 7/1
Ben Duckett is OUT for 2
Watch #TheAshes LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/i7On3uM6Be
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 26, 2025
04:24am
OVER 2: ENG 4/0 (Crawley 2 Duckett 2)
In the absence of Pat Cummins, the reliable Michael Neser takes the new ball. Crawley has a windy woof at his first ball and is beaten; then Duckett drives nicely for two to get off the mark.
04:20am
OVER 1: ENG 1/0 (Crawley 1 Duckett 0)
A strong start from Mitchell Starc, who has long since abolished the loosener. Zak Crawley is beaten by his second ball, a beauty angled across him, and taps his fifth into the off side for a single.
Ben Duckett edges his first ball into the ground and through to gully. Australia enquire about a possible catch but it was a clear bump ball.
04:15am
Attack the best form of defence for England
Right, time to Bazball it, not block it. England will not last long on this pitch if they fail to show any adventure.
04:14am
The evening session
Zak Crawley and the under-pressure Ben Duckett walk out to open the batting. This could be a challenging session for England on what looks a seam-friendly pitch.
You must be registered for see images attach
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett walk out to bat. - Robbie Stephenson/PA
04:08am
Green’s moment of madness
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
With every passing moment, Cam Green’s run out looks even crazier. He has a bit to prove over the next few days if he’s to keep his place in Sydney.
04:03am
Still lots of work for England to do
A collapse there of four for nine in 20 balls sparked by the Carse run out of Green shows the effect great fielding can have on an innings. Can the batsmen back it up? Chris Rogers, the Victoria coach, says batting is hardest at the MCG in the final session on day one and morning of day two because the pitch quickens up. A lot can still happen today.
04:01am
Tea-time verdict
What a moment for Josh Tongue to lead England off in front of 93,442 fans - the highest ever recorded crowd for a day of cricket at the MCG - holding the match ball up for his five fer. Tongue bowled with great heart, skill and consistency and England are in the game with Australia all out for 152.
Tongue pitched it up, exploited the movement on offer and kept bowling full even when Michael Neser batted out of his crease and drove a few fours. Good fielding from England too - a run out by Brydon Carse, excellent skier taken by Ben Stokes and a sharp slip catch by Harry Brook. The Ashes are gone but England can take something from this series.
You must be registered for see images attach
Josh Tongue holds the ball up after taking his third Test five-for and his first against Australia. - Robbie Stephenson/PA
03:57am
Record crowd at the MCG
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
As Australia are bowled out for 152, news come through that a) it’s tea (good news for England’s openers) and b) that the attendance is currently 93,442, which is a cricketing record at the MCG.
03:55amWickets
Wicket!
Boland c Brook b Tongue 0 An Ashes five-for for Josh Tongue, who will be on a hat-trick in the second innings. Boland fences a sharp delivery towards second slip, where Brook takes a lovely catch. What a great moment that is for Tongue, who took out the top and tail of the Australian innings to finish with figures of 11.2-2-45-5. FOW: 152 all out
03:53am
Carse gets in on the act
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Brydon Carse has bowled some absolute filth today, especially in his first spell, yet has got himself into the game in the last half-hour, with the fine run out of Green, and now the wicket of Starc. He’s got 14 wickets this series, easily England’s most.
03:52amWickets
Wicket!
Neser b Tongue 35 And Michael Neser is the old batter. He tries to drive an excellent delivery from Tongue that cuts back through to the gate to hit the stumps. Very similar to the dismissal of Steve Smith earlier in the day. FOW: 152/9
03:51am
OVER 45: AUS 152/8 (Neser 35 Richardson 0)
Jhye Richardson is the new batter.
03:50amWickets
Wicket!
Starc c Stokes b Carse 1 A superb running catch from Ben Stokes! Starc drove Carse over mid-off without properly timing the stroke, and Stokes charged back towards the boundary to take a beautifully judged catch. It looked like a no-ball from Carse, in truth, but the third umpire checked it and was happy to send Starc on his way. I’d like to see that again. FOW: 152/8
03:46am
OVER 44: AUS 152/7 (Neser 35 Starc 1)
Starc tries to tee off against Carse but only makes contact with fresh air.
03:43am
OVER 44: AUS 152/7 (Neser 35 Starc 1)
Mitchell Starc, who is averaging 50 with the bat in this series, works Tongue for a single to get off the mark. Neser slams a cut stroke that is well stopped by Bethell at point.
03:40am
A rare England run-out
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Incredible brain fade from Cam Green.
Now, here’s a stat: that’s England’s first Ashes run out since the Adelaide Test of 2021/22. Their fielding has been iffy for a while, and that is a gift.
You must be registered for see images attach
Cameron Green is run out by Brydon Carse. - Robbie Stephenson/PA
03:39am
OVER 43: AUS 151/7 (Neser 35 Starc 0)
A spectacular delivery from Carse beats Neser on the inside, bounces just over middle stump and runs away for four byes.
Neser then slaps four more behind square on the off side. He’s the top scorer in this innings.
03:35amWickets
Wicket!
Green run out 17 Brilliant from Brydon Carse! Green dropped the ball on the off side and tried to steal a quick single, but the bowler Carse had other ideas. He picked the ball up in his follow-through, turned and detonated the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Green was barely in the frame. FOW: 143/7
03:33am
OVER 42: AUS 143/6 (Green 17 Neser 31)
An eventful return to the attack for Josh Tongue. His first ball is edged fractionally short of first slip by Neser, who then lashes and slashes three consecutive fours.
Four leg-byes make it a whopping 16 runs from the over.
03:28am
OVER 41: AUS 127/6 (Green 17 Neser 19)
A nothing over from Carse. This is turning into a frustrating partnership from an England perspective: it’s worth 36 in 9.4 overs.
03:24am
OVER 40: AUS 121/6 (Green 15 Neser 15)
Stokes continues at this end, in fact. Green punches a handsome drive straight to mid-off before stealing a single on the off side. In the circumstances, individual and collective, Green has started his innings well.
03:19am
OVER 39: AUS 120/6 (Green 14 Neser 15)
Carse comes back on for Tongue, who will presumably change ends after bowling only a single over in his second spell. Neser is beaten by a superb delivery that holds its line from a good length; Carse looks a much better bowler to the right-handers.
You must be registered for see images attach
Australia’s No8 Michael Neser has five first-class centuries to his name. - Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
03:15am
Drinks
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Another solid hour for England, you’d say. Neser has chanced his arm in that last Stokes over, and Starc – who is batting so well – is still to come. But they really should have designs on bowling Australia out for south of 175, which would seem a good outcome having put them in.
03:13am
OVER 38: AUS 120/6 (Green 14 Neser 15)
Neser edges Stokes for a couple of fours, one along the ground and one over the slip cordon. These are useful runs for Australia, who will feel well in the game if they can sneak up towards 200.
Time for a drinks break.
03:09am
OVER 37: AUS 111/6 (Green 14 Neser 6)
Atkinson is replaced by Josh Tongue, who first two balls are belted for four by Cam Green. The first was a low full toss, the second a short that Green pulled emphatically through midwicket.
Tongiue tightens up thereafter and there are no more runs from the over.
03:04am
OVER 36: AUS 103/6 (Green 6 Neser 6)
Neser is cut in half by a beauty from Stokes, who is getting some sharp movement back into the right-hander. Another nip-backer hits Neser high on the thigh before deflecting through to the keeper. When Stokes goes fuller in pursuit of a wicket, Neser responds with a good straight drive for four.
03:01am
OVER 35: AUS 99/6 (Green 6 Neser 2)
Australia’s quicks will fancy their chances on this pitch, particularly if they get to bowl at England either side of tea.
02:56am
OVER 34: AUS 95/6 (Green 2 Neser 2)
England appeal for caught behind when Neser fences at an excellent delivery from Stokes. Smith isn’t sure whether it’s a clean catch; replays show that the ball bounced just short.
02:52am
OVER 33: AUS 93/6 (Green 2 Neser 0)
Green clips Atkinson for two to get off the mark. England have bowled very well but still have a bit of batting to get through - Michael Neser has five first-class centuries and we know what Mitchell Starc can do.
02:46am
OVER 32: AUS 91/6 (Green 0 Neser 0)
Stokes only moved Crawley into that position the ball before Carey’s dismissal.
You must be registered for see images attach
Ben Stokes celebrates the wicket of Alex Carey. - JOEL CARRETT/Shutterstock
02:43amWickets
Wicket!
Carey c Crawley b Stokes 20 A big wicket for England, and a triumph for Ben Stokes as bowler and captain. Carey has walked straight into Stokes’s trap, flicking a full ball round the corner and into the hands of Zak Crawley at leg slip. FOW: 91/6
02:41am
OVER 31: AUS 91/5 (Carey 20 Green 0)
A quiet over from Atkinson, who has excellent figures of 12-4-22-2. Crucially, the two wickets have been left-handers - this England line-up generally have a much better record against right-handers.
02:36am
OVER 30: AUS 90/5 (Carey 19 Green 0)
Cameron Green is under a bit of pressure after a modest series with the bat. Stokes keeps him stuck on nought for now.
02:33am
OVER 29: AUS 89/5 (Carey 18 Green 0)
England were very confident that Khawaja had edged that, so much so that Root was celebrating as much he was appealing.
02:30amWickets
Wicket!
Khawaja c Smith b Atkinson 29 A successful caught-behind review from England. Khawaja had just driven Atkinson for four when he fiddled at a good delivery that seemingly shaved the outside edge on its way through to the Jamie Smith. There was only a small spike on Snicko but that was enough for the third umpire. FOW: 89/5
02:26am
OVER 28: AUS 85/4 (Khawaja 25 Carey 18)
Khawaja pulls his hand away after being hit on the glove by a lifter from Stokes. There’s still plenty in this pitch for the quick bowlers, and later in the over Carey edges well short of the slips.
02:21am
OVER 27: AUS 81/4 (Khawaja 24 Carey 15)
Gus Atkinson, who bowled an excellent spell this morning, returns after lunch. After Carey milks a pair of twos and a single, Khawaja plays and misses at a gorgeous delivery that straightens from round the wicket.
02:18am
OVER 26: AUS 76/4 (Khawaja 24 Carey 10)
Ben Stokes bowls the first over after lunch, starting around the wicket to the left-handers. A drive from Khawaja beats Carse at mid-off and runs away for a couple; later in the over Carey digs out a nice yorker.
You must be registered for see images attach
Ben Stokes in action with the ball. - Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
02:10am
Stokes warming up with the ball
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
As the lunchbreak nears its end, Ben Stokes is limbering up to bowl. Was curious that he didn’t roll the army over this morning, but he can be a mysterious captain when it comes to using himself. His brand of pitch-it-up swing should be useful in these conditions.
01:34amAnalysis
Lunch-time verdict
England’s best bowling session since the first day of the series. Ben Stokes won a vital toss and England, led by Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, enjoyed the conditions. It is cold, the ball swinging and seaming and Atkinson set the tone with a tight opening spell of one for seven from four overs. Tongue picked up three for 24 in eight overs including a ripper to bowl Steve Smith middle stump.
Tongue’s angle and length made him a handful for the right handers and the only disappointment for England has been Brydon Carse’s inconsistency. Stokes has not bowled which is a little odd given the conditions. It will be tricky to know what a good score is in the first innings but England have equipped themselves well this morning. Whatever they do in this game will feel too little too late but it is vital they stop the 18-match winless run in Australia.
You must be registered for see images attach
Josh Tongue celebrates the key wicket of Steve Smith. - MARTIN KEEP/AFP
01:33am
OVER 25: AUS 72/4 (Khawaja 21 Carey 9)
Lunch Oof that’s a beauty from Atkinson, fullish and roaring off the seam to beat Carey. A couple of singles complete a good morning for England, who won an important toss and took four wickets before lunch. Three of them fell to the impressive Josh Tongue, including the pivotal pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
01:28am
OVER 24: AUS 70/4 (Khawaja 20 Carey 8)
Tongue is into his eighth over, a long spell but one that is more manageable on such a cool day. Khawaja scrunches an attempted yorker through mid-on for two, then drives straight down the ground for his first boundary. Fine shot.
01:24am
OVER 23: AUS 64/4 (Khawaja 14 Carey 8)
Atkinson replaces Carse and beats Carey with a superb delivery that straightens from around the wicket. England would have taken four wickets at the start of play but with the pressure they are applying they will fancy another before lunch. We should have time for two more overs.
01:20am
OVER 22: AUS 61/4 (Khawaja 11 Carey 8)
What England would give to dismiss Alex Carey before lunch. Carey is so good at racing to 20 or 30 to reverse the momentum before settling down to play a longer innings. A pair of twos off Tongue takes him to 8 from 10 balls here.
Still no sign of Ben Stokes taking the ball, which is a bit of a concern.
01:17am
Tongue makes it five out of five against Smith
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Not a bad bunny to have. Josh Tongue has dismissed Steve Smith every time he’s bowled to him: once for Worcestershire against Sussex in 2023, twice in the Lord’s Test soon after, then once in the Hundred this summer. Smith is incredibly proud of his record against Jofra Archer; probably not quite so much against Tongue.
You must be registered for see images attach
Steve Smith walks off after being bowled by Josh Tongue. - Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
01:16am
OVER 21: AUS 57/4 (Khawaja 11 Carey 4)
Carey cuffs Carse through extra cover for three. It would have been four on most grounds but the square boundaries are very long at Melbourne.
01:10am
OVER 20: AUS 54/4 (Khawaja 11 Carey 1)
That wicket sums up a better performance from England, who have been rewarded for bowling a fuller length.
01:07amWickets
Wicket!
Smith b Tongue 9 Josh Tongue gets the big wicket! Steve Smith tries to drive a full delivery that snaps off the seam and through the gate to hit middle stump. Lovely bowling from Tongue, who has 3 for 11 from 5.2 overs. FOW: 51/4
JOSH TONGUE AGAIN️
Steve Smith is clean bowled for just 9
Watch #TheAshes LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/4rcB3ldr0t
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 26, 2025
01:04am
OVER 19: AUS 51/3 (Smith 9 Khawaja 9)
A snorter from Carse beats Khawaja, pushing tentatively off the back foot. That’s a good over, with a more consistent length, and Carse’s first maiden of the day.
01:00am
OVER 18: AUS 51/3 (Smith 9 Khawaja 9)
Tongue, from round the wicket, straightens an excellent delivery to beat Khawaja’s defensive push. Whatever happens from here, Tongue feels like a big part of England’s future as they plan for the 2027 Ashes.
12:55am
OVER 17: AUS 48/3 (Smith 9 Khawaja 6)
Khawaja works Carse for another single. We thought his Test career was over but he played well at Adelaide and has now been preferred to Josh Inglis for this game.
When Carse drops short, Smith has all the time in the world to pull through square leg for four. Carse is really struggling: he’s going at five an over compared to an economy rate of 1.00 for Atkinson and 2.00 for Tongue.
12:51am
The MCG deserves better than a dead rubber
A morning to challenge the central Bazball mantra of “running towards the danger”. Now that the danger and jeopardy have finally receded, England are coming into their own. As refreshing as it is to watch Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue bowl so accurately, it is so frustrating to watch this team arrive so late at the party. An occasion so majestic, with 90,000 packing one of cricket’s greatest citadels, deserves better than a dead rubber.
12:50am
Did England pick the wrong Durham seamer?
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
It feels a major drop off when Carse is bowling. It feels like he’s got a stay of execution because of Archer’s injury, but on this pitch I wonder if England could have left him out anyway. Matthew Potts is a willing trier whose reputation seems to rise with every game he’s left out, but he might have been handy on this pitch - like Tim Bresnan in 2010.
12:50am
OVER 16: AUS 43/3 (Smith 5 Khawaja 5)
Tongue also has a good record against Smith, who he dismissed twice for only 30 runs in the 2023 Ashes. Smith pushes at a ball that stops in the pitch and ends up chipping it well short of mid-on.
You must be registered for see images attach
Steve Smith in action at the MCG. - WILLIAM WEST/AFP
12:47am
OVER 15: AUS 43/3 (Smith 5 Khawaja 5)
Carse changes ends to replace Atkinson, who has terrific figures of 7-4-7-1. Khawaja drives his first ball for two and works a couple more off the hip. Carse hasn’t hit his straps yet and it’s tempting to wonder what Matthew Potts might have done in these conditions.
12:42am
OVER 14: AUS 39/3 (Smith 5 Khawaja 1)
Steve Smith plays his first attacking shot, a crisp drive to the left of mid-off for four when Tongue overpitches ever so slightly. “You’d rather be driven that cut or pulled on this surface,” says Jason Gillespie on TNT Sports.
England go for a caught-behind review when Smith fences at a ball on the hip. I think it brushed the hip rather than the bat, but who knows with Snicko. In fact it seems to be aligned this time: there’s a spike as the ball hits the jumper and Smith is not out.
12:36am
OVER 13: AUS 34/3 (Smith 1 Khawaja 0)
Three maidens in a row for Atkinson, who is bowling a lovely line to the right-handed Smith.
12:34am
Stokes too loyal to Durham team-mate
Atkinson should have played in Adelaide. Stokes’s loyalty to Durham team-mate Carse has been too generous. He has been outbowled by Atkinson and Tongue on this tour. Carse averaged 19 last year after good tours of New Zealand and Pakistan but has been all over the place in 2025. He averages over 40 with the ball and is going at more than four an over.
12:32am
OVER 12: AUS 34/3 (Smith 1 Khawaja 0)
Josh Tongue’s figures are enviable: 2-1-3-2. So his head-to-head record against Labuschagne in this series: 18 balls, 6 runs, 2 wickets.
You must be registered for see images attach
Marnus Labuschagne walks off after being dismissed by Josh Tongue. - Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
12:30amWickets
Wicket!
Labuschagne c Root b Tongue 6 Josh Tongue sorts Marnus Labuschagne out once again. He found the edge with successive deliveries and though the first bounced short of Root at first slip, the second was taken nicely at shin height. Really good bowling from Tongue, whose angle and trajectory gives Labuschagne all sorts of problems. That’s drinks. FOW: 34/3
12:26am
OVER 11: AUS 34/2 (Labuschagne 6 Smith 1)
A challenging maiden from Atkinson ends with Smith falling over after being hit on the thigh. England have a leg slip in place so Smith pulled out of an attacking shot.
12:25am
OVER 10: AUS 34/2 (Labuschagne 6 Smith 1)
The captain Steve Smith is beaten first ball by a jaffa from Tongue.
12:17amWickets
Wicket!
Weatherald c Smith b Tongue10 Josh Tongue strikes with his second ball! Weatherald flicked at a full delivery on the pads and could only divert it into the gloves of Jamie Smith. On the face of it that’s a soft dismissal but I wonder whether England bowled for it, given how much Weatherald falls over to the off side. FOW: 31/2
12:14am
OVER 9: AUS 31/1 (Weatherald 10 Labuschagne 4)
Labuschagne, who is trying to leave as much as possible until he adjusts to conditions, offers no stroke to a ball from Atkinson that jags back sharply to hit him on the high. A very good over from Atkinson, a maiden.
12:09am
OVER 8: AUS 31/1 (Weatherald 10 Labuschagne 4)
A sharp delivery from Carse - who looks more dangerous to the right-handers - hits Labuschagne on the thigh and deflects to slip. A good over, Carse’s best so far, goes for just one run.
12:05am
The big breakthrough
You must be registered for see images attach
England celebrate the wicket of Travis Head. - Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
12:04am
OVER 7: AUS 30/1 (Weatherald 10 Labuschagne 3)
Marnus Labuschagne gets off the mark with a pleasant drive through mid-on for three runs.
11:59pmWickets
Wicket!
Head b Atkinson 12 Worrying signs no more. Head tries to cut a good ball from Atkinson that cuts back just enough off the seam, takes a bottom edge and flies onto the stumps. Even at this stage, England needed that. FOW: 27/1
11:57pm
Should Stokes have opened the bowling?
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Brydon Carse, again, is all over the oche. Atkinson has been tidy, but isn’t making the openers play enough. England already miss Archer; there would have been a good case for Stokes opening the bowling with Atkinson.
11:55pm
OVER 6: AUS 27/0 (Head 12 Weatherald 10)
Head drives Carse for successive boundaries, a sign that this pitch isn’t doing as much as expected, and Weatherald adds another cover-driven four to end an expensive over. Worrying signs for England here.
11:54pm
OVER 5: AUS 12/0 (Head 3 Weatherald 4)
Weatherald slams a cut off Atkinson that is very well stopped by Bethell at gully. A maiden. England have started okay without really threatening a breakthrough.
11:50pm
OVER 4: AUS 12/0 (Head 3 Weatherald 4)
England appeal for a catch down the leg side when Head flicks at a poor ball from Carse. There was a deflection, but it was off the thigh rather than the bat.
11:45pm
OVER 3: AUS 9/0 (Head 1 Weatherald 3)
Weatherald pushes Atkinson through the covers for two to get off the mark; Atkinson responds with a good one that zings past the edge. England could maybe bowl a bit fuller.
11:42pm
OVER 2: AUS 6/0 (Head 1 Weatherald 0)
A mixed start from Carse as well. Head is beaten twice - once pushing outside off, once on the pull - but there is also a no-ball and a loose delivery that runs away for four leg byes.
You do wonder whether Ben Stokes (or even Matthew Potts) could have taken the new ball this morning. Feels like a Potts pitch; the last three have, in truth.
You must be registered for see images attach
Travis Head misses a pull stroke. - Gareth Copley/Getty Images
11:36pm
Duckett assumes the position
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Ben Duckett’s punishment for being a bit woozy in Noosa? Boot hill. Ollie Pope’s the regular in there but he’s been dropped for the second successive Boxing Day.
11:35pm
OVER 1: AUS 1/0 (Head 1 Weatherald 0)
Atkinson bowled pretty well in the first two Tests, certainly better than figures of three wickets at an average of 79 would suggest. A mixed first over includes a good ball that goes to second slip off the thigh - and another that Head inside-edges just past the stumps for the first run of the day.
11:31pm
Here come the players
England have won three tosses out of four in the series, but this feels like the most beneficial by a distance. Gus Atkinson will open the bowling on his return to the side.
11:22pm
The Merv and Beefy Show
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Merv Hughes and Lord Botham walk the glass urn out to the middle. What a duo. Fair to say they have lived life well.
11:15pm
A good toss to win for England
Good toss to win. I feared for England’s top order batting first this morning. Hard to see how any of them - particularly Ben Duckett - are in the right frame of mind.
11:05pm
Smith returns to captain Australia
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
England have won the toss and opted to bowl. Easy enough decision, but the seamers – without Jofra Archer – are going to have to be right on the money.
Steve Smith is back from vertigo, which is good to see. He’s not got a spinner in his side.
11:05pm
The teams
Australia Head, Weatherald, Labuschagne, Smith (c), Khawaja, Carey (wk), Green, Neser, Starc, Richardson, Boland.
England Crawley, Duckett, Bethell, Root, Brook, Stokes (c), Smith (wk), Jacks, Atkinson, Carse, Tongue.
11:01pm
England win the toss and bowl
“There’s a nice coverage of grass on the pitch,” says Ben Stokes. “We think it’ll be quite hard work [for the batters] this morning. We got the toss the way we wanted it. Now it’s about going out and executing our plans.”
10:59pm
Pitch report
It’s a pretty grassy surface and a cool, overcast day in Melbourne. In other words, whoever wins the toss is likely to bowl first - especially as neither team has picked a specialist spinner.
10:49pm
Jhye Richardson to play first Test since 2021
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Seasons greetings from the magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground. It’s been a chilly few days in Melbourne, and people are talking about this being the coldest Boxing Day since 1998. England won that Test!
News from the middle is that Jhye Richardson, the injury-plagued but dynamic quick, will play his first Test since 2021. Michael Neser will come in too in an all-seam attack.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jhye Richardson warms up at the MCG. - Morgan Hancock /Cricket Australia
10:48pm
On this day 19 years ago
10:46pm
England are wasting their talent
By Sir Geoffrey Boycott
“Has-been” former players like me do not enjoy criticising the England team’s performances, but we cannot write good things when they play bad cricket.
We want England to win. Always. I have never been asked to help, but if they came to me for advice I would give it gladly.
It is too late to ask for better preparation and practice matches. They have to make do with what they have got and there are ways they can improve the team.
With no match cricket for over a month it is asking a lot for Jacob Bethell to step up and deal with a new ball in the hands of rampant Australian bowlers. For me he stands a better chance of success at No 6.
Ben Stokes should bat No 3. At times he has shown great discipline, concentration and bloody-mindedness against the seamers. Yes, facing the new ball early on will be tougher than at No 6, but he has form and experience, rather than asking a young kid to do it. Ben is blocking well but he needs to find a happy medium to keep the scoreboard ticking over as well.
Read more...
10:45pm
Optional training and family lunch: How England’s spent Christmas Day
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
England have experienced some gloomy Ashes tours this century but the mood this Christmas is as dark as any of them.
Three-nil down when expectations were high, and facing trial by both traditional and social media over their lifestyle choices on a mid-season break in Noosa. And that is before we get to Jofra Archer joining Mark Wood on the sidelines for the remainder of the tour. Positives? Keep searching.
With Boxing Day a staple part of the series’ calendar, Christmas Day takes on a strange position on an Ashes tour. Players train on Christmas morning, with families often joining at the ground. This year England, down and out, have made their session optional, and it remains to be seen how many turn up. Players’ children can be expected to have a run around the outfield.
One of the many epic aspects of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the nets, which have a spectacular viewing platform for the public to watch. At England’s session on Christmas Eve, hundreds of fans turned up to watch.
Read more...
10:39pm
Stokes calls for empathy in eye of Duckett ‘stag-do’ video storm
Ben Stokes has called for a “bit of empathy” for his players caught up in the fallout from their boozy mid-series trip to Noosa, but refused to comment on whether they had done anything wrong.
Stokes has spoken individually to opener Ben Duckett, who found himself at the centre of allegations surrounding the players’ behaviour in Noosa when footage emerged of him apparently drunk late at night.
Hours after director of cricket Rob Key, spoke in Melbourne and said excessive drinking was “completely unacceptable”, footage of Duckett was widely circulated on social media in which he looks unsure of how to find his way back to the team hotel and calls a fan a p---k.
Stokes, who has battled mental health illness himself, said at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Christmas Eve that he will “protect” his players and asked for some compassion to be shown to individuals caught up in the storm and away from home for three months. He stood by Duckett, naming him in the XI for the fourth Test on Boxing Day, despite the Noosa incident and an average of 16 on tour.
Read more...
You must be registered for see images attach
Ben Duckett chats with the head coach Brendon McCullum. - Robbie Stephenson/PA
10:34pm
England’s Ashes wins in Australia are built on No 3s – no wonder Pope was axed
For a Test batting line-up, No 3 is the great multiplier. A successful three enhances the effectiveness of the middle order, nullifying the new ball and tiring out opposing pace bowlers. A floundering three merely undermines the players who follow.
No batting position is a better barometer of England’s fortunes in Australia. When England have triumphed, they have been underpinned by outstanding contributions from that position. Most spectacularly, Wally Hammond scored 905 runs and hit four magisterial centuries in England’s 4-1 win in 1928-29, then another two in the repeat victory four years later. Peter May’s pair of second-innings classics in 1954-55 helped England overturn first-innings deficits to win the second and third Tests. Jonathan Trott averaged 89 during England’s last victory Down Under.
In Tests that England have won in Australia over the last century, their No 3 averages 67.4, yet just 28.5 in games that they have lost. During England’s abject run in Australia since 2013, England’s No 3 averages 23.3.
In the 2025-26 Ashes, Ollie Pope has lowered this figure further, averaging 20.8. Pope looking to the heavens in despair has become a leitmotif.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jacob Bethell will bat No3 for England in Melbourne,
10:32pm
The 2027 Ashes starts today
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
It is a crucial, almost indispensable, first step towards regaining the Ashes in 2027 that England should win one of the last two Tests in this series.
England have only once bounced back from a 5-0 humiliation to win the next Ashes series. Otherwise that sole victory in a series in Australia is not merely a consolation, it is an essential building block for the future.
But one England cricketer has to stand up and lead the way, a standard-bearer, at either Melbourne or Sydney. Somebody has to rise above the mediocrity of those around him and show that English cricket can still produce players on a par with Australia: probably a batsman who scores a big hundred.
10:08pm
England’s problem is not beers in Noosa, it is sloppy leadership
By Michael Vaughan
I am not going to criticise England for what they got up to in Noosa. I criticise what they do on the cricket field, the way they play and the way they prepare to play cricket. I am not going to point the finger at a group of young people who have had a few beers on a couple of days off.
I did exactly the same as them when I played for England, although I did at least know when it was time to go home and that is probably what Ben Duckett needs to learn.
But fundamentally, let us judge Duckett on the cricket field, let us judge Rob Key, the director of cricket, on the decisions that he has made and let us judge Brendon McCullum on the coaching he has delivered. Let us judge Ben Stokes on his captaincy over the series, and the players in terms of their numbers when the series has finished.
Do not throw the book at them for having a few drinks or Jacob Bethell dancing to YMCA in a nightclub with a young woman, but it is a great lesson for Key because it shows what can happen if you take your eye off the ball.
Read more...
10:05pm
Preview
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, over-by-over coverage of the opening day of the fourth Test between Australia and England at Melbourne. For the seventh time in the last eight series, going back to 1998-99, the Boxing Day Test will take place with the Ashes no longer at stake.
There’s still plenty for England to play for – 3-2 has a nice ring to it – and they will be desperate to create some positive headlines after a bruising week on and off the field. Ben Stokes, the most human of superheroes, called for empathy after a video of Ben Duckett in a sub-optimal state did the rounds on social media. England have also lost Jofra Archer, their best player in the series, for the last two Tests.
“Right now, a little bit of empathy from everyone would not be too hard to think about,” Stokes said. “It’s all pretty fresh and pretty new. I’ve obviously reached out and spoken to [Duckett] and offered my complete support to him throughout this. He’s such an important player for this team, and we’ve still got two games of cricket to play. I will always support my players, particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you – and for some players more than others as well.”
Duckett keeps his place in a team that shows two changes from Adelaide: the injured Archer is replaced by Gus Atkinson, while Jacob Bethell comes in for Ollie Pope, who started the series impressively but looked shot in the third Test.
There could be plenty for the seamers on a green MCG pitch. Australia have already announced they will play an all-seam attack, though we don’t yet know their exact XI. We’ll find out shortly.
The toss is at 11pm with the first ball at 11.30pm.
You must be registered for see images attach
Supporters queue to enter the MCG on Boxing Day. - Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
Continue reading...
