ASHES LIVE: Australia v England - day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne as it happened

By Tom Bellwood for MailOnline
Updated: 03:16 EST, 26 December 2010

STUMPS - ENGLAND ARE 157-0 IN REPLY TO AUSTRALIA'S FIRST-INNINGS TOTAL OF 98

England have moved into a commanding position on day one of the fourth Test after skittling the Aussies out for an Ashes-low at the MCG of 98 runs.

Plaudits to all the seam bowlers but Jimmy Anderson and Chris Tremlett will make the headlines with the pair taking four wickets apiece.

The Aussies will have to go some to dig themselves out of this hole and save their hopes of retaining the Urn.

I'm pooped, time for my bed but do join me from 11pm (GMT) for all the action on day two. See you then. 

• NOW READ LAWRENCE BOOTH'S REPORT ON DAY FROM THE MCG

Job well done: Aussie captain Ponting looks on as the unbeaten England pair depart at stumps

47th over: England 157-0 (Strauss 64, Cook 80)

Strauss sees out the final six balls of the day without too much trouble. And that is stumps.

46th over: England 157-0 (Strauss 64, Cook 80)

Credit to Siddle who keeps bombing in. He's been the pick of the Aussie bowlers. That would normally be a compliment but they have been quite average with the ball today.

45th over: England 156-0 (Strauss 64, Cook 80)

Chance! Smith's straight ball takes Strauss's outside edge but drops short of the man at first slip. Nothing has gone the Aussies' way today.

44th over: England 153-0 (Strauss 62, Cook 79)

Oh no! Athers has gone and jinxed it by suggesting the Aussies are already out of this game. Granted, they look bereft of ideas but there is still four days left. Strauss nabs two down to fine leg to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

43rd over: England 151-0 (Strauss 60, Cook 79)

The tourists continue to hammer past the milestones. Now the openers pass the 150 mark as Strauss edges past slip for two and the 10,000 or so Barmy Army in the ground rise to their feet.

Cooking on gas: Another half century for the England opener has helped move England into a commanding position

42nd over: England 148-0 (Strauss 57, Cook 79)

Right, we're into the last six overs of the day and the Aussies are desperate for a wicket, anything to give them some hope for tomorrow. But there's nowt going on for them, hardly even a sniff. Strauss dabs to mid on for a quick single. 

Charles Sale at the MCG writes: Carnage continues, this must be the worst Australian side ever. Steve Smith is definitely not Test class.

41st over: England 147-0 (Strauss 56, Cook 79)

Hmmmn, this isn't going to well for Smith now. He drops a couple short and so Cook leans back and fires consecutive overs with the final two balls of the over.

40st over: England 138-0 (Strauss 55, Cook 71)

Another bowling change now - Peter Siddle comes back in to ruffle some feathers. His spell earlier in the day caused a few problems.

39th over: England 138-0 (Strauss 55, Cook 71)

Some thoughtful legspin from Smith, who gives it some flight, pitching it up and making the batsmen think. Three from the over, though, England's lead is now 40 runs.

In the runs again: Cook has been in imperious form once more for England

38th over: England 135-0 (Strauss 54, Cook 69)

Short and wide stuff, right in Strauss's favoured area is given the treatment through the gully area for another four. This has been a bad day for the mercurial talent that is Mitchell Johnson. He's averaging six for his seven overs today.

37th over: England 128-0 (Strauss 50, Cook 66)

Time for a bowling change. The monotony of some very average seam bowling is broken as Steve Smith comes in to turn his arm over. Strauss takes two singles to move to his half century.

36th over: England 124-0 (Strauss 48, Cook 64)

The Barmy Army belt out their unique version of God Save The Queen to a near empty MCG.  Just a couple of tiny pockets of England fans now remain. Cook adds another four runs to the total, guiding the ball down to the third man boundary for four, nine in total off Johnson's over.

35th over: England 115-0 (Strauss 47, Cook 57)

With 45 minutes or so lost in the Aussies' first innings due to rain, we still have another nine overs left today. England should be aiming for a lead of 50+ at stumps. Three of those runs come off another terribly average over from Shane Watson.

34th over: England 112-0 (Strauss 46, Cook 55)

Here come the hapless Mitchell Johnson with six. more. he's still bowling very straight but there's a hint of movement as he really gets low with his slingy action. More shoots of the empty stands emphasis just how badly this has gone for the hosts. It's like there's been a fire drill. Strauss nicks two runs to reach the 6,000 Test runs mark. Good work at an average of 43.17.

Double trouble: Cook (L) and Strauss (R) have been immovable this morning

33rd over: England 109-0 (Strauss 44, Cook 54)

Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. That's a maiden.

32nd over: England 109-0 (Strauss 44, Cook 54)

Alastair Cook is looking in fine touch once again, racing to his 50 in 93 balls with an exquisite cut to the boundary. The crowd (those who remain) rise to their feet to show their approval. In other news, this is only Mitchell Johnson's fourth over of the day.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Who could possibly have thought at the start of the day that England would overtake Australia's score with more than an hour of the first day left with all wickets in hand? Yes, those of you who are just getting up, you are not dreaming. Here comes Mitchell Johnson again now. Can he provide the x-factor or is he going to be more z-factor again?

31st over: England 103-0 (Strauss 43, Cook 49)

Huge cheers pour down from the Barmy Army as England pass the Aussies first-innings total and then the century mark. A cracking on drive helps England achieve a feat the Aussies couldn't - reach three figures!

30th over: England 98-0 (Strauss 39, Cook 48) 

Today's attendance has just been announced - an impressive crowd of 84, 345 in today to watch an Aussie capitulation. That's 6,000 short of the record, I doubt we'll get anything near that number tomorrow. A commanding score pull to deep square takes England to within one of the Aussie's total which is then reached as Harris bombs one down leg for a bye.

What next? Australia have struggled with bat and ball on day one

29th over: England 90-0 (Strauss 36, Cook 44)

Watson continues to trundle in, but without much conviction. Two more runs off the over and that is time for some drinks...

28th over: England 88-0 (Strauss 35, Cook 43)

Two more runs from Harris' over but the cameras cut back to the stands to show MCG is two-thirds empty now. A rather sad sight.

27th over: England 86-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 42)

Bowling change - Shane Watson is brought into the attack. Cook is straight after him, cutting fiercely to the boundary past gully. 

6.30am: Good morning if you're just joining us on this fine Boxing Day - here's a quick summary of the day's play.

England won the toss and elected to bowl - a decision vindicated as the Aussies were skittled out for just 98 runs.

James Anderson and Chris Tremlett both took four wickets as the hosts succumbed to their lowest ever Ashes score at this venue.

26th over: England 82-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 38)

Believe it or not, the ground is already starting to empty - even with an hour left of play. Oh, how times have changed. Shane Watson's doing plenty of stretching in the slips, looks like he'll be coming into the action soon.

Down and out? Hilfenhaus lies flat out after failing to to stop Cook's drive to the boundary

25th over: England 77-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 34)

Cook's given out lbw but the review system saves him. But you have to note he got a huuuuge inside edge on the ball. That was a poor decision from umpire Tony Hill. Insult to inury is then added with a stack of runs, including a beautifully timed drive back down the ground for four.

24rd over: England 70-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 27)

Anything you can do, I can do better - Harris steps up to the mark and does his best impression of Mitchell Johnson. Fortunately for England it isn't an impression of Johnson's wicket-taking best, he sends a stinker miles down leg which disappears for four byes.

23rd over: England 66-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 27)

Hilfenhaus offers up a couple of tasty half-volleys to Cook - the first is slapped to long on, the next to the gap at backward point. Far too easy.

22nd over: England 58-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 19)

That's more like it from Siddle - full of guts, he charges in and sticks one right up Strauss who does well to (just) duck out of the way. He's really hitting his straps and looks set to continue his spell for a while yet. Better from the hosts who have looked shell-shocked this morning. Maiden.

21st over: England 58-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 19)

The sun has been burning down on this famous old ground for the past couple of hours, but yet the lights remain on. Granted, it was cloud earlier but with clear blue skies overhead, surely they can be switched off. Won't someone please think of the Polar bears? Maiden for Hilfenhaus.

20th over: England 58-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 19)

Huuuuge lbw shout from Peter Siddle, the slip cordon are all up, too but Aleem Dar shakes his head. There's a brief chat but they decline the review, with good reason - the ball was nipping over the bails and would have stood with the on-field umpire. Still, there's a hint of swing coming into Siddle's bowling just now.

Easy does it: The England openers have creeped ever closer to the Aussies' meagre first-innings total

19th over: England 57-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 18)

After a full-blooded opening to the innings, the England pair have slowed down a touch. The run rate was pushing five an over, it has now dropped to three. This must be demoralising for the hosts, watching two openers play these conditions with such finesse.

18th over: England 57-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 18)

A series of studious leaves from Cook - six, infact - means that is a maiden over.

17th over: England 57-0 (Strauss 34, Cook 18)

We've still got 21 overs left in the day which, at England's current run rate, means they could lead by 20-odd runs by the close of play today. Cook flicks a couple off his pads to deep square.

16th over: England 52-0 (Strauss 30, Cook 17)

Refreshed after a four minute break for drinks - which much irks Bumble - Siddle gets us back underway with a maiden.

15th over: England 52-0 (Strauss 30, Cook 17)

Six dots, that's a maiden. Time for some drinks, too.

14th over: England 52-0 (Strauss 30, Cook 17)

Shot! Strauss looks in imperious nick so far, he has the Barmy Army on their feet with a delightful drive to deep midwicket for four. Siddle replies with a short one which zips over the captain's head.

So close: Hussey's athletic dive was good but not good enough to collect Cook's wayward drive

13th over: England 46-0 (Strauss 24, Cook 17)

Harris bundles a couple on a fullish length outside off, Cook watches hawk-like, offering little in the way of a shot. Maiden.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Well, I don't want to speak too soon but the Aussie bowlers are not swinging it where England's did and Mitchell Johnson was so wide with that set of four byes  -why wasn't it five wides by the way? - that he looks more like his Brisbane vintage than his Perth one. Can Peter Siddle do anything about it? His first day hat-trick did change the game in Brisbane and the Victorian will have a lot of support here.

12th over: England 46-0 (Strauss 24, Cook 17)

They're alive, I tells ya... alive! The Aussie crowd cheer a roar of approval as Peter Siddle - on home turf - is announced into the action. His first delivery is a peach which whistles past Strauss's outside edge, the following delivery is punched straight back down the ground for two.

11th over: England 44-0 (Strauss 22, Cook 17)

Yep! Cook makes the call, tugging a couple of runs to leg side. I'll say it again, the runs are coming very easily for England so far.

10th over: England 42-0 (Strauss 22, Cook 15)

'Whatever Johnson found in Perth seems to have gone missing here', notes David Gower. Right on cue, Johnson gets one to move away from Strauss, but the ball bounced low past the vacant third slip for four. And then there's a Johnson special - totally losing his radar, spraying the ball miles down leg. Haddin looks rueful behind the stumps. 

The people speak: An Aussie fans unfurls a banner which speaks for the nation

9th over: England 33-0 (Strauss 18, Cook 14)

Strauss tucks one to leg side for a single, Cook prods to mid on for another which looks tight but Ponting misfields. Nine overs gone and England are already a third of the way into the Aussies' total.

8th over: England 31-0 (Strauss 17, Cook 13)

Not much movement out there for Johnson, so far. Athers notes he's bowling 'gun barrel straight' so far. Good news for England who plundered 170 runs off similar bowling in the first Test in Brisbane.

7th over: England 30-0 (Strauss 16, Cook 13)

Oooooh, Andrew Strauss, you lucky, lucky boy! The captain's flashing blade directs the ball *this far* past Hussey's despairing dive at Gully. Five from the over.

6th over: England 25-0 (Strauss 11, Cook 13)

Well, we haven't had to wait too long for the man who did all the damage in perth. Mitchell Johnson is hauled into the attack with Ponting hoping he can perform more miracles. Strauss takes a wild swipe at a rank delivery but misses, the next delivery is clipped off his pads for a couple. There's a no ball in there and another scooped over the cordon for four. Eventful over all-in-all.

5th over: England 14-0 (Strauss 6, Cook 8)

Aside from the odd chirp from the Barmy Army, the MCG is virtually silent. The hype before the game of 91,000 baying Aussies screaming for England's demise has been curtailed by some shocking batting. Struass clips through covers but doesn't quite time it and only bags two.

On the front foot: Johnson will be hoping to recreate the devastating form he showed in Perth

4th over: England 12-0 (Strauss 4, Cook 8)

England are finding gaps in this outfield with ease at the moment. Cook scoops the ball behind square for a couple and there's a thickish edge through the vacant third slip area which heads to the boundary.

3rd over: England 4-0 (Strauss 3, Cook 1)

'I wonder which Mitchell Johnson will turn up today', muses Sir Beefy. If he can get the ball to swing, I fancy this Test could be a low-scoring affair and all over by Tuesday - one way or the other. Strauss pulls across his body to deep square for two.

2nd over: England 1-0 (Strauss 1, Cook 0)

Ryan Harris takes up the attack from t'other end and starts with a maiden. 

1st over: England 1-0 (Strauss 1, Cook 0)

Plenty of cricket left today. Still another 47 overs, which is three more than Australia's first innings lasted! Ben Hilfenhaus opens the attack for Australia and there's a hint of swing into Strauss who nabs a single to cover to move off the mark. 

Paul Newman at the MCG Writes: Slightly surreal sight of actor Hugh Jackman smacking Shane Warne all round MCG nets in Channel 9's tea-time entertainment. The boy Wolverine can clearly bat.

ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS...

AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 98

Wonderful display from England, rattling through the hosts for less than 100. The Aussies' total of 98 is their lowest Ashes total on this ground.

Now all England need to do is bat for a couple of days and they will be odds-on to retain the Urn. Good news, I fancy. With that wicket falling, tea has been taken a touch early.

Read it and weep: The Aussie's first innings was not the start to this Test they wanted

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: What a chance England have given themselves now to win this Test and retain the Ashes, just as Mike Gatting's side won the ashes in Melbourne almost exactly 24 years ago. Just have to show discipline and patience and bat properly now. Aussie pacemen will come in with all guns blazing. A score of 300 wins the Ashes for England. Who is going to make themselves a hero?

And Damien Martyn writes via Twitter: Did that just happen at the G!

WICKET!! Ben Hilfenhaus c Prior b Tremlett 0

All over, Australia don't make it to three figures as Hilfenhaus goes, caught behind. Woeful display from the hosts.

Charles Sale at the MCG writes: Matt Prior, with five catches today, has really improved as a Test match wicketkeeper even if he's struggled with the bat on the Ashes tour.

England's day: Anderson takes his fourth wicket as Johnson departs for a duck

42nd over: Australia 98-9 (Harris 10, Hilfenhaus 0)

More ironic cheers as a loose bat plunders four runs. I fancy the Aussies will want to get out into the middle for a bowl with the bowl hooping around like it is at the moment.

41st over: Australia 92-9 (Harris 4, Hilfenhaus 0)

The plaudits will rain down on Anderson for his four wickets but credit to Tremlett who has bowled as well as either Anderson or Bresnan. Big day for Prior, too - he's taken five catches today. Wicket maiden.

WICKET!! Peter Siddle c Prior b Tremlett 11

Do I even need to tell you how Siddle got out? Playing away from his body and edging behind to Prior, by any chance? Why of course he did.

40th over: Australia 92-8 (Harris 4 Siddle 11)

Three from the over, Siddle plundering three runs to become the fourth Aussie to make it into double figures. None of them have made it past 20, yet.

39th over: Australia 89-8 (Harris 4, Siddle 8)

The situation so far for England is perfect, but let's not forget the tourists will have to bat on this very same track sooner rather than later. They need to learn the lessons lest they lose their grip on their advantage. I'm an England fan - always the pessimist! Siddle slaps a neat drive through covers for three runs. 

You beauty! Strauss pouches at second slip to dismiss Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: This has been fabulous bowling from Jimmy Anderson in particular since lunch. But Australian really haven't done themselves any favours with some dreadful batting. Were they not listening to the groundsman when he said they had to show patience? No point preparing a result pitch if your batsmen are going to play like this. But it will be tough for England too.

38th over: Australia 86-8 (Harris 4, Siddle 5)

Ironic cheers from the crowd as Harris wafts at a wide delivery, sending the ball up and over the slip cordon for four. Another boundary follows, but as Harris failed to play a shot at it Aleem Dar calls a dead ball. And now it's time for some drinks...

37th over: Australia 82-8 (Harris 0, Siddle 5)

'Everywhere we go-oh... people want to know-oh' the Barmy Army is in fine voice at the MCG. And why not? It has been a sensational opening day to this fourth Test. These two out in the middle are going to play some shots, Siddle clips a leg side ball fine for four. Last ball of the over is edged to Swann at second slip but it fails to carry by *this much*. 

36th over: Australia 78-8 (Harris 0, Siddle 1)

Anderson's unplayable at the moment. His delivery to undo Johnson was a beauty, pitching on a length, seaming away a touch, taking the edge on its way through to the wicketkeeper. Jimmy's having a day to remember...

WICKET!! Mitchell Johnson c Prior b Anderson 0

Four wickets for Anderson, Johnson edging behind to Prior. England in dreamland, the Aussies in turmoil.

Oh, dear: Smith trudges off as England celebrate yet another wicket tumbling

35th over: Australia 77-7 (Johnson 0, Harris 0)

Wicket maiden for Bresnan. Worth noting the Aussie's lowest Ashes total on this ground is 104. Just saying, like.

WICKET!! Brad Haddin c Strauss b Bresnan 5

Aussies in disarray now, Haddin done swinging wildly at a wide ball, edging to Strauss at first slip.

34th over: Australia 77-6 (Haddin 5, Johnson 0)

Wicket maiden for Jimmy. This is all going to plan for England. In comes the fiery Mitchell Johnson - he's sure to play some shots.

WICKET!! Michael Clarke c Prior b Anderson 20

A loose shot outside off does for another Aussie batsman. Anderson has his man as Clarke edges to Prior who pouches the routine catch. The hosts' vice-captain fails with the bat yet again.

33rd over: Australia 77-5 (Clarke 20, Haddin 5)

Another sloppy shot hands England a sniff of a chance. Clarke plays an expansive drive away from his body, angling the ball towards gully but just out reach of of twelfth man Eoin Morgan's athletic dive.

Man of the moment: Anderson has been in the wickets on a day of domination for England

32nd over: Australia 72-5 (Clarke 15, Haddin 5)

Aussies firmly on the back foot at the moment. hardly a shot being offered as this pair try to see out a supers spell from Anderson and Bresnan. Just a single nabbed backward of square for Clarke.

31st over: Australia 71-5 (Clarke 14, Haddin 5)

Ooooh! players and fans groan as Bresnan has one swinging away from Haddin. Great delivery. Maiden.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: I'm afraid Steve Smith is not a Test number six. He needs to concentrate on his leg-spin and become a bowler capable of batting at seven if he is to be of best use to Australia. The Aussies were 69 for five in Perth but recovered to 268 all out and won the match. England simply must kick them while they are down now. Haddin is a streetfighter. He is the key now.

30th over: Australia 71-5 (Clarke 14, Haddin 5)

OK, so I wasn't proved wrong. England turn the screw with a couple of maidens and Smith's temperament fails him, playing a poor shot well away from his body. Still, Haddin's in now, he's been worth a few runs.

WICKET!! Steven Smith c Prior b Anderson 6

Another wicket falls, Smith playing away from his body, edging to Prior to take a regulation catch behind the stumps. Brad Haddin is up next, then they're into the bowlers.

29th over: Australia 66-4 (Clarke 14, Smith 6)

That's another maiden. There's an old saying about three maidens in a row lead to a wicket. I'm sure I'll be proved wrong...

Picture perfect: Swann scoops up the ball at second slip to dismiss Ponting

28th over: Australia 66-4 (Clarke 14, Smith 6)

Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. That's a maiden in old money. Decent over from Anderson includes one which nipped back from outside off and zoomed over middle stump. Smith will say that was a fine leave, I'm not so sure.

27th over: Australia 66-4 (Clarke 14 Smith 6)

Tim Bresnan is lobbed the ball to take the attack to the Aussies in the afternoon session. A back-foot cover drive, on the up, races away for three runs to Steven Smith. 

26th over: Australia 63-4 (Clarke 14, Smith 3)

The rain has altered the itinerary for today's play. We'll be taking tea at 4.40am and play is scheduled to finish at 7.21am (GMT). Kapich? Smith get away with a neat drive to cover point and Clarke bags a couple to long on. 

AFTERNOON SESSION...

ANNOYING RAIN BREAK...

2.43am: Hurrah. Restart scheduled for 2.55am. Just 12 minutes away...

2.38am: Good news! The covers are coming off. No official restart time yet, but it can't be more than 15 minutes or so...

2.30am: And still the rain comes. It's not as heavy as before but persisting nonetheless.

Good news for England, more moisture in the pitch will help the swinging conditions. But let's not get carried away.

Four years ago, Australia were 5-84 when Andrew Symonds came out and thumped 156, including a huge six to reach his maiden test century. The Aussies went on to win by an innings and 99 runs. Ouch.

Fun in the sun: England fans lap up the action at the Boxing Day Test

2.14am: More bad news, I'm afraid. The rain's coming down at a fair old rate now so the heavy covers are being pulled across.

We've been promised showers today, but nothing too lengthy. Fear not, we should have action soon enough.

2am: We thought play would get back underway on time but there's some rain hanging around and the light covers are back on. Further updates when I get them...

LUNCH - AUSTRALIA ARE 58-4

What a morning of cricket. What a start for England. The tourists have been on top since asking the Aussies to bat.

A few early missed chances are now forgotten after dismissing four of the hosts' top five with just 58 runs on the board.

Michael Vaughan, via Twitter, sums up the situation perfectly: Great start by England.. Don't count any chickens yet.. It's doing plenty and will continue to do so...

And while you enjoy this break, why don't you have a perusal of Peter Hayter's look back at England's famous victory on this ground 24 years ago. The win sealed the Ashes for the tourists, but the real story is the celebrations which followed.

You'll find pictures of Elton John spraying successful captain Mike Gatting with some sort of drink... and David Gower dressed as a Nazi here.

25.3 over: Australia 58-4 (Clarke 12, Smith 0)

Perfect timing for England, a shower envelopes the ground and so rain stops play. The players sprint off and so lunch is called five minutes early.

Big wicket! Anderson races in to celebrate taking Hussey's wicket

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Well, the law of averages said that Hussey had to fail at some point and how pleased was Jimmy Anderson with that wicket. Huge moment for England. They let Australia off hook at 69 for five at Perth and they must not do it again. Bit of rain now but the forecast says it shouldn't last long. Great morning for England.

WICKET!! Mike Hussey c Prior b Anderson 8

Huge, HUGE wicket for England, Hussey edges to Prior. England have shifted the seemingly unshiftable Mr Cricket.

25th over: Australia 58-3 (Clarke 12, Hussey 8)

And Swann follows suit with another six runless balls. Maiden.

Charles Sale at the MCG writes: Record crowd at MCG doesn't look like it will materialise - especially with England on top.

24th over: Australia 58-3 (Clarke 12, Hussey 8)

Six dots for Bresnan... that's a maiden in my book.

Howzat? Tremlett appeals unsuccessfully for Mike Hussey's wicket

23rd over: Australia 58-3 (Clarke 12, Hussey 8)

Bowling change, the noise rises around the ground as Graeme Swann's name is announced. Hussey grabs a single down leg side with the last ball of the over to keep strike.

22nd over: Australia 57-3 (Clarke 12, Hussey 7)

Shot! There's the Michael Clarke we used to know and love. Granted 'love' is a bit strong. The Aussies vice-captain plays a dreamy front-foot drive on the off side which zoomed to the boundary. Bresnan's opening spell has been excellent, figures of 6-2-13-1 are a superb return in his first Ashes Test.

21st over: Australia 53-3 (Clarke 8, Hussey 7)

Oooooh! The slip cordon groan in unison as Hussey plays and misses at Tremlett. Maiden.

20th over: Australia 53-3 (Clarke 8, Hussey 7)

Five dots followed by a flashing drive which zooms between second slip and gully. Clarke plays free and easy with his wicket but it comes of for him and the over ends with four runs down to vacant third man area.

On his way: Ponting edges to second slip, dismissed for just 10 runs

19th over: Australia 49-3 (Clarke 4, Hussey 7)

There's runs here for the Aussies but England will be very pleased to see Tremlett shaping balls into and away from the batsmen. Hussey snares a couple down leg side with the final ball of the over.

18th over: Australia 46-3 (Clarke 4, Hussey 5)

Clarke very nearly times one perfectly but he doesn't quite middle it and so nabs just the two runs. A crucial half hour up the the lunch break coming up.

17th over: Australia 43-3 (Clarke 1, Hussey 5)

There he is! The first few blasts from the Barmy Army's trumpeter-in-chief Billy Cooper ring round the near-full MCG, he treats the crowd to the theme tune from Only Fools and Horses. Nice. Shot! Hussey thumps the cherry to the deep extra cover boundary.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Now I know I don't like the decision review system but would that Hussey lbw really have passed over the stumps by that much? England may have been foolish to refer because it is hard to get lbws overturned but that looks inaccurate to me. I refuse to accept these systems are totally accurate. England so need to get Hussey, by the way.

Pouched! Swann dives to take the catch which dismisses Aussie captain Ponting

16th over: Australia 39-3 (Clarke 1, Hussey 1)

Huge shout for lbw again but HotSpot shows Hussey got the feintest of inside edges. Just two from the over as both new bats move off the mark.

15th over: Australia 37-3 (Clarke 0, Hussey 0)

Another wicket maiden for Tremlett, another fail for Ponting with the bat. Despite England's three wasted chances they are still very much on top. Huge shout for lbw with the final ball of the over, the review shows the ball was travelling over the stumps so Strauss now has no reviews remaining.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Well bowled Chris Tremlett! Ponting out edging again, this time one that Tremlett just put in the right place. The great Australian captain - and he is one of the all-time greats by the way, don't listen to any of this booing nonsense - can't buy a run at the moment. His only half century came when the match was certain to be a draw in Brisbane. You really do wonder if he is on the way out now. But who on earth takes over from him? Clarke isn't the answer.

WICKET!! Ricky Ponting c Swann b Tremlett 10

Huge, huge moment for England. But it's another poor shot which does for the Aussie captain, playing away from his body, angling the ball down to Swann at second slip.

14th over: Australia 37-2 (Ponting 10, Clarke 0)

Michael Atherton in the Sky commentary box sums it up perfectly: 'For an opener, that was a terrible shot.' Hughes played at Bresnan as if he'd been offered a sweet half-volley, but it was far too wide and both openers are now gone. Wicket maiden.

Missing the action: Two Aussies enjoy the atmosphere in Melbourne

WICKET!! Phillip Hughes c Pietersen b Bresnan 16

Hughes goes in his usual manner. Flashing at a wide-ish delivery, angling the ball to Pietersen at gully. Bresnan has his first Ashes wicket! 

13th over: Australia 37-1 (Hughes 16, Ponting 10)

Shot! The MCG rise to their feet as their captain thumps a fine pull shot to the huge midwicket boundary. And there's more of the same with another delightful flick to deep square leg for another four.

12th over: Australia 26-1 (Hughes 13, Ponting 2)

Right, Tremlett is off to receive a bit of treatment so here comes Tim Bresnan with his first six deliveries of the series. Very good lines to start, fullish but enough there to give batsmen the option. Maiden.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: England bowlers doing all sorts here without picking up wickets so far. Waste of a referral there. It just didn't look as though Hughes had gloved it. The appeal was half-hearted. Prior does not appear to be a good judge of when to go upstairs.

11th over: Australia 26-1 (Hughes 13, Ponting 2)

England are certain they've made another breakthrough as Prior takes a flying catch down the leg side. The umpire shakes his head and the review shows the ball brushed nothing other than Hughes' shirt. Never looked on to me. Maiden.

Hughes the man? The Aussie opener needs some runs in Melbourne

10th over: Australia 26-1 (Hughes 13, Ponting 2)

Tremlett sends a few down leg side, trying to choke Ponting into throwing away his wicket cheaply again. No joy. In fact a no ball takes Ponting's thigh pad and runs away for five extras. Huge gasps rain down from the stands as the Ponting scrambles back to stopa delivery which clubbed his arm guard and bounced dangerously passed his leg stump.

9th over: Australia 21-1 (Hughes 13, Ponting 2)

Ponting is up to his usual slow-starter tricks. He looks edgy, shuffling around his wicket, looking a good hour away from being settled. Just two from the over.

8th over: Australia 19-1 (Hughes 12, Ponting 2)

This has been an excellent opening half hour for England. Barring one over from Tremlett, the bowling attack has the upper hand. The conditions suit perfectly to swing bowling: green pitch, low cloud. But and it's a big but, three chances have gone begging. Not good enough by England's standards. Maiden for Tremlett.

7th over: Australia 19-1 (Hughes 12, Ponting 2) 

Six more beauties from Anderson who looks in great form so far this morning. Ponting takes a single to midwicket and Prior takes a great catch to stop the ball flying down to the fine leg boundary. 

6th over: Australia 18-1 (Hughes 12, Ponting 1)

'Knock em out dad', rings the headline from an Aussie newspaper with Ponting and and his daughter Emmy pictured on the front. He almost succeeds in knocking one out, his team-mate Phil Hughes. Terrible call for a single but Cook's neat turn and throw from backward short leg misses the stumps by *this much*. 

Got him! Pietersen celebrates with Tremlett after dismissing Watson

5th over: Australia 16-1 (Hughes 11, Ponting 0)

Three slips and a gully for Ponting but he fends off the last ball of the over with a very positive defensive push forward. Hughes nurdles a single square on the leg side.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Absolute beauty from Tremlett to get Watson. managed to get pace and bounce there on this slow English type seamer's pitch. In comes Ricky Ponting. What a moment. Has he got one last great innings in him?

4th over: Australia 15-1 (Hughes 10, Ponting 0)

Real drama here in the opening stages. Dropped catches, boundaries, a wicket and now an Aussie captain strolls out to bat with a broken finger. Interesting times. Wicket maiden for Tremlett. 

WICKET!! Shane Watson c Pietersen b Tremlett 5

Redemption for Pietersen, pouching a dolly at gully. Tremlett's shorter delivery gets big on the opener who fends off with his gloves to hand KP the simplest of catches.

3rd over: Australia 15-0 (Watson 5, Hughes 10)

Another dropped catch! Watson wafts at a wide delivery, the ball zooms to Pietersen at gully but the ball burst through his fingers. This is NOT the start England wanted. A promising start but the tourists really need to take their chances. Catches win matches and all that.

Dropped: Watson looks on as Pietersen drops him at gully

2nd over: Australia 10-0 (Watson 0, Hughes 10)

Cripes! Phil Hughes, a supposed 'weak link', gets straight after Chris Tremlett. Punching to the huge boundary at deep extra cover twice and a nifty double through leg side.

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Oh no! Paul Collingwood may have taken a blinder in Perth but I'm afraid he has dropped a few on this tour. How good would it have been getting Shane Watson in the first over? Hope England don't regret that. Huge test for Phil Hughes now.

1st over: Australia 0-0 (Watson 0, Hughes 0)

Dropped! Collingwood drops a difficult chance with the fifth ball of the first over. Watson's defensive prod to Jimmy Anderson takes a genuine edge but Colly fumbles diving forward to his left. Great start from Anderson, maiden.

AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS...

Up she goes: Ponting flick the coin and Strauss wins the toss

11.29pm: Players are trotting out now, cricket is imminent. How are the nerves?

11.25pm: England last won the Ashes 24 long years ago... on this very ground. The celebrations were something to behold, too. Essential pictures of Elton John dousing England captain Mike Gatting with some kind of liquid, oh and David Gower dressed as a Nazi... right here.

11.20pm: Anthems and etc now... Stadium filling up nicely. It's quite a sight. We're expecting 95,000 in this vast arena today. No pressure!

11.15pm: So, will this be Andrew Strauss's defining moment? Or will his decision to bowl come back to haunt him? Here's an interesting stat from Sportsmail's Lawrence Booth: Last eight captains to win toss here have batted, but four of them won and four lost...

Paul Newman at the MCG writes: Very unusual for side winning toss to bowl here but it's understandable looking at the MCG's switched pitch. England are gambling by bringing in Tim Bresnan but he's a cricketer who has been under-estimated so let's see what he can do with his big chance. Australia would have wanted to bowl first after again leaving out their spinner. That's a bigger gamble by Ricky Ponting than anything Andrew Strauss has done. 

11pm: ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND HAVE ELECTED TO BOWL!! One change for England, Tim Bresnan replaces Steven Finn. Strauss says this pitch will swing so Bresnan's style is more suitable than Finn's hit-the-deck. Ponting is happy with the result as he says he would have had a bat...

Not your round: Beer is consoled by Peter Siddle after hearing he has been overlooked in Melbourne

10.55pm: The toss will be under way in a couple of minutes, no official word as to what England will be doing today but Jimmy Anderson, Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan are warming up in the nets... but not Steven Finn.

10.45pm: So, how's your day been? The TV was monumentally naff, don't you think? I even found myself watching Eastenders at one stage. Disappointing to say the least. Still, this should be a cracker. We departed Perth feeling a touch depressed about England's charge for the Ashes, but fear not, Nasser Hussain thinks we've seen the best of the Aussies. More on the here.

10.35pm: Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas, season greetings and etc. Are you all suitably refreshed and primed for an enthralling day of Test cricket? Thought so. Let's begin...

Welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the fourth Ashes Test from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

All square so far three games into the series: England edged into the lead in Adelaide but their crushing defeat in Perth has levelled things up.

But the omens are good for Andrew Strauss's side. In 53 Ashes Tests the tourists have won 19 compared to 26 Australia victories while seven matches have ended in a draw.

In their last seven outings, England have triumphed three times. Their last win at the MCG came 12 years ago when Dean Headley bowled Alec Stewart's side to a dramatic 12-run victory.

This could actually be described as a happy hunting ground for the tourists, if such a place exists Down Under? Could this be the Test in which Strauss's team end 24 years of hurt in Oz for the long suffering England fans?

Grab yourself a turkey sandwich, there's some beers in the fridge and make yourself comfortable. A rather important five days in English cricket is about to get under way.   

News of the toss is on the way, I'll bring you all the action plus insight from Sportsmail's unrivalled team in Melbourne. And feel free to forward your thoughts to tom.Bellwood@dailymail.co.uk

Centre stage: England and Australia lock swords once again at the MCG

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