Australia continued their domination over England in the ongoing Ashes series. Opting to bowl first in the third Test at the MCG on Sunday, skipper Pat Cummins made a blistering start dismissing the top three batsmen in the opening session. England lost captain Joe Root shortly after lunch for an exact 50 before Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler followed suit. Jonny Bairstow, who was one of the four changes in the England side for this Test, tried his best with a fighting 35 but couldn't last long. England were all out for 185. Cummins and Nathan Lyon finished with three wickets each, Mitchell Starc with two, while Cameron Green and debutant Scott Boland picked one apiece. In reply, Australia lost David Warner for 38 before ending Day 1 at 61/1. Marcus Harris and nightwatchman Lyon will start on Day 2 for the hosts. Australia lead the series 2-0 with heavy wins in Brisbane and Adelaide. Cummins returned to the side after missing the second Test at Adelaide due to a COVID issue. Get here highlights of the AUS vs ENG Boxing Day Test Day 1.
13:18 PM IST: Day 1 stumps
Australia have ended the day at 61/1. David Warner is the only batsman out for the hosts.
12:17 PM IST: Australia start
David Warner and Marcus Harris provide Australia with a steady start. Warner is batting on 15 while Harris is not out on 8 at the other end. Australia 25/0
11:45 AM IST: England all out
Nathan Lyon takes the final two wickets as England are bowled out for 185 in the first inning at MCG. Lyon dismissed Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson for 13 and 22 respectively. Lyon finishes with 3/36.
11:14 AM IST: ENG 8 down
Jonny Bairstow's resistance comes to an end. Bairstow, caught by Cameron Green, bowled by Mitchell Starc for 35. England 159/8
11:01 AM IST: Maiden Test wicket for Boland
Maiden Test wicket for Scott Boland. He traps Mark Wood, LBW for 6. Wood reviewed the decision but was unsuccessful. England 141/7
10:09 AM IST: England 6 down
It is just the second session in the England innings and the visitors are six down. Jos Buttler is out for 3, caught Cameron Green, bowled by Nathan Lyon. England 128/6
9:48 AM IST: England in trouble
England are in deep trouble as Cameron Green dismisses Ben Stokes, caught by Nathan Lyon for 25. England 115/5
8:46 AM IST: Root departs
Joe Root departs after making 50. Mitchell Starc takes his first in the innings as Root edges behind to Alex Carey. Jonny Bairstow joins Ben Stokes in the middle. England 82/4
8:36 AM IST: Fifty for Joe root
England captain Joe Root reaches fifty. His third in three Tests in this ongoing Ashes. England 82/3. Ben Stokes is batting on 4 at the other end.
7:46 AM IST: Lunch break
Australia are once again at the top in the third Test match here with skipper Pat Cummins leading from the front. Cummins took all the three English wickets that have fallen in the first session. Haseeb Hameed was the first to go for a duck. Zak Crawley departed after making 12 runs before Dawid Malan became Cummins' third victim for 14. England skipper Joe Root is batting on 33.
7:40 AM IST: Playing XIs
England: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler(w), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson
Australia: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon
7:35 AM IST: Toss
Australia won the toss and opted to bowl.
PREVIEW
A bit of history should inspire England at MCG. Nothing short of a draw will keep the Ashes 2021-22 alive and England can recall some good performances in Melbourne in the past.
In 1988-89, England scripted a 12-run victory at MCG after having arrived 2-0 down in the Boxing Day Test. Alec Stewart, Darren Gough and Dean Headley were architects of that famous win even though Australia won the Ashes.
In 2013-14, England had taken the first innings lead but lost. And four years ago, Alistair Cook slammed a double hundred but that was not enough. Having been routed at the Gabba and Adelaide, England need to reboot and the four changes they have made for the Boxing Day bout is a clear indication that Joe Root is desperate.
England have dropped opener Rory Burns and paceman Stuart Broad, along with Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes. Bowlers Mark Wood and Jack Leach will return to the starting side, while Zak Crawley and Jonathan Bairstow will play their first Tests in this series. Jos Buttler will continue as wicketkeeper and not Jonny Bairstow.
Australia will be bolstered by the return of their captain Pat Cummins. Young fast bowler Scott Boland will make his Test debut for Australia as Josh Hazlewood continues his recovery from a side strain.
TEAMS
Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
England: Joe Root (captain), Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Butler, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson.
