Thank you Higgy. Dear oh dear, quite a contrast between this very closely fought encounter and the almighty shellacking currently being dished out to the West Indies than Australia. Anyway, we're almost ready to go again in Durban. Early wickets the order of the day for England.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Adam Voges has made 375 runs from two innings against West Indies, without being dismissed. He is just the third batsman to score 1,000 runs in the year of his Test debut. The other two are Mark Taylor and Alastair Cook."

It's been another chastening day for West Indies in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Resuming on 345-3, Australia piled up the runs serenely, with Steve Smith and Adam Voges coasting to unbeaten centuries.

Declaring on 551-3, Smith then unleashed his bowlers. James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon took two wickets apiece to destroy the top order, then local hero Peter Siddle took two in two balls to leave the tourists on 91-6 at the close.

Image source, Getty Images

We'll be back very shortly, but here's some news from around the world of cricket while we grab a bite to eat. When we return, James Gheerbrant will be taking the live text reins. Enjoy.

England 303 all out (100.1 overs)

England added 124 runs for six wickets today

Fall of wickets: 3-1 (Cook 0), 12-2 (Hales 10), 49-3 (Root 24), 174-4 (Taylor 70), 196-5 (Stokes 21), 247-6 (Compton 85), 253-7 (Moeen 0), 253-8 (Woakes 0), 267-9 (Bairstow 41), 303-10 (Finn 12).

Not out batsman: Broad 32

Bowling figures: Steyn 25.1-5-70-4, Abbott 24-4-66-1, Morkel 26-5-76-4, Piedt 16-2-63-1, Van Zyl 2-1-2-0, Elgar 7-2-22-0.

Full scorecard

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I think from 190-3, England will be very disappointed. But from 267-9, they'll be over the moon."

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"England have scored 124 runs today and lost six wickets in 35 overs. That was Dale Steyn's 50th wicket against England."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is lunch. South Africa will begin their reply to England's 303 all out in around 40 minutes' time.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"This is as dead as a dodo."

Robin Booth: A total of 300ish I will take after being 8 down for 250. Top order once again letting the side down.

San J: Great stuff from Broad. Now we have a decent score on the board.

Julian Hignell: Nice little innings here...keep it going! @StuartBroad8

England just carry on chipping away at a first-innings total which has now surpassed the average for a team batting first at Kingsmead.

Yep, the impact was outside the line of off stump. Steven Finn can carry on.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"This looks very similar to the dismissal of Joe Root. The only thing that will save Steven Finn is if this hasn't hit him in line."

This looks a decent shout. Steven Finn is hit in front by spinner Dane Piedt. The umpire says no, but the bowler reviews it. It might be outside the line.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"You feel England are still short, even though the pitch is slow, but Broad and Finn have done well to get up to the 300 landmark."

Stuart Broad averaged 47.5 on England's recent tour of the UAE, so his form should not come as too much of a surprise.

Steven Finn looks in good touch too as he clips a single into the leg side which brings up the England 300.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Dane Piedt doesn't look at all comfortable bowling round the wicket to left-handers. He isn't doing his captain any favours."

A proper batsman's shot from Stuart Broad, who sweeps a full toss from spinner Dane Piedt to the boundary. Another sweep is top-edged and falls short of the man rushing in from the ropes. 

The over ends with a muscular pull for four more. A lively cameo.