If you're just joining us, Australia have won the toss and will bat first.

No, don't go!

James Anderson will bowl the first delivery of the Test match, with Cameron Bancroft on strike.

Tom Scarborough: Honestly, I'd be happy with a 1st innings lead. Christmas AND birthday present rolled into one.

Darren Anthony Fox: It’s going to be a long first day.

Dean Johnson: Can we play 12?

Both sides are out on the field and the Aussie anthem is underway.

Cracking atmosphere inside the MCG.

We're minutes away from the start...

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Simon Katich, who is working for ABC in Australia, told me that day two is the best day to bat here. So if England can restrict Australia today...

The Ashes may be gone but England can still salvage something here and in Sydney.

In 1998 the tourists won a thriller by 12 runs after Dean Headley's finest hour. What a Test we're in for if it's anything like that one.

And in 2003, England were 4-0 down but rallied to win the fifth Test by 225 runs.

Let Operation: No Whitewash commence. The hosts will of course be looking to replicate 2006-07 and 2013-14, starting with victory here.

This is Joe Root after he lost the toss...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Just about 15 minutes away from play getting under way, so here's a confirmation of the teams.

One change for each side - for England, Tom Curran replaces the injured Craig Overton. And for Australia, Mitchell Starc is also injured, so Jackson Bird comes in for him.

England: Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root, Malan, Bairstow, Moeen, Woakes, Curran, Broad, Anderson.

Australia: Warner, Bancroft, Khawaja, Smith, S Marsh, M Marsh, Paine, Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood, Bird.

Ruth Brooksbank: I haven't had my best Christmas present yet - that will be England winning this Test and restoring some pride.

Adam Oldroyd: Well, I've had a great Christmas Day so do I stay up and spoil it? Decisions, decisions?

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

There are certain grounds where you wake up and have an immediate buzz on arrival. Steve Smith, who has a good record here, must have felt like that today. It's such an inspiring occasion.

Australia captain Steve Smith, speaking at the toss: "It looks a nice wicket. It was ready four days ago and has been sitting under the roller.

"The boys had a nice lunch yesterday and are ready to go today. The pressure is off having won the Ashes but winning is a habit we want to continue."

I know winning the toss hasn't proved a good omen for England so far, but Root will be gutted to lose that one especially. The MCG is looking like a batting paradise right now.

Can you guess who is happy with the toss result?...

England captain Joe Root, speaking at the toss: "It's a good wicket and we need to try to make the most of it and get early wickets.

"There is still plenty to play for - if we can go away with two wins then we'll be very happy.

"We're very excited for Tom Curran and he is excited himself. He's a real competitor and it'll be interesting see how he goes about it.

"The MCG is a great venue and this is a great occasion so we're very excited to get underway."

Well, Joe Root won the first three tosses and England lost all three Tests.

So Steve Smith wins this one and...straws? clutching?

Next order of business will be the toss, coming up in a few minutes...

As you can imagine, there are not many of us in the office right now.

So to help keep us going through the night, we want to hear from you.

How has your Christmas been? Is the cricket a welcome relief or an ideal end to a smashing day? Or does that all depend on how England start?

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

The calm before the the 90,000. Taken just before 9am local time, which is when spectators were allowed inside the ground.

Talking of special occasions, it was a big moment for England bowler Tom Curran earlier - the 22-year-old presented with his Test cap by the great Bob Willis.

Curran is in the side to replace Craig Overton, who was ruled out of this fourth Test with a rib injury.

There were some doubts over Moeen Ali but the all-rounder has been declared fit to play.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello. Hope you've had a cracking day and are settling in for a night of cricket.

My three hour drive through torrential rain to get here wasn't so pleasant, but now I've arrived, it's a pleasure to kick things off for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England.

I know, I know. England are 3-0 down. The Ashes is gone. But this match in Melbourne is iconic and here's hoping the cricket lives up to it.

And if you're still off work tomorrow there's no excuse not to stay up through the night with us. (And even if you do have work... it is Christmas after all).

You've unwrapped all your presents.

You've eaten far too much.

You've exhausted every board game and endless rounds of charades.

Maybe you've just woken up from a food-induced nap. Maybe you're just looking to get away from the family for a bit.

So what to do with your evening? Besides consuming an unwise amount of chocolate...

We've got you. Welcome to the Boxing Day Test.