Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Spotted on the way to the G. Find Jett!

It'll be the 'big two' for England this morning as James Anderson is chucked the ball at the other end. This ball is just four and a bit overs old remember so Jimmy will be searching for a bit of movement.

Sadly for England there's no sign of any swing in this first over but Anderson bowls a nice, tight maiden.

Image source, Getty Images

It's Stuart Broad v Shaun Marsh to start us off as the England fans belt out Jerusalem from the stands.

There's an appeal on the second ball of the day as Broad hits Marsh on the pads but even big Stu admits it was a little high.

Marsh gets the first run of the day with a simple push a ball later before Steve Smith lets three full ball go by in the rest of the over.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

It's noticeably very hot today, the forecast has been upgraded to 35 degrees.

Here come the players under the bright Melbourne sunshine.

The MCG is nowhere near as full as yesterday.

I am well aware the number of you who will read our words over the next few hours will heavily depend on whether England dismiss Steve Smith. We've seen enough of him batting for a lifetime.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Paul Farbrace on the form of Stuart Broad who ended a run of 69 wicketless overs yesterday: "He realised he didn't have the greatest game in Perth. His practice here for three days was absolutely spot on as it has been ahead of the series. He is big enough to know he was below standard, no one had to say it to him.

"He showed yesterday on the big occasion and in front of the big crowd that he wanted to show there is a lot of life left in Stuart Broad."

Image source, EPA

Can anyone honestly say they are not expecting Steve Smith to reach another century today?

He is now averaging 140 at the MCG and 163 in the series. England just can't get him out.

He has not been dismissed on this ground since 2014. He'll be making his way to the middle alongside Shaun Marsh very soon.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace: "There is not a lot in it (the pitch), not a lot of movement. Yesterday we found out we have to be clever and cute with our lines and when we did that we had a really good afternoon and evening session.

"The new ball did a bit last night and we are due a bit of a change of fortune against Steve Smith. The key thing we have spoken about is to get into individual battles. We have plans for specific batsmen and should stick to them."

Image source, PA

After an iffy start England's seamers did alright yesterday. James Anderson, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad took a wicket each and Tom Curran tried everything on his debut.

The big problem is Moeen Ali, though. He bowled six overs for 35.

Michael Vaughan says his form is a "big issue".

"I wouldn't have played him this week. I don't see what he's going to offer," Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special.

"I'd have played the young leg-spinner, Mason Crane."

Read more from England's former skipper here.

BBC Test Match Special

England's Tom Curran: "I thought we bowled well as a group for large parts of yesterday. We have to keep building the dots today. It is a good wicket so we know we need to put in the hard yards and take our chances when they come."

Image source, Barefoot backpacker

Barefoot Backpacker on Instagram: "Yesterday morning (Christmas Day) I thought I'd go & have a walk around my local town centre while it was deserted.

"The most notable site in my town are these statues. It's an exact representation of a cricket pitch; a recreation of the 1932-33 series of Test matches between England & Australia.

"Bowling the ball is Harold Larwood, one of England's greatest ever bowlers & probably the most famous person from Kirkby; I believe the chap waiting to catch the ball is Bill Voce, another local bowler.

"Batting is Donald Bradman, probably the best cricketer to have ever played the game."

We love this - are there any other cricket-related statues/monuments we didn't know about?

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

The walk to the MCG, a mass of humanity crossing the bridge from the city. Very, very hot today.

Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

It was a strange first day. England didn't take to the field with any menace or intent. It took England too long to realise they needed to bring all dismissals into play. There's a perception that when it's not favouring you as a bowling attack, you bowl dry and wide of off stump. That only allows you to take a wicket via a catch and you end up bowling the batting side into a strong position.

If you have been distracted by the festivities over the last 24 hours let's have a quick recap of day one.

The day started badly for England as Australia got off to a flyer and David Warner reached a 21st Test ton. He shouldn't have even got there. He should have been out for 99 but Tom Curran overstepped with his front foot when he had Warner caught.

But England improved. They slowed the scoring rate dramatically, took the wickets of Warner, Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja and briefly looked well in the game.

However in the end England were frustrated by that man Steve Smith again. He serenely moved to 65 not out and helped Australia close on 244-3.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello there! Had a good Boxing Day? Got the day's third box of chocolates ready to open to help you through the night?

I must be honest I have no idea what day or time it is. All I know is it's time for the second day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test from Melbourne with England in desperate need of wickets.

Australia are in a strong position yet again and the worry is Steve Smith could bat all day and take this game away from England. But let's not start with the negatives, right?

Image source, Getty Images

Growing a little sick of turkey yet? Let's not even mention those family members.

Well spare a thought for England's bowlers. Yet again they wake up and strap on their bowling boots with Steve Smith seemingly standing in the way of any hope.

Can Joe Root's men dismiss him and drag their way into this match? We're about to find out.