Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

Are you suggesting they don't know what their best team is?

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Image source, Getty Images

England have made four changes to their squad today.

That's the 10th time in their last 21 Tests they've made four or more changes to a squad.

Dawid Malan drives Pat Cummins through the covers, taking his bottom hand off the bat after playing the shot. Two more to the total as England edge closer to lunch without further loss.

A vicious short-pitched delivery from Pat Cummins has Dawid Malan swaying out the way and jolts the Aussie supporters into life at the MCG.

Malan looked like he was going to take on the hook shot for a split second before he bent his back to get out of the way.

Ian Chappell
Former Australia captain on Test Match Special

Malan plays the off-spin quite well but he has got to score more runs against Lyon. It is up to the batsman to change the way the bowler is thinking. If you allow good bowlers to bowl the way they want you will be in trouble.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

That single took Joe Root into third place on the list of most runs in a calendar year, overtaking Graeme Smith.

Only Viv Richards and Mohammad Yousef are ahead of him.

Good use of the feet from Joe Root as he prods the ball to the mid-on region off Nathan Lyon to add a single to the total.

England looking fairly comfortable at the moment.

Lunch delayed to 02:00 GMT after the rain delay this morning so around 20 minutes or so if England are going to get through to lunch unscathed.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

Given the ball has done a bit, if England get through this session having only lost two wickets they will be pretty happy with that.

With a straight bat Joe Root stylishly drives Pat Cummins down the ground but the ball dribbles to a halt just before the boundary rope. Nevertheless three more to England skipper.

Two balls later and his confidence rubs off on the left-handed Malan who picks up three of his own with a similar shot.

Decent rebuilding effort from England thus far following those two early wickets.

Alex Bell: I’m backing us to get to 250. Come on! We can do it!

Dawid Malan, who has a Tavare-esque six runs off 46 balls, is playing Nathan Lyon pretty well.

There's a subdued appeal for lbw from Lyon's second ball but the England batter is too far down the pitch and there was maybe some bat involved.

Fin Father: Best cricket Xmas present to my son today from Kevin Pietersen...

Image source, Twitter

Cameron Green goes full this time and Joe Root is able to scamper a leg bye.

Next ball a square drive from Dawid Malan but Nathan Lyon dives to stop the ball at point as England take one.

Does anyone in world cricket play this shot better than Joe Root? Ride the bounce, push into the off side, scamper two...

Image source, Getty Images

Nathan Lyon to the left-handed Dawid Malan, and there's turn and bounce for the off-spinner with the harder ball.

Marnus Labuschagne is at silly point doubtless offering his idea of humour, but Malan is happy enough to see off a maiden.

Ian Walmsley: On a cruise ship heading south past Cuba having my Christmas dinner. I suspect that I am the only person keeping an eye on the cricket!

I suspect many of my fellow passengers would be asking why I am doing this! (following the cricket, not having dinner!)