Summary

  • Crawley's smart catch in the gully ends Warner's punchy knock

  • England skittled for 185 after being put into bat

  • Root only player to reach 50

  • Three wickets each for Cummins & Lyon

  • Australia need draw to retain Ashes after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide

  • Daily highlights show on BBC iPlayer from 18:00 GMT

Live Reporting

Ffion Wynne and Timothy Abraham

  1. Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You have to have an element of proactivity even in difficult conditions. If you are looking to score your body positions are always better.

  2. Eng 38-2

    "If these two can just get to lunch..." we're all saying.

    Joe Root takes a long look at the pitch after fending off a shorter one from Cameron Green off the penultimate ball of the over. Root watched that all the way on to his nose before pulling his hand off the bat.

    Spinner Nathan Lyon is warming up so looks like he will bowl the next over.

  3. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    MalanGetty Images

    In Root and Malan's three partnerships in this series they have scored 323 runs.

    In all of England's 40 other partnerships they have scored 585.

  4. Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist on Test Match Special

    It hasn't looked too difficult to bat as long as Pat Cummins has not been bowling.

  5. Eng 36-2

    Scott Boland has that gnarled, hang dog expression, of a seamer who knows he has to work for his wickets...and intends to do so.

    Malan continues to be equal to the task, defending when needed and leaving if required.

    An interesting little battle this one.

  6. Australia's four indigenous cricketers...

    This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip X post

    Allow X content?

    This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  7. Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Malan is playing with soft hands. He has guided one through the slips. It feels as though a lot hangs on these two.

  8. Eng 36-2

    Dawid Malan has been very watchful so far, drawing inspiration from Jos Buttler's stoicism in Adelaide, perhaps.

    Joe Root certainly demanded more of that type of approach from his players so it's good to see him placing huge value on his wicket.

    Malan nudges the final delivery of Cameron Green's over for a single to keep the strike.

  9. This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip X post

    Allow X content?

    This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  10. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    Since the start of the 2020 English summer Joe Root has come to the crease 36 times in Tests and 21 times he has come in with the score under 30. Only four times has he come in with a score over 75.

  11. Eng 35-2

    A little streaky from Joe Root after drinks as he edges one from Scott Boland, who has swapped ends, with soft hands for four through the slips. England will take them however they come, though.

  12. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Natalie Lewis: We all expected not to win the Ashes, but we just want some fight, some competition, some entertainment. Just a good cricket contest to watch. That's been the real let down. I'd like to think the Aussie team & fans feel the same & would want more of a contest too.

  13. Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You are always going to have challenges when there is grass on the wicket in the first morning of a Test. You have to get through those periods to reap the rewards later. Grass on the pitch might mean the ball skips on later in the day.

  14. Drinks break

    Time for the players to get some liquid refreshment at the MCG.

  15. Eng 31-2

    Cameron Green has replaced Scott Boland for an over before drinks.

    Green starts with a maiden to a watchful Dawid Malan, who mixes defensive shots and leaves.

  16. This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip X post

    Allow X content?

    This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  17. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Ben Wire: Remember that Test when Tendulkar scored a ton without attempting an off drive? That's the temperament we need.

  18. I'm still chomping on mince pies here. Extremely moreish.

  19. Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    It was a very solo Christmas Day I had yesterday in my isolation hotel. The hotel gave me a turkey Christmas dinner which I wasn't expecting.

  20. Eng 31-2

    Joe Root gets a snorter from the last ball of Pat Cummins as he is forced to playing at one he'd rather not, but the ball does not take the edge.

    Australia preparing for another bowling change with Cameron Green set to come into the attack.