Get Involvedpublished at 00:51 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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CJ: What a start from Mark Wood! Next hour will be crucial if England are to do anything in this Test match. Please don’t give me false hope again - it’s Christmas!
Summary
England close on 31-4 after Australia take 82-run lead
Starc takes two wickets in two balls & Boland removes Hameed & Leach
England's bowlers fight back on second day
Anderson stars with four wickets; Harris top-scores with 76
Daily highlights show on BBC iPlayer from 17:00 GMT
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 00:51 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Aus 93-3published at 27.0 overs
Steve Smith is busily going about his business in that very idiosyncratic way of his. Fidgeting and twitching with about 20 different moving parts.
He clips Mark Wood of his legs at the start of the over and he and Marcus Harris run three before a couple of singles apiece.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 00:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Image source, Getty ImagesJambarrell: Can Kevin T get a job working on the live text officially?
Postpublished at 00:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
That tweet emphasises just how important it was England managed to get Marnus Labuschagne early.
Postpublished at 00:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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End of twitter postAus 87-3published at 25.4 overs
Run machine Steve Smith is the new man for Australia - if England can nip him out then they really will be in this contest.
He steps back and across his stumps to Ollie Robinson but has plenty of bat behind it before leaving his next ball.
From the press boxpublished at 00:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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End of twitter postget involved Get Involvedpublished at 00:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Kevin Ticehurst: WOOODYYYYYY!
Postpublished at 00:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match SpecialThat is a huge wicket. Marnus Labuschagne made the bowler wait, and that was his undoing.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 00:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialThat is a lovely delivery from Mark Wood, the seam pointing perfectly to Joe Root at first slip, and it drew Marnus Labuschagne into the shot. It was maybe too short to be playing at.
WICKETpublished at 24.3 overs
Labuschagne c Root b Wood 1 (Aus 84-3)
BIG WICKET! Mark Wood lets out a guttural raw after he draws an edge from Marnus Labuschagne with his third delivery.
Labuschagne almost in two minds about whether he had to play at one which he eventually committed to and the ball takes the edge, with Joe Root taking a grab which came quick.
An extra bit of pace from Wood perhaps made the difference.
Postpublished at 00:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Mark Wood into the attack for England.
Postpublished at 00:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match SpecialMore Marnus weirdness as we get to the end of the over...
Asu 81-2published at 24.0 overs
A good over from Ollie Robinson as he asks Marnus Labuschagne a few questions.
Robinson gets his fifth delivery to spit up at Labuschagne which squares him and he's struck in the midships.
The England bowler follows up with a yorker which the Aussie batter digs out. Labuschagne then rehearses another shot he intended to play to the delivery.
Postpublished at 00:32 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Time to hit the hay, Paul...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 00:31 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Paul Dulieu: Pretty confident that as soon as I get in to bed, Australia will collapse and I won’t be able to sleep.
Aus 80-2published at 23.0 overs
A maiden from James Anderson as the left-handed Marcus Harris, sporting a bright white sweat band on his right arm, defends and leaves.
Australia's front line batters have been pretty circumspect as they look to get themselves in and build a commanding total at the MCG.
Postpublished at 00:26 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesOllie Robinson gets that kick and bounce off the wicket that troubles the best batters in the world. He has done well in this series.
Aus 89-2published at 22.0 overs
Ben Stokes gives some encouraging claps to Ollie Robinson before inspecting his index finger.
The England all-rounder popped a couple of pills before play (painkillers or anti-inflammatories presumably).
You'll recall he had an operation on it earlier this year.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 00:23 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Kevin Ticehurst: Pitch it up Jimmy, it’s far too easy!