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

Live Reporting

Timothy Abraham and Kal Sajad

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    Simon Gibson: Can Kevin T at 00:13 make some more disparaging comments please?

  2. Aus 78-2

    England's players are still feeling their way into the morning session at the MCG after a bit of a disrupted start to their day following a Covid-19 scare, so perhaps we can forgive them for being a little low-key with the celebrations.

    James Anderson is plugging away, nibbling it about on a length to Marcus Harris.

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    RobinsonGetty Images

    Cassini: I celebrated that wicket more than the England team! I know it’s the nightwatchman but c’mon guys!

  4. Aus 76-2

    Two leaves from Marnus Labuschagne first up to Ollie Robinson who has hit his straps after a slightly loose start.

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

    It was a good length from Ollie Robinson, dragging Nathan Lyon forward. He still gets a standing ovation - that's one of the beauties of being a tailender who has hit a couple of boundries.

  6. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    It was pitched up, Lyon went for the drive, and it was a straightforward catch for Buttler. England have nipped that in the bud.

  7. wicket

    WICKET

    Lyon c Buttler b Robinson 10 (Aus 76-2)

    Muted celebrations for England as they quickly get rid of the nightwatchman.

    Nathan Lyon goes at a delivery on a tricky length from Ollie Robinson with hard hands and Jos Buttler gobbles up the edge.

    The real business starts now, though, with Marnus Labuschagne next at the crease.

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    Kevin Ticehurst: There seems to be no urgency, energy or even motivation to get a wicket here. We are letting Lyon get on top of us, embarrassingly.

  9. Aus 76-1

    A grumpy James Anderson fiddles with his quiff as he walks back to his mark after Marcus Harris plays the ball with soft hands and picks up a boundary through the vacant third man region.

    England a bit leaky this morning.

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    LyonGetty Images

    David Emanuel: Please, please, please don't let the nightwatchman be part of a big partnership.

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

    Nathan Lyon hit that first shot out of the absolute screws. The outfield looks rapid today.

  12. Aus 70-1

    That's the spirit Damien.

    Ollie Robinson, rather than Mark Wood, bowls England's second over and he gives Nathan Lyon a freebie first up.

    A bouncer sticks in the pitch and is right in the slot for Nathan Lyon who gets over the top of it and pulls it four.

    Next ball Lyon edges between second slip and gully for back-to-back boundaries.

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    Damien Low: Right. I’m staying up for the Ashes and England are going to take some wickets and get back into this. Cross your fingers with me!

  14. Aus 62-1

    Nathan Lyon will be doing his best to be a pest for England at the start here. He's off the mark with a slightly miscued drive to bring Marcus Harris on strike.

  15. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon has just taken guard and James Anderson has ball in hand for England.

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    Lewis Starks: All I want for a (delayed) Christmas present is for England to win just one over! Not a Test... Not a session... Just one over. Not much to ask, right?

  17. England's players are doing some quick stretches and fielding on the edge of the boundary before we get under way.

    Joe Root has now gathered them into a huddle to provide a few final words of inspiration.

  18. Updated session times

    • First session: 00:00 GMT to 2:00
    • Second session: 2:40 to 4:40
    • Third session: 5:00 to 7:00

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

    Pat Cummins seems to have everything. He spoke about he loves how relentless his team is and he is relentless as a fast bowler. One of the hardest skills as a bowler is to remain as consistent as he is over a long period of time.

  20. Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist on Test Match Special

    Pat Cummins is only in his 36th Test match. He is the captain of his country and has been leading the attack for a couple of years. 36 Tests and he is closing in on 200 wickets - what happens if he plays 80 Tests?