Postpublished at 07:30 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Feverish atmosphere at the MCG. Scott Boland, one of their own, has had a golden end to finish this second day.
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
Postpublished at 07:30 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Eng 22-4published at 11.0 overs
Ben Stokes is off the mark first ball, knocking it calmly down to long leg.
One over left in the day.
Postpublished at 07:29 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentatorBoland is being mobbed by his team-mates. The nightwatchman walks off. England will presumably now have to send in a middle-order batter. The bowling change has worked for Australia.
WICKETpublished at 10.5 overs
Leach b Boland 0
Dear oh dear oh dear.
Nightwatchman Jack Leach leaves one alone angled into the stumps from Scott Boland and his off stump is uprooted.
He has completely misjudged that. England are at sixes and sevens.
Postpublished at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialIt's tough work out there and unfortunately for Hameed he chanced his arm. He got through quite a few deliveries and then just tickled one behind.
Postpublished at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesThis game feels as if it is heading only one way.
WICKETpublished at 10.3 overs
Hameed c Carey b Boland 7 (Eng 22-3)
Scott Boland is chucked the ball by Pat Cummins and he sends the crowd , who are already at fever pitch, into a frenzy with the wicket of Haseeb Hameed.
The hometown boy squares up Hameed and the ball nips off the seam as the England opener feathers it into the gloves of Alex Carey.
England are in tatters.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 07:22 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Arjun: To be fair, at least the hope was snuffed out early today. Nobody in any doubt that England will lose. I just hope Root gets his ton to take something positive into the new year.
Postpublished at 07:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialEngland's goal today is to get to the end of the play. Then tomorrow they can start again.
Eng 22-2published at 9.2 overs
Trail by 60 runs
Pat Cummins gets a delivery to jag back into Joe Root and hits him in the bread basket, but the England skipper keeps his bat well out the way.
Australia will go full throttle right to the close.
Postpublished at 07:18 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Image source, Getty ImagesHave to agree to disagree on this one, Jack. I think anyone of an Australian persuasion inside the MCG is savouring every moment of this.
Can England make it through to the close without further loss?
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 07:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Jack: If I was an Aussie I’d just be bored of this by now. The only thing up for grabs is whether England lose by an innings or not.
Postpublished at 07:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesEven Root is under pressure in this innings. The crowd is up and supporting every ball. Starc and Cummins are bowling quickly and accurately.
Eng 18-2published at 8.2 overs
Mitchell Starc finds the egde of Joe Root's bat but... short of the diving glove of wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Root can feel his heart beating.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 07:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
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Image source, Getty ImagesRichard: Wake up to see England have fought back and didn’t let the Aussies run away with the batting. Turn on just in time to see Starc take 2 in 2. Contemplate going back to bed.
Eng 17-2published at 7.1 overs
Trail by 65 runs
Pat Cummins strikes Haseeb Hameed on the pad and swings on to his heels, waves his hands in the air, and strains his vocal chords with every breath in his body, as he launches a passionate appeal for lbw.
Umpire Paul Reiffel with a wry smile turns him down. That was close.
Should Cummins have reviewed? The ball tracking showed it was going just over the top of the stumps. Good decision.
Postpublished at 07:10 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialThat was very catchable. Why wouldn't you have mid-wicket across him there? To get the big wicket of Joe Root now would be massive.
Eng 17-2published at 6.5 overs
Image source, Getty ImagesIrrespective of whether you are an England fan or not this is compelling, riveting, brilliant Test match cricket.
Australia's bowlers are throwing everything at England.
Joe Root is drawn into driving a wider one from Mitchell Starc and a thick edge flies between third slip and gully for four.
Postpublished at 07:06 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2021
Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match SpecialHow's that for emphatic? The captain of England is off the mark with a perfect off drive.
Eng 12-2published at 5.5 overs
Joe Root is the calmest man inside an MCG baying for the blood of Englishmen.
Pat Cummins goes a touch fuller but Root plays the delivery on its merit, and drives it to the boundary for four.
Take a breath...