Summary

  • Australia retain the men's Ashes

  • England bowled out for just 68 in little over an hour on third morning

  • Boland takes six wickets in second innings

  • Daily highlights show on BBC iPlayer from 17:00 GMT

Live Reporting

Kal Sajad

  1. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    It is not a surprise Zak Crawley failed. He had no chance.

  2. Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist on Test Match Special

    I feel for someone like Zak Crawley being sent in to face that session last night. Off the back of no cricket and a horrible year, he's told to go and see out the last hour against Cummins and Starc in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It is deeply unfair

  3. 'Goosebump stuff'

    Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, speaking to ABC: "It's great to be playing in front of people again after the two years we have all had. To have that moment in front of 40,000 people...

    "I'm sure it will be something that last with Scotty [Boland] throughout his career. The noise was awesome. It was goosebumps sort of stuff."

    Boland removes Hameed as third wicket falls

  4. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Jack Rule: It comes to something when on TMS the most positive voice on England chances to save this game comes from an Aussie in Geoff Lemon.

  5. 'It was a hard atmosphere'

    England fast bowler Mark Wood, speaking to ABC: "It was a tough day in the end with us. We were really happy with how we bowled and Jimmy led the way, but we were disappointed with the end.

    "When you're playing the best players, you want to stand up. Hopefully I can keep getting those big wickets.

    "It was a hard atmosphere for those lads coming in [last night]. Sometimes you have to admire what the opposition can do. We have to learn from the Australian batters but also the bowlers, who I thought bowled extremely well."

  6. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Jez: Anyone else think we can still do this? We’ve only really lost Malan as openers never contribute & nightwatchman doesn’t count. Root to get the 100 or so he needs to be top calendar year run-scorer ever. Stokes to do Stokesy things. Bairstow and Buttler to bash a few!

  7. What's the game situation then?

    England will resume on 31-4 with captain Joe Root 12 not out and Ben Stokes on two.

    They trail by 51 and the question is will they make Australia bat again?

    Jos Buttler has been going through his wicketkeeping drills, so he must be confident they will.

  8. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    The breeze has completely dropped. It really is a lovely day for batting.

  9. Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist on Test Match Special

    RootPA Media

    I think I need to provide optimism here. There is a path for England today. Joe Root and Ben Stokes can both play cricket... plus, it is day three, which is notionally the best for batting.

  10. Get Involved

    #bbccricket or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Jack Rule: So for some reason I’ve actually had an afternoon nap ready for the Ashes this evening. Why I felt this would be needed I have no idea

  11. Just some Covid related news for you too.

    The players, their families and the coaching staff from both teams have had negative tests, meaning that today's play can start as scheduled at 23:30 GMT.

    There are now six positives - up from four - in the wider England travelling group and both players will continue to take PCR tests to monitor - and hopefully control - the outbreak.

    Read more.

  12. In case you've not yet caught up because you've been enjoying the holiday festivities - here are yesterday's highlights.

    It feels really strange to say, but yesterday, for the vast majority of time, was probably England's best day of the series.

    But, that final hour from Australia has really allowed them to grab control of the game.

    You can watch extended highlights on BBC iPlayer too.

  13. I can bring you one positive though - look at that weather!

    A belting day for batting.

    Yes, I know, we've said that at least five other times in 2021 and England have not delivered. Look deep within and find that final bit of belief - it may be the last time you need it this year.

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  14. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    It's all a bit of a shambles as far as England are concerned. I really can't see a way out of this for them.

  15. Evening/morning!

    Who even knows what time it is right now, let alone what day it is!

    England, as they have for much of this series, face an uphill battle in Melbourne.

    They resume on 31-4, still 51 runs behind, and the pitch is far from easy.

  16. 21 days and 836.5 overs have passed since the first ball was delivered in Brisbane.

    The realists among you may have realised this day would come around now. The pessimists may have thought it would come in January. The optimist may have believed it would never come.

    Tonight could be the day that Australia wrap up this Ashes series.

    Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates dismissing England's Zak CrawleyGetty Images