THE ASHES LIVE! All the action from Day 1 at the MCG

MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP: Mike Hussey, Damien Fleming, Ian Chappell, Glenn McGrath, John Emburey, Carl Rackemann, Tim Lane, and Bruce Eva.

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STUMPS!!

Smith and Marsh have finished the day unbeaten as Australia wrestled back the ascendancy in the 4th Test at the MCG.

Honours were split for both teams throughout the day, with Australia maybe marginally in front as they ended the day 3/244. Smith finished up 65 not out and Shaun Marsh 31 not out.

England looked to have had Australia’s measure in the middle session as they removed Cameron Bancroft for 26 and David Warner for a dramatic 103.

Warner was caught on 99 before it was revealed Tom Curran had overstepped the front line, to give Warner an easy passage to his 21st Test Century.

Usman Khawaja came to the crease after Bancroft departed and was shaky before the lunch break before finding some confidence and racing to 17 before chasing a ball outside the off stump and edging one through to Jonny Bairstow to end his tough innings at the crease.

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Steve Smith has led the Australian revival on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in front of 88,000 people at the MCG. Smith came in with his side having just lost two quick wickets and England were seemingly on top in the second session.

Ian Chappell believes England haven’t found a way to stop the Aussie Captain claiming Smith has been dictating terms from the first Test.

Chappell: “England have not been able to find a way to get Steve Smith playing other than he wants to. The whole series he has played the game on his terms” #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 26, 2017

 

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Catch up on all the action from Day 1 at the MCG

• Warner out on 99, no ball gives him second chance
• Warner, Australia make flying start at MCG
• Lehmann to step down after 2019 Ashes

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Steve Smith has continued his run of good form in this years Ashes scoring yet another 50 as he brought the Australians back into the contest on Day 1 at the MCG. Smith and Usman Khawaja were 2/145 at the lunch break. Khawaja fell just after lunch, before the skipper did what he does best clubbing the English to all parts of the countries most famous arena.

Smith’s fifty comprised of only five 4s as he continues to be the series most prolific batsman with 480 runs at an average of 160.00.

SMITH 50!

Steve Smith’s impressive form has continued with the skipper passing 50 again. A real Captain’s knock. #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 26, 2017

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England have stuck early in the final session, dismissing Usman Khawaja for 17 to put the Australians under slight pressure in the final hours of the first Day at the MCG.

Khawaja played a lazy forward defensive stroke and got a faint edge on the ball caught by Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Stuart Broad. It was Broad’s first wicket in over 400 balls.

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The second session belonged to England at the MCG after they took 2/43 post lunch, with Jimmy Anderson taking both of the wickets for the visitors. Anderson claimed Bancroft for 26 and then dismissed David Warner for 103. Australia resumed from lunch at 0/102 before finding the going a little tougher and going in to go into tea at 2/145.

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David Warner has been dismissed for 103 in the second session at the MCG, after getting a lifeline on 99, when he was caught at mid on. Warner only added 4 runs to his total before Jimmy Anderson got one to take the edge of the bat before being judged caught behind.

Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja are at the crease just before the Tea break in front of 86,000 at the MCG.

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David Warner has scored another Test Century at the MCG in the second session on Day 1. Warner was caught on 99 off the bowling of Tom Curran, before replays showed it was a no ball and Warner was given a reprieve. Next ball Warner brought up the milestone in front of over 70,000 at the MCG, his 21st Test Century. He hit 13 fours and 1 six with the century coming off 128 balls.

Warner also passed 6000 Test Match runs and was the fourth fastest Australian to reach the milestone.

Listen to how all the drama unfolded here:

 

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LUNCH ON DAY 1! The Australian side are in a commanding position after the first session of play at the MCG. David Warner has clubbed the English bowling attack to all parts and goes into Lunch 83 not out with partner Cameron Bancroft on 19.

Australia sit at 0/102 with the English bowlers finding the going tough on the flat MCG pitch. Listen to all the first session highlights below.

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David Warner has passed 50 on Day 1 at the MCG and looked largely untroubled throughout his innings. Australia were 0/63 when Warner brought up the milestone as he looks for his first century of the series.

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The Australian side is wearing black armbands in memory of Tim Paine’s father-in-law who sadly passed away on Christmas Eve after suffering a recent stroke.

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Australia have gotten off to a strong start at a packed MCG, with 61,238 in the house after just 30 minutes of play, it looks as though a bumper crowd is expected. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have brought Australia to 0/26 off 8 overs with Warner on 21 and Bancroft on 5.

The pitch at the MCG looks very flat, and a big score is looking likely for the home side, with not much early movement on the drop in wicket.

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Australia has won the toss at the MCG. Steve Smith has chosen to Bat first. Jackson Bird the only change to the side. Tom Curran is on Debut for the English. Not far away from the action at the MCG.

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Christmas has come and gone and the much anticipated Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG is upon us with Australia having already wrapped up the series after a win in Perth.

Both sides have been forced to make one change each with Aussie quick Mitchell Starc resting his brusied heel after a huge workload in the past three tests, Jackson Bird will replace him in the team. Meanwhile, for England, uncapped quick Tom Curran will make his Debut after Craig Overton was ruled out with cracked ribs, sustained in the Perth Test.

It is the biggest stage of all for these two teams, with over 80,000 people expected to pack out the mighty MCG, it is sure to be a classic Ashes battle.