The Ashes live scores: Follow the action from Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England
Cricket: Australia are eyeing an Ashes whitewash - and the bulk of the bumper crowd on hand at the MCG is hoping to watch it happen.
The Aussies may have wrapped up the series inside just 11 days, but they’re keen to put the foot on the throat even in the absence of star bowling duo Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Can they continue to roll, or will BazBalling England finally provide some stern resistance?
Follow the latest below, with play set to start at 10.30am EDT (7.30am WA time).
Jake Santa Maria is reporting live.
18th Over: AUS 3-51
Khawaja misses out on the full toss, flicking it straight to the fielder.
Gets a hold of the next one with two squares to bring up 50 for Australia.
Beaten next ball as Khawaja hangs the bat out.
Too straight, and there’s another single off the pads.
17th Over: AUS 3-48
Khawaja jumps across to flick a single fine off Carse
FOUR! Short and Smith pulls through vacant square leg.
Rain in the air
Our man Jackson Barrett has informed that it’s started to drizzle at the ground but there’s no movement from the groundsmen yet.
Smith plays out a maiden to Tongue.
14th Over: AUS 3-43
Carse back on after an expensive opening spell.
Too full, and Khawaja drives two through the covers.
On the hip, and he gets one into the legside.
13th Over: AUS 3-39
Full and Khawaja moves across to take it off middle stump to fine leg.
FOUR! Classic Smith as Tongue goes full, and he unfurls the cover drive to break the shackles somewhat.
Big Appeal for caught down the legside and Stokes reviews!
It’s close but catches nothing but jumper as England lose a review.
12th Over: AUS 3-34
Usman Khawaja is at the crease early, coming in at No.5
But it’s Atkinson continuing to Smith who’s shuffling down to try and negate the movement.
Plays out a maiden.
Tongue gets Marnus again
Tongue continues.
EDGE! But drops short of second slip as Labuschagne is sqaured up again similar to his dismissals in Adelaide.
GONE NEXT BALL! Slightly fuller and Marnus goes to drive and sends an edge straight to Joe Root at first slip.
His struggles continue and England are right on top now.
11th Over: AUS 2-34
Atkinson continues what has been a fine spell to start the morning.
Smith nearly turns himself around trying to score on the legside, but somewhow gets bat on in while nearly falling over.
A maidenn
10th Over: AUS 2-34
Tongue beats Smith with a beauty first up as it angles in and then straightens to beat the edge.
Strays on the hip where he gets off the mark with a single.
Full and Labuschagne drives two past mid-off.
WEATHERALD FALLS!
Bowling change as Josh Tongue replaces Carse.
Weatherald gets behind it and defends the first.
GONE NEXT BALL! Soft dismissal as Weatherald gets a tickle down the legside where Smith pouches it.
England after a poor start a right on top now as captain Steve Smith comes to the crease.
