fourth test: d1 commentary

By Dave Tickner

0746: CLOSE
Australia, 1st Innings 48 for two, trail England by 111 runs
Flintoff has stepped up with two late wickets, but that can't mask the fact England have been truly awful today. It's a day that will rightly be about one man, as Warne became the first bowler to take 700 wickets in Test cricket on his way to yet another five-wicket haul. On day one. In ideal seam-bowling conditions. England will need more heroics from their captain and umpires prepared to lift their fingers out of their pockets if they are to drag themeselves back into the match.

0746: Over 11 Hayden pulls behind square for four runs and plays out the rest of the over defensively.
Australia 1st Inns, 48/2: Hayden 17*, Ponting 0*

0741: Over 10 Flintoff stuffs the hat-trick ball down the legside, but it's a double-wicket maiden to raise spirits just before the close of play. Imagine if Hayden had been given out on just one of the two occasions he was absolutle nailed-on lbw...
Australia 1st Inns, 44/2: Hayden 13*, Ponting 0*

0738: Now Ponting does have to come out to face a fired-up Flintoff, and it's a hat-trick ball...

0737: WICKET!
B Lee c Read b Flintoff 0 The nightwatchman fails again, and it's given England a real lift before the close. Lee's first ball is a perfect delivery that rises to take the shoulder of the bat and give Read a second catch in two balls.

0736: Another small victory - Ponting has wimped out and sent Lee in as nightwatchman.

0735: WICKET!
JL Langer c Read b Flintoff 27 Langer plays a flat-footed drive and edges low through to Read, who moves forward to take a smart catch. Some late joy for England, but it won't mask a truly abysmal performance today.

0733: I thought we could only continue half an hour past the scheduled close, but apparently that's not the case. England's misery today will be extended yet further, as will mine.

0732: Over 9 Hayden works a Hoggard inswinger into the legside for a single, and Langer gets three more with a drive through point.
Australia 1st Inns, 44/0: Langer 27*, Hayden 13*

0727: Over 8 Langer gets a leg-bye from the first ball and Hayden pulls a short no-ball through square-leg for a couple more runs. A push into the covers gets Hayden a single before A good short ball from Flintoff raps Langer on the glove, but he keeps the ball down. Another good short ball from Flintoff ends the over, but Langer gets on top of it easily enough.
Australia 1st Inns, 40/0: Langer 24*, Hayden 12*

0723: Over 7 Hoggard traps Hayden in front of all three with another ball of full length that shapes in nicely. Even Hawk-Eye gives this one out, but Koertzen doesn't. He seems like an umpire who has lost his nerve today. Again, if that's not lbw then you may as well scrap the law. Great over from Hoggard.
Australia 1st Inns, 35/0: Langer 24*, Hayden 9*

0719: Over 6 Langer gets a single from the first ball, and Hayden pulls a no-ball through midwicket for two more. Hayden adds another single and the final ball of a lengthy Flintoff over is full and wide, and helped over the slips by Langer for four runs.
Australia 1st Inns, 35/0: Langer 24*, Hayden 9*

0713: Over 5 Hayden is absolutely plumb, but not for the first time today, Koertzen turns down what looked a clear-cut lbw decision. Hawk-Eye claims it's going over the top, but is it 'eck. It was in more danger of going under than over the stumps, and presumably the gizmo is just trying to spare the umpire's blushes. Much better over from Hoggard though.
Australia 1st Inns, 24/0: Langer 17*, Hayden 6*

0708: Over 4 Langer gets another two with an astonsihing pull shot played almost from the ground as he lost his footing. Still, just two runs from the over which is some sort of success for England I suppose.
Australia 1st Inns, 24/0: Langer 17*, Hayden 6*

0704: Over 3 Great start this from Langer, lacing a drive through the covers for four. He adds another single with a flick to long-leg, deciding not to risk a second run to the arm of Panesar. Hayden joins the party with a thumping drive between Bell at short mid-off and Harmison at a more conventional mid-off position. This could get embarrassing.
Australia 1st Inns, 22/0: Langer 15*, Hayden 6*

0659: Over 2 Short ball from Flintoff asks to be hit and Langer obliges, whacking it through square-leg. Would've been four on any other ground, but again the outfield slows the ball sufficiently for the fielder to get there in time and Langer has to settle for three. Big lbw shout from Flintoff, but the ball has pitched outside leg and hit the bat and generally had little going for it.
Australia 1st Inns, 13/0: Langer 10*, Hayden 2*

0655: Flintoff will share the new ball.

0655: Over 1 Langer has an almighty swing and a miss at a Hoggard no-ball, and then edges all along the ground wide of the slips for four. Langer forces the ball through the covers for three more, and already batting looks a million times easier. Hoggard swings the ball into Hayden's pads and he gets off the mark, helping the ball through midwicket for two. It took England until the ninth over of their innings to reach double figures.
Australia 1st Inns, 10/0: Langer 7*, Hayden 2*

0649: England's new strokemaker Hoggard will bowl the first over. He's the one bowler in this England team you'd back to be effective here. These are Headingley-style conditions and should suit.

0648: Justin Langer trots out behind Hayden to open the batting for Australia. They'll know that any kind of partnership between the two of them will leave Australia cruising towards a 4-0 lead.

0647: England's shambling rabble wander out to have a little bowl. Let's have a game; which comes first, a boundary or a wide?

0638: England, 1st Innings 159 all out
Warne was brilliant, England weren't. Australia in general were pretty ordinary but plenty good enough for this opposition.

0638: WICKET!
MS Panesar c Symonds b Warne 4 A 37th five-wicket haul for Warne. What a player. Panesar is the final wicket to fall, slogging the ball into the hands of Symonds at mid-on. Another classic script from the Warne collection, but my word England have been pitiful.

0637: Over 74 Hoggard seems a little bit narked at his demotion, hooking McGrath to the deep square-leg boundary for four before an expansive leave outside the off stump. Hoggard drives into the covers, but Symonds fields well to deny the Yorkshireman any runs.
England 1st Inns, 157/9: Panesar 2*, Hoggard 9*

0634: Over 73 Hoggard brings up England's 150 with a hard sweep into the legside that getshim three runs. Panesar tickles the ball fine on the legside for two more, to Warne's obvious disgust. Warne moves from disgust to absolute rage as a huge lbw appeal is turned down. It hits Panesar on the crease, in line, and would surely have gone on to hit the stumps. Warne's still chuntering as the over comes to an end, but Panesar and England survive.
England 1st Inns, 153/9: Panesar 2*, Hoggard 5*

0630: Over 72 Hoggard hits straight to mid-on and sets off for a suicidal run. Lee fumbles, but would still have run Hoggard out by yards with a direct hit. Still, it's a run and England will take it. Panesar plays out the over.
England 1st Inns, 148/9: Panesar 0*, Hoggard 2*

0626: Over 71 Hoggard gets off the mark with an outside edge to short third-man. Panesar blcosk the last two balls of another successful Warne over.
England 1st Inns, 147/9: Panesar 0*, Hoggard 1*

0623: Hoggard strides out at number 11 for the first time in a good few years.

0621: WICKET!
KP Pietersen c Symonds b Warne 21 Pietersen takes on the deep fielders and loses, skying the ball high into the sky. Symonds makes the ground to his right from long-off and holds a good catch. Pietersen looks annoyed at the shot, the score, and life in general, but if he will insist on hiding down the order, then he will be stranded with the tail more often than not.

0618: Drinks. England are fortunate for a couple of reasons. If Australia had been on their game today, the tourists would have been bowled out for under 100. And Warne's 700th wicket will mean England's truly inept display might just sneak under the radar. Strauss and Collingwood battled gamely, while Pietersen has only needed to see two tailenders fall after early singles to learn the error of his ways. So I suppose that's something. England should probably have bowled first after winning the toss, but it doesn't excuse a dreadful performance like this.

0618: Over 70 Pietersen whips the ball to deep midwicket and turns down the easy single to a chorus of boos. Pietersen does take the single from ball five, and Panesar is able to block the one remaining delivery.
England 1st Inns, 146/8: Pietersen 21*, Panesar 0*

0614: Over 69 Panesar blocks out the over.
England 1st Inns, 145/8: Pietersen 20*, Panesar 0*

0611: Monty Panesar is also promoted above Hoggard.

0610: WICKET!
SJ Harmison c Clarke b Warne 7 Pietersen gets a single early in the over and a tailend batsman falls. So familiar. Clever bowling from Warne, tossing the ball up and inviting the big shot. Harmison obliges but can only get the ball off the toe of the bat to Clarke at mid-on.

0608: Over 68 Harmison pulls the ball from a long way outside the off stump, but gets enough on it to get two runs. Harmison plays and misses at the next one, but then lifts the ball over mid-on for four. Good shot, and a quick 20 or 30 from Harmison might just help drag England up somewhere near respectability.
England 1st Inns, 144/7: Pietersen 19*, Harmison 7*

0604: Over 67 Pietersen sweeps the first ball of Warne's over into the legside and cant't get back for the second run. Harmison gets off the mark with a sweep to deep square-leg. Pietersen can't get anything from the last two balls of Warne's over, so it will be Harmison to face McGrath.
England 1st Inns, 138/7: Pietersen 19*, Harmison 1*

0600: Over 66 Harmison digs out a yorker first up, and lets the last ball go through to the keeper. What do you do now KP?
England 1st Inns, 136/7: Pietersen 18*, Harmison 0*

0559: Steve Harmison has been promoted above Matthew Hoggard in the order.

0557: WICKET!
SI Mahmood c Gilchrist b McGrath 0 As in Perth, Pietersen is happy to accept the single Australia off him early in the over. As in Perth it proves a bad decision as Mahmood drives at one outside the off stump and edges through to Gilchrist who takes a good catch tumbling to his right. Deserved wicket for McGrath, and something for Gilchrist who's had an ordinary day.

0556: Over 65 Big appeal for a catch at slip off Mahmood, but the ball missed the bat and flicked the pad on its way through to Hayden. Mahmood survives the over, but Warne is bowling magical stuff here.
England 1st Inns, 135/6: Pietersen 17*, Mahmood 0*0552: Over 64 Pietersen plays out a maiden as England add another sorry chapter to this ill-starred Ashes series.
England 1st Inns, 135/6: Pietersen 17*, Mahmood 0*

0548: McGrath into the attack, incredibly still looking for his first wicket.

0547: Over 63 Once again Pietersen is left with the tail as Saj Mahmood joins England's premier batsman.
England 1st Inns, 135/6: Pietersen 17*, Mahmood 0*

0546: WICKET!
CMW Read c Ponting b Warne 3 It's 701 for Warne as he tosses one up outside the off stupm and Read hammers it straight into th hands of Ponting at short extra-cover. Good catch, but England are folding in disastrous fashion here.

0542: Over 62 Pietersen cuts hard into the covers for a couple, and then wanders across his stumps to whip the next ball through square-leg for three. The next ball is short from Clark and Read fends into the legside for a single. Pietersen plays out the last three balls of the over.
England 1st Inns, 133/5: Pietersen 16*, Read 3*

0538: Over 61 Read pulls the ball to mid-off and scampers through for a tight single. Pietersen gets a single with a sweep to long-leg. Read plays out the over, and we're just in a quiet spell here at the moment.
England 1st Inns, 127/5: Pietersen 11*, Read 2*

0534: Over 60 Pietersen is still in watchful mood. defensively playing out a maiden over from Clark.
England 1st Inns, 125/5: Pietersen 10*, Read 1*

0531: Over 59 Read cuts hard into the covers for a single, so he's already doing better than Geraint. Pietersen adds another single from the next ball, and Read manages to play out the over.
England 1st Inns, 125/5: Pietersen 10*, Read 1*

0527: Over 58 Pietersen plays out a maiden. It'll be interesting to see if he's learned how to bat with tail since Perth. Good, tight stuff from Clark in that over though.
England 1st Inns, 123/5: Pietersen 9*, Read 0*

0523: Over 57 Pietersen is still struggling against Warne, twice playing and missing. He does manage to work the ball to leg for a single to bring Read on strike against Warne. The legspinner spins the ball sharply past the England wicketkeeper's bat and there's plenty of chat out there now.
England 1st Inns, 123/5: Pietersen 9*, Read 0*

0519: Over 56 Read blocks the final ball of the over.
England 1st Inns, 122/5: Pietersen 8*, Read 0*

0518: Read is the new batsman, and he is a man under pressure with England in trouble.

0517: WICKET!
A Flintoff c Warne b Clark 13 Pietersen works to leg and runs hard to get back for two. He fends the next one into the legside and Flintoff calls him through for a single. Flintoff plays a heavy-footed defensive and gets an outside edge. The catch is taken low down at first slip by Warne, who just refuses to be kept out of the game.

0515: Over 55 Huge moment. Pietersen dances down the track to Warne, and is stuffed by a perfect leg-break. Gilchrist has the simple task of collwcting the ball with the batsman stranded, but the keeper fumbles and Pietersen scrambles back into his crease. The one saving grace for Gilchrist is the fact Warne has already got his 700th victim. Pietersen gets a single with a top-edged sweep and Flintoff plays out the over. Gilchrist has not had the best of days.
England 1st Inns, 119/4: Pietersen 5*, Flintoff 13*

0511: Over 54 Pietersen works Clark into the legside for a single, and Flintoff plays out the over in slightly unconvincing defence.
England 1st Inns, 118/4: Pietersen 4*, Flintoff 13*

0507:Clark has the ball in his hand for the second over of the session.

0506: Over 53 Warne starts the session with a great maiden over, fizzing one ball past the outside edge and giving Flintoff a couple of the old variations, throwing in the slider to end the set of six.
England 1st Inns, 117/4: Pietersen 3*, Flintoff 13*

0503: No surprise to see Warne continuing after tea.

0503: The players are back on the field for what will be another extended session, with play likely to go the full 30 minutes beyond the scheduled close at 0700 UK time.

0442: TEA
England, 1st Innings 117 for four
In terms of the match, Australia's session with England now firmly on the back foot. But the session was about one man. Warne, already assured of his place among the game's greats, rewrites the record books again with his 700th Test wicket. It doesn't matter how many more Murali ends up getting - Warne is the greatest. For a true comparison of the two great spinners, remove the 20-plus Tests Murali has played against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh...

0442: Over 52 Flintoff threads the ball through gully for two, and gets a single to midwicket. Pietersen blocks the final ball of Lee's over.
England 1st Inns, 117/4: Pietersen 3*, Flintoff 13*

0438: Over 51 Great over from Warne, twice spinning the ball past Pietersen's outside edge. He took a few overs to get going in the cold weather, but Warne is right into his stride now.
England 1st Inns, 114/4: Pietersen 3*, Flintoff 10*

0435: Over 50 Flintoff pulls through midwicket but gets only three on the sluggish outfield. Pietersen gets a single with a flick to long-leg. Lee jags the ball past Flintoff's inside edge. It just beats the bat ansd just misses off stump. Great delivery. Flintoff is continuing his policy of trying to hit his way back into form, but makes no contact with an attempted cut shot.
England 1st Inns, 114/4: Pietersen 3*, Flintoff 10*

0431: Over 49 Pietersen watchfully plays out a maiden from Warne.
England 1st Inns, 110/4: Pietersen 2*, Flintoff 7*

0427: Over 48 Pietersen pushes to mid-on and calls his captain through for a terrible run. A direct hit would have comfortably run hte England captain out. Happily for him, it was Clark rather than Clarke doing the fielding, and his throw is off-target. Pietersen off the mark, but a truly shocking run. Flintoff gets a much safer one with a push into the offside, and Pietersen adds another single with a flick to midwicket.
England 1st Inns, 110/4: Pietersen 2*, Flintoff 7*

0423: Over 47 Flintoff flicks the ball to leg for a couple before hammering down the ground for four. But it's all about Warne as he reaches an unprecedented milestone. The MCG stands as one to hail their hero as the over comes to an end.
England 1st Inns, 107/4: Pietersen 0*, Flintoff 6*

0419: England captain Flintoff is the new batsman.

0418: WICKET!
AJ Strauss b Warne 50 Warne gets his 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day in Melbourne. Strauss is the answer for future quiz questions as he plays around the ball and is bowled. England are back in deep trouble, but no-one is worried about anything but Warne, who embarked on some Monty-esque celebrations.

0417: Over 46 Pietersen is the new batsman for England.
England 1st Inns, 101/3: Strauss 50*, Pietersen 0*

0416: WICKET!
PD Collingwood c Ponting b Lee 28 Lee gets one to bounce at Collingwood, who fends into the slips where Ponting takes the catch. Good ball from Lee, but Collingwood will be disappointed he was drawn into playing at that.

0412: Over 45 Strauss looks to sweep but can only edge the ball into his pads. He gets to a battling half-century next ball though, working the ball into the legside. The next ball is down the legside, and Collingwood sweeps beautifully fine to ensure he keeps the ball away from Lee at long-leg and gets four. Warne responds with a quicker delivery, fizzing past the outside edge. Another fine sweep gets Collingwood three and brings up England's 100.
England 1st Inns, 101/2: Strauss 50*, Collingwood 28*

0409: Strauss 50: 129 balls, 1 x 4

0408: Over 44 Collingwood is now looking to be more positive, but picks out Hayden in the gully with a square-cut before jabbing a pull shot straight at mid-on. He deos get some runs with a deliberate shot played over the top of the slips as Lee bangs the ball in short.
England 1st Inns, 93/2: Strauss 49*, Collingwood 21*

0404: Over 43 Strauss moves to 49 with a controlled sweep. COllingwood is beaten by one that dips in and then turns away. Collingwood keeps the strike with a single from a good sweep to Lee at long-leg.
England 1st Inns, 89/2: Strauss 49*, Collingwood 17*

0400: Over 42 Lee starts his second spell with a maiden. For all Collingwood's commendable battling qualities, this innings shows why Kevin Pietersen should be in at number four.
England 1st Inns, 87/2: Strauss 48*, Collingwood 16*

0356: Double change, with Lee coming back into the attack.

0356: Over 41 After all that, Warne starts with a full-toss. And Collingwood misses out, flicking it tamely straight at midwicket. Collingwood comes down the track to the fifth ball of the over, and smashes Warne over midwicket for four. Warne ends his over with a short ball that Collingwood helps out to deep point for a single. Not a great over in truth, but Warne still gets a huge ovation.
England 1st Inns, 87/2: Strauss 48*, Collingwood 16*

0352: Warne is into the attack, and gets a standing ovation before he's even bowled a ball. What a moment.

0351: Over 40 Clark bowls a maiden to Strauss, but all eyes are on Warne. He's going through some stretching routines at first slip to increasingly excited cheers from the MCG crowd.
England 1st Inns, 82/2: Strauss 48*, Collingwood 11*

0347: Over 39 Yet another three for Strauss, driving pleasantly through the covers. Collingwood plays out the over, and batting isn't getting any easier.
England 1st Inns, 82/2: Strauss 48*, Collingwood 11*

0344: Warne may not be bowling, but he's still the centre of attention. Warne wanders towards the bowler's end and Justin Langer then removes the legspinner's sunhat. The MCG goes wild thinking Warne is coming onto bowl, but he just casually pops the hat back on and continues walking through to his first-slip station.

0344: Over 38 Collingwood continues to battle away, getting through a maiden over from Clark.
England 1st Inns, 79/2: Strauss 45*, Collingwood 11*

0339: Over 37 Strauss watchfully plays out a maiden over from Symonds.
England 1st Inns, 79/2: Strauss 45*, Collingwood 11*

0336: Over 36 Lovely delivery again from Clark, jagging the ball past Collingwood's outside edge. The next ball from Clark is a bit too straight and Collingwood works it into the legside for two. Collingwood is drawn into an unwise drive at a ball wide of the off stump and misses, before getting it right next ball and letting the ball through to Gilchrist.
England 1st Inns, 79/2: Strauss 45*, Collingwood 11*

0332: Over 35 Another big leg-before shout fromSymonds against Collingwood. The batsman just got outside the line, so this time Koertzen gets it right. Collingwood turns the ball to leg for a single. Strauss works a slower ball from Symonds behind square on the legside and scurries back for a second run. Strauss works the next ball into another legside gap and again gets back for two runs.
England 1st Inns, 77/2: Strauss 45*, Collingwood 9*

0325: Drinks. England will be delighted to be 72 for two here. With hindsight they surely ashould have bowled first but a combination of determined batting, bizarre umpiring and uncharacteristically sloppy Australian catching means it is only two rather than four or five wickets down.

0325: Over 34 Huge let-off for Strauss. He drives loosley at a length ball outside the off stump and Matthew Hayden drops a sitter in the gully. Hayden has taken some stunning catches in the gully this series, but he's just dropped the easiest chance he's had all series. Strauss is due a bit of luck, and he's undoubtedly had some there. Strauss plays out the over in more circumspect fashion.
England 1st Inns, 72/2: Strauss 41*, Collingwood 8*

0321: Over 33 Collingwood works the ball off his hip for one as, glory be, the sun comes out. Strauss gets a single with a push to a fairly deep cover fielder. Collingwood leaves the final ball of another tidy Symonds over.
England 1st Inns, 72/2: Strauss 41*, Collingwood 8*

0317: Over 32 Strauss pushes into the covers for a quick single, and gets an overthrow as Symonds' throw evades Gilchrist. Just those two runs from another good Clark over, and Strauss will never make a better 40 in his life.
England 1st Inns, 70/2: Strauss 40*, Collingwood 7*

0313: Over 31 Collingwood nudges into the legside for a single. Strauss gets his seventh three of the innings with another cut shot that would have gone for four in any other conditions or on any other ground. Collingwood misses a foolish expansive drive as England negotiate another over.
England 1st Inns, 68/2: Strauss 38*, Collingwood 7*

0309: Over 30 Strauss finally gets his first boundary as Clark drops short, allowing the batsman to free his arms and smack the ball through cover-point. Strauss plays inside the final ball of the over as England continue to battle in trying conditions.
England 1st Inns, 64/2: Strauss 35*, Collingwood 6*

0305: McGrath is finally dragged out of the attack as Clark changes ends.

0305: Over 29 Strauss hammers a short ball from Symonds through the covers, but still the ball doesn't reach these huge square boundaries. Strauss into the 30s now withour a boundary. Collingwood gets trapped on the crease as one comes back and hits the back pad. It's missing nothing, but Koertzen keeps his arm down. The next ball again hits the pads, but this time he's got outside the line and Koertzen is right to turn down the appeal. Collingwood having all sorts of trouble here, but he somehow survives the over. Collingwood looked stone dead to the fisrt of those appeals and, having seen the replay, if that's not out then we may as well do away with lbw altogether.
England 1st Inns, 60/2: Strauss 31*, Collingwood 6*

0301: Over 28 Collingwood watchfully blocks out five deliveries before being beaten all ends up by the sixth. McGrath is still wicketless through 14 overs, but he has bowled beautifully. The umpires have another conference with the rain continuing to fall.
England 1st Inns, 57/2: Strauss 28*, Collingwood 6*

0257: Over 27 Symonds starts with a tidy if non-threatening maiden. Again, just a hint of rain in the air.
England 1st Inns, 57/2: Strauss 28*, Collingwood 6*

0253: Symonds is into the attack. Clearly a superstitious or optimistic man, his trademark lip-covering sunscreen is still in place on this cloudiest of days. Mind, he still wore it in an inddor game at the Telstra Dome, so...

0252: Over 26 Strauss drives uppishly into the covers and is relieved to see the ball bounce just short of Clarke at point. Strauss gets two more runs with a whip through midwicket that is only half-stopped. Strauss plays through the same area again but times it better this time and gets three. Which is basically the best you can do on this outfield at the moment. Collingwood blocks the last couple of deliveries from McGrath's over.
England 1st Inns, 57/2: Strauss 28*, Collingwood 6*

0248: Over 25 Strauss picks up a quick single from the final ball of another accurate over from Clark. England's decision to bat first looks worse and worse as the pitch and weather conspire to make it a handy day to bowl.
England 1st Inns, 52/2: Strauss 23*, Collingwood 6*

0244: Over 24 Strauss works the ball to leg for a single. McGrath still getting plenty out of the pitch, jagging one past Collingwood's outside edge. Collingwood plays the next one through the gully for what appears an easy single, but after some confusion the batsmen stay put. That almost costs Collingwood his wicket as the next ball comes off the outside edge and flies to the boundary for four. Gilchrist got a glove to it, but was just a bit late setting off for it and ending up diverting the ball away from Warne. Gilchrist's one-handed effort is very Jones-esque, and Collingwood is a lucky man.
England 1st Inns, 51/2: Strauss 22*, Collingwood 6*

0240: Over 23 Collingwood lets the last two deliveries of Clark's rain-interrupted over go through to Gilchrist.
England 1st Inns, 46/2: Strauss 21*, Collingwood 2*

0238: The Australians are back out on the field after that brief shower, followed by the two England batsmen.

0231: Over 22.4 Collingwood survives a desperately close lbw shout. Height can be the only possible factor, but it looked good enough to me. The Durham man gets off the mark next ball, working the ball through midwicket for a couple. Clark's in the middle of a great over, but he'll have to wait to finish it as the rain starts again and the players leave the field.
England 1st Inns, 46/2: Strauss 21*, Collingwood 2*

0227: Over 22 Strauss thinks about taking on a McGrath bouncer but bails out at the last minute. Another good over from McGrath, relishing the conditions.
England 1st Inns, 44/2: Strauss 21*, Collingwood 0*

0223: Over 21 Collingwood blocks the final delivery of an excellent over from Clark.
England 1st Inns, 44/2: Strauss 21*, Collingwood 0*

0222: Paul Collingwood is the new batsman for England, who need a partnership here.

0220: WICKET!
IR Bell lbw b Clark 7 Strauss pushes firmly straight down the ground and gets three as Symonds gives chase. Clark squares Bell up next ball and beats the outside edge. Bell doesn't survive much longer, though, as Clark nips one back and traps him half forward and trapped in front, plumb lbw.

0217: Over 20 McGrath beats Strauss outside the off stump. No appeal from bowler or keeper, but all the slips are very keen until Gilchrist explains the batsman has missed it comfortably. Strauss gets a single with a flick to long-leg. Bell plays intside the final ball of the over.
England 1st Inns, 41/1: Strauss 18*, Bell 7*

0213: Over 19 Loose drive from Strauss, who islucky not to make contact. Not the shot to play in these conditions. Clark's next delivery is down the legside and scurries along the ground, evades Gilchrist and allows England two byes. Warne gives chase to field, prompting enormous cheers from around the MCG. This place will explode if he gets the 700th today. Strauss keeps the strike with a well-judged quick single from the final ball of Clark's over.
England 1st Inns, 40/1: Strauss 17*, Bell 7*

0209: Over 18 Strauss gets a single from the final ball of a typically probing McGrath over. Still drizzle in the air, but no signs yet that it's making the umpires seriously consider halting play again.
England 1st Inns, 37/1: Strauss 16*, Bell 7*

0205: Over 17 A couple of delays while Koertzen fusses about the sightscreen. The over-rate is abysmal at the moment, and we'll definitely lose some overs today regardless of the effort to make up the time lost to rain. Clark eventually completes a maiden, but earlier talk of shadows has appeared hopelessly optimistic as more raindrops start to fall.
England 1st Inns, 36/1: Strauss 15*, Bell 7*

0159: Clark will continue after bowling just one over before the rain came. Taylor-made conditions these for Clark. Although the sun has just made a tentative appearance. Why, I think I even saw a shadow.

0159: Over 16 Strauss lets both deliveries go through to the keeper. Noticeable that Strauss has moved well outside his crease after those two earlier lbw shouts.
England 1st Inns, 36/1: Strauss 15*, Bell 7*

0156: The Australian fielders are back on the field, followed by Strauss and Bell. McGrath still has two deliveries left in the over curtailed by rain.

0156: The umpires are now back on the field as we embark on what will be a very long afternoon session if the rain stays away.

0153: Me and my big mouth. There will in fact be a slight delay while the groundstaff drag a rope around the outfield to remove surface water. But we should be back in action soon.

0149: The weather is improving slightly. It's not exactly glorious, but the rain has stopped and we look set to start promptly after the early lunch break.

0116: LUNCH
England, 1st Innings 36 for one
England will probably be reasonably happy with their work this morning, losing just one wicket in bowler-friendly conditions. Batting should get easier once the rain clears and the sun comes out, but at the moment Flintoff might be wondering if he's made the right decision to bat first. Could be a good toss to lose. So, a frustrating first morning in Melbourne. Pass the time by sending your festive wishes, rants and opinions to the Mailbox.

0116: Over 15.4 McGrath appeals for lbw against Strauss, but the ball is swinging too far and missing leg stump. Another appeal two balls later, but again it would have missed leg. More heavy rain starts coming down, and the players are quickly scurrying for the sidelines.
England 1st Inns, 36/1: Strauss 15*, Bell 7*

0112: Over 15 Clark overpitches, and Bell flicks through square-leg for two runs as Hussey gives chase.
England 1st Inns, 36/1: Strauss 15*, Bell 7*

0108: Stuart Clark is into the attack for the first time in the match.

0107: Over 14 Strauss pushes to midwicket for a single. Bell is cut in half by some prodigious seam movement but survives. Bell gets three runs from the penultimate ball of McGrath's seventh over, flicking the ball nicely through midwicket.
England 1st Inns, 34/1: Strauss 15*, Bell 5*

0103: Over 13 Strauss pulls hard to deep square-leg, but that's a long, long boundary. He gets just three as McGrath is able to field the ball inches from the rope. Bell drives to mid-off, where Clarke fields brilliantly. Symonds mops up to halt any English thoughts of taking a single. Bell works a Lee no-ball into the legside for a single. Strauss ends the over with another single nudged into the legside.
England 1st Inns, 30/1: Strauss 14*, Bell 2*

0058: Over 12 Bell plays out a maiden over. The final ball comes back a long way to pass between bat and pad and batting is getting no easier.
England 1st Inns, 24/1: Strauss 10*, Bell 1*

0053: Over 11 Bell drops the ball and runs a very dodgy single to Michael Clarke in the covers. Bell has to get the dive out to make sure he gets home, but he makes it to end a successful Lee over.
England 1st Inns, 24/1: Strauss 10*, Bell 1*

0052: Ian Bell is the new batsman for England.

0050 WICKET!
AN Cook c Gilchrist b Lee 11 Cook tries to let the ball go through, but can't get his bat out of the way in time. The ball just flicks the toe of the bat and Gilchrist completes a regulation catch.

0044: Drinks. Hot cocoa I'd imagine. It's freezing in Melbourne, but England have done well to negotiate these first 10 overs without loss in ideal bowling conditions.

0044: Over 10 Another fine delivery from McGrath, moving away from Strauss and passing the outside edge. Strauss uses the angle to get the ball to long-leg for a single. McGrath follows with a no-ball that Cook lets go through to the keeper. First boundary of the morning as Cook drives a half-volley sweetly through the covers and even Symonds' full-length dive can't save it this time.
England 1st Inns, 22/0: Strauss 9*, Cook 11*

0039: Over 9 Lee finds Strauss' outside edge, but the ball dies and bounces short of Ponting at second slip. The next ball is driven firmly through the covers, but the slow outfield will allow Andrew Symonds to reel it in and keep Strauss to three. Cook works a no-ball off his hip for a single. Lee again invites Strauss to drive, but this time the batsman makes no contact. Strauss twice pulls the bat inside the line as Lee drops a little short. Strauss drives at the final ball of Lee's over and gets a thick outside edge through cover. It's the third three of the morning as once again the wet outfield slows the ball down.
England 1st Inns, 16/0: Strauss 8*, Cook 7*

0035: Over 8 Cook uses the angle with McGrath going round the wicket to get the ball behind square-leg for a couple. No other runs from the over as McGrath's line is spot-on as usual.
England 1st Inns, 8/0: Strauss 2*, Cook 6*

0030: Over 7 Strauss pushes firmly down the ground and gets a single despite Lee's diving parry off his own bowling. The final ball of the over is short and pulled away by Cook. However, the wet, slow outfield allows Mike Hussey to haul the ball in and save a run.
England 1st Inns, 6/0: Strauss 2*, Cook 4*

0026: Over 6 More movement for McGrath, jagging the ball past Cook's outside edge. McGrath decides to have a go from around the wicket. A good move, forcing Cook to play at a lot more deliveries. He survives however.
England 1st Inns, 2/0: Strauss 1*, Cook 1*

0022: Over 5 Lee completes another maiden in the drizzle. Batting is really tough out here, but Cook and Strauss are battling hard.
England 1st Inns, 2/0: Strauss 1*, Cook 1*

0018: The umpires have another chat after one delivery of the fifth over, but again they decide to stay onthe field. They're obviously thinking of the many thousands in here watching, but Cook and Strauss look kenn to be in the sanctuary of the changing room.

0017: Over 4 Another accurate maiden over from McGrath who is, as usual, impeccable in line and length. The umpires have a chat about the rain, but decide conditions are still playable.
England 1st Inns, 2/0: Strauss 1*, Cook 1*

0013: Over 3 Strauss is beatesn again as Lee this time finds big movement off the surface. Strauss and England score their first run as the Middlesex man works to leg off his hips. Cook plays a similar shot next ball with the same result.
England 1st Inns, 2/0: Strauss 1*, Cook 1*

0009: Over 2 McGrath's first delivery seams sharply away from Cook and low through to Adam Gilchrist. McGrath beats Cook with a beauty that again moves sharply away. He's essentially bowling fast off-breaks here, and this is a real test for Cook. Cook survives the over, but England are still yet to open their account.
England 1st Inns, 0/0: Strauss 0*, Cook 0*

0005: Glenn McGrath shares the new ball. Like Warne, he's playing his penultimate Test.

0004: Over 1 Lee takes a few deliveries to locate his radar, but ends the over with a couple of beauties that force Strauss to play. He makes no contact with either. The floodlights are on now, with more rain in the air.
England 1st Inns, 0/0: Strauss 0*, Cook 0*

0000: Brett Lee is handed the new ball, with Strauss facing first.

1159: Huge roars at the MCG as Warne leads Australia out. Nice touch from Ponting to allow the great leggie that honour. Slightly less noise greets the arrival of Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss.

1131: England have won the toss and will bat first. Perfect for Warne, who now has the ideal chance to pick up his 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day in front of 100,000 people.

1119: Koertzen reveals it will be just a 30-minute delay in play, which will be made up later in the day weather permitting.

1116: Umpires Aleem Dar and Rudi Koertzen are inspecting a rather damp square, but at least there is the prospect for some play sooner rather than later.

1112: The covers are coming off in Melbourne as the rain stops. Australia keep the line-up that regained the Ashes in Perth as they look to maintain their hopes of a whitewash. All the focus is on one SK Warne, just one wicket away from 700 and having announced his impending retirement.

1105: Some quite heavy rain has delayed the toss. No word yet on when play can get under way here.

1102: It's a drizzly old morning in Melbourne for one of the highlights of the sporting calendar; a Boxing Day Ashes Test. At least it's an improvement on yesterday's hail.

1100: England make their third change of wicketkeeper in the last five Tests by recalling Chris Read for the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.

The tourists have finally lost faith in Geraint Jones, who has scored only 63 runs in the first three Tests including a pair at Perth, as the only change to their line-up.

Jones, who has scored only two half-centuries in his last 27 Test innings, was recalled to the side after missing the last two Tests of last summer at the start of the Ashes series.

Coach Duncan Fletcher maintained Jones had a superior temperament for the big series and would handle the pressure better, but his performances have not backed up that judgement.

It has prompted a recall for Read, who averaged 42 in his two Tests against Pakistan last summer, but England have otherwise kept faith with the same line-up which conceded the Ashes in the previous Test at Perth.

SajidMahmood will take his place in a seam line-up alongside captain Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison while Monty Panesar will provide the main spin threat.

It may be a dead rubber, bu there's still something special about the Boxing Day Test, and I've got my turkey sandwiches all ready to go.