Australia tightened their grip on the Ashes as England were skittled out for 185 on a dismal opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Sunday. Australia reached 61 for one as opener David Warner thrashed a quickfire 38 before getting out. Marcus Harris remained 20 not out while nightwatchman Nathan Lyon is yet to score.

England’s opening woes continued with Haseeb Hameed falling for a duck in the second over to Pat Cummins, poking at a delivery outside off and giving Alex Carey a simple catch. Cummins was excellent in the opening session, extracting movement from the grassy wicket and soon dismissed Zak Crawley as well five overs later for a 25-ball 12.

The Ashes, Boxing Day Test, Day 1: Highlights

At 13/2, England looked in normal trouble but their skipper Joe Root paired with Dawid Malan to stabilise their innings. The second session started well for England, with Root getting another fifty. But their misery continued when Root fell to Mitchell Starc soon after reaching the landmark.

Australia finish on a high despite losing David Warner late in the day.#AUSvENG | #WTC23 | https://t.co/QKpJv6gXeP pic.twitter.com/u7lF0k0dyI

— ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2021

The England captain now shares the unenviable record of the most Test fifties in Australia without making a century (9) with former Australia opener Bruce Laird. England’s poor start rapidly spiraled as talisman Ben Stokes (25) and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (3) both fell to dreadful strokes.

Recalled batsman Jonny Bairstow battled for his 35 but was forced to slog for quick runs as his batting partners dwindled. He was out trying to duck a venomous Starc delivery that caught his bat and looped to the gully where Green dived forward for a terrific catch. Australia’s openers raced to 57 before veteran paceman James Anderson finally broke through, having Warner edge to Crawley in the gully.