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Australia vs England, Day 1 of Ashes Boxing Day Test from MCG

Australia failed to capitalise on a sensational start, with Steve Smith steadying the ship following David Warner’s incredible display.

Steve Smith celebrates his half-century. Picture: Mark Stewart.
Steve Smith celebrates his half-century. Picture: Mark Stewart.
7 min read
7:10PMDecember 26, 2017.
Updated 7:47PMDecember 26, 2017

Welcome to The Australian’s coverage of the first day of the 2017 Boxing Day Test, with Australia finishing the day’s play on 3-244. Read on below to see how it all unfolded.

Adrian McMurray 6.01pm: England stall Aussie assault

That’s stumps, with Australia finishing the day on 3-244. Incredibly, prior to Bancroft’s dismissal the run rate was at 3.58, dropping to 2.17 after that. It was a start the home side failed to capitalise on with Khawaja (17)in particular disappointing. Warner wasuntouchable — and incredibly lucky — at times, while the England attack grew into the contest. In Smith and Marsh Australia have a partnership they can work with when play resumes tomorrow morning. Join us then for all the action from what is expected to be a sweltering day in Melbourne.

Adrian McMurray 5.45pm: New ball introduced

With just a few overs remaining in the day Root hands Broad the new ball to see if he can do any damage. The paceman has probably deserved more than his single wicket on day one, but it looks like Smith and Marsh will see this one out through to stumps.

5.29pm: Impressive attendance figures

Even though the series was already won in Perth, it didn’t stop fans from turning out in big numbers.

Adrian McMurray 5.10pm: Smith hits half-century

Steve Smith in action of day one at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein.
Steve Smith in action of day one at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein.

After waiting patiently on 49 for more than four overs, Smith passes the 50 mark off the last ball of Dawid Malan’s over, driving through the covers to bring up the milestone. He’s in fine touch.

Adrian McMurray 4.53pm: New ball not far off

The last period has been a real contrast to the first two sessions, with neither side really having any sustained run of momentum. Smith’s been steady and a half-century is on the cards, while the new ball isn’t far away. The Aussie skipper’s incredible unbeaten MCG record continues (for now)!

4.30pm: The Barmy Army find their voice

Adrian McMurray 4.23pm: Smith’s incredible numbers

Just to continue the Steve Smith love-fest, how’s this for a stat? The Australian skipper is in phenomenal touch, and looks set to be his side’s saviour yet again. This Smith-Marsh partnership looks promising, with Marsh smashing Ali for four through midwicket.

Adrian McMurray 4.10pm: Smith fights back

Smith is doing his best to keep things ticking over, hitting boundaries off Woakes and Ali to move to 30. Runs were free-flowing before but the England bowlers have to take a lot of credit for keeping Australia quiet.

Adrian McMurray 3.53pm: Marsh escapes

Massive appeal as Broad thinks he’s got Marsh for a duck. The umpire is unmoved, and England refer the decision. DRS confirms the umpire’s decision and Marsh survives. The next ball, Broad is up again, but it was missing leg. England are well and truly up and about now.

Stuart Broad appeals unsuccessfully. Picture: Michael Klein.
Stuart Broad appeals unsuccessfully. Picture: Michael Klein.

Adrian McMurray 3.46pm: Khawaja out

Wicket! Just as he was starting to look a bit more promising, Khawaja is back off to the stands, departing for just 17. Broad is finally rewarded for his good work, Khawaja edging to Bairstow. Shaun Marsh joins the action.

Adrian McMurray 3.41pm: Evening session starts with a bang

We’re back underway in the final session of the day. Khawaja gets a single on the first ball, while Smith does his best to spark something for his side, punishing a Woakes short ball and finding the boundary on just the second ball of the evening session. Khawaja also bags four in the next over off Broad, driving one down past long off. A positive start from both batsmen.

Adrian McMurray 3.15pm: England back in the contest at Tea

England celebrate during day one of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Getty Images.
England celebrate during day one of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Getty Images.

The conditions pointed to a healthy day for the Australian batsmen but that afternoon session belonged to England. They took two wickets and restricted Australia to just 43 runs. Anderson and Woakes did the damage with the ball, but Broad (0-29)has been frugal. It's hardly doom and gloom for Australia with Smith (5) and Khwaja (10) capable of big things. Australia 2-145 at Tea.

Adrian McMurray 3.06pm: Tide turns England’s way

All things considered, England have really fought their way back into this one. When Warner was firing it looked as though this was going to be tough day at the office for the visitors, but excluding a Khawaja boundary off Woakes, they’ve been exceptionally tidy during the afternoon session.

Adrian McMurray 2.45pm: Warner gone

Wicket! Finally, England get their man. After an incredible display from Warner, he edges to Bairstow off Anderson, finishing on 103 from 151 balls. That brings skipper Steve Smith to the middle. Let’s see what the captain can do...

Adrian McMurray 2.40pm: Time for Khawaja to stand up

Much has been made about Warner’s innings (and rightfully so), it’s easy to forget Khawaja is out there with him. He’s been steady, but really needs to take advantage of the superb batting conditions on offer. Curran looks to have shaken off that earlier set back and is starting to settle in to his new surroundings, picking up a pair of maidens to accompany two from Anderson.

Adrian McMurray 2.10pm: Warner’s near miss

Warner brings up 6,000 Test runs with a single to sit on 99. Drama! Curran looked to have taken the wicket of Warner on 99, with the opener spooning it up to mid on to be caught, but it’s given a no ball. Incredible. And the very next ball, Warner gets his century. A great Boxing Day escape.

Adrian McMurray 1.57pm: Runs now seemingly at a premium

All of a sudden, runs are proving harder to come by. Woakes (two) and Broad (one) collect maidens, with Warner almost grabbing his century with another boundary that was intercepted by Ali at backward point. He picks up another two to sit on 98.

Adrian McMurray 1.40pm: England’s breakthrough

Cameron Bancroft. Picture: Getty Images.
Cameron Bancroft. Picture: Getty Images.

Wicket! Finally, England do some damage. Woakes is the man, snaring Bancroft lbw for 26. Usman Khawaja comes to the crease, with Warner sitting precariously on 96.

Adrian McMurray 1.37pm: Warner enters the 90s

Warner is showing no signs of slowing down, hitting 90 with a half volley to short extra cover for two runs. Broad seems to be the most effective of the England attack so far, but even he’s having his woes. Any bowler would on that pitch. Warner hits another four off the English paceman and the century is looming large.

Adrian McMurray 1.15pm: Play resumes

We’re back underway after lunch, and Bancroft joins in on the boundary action, edging Woakes through third man for four. Warner smashes another four off the first ball of Broad’s next over, business as usual for the openers.

Adrian McMurray 12.35pm: Australia cruising at lunch

Fans in the stands on day one of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: AAP.
Fans in the stands on day one of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: AAP.

He’s only faced 94 balls but a century is well in sight for Warner, who headed to the stands on 83 at lunch. In contrast, Bancroft’s innings has so far been far more steady, 19 off the 74 balls he’s faced. Warner finishedthe last over before the break with a huge six over long on. Australia 0-102. With the break in play, no doubt Christmas leftovers will be in demand across the country.

Adrian McMurray 12.26pm: Ominous signs for England

Joe Root of England speaks to Tom Curran. Picture: Getty Images.
Joe Root of England speaks to Tom Curran. Picture: Getty Images.

Who needs singles when you’ve got boundaries? Warner hits two in the same over off Curran. The 22-year-old debutant must be wondering what he’s got himself into. That century can’t be too far off now.

Adrian McMurray 12.17pm: No signs of slowing down

What a phenomenal first session for Australia. Warner bags another three boundaries off Anderson with Curran producing a maiden over in between. This could be a long day for the visitors ...

Adrian McMurray 11.55am: Warner hits 50

David Warner celebrates making his half century. Picture: Getty Images.
David Warner celebrates making his half century. Picture: Getty Images.

That’s 50 for Warner! The opener brings up his half-century with a lovely four past deep mid-wicket, his sixth boundary of the day. We’ll now get to see Tom Curran for the first time in the Test arena, perhaps not an ideal time to make his Test debut given the mood Warner is in. Curran replaces Ali.

11.50pm: Anderson’s record-breaking appearance

Adrian McMurray 11.47am: Australia bring up 50

England were always going to be up against it bowling this morning, but it seems like regardless of what they throw at Australia, Warner in particular will deal with easily. The opener smacks Ali for four, while Bancroft finds three off Woakes in the ensuing over and Warner snares a single to bring up 50 for Australia.

Adrian McMurray 11.40am: Woakes’s mixed start

It’s been a shaky start for Woakes following the drinks break, with Warner adding a few runs. There’s an appeal for lbw as Woakes hit Bancroft high on the pad, but the umpire barely moved. Despite his lack of runs, Bancroft has looked fairly solid. Moeen Ali replaces Broad, as Root looks to introduce something different.

Adrian McMurray 11.28am: Warner strong, Bancroft quiet

David Warner on day one at the MCG. Picture: AAP.
David Warner on day one at the MCG. Picture: AAP.

Warner roars back to life with another four to deep cover. Bancroft has been a bit quiet, not having scored for several overs. But he grabs two off Broad to move to 7. Joe Root introduces Chris Woakes into the attack, Warner picking up four runs in Woakes’s first over of the day. Signs are still positive for Australia.

Adrian McMurray 11.10am: England stem the flow

Warner was off to a flyer, but it looks as though Broad and Anderson have started to work their way into this one, with two maiden overs apiece and just one run off another Broad over. That pitch still looks perfect for the Aussie batsmen, so further runs can’t be too far off.

Adrian McMurray 10.50am: Warner finds the boundary

Warner hits Stuart Broad — playing the role of pantomime villain as he collects a chorus of boos — for four in the fourth over, in a show of lovely timing to long off. Warner’s made an excellent start, adding another four off Anderson the next over again to long off. He’s up to 21 already in an ominous sign for England.

Adrian McMurray 10.33am: Tidy start for Australia

We’re underway at the MCG, Jimmy Anderson to bowl the first over of the day. Cameron Bancroft kicks off proceedings by pushing one to extra cover for three runs on the second ball of the day, while David Warner also grabs three just two balls later, with an unconventional effort to deep backward point.

Adrian McMurray 10.04am: Australia to bat first

It might have taken three Tests (not that it really affected the result in the end anyway) but Steve Smith has finally won a toss this Ashes series, electing to bat on day one at the MCG.

“It’s a nice wicket, it was probably ready about four days ago ... it looks like a pretty nice wicket. Hopefully we can post a big first-innings total,” Smith said following the toss.

Read related topics:David Warner

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