Australia on top after Pat Cummins sets Boxing Day tone

Report

England dismissed for 185 after another flaky display with the bat in Melbourne

Australia 1 for 61 (Warner 38, Harris 20*, Anderson 1-14) trail England 185 (Root 50, Cummins 3-36, Lyon 3-36) by 124 runs

It was a case of the more things change the more they stay the same for England as Australia took a stranglehold on the Ashes, bowling out the tourists for 185 on the opening day of the third Test at the MCG before reaching the close one wicket down and just 124 runs adrift.

England had made four changes to their side that lost by 275 runs in Adelaide to concede a 2-0 lead in the contest, but again their batters struggled as Pat Cummins ripped through the top order by lunch and Nathan Lyon matched his captain’s haul of 3 for 36 as Joe Root’s side succumbed for under 200 runs for the 12th time this year.

In between, Cameron Green reaped rewards for a suffocating spell and Scott Boland claimed a wicket on Test debut while taking two catches to have a further hand in England’s demise.

The Australians reached 57 without loss before James Anderson had David Warner sharply caught by Zak Crawley at gully. The hosts closed on 1 for 61 with Marcus Harris unbeaten on 20 and nightwatchman Lyon yet to score.

More to follow…

Valkerie Baynes is a general editor at ESPNcricinfo

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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