The Boxing Day Test is one of Australia's great sporting occasions - and with an Ashes battle intriguingly poised at 1-1 there's every reason for spectators to make a beeline to the Melbourne Cricket Ground
With cloud overhead and a green wicket at their disposal, England opt to bowl first - and are rewarded when Chris Tremlett removes Shane Watson for just five thanks to a Kevin Pietersen catch at gully
Next, Tim Bresnan - selected ahead of Steven Finn - takes out Phillip Hughes in only his second over to leave Australia at 37-2; the early advantage is England's, it appears
England are firmly on top when Graeme Swann's smart slip catch off Tremlett ends Ricky Ponting's innings on 10 without any addition to the Australia total
Ponting marches off as his latest failure reduces his series average to 15.50, a worryingly poor return from the Australian captain
The key wicket follows in the 26th over - James Anderson prising out the in-form Mike Hussey just two balls before an extended break for rain, with Australia 58-4 and requiring a recovery operation from the lower order
Anderson gets the ball swinging nicely in the afternoon, and makes short work of Steve Smith, who compliantly nicks a catch to England wicketkeeper Matt Prior
The sixth, seventh and eighth wickets all fall with the score on 77; Bresnan removes Brad Haddin for five, while Anderson picks up Michael Clarke for 20 and Mitchell Johnson for a duck
Tremlett returns to wrap up the tail, he and Anderson taking four wickets apiece. Bowled out for just 98 and having given Prior six catches, Australia have it all to do with the ball
England openers Andrew Strauss (pictured) and Alastair Cook find batting a much easier proposition as the clouds disappear at the start of England's reply
Strauss and Cook ease England into the lead without Australia managing to take a wicket as they reach stumps on 157-0 - it's been a marvellous start to the Test for England
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