Australia began the proceedings in a dominating manner in the third Ashes Test in Melbourne after ending Day 1 at 61/1, trailing by 124 in reply to England’s 185. The home side started off well as Marcus Harris and David Warner stitched a 57-run stand for the first wicket before Warner was sent back in the hut for 38 by James Anderson.
Harris remained unbeaten at 20 while Nathan Lyon who had walked in as the night watchman was on zero off five when the stumps were called on.
Earlier, in the day, England had continued to struggle with their batting as the visitors once again saw a collapse in the first innings.
England were 13/2 when Dawid Malan and captain Joe Root tried to steady the ship for the side with a partnership of 48 runs for the third wicket. But Malan was eventually undone for 14 while Root continued with his good batting form and notched up a fifty.
The visiting team kept losing wickets at one end but it was Jonny Bairstow who resisted well from the other side and scored 35 off 75.
Later, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach chipped in with some runs. While Robinson scored 22 off 26, Leach struck 13 off 18. For Australia, it was Pat Cummins and Lyon who scalped three wickets each while Starc had a couple of scalps to his name.
Australia presently lead the five-match series 2-0.