Live Commentary: The Ashes - Fourth Test, day one - as it happened

Merry Christmas everyone and welcome to our live coverage of the fourth Ashes Test. The urn is Australia's, but the hosts are targeting a whitewash. England have a lot to prove, can they deliver over the next five days?

There's been a lot of debate over the past few days about whether a few England players are past their peak. Graeme Swann decided to retire, but I think enough has been said about that choice. Reports today have suggested that Matt Prior could be forced to watch the match from the dressing room. Will anyone else be dropped?

BREAKING NEWS: Prior's poor form has cost him a place in the England Test squad and he will be replaced by Jonny Bairstow. Full team news will follow at the toss in Melbourne.

AUSTRALIA WIN THE TOSS AND WILL FIELD FIRST: Once again, Alastair Cook calls incorrectly in the middle and Michael Clarke confirms that his bowlers will have a go today.

Clarke, at the toss, reveals: "I can't believe I'm saying this but we're gonna have a bowl." I reckon that's the first time we've seen any uncertainty from the Australian skipper in this series. However, he knows his bowlers are full of confidence and there will definitely be some encouragement for the seamers in the first session.

Cook: "We would have batted, it looks like a very good wicket. You have to get through that first couple of hours, but when this cloud burns off it will turn into a good day to bat. It's always hard to be 3-0 down but I can credit the lads for the way we've stuck together and we've got another opportunity to play some good cricket."

More from the England captain: "We've taken Matt Prior out of the firing line. Matty is only 31, he's a world-class player and he's got a lot of cricket left in him."

AUSTRALIA: Warner, Rogers, Watson, Clarke (c), Smith, Bailey, Haddin (wkt), Johnson, Siddle, Harris, Lyon

ENGLAND: Cook (c), Carberry, Root, Pietersen, Bell, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Bresnan, Broad, Anderson, Panesar

Just two changes for England, with Monty Panesar replacing the retired Swann and Bairstow slotting in as wicketkeeper. It's an easy call for Clarke, who persists with the same team.

England haven't been good enough with the bat this winter but they need to start well in the first session in this match. Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris will get the ball to move early on but batting will be a lot easier later in the day.

The Boxing Day Test is a big occasion in Australia and there's a good crowd in already as the teams come out for the national anthems.

The anthems are over. It's time for the action to get underway at the MCG. Cook and Michael Carberry will both be desperate for a big score today.

Here we go then. The umpires are in place for the start of the game. Cook begins on strike. Harris will bowl the first over of the fourth Test. Play!

Cook gets off strike second ball thanks to a leg-bye. It's no surprise to see some good early pace for Harris but he doesn't bowl a straight enough line to for Carberry to play a shot.

Johnson's name is greeted with a huge roar from the Melbourne crowd. The left-arm seamer is too full with the new ball early on and Cook flicks a couple of runs into the leg-side. A push through the covers brings two more. Shot! Johnson strays slightly wider and Cook takes full advantage by cutting four past point. Top batting. Cook 8 Carberry 0*

Carberry fails to beat George Bailey at short-leg with a nudge off the pads. The Hampshire opener got in trouble while leaving in the previous match but he's playing it safe so far. Maiden from Harris.

Johnson goes much fuller in his second over and Cook stays watchful early on. A straighter ball is guided through the covers and the shot has just enough power to earn the England skipper four runs. Cook then flick the ball off his hip to keep the strike.

Cook just manages to avoid edging one that nips away from Harris. An attempted leave goes wrong moments away but the luck goes the opener's way as the ball beats the slips to hand him another boundary. Cook 17 Carberry 0*

Early change in the attack as Peter Siddle comes on for a bowl. Carberry gets off the mark with a clip through fine-leg for one before Cook adds three more with a push past wide mid-off. There hasn't been too much swing yet. England playing sensibly. One more single makes it five from the over. Cook 20 Carberry 2*

Harris switches ends to replace Johnson. Carberry chases a wider one and is very lucky not to edge one through to Haddin. Drop! A superb ball from Harris does catch the outside edge but Smith puts down a difficult chance to his right at third slip. Clarke seems to think he could have taken that catch next to him. Chance missed!

Shot! Carberry gets over the mistake in the last over by driving Siddle down the ground for his first boundary of the day. Rogers does well at cover by stopping another drive from bringing any runs. Siddle seems to be struggling with his line early on.

Harris is bowling with nice rhythm now as he restricts the freedom on offer to Cook, who continues to defend impressively. England supporters should be happy with this start.

Clarke makes another change, with Nathan Lyon getting his first bowl of the match. There's some early turn for the spinner but Clarke plays the slower bowling pretty well early in the over. Lyon then produces a beauty to beat the outside edge. Promising start for Lyon. Maiden.

There's an appeal for caught behind from Australia but replays prove only pad was involved and Clarke correctly decides against reviewing. Cook chases a wide one to relieve some pressure but he can't make contact. Harris has bowled five maidens out of six overs in the first session. Brilliant bowling.

Shot! Carberry rocks back to cut four through cover when Lyon drops one short early in a new over. A similar shot is stopped by Rogers on the off-side but England's openers still manage to rush through a single. Cook 21 Carberry 11*

Carberry's confidence is growing as he sends a thick edge past gully for another boundary as Siddle comes back on to replace Harris. A nudge off the hip brings three through square-leg. Cook shuffle across his crease to get an inside edge on the ball and pick up two more to deep mid-wicket, before standing tall to punch a couple through the covers.

Lovely bowling from Lyon to complete a maiden over just before the drinks are rushed on. Solid start to the day for England. Where has this been?

Cook shuffles across the crease to flick a single off his pads. A leg-bye follows later in the over. It's a decent over from Siddle after drinks. I think Clarke might turn to Watson soon. His pressure often brings wickets.

Carberry is quick enough to sneak through when Cook calls for a risky single to point.

Australia strike for the first time! Siddle finds some extra bounce to catch the outside edge and Clarke takes an easy chance at second slip. Important breakthrough for the hosts.

Joe Root comes to the crease and immediately gets off the mark with a push into the off-side. Excellent over from Siddle.

Root sits deep in his crease to guide the returning Johnson past point for two runs. Plenty of cheers in the crowd when Johnson fires in a good bouncer and clips Root's shoulder. The Yorkshire ace shrugs it off with a smile.

Carberry flicks a run off his pads when Siddle goes too straight. Root flirts with the ball just outside off-stump but he manages to avoid edging the ball on two occasions as Siddle starts to find a good rhythm. One single off the over. Carberry 19* Root 3

Carberry nudges the ball into the leg-side for a single. Warner dives to his left at gully but he can't stop the open-faced shot from Root, which brings four runs to the third-man boundary. Johnson is pushing the 92mph mark with apparent ease at the moment. 30 minutes left in the session.

Carberry picks up a run to get off strike at the start of the over. Close! Root is living dangerously outside off-stump again as he watches another Siddle beauty nip past the bat. Excellent bowling on show from the seamer. It's tough out there for Root.

We're treated to some Johnson of back in the day when the seamer drifts one down the leg-side to concede four wides. Carberry has played the short ball very impressively in this series. Shot! Superb pull from Carberry, who ends the over by collecting four through mid-wicket.

Root gets off strike with a push to cover at the start of Siddle's over. The seamer comes around the wicket to bowl at the left-handed Carberry, who is happy to leave the ball outside off-stump. Just one run from the over.

Root, eager to not make the same mistake he has done previously in this series, decides against swinging at the fuller balls from Johnson. A push to cover for one is the only run from the over. There's some light rain falling but it probably won't be enough to force the players off.

There's a lot of excitement from the slips when the returning Harris produces a beauty but Root gets bat on ball to keep the seamer out. The flies are causing a lot of problems today, with Root being forced to pull away when one gets inside his helmet. Harris drops one slightly shorter, which allows Root to collect a run to square-leg. The seamer comes around the wicket to Carberry, who survives the final ball.

Watson gets his first bowl of the session just before lunch. Root flicks the first ball off his toes for a single down to fine-leg. Watson follows his teammates by attacking Carberry from around the wicket and he immediately causes some problems with a bit of extra bounce, before conceding another run to fine-leg. Close! Root drives at a fuller ball and he's agonisingly close to edging one to Haddin.

REVIEW! Australia think they might have their man when Carberry leaves Harris and is struck on the front pad. Aleem Dar shakes his head but Clarke uses a review. It's a decent shout, however, the impact with the stumps stays with umpire's call. Carberry breathes a sigh of relief before playing out the rest of a maiden over.

LUNCH: The umpires bring the first session to a close. It's been a good start to the day for England after they had lost the toss before play. Cook's dismissal was a big moment for Australia but the tourists are in a good position. Carberry 26* Root 11*

We'll join the players by taking a break for around 35 minutes. Make sure you return for the second session of the fourth Test.

Welcome back everyone. I'm Australia tucked into their Christmas dinners in great spirits yesterday but they're back at work in Melbourne and they've been challenged today. Carberry, in particular, has batted sensibly and England are in a good position ahead of the second session.

The players are heading back out to the middle now at the MCG, where 84,000 people have arrived for this famous fixture in the sporting calendar. Can England take control in the second session?

As we've seen before in this series when England have been batting, one wicket could bring two, three or four very quickly. Watson has the ball in his hand. Root on strike. Play!

Watson is on target immediately as he tests Root with a couple of out-swingers and one that nips back. England's number three picks up four off the final ball with a firm push down the ground. Carberry 26* Root 15

A new spell from Harris starts with a loose ball that beats Haddin down the leg-side and races away to the rope for four byes. Carberry then gets off strike thanks to a leg-bye. Root finds the middle of the bat to collect three, with Rogers doing well to prevent the drive from reaching the rope. Eight off the over.

Watson completes a maiden but Root has looked comfortable since lunch as he watches the ball pass him by just outside off-stump. The grey clouds we saw this morning have gone and it looks very good for batting out there.

Carberry miscues his drive early in the over but he still collects a couple past mid-on. Root clips the ball into the leg-side and takes advantage of Siddle's slow reaction to sneak a quick single. Good cricket. Four from the over.

Watson is shaping the ball away from Root, who is fighting the urge to play one of those loose drives. Bailey gets in the way when the Yorkshire ace targets some runs through mid-wicket. Fine bowling from the all-rounder as he completes another maiden over. Carberry 29* Root 19

Johnson is back into the attack for another spell. Shot! The seamer is too short and Carberry takes full advantage to hammer the ball past point for four runs. A fuller ball is clipped through fine-leg for a single. Close! Root hangs his bat outside off-stump and he almost gets in trouble when the ball nips past the edge.

Carberry punishes a rare loose delivery from Watson by cutting four runs over gully.

A false leave almost saw Carberry's innings come to an early in the day but he doesn't get any luck on this occasion. Watson comes around the wicket to hit the top of off-stump with one that nips back late to surprise the opener. It's another start which doesn't bring a big score for Carberry. Pietersen in next. If anyone needs a big innings, it's him.

The speed clock displays a quite ridiculous 96.8mph early in a new over from Johnson. Close! Root has been battling with his technique and he drives at a wider one again, with the ball just missing the bat. It's a very good over but Root makes sure he keeps the strike with a prod into the off-side.

Pietersen is out in the middle, so it's definitely not a surprise to see Clarke throw the ball to Siddle. The seamer gets an early look at the new batsman when Root pushes a single through the covers. There's a big reaction from the crowd. Pietersen is eager to get bat on ball at the start of his innings but Siddle is accurate enough to keep the new batsman on zero. Will he remove him again today? The pressure is on.

It's another very quick over from Johnson but Root plays the seamer pretty well, ducking when the inevitable short ball is delivered. A straighter delivery is nudged into the leg-side for a single and Root will keep the strike for the next over.

Root is starting to find the bat in defence and he earns a single on the leg-side to set up another Siddle vs. Pietersen clash. The seamer's accuracy is admirable, to say the least. No shots offered by Pietersen in the over. Root 22* Pietersen 0

There's plenty of pressure being applied by the hosts. Root (22 from 75) has a tendency to bat himself into a whole, so he needs to keep looking for the singles and make sure he punishes the bad ball when it arrives. Maiden over from Johnson.

Shot! Wow, what a way to get off the mark. Siddle abandons his approach of bowling outside off-stump for one delivery and Pietersen responds by pulling four runs over mid-wicket. Close! Great comeback from the seamer to nip one back past the inside edge and just over the top of the stumps. Brilliant battle going on at the MCG.

Root steers a full ball through the gap between gully and point for a couple of runs. Close! Johnson pulls his length back and catches the outside edge but the ball drops short of Clarke at second slip. It's time for a drinks break in Melbourne.

Clarke is managing his bowlers well and he's had a reaction since lunch but both Root and Pietersen will know that there are runs to be scored on this pitch if you bat sensibly. Siddle is set to continue. Root 24 Pietersen 4*

Pietersen is fortunate to get an inside edge on one that nips back from Siddle, who keeps it tight with more probing around off-stump. England's number four deserves runs for a powerful drive but Siddle did well to stick a hand out to stop the ball. Maiden over.

A change does the trick for the hosts! It's been difficult for Root out there today and his innings comes to an end when the returning Harris catches the outside with one that moves away. Excellent bowling at the start of a new spell. Ian Bell in next.

Bell and Pietersen, two of England's great players in modern times, need to do a job here. Bat on ball from Bell but no runs. It's a brilliant wicket maiden from Harris.

Pietersen is being tested by every ball that Siddle delivers. The seamer isn't usually the one who steals the headlines but his accuracy is such a great weapon for Clarke to be able to use. It's another maiden.

Bell is off the mark when he opens the face of the bat to guide a single through third-man. There's some good bounce for Harris off a normal length but Pietersen, dare I say it, looks solid in defence. He'll be eager to kick on soon. Just 11 runs from the last 11 overs.

Good move from Clarke to bring back Watson while the pressure is still on the batting duo. It's a typically tight over from the all-rounder, who seems to improve as a bowler with each innings that passes. Just one run for Bell on the leg-side in the over. Pietersen 4* (31) Bell 2* (13)

Nice timing from Bell to pick up two through mid-wicket with a flick off the pads. England need these two to bat for a very long time and they've got to be positive when possible. Just under 30 minutes left in the session.

There's some concerned faces out in the middle when, after four balls of an over, Watson stops in his run-up and seems to hold his back in pain. No risks taken from the hosts, with the all-rounder being sent back inside for treatment. That's a real shame for him as he's been bowling so well today. Lyon is given the task of bowling the final two deliveries. It's a maiden.

There's a couple of men on the drive for Bell, who can send the ball to that area in the air. No such mistake is made in this over as he blocks out yet another Harris maiden. Watson may be off the field but Clarke still has plenty of options.

The crowd are excited when the ball loops up into the air but the impact comes from Pietersen's pad. England's number four finds his first run for 45 minutes with a single on the leg-side and the shot is greeted by ironic cheers from the supporters. Bell sits deep to clip Lyon behind square for a couple before adding another through square-leg. Lyon struggles with his line throughout the over and Pietersen picks up another single to make it five from the six balls.

Close! Crazy few moments at the MCG. Pietersen takes on the short ball but it looks like he's heading for the exit door when Nathan Coulter-Nile steadies himself to take the catch in the deep. It's a good catch but the fielder, on for the injured Watson, steps over the rope and gifts Pietersen six runs. Harris is denied another wicket. Seven off the over.

Pietersen uses his feet well to work Lyon into the leg-side for one. Bell sits deep in his crease to cut two through the off-side before driving a single to mid-off. A fumble from Warner at short mid-wicket hands Pietersen another run. Will he take advantage of the life he's been given?

Clarke throws the ball to Johnson again with tea just around the corner. Pietersen moves towards the ball positively to earn a single on the leg-side. Bell stays back in his crease and an inside edge brings a run to square-leg. Pietersen certainly seems to be growing in confidence as he nudges two to mid-wicket before pushing another to extra cover. There's time for one more Lyon over before tea.

TEA: Stunning delivery from Lyon to produce one that turns and bounces before missing the stumps by an inch. Haddin is beaten, too and England are gifted two byes. Pietersen rocks back to punch a run into the off-side. Much better from these two in the final 15 minutes of the session. Pietersen 20* Bell 11*

Impressive session from the Australian bowlers to put their team on top with some brilliant spells of pressure. It's not been easy for England but they've got two of their best players at the crease. That session was definitely one for the purists.

Watson was a big part of Australia's success in the session, with his in-swinger taking advantage of Carberry's mistake. However, he was forced off the field due to injury and the latest news is that it's a groin problem. I'll keep you posted if anything more is revealed.

It's a case of history repeating itself once again for England. Cook, Carberry and Root all made starts but they failed to take full advantage and go on to make a big scores. Australia deserve credit but the tourists continue to bat themselves into difficult positions.

Pietersen hasn't been at his fluent best but he's shown good fight to stay at the crease under big pressure. Coulter-Nile's drop has given him a chance to go on and make a big score in the first innings.

Australia will feel like a wicket could give them the opportunity to make this a very good day. Ben Stokes was superb in the last test but he'll feel the pressure if he's called upon early in the new session.

One session remaining on the opening day. It's been slow and steady for most of the day. Will we some fireworks now?

The umpires and players are back out in the middle. Johnson has the ball in his hand. Pietersen on strike. Play!

Pietersen begins the scoring for the session with a single on the leg-side. There's half an appeal for lbw late in the over but Johnson abandons the call when he probably realises it was pitching outside leg-stump to Bell. Lyon to continue from the other end.

Bell is forced to hurry when Pietersen calls for a risky single to mid-wicket. Lyon loses his length and Bell punishes the short delivery by hammering four just in front of square. Pietersen 22* Bell 15

Pietersen gets on top of the bounce well to nudge a single off his hip. Johnson goes fuller to Bell, who steers a couple of runs through the covers. Cheers from the England supporters when Aleem Dar punishes the seamer for a wide. Four off the over.

Lyon, coming in from around the wicket, is frustrated when Pietersen flicks three runs through fine-leg. The spinner goes too wide but Rogers does well at cover to block a firm drive from Bell. England have looked solid since tea.

Bell seems to be very comfortable playing the short ball at the moment as he rocks back to watch a Johnson bouncer travel through to Haddin. After 59 over, England are 149-3. It's not been all action today. One off the over.

Pietersen drops to one knee to paddle-sweep Lyon away for a single. Bell uses his feet to open up some space but he can't pick the gaps in the field. Where can Clarke turn to for a wicket? It could be Siddle's turn soon.

Siddle is back to test Pietersen's patience but his accuracy doesn't provide a breakthrough just yet, with England's number four getting bat on ball throughout the over. No runs available to the tourists, though. It's another maiden.

Good news for Australians as Watson returns to the field following the problems he had earlier in the day with his groin. Bell should punish a full-toss from Lyon but he can only pick out Watson at short mid-wicket. A cut past cover brings two runs as England continue to make slow progress.

Pietersen gets enough bat on one that nips back slightly to earn a single through square-leg. Bell adds another run to make it two from the over once again. It's getting a bit flat out there now. Pietersen 30 Bell 19*

Bell gets off strike early in a new over from Lyon. Pietersen brings up the 50 partnership with a sweep through fine-leg for a couple. Close! Hands on heads from the Australians when Pietersen prods the ball just wide of the diving Lyon. The bowler was inches away from getting a hand on that. Four runs off the over.

Pietersen beats the bowler again to earn a single down the ground. Siddle is persisting with that nagging length but there's no rushes of blood from Bell, who is more than happy to keep blocking. Pietersen has 34 from 85 balls. Bell has 20 from 73.

Huge cheers inside the MCG as the announcer confirms that the current attendance is 90,831, which is a new world record for a Test match. Superb day in Melbourne. Just one single off Lyon's latest over when Pietersen sweeps through square-leg.

Smith seems to be doing some extended warm-ups, so we could see him bowling very soon. It's Siddle for now and he's on the money once again to complete a maiden over as Pietersen continues to struggle to find scoring options.

Bell flicks a couple through fine-leg at the start of a new over. Lyon is frustrated when Bell picks up two more to deep square-leg. It's been hard work for the tourists but these two must deliver a big score after scoring at such a low rate for so long. Bell has now passed 1,000 runs for 2013.

Pietersen is still sticking to his task as he blocks early in Siddle's over before getting off strike thanks to a leg-bye. The second new ball is just 11 overs away. These two need to be there for England.

Close! It looks like it's going to be an uneventful maiden from Lyon but Pietersen almost creates some drama when he hesitates before calling for a single to mid-off. There's a dive thrown in for good measure, but Warner misses with the throw. Harris is set to return for a short spell before the new ball.

Pietersen picks up a single when Rogers fails to fully stop a powerful cover drive. Bell plays a much straighter drive but his route to the boundary is blocked by the hand of Harris. If you've ever wanted to learn how to play a defensive shot, head to Melbourne and watch Bell.

Lyon goes too short to Pietersen, who drags the ball through square-leg for one. Bell produces some nice footwork to steer a couple of runs through the off-side. A skip down the pitch brings a single to mid-on and Pietersen earns another run through the same area.

Pietersen moves a step closer to a half-century with a single.

Big moment in the innings and it's no surprise to see Harris strike again! The seam gets the old ball to do just enough off the surface and Bell can't help but edge one through to Haddin. Important breakthrough ahead of the new ball. Ben Stokes is the new batsman but he's not on strike for the next over.

Pietersen is happy to give his new partner the strike with a single early in Lyon's over. Will we see more heroics from Stokes after his stunning display in the last match? Good defence on show against the spinner from the Durham all-rounder but no runs available. Pietersen 41* Stokes 0

Drop! Big opportunity missed when Pietersen hammers a pull shot at Bailey, who juggles the ball at mid-wicket before putting a difficult chance down. It was a hard one but Bailey would back himself to take that. Pietersen is having a few problems, with one member of the England backroom staff heading on for a few moments. Shot! That delay is followed by another pull shot and Pietersen reaches the rope on this occasion, before once again calling for some help. Some people seem to be suggesting he swallowed a fly. Would you believe it? It looks to me that he might not be feeling very well. There's not much sympathy on the way from the home supporters. Another pull for one makes it five from the over.

Three singles from Lyon's latest over, with Stokes getting off the mark with a push down the ground. He's a good player of spin, we saw that much in the last match. The real test will be when the new ball arrives.

HALF-CENTURY! Siddle returns to the attack. Pietersen reaches his 50 from the 119th ball of his innings with two to deep square-leg. It's certainly not been his most fluent knock but in this form, he'll take anything. Australia have had chances to remove England's number four, with two drops helping the batsman's cause. Those opportunities were sticking in the first three Tests. Just two from the 77th over.

Stokes works Lyon through square-leg for one. Lyon gifts Pietersen a couple through the off-side with a wider delivery. Australia, and the crowd, wait for the second new ball with excitement. Pietersen 52 Stokes 2*

Stokes stays watchful outside off-stump as Siddle attempts to force the left-handed batsman into a mistake. A front foot no-ball is punched through the covers for a couple by the all-rounder. Stokes plays a risky game when he inadvertently gets bat on ball while attempting to leave. Three from the over.

Pietersen opens the face of the bat to steer a single through point. Shot! Superb timing from Stokes as he rocks back to cut a shorter ball through the covers for four runs. Six! It gets even better from England's number six as he lofts the ball over the rope down the ground to take England past 200. Superb batting from the young batsman.

NEW BALL: The old ball is replaced by a shiny new cherry as Australia go in search of more wickets in the closing stages of the day. Pietersen does well to pick up a single from a back-foot defensive shot.

The new ball does the job as Johnson produces just enough movement to catch the outside edge. Watson does the rest at first slip to send Stokes packing after a promising start to his innings. Jonny Bairstow is in next.

Bairstow's had problems with the short ball in the past, so it's no surprise to see a short-leg, leg-gully and a deep square-leg in place. It's a big innings for the young wicketkeeper. Bairstow gets off the mark by pushing his third ball through the covers for a couple of runs. England cannot afford to lose another wicket.

Pietersen starts a new over from Harris by clipping a run to mid-wicket. Bairstow gets very far forward to defend against the seamer, who has already struck twice in the day. Goo defence. One off the over.

Pietersen continues to deal in singles as he gets on top of the bounce to work a short ball into the leg-side. Bairstow seems eager to stay leg-side of the ball when facing Johnson. The Yorkshire ace ducks the short ball well when it does arrive. Well played.

Pietersen keeps on battling through towards the close of play with some decent defensive strokes, which are followed by a pull for two to deep square-leg. It's a decent over from Harris but the Australians will be targeting Bairstow at this stage of the day. Pietersen 58 Bairstow 2*

Bairstow fends off a good bouncer with his glove to keep Johnson interested in that particular tactic. Six! It's a maximum but Bairstow has played more convincing shots than this one. A wild shot sees a top edge sail over Haddin's head for six. Bairstow then punches a couple off the back foot for two through the covers.

Bairstow pays for a big gap between bat and pad as Johnson crashes one into the stumps with a hint of late swing. Australia are making sure that it's going to be their day in Melbourne.

Tim Bresnan's innings starts with a big lbw appeal but Aleem Dar does well to spot the inside edge. The atmosphere inside the ground is amazing as Johnson completes a good over by sending a 93mph bouncer past Bresnan's head. 15 minutes left in the day.

Close! Siddle's name is greeted by a big roar and the noise almost gets even louder when Pietersen edges one just short of Watson. The ball races through the slips and to the rope for four. England's number four will be desperate to be not out at the end of the day. Just the boundary from the over. Pietersen 62 Bresnan 0*

Bresnan does just enough to push one bouncer into the off-side early in the over. Close! Bresnan is inches away from fending the ball to Harris at leg-gully when Johnson delivers a fierce bouncer. Pietersen goes past Geoffrey Boycott in England's all-time leading Test run scorers with a single to mid-wicket. Two off the over.

Just under five minutes left in the day now and Pietersen is still showing impressive dedication to keep out Siddle early in the over. The seamer delivers a rare gift and Pietersen takes full advantage to drill the half-volley through mid-off for four. Can Australia pick up one more wicket in the final over?

CLOSE OF PLAY: It might not be a classic KP innings but you have to wonder where England would be right now if it wasn't for his stubborn knock today. Close! A short ball is followed by a full, wider delivery which Bresnan just manages to avoid edging to the slips. Pietersen attempts to waste some by having a quick chat whit his partner. Bresnan ducks another short ball, before Pietersen laughs off the boos around the ground by wasting a few more seconds. Close! The over nearly ends with a wicket when Johnson nips one more past the outside edge. Pietersen 67* Bresnan 1*

Pietersen's tricks work as the umpires take both teams off the field. What a performance from the home bowlers again. A world-record crowd were not treated to thrilling action for the whole day but Johnson's fiery spell at the end of the day makes a big difference.

England will start day two under a lot of pressure but the tourists will know that it could have been so much worse had Pietersen not played so stubbornly today. What can the tourists post in the first innings tomorrow?

Thanks for joining me today. Make sure you return at 11.00pm (UK time) for coverage of all the action on day two. Goodbye everyone.