Ashes Boxing Day Test LIVE: Australia at the crease again after hectic 20-wicket opening day

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10.12am

Tongue hanging out for hat-trick

Josh Tongue will start today on a hat-trick as another massive crowd is expected to fill the MCG on day two of the Boxing Day Test.

Tongue nailed the last two wickets of Australia’s first innings in successive balls, bowling Michael Neser and then having Scott Boland caught at slip for a golden duck. He took 5-45 for the innings.

Josh Tongue took five wickets in the opening innings.

If he bowls the first over of today, the second over of this innings, Travis Head will be on strike.

But if gets the second over of the morning, he would be presented with a rare opportunity - he could get Boland out twice in his three hat-trick wickets.

It is every possibility. The grassy-topped pitch offered more sideways movement than a beach full of crabs yesterday, and experts are predicting another tricky deck today.

Fans were surprised that English skipper Ben Stokes gave the ball to Gus Atkinson last night for the last over of the day - Boland survived all six balls - when many thought Tongue should have been given the nod.

10.08am

Cricket boss wants runs over wickets

Somewhat warmer and more pleasant conditions at the MCG this morning as Australia look to calm the Test match down and establish a big lead after 20 wickets fell on a crazy Boxing Day.

Speaking before play, Todd Greenberg has hoped for a stumps scoreline of 5-275 from Australia and got the game to creep into day four.

Whether that happens will depend on the batting but also the pitch and how much it has settled down.

9.55am

Boland went from No.11 to opening batsman

Night watchman Scott Boland and Travis Head will be first to bat on day two.

The idea of No.11 Scott Boland batting out the final over of Boxing Day to rapturous applause is not outlandish – though few could have foreseen him doing it as an opener in Australia’s second innings.

The sight of Boland walking out of the tunnel just before 6pm, padded up just minutes after claiming three wickets, summed up the craziness of a day the record crowd of 94,199, and fans around the globe, will remember for decades to come.

Read the full story from Andrew Wu here

9.51am

This one was borderline ridiculous

“If the Poms bat first, let’s tell the taxi to wait.” So read a banner during one of Australia’s many Ashes maulings of England in the 1990s.

After a breathless and borderline ridiculous Boxing Day at the MCG, with the urn’s fate already decided and 20 wickets falling in the space of 75.1 overs, it may at least be worth scheduling an Uber home for day two – much to the chagrin of more than 90,000 ticket-holders for day three.

If the MCG is cricket’s greatest colosseum – and it certainly felt that way with a record crowd of 94,199 in attendance on a cool and breezy day – then this felt less like a gladiatorial contest than bowling lions versus batting Christians.

Read Daniel Brettig’s day one Boxing Day coverage here.

9.35am

Stars turn heat on MCG wicket

A trio of former Test stars, including Stuart Broad, believe a lively MCG pitch tipped the balance too far towards the quicks on a chaotic Boxing Day that yielded 20 wickets and raised the prospect of a multimillion-dollar blow to Cricket Australia if day three is not required.

Australia were skittled for 152 inside 45.2 overs. No.8 Michael Neser top-scored with 35 in his maiden Boxing Day Test. The hosts then bounced back to rip through England’s fragile batting order and leave the tourists all out for 110 in 29.5 overs.

Read the full Tom Decent story here.

9.33am

Video: Utter chaos on the opening day

9.30am

Buckle in for day two at the MCG

Welcome back, cricket fans after a crazy opening day of the Boxing Day Test.

Today, Australia will be batting in their second innings, leading by 46 valuable runs, after 20 wickets fell on the opening day. Night watchman Scott Boland resumes on four, while Travis Head is yet to face a ball.

My name is Danny Russell and I will steer you through today’s coverage. So, sit back and enjoy the action.