Australia vs England, 4th Test - Live Cricket Score

Australia have dominated England this series, and have already secured the urn © Getty

Stumps

There's seemingly no way to stop Smith right now. He's notched up another fifty and looks good for another hundred. He's piloted Australia out of the difficult spot they found themselves in in the second session and has helped them take control. The hosts will look to go big tomorrow, and it promises to be a entertaining day. Join us then. Australia 244/3

Is there any stopping Steve Smith?

Gosh! Steve Smith just keeps on getting better. Another solid start for the Australian captain, and he looks good yet again for a big knock. It has taken him 98 balls to get there

69 overs! That's how long Broad has gone without taking a wicket, but now suddenly he's bowling like he's been in a prime purple patch. A away swinger gets rid of Khawaja, who feathers an edge behind. The very next delivery, he traps Shaun Marsh with an incutter. The umpire rules in favour of the batsman, and the DRS review shows that the ball would have just clipped the top of the stumps. Marsh survives, but Broad looks like he's found a new lease of life.

Tea

Much better session this for England. They gave away just 43 runs in 26 overs in the session, ensuring Australia did not run away with the game. This should give them a renewed sense of hope going into the final session. If they can pick up a couple more wickets, they will entertain hopes of restricting Australia to a sub-par score. But they still have a lot to do, and more importantly, Steven Smith to try and dislodge. Australia 145/2

Hundred for Warner

You asked for drama, did you?

England had their plans well set for Warner. He had been stuck in the late 90s for 19 deliveries, and all his shots to get to his 21st Test hundred went straight to the fielders.

Root brought in Tom Curran for a spell, and the debutant strikes a golden blow for England, getting Warner out caught for 99, off a short ball. But as fate would have it, Curran has overstepped. And Warner gets a second chance. He only needs one ball this time, a clip off his hips and a leap to celebrate his ton. What a phase!

Respite, finally, for England

Chris Woakes, easily the most disappointing English bowler today, gives England a big breakthrough against the run of play. Cameron Bancroft is stuck on the crease, and Woakes gets the ball to nip back in sharply from a good length. Out LBW for 26. Australia 122/1.

Australia dominate opening session

It was expected on such a batting beauty. Warner has gotten himself off to a flier, and end the first session in supreme style, lofting Moeen Ali for six to take Australia past 100. Bancroft has struggled at the other end, but has not given his wicket away. Australia 102/0

Australia notch up 50

Well, Australia rode through the tough period with some determined batting, and that allowed them to free up a little later. They bring up their 50 unscathed, and the openers, Warner especially, look good for more.
The left-hander brings up his fifty soon after.

England tighten up

After a rather loose start, Broad and Anderson bring back a level of control. Four maidens on the trot help England stop Australia from running away. They will hope it results in a loose shot from one of the openers now.

Solid Start

Flat track. Lightening fast outfield. Deflated opposition. This was expected. Australia made a decent start to proceedings. Warner is teeing off early, scoring at more than a run a ball. Nothing on offer at all for England.

Pre game reading:

What's an Ashes Test without the hype and specials around it. Here's some pre-game reading for you ahead of the Boxing Day Test:

-> Rob Johnston and Tristan Lavalette answer several questions, each from his and his country's perspective in our Ashes Chatter.

Tristan speaks to Matt Nicholson about his eventful debut, and only Test for Australia.

Rob talks to then fast bowler, now body builder Chris Tremlett about the legendary Boxing Day Test of 2010.

Kritika Naidu gets Matt Hayden talking about his Andrew Symonds, and the time his best mate made his maiden Test hundred, leaving the left-hander with a grazed head in the process.

Prelude:

Curran gets his Test cap from Bob Willis © Cricbuzz

Could it be any worse off for England?

It's the season of cheer, of joy - a time of the year everyone expects to spread smiles and exchange presents, yet England have just received hammering after hammering in from their hostile hosts, Australia.

As a Christmas present, they found out they wouldn't have to contend with Mitchell Starc, only to moments later reveal that their best bowler Craig Overton was ruled out as well.

They lost Ben Stokes, and Finn. They lost at Brisbane, at Adelaide and at Perth. They near lost their heads, what with all the 'Drinking team with a cricket problem' taunts. Anderson has lost his swing, Broad his bowling acumen. Cook has seemingly lost his bat, while Root has lost his form. They have lost Overton England have lost eight in a row in Australia. They have lost their urn. They have some respect desperately clinging on to them. They will fervently hope they don't lose that as well.

For Australia, it's just a matter of doling out what they have been since late November. 3-0 up. Opposition on the mat. Australia with the mighty axe hovering over England's neck.

Welcome to Melbourne for boxing day Ashes Test. Here's hoping for one helluva game.