Australia v England
Day 2: Friday 26 December, 23.30
TV: Live on TNT
Fourth Test, Day One Verdict: Don't rule out England comeback
A Christmas repeat? Despite twenty wickets, no fifty and batsmen believing this is some sort of procession in front of a massive Boxing Day crowd at the MCG, the Ashes status quo remains.
Australia, who lead by 46, are 1.271/4, with England 4.607/2. The draw is an irrelevant 330.0329/1.
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It could get tougher. The MCG groundsman said he expected the ball to nip on day one but nip at more pace on day two.
Batsman, well England's at least, have clearly decided that there will be one along any minute with their name on. For once, Harry Brook's reckless approach was the correct one. Will Jacks attempted to draw on his franchise experience by doing the same.
And sure, the likes of Josh Tongue, Scott Boland Michael Neser did look lethal. But it is hard not to wonder what has happened to the technical artistry of Test batting. No player had a clue how to approach the seam and swing in terms of stickability. With moving your feet, playing it late (or not at all), batting a foot outside your crease, seemingly anathema it would be wise to expect more carnage as we continue.
Test Match End as a market is out. Such is the calamity that asking whether it last until day four is a waste of breath. It's the 1-2-3 market which is required. It would be a surprise if we saw action late on day three.
Lower-order top-bat wins could be the way to go. Michael Neser has already won with 35s, Gus Atkinson showed a late flourish, too, with 28.
Mitchell Starc at 20/121.00 will be an option for the Aussies while Jhye Richardson may be underrated at 45/146.00. Richardson is a decent batter and has four first-class fifties.
When England bat again, which could be on day two, Tongue will catch the eye at 100s. Tongue gets in line and has some solid strokes. Bearing in mind that 30 or 40 that could win either of these markets this is the time for darts.
To that end, are England the worst bet in the world to come back? It would be no surprise at all if we saw Australia rolled for something similar. The 4.607/2 should, at the least, be one to trade.
Trying to look ahead is key in-play. If we reckon that Australia are capable of setting England 230 or 240, then we are essentially a 30-run partnership early on for England in the fourth, by which time the nature of the pitch could have flattened, from this being a choice affair.