England Dominate Opening Day In Melbourne

England Dominate Opening Day In Melbourne

Alastair Cook (left) scored an unbeaten half-century as Ben Hilfenhaus (right) struggled, along with the other Australian bowlers.

©Action Images/ Jason O'Brien Livepic

Australia 98 (Tremlett 4-26, Anderson 4-44) v
England 157-0 (Cook 80no, Strauss 64no)
Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne, day one
Scorecard

England could not have enjoyed much of a better opening day of the fourth Ashes Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

After winning the toss, they dismissed the home side for a mere 98 and went on to close the day on 157 without loss having completely dominated proceedings.

England's bowlers took full advantage of bowler-friendly conditions which rendered Australia unable to cope with the swing of James Anderson and bounce of Chris Tremlet as both men returned four wickets.

Tim Bresnan, into the side as a replacement for Steven Finn, took two wickets and off-spinner Graeme Swann bowled just two overs, such was the way in which England's quick bowlers held sway.

Five Australians reached double figures with Michael Clarke top scoring with 20 as their innings lasted just 42.4 overs.

As the pitch then began to settle, England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook played fluently, cashing in on some wayward Australian bowling to further extend their own solid form on this tour.

Cook stroked 11 fours to make 80 in 137 deliveries while Strauss found the boundary five times in his 64 in 145 balls.

The five-match series is level at 1-1 following a draw in Brisbane, an innings win for England in Adelaide and a 267-run for Australia in Perth.

Australia went into this match unchanged while Bresnan's recall was England's only alteration to their side.

© Cricket World 2010

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