Australia were skittled for just 98 all out, their lowest Ashes total since 1968, as England took a major step towards retaining the urn on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

The Aussies' meagre total was also their lowest against England on home soil since December 1936, and with Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook cruising their way to 157 for no loss, the tourists find themselves ideally placed at the end of day one at the MCG, with a lead of 59 runs and 10 wickets still intact.

Strauss drew first blood at the start by winning the toss. The England captain took the brave decision to bowl first on a seam-friendly Melbourne track and his choice was vindicated by the trio of James Anderson (four for 44), Chris Tremlett (four for 26) and Tim Bresnan (two for 25), who rifled through the Aussie batting line-up in a mere 42.5 overs.

Bresnan's inclusion at the expense of Steve Finn was the only change to either line-up, with Anderson overcoming a side strain and Ricky Ponting, as expected, shrugging off his fractured finger. The Australian selectors, meanwhile, again resisted the option of handing spinner Michael Beer a first Test cap.

Despite their dominance it was an unflattering start to the day for England, who wasted three early oppotunities; Paul Collingwood grassed a chance from Shane Watson in the first over, Watson was given another life by Kevin Pietersen in the gully and Alastair Cook's shy went wide with Phil Hughes short of his ground. The tourists blushes, however, were spared by a naggingly accurate display from Anderson and Tremlett with the new ball.

The lanky Tremlett was first to strike, getting a length ball to shoot up and catch Watson unawares, Pietersen taking a sitter at gully. Hughes, who had come out positively and taken 10 off Tremlett's opening over, was next to go as he played a forgettable slash to be caught at gully in Bresnan's first over.

Ponting scratched around before crashing two short deliveries to the fence. The Australian captain, seemingly unaffected by his dodgy digit, was then undone by Tremlett to be sent on his way for 10.

That left Australia rocking at 37 for three, but still in with a chance at recovery with Mike Hussey at the crease. The left-hander's success in the three previous Ashes Tests had covered up Australia's batting frailities. This time, however, there was no escape for the Aussie middle-order, with Hussey departing on the stroke of lunch, caught behind the wicket off Anderson for a laboured eight runs.

A rain interruption during and after the lunch interval briefly delayed the home side's batting demise, but there was nowhere to hide once play resumed, Michael Clarke the innings top-scorer with 20. England wickerkeeper Matt Prior hung onto six catches, with all 01 Australian wickets falling to catches behind the wicket.

The arrival of England's opening pair at the crease was greeted by bright sunshine, with Strauss and Cook untroubled by the opening burst from Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris. Ponting played his ace early by bringing Mitchell Johnson into the attack in in the fifth over and the left-armer disappointed with a return to his pre-WACA round-arm approach.

Johnson leaked runs, with his seven overs going for 42 runs with no movement on offer from his slingy action. Both batsmen took full advantage of a toothless Aussie attack, with Cook leading the way with 80 not out and Strauss reaching 64 not out at the close to leave Australia reeling and in need of a miracle in Melbourne.

Shot of the Day
Ponting's Test career may be coming to an all too sudden end but the Australian captain showed his class with two dominant hook shots for four off one Anderson over. They were typical Ponting strokes as he rocked onto his back foot to send to the ball racing to the leg-side fence.

Delivery of the Day
There were a number of worthy contenders from each of England's three seamers, but Tremlett gets the nod for a corker of a delivery, which rose viciously to snare Ponting in the slips, yet again.

Defining Moment of the Day
Winning the toss certainly wasn't the difference between the two teams, England totally dominated day one at the MCG. Winning the flip of the coin did, however, allow the tourists' seam trio a bowl in helpful conditions. More importantly, it gave England the opportunity to put a vulnerable Aussie top-order under pressure first up.

Doug Saxby