Overview
- Australia reached 98-6 at lunch on day two, leading England by 140, with Steve Smith on 16 not out and Cameron Green on 6.
- England hit back in the morning session as Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue took two wickets each, though Gus Atkinson left with a left hamstring problem.
- Day one saw 20 wickets fall as Australia were bowled out for 152 and England for 110, with Josh Tongue taking 5-45 and Michael Neser starring with 35 and 4-45.
- MCG curator Matt Page prepared the surface with 10mm of grass, prompting criticism from former players who said the pitch offered excessive seam movement.
- A record Boxing Day crowd of 94,199 watched a bowler-dominated contest, and Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg warned that another rapid finish would be bad for business after earlier losses in Perth.