England solid in reply after Australia fold for 327

England contiued their strong comeback into the game, as their batsman put up a fine response after Australia were bowled out for 327. At Tea, England had surged to 72/1, with Cook (37*) and James Vince (17*) at the crease.

England had stormed back into the game in the earlier session, taking five wickets for 82 runs, and they proceeded to bowl Australia out soon after resumption.

Broad, who already had three wickets to his name, added a fourth to his tally in the very first over. Pat Cummins, who had not been dismissed for less then 40 this series, edged a booming drive straight to first slip where Cook held on to a low catch. The umpires went up to check if the catch was clean, and replays showed that Cook had held on neatly.

Soon after, James Anderson trapped Nathan Lyon in front to bowl Australia out for 327. From 260/3, the slide was swift and dramatic for Australia and they went in hoping England could find a similar slump.

Cook and Stoneman, however, defied the Australia attack during the initial phase. With Mitchell Starc not available, and Pat Cummins looking less than a 100% fit, England had the perfect chance to cash in. And on a pitch that offered the bowlers little with the new ball, England did just that.

Cook looked a lot more solid and confident with his strokes, while Stoneman got himself off to a decent start too. England's setback came against the run of play and needed something special from Nathan Lyon.

The offspinner lured Stoneman forward with a flighted delivery. Stoneman could not account for the dip however and ended up chipping the ball wide of the bowler, where Lyon, sticking his right arm up overhead, held on to a sharp catch.

That was the only success Australia enjoyed in the session, as England moved to 72 by the time Tea was taken. Australia will worry about the start England have made but they will sweat more thinking about their pacers, with both Cummins and Jackson Bird, the former especially, looking far from fully fit on a hot day in Melbourne.

Brief Scores: Australia 327 (David Warner 103, Stuart Broad 4-51) vs England 72/1 (Alastair Cook 37*)