Pat Murphy: "The cricket has been a lot more attractive than the weather"

The tourists were 127 for three at lunch, despite Glenn McGrath striking twice in the opening three overs of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

The second morning was dry but windy following the washout on day one, although the cold was more reminiscent of the English spring than the Australian midsummer.

Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher were McGrath's early victims, both falling without scoring as the Aussie paceman left England on four for two.

But Stewart clearly decided attack was the best form of defence and moved briskly on to his 50 by the 20th over, and to 78 by lunch.

Stewart makes his fifty (Test Match Special)

He was revelling in his return to opening the batting, after giving up the wicket-keeper's role to Warren Hegg.

Just as English hopes were rising, Nasser Hussain became this Test's other debutant Matt Nicholson's first Test victim for 19.

But Mark Ramprakash joined his captain to see his side to lunch in a better position than even the most optimistic Englishman would have imagined ten minutes into the extended session.

McGrath devastating

After the Boxing Day washout, Sunday morning saw fan heaters in use at the MCG to help dry the wicket.

Mike Atherton's early dismissal (Test Match Special)

The strong wind blew bails off on more than one occasion and litter was scattered across the giant arena in front of a smaller crowd than the 61,000 who had turned up for day one.

The weather was also in direct contrast to the tropical heat of day one in Adelaide, and not for the first time it was the English batsman who were caught cold by McGrath.

Glenn McGrath: Fitness scare followed by two wickets

Atherton was dismissed with the fourth ball of the innings, umpire Steve Bucknor judging that he had edged a ball behind.

Television replays suggested that the only contact had been with the Lancastrian's pad, and Atherton was clearly dismayed at the decision.

Mark Butcher then came out at number three in the reshuffled England order, but he was soon walking back after a fine catch from Justin Langer at short leg.

McGrath strikes again (Test Match Special)

It was another superb performance from McGrath, who was considered doubtful for this match after respiratory problems on the final day of the previous Test.

He had consulted specialists before being passed fit to play in this game, but appeared to have little trouble to leave England reeling at four for two.

English fightback

Stewart then showed why many feel he should have been opening the batting throughout the series with a determined counter-attack.

Hussain falls to Nicholson (Test Match Special)

England's captain was the only batsmen to score runs in the first seven overs, and he dominated the innings throughout the session.

Hussain kept him company as England's scoring rate increased with the arrival of Nicholson, who conceded 30 runs from his first four Test overs.

Matt Nicholson: Expensive but effective

But the Western Australian, who took seven English wickets in October was soon wildly celebrating another.

Hussain edged a ball behind, and youth and experience combined as Ian Healy delighted the young seamer with the veteran keeper's 350th Test catch.

Australia won the toss on Boxing Day and put England in before the rain set in - skipper Mark Taylor's fourth successive win in the series and his tenth in eleven Ashes Tests.

England first innings

M Atherton c Healy b McGrath 0
A Stewart not out 78
M Butcher c Langer b McGrath 0
N Hussain c Healy b Nicholson 19
M Ramprakash not out 19

Extras 11

Total 127 for 3 (36 overs)

Fall: 1-0, 2-4, 3-81

To bat: G Hick, W Hegg, D Gough, A Mullally, D Headley, A Fraser.

Bowling: McGrath 12-3-23-2, Fleming 13-2-41-0, Nicholson 6-0-37-1, MacGill 5-0-20-0

Australia won toss and decided to field