Justin Langer column

Fourth Ashes Test: Australia v England
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground Dates: 26-30 December Start time: 2330 GMT (25-29 December)
Coverage: Live on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 LW, 5 live sports extra and online; TMS highlights online (UK only) and day's review on the TMS podcast; text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles; live on Sky Sports 1

England celebrate as Australia captain Ricky Ponting is dismissed

By Justin Langer
Australia batting/leadership coach

Fourth Test, day one

The best way to describe the way Australians are feeling tonight is hollow.

It is like we have just lived through a nightmare.

After so much expectation this morning, it seems unbelievable that this game lies where it does tonight.

Full credit again to the way England bowled after winning the toss, but for Australia to be bowled out for 98 is unimaginable.

Then for England to lead, wicketless, is pretty much as bad a day as you can have.

That, of course, is if you are an Australian cricket supporter.

From England's point of view, Boxing day at the MCG followed the tune of U2's 'Beautiful Day'.

606: DEBATE This is rapidly turning into the most topsy-turvy, ridiculous Ashes series of my lifetime Old One-Eye

From the moment England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss, his team could not have played a more perfect day.

Under heavy skies Chris Tremlett, James Anderson and Tim Bresnan bowled with excellent control and aggression. They capitalised on the seaming pitch and asked questions that our batsmen could not find an answer for.

Rather than playing the ball under our eyes, we tended to play away from our body; feeding Matt Prior and his merry men behind the stumps like they were sitting down for consecutive Christmas feasts.

Thankfully, the sun will come up tomorrow and, if this series is anything to go by, you never know what might happen on day two.

One thing that is for sure, the second day cannot be as bad as today.

From Melbourne,

JL