England all out for 185 on Boxing Day, as Australia starts third Ashes Test in style

Nathan Lyon took the wicket of Jos Buttler just on the tea break.(Getty: Robert Cianflone)

Australia’s quest to retain the Ashes in the third Test had gotten off to a rollicking start on Boxing Day, skittling England for 185 to take a big step towards a 3-0 lead in the series.

England managed some joy with the wicket of David Warner late in the day, but Marcus Harris and night watchman Nathan Lyon made it through the final 10 minutes to stumps.

With the safety net of a 2-0 advantage, Pat Cummins returned to the Test captaincy for Boxing Day after his COVID-forced absence from Adelaide, winning the toss and choosing to bowl.

It put a revamped English batting line-up under immediate pressure, and they broke early and often thanks largely to Cummins.

He removed Haseeb Hameed in the second over of the day for his second straight duck, and had recalled opener Zak Crawley (12) caught at gully in the eighth.

Once again, Dawid Malan and captain Joe Root appeared to be steadying the ship, but Malan (14) edged Cummins through to first slip in the final over before lunch to end another poor first session for England.

Root (50) carried on his merry way to his third half-century of the series after lunch, only to fall short of three figures yet again when he wafted at a harmless delivery from Mitchell Starc — Root’s quest for an away Ashes ton set to continue into his 23rd innings in Australia.

Stokes’s (25) dismissal, poking a Cameron Green short ball to backward point, was similarly disheartening for the tourists, and Jos Buttler (3) slapped Nathan Lyon high to deep mid-wicket to end the second session with more pain for England.

Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for 32-year-old debutant Scott Boland, who got his home crowd roaring when he had Mark Wood LBW for 6.

Jonny Bairstow (35), tried to counter-attack with the tail but gloved Starc to gully, and another recalled Englishman, Jack Leach, smacked a few boundaries off Lyon before edging him to slip for 13.

When Ollie Robinson holed out for 22, it ended England’s innings on 185 — their second-lowest total for the series so far after their opening 147 at the Gabba.

James Anderson removed Warner for 38 as twilight arrived to give England at least one bright spot on the opening day’s play.