On a day of batting collapses at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England can at take least solace from the fact their bowling attack got their own lengths right.

As another year of boxing action comes to an end, here are the fights, fighters and finishes that stood out

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Ben Duckett's first innings since his Noosa outing made the headlines was over in a flash as England struggled in reply to Australia's 152 all out on a dramatic opening day.

The festive period is the competition’s most intense endurance test – and it still reveals just how prepared clubs really are, says Miguel Delaney in the latest Inside Football newsletter

EXCLUSIVE: The man who shocked Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2013 has opened up about the Spaniard's off-putting pre-match tactic.

A former Liverpool midfielder has undergone a transformation with tattoos and a thick beard since retiring from football.

The former cricket hero hit rock bottom after retiring and was forced to navigate personal and professional issues

Emma Raducanu is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but the 2021 US Open winner still has a long way to go

Celtic may currently be on a downward spiral in Scotland, but that doesn't mean they couldn't be successful in the English Premier League.

England's innings gets off to a horror start, as Australia take three early wickets to leave the visitors on 8-3 inside the first five overs on day one of the foruth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Josh Tongue takes five wickets for 45 runs as Australia finish their first innings 152 all out on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

The Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos in a festive fixture on Christmas Day as Taylor Swift joined the host of Kansas City fans taking in what could be Kelce's final ever game at Arrowhead.

Tongue finished with five for 45.

Brydon Carse takes the wicket of Mitchell Starc after replays showed the England bowler narrowly avoided his foot being over the line, as Australia fall to 152-8 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Ben Stokes takes the wicket of Alex Carey as his ball towards the leg side is played by the Australian batter straight into the hands of Zak Crawley at leg slip as Australia fall to 91-6 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Cameron Green is made to rue his hesitation between the wickets as the Australian batter is run out by Brydon Carse at the non-striker's end for 17, leaving Australia 143-7 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

A festive Taylor Swift was spotted at Arrowhead Stadium as she hoped for her NFL fiance Travis Kelce and his teammates deliver the ultimate Christmas gift: A Kansas City Chiefs victory.

Tongue dismissed Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and captain Steve Smith.

Josh Tongue takes his third wicket of the innings, dismissing Steve Smith for nine to leave Australia 51-4 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

The expanded Champions League and exclusive weekends for the FA Cup has led to the Premier League scrapping its traditional feast of Boxing Day football

Gus Atkinson dismisses Travis Head for 12 as the ball is played onto the stumps, to leave Australia 27-1 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

CRAIG HOPE: The head coach admits he is unlikely to be in charge by the time those projects are finally delivered, but believes progress would be a signal of standards being set.

CRAIG HOPE: Eddie Howe was right to call for progress on Newcastle's off-the-field projects - and not because their tangible existence will one day aid him directly.

CHRIS WHEELER: Mainoo is desperate to move away from Old Trafford next month after it emerged that the 20-year-old's relationship with his boyhood club is at breaking point.

The hosts are trying to roll to a 4-0 lead in the series without skipper Pat Cummins and spin king Nathan Lyon.

The midfielder has been out of favour this season but the United boss suggested he is taking a longer-term view.