Quite a remarkable day of cricket. Boxing Day Test, a record sell-out crowd marked its presence. 94,000 plus people at the 'G', the highest turnout for any game at this venue, only to see 20 wickets tumble through the day. Batting-wise, 266 runs were scored in 76.1 overs. You know that feeling when you miss the live action and catch up later, only to realise you did not miss much at all. This was that kind of first day. It flew by like a highlight reel, with something or the other happening almost every few minutes.
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, FOUR! Streaky, but the members of the Scott Boland fan club are absolutely loving it. Nice and full, at the stumps, Boland pushes at it and gets an outside edge that races all along the ground behind point. Two men give chase, but the ball wins the race. After a golden duck in the first innings, Boland is off the mark. That will be STUMPS on Day 1 with Australia holding a lead of 46 runs!
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, Did that carry? The reaction from those in the slip cordon suggests so. On a good length, on off and middle. Boland looks to cover the line but the ball nips away a bit to catch the outside edge. The ball goes low to fifth slip, where Jacob Bethell dives low to his left and sticks out his left hand but fails to cling on.
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, This is on a length, in and around the off stump, Boland defends it watchfully right under his eyes. Chants of 'Scotty, Scotty' go up in the crowd.
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, Fuller and outside off, Scott Boland offers no shot.
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, Rapped on the pads! Full and tailing back into the pads, Boland is beaten on the flick and wears it on the front pad. It appeared to be going down leg.
Gus Atkinson to Scott Boland, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! A well-directed short ball, under the left armpit. Scott Boland goes deep in the crease and brings his bat high to fend it down. The ball gets big on him and it pops up off the blade. It lands safely in the vacant short square leg region, which brings about a huge cheer from the crowd.