Ashes 2017: Five moments from day one in Melbourne as David Warner finds his form and Tom Curran is left to rue a no-ball

ENGLAND battled hard on day one of the Fourth Test as Australia reached 244-3 at stumps in Melbourne.

David Warner hit a magnificent quickfire century on a day when England’s bowlers had to be at their best to restrict the Australian’s on a flat, slow pitch.

Getty Images - Getty

It was 90 overs for the purists, but here are five key moments from the MCG.

Mo fetch

DAVID WARNER came out like a man possessed from the very first ball.

Busy at the crease, he sent every loose delivery to the boundary in a bruising first session which saw the hosts go in to lunch at 102-0.

In the final over before the interval, he finally went after the ineffective Moeen Ali, sending him high into the MCG stands.

Oh no ball

TOM CURRAN put in a wonderful first spell of his England Test career.

And his first scalp looked to be Warner as the Aussie opener floundered on 99 – spooning a leading edge to mid-on.

But the MCG erupted as the big screen showed the Surrey pacer had overstepped by around 3cm, resulting in an overturned decision and wild celebrations from the little man as he reached three figures next ball.

414 balls later

STUART BROAD has gone through a ridiculous barren run in this series.

After a humiliating career-worst figures in Perth, he came here searching for a first wicket since taking the scalp of Mitchell Starc in Adelaide.

As Usman Khawaja feathered behind early in the afternoon session, he struck for the first time in 414 balls.

The relief in his face was palpable, on a day when he put in the best performance of the tour so far.

Smith…again

ENGLAND are sick of the sight of Steve Smith.

After his double-hundred at Perth, the Aussie captain sauntered to the crease with his side in a little bit of trouble.

But the situation never really seems to bother him, as some funky field placing failed to make an early breakthrough.

The result? Another comfortable half-century as he finished on 65* – don’t be surprised if this turns into three figures tomorrow.

New ball?

ENGLAND were toiling late into the day and were desperate to break the partnership of Smith and Marsh.

So it almost beggars belief that they chose to delay taking the new ball by FIVE overs.

Anderson went past the bat four times in his two overs with it, more than any other point of the day – yet England missed out on 30 deliveres with the new cherry thanks to their dithering.

• BT Sport is the only place to watch the Ashes live from Australia