England have finished day one of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Melbourne on 226-6.

Aussie captain Michael Clarke sent the tourists to bat in front of over 85,000 spectators, but his bowlers were kept at bay by Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry in the initial stages.

Cook was the first England batsman to be dismissed when he edged to Clarke off a Peter Siddle delivery after making 27 runs off 68 balls.

Carberry followed his captain to the pavilion after lunch following his dismissal by Shane Watson for 38 runs, before Joe Root was caught behind by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off the bowling of Ryan Harris for 24.

Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell pushed England to 135-3 at tea, but in the final session of the day the Australian bowlers took control.

Bell was dismissed for 27 runs by Harris, while Mitchell Johnson took quick wickets of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow to leave England on 226-6 at the close of play on the first day.

Pietersen will start the second day of the match on 67 not out, while Tim Bresnan is currently unbeaten on one.