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Brad Haddin leaves the field after being dismissed yesterday. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

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Boycott labelled Australia's batsmen pathetic, accused Brad Haddin of extravagance and rubbished Steve Smith as No. 6 in a stinging spray after Australia made 98 in a horrendous first innings before England reached 0-157 at stumps at the MCG.

"Many of the Australian players trash-talked England after winning the last Test, but then went and shot themselves in the foot with a very poor batting performance," the former England captain said.

"It was a slow, English-style seamer's pitch, but nothing that a batsman with good technique could not have played through and scored steadily on. England bowled beautifully, pitching the ball up, kissing the top and just moving the ball enough to get the nicks.

"The Australian batting, meanwhile, was pathetic.

"If Steve Smith is a No.6, I'll eat my hat.

"Brad Haddin attempted an extravagant cover drive that I wouldn't have played if I'd been on 200.

"What do you expect if you bat like that?"

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke said Australia's top order had no excuses.

"We didn't show enough discipline. We knew, losing the toss, it would be tough to bat until lunch.

"We knew we had to be disciplined with our shot selection, we had to leave the ball well.

"We just didn't do that well enough. We're working our backsides off. What else can you do?," Clarke said.

"You've just got to keep working hard, trust in your game and back yourself 100 per cent.

"We're all disappointed. We should have done better than what we did. The positive is we'll get another bat and another opportunity in the second innings."

Clarke made 20 before feathering an edge to wicketkeeper Matt Prior from the bowling of chief destroyer James Anderson.

"I thought I was batting OK again today but I was disappointed with the shot," he said. "Poor shot selection. I'd been quite disciplined until then. It's something I've got to keep working on. I was psyching myself up today for a big one, so (it's) disappointing I didn't go on with it.

"There's four days left in this Test match so it's really important we come out tomorrow and show intent."

Captain Ricky Ponting's 10 included two scything pulls, but a gem of a ball from Chris Tremlett was his downfall.

Clarke denied Ponting was under pressure to retain his place in the side.

"I don't think so at all," he said.

"I know he's copped a lot of criticism of late and no doubt he'd like to be scoring more runs, as a lot of us would be.

"But Ricky should be captain of Australia, he should be the No.3 batter for Australia.

"Runs are around the corner for him. Every single player in that change room supports him. He's too good a player to not turn it around."