All out for 98 – the lowest score against England at the MCG since 1877 – any hope of winning back the Ashes is almost certainly gone and there is no obvious solution in sight.
With cricket's ultimate trophy in the balance, Australia came into this match with hopes high on the back of its fightback victory in Perth.
Those hopes lasted four overs, perhaps even fewer.
The life that had returned to Australia's hopes in Perth was strangled from a hapless, powerless and desperately disappointing Australian team.
From captain Ricky Ponting down, the Australian batting performance was dismal.
The statistics alone speak for the Australian bowling attack.
England took 10 wickets in 30 overs.
The Australians ended the day with none from 47 and conceded 157 runs.
For Ponting, so long one of the finest batsmen in the world, yesterday's 10 runs continued his dreadful form.
It will also make the pressure on himself and the selectors near to unbearable.
Assuming he is fit, Ponting will retain his place in the team for the final Test in Sydney. The captaincy is another question.
After that, nothing can be certain for the man regarded as the second-greatest batsman Australia has produced.
Four more days are scheduled for this Test match.
The major interest now is in how many of them England will need to hold on to the Ashes.
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