Australia held a 46-run lead on day one of the Boxing Day Test after the hosts were bowled out for 152 and England replied with a limp 110, marking a record 20 wickets falling on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The last instance of 20 or more wickets falling on the first day of an Ashes Test in Australia was back in the 1901-02 season, a time when cricket was played on uncovered pitches.
After winning the toss, England opted to field first. Josh Tongue shone with the best Boxing Day figures since Ian Botham recorded 5-41 in 1986. Tongue also became the first English bowler since 1998 to claim a five-wicket haul at the MCG.
Gus Atkinson drew first blood by removing Travis Head for 27 in the seventh over. Tongue then got rid of opener Jake Weatherald for 10 in the tenth over and quickly followed up by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for 6, marking his fourth consecutive score under 20 as he nicked a half-drive to first slip. Tongue soon bowled standing skipper Steve Smith out cheaply for 9. Usman Khawaja was caught edging Atkinson, and Alex Carey fell to Ben Stokes at leg-slip, leaving the hosts at 91/6.
Cameron Green and Michael Neser then steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership. Neser hit seven boundaries in a team-high 35 runs before Green’s decision to attempt a quick single led to a run-out, with Brydon Carse hitting the non-striker’s end stumps to catch the diving all-rounder short of his ground.
The run-out triggered a collapse as Australia lost their last four wickets for just nine runs in 20 balls, ending their innings at 152, which is their lowest Boxing Day score since being rolled for 98 in the 2010-11 Ashes.
However, England could not capitalize on their strong bowling performance and were bowled out for their lowest Test score since their last visit to Victoria in 2021.
In response to Australia’s first innings total, England fell to 16-4 within eight overs as Mitchell Starc (2-23) and Neser (4-45) wreaked havoc early on. Harry Brook managed to score 41 in a brief 34-ball innings. He shocked the near-full stadium by aggressively charging at his first ball before missing a reckless slog off Starc. Joe Root attempted defense but edged Neser behind for a duck off just 15 balls.
Brook, after clearing the fence twice, fell lbw to Boland, sparking another collapse as Boland also removed Jamie Smith and Will Jacks soon after, leaving England at 77/7.
Neser then had Ben Stokes caught at second slip, leaving the team staring at a sub-100 total. But Atkinson’s crucial 28 helped the visitors avoid this embarrassment. He was dismissed off Green’s bowling, and Neser sealed England’s fate by getting Carse out for 4, bundling England out for 110.
In their second innings, Australia posted 4 for no loss, taking a 46-run lead at stumps.
Brief scores:
Australia 152 (Neser 35, Tongue 5-45, Atkinson 2-28)
England 110 (Brook 41, Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30)
Australia lead by 46 runs.