The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) produced a day of pure, unadulterated cricketing chaos on Friday. In a stunning throwback to a bygone era, a total of 20 wickets tumbled on the opening day, marking the first instance of such carnage on Day One of an Ashes contest since way back in January 1902.
Record Crowd Witnesses Unprecedented Collapse
The mayhem unfolded before a record-breaking Boxing Day crowd of 94,199 spectators at the MCG, the largest ever recorded for a single day of Test cricket, surpassing even the attendance of the 2015 World Cup final. What they witnessed was a dramatic, old-fashioned shootout on a green-tinged pitch offering significant assistance to the bowlers.
After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to field, his decision was vindicated immediately. Seamer Josh Tongue produced a career-best spell of 5 for 45, tearing through the Australian top order. The hosts found themselves in deep trouble at 72 for 4 by the lunch break. Key batters Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, and skipper Steve Smith (bowled for 9) all departed cheaply.
Usman Khawaja provided brief resistance with 29 runs, but it was a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Michael Neser (35) and Cameron Green (17) that offered some stability. However, Tongue returned after the break to clean up the tail, dismissing Neser and Scott Boland with consecutive deliveries. Australia were bundled out for a meager 152 runs by the tea interval.
England's Batting Reply Unravels Even Faster
If anyone thought the drama had peaked, they were mistaken. England's response with the bat was nothing short of catastrophic. Exploiting the same treacherous conditions, Australian pacers Michael Neser (4 for 45) and Mitchell Starc reduced the English innings to rubble. The visitors slumped to a disastrous 16 for 4, losing Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, and the experienced Joe Root for a duck in quick succession.
A lone hand of defiance came from Harry Brook, who counter-attacked bravely with a brisk 41 off just 34 balls. He added 50 runs with Stokes to offer a flicker of hope. However, Scott Boland (3 for 30) applied the brakes decisively, removing Brook, Jamie Smith, and Will Jacks in a devastating spell. England were dismissed for a paltry 110 runs in under 30 overs, conceding a first-innings lead of 42 runs despite having bowled Australia out cheaply earlier.
Historic Context and Match Poised for More Drama
The scale of the collapse is historic. The 20 wickets marked the most to fall on Day One of a Boxing Day Test ever. It also equaled the tally from the 1894/95 Ashes Test at the same venue. By stumps, Australia had navigated a nervous over to reach 4 without loss, extending their overall lead to 46 runs.
The match is now fascinatingly poised. With the pitch showing its teeth and bowlers from both sides brimming with confidence, the remaining days promise more high-octane action. This incredible day of Test cricket, witnessed by a record crowd, has perfectly set the stage for a potentially series-defining contest in Melbourne.
