Seam Showdown: Australia Edges Ahead in Melbourne Test Thriller

On the chaotic opening day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia emerged slightly ahead after an unprecedented 20 wickets fell in front of a record-breaking crowd.

By the end of the day, Australia stood at 4 without loss in their second innings, with Scott Boland not out at 4 and Travis Head yet to score, leading England by 46 runs. England had earlier been bowled out for 110 in response to Australia’s first innings total of 152. The last time as many wickets fell in a day at the MCG was during the 1902 Ashes when 25 wickets tumbled.

Josh Tongue achieved a career-best performance, taking 5 wickets for 45 runs on a challenging pitch after England captain Ben Stokes decided to field first in the traditional Boxing Day Test. However, the visitors’ batting lineup then crumbled dramatically.

A crowd of 93,442 witnessed the day’s events, surpassing the MCG’s prior record for a cricket match set at the 2015 World Cup final. Despite having lost the series following three consecutive defeats, England entered the match under scrutiny amid reports of a “stag party” atmosphere during their time in Noosa between the Tests.

Initially, England seemed well-positioned, having bowled out Australia in 45.2 overs before the tea break. However, their hopes quickly dwindled as their top order collapsed, resulting in them being dismissed in just 29.5 overs.

While former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the pitch, Australia’s Michael Neser, who led with 4-45 and also top-scored for Australia with 35 runs, had no objections. He noted that the pitch tends to improve after the first two days.

Neser’s performance with the bat considerably outshone England’s Ben Duckett, who scored only two. Newcomer Jacob Bethell managed just one run before falling to Neser, while Zak Crawley was caught for five. Joe Root was dismissed for a 15-ball duck, his second in the series.

Despite a 50-run partnership between Harry Brook and Stokes, England’s batting was dismantled by Scott Boland’s three wickets, leaving them reeling. Stokes’ knock ended with 16 runs to his name, as he edged a delivery from Neser.

In the end, a tenth-wicket stand of 19 between Gus Atkinson and Tongue provided some resistance, but Atkinson’s dismissal by Cameron Green for 28 wrapped up England’s innings just in time to allow one over before stumps.

Australia’s Jhye Richardson, playing his first Test since the last home Ashes series, was the only pacer not to benefit significantly on the wicket-friendly pitch.

Tongue continued to impress by consistently dismissing Steve Smith, as he claimed five wickets, including the prized wicket of Smith for nine, and accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald for low scores.

Reflecting on the day’s play, Tongue remarked, “Bowling them out for 150-odd, I thought we did an amazing job as a bowling unit. They’ve bowled well too. It’s definitely a pitch that offers a lot.”

Published on December 26, 2025.