A remarkable and chaotic opening day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test saw a staggering 20 wickets fall at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, leaving Australia with a slender advantage after England's batters failed to capitalise on a strong bowling performance.
Bowlers Feast on Green Pitch as Batting Collapses Ensue
In front of a record Boxing Day crowd of 94,199 spectators, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch with a significant covering of grass. His decision was immediately vindicated as seamer Josh Tongue produced a superb spell of five for 45, exploiting the conditions to skittle Australia for just 152 all out before tea.
However, any hopes of an English advantage were swiftly extinguished. The tourists' top order imploded spectacularly, crumbling to 16 for four within eight overs of their reply. Michael Neser, making his Test debut, was exceptional, finishing with figures of four for 45 as England were dismissed for a paltry 110 in under 30 overs.
Brook's Brief Resistance in a Day of Batting Woes
Amid the carnage, Harry Brook provided the lone hand of resistance for England. Walking in at eight for three, the young batter played aggressively, top-scoring for either side with a brisk 41 from 34 balls, including two sixes. His dismissal, trapped lbw by Scott Boland, epitomised the difficult conditions.
Elsewhere, England's batting was characterised by uncertainty. Joe Root endured the longest duck of his Test career, facing 15 balls before edging behind, as the touring side's confidence appeared shattered after three heavy defeats in the series.
A Tense Finish and Uncertain Future
With a lead of 42, Australia faced a tricky four-over period before stumps. Nightwatchman Scott Boland survived a sharp chance and even managed to squeeze a boundary off the final ball of the day, prompting huge cheers from the local crowd. Australia closed on four without loss, leading by 46 runs.
The frenetic day's play, with bowlers utterly dominant, raised immediate questions about the pitch and the possibility of another prematurely finished Test match. After the financial losses incurred from the two-day Test in Perth, Cricket Australia officials will be anxiously hoping for a more balanced contest over the remaining days in Melbourne.
