- 20 wickets fell on day one of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, the most on an Ashes opening day since 1909.
- Australia scored 152 all out, with Josh Tongue taking 5-45; England replied with 110, trailing by 42 runs on first innings.
- Australia reached 4-0 in second innings at stumps, leading by 46 runs.
- Record crowd of 94,199 witnessed the mayhem on a grassy pitch with 10mm cover.
A Day of Wickets and Records
The fourth Ashes Test began with extraordinary drama at the MCG on December 26, 2025. Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch offering significant assistance.
England’s pacers capitalized early: Josh Tongue claimed a five-wicket haul (5-45), his third in Tests, dismantling Australia for 152. Michael Neser top-scored with 35, providing late resistance.
England’s reply crumbled spectacularly. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley cheaply. Debutant Jacob Bethell fell for 1, Joe Root for a 15-ball duck.
Harry Brook counter-attacked with 41 off 34 balls, briefly reviving hopes. But Neser (4 wickets) and Scott Boland (3) triggered collapse, bowling England out for 110.
Australia faced one over before stumps, surviving to 4-0—nightwatchman Boland edging boundaries amid cheers.
Pitch Controversy and Historical Context
The 10mm grass cover drew criticism: commentators like Stuart Broad called it “too much” for Test cricket. Batters struggled with seam and bounce, leading to 20 wickets—the most on an MCG Ashes day one since 1901-02.
Crowd record (94,199) surpassed 2015 Cricket World Cup final attendance, reflecting Boxing Day tradition despite dead rubber status.
| Day One Key Statistics |
|---|
| Australia 1st Innings: 152 (Neser 35, Tongue 5-45) |
| England 1st Innings: 110 (Brook 41, Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30) |
| Australia 2nd Innings: 4-0 |
| Wickets Fallen: 20 (Ashes day one record since 1909) |
| Crowd: 94,199 (MCG record) |
The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne delivered one of the most chaotic days in Ashes history. A record 94,199 fans witnessed 20 wickets tumble, echoing Perth’s opening-day frenzy earlier in the series.
Stokes’ decision to field exploited conditions: Tongue’s swing and seam proved devastating. Australia’s middle order faltered, though Neser’s grit delayed total collapse.
England’s response mirrored their tour struggles. Early losses exposed top-order fragility—Duckett miscued, Crawley edged, Bethell nicked on debut.
Brook’s aggressive 41 (two sixes) briefly ignited Bazball spirit, partnering Stokes for 50. Yet Neser and Boland’s precision dismantled the tail.
Boland’s nightwatchman role—edging four—added surreal touch, surviving Atkinson’s over.
Pitch preparation faced scrutiny: excessive grass favored bowlers unfairly. Former players debated balance—sporting yet extreme.
This day encapsulated series themes: Australia’s adaptability, England’s execution lapses. Trailing 3-0, tourists seek pride in dead rubbers.
Melbourne’s atmosphere—pulsating during England’s woes—underscored Ashes intensity.
Day two promises continuation: Australia build lead, England hunt early wickets on wearing surface.
Historical parallels abound: rapid wickets recall early 20th-century uncovered pitches. Modern context amplifies surprise.
England’s changes—Bethell for Pope, Atkinson for injured Archer—signal reset. Tongue’s fifer offers bowling hope.
Australia, sans Cummins/Lyon (rest/injury), rely on depth—Neser/Boland shone.
This Test, potentially short, defines narratives: whitewash avoidance or further dominance.
