- 20 wickets tumbled on day one of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2025—the most on an Ashes opening day since 1909.
- Australia posted 152 all out (Michael Neser 35, Josh Tongue 5-45); England replied with 110 (Harry Brook 41, Neser 4-45, Scott Boland 3-30).
- Australia closed at 4-0 in second innings, leading by 46 runs.
- Former England captain Michael Vaughan labeled the 10mm-grass pitch “unfair” and “doing too much,” favoring bowlers excessively.
A Chaotic Day of Records and Controversy
The Boxing Day Test delivered unprecedented drama in front of a record 94,199 crowd at the MCG. Ben Stokes won the toss and bowled on a lively surface, with England exploiting conditions to dismiss Australia for 152 before tea.
Josh Tongue’s 5-45 marked his third Test five-for, while Neser resisted with 35. England’s response faltered immediately—Duckett, Crawley, and debutant Bethell fell cheaply.
Brook’s aggressive 41 (34 balls) briefly countered, adding 50 with Stokes. Collapse ensued: 5-25 lost, all out for 110 in 29.5 overs.
Australia faced one over, surviving to 4-0—Boland’s edged four entertaining the masses.
Pitch Criticism from Experts
The 10mm grass cover prompted widespread debate. CricViz data showed 48% deliveries seaming over 0.75 degrees—the second-highest day-one figure in Australia over a decade. PitchViz rated 8.7/10 difficulty (second-toughest in 101 Tests).
Vaughan called it “unfair for batters”: “The pitch has done plenty… I don’t like seeing a pitch do so much.” He acknowledged entertainment but questioned Test balance.
Glenn McGrath agreed: “Far too much grass… 7mm better.” Alastair Cook deemed it “heavily weighted towards bowlers”—unfair contest.
Curator Matt Page aimed for later-days life, referencing last year’s India thriller. Warming weather and rollers may ease conditions.
| Day One Key Figures |
|---|
| Wickets: 20 (Ashes day one record since 1909) |
| Crowd: 94,199 (MCG cricket record) |
| Seam Movement: 48% >0.75 degrees (CricViz) |
| PitchViz Rating: 8.7/10 (2nd toughest day one in Australia, 101 Tests) |
The fourth Ashes Test’s opening day at Melbourne on December 26, 2025, produced one of cricket’s wildest spectacles. A record 94,199 fans—largest single-day cricket attendance ever—watched 20 wickets fall, surpassing 1909’s Ashes mark.
Stokes’ bowl-first call paid dividends: Tongue dismantled Australia, Neser delaying with 35. England’s chase mirrored vulnerability—top-order nicks, Brook’s fightback undone by Neser/Boland precision.
Boland’s nightwatch boundary capped surreal scenes.
Pitch preparation dominated post-play talk. Excessive grass created bowler paradise: sharp seam, bounce. Vaughan, McGrath, Cook, Broad critiqued imbalance—”not great Test wicket.”
Page prioritized multi-day contest, warmer forecasts suggesting day-four/five batting ease.
Vaughan saw England’s “best chance” chasing: “They are a good chasing side… don’t rule them out.”
Historical parallels: rapid wickets recall uncovered eras, modern rarity amplifies shock.
Crowd fervor—pulsating during England’s woes—reaffirmed Boxing Day magic despite dead rubber.
Day two looms: Australia build, England hunt breakthroughs on potentially flattening track.
This day encapsulated Ashes intensity: skill, luck, controversy. Debate endures—sporting pitch or unfair?
