- Record 94,119 crowd witnesses Ashes drama
Australia seized control of the Boxing Day Test after a breathtaking opening day at the MCG where an astonishing 20 wickets fell, leaving England once again fighting to stay afloat in a series already slipping away. Josh Tongue’s superb 5 for 45 powered England to bowl Australia out for 152, but the tourists’ reply unraveled in dramatic fashion as Michael Neser (4-45) and Scott Boland (3-30) ripped through them for 110, giving the hosts a 46-run lead at stumps.
On a green-tinged pitch offering relentless seam and movement, batting often resembled survival rather than scoring. Only Usman Khawaja managed to face more than 50 balls, while Harry Brook’s bold 41 from 34 briefly resurrected England with a counterattacking blaze of stroke-play. But once Boland trapped Brook lbw, England’s resistance crumbled and the Barmy Army were left celebrating merely reaching three figures.
Earlier, Tongue had ignited England’s day with a beautifully controlled new-ball burst, dismissing Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith with full, probing deliveries to expose Australia’s middle order. Usman Khawaja (29) and Michael Neser (35) counterpunched to lift Australia past 150, but on a surface offering zip all day, even that modest total looked imposing.
England’s chase began in freefall as Joe Root’s 15-ball duck formed part of a top-order capitulation to 16 for 4, before Brook’s fearless charge briefly restored belief and energy in front of a Boxing Day record crowd of 94,119. But Australia’s seamers once again proved too accurate, too disciplined and too relentless under the lights.
Australia closed on 4 without loss, extending their lead to 46 runs and tightening their grip on the contest. With the pitch showing no signs of easing and bowlers dictating terms, this Test already feels like a sprint rather than a marathon, and England, yet again, are chasing from behind.
