England’s Ashes tour descended into further crisis as they were bowled out for just 110 runs on a frenetic opening day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a total of 20 wickets falling—the most in an Ashes Test first day since 1909. Australia, having been dismissed for 152 earlier, ended the day at 4-0 in their second innings, leading by 46 runs, putting England on the brink of another heavy defeat in a series they have already lost.
The day began with Australia batting after England won the toss, and the tourists showed improved discipline with the ball. Pace bowler Josh Tongue led the attack brilliantly, taking 5-45, including the key wicket of Steve Smith, as Australia were bundled out for 152 in 54.3 overs. Support came from Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, with Carse effecting a direct-hit run-out, but the total seemed modest given the challenging pitch conditions.
However, England’s batting lineup crumbled spectacularly in the evening session, lasting only 29.5 overs. They lost wickets at an alarming rate, slumping to 8-3 and then 16-4, with Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and debutant Jacob Bethell falling cheaply. Harry Brook provided brief resistance with a counter-attacking 41 off 44 balls, including two sixes, but once he was dismissed lbw by Scott Boland, the innings unraveled quickly.
The pitch at the MCG, with 10mm of grass left on it, was the central character in the day’s drama, offering consistent seam movement and bounce that made batting extremely difficult. Stand-in Australian captain Steve Smith had predicted batters needed to be ‘on their game,’ and his words proved prophetic as both teams struggled. The conditions raised questions about whether they were too extreme, but they undeniably produced compelling, if chaotic, cricket.
Key performances defined the day: for England, Tongue’s five-wicket haul was a silver lining, while Brook’s aggressive knock stood out amidst the collapse. For Australia, Michael Neser took 4-45 and Boland 3-30, with Boland adding to the surreal atmosphere by opening the batting as nightwatchman in Australia’s second innings. The bizarre sight of a number 11 batsman facing the new ball encapsulated the day’s madness.
A record Boxing Day crowd of 94,199—the largest ever for a cricket match in Melbourne—witnessed the carnage, with the atmosphere electric as wickets tumbled rapidly. The promise of English discomfort seemed to boost attendance, and the spectators were treated to a day of relentless action, with the third innings of the match beginning on day one, only the third such occurrence in Ashes history.
The match is now poised for a potentially swift conclusion, with Australia in a commanding position. Given that the first Test in Perth ended in two days—the first such Ashes Test in 104 years—there is a real possibility that Melbourne could see a similar outcome. England, already 3-0 down in the series, face the grim prospect of a 4-0 defeat unless they can mount a miraculous recovery.
Looking ahead, day two will be crucial for England to limit Australia’s lead and then bat with far greater application in their second innings. However, with the pitch likely to remain treacherous and their confidence shattered, the tourists have a monumental task to avoid another humiliation in what has been a disastrous Ashes campaign.
