Boxing Day Carnage at the MCG: Bowlers Run Riot as 20 Wickets Tumble on Day One of Ashes 4th test

 

Even after Australia had already sealed the series, the magic of the Boxing Day Test remained undiminished. A staggering 93,442 spectators thronged the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, setting a new Ashes record for the highest single-day attendance in Test history. What they witnessed was not a batting spectacle, but a breathtaking exhibition of fast bowling dominance from both sides.

In front of the record crowd, Australia were skittled out for a modest 152 in their first innings. However, England failed to capitalise on the advantage, collapsing even more dramatically to just 110. By stumps on Day One, Australia held a slender but significant lead of 46 runs, and discussions had already begun about whether this Test might be wrapped up within two days.

Melbourne outdid Perth. In the opening Test of this Ashes series at Perth, a total of 19 wickets had fallen on the first day. At the MCG, all 20 wickets went down, with both teams bowled out. The last time such a feat occurred at this ground was back in 1909—116 years ago—making Friday’s events all the more extraordinary.

Winning the toss, England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first, a decision that initially appeared inspired. England’s bowlers struck early and often, removing Travis Head—who had tormented them throughout the series—for just 12. None of Australia’s top four managed to get off the mark. A brief fifth-wicket stand between Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey offered some resistance, but neither could convert it into a substantial score. Khawaja made 29, Carey 20.

All-rounder Cameron Green endured yet another disappointing outing. Since being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a hefty ₹25.20 crore at the IPL auction, runs have dried up for him, and this innings was no exception as he managed only 17. Lower down the order, pacer Michael Neser top-scored with a fighting 35, helping Australia crawl past the 150 mark before being bowled out in 45.2 overs.

Josh Tongue was the standout for England, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul for 45 runs. Gus Atkinson picked up two wickets, while Brydon Carse and Stokes chipped in with one apiece.

Australia’s fragile batting display hinted that England would face similar troubles—and so it proved. Any lingering optimism among England supporters was quickly extinguished by Mitchell Starc, who struck early by dismissing Ben Duckett for 2. What followed was a top-order collapse of alarming proportions. Zak Crawley (5), Jacob Bethell (1) and Joe Root (0) all fell cheaply.

England’s struggles away from home once again came under the spotlight. While their batters thrive on flat, run-laden pitches at home, their overseas performances—particularly in this Ashes series—have raised serious questions. Have their own conditions, designed for piling on runs, ultimately left them ill-prepared for tougher tests abroad?

At 16 for 4, Harry Brook counter-attacked in trademark fashion, choosing aggression over survival. He took on Starc and Scott Boland with fearless strokeplay, but his resistance was inevitably short-lived. Brook departed for a spirited 41, lbw to Boland. Stokes followed soon after, making 16 before falling to Neser.

Gus Atkinson’s contribution from No. 9—an invaluable 28—ensured England at least crossed the 100-run mark. Without him, they might not have reached three figures. England were eventually bowled out for 110 in just 29.5 overs. A team unable to last even 30 overs in an innings can hardly dream of winning a Test—especially against Australia. The pressure on captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum intensified further as a result.

Australia’s pacers shared the spoils evenly: Neser claimed four wickets, Boland three, Starc two and Green one. Australia then negotiated a solitary over in their second innings, scoring four runs with Scott Boland facing the whole over & got 4 runs off the final ball of the day to the huge cheers of the crowd . At the close of a sensational first day, Australia led by 46 runs, with the bowlers firmly in control and the fate of the Test hanging delicately in the balance.